B T Y R A n n u a l P r o d u c e r ’s C o n f e r e n c e
‘ Ca r p e D i e m’
(Seize The Day)
Keynote Speakers
Glen Rabenberg
Dr. Thomas Dykstra
Jay McCaman
Christopher Kniffen
Christine George
John Albright
Mark your calendars February 3 & 4, 2014 and plan
to attend two days of informative and thought
inspiring presentations. This is also a great
opportunity to network with other producers that share
the same goals, questions and experiences.
Back To Your Roots Soil Solutions 2014 Annual Producer’s Conference will be held at the Saskatoon Inn,
Saskatoon SK on Monday February 3, 2014 and
Tuesday February 4, 2014.
P
t of con
Welcome to another Newsletter from Back
To Your Roots.
This issue is the start of a series of letters
that will outline and describe the different
minerals we use in our programs. Our goal
is to help you gain an understanding of each mineral, its
characteristics, its use by the plants, and the effects it has in the
soil.
ference
BTYR
Sa
les Rep
s
Open Forum Panel
Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.
- Nelson Mandela
Tell me and I
forget,
teach me and I
may remember,
involve me
and I learn.
― Benjamin
Franklin
October 2013
President’s Message
Photos From Producer’s
Conference 2013
t at star
residen
Volume 3, Issue 3
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This issue focuses on our top two minerals. Calcium and
Phosphate make up the majority of the minerals needed in
nutrient dense food production. Often misunderstood
regarding their availability, and their characteristics, we
thought we would explore the details of this dynamic duo!
It’s a whole program, one mineral does not stand alone, nor
can a plant be complete in the presence of mineral deficiencies.
Let’s explore what each mineral does, what it works best with
and how it effects the soil and the plants.
Plan to attend our February Conference. We have been
working hard to find you the best speakers and information to
help with your farming decisions. Last year left many of you
asking “Now What?” This year, we hope to answer some of
those questions. Details are available on the website, from the
reps, or contact the office. See you there!
Cindy
It is important that students bring a certain ragamuffin, barefoot
irreverence to their studies; they are not here to worship what is
known, but to question it.
― Jacob Bronowski, The Ascent of Man
Saskatchewan Reps
Gary Bertoia – Unity
306-228-2568
Byron Bertoia – Unity
306-228-9955
Roger Puetz – Humboldt
306-682-3520
Greg & Cathy Taylor–Parkman
306-739-2605
Gillian Thiessen -Saskatoon
306-242-8398
Brent Stumph – Yorkton
306-742-4454
Craig Perkin – Rouleau
306-776-2201
Alberta Reps
Ken Braim – Nampa
780-322-2878
Darcy Goodrich -Hardisty
780-888-3791
Greg Moline - Leduc
780-902-1234
Manitoba Reps
Ron & Linda Catt – Austin
204-723-2831
Nick Boundy – Boissevain
204-534-6451
Tim Mueller – Minitonas
204-525-4567
Lorne Muller –Minitonas
204-525-2262
Head Office
Back To Your Roots Soil Solutions
101A Railway Ave.
Shellbrook, SK S0J 2E0
Tel: 306-747-4744
Email: [email protected]
Calcium
Phosphate
The word calcium comes from the Latin calc, meaning “lime”, as in limestone which is a calcium carbonate substance.
Calcium is said to be the “Foundation of Life” and is involved in many metabolic and physiological
functions. Calcium is one of the most abundant minerals in our bodies, giving us structure and electrically fueling our heart. It is also one of the
most abundant minerals in the body of animals. It determines the size and shape of the cell.
Without available calcium, none of the other minerals can work at the efficiency needed for optimal plant production. Calcium is required by
weight and volume more than any other mineral.
The word phosphorous comes from the Greek words phôs (light) and phoros (bearer).
Phosphorous is essential for life. Phosphorous is highly reactive on its own, so is never found as a free
element on earth.
The majority of phosphorous in most soils is in insoluble forms. The particular forms that are created depend on soil factors such as pH, biological
activity, temperature, moisture and conductivity of the soil. The most common, oxidized form of phosphorous is phosphate. In the P2O5 form
(phosphate) it is a component of DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid), RNA (ribonucleic acid), ATP (adenosine triphosphate) and the phospholipids that
form all cell membranes.
