Producers and agronomists have both touted the benefits of early planting when it comes to soybeans. Just how much of a benefit is it? Considering the relatively short season for soybeans in Ontario, three to four weeks can pay off at harvest. That early planting doesn’t come without risk. Cold temperatures and other adverse early… Read More
Category: Eastern Canada
One of the biggest concerns about disease control is the development of resistance to commonly used fungicides. Fortunately though, the major pesticide companies are still devoted to dealing with this issue and are launching new products. There are typically two approaches to developing new fungicides which stave off resistance. One method of course is to… Read More
There’s no information in the agricultural world that’s as coveted as the weather. It informs our decisions on when to plant, when to spray, when to harvest as well as a host of other decisions. It also varies from field to field making focused and localized weather very important to all those decisions. Being able… Read More
The pursuit of 300+ bushel corn is still very much alive. Yield competitions from a host of different companies are challenging producers to raise the bar when it comes to corn production. The difference in PRIDE Seeds 300+ Bushel Initiative is found in their “whole field” approach. Whereas most of these yield challenges push production… Read More
After sitting through the morning session at the BASF Ag Media Summit something really struck me. Crop protection, trait developers and plant breeding companies are doing a great job of leveraging their assets and intellectual capital through collaboration to bring products to the market faster to benefit farmers and consumers. Companies like BASF and Monsanto… Read More
There is a growing concern from farmers and the industry to herbicide resistance. Whether its giant ragweed or kochia, hebicide resistance is a challenge for farmers. Currently, there is 8 different herbicide groups with confirmed resistance. According to Michael Schaad, Eastern Business Manager, BASF Canada, Glyphosate resistance was first found in the mid 90’s… Read More
This week we have received some great photos from Wayne Black who farms in Huron County. We planted our corn on April 28th. Typically Wayne likes to plant his corn in the first week of May. His challenges have been weed escapes and insect pressure. Wayne is really waiting for some more rain for his… Read More
We don’t have top many agriculture celebrities. There are people you recognize because you see them on tv, at meetings or on YouTube but in actual fact there is not a TMZ like service following around farmers or industry people (thank goodness for that). Recently I travelled down to North Carolina to visit the Syngenta Biotechnology… Read More
Trying to time a post emergent herbicide application in non-gmo soybeans requires some careful consideration. Crop stage, weed stage and weed pressure all have to be considered in context in order to make the decision that will be most beneficial to your crop. The toughest aspect of that decision involves waiting for your crop to… Read More
Over the last 10 years, the thoughts and the strategy behind fungicide application have changed dramatically. Whether it’s new information brought to light by research or changing external circumstances, the process behind how farmers make fungicide decisions has evolved. Over the short term, some of those external changes that have influenced decision making involve the… Read More
Eliminating weed competition is critical to corn development during it’s initial growth stages. Weed pressure during that growth period can decrease yield significantly depending on the intensity and duration of that pressure. Timing your herbicide application properly can ease back weed pressure while keeping your crop from being damaged. Depending on the herbicide you use,… Read More
There is no silver bullet solution when it comes to fusarium. The disease is widespread and can be devastating if it’s left unchecked or handled incorrectly. When it comes to management and control of the disease, the best bet any producer has involves an integrated approach. That approach involves three key steps that together give… Read More
The global economy continues to be quite tentative. The situation with Greece and the implications for the eurozone as well as the slow recoveries in North American markets and elsewhere have investors walking on eggshells. Agriculture doesn’t seem to be exempt from that vulnerability either. Markets have been quite volatile, with commodity prices bouncing up… Read More
Soil applied herbicides in dry weather can be a bit of a concern for producers who are depending on them. In order for the herbicides to work effectively they need moisture to activate them and move them downward through the soil into the area where the weeds have germinated. Unfortunately, no moisture, no migration through… Read More
With many corn stands in Ontario looking fabulous, the weather challenges in the southern tip of the province have been a real issue. The photos in this RealCropUpdate were submitted by Philip Shaw, a farmer in Dresden, Ontario. In early May, north of Dresden and Wallaceburg, Ontario received between 1.4 and 4 inches which tormented the planted… Read More