A strong foundation at Agronomy Update - Back to Agronomy Basics

By Dr. Sheri Strydhorst, Agronomy Research Specialist, PhD, PAg | Alberta Wheat and Barley Commissions

This year was the inaugural Agronomy Update - Back to Agronomy Basics session. Agronomy Update is a well-known learning event which provides timely agronomic information for farmers and agronomists. However, agronomic and extension staff at the Alberta Wheat and Barley Commissions have noticed a growing need for foundational agronomic information. As such, we partnered with our co-hosts of Agronomy Update, Alberta Canola Producers and Alberta Pulse Growers, to deliver a supplemental half day session on Back to Agronomy Basics.

With many new agronomists entering the industry and the next generation of growers returning to the farm, this session was designed to provide key agronomic information on soil sampling, understanding soil tests, seeding best management practices, weed control, insects, disease management and field scouting.

The half day, virtual session had nearly 300 participants representing: new agronomists, seasoned agronomists, young and experienced farmers, chemical company reps, industry representatives, scientists and research technicians. Organizers were overwhelmed by the interest in the event and plan to continue with the Agronomy Update - Back to Agronomy Basics session in future years.

While this was a learning event, the true value of the learning comes when it is implemented on farm businesses or in agronomic recommendations. Attendees from the event indicated that they were reminded of critical foundational information at the Back to Agronomy Basics session which they plan to implement for the 2022 growing season:

“Agronomy Update - Basics was a great reminder for me to not forget the fundamentals when so many crazy things are trying to knock us off balance. Setting things up to grow the best crop we can is where it all begins – everything else depends on getting that right.”

– Art Bird, Producer, Arrowwood, AB

“My original thought was, “I don’t need to take in the “basics” session” however as January is my month to review, plan and prepare for the spring I thought it would be useful to take a step back and start from the basics. I’m glad I took the session in, it’s interesting how, what one might feel is basic, to another it’s not so basic. Although these sessions focused on the “basics” I found them to be an extremely valuable forum to stimulate review in how I approach my agronomy practice. There is a lot going on in agriculture and agronomy encompasses so many things that it can get very clouded. Everything starts with the basics and I found it useful to start my yearly review of my business of agronomy with the basics.”

- Roger Barron, ENtegrity Ag Solutions, Spruce Grove, AB

“In order to achieve success in most areas of life or business, the "basics" need to be mastered and re-visited, and agronomy is no different. I was glad to attend the session on January 5th to revisit some key agronomic considerations that were helpful to assess the year we just had, and to forecast for the year ahead. Hearing from researchers and agronomists about the latest in a particular agronomic area is really helpful, like the latest on weed resistance status or the sweet spot for "weed free periods" in a particular crop. Revisiting the fundamentals is key.”

– Hannah Konschuh, Producer, Generation Land & Grain Co. Ltd.

“The “Basic agronomy update” was a great refresher to remind me to look after the basics first. I think we are always looking for the magic input that is going take our crops to the next level, but first we need to concentrate on crop establishment, and having the right nutrients in place, then do the best we can to protect the crop from threats, whether that’s weeds, insects or disease. Scouting will help determine what has worked well and what hasn’t, and then to anticipate what the next issues are.”

– Les Bell, Producer, Bellagri Ltd., Drumheller, AB

“This was a review of all the planning points that I think about all winter. I definitely feel that I still have a way to go to get the basics done well on my farm.”

– Randy Pidsadowski, Producer, Westlock, AB