Soil Health Tools

Resources Use Driftwatch and Beewatch to map your fields and bee colonies to prevent unwanted pesticides and keep the bees safe! https://driftwatch.org/ Guest bio for Ian Steppler Ian Steppler is a third-generation farmer from just outside of Miami, Manitoba. After finding an interest in bees through a class he took in university, Ian now manages over 1800 bee colonies. Serving as chairperson of the Manitoba Beekeepers’ Association, Ian offers a unique perspective from the industry in addition to his perspective as a farmer and beekeeper. Sponsors This episode was sponsored by Manitoba Habitat Heritage through the Conservation Trust Program. Disclaimer The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Manitoba Organics.

Resources You can learn more about all of the organic science cluster projects here: https://www.organic-science-canada.ca/about-us/ And specifically learn about the project discussed today here: https://www.organic-science-canada.ca/field-crops/optimizing-the-environmental-and-agronomic-co-benefits-of-recycled-phosphorus-inputs-for-organic-field-crops/ Guest bios Dr. Thiessen Martens' research focuses on nutrient flows in agroecosystems, including agronomic and environmental aspects. She is especially interested in phosphorus dynamics in soils and plants, as well as nutrient dynamics in all kinds of ecological farming systems Dr. Amarakoon's research program focuses on advancing climate-resilient, sustainable agricultural systems that enhance environmental stewardship while safeguarding surface waters and human health. Amanda is a Master’s student in Soil Science at the University of Manitoba with a background in biology and regenerative farming. Her research with the Organic Science Cluster 4 focuses on creating enriched composts using recycled phosphorus to close nutrient loops in organic agriculture. She is passionate about bridging soil and human health, growing nutrient-dense food, and building resilient systems that restore and optimize soil health. Sponsors This episode was sponsored by Manitoba Habitat Heritage through the Conservation Trust Program. Credits Host: Scott Beaton Narrator: Marika Dewar-Norosky Producer: Hailey Proutt Editor:  Brandon Janzen Podcast oversight committee: Jason Peters, Scott Beaton, Dan Dorge, Marika Dewar-Norosky Disclaimer The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Manitoba Organics.

Resources DriftWatch is now active across all three Prairie provinces! Whether you’re a farmer, applicator, or beekeeper, this platform is here for you.  Visit Drift watch and map your farm here: https://mb.driftwatch.org/ Find more information and a walkthrough on how to map your farm here: https://www.manitobaorganics.com/driftwatch Sponsors This episode was sponsored by Manitoba Habitat Heritage through the Conservation Trust Program. Credits Host: Hailey Proutt Narrator: Marika Dewar-Norosky Producer: Marika Dewar-Norosky Editor:  Brandon Janzen Podcast oversight committee:  Scott Beaton, Marika Dewar-Norosky Disclaimer The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Manitoba Organics.

Resources linksThere are many online resources to help with getting started in organic certification that are continually updated. Canadian Organic Growers has a detailed overview of the steps to transition. https://cog.ca/transitioning-to-organic/SponsorOur podcast is supported by generous donations, grants and sponsorships. This episode was funded in part by Manitoba Habitat Heritage through the Conservation Trust Program. If you would like to sponsor an episode, contact us at [email protected] bioMelanie Rivard is an independent organic inspector and evaluator with over a decade of experience in organic certification, having worked in the sector since 2010. She lives near Miniota with her husband, Marc, and various two- and four-legged animals.DisclaimerThe views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Manitoba Organics.

Resources linksLearn more about struvite from the Manitoba Cooperator:https://www.manitobacooperator.ca/news-opinion/news/struvite-fertilizer-from-winnipeg-sewers/Organic Federation Canada published a detailed article on Phosphorus cycling in organic systems that can be found here:https://mailchi.mp/organicfederation/phosphorousstruviteSponsorOur podcast is supported by generous donations, grants and sponsorships. This episode was funded in part by Conservation Trust.  If you would like to sponsor an episode, contact us at [email protected].  Guest bio  Ian and Jo-Anne Cushon, along with their son Liam, operate Moose Creek Organic Farm at Oxbow, Saskatchewan.   The farm is in southeast Saskatchewan in the thin black soil zone.  The primary crops grown are wheat, oats, flax, hemp, and alfalfa seed. Ian started farming in 1981 and began converting to organic farming in 1985. After 30 years of organic farming, protecting and improving the soil and managing fertility with crop rotations and off-farm inputs on 5000 acres, requires continued learning, experimentation and lots of patience. 