Phosphorous in …
Caclium in …
Soil
Plants
Basic Facts About Calcium
Name: Calcium
Symbol: Ca
Atomic Number: 20
Atomic Mass: 40.078 amu (atomic
mass unit)
Melting Point: 839.0 °C
Boiling Point: 1484.0 °C
Number of Protons/Electrons: 20
Number of Neutrons: 20
Classification: Alkaline Earth
Crystal Structure: Cubic
Density @ 293 K: 1.55 g/cm3
Color: Silvery
Date of Discovery: 1808
Discoverer: Sir Humphrey Davy
Atomic Structure
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Tour guide and ‘referee’
to nutrients in the soil
Has the ability to lower
conductivity in the soil,
which allows previously
locked up minerals to be
available to the plant
Allows and guides
phosphorous to the plant,
which is the start of
photosynthesis
Likely the single most
important element in soil
chemistry
The primary anionic
element in the soil,
meaning it is one of the
main minerals that is
necessary for setting up a
proper resistance process
so that energy is released
for plant growth
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Thickens and strengthens
the leaves and stems of
plants, making them more
resistant to disease, insect
and weather damage
Helps stabilize protein in
plant juice; if not enough
calcium the sap is watery
and too much will dry out
the plant
A relatively immobile
element in a plant and
does not redistribute
within a plant subject to
stress from Ca shortages
(requires a continuous
supply)
Proper levels strengthen
the whole plant and allow
for the efficient use of
sunlight, carbon dioxide,
water, nitrogen and mineral elements
Soil
Living Body
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Essential for blood clotting
Stabilizes blood pressure
Contributes to normal brain function
Critical for communicating essential information among cells
Helps insulin open cells to
glucose
Needed for the release of chemicals that transmit a signal from a
nerve cell to a target cell
Regulates muscle contractions
Building blocks for bones and
teeth structure
Let's look at areas that calcium plays a significant role in:
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The workhorse in the
soil and is essential in
many plants structures
and functions.
Characteristics of
phosphate in the soil are
more vigorous and rapid
growth, early root
development, increased
nitrogen uptake,
increased mineral
content and promotes
energy release in cells,
cell division and
enlargement.
Involved in almost every
metabolic and
physiological function
within the plant.
Plays a role in
photosynthesis,
respiration, seed and
fruit production, energy
production, storage and
transfer, cell division and
translocation of minerals
into the plant.
Plants
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Living Body
A catalyst for the making
of sugar in the process
called photosynthesis
The compound that carries the mineral into the
plant.
Works with nitrogen to
increase the digestive
speed of the plant.
A preserver of nitrogen; it
holds the nitrogen so that
it can perform its proper
function. If not enough
Phosphate, nitrogen has a
strong attraction back into
the air.
When there is a
phosphorous deficiency
in plants it can result in a
weak crop with an
increased disposition to
root rot disease,
especially in wheat and
small grains.
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Phosphorous is an essential mineral found in every cell of the
body and is required for normal
function.
As with plants, phosphorous in
humans and animals is a
component of many enzyme
systems such DNA, RNA, ATP
and part of cell membranes.
Phosphorous is also one of the
body’s important buffers for the
maintenance of normal pH.
Deficiencies are uncommon as
phosphorous needs are met by
meat, nuts, fish
Basic Facts About Phosphorous
Name: Phosphorous
Symbol: P
Atomic Number: 15
Atomic Mass: 30.97376 amu (atomic
mass unit)
Melting Point: 44.1 °C
Boiling Point: 280.0 °C
Number of Protons/Electrons: 15
Number of Neutrons: 16
Classification: Non-metal
Crystal Structure: Monoclinic
Density @ 293 K: 1.82 g/cm3
Color: Soft white waxy solid,
brownish red powder or black solid
Date of Discovery: 1669
Discoverer: Hennig Brand
Atomic Structure
1. Calcium to Magnesium ratio - The ideal is 7:1. When it goes lower, the soil becomes sticky. A
low ratio also dissipates nitrogen back into the atmosphere causing a need for additional nitrogen.
(Corn growers pay attention to this one.)
2. Needed to Move Trace Minerals - When calcium is abundant in soil and in the plant, its energy
helps move trace minerals from the soil into the plant.
3. Needed for Cell Wall Strength and Integrity - Good quality produce comes from having healthy
cells. This same mechanism helps plants ward off insects and disease.
4. Calcium is Needed by all Biology. In fact, every living cell requires calcium in its structure to be
healthy. This includes soil microbiology. If calcium is low, both the plant and the soil microbes
compete for the calcium and plants will suffer in the short term.
One of the least understood areas where calcium influences crops and soils is in the area of growth
energy.
* Quoted from Jon Frank, International Ag Labs
Adenosine triphosphate
Adenosine triphosphate is a chemical compound used by cells for energy storage and transfer necessary in the photosynthetic process. It is
considered to be the energy currency of life. All physiological mechanisms that require energy for operation obtain it directly from
stored ATP.
An ATP molecule is composed of carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen and phosphorous atoms. There are 3 phosphorous atoms in the
molecule and each of these is at the center of an atomic group called a phosphate. The phosphate groups are linked to one another by chemical
bonds called phosphate bonds and the energy of ATP is locked in these bonds.
ATP recycles itself continuously. When a phosphate group is removed (generating energy) you now have ADP. Adenosine diphosphate is
immediately recycled within the mitochondria and comes out again as ATP. This process happens continuously and no life would exist without
it.