Jeff Schoenau

Soil Science

Dr. Jeff Schoenau is a professor of soil fertility and professional agrologist who works in the Department of Soil Science at the University of Saskatchewan. He holds the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture Soil Nutrient Management Chair in the College of Agriculture and Bioresources, and is a fellow of the Agricultural Institute of Canada. He was born in Saskatchewan, raised on the family farm near Central Butte, and completed his undergraduate and graduate degrees in the College of Agriculture at the University of Saskatchewan. He continues to be involved in farming with his wife Lynne.

Field and laboratory research on soil management strategies to improve soil fertility, productivity and health. Emphasis is on prairie agricultural soils (crop and rangeland), and includes appropriate 4R fertilization practices, effective utilization of manures and other organic amendments, employing new cropping and grazing systems to improve soil organic matter and nutrient cycling.  Novel nutrient and water management practices to maximize efficiencies are developed and evaluated. Means of dealing with problem soils such as salt-affected lands are explored.

Ph.D. (Soil Science, Soil Fertility), University of Saskatchewan, 1988
B.S.A. (Agronomy), University of Saskatchewan, 1984

Hangs and J.J. Schoenau, 2023. Impact of Amendment With Hog, Cattle Manure and Biochar on N₂O, CO₂ and CH₄ Fluxes of Two Contrasting Temperate Prairie Agricultural Soils. Bioenergy Research 16: 1173-1194.

Reid, J.J. Schoenau, J.D. Knight and R. Hangs, 2024. Yield, Nitrogen and Phosphorus Uptake and Biological N Fixation in Chickpea-Flax Intercropping Systems in Southern Saskatchewan. Canadian Journal of Plant Science. https://doi.org/10.1139/CJPS-2023-0054.

Chizen, B. Helgaon, B. Weiseth, G. Dhillon, H. Baulch, J. Schoenau and A. Bedard-Haughn. Soil Carbon Dynamics in Drained Prairie Pothole Wetlands. 2024. Frontiers in Environmental Science. https://doi.org/10.3389/fenvs.2024.1353802.

Lemke, P. Machado, A. Alemu, V. Baron, R. Farrell, A. Iwassa, B. Liang and J.J. Schoenau, 2023. Pastures Under Dry Climate Can Be Cold Spots For Soil Nitrous Oxide Emissions From Grazing Cattle Excreta. Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment 357: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agee.2023.108684.

Sharpe, J.J. Schoenau and M. Hubbard, 2023. Impact of Metribuzin Dose and Water Stress on Chickpea Plant Health. Crop Protection 174: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cropro.2023.106391.

Klippenstein, H. Khazaei, A. Vandenberg and J. Schoenau, 2022. Nitrogen and Phosphorus Uptake and Nitrogen Fixation Estimation of Faba Bean in Western Canada. Agronomy Journal 114 (1): DOI:10.1002/agj2.20945.

Rahman, D. Peak, and J.J. Schoenau. 2022. Antagonistic Effect of Copper and Zinc in Fertilization of Spring Wheat Under Low Soil Phosphorus Conditions. Canadian Journal of Soil Science 102: 797-809

Shao, P, Mooleki, C. Fatteicher and J.J. Schoenau. 2022. Effect of Phosphorus Fertilizer Form, Opener Spread, and Rate of Application on Biomass Yield, P Uptake and Recovery in a Canola-Wheat-Pea Rotation. Journal of Plant Nutrition 45: https://doi.org/10.1080/01904167.2022.2068437

Issah, J.J. Schoenau, and J.D. Knight. 2021. Landscape Position, Sampling Time and Tillage, But Not Legume Species, Affect Labile Carbon and Nitrogen Fractions in a 4 Year Old Rejuvenated Grazed Pasture. Canadian Journal of Soil Science 101: 641-653 https:// doi.org/10.1139/cjss-2021-0052

Avila, J.J. Schoenau, T. King, B. Si and M. Grevers. 2021. Effects of Subsoiling Tillage on Structure, Permeability, and Crop Yields on Compacted Solonetzic and Chernozemic Dryland Soils in Western Canada. Canadian Biosystems Engineering 62: https://doi.org/10.7451/CBE.2020.62.1.1

University of Saskatchewan Students Union Teaching Excellence Award, 2024      

Agriculture Students Association Professor of the Year, 2023

Inductee into Saskatchewan Agriculture Hall of Fame, 2022

Fellowship in Agricultural Institute of Canada.  2016

Honorary President, Agriculture Students Association, 2014

Saskatchewan Soil Conservation Association Award of Merit, 2011

University of Saskatchewan Award for Distinction in Outreach and Engagement, 2007

Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) 2004 Synergy Award for Innovation: Plant Root Simulator Technology, 2004

Teaching Award of Merit, National Association of Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture (NACTA), 2001

Outstanding Young Agrologist in Canada Award, Agricultural Institute of Canada, 1998

Saskatchewan Institute of Agrologists gold medal awarded to top undergraduate student in College of Agriculture, 1984

• Saskatchewan Agriculture Development Fund
• Canadian Agriculture Partnership
• Western Grains Research Foundation
• Saskatchewan Wheat
• Saskatchewan Canola Development Commission
• Saskatchewan Pulse Growers
• Saskatchewan Stockgrowers Association
• Saskatchewan Cattlemen Association
• Pulse Cluster
• NSERC
• Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
• Manitoba Crop Alliance
• Alberta Wheat

SLSC 312.3 Soil Fertility and Fertilizers lecture and laboratory

SLSC 825.3 Field Studies and Research Design of Saskatchewan Soil Landscapes field module

SLSC 826.3 Physical, Chemical and Biological Characterization of Soils laboratory module