What if corn, like soybeans, could fix its own nitrogen? It’s a question agronomist Dale Cowan and his team at AGRIS Co-operative are tackling this summer as they test a biological product that promises to help corn plants fix nitrogen, when applied directly on the seed, in pop-up fertilizer, and through foliar application between the… Read More
Normally a week or so behind the winter barley crop, Ontario farmers are nosing into the wheat harvest a little early as the two crops are ready at about the same time. From an aphid alert on soybeans, to sneaky root rots, and potash deficiency showing up in corn, Peter “Wheat Pete” Johnson has the… Read More
Nitrogen and phosphorus fertilization is an important step in seeding a wheat crop and getting it off to the right start. However, over time fertilizer placed at the same depth can cause soil acidification. Initially set up in 1967, with various rotations and fertility treatments, long-term research plots were the basis for interesting research results… Read More
A tissue test can give you a snapshot into what’s happening in a plant as far as nutrient uptake is concerned. The test doesn’t necessarily predict an issue, and not all results are actionable; that’s left many agronomists wondering how best to use tissue tests in conjunction with soil tests, zone mapping, and fertility planning…. Read More
It was a dry start to the year for soybeans in Ontario as a lot of seed went into dry conditions, but the crop seems to have come along. A dry spring in Ontario can make for easier planting though, and coupled with timely rains the season’s start hasn’t been too bad. In this Soybean… Read More
Should growers sell their wheat straw after 2021 harvest? That’s a question RealAgriculture agronomist Peter Johnson has been asked often in recent weeks. With fertilizer prices up 125 per cent and straw prices hovering around three cents per pound, many growers say they would rather blow the straw back on the field, take the nutrient credit… Read More
Edible bean growers in Ontario experienced a little bit of everything in 2021 — from excellent soil conditions, to frost and hard-to-find moisture. On this episode of RealAgriculture’s Edible Bean School, host Bernard Tobin and Hensall Co-op agronomist Josh Moffatt explore four different Oxford County fields, and share lessons learned from the spring planting rollercoaster…. Read More
Ontario corn growers appear to be sitting on strong yield potential as the the crop shakes off the effects of cool late May weather. Early planting and some timely, albeit limited, rains across the province have propelled the crop forward. With herbicide application expected to wrap up this week, growers will then turn their attention… Read More
Nitrous oxide is one of the three main greenhouse gases emitted by agricultural activities, and nitrogen fertilizer management is one of many ways to reduce emissions of nitrous oxide, and to keep our nitrogen where it needs to be for a crop. Wes Anderson, vice president of agronomy with Croptimistic Technologies, has written a blog… Read More
As we approach the first long weekend of the summer season, farmers are thinking about relaying winter wheat and barley for forage, protecting N on dry ground, and skipping a pre-emergent herbicide pass. As to whether all or some (or none) of those are good ideas, Peter “Wheat Pete” Johnson has the answers in this… Read More
With canola prices where they’re at, producers want to hit those optimum yields. There are a few hurdles to overcome this year though, as high fertilizer prices and dry conditions might limit starter fertilizer rates. In this Canola School episode, Kara Oosterhuis is joined by Jack Payne, grow team advisor at Federated Co-operatives Ltd., on… Read More
Early spring weather has left some wheat feeling the burn of products applied before cold nights in Ontario. Out west, many farmers are still hoping for moisture before getting rolling for the #plant21 season. For this week’s Wheat Pete’s Word, host Peter Johnson reminds listeners to take fifteen minutes out of their day to phone… Read More
The right source, right rate, right time, right place for nutrients adds up to more efficient use of fertilizer dollars, and keeps nutrients in the fields and out of our water and air. On this episode of The Agronomists, host Lyndsey Smith is joined by Don Flaten, recently retired professor of soil fertility at University of Manitoba,… Read More
Her twitter handle is @MBsoilsleuth for a reason. Our guest for today’s RealAg LIVE! is a soil management specialist with Manitoba Agriculture and Resource Development. Marla Riekman joins our host Kara Oosterhuis to talk about all things soil compaction, what happens if a downpour arrives at a super dry soil, fertility in a dry year,… Read More
Should growers broadcast or band fertilizer at soybean planting? That’s a question Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) soybean specialist Horst Bohner has been hearing a lot lately. Earlier this week at a virtual Ridgetown/Simcoe agribusiness breakfast meeting, Bohner recommended growers broadcast and incorporate fertilizer at planting rather than banding. “Putting fertilizer… Read More