How the excess moisture of 2010 may influence agronomic practises and recommendations. Mike Hall Cargill Agronomist Yorkton, SK

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1 How the excess moisture of may influence agronomic practises and recommendations Mike Hall Cargill Agronomist Yorkn, SK

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4 Typical Chemical Fallow

6 1. Fertility, soil sampling and fertilizer management Soil testing more important this year than ever before. Results are coming back all over the map. Variability within field can be huge.

7 Percent of samples ALS data from Moist black soil zone summer fallow cultivated Average 31 lbs/ac of Nitrogen Summer fallow cultivated Average 41 lbs/ac of Nitrogen Soil Nitrogen 0-12 inches (lbs/ac

8 Percent of samples ALS data from Moist black soil zone 25 summer fallow cultivated 15 Average 31 lbs/ac of Nitrogen summer fallow cultivated Average 58 lbs/ac of Nitrogen Soil Nitrogen 0-12 inches (lbs/ac

9 Percent of samples ALS data from Moist black soil zone summer fallow cultivated Average 31 lbs/ac of Nitrogen wheat stubble Average 19 lbs/ac of Nitrogen Soil Nitrogen 0-12 inches (lbs/ac

10 1. Fertility, soil sampling and fertilizer management Jeff Shoenau (U of S) has taken us through some senarios explain the variation. Too wet seed and saturated for duration of the season Could be low in nitrogen as bacteria used N0 3 - as an oxygen source. Denitrification: N0 3 - N 2 O, N 2 John Heard s rule of thumb 2-4 lbs N0 3 - <5 o C 4-8 lbs N o C 8-16 lbs N o C Mineralization minimized under saturated conditions Most common situation, increase N rates if good seeding conditions, decrease lbs/ac per week after May 25

11 1. Fertility, soil sampling and fertilizer management Too wet seed then dried out and kept weedfree Denitrification losses would be less Mineralization contributions more significant Probably more nitrogen around in this situation. Too wet seed weeds flourished A very common senario in my area Heavy weed growth taking up nutrients and not likely release much the following year (high C:N ratio)

12 1. Fertility, soil sampling and fertilizer management Seeded Fertilized and flooded out later Most of that N is now gone. Not necessarily?!? Applied N was in the ammonium form which is not prone leaching or denitrification. Flooding inhibits the conversion of ammonium nitrate

13 1. Fertility, soil sampling and fertilizer management So how soil sample? High variability between and within fields. Soil sample different zones. Sample 0-6 and 6-24 if possible 0-12 probably Ok as I don t think we should count on Nitrogen at depth particularly going in a wet situation (shallow roots).

14 1. Fertility, soil sampling and fertilizer management Not worried about big changes in P and K levels. These nutrients not typically lost excepting soil erosion. Sulphur Probably not big changes Could be higher or lower When microbes run out of nitrate strip off oxygen they ll turn sulphate Sulphate salts can wick surface (Shoenau) Saturated soils would limit the oxidation of elemental sulphur

15 2. Weed expectations and management Foxtail barley. Expanded range and monstrous in size Post Harvest glyphosate best control. Fall cultivation Spring control tricky. Late spring application more effective. RR canola Canada thistle grew quite well. Preharvest best strategy. Was some option for post harvest control. May need products with lontrel in-crop for next year Cleavers. Control in fall If miss preseed burn look at simplicity + attain. Very strong cleaver combination Heavy wild oat pressures. Prepare may have a fit. Axial if not group 1 resistant and conditions getting late. Unexpected herbicide carryover?

16 3. Disease management seed treatments, etc. More inclined recommend seed treatments because under water logged conditions crops are more susceptible a whole host of pathogens ie:fusarium spp., Rhizocnia spp., Pythium spp., Botrytis spp., Cochliobolus sativus (cereal crops) and Sclerotinia sclerotiorum (broad-leaf crops). In particular, Pythium prefers wet soils, as it is a water mould. Faye dokkenbouchard provincial pathologist sk Pathogen levels on seed from last year are higher than normal. 50% of cereal seed should definitely be treated, 25% should not be used. (Shanna Slhandske-Dale of Seed Solutions) Sclerotinia and Fusarium head blight pressure more of an issue.

17 4. Crop residue management, tillage, burning A lot of talk about cultivating, double heavy harrowing, rotary mowing or burning fields eliminate stubble and reduce snow capture. President of the Peace soil conservation society sry. Field work in spring if an early spring.

5. Management of ruts or compaction Hoping for freeze thaw cycles and ice lenses reduce compaction. Cover crops are a consideration, particularly if you have cattle.

18 5. Management of ruts or compaction Hoping for freeze thaw cycles and ice lenses reduce compaction. Cover crops are a consideration, particularly if you have cattle. Cover crops help deal with: excess moisture and erosion Compaction and crusting: Contribute organic matter improve soil tilth Loss of nutrients: Legumes contribute nitrogen Weed growth Some cultivation through really bad spots (compacting crusting if o wet). Vertical tillage (Brunel Sabourin, Mike Wier) Independent ripple coulters that run parallel with tracr Coulters lift the soil between them and buries some residue Less disturbance than cultivation and can travel fast Salford RTS, summers super coulter

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