For the last few years, farmers across the Canadian prairies have faced persistent issues such as soil compaction and high salinity levels. With these challenges, there’s been growing pressure to find practical, sustainable solutions. It’s more important than ever for farmers to tackle these issues head-on.
If you’re looking to increase crop productivity for the next growing season, there’s no better place to start than by looking at your soil health. Soil amendments, like agri gypsum, have the power to revitalize farmland completely when appropriately used. Follow along with us at Norstar Agriculture as we discuss the best benefits of using agri gypsum for your soil. Read on below!
What is Agri Gypsum?
Agricultural gypsum, also known as agri gypsum, is a natural soil amendment. It’s composed of gypsum, a water-soluble mineral made of hydrated calcium sulphate. It’s found in several forms, including pelletized, granular, and liquid, and offers several key benefits when appropriately applied to soils.
Enhancing Soil Structure & Water Infiltration
Soil aggregation is essential for proper crop growth throughout the growing seasons. When individual particles of soil bind together, their physical properties support plant growth efficiently. Air pockets are created, root growth is protected, and water can be easily filtered to roots.
When soil is aggregated, small pockets of air are left between soil particles. These air pockets are essential for water infiltration, allowing water to reach deep into crop roots. Without air pockets, this water simply stays at the surface or runs off. Aside from infiltration, soil aggregation is also essential for water retention. During periods of drought, crops use accumulated water stored in these pockets.
If you’re seeing hard compacted layers of crust on your soil, or you’re noticing extremely slow water drainage, you may be experiencing soil structure issues. Agri gypsum may be beneficial, to help restore efficient soil structuring and function.
Managing Soil Salinity and pH Naturally
Unlike other soil amendments, like agri lime, agri gypsum has a relatively neutral pH effect on soil. Chemically, when agri gypsum dissolves in water, it releases both Ca²⁺ and SO₄²⁻ ions into the soil. These ions don’t react with pH-controlling ions in the soil—so overall soil pH levels remain unchanged.
Over time, calcium and sulphate become leached from the soil as it gets used up. Even though gypsum doesn’t alter soil pH levels, these macronutrients promote essential microbial activity in soil. Calcium is vital for plant growth, helping form strong cell walls. It also facilitates nutrient uptake, as negative soil ions are able to latch onto positive calcium ions and stabilize. Sulphur, on the other hand, is essential for balancing nitrogen uptake—and ultimately ensures proper protein synthesis. Agri gypsum generally contains these nutrients, with our NOR-Gyp amendment containing 22% calcium and 14% sulphur.
How To Apply Agri Gypsum Effectively
If you decide to treat your fields with agri gypsum, it’s essential to make sure it’s being applied effectively. As with any soil amendment, the application requires the right tools and knowledge. The application rate for our NOR-Gyp remediation product is approximately 500-1200 lbs/acre. It’s best applied using a wide-mouthed chain or belt-fed spin spreader for even distribution.
If you’re unsure how to apply agri gypsum properly, a professional agronomist can help. They’ll be able to guide you through the process and handle the applicable, giving you peace of mind.
Your Trusted Agricultural Experts
At Norstar Agriculture, we’re proud to provide Canadian farmers with scientifically proven agricultural solutions. Our team of knowledgeable agronomists travels throughout the prairies, providing comprehensive soil testing and treatment. Contact our team today to book your appointment and receive personalized agricultural support.
