One thing that farm owners should consider in maintaining the quality of their produce is their straw and residue management system. Having a well-managed system can lessen costs and spare owners from unnecessary expenses in the long run. To have uniformity and to maintain ethical standards, Alberta’s cereal groups and organizations have come up with a straw management guide.
Instead of allotting money for getting rid of unwanted straw growth, the straw management guide encourages farmers to learn how to assess relevant factors in managing straw effectively. Straw releases helpful nutrients over time which can benefit field maintenance. Nutrients such as Potassium, Sulphur, Phosphorus, and Nitrogen can be found in Straw (basically the same type of elements that can be found in crops).
It is important to know that if farmers just consider straw as waste, these nutrients will not return to the soil anytime soon. Usually, it could take years for the straw to break down completely.
Learning how to turn straws into a long-term investment is a game-changer for the agricultural industry. The straw management guide has different methods and tips that farmers may apply in building their own straw and residue management system. It is easy to follow and does not require huge capital to start.