The Ontario government is providing $10 million to allow more farmers and agri-food operators to purchase personal protective equipment (PPE), enhance cleaning and disinfection measures, and redesign workstations to better protect workers. Under the new Enhanced Agri-Food Workplace Protection Program (EAWPP), farms and agri-food businesses that hire three or more employees will be eligible for… Read More
Tag: Ontario Ministry of Agriculture
Updated story: Details of the program are now listed on Agricorp’s website The governments of Canada and Ontario have committed $5 million in immediate, emergency assistance for the province’s beef farmers through funding for feeding costs associated with market-ready cattle that must be set-aside due to COVID-19-related processing disruptions. Last Thursday, Cargill’s Better Beef plant… Read More
Three of Ontario’s ministries (Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs; Health; and Labour, Training and Skills Development) have committed to a strategy to prevent