Are Ontario farmers doing a better job of getting phosphorus to stay put on their farms? Over the past decade, farmers, agronomists, researchers and governments have ramped up efforts to reduce the amount of phosphorus leaving farm fields and creating environmental challenges in areas such as the Lake Erie and Sainte-Claire watersheds. University of Waterloo… Read More
The Canadian Wheat Research Coalition (CWRC) and the Canadian Barley Research Coalition (CBRC) are urging Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) to continue important wheat and barley research activities at AAFC’s western Canadian research stations in 2020. The commissions are saying urgent action is required to save the 2020 AAFC field, lab, and greenhouse activities for… Read More
Have you connected with your agronomist or seed dealer to discuss plans for 2020 on-farm trials? When it comes to corn and soybean management, there’s nothing that trumps on-farm experience when making profitable decisions, says Pride Seeds market agronomist Matt Chapple. On this episode of the RealAgriculture Corn School, Chapple reviews some of the agronomic… Read More
As a cover crop, cereal rye brings a lot to the table. It improves soil structure, builds organic matter, and protects against water and wind erosion. It’s also relatively inexpensive, can be seeded late, enhances weed control and is easy to kill. That makes it a nice fit for cash crop producers looking for a… Read More
Looking for the latest information on a leaf disease invading your farm fields? Want to know how fungicides recommended for control or suppression stack up? Farmers and crop advisors will find all this and more when they visit cropprotectionnetwork.org, says University of Kentucky plant pathologist Carl Bradley. The Crop Protection Network (CPN) is a multi-state… Read More
The Western Grains Research Foundation (WGRF) was created in 1981, when 12 leaders came together with the vision of an agricultural research funding organization that consulted with farmers and worked with researchers. Since then, WGRF has provided more than $183 million in funding to support crop research projects. “It is a farmer organization,” says Garth… Read More
The University of Calgary’s School of Public Policy (SPP) has announced the creation of the Simpson Centre for Agricultural and Food Innovation and Public Education. The Centre is named after Calgary rancher and businessman John Simpson, who contributed more than $5 million to establish the school. “Several years ago, the school launched an initiative to… Read More
Sweet potatoes are grown on 2,300 acres across Canada, and with breeding efforts now producing varieties adapted to Canadian growing conditions, the crop boasts the potential for greater profits and sustainability. Leading those research efforts is Valerio Primomo, a vegetable breeder based at Ontario’s Vineland Research and Innovation Centre. At the recent Ontario Certified Crop… Read More
During the annual CropSphere conference held at Saskatoon, Sask., Prairie barley commissions announced the formation of the Canadian Barley Research Coalition (CBRC). The national not-for-profit organization will facilitate long-term investments aimed at improving profitability and competitiveness for Western Canadian barley farmers, according to a news release. The CBRC is made up of the Saskatchewan Barley… Read More
The Canadian Wheat Research Coalition (CWRC) is pledging more than $9.6 million over the next five years to a core breeding agreement (CBA) with the University of Saskatchewan’s (USask) Crop Development Centre (CDC). The funding will go towards the development of spring wheat cultivars and provide expanded “core” support for the CDC’s wheat breeding programs,… Read More
Are Ontario cash crop growers making effective use of tissue testing to enhance yield and crop performance? The answer requires a little perspective says Jack Legg, agronomist with Guelph-based SGS Agri-food Laboratories. Tissue testing, which provides an accurate measurement of the nutrients within a plant at a given time, has traditionally been used to confirm… Read More
Did you know that around 70 per cent of Canada’s beef exports go to the United States? Depending that much on one market means that if there is ever an issue with the United States border crossing (hello, BSE crisis), Canadian export options become slimmer than we’d like them to be. This is why Ellen… Read More
The future of how breeding is funded in Canada is under review and headed for change. The “value creation” consultations created much engagement and debate last winter, where producers were asked to weigh in on an end-point or trailing royalties on new varieties. While some people have attempted to halt the process, others have tried… Read More
No one wants to see crop under snow, especially when that crop is either a) not really ready to harvest or b) most of your acres. Western Canada has been hard hit by snow cover this fall, and it seems the early start to winter now extends to most of Ontario, too. The recent snowfall… Read More
Syngenta Canada has put a halt to its cereal seed research and development program. The move to end the program will be effective December 31, 2019. The company says it will continue to serve Canada with its current seed portfolio, recently registered varieties, licensing arrangements, crop protection, and seed care. “We plan to grow our… Read More