Creating a nutrient budget will help you evaluate the effect of nutrient management on your fields’ sustainability and help you assess efficiency and improve resource allocation. The Nutrient Budgeting Web App was developed to help with multi-year nutrient management planning, especially for producers that rely on biological nitrogen fixation and/or occasional inputs of manure or other soil fertility amendments. This multi-year approach to nutrient management planning can help to optimize production while decreasing nutrient loss to the environment by doing a better job of matching soil nutrients to crop needs.The Nutrient Budgeting App will help you calculate whether nutrients are accumulating or being depleted from your fields over time.  It makes it easy for you to add up the nutrients you are bringing onto your fields (including through N fixation by legumes) and subtract the nutrients that leave your fields to help you plan your crop rotations and soil amendments. The NBA is meant to be used alongside other nutrient management tools, such as soil testing.Whether you are an organic producer, transitioning to organic production or a conventional producer wanting to better understand how legumes in your rotation can help you reduce synthetic nitrogen use, the NAB will help you understand the efficiency and flow of nutrients in your fields.Resources linkshttps://pivotandgrow.com/resources/grain-resources/grain-production/nutrient-budgeting/SponsorOur podcast is supported by generous donations, grants and sponsorships. This episode was funded in part by Conservation Trust and Farmers for Climate Solutions. If you would like to sponsor an episode, contact us at [email protected] bioJoanne Thiessen Martens Dr. Joanne Thiessen Martens is Assistant Professor of Soil Chemistry and Fertility in the Department of Soil Science at the University of Manitoba. She teaches and conducts research on soil fertility and nutrient flows in agroecosystems, especially phosphorus dynamics and alternative crop production systems, including organic production. Her current research focuses on the interactions among soil, plants, and fertilizers, especially with recycled phosphorus inputs like struvite, as well as strategies to increase sustainability and resilience in prairie cropping systems. Joanne has worked with farmers, agronomists, extension personnel, and researchers across Manitoba and Canada, as well as internationally.

Resources linksCanada Grazing ExchangeA free online platform connecting livestock owners with landowners across Canada who have available grazing land or cover crops. A great tool to help improve soil health and make the most of forage opportunities. www.canadagrazingexchange.comGateway Research Organization (GRO)Based in Westlock, Alberta, GRO is a local Applied Research Association offering practical, science-based information on topics like soil health, pasture management, and livestock. They host regular winter "CropTalk" sessions and pasture webinars—perfect to catch live or rewatch later. Many producers enjoy tuning in while working in the field. Listen to recorded sessions on Podbean: Gateway Research Organization | PodbeanFaRM Learning HubThe FaRM (Farm Resilience Mentorship) Learning Hub is a go-to resource for Canadian farmers looking to build climate-resilient farms using regenerative agriculture practices. It offers self-guided learning modules, videos, and practical tools focused on grazing, soil health, and cover crops. The hub also features six free mini-courses that walk you through creating a grazing plan, covering key topics like paddock and cell design, fencing, record keeping, and more—perfect for getting started or refining your current system.https://www.farmlearninghub.ca/pages/about-grazingSponsorOur podcast is supported by generous donations, grants and sponsorships. This episode was sponsored by Manitoba Beef Producers and funded in part by Farmers for Climate Solutions and Manitoba Habitat Heritage through the Conservation Trust Program.If you would like to sponsor an episode, contact us at [email protected] bio Ward MiddletonWard and his wife, Jo-Anne Middleton, own and operate Midmore Farms in Sturgeon County, Alberta.  Their operation has been certified organic for 28 years. The operation is an eclectic mixed farm that strives to find synergies between organic grain production and utilizing a custom grazing/feeding operation for nutrient import and soil health.  DisclaimerThe views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Manitoba Organics. 

Today Scott talks with John Cote who runs John Boy Farms near St. Agathe Manitoba. John shares about his experience growing vegetables for the local market and how and why he chose to focus on garlic. They also cover a few other topics such as soil health, cover crops and inputs.

In this episode, Scott interviews Cody Straza and Ian Cushon in a live panel format, recorded at the Organic Connections show in Saskatoon. Both are experienced organic farmers and they cover a wide variety of topics including species diversity, green manures, soil fertility, livestock and more.

Resources linksRodale Institute has some excellent information around composting as wellhttps://rodaleinstitute.org/why-organic/organic-farming-practices/composting/