February 23, 2012

Corn School: Maximizing Yield with Dry or Liquid Starter Fertilizer

Greg Stewart

In this episode of the Corn School we talk with OMAFRA Corn Specialist Greg Stewart talks about the 4 year project undertaken to look at the benefits of starter fertilizer on corn. The study looked at all manner of formulations, applications and combinations. The major conclusion of the study showed the importance of potash levels [...]

USDA WASDE Report is Very Bearish

bear

Moe Agostino, from Farms.com Risk Management reports on yesterday’s USDA report which has really thrown the corn and soybean market into a bearish tailspin.  the market was somewhat surprised by the numbers but the reality is that ending stocks in corn, wheat and soybeans is not good if you are looking for higher prices. As [...]

Under the Microscope – Putting Germination Tests In Perspective

underthemicslide

Germination tests are standard when it comes to any seed lot. A lot of seed for sale has to tested for germination so that the farmer or seed company can decide whether the seed lot will be suitable for sale.  Farmers that are saving seed also need to make sure that their saved seed will [...]

Corn School – Is Soil Tilth the Key to Unlocking 300 Bushel Corn?

corn school logo

New technologies have pushed corn yields into areas previously thought unreachable. The newest milestone being looked at is the 300 bushel mark. Many in the agriculture industry still think it’s a possibility. The issue is finding the missing part of the puzzle to unlock that potential. There have been great advancements in the areas of [...]

Gary Pike is Uber Bullish on Ag Commodities

gary pike

The global economic instability of the last year has no doubt rattled investors and left them looking for any kind of a stable place to invest. One of those places has been agriculture. The growing population and the need to feed them has raised the value of the agricultural industry as a whole. The bottom [...]

What is the Future for Micro-Nutrients in Canada?

smallsoybeans

With precision agriculture becoming more mainstream, its apparent that farmers are looking to every means possible to increase production and gain an edge. Micro-Nutrients may be one of those missing pieces of the puzzle when it comes to gaining that edge. Micro-Nutrient companies are on the rise in the U.S. and are starting to show [...]

Corn School – Corn Futures are Testing Support and Wading into Bearish Territory

Corn Charts

Corn has dropped over 200 dollars a tonne in futures markets since August. The argument taking place now is whether we are correcting a hot market or just starting the slippery bear slide. A number of different factors come into play with either argument. One argument states that supplies are still tight and demand is [...]

StatsCan Releases November Production Report

wheat field

StatsCan released the November 2011 Production report for field crops this morning. Jon Driedger from FarmLink told me over the phone that, “the numbers are as expected, this is diplayed in the fact that the market is flat today.” SEE THE REPORT When I look at the report several things stick out for me. Corn production [...]

Ontario 2011 Hybrid Corn Performance Trial Results Have Been Released

diagonal corn view

With the release of the Ontario 2011 hybrid corn performance trials, growers get a chance to review how last years varieties performed and what might be a good idea to plant in 2012.  As always there are many options and getting as much information as possible can help narrow down some of these tough decisions.  [...]

Corn School: Tips on Proper Corn Storage

Courtesy of Brent Royce - @brfarms09

Courtesy of Brent Royce – @brfarms09 Once your corn is in storage, the story isn’t over. There are still some aspects that need controlling and monitoring in order to maintain the value and quality of your crop. Conditioning your corn isn’t as simple as turning on the fan. Proper airflow is essential to even and [...]