Inputs - by Top Crop Manager

High temperatures and limited soil moisture in precipitation created the perfect storm for many insect pests on the Prairies this year. As John Gavloski, entomologist with Manitoba Agriculture and Resource Development, notes in this episode, grasshoppers and flea beetles were two of the most prominent insects found in the province this year. Beneficial insects were welcomed in many fields this year, but there were some unpleasant surprises as well.

Show notes:

• Twitter: @Johnthebugguy
• E-mail: [email protected] 
• MB Insect page
• Summary of insects in Manitoba crops in 2021

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Sponsored by Gowan.

Proper management of phosphorus is important to not only your own fields, but also general water quality in your surrounding area. In this episode, Dr. Merrin Macrae, professor at the University of Waterloo in Ontario, shares insights from her lab work and recent research in the Lake Erie watershed, and notes that while best practices can vary based on geography, there are several options for optimum P management.

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Show notes:

• Find Dr. Merrin Macrae on Twitter @merrinm or reach her via email at [email protected].
• Check out what's happening at the University of Waterloo's Biogeochemistry Lab
• The paper referenced in the podcast can be found here

Sponsored by Proven Seed.

Adding forages to your rotation can bring myriad benefits, including increased soil health and additional cash crop options. But the choices are seemingly endless. What to choose? Where to begin?

In this episode, Perry Ross, forage product line representative with Nutrien Ag Solutions and Proven Seed shares the benefits of adding forages to your rotations, how to select the right crop for your needs and other factors to consider.

Never miss an episode of Inputs by subscribing to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Sponsored by Proven Seed.

Are we done talking about the great drought of 2021 yet? You probably already know the answer to that question - of course not. The effects of this past growing season's weather will last for a while, but the lessons learned are plentiful. In this episode, a harvest update and recap, our new co-host Dylan Sjølie chats with Jeremy Boychyn, agronomy research extension specialist with Alberta Wheat and Barley Commission, and Kaeley Kindrachuk, agronomy extension specialist with SaskCanola. Both share insights and takeaways from this year's wheat, barley and canola harvests, and what to consider as we move on from 2021 and look ahead to 2022.

Show notes:

• @BoychynJeremy on Twitter
• Alberta Wheat and Barley Commission
• The Growing Point newsletter
• @Kindrachuk on Twitter
• SaskCanola
• Canola Encyclopedia

Sponsored by ESN Smart Nitrogen.

Drought can have devastating effects on crops. Besides moisture stress, dry soil results in limited root activity, preventing roots from effectively taking up nutrients, and limited soil biological activity. In this episode of Inputs, Alan Blaylock, senior agronomist with Nutrien, shares tips and advice on recovering and adjusting fertilizer management strategies after experiencing drought conditions.

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Sponsored by Nutrien ESN.

In late 2018/early 2019, Yvonne Lawley, a professor in the plant science department at the University of Manitoba, set out to learn more about what early adopters are doing with cover crops across the Prairies, as well as challenges and barriers to adopting the practice. Callum Morrison, a University of Manitoba PhD student, joined the project and brought the project's connection with farmers to the next level.

Lawley and Morrison were featured in an August 2020 episode of Inputs to discuss preliminary results of the 2019 survey and cover crop recommendations for Prairie growers. Now, nearing the culmination of their study, the two return to chat with Top Crop Manager assistant editor Alex Barnard to discuss outcomes gleaned from the survey and the future of the project.

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Sulfur comes in two different forms: elemental sulfur and sulfate (most commonly found in ammonium sulfate). But which one is the best choice for your crop? The overall goal is to apply nutrients at the time the plant is taking them up to maximize production and minimize loss, so timing and crop uptake are two main factors to consider when making this decision. 

Learn more about sulfur and Smart Nutrition MAP + MST in this episode with Cristie Preston, PhD, senior agronomist with Nutrien.

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Sponsored by Smart Nutrition MAP + MST.

Often called "the hidden yield robber," soybean cyst nematode is hard to see, but it can have devastating effects on a soybean crop. An integrated management approach, including the use of resistant varieties, is necessary. But as fall approaches, it's important to scout your fields and sample your fields for SCN.

In this episode, Albert Tenuta, field crop pathologist with the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, discusses how to properly sample soil for soybean cyst nematode, and shares some helpful management practices too.

Never miss an episode of Inputs by subscribing to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Sponsored by Climate FieldView.

Show notes

• The SCN Coalition is a group of researchers, extension staff and industry reps working together to provide growers with SCN information.
• The Ontario Soybean Performance Trials can be found on GoSoy.ca.
• Visit FieldCropNews.com for seasonal updates from the OMAFRA field crop team.

Winter barley may not be a new crop for Ontario growers, but a combination of factors is making the cereal crop an attractive option to include in rotation. Top Crop Manager associate editor Alex Barnard chats with Joanna Follings, cereals specialist with the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA), about winter barley's benefits and challenges, and considerations to make before seeding.

Never miss an episode of Inputs by subscribing to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Sponsored by Climate FieldView.

Interested in trying out winter barley, or want some more information? Ontario growers can contact Follings at [email protected] or their regional SeCan representative.

Crop conditions on the Prairies are extremely hot and dry, which is changing crop outlooks and plans created at seeding. Combined with the severe livestock feed shortage developing, affected producers might be considering converting some poorer-performing grains, pulses or oilseeds to greenfeed or silage.

David Van Deynze, chief product officer with the Manitoba Agricultural Services Corporation (MASC), discusses what the recently declared agricultural state of disaster in several Manitoba rural municipalities means, the process for changing crops to alternate use without affecting your AgriInsurance coverage, and what's unique about the Hay Disaster Benefit this year.

Never miss an episode of Inputs by subscribing to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Sponsored by Dekalb.

• Manitoba Agricultural Services Corporation (MASC)
• Putting crops to alternate use FAQ
• Contact a MASC service centre