Ten years of soil data suggests that regardless of soil texture, pH, or crop rotation, there’s one thing that impacts soil carbon more than anything else — temperature. Dr. Ed Gregorich, soil research scientist with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) based at Ottawa, Ont., is drawing on data from a long-term, national soil study. Gregorich… Read More
As May 15 approaches and the rain continues to fall across Ontario, growers need to start thinking about whether they should be dialling back their chosen soybean maturity range. Research shows growing a longer-season variety can put an additional four to five bushels in the bin if they’re planted by mid-May, says AGRIS Co-operative agronomist… Read More
So your winter wheat crop is looking rough and you plan to abandon it and plant another crop when the field dries up. What will you plant? RealAgriculture agronomist Peter Johnson has one word for you — corn. When it comes to the health of Ontario soils, Johnson believes farmers in the province are already… Read More
Setterington’s Fertilizer Service Ltd, part of the Agromart Group, has announced it has achieved 4R certification in Ontario through the 4R Nutrient Stewardship Certification Program. The Cottam branch of Setterington’s is the third agriculture nutrient service provider to achieve certification in the province. Setterington’s is in the Western Lake Erie Basin. “We encourage growers who… Read More
It’s that time of year again when producers are being asked by the Soil Conservation Council of Canada (SCCC) to soil their undies! The play on words campaign is in its third year, and involves farmers digging a hole, placing 100 per cent cotton underwear in it, covering it up, and waiting a few months… Read More
For anyone that’s ever done an agriculture diploma or degree, there’s likely a course that elicited groans when you’d see it on the schedule. For some it’s likely communications, for others maybe statistics, but for many it’s soil science. That was the case for Marla Riekman, which is ironic, given that she now serves as… Read More
North Carolina farmer Russell Hedrick is trying to make money in agriculture. That’s one of the reason’s why the first-generation farmer, who started with just 30 acres in 2012, believes in farming for profit, not max yield. Fast forward to 2018, and Hedrick’s operation has grown to more than 800 acres while his crop inputs… Read More
Jim Denys, a Middlesex County farmer, and Anne Verhallen, a long-time provincial government soil specialist, have been named recipients of the Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association (OSCIA)’s Soil Champion Award. The award recognizes leaders in sustainable soil management. This is the first time the association has presented its award to multiple recipients. “We are… Read More
The Ontario Soil Network (OSN), a farmer-led extension effort, now has a second group of 40 farmers from across the province who will work to adopt and promote soil-building best management practices. The group kicked off the two-year peer-to-peer knowledge exchange in Kingston last month. Framed as a leadership challenge, the participants seek to increase the adoption… Read More
A collection of 110 soil monoliths dating back to the 1950s was recently donated by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) to Lethbridge College. The donation, said to be worth more than $240,000, will be used as a resource and teaching tool by the college. The history behind the collection is quite mysterious, according to Dr. Francois Eudes, Alberta director… Read More
The theoretical yield of soybeans varies depending on who you talk to, but by all accounts the oilseed should be able to top 300 bushels per acre. For growers who deal with the reality of growing the crop in Ontario, a more realistic target is 80 bu/ac, says Syngenta agronomist Eric Richter. With the 2018… Read More
What’s the most important agronomic resource Ontario farmers could hold in their possession? How about the new Soil Fertility Handbook? You’ll hear all about it on this episode of the RealAg Bookclub podcast as handbook editor, Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs soil fertility specialist Jake Munroe, tells us why there should be… Read More
Improvement of soil moisture conditions were not widespread as some would like it to be, but the good news is there was increased precipitation for much of Western Canada, according to the latest report via the Canadian Drought Monitor. Looking at the latest report (see below), producers will see a big change in southern Saskatchewan… Read More
Much has changed on the Ontario soil conservation front since 1987. No-till farming has been firmly entrenched, most farms in the province now proudly tout their own Environmental Farm Plan, and soil health is recognized as key to a $13 billion food economy that fuels 800,000 jobs. It’s a 30-year journey that Harold Rudy captures… Read More
It’s not often a company opens the doors to its multi-million dollar seed research centre, so when you get the chance for a tour, you take it. Last month, Syngenta held its media summit which wrapped up by taking both Canadian and American agricultural journalists on a trip to Stanton, Minnesota, to check out their… Read More