Are you set for inoculants for the coming year? Many farmers seem to have stocked up on traditional fertilizers last fall, but some are holding off buying the crop inputs that may be the difference between average and high yielding crops. At XiteBio we see many farmers and ag-retailers are seizing on the opportunities presented […]
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Pulse acres in Western Canada appear to be trending down this year. At XiteBio Technologies Inc. we are big supporters of the pulse crops like peas, lentils, faba beans, etc. So here are four reasons why, pulses are a good long-term bet for North American growers particularly northern prairie farmers: Enhanced soil fertility when used […]
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In these winter months, it’s important to take special care of ourselves to make sure we can continue to live and work normally. The same is true of inoculants. Keeping them at optimal conditions now, and throughout the year, will ensure they can achieve peak ROI the upcoming growing season. In this edition of Growing […]
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Inoculants are living things, and these bacteria need certain conditions to survive. Dumping them into a tank of pesticide or starter fertilizer can be a pretty harsh environment (1). Luckily, modern inoculants (like those sold by XiteBio®) are technologically designed to contain hearty bacteria. They also come with their own user manuals called compatibility charts. […]
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Inoculants are the common name for commercial biotech products which contain bacteria that help provide agricultural crops with nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P). Those of us that sell inoculants are quick to ask farmers to use them every year. But how do inoculants affect the rhizosphere (root zone) over time? In this edition of Growing […]
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In this week’s edition of Growing Possibilities, we look at how soil microbes survive the winter. Yes they can hibernate, in a microorganism sort of way. We also look at what effect (if any) tillage practices and crop residue have on overwintering soil microbes. Some soil microbes can survive extreme cold, with certain varieties persisting […]
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Do bacteria have tastes and preferences? In this week’s edition of Growing Possibilities, we answer the question: Why do different legumes need different inoculants? While bacteria can’t make conscious decisions, like humans, they do experience biochemical attraction. Plants release compounds called flavonoids to attract rhizobia (bacteria) and provoke their root colonization. Flavonoids are like a […]
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Fall is upon us, once crops come off the field farmers need to make informed decisions about what tillage method to use. In this week’s edition of Growing Possibilities, we ask: what is the effect of tillage on soil microbes? The short answer is that microbes tend to do better when the soil is left […]
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As fall approaches, and harvest begins, farmers are already starting to think about next year’s fertilizer plan. Today’s farmers are choosing sustainable solutions like crop residue decomposition to maintain nutrient-rich soil. But when does crop residue have value? Crop residue becomes valuable when it is broken down through mechanical and chemical processes. Making it into […]
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In this week’s edition of Growing Possibilities: Demand for organic food is on the rise, but as with many products in 2022, supply chain issues are leading to shortages, and shortages mean higher prices. Is increased organic demand enough to convince farmers that organic farming is worth it, or will it remain a niche market? […]
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