Ty and Janice Shelton have made significant improvements to their potato yields by properly managing their soil By Jeremy Simes Glacier FarmMedia staff The Shelton family has managed to turn their once sandy soils into something rich and fertile, a testament to their ongoing commitment to improve the land. The proof can be seen in […]
OrganicBiz staff The ‘USDA Organic’ label has become been a point of tension as organic food prices rise. But what does it mean? In the U.S., USDA certified organic foods must be produced under federal guidelines for soil quality, animal rearing and pesticide use. Produce is organic if it’s grown in soil that uses no prohibited substances, such as pesticides, for three years […]
New research considers pesticide-cleansing properties of rice plants America Society of Agronomy – Rice is a staple food crop of 20 percent of the world’s population. It’s also grown on every continent except Antarctica. While it’s an important part of our diets, new research shows that rice plants can be used in a different way, […]
By Dr. Brenda Frick Courtesy of the Prairie Organic Grain Initiative Do you have questions? We can help. Organic farmers, those transitioning to organic production, and those who are just curious: a resource is available to answer questions and to help you explore options. Pivot and Grow’s ‘Ask an Expert’ phone line (1-800-245-8341) offers farmers […]
Researchers identify three mechanical control practices for organic farming, but none of them work well on their own By William DeKay Glacier FarmMedia staff Organic crop researchers are now focused on developing a larger, more diverse tool kit to control weeds. “The research has kind of evolved to the point where we’ve looked at things […]
By Laura Rance Editorial director, Glacier FarmMedia It’s a dirty business, teaching farmers about soil — enough to drive Jay Fuhrer to eating cheese balls. As the “soil health specialist” prepared his show-and-tell before a Saskatoon audience recently, he joked the only reason he buys cheese balls at his local grocer’s is because they come […]
Thomson Reuters Foundation – Forget all those loud calls to eat less meat and more plants for better health and a stronger planet – new research shows the world is not producing nearly enough fruit and vegetables to feed everyone. Canadian researchers compared global agricultural production with the sort of diet backed by nutritionists – […]
American Society of Agronomy – In a newly published study, researchers dug into how fertilizing with manure affects soil quality, compared with inorganic fertilizer. Ekrem Ozlu of the University of Wisconsin-Madison and his team studied two fields in South Dakota. From 2003 to 2015, the research team applied either manure or inorganic fertilizer to field […]
Cornell University – With bee pollinators in decline and pesky crop pests lowering yields, sustainable and organic farmers need environmentally friendly solutions. One strategy is to border crops with wildflower plantings to attract pollinators and pest predators. But scientists have suggested that such plantings may only be effective when farms are surrounded by the right […]
Exeley Inc. – Nematodes, also known as roundworms, are one of the most numerous animal species on earth. As simple as they seem, many of them live as parasites in plants, insects and animals; habitats also include, soil, sea as well as fresh water. Researchers perform studies on nematodes, since many of them are beneficial […]
