Farmers Considering Alternate Fertilizer Options For 2020

Jan 30, 2020

Farmers who normally apply fertilizer in the fall are going to be forced into other options this spring due to the challenging conditions.

John Heard is a Soil Fertility Specialist with Manitoba Agriculture & Resource Development.

"For those that are dealing with rutted up fields, tillage is going to be done anyways. I expect that a number of farmers will use that as an opportunity to apply some broadcast and incorporated fertilizer," he commented. "There are numerous at-seeding options now too; side banding, mid-row banding. Developments in the last 10 to 15 years have enabled us with some of the enhanced efficiency products to improve some of the efficiency of broadcasting."

Heard says farmers and dealers will need to work together.

"Yes, it will be a very busy time. Logistically it will be a challenge. We've only been there several times before. Fertilizer dealers have survived this before and farmers will just have to work through them, communicate well with them so that they know what the plans are well in advance. We'll get through this but it will be a challenge."

Heard spoke about the issue Wednesday at the Manitoba Pulse and Soybean Growers (MPSG) production meeting held in Portage la Prairie.

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Video: A chain harrow is a game changer

Utilizing a rotational grazing method on our farmstead with our sheep helps to let the pasture/paddocks rest. We also just invested in a chain harrow to allow us to drag the paddocks our sheep just left to break up and spread their manure around, dethatch thicker grass areas, and to rough up bare dirt areas to all for a better seed to soil contact if we overseed that paddock. This was our first time really using the chain harrow besides initially testing it out. We are very impressed with the work it did and how and area that was majority dirt, could be roughed up before reseeding.

Did you know we also operate a small business on the homestead. We make homemade, handcrafted soaps, shampoo bars, hair and beard products in addition to offering our pasture raised pork, lamb, and 100% raw honey. You can find out more about our products and ingredients by visiting our website at www.mimiandpoppysplace.com. There you can shop our products and sign up for our monthly newsletter that highlights a soap or ingredient, gives monthly updates about the homestead, and also lists the markets, festivals, and events we’ll be attending that month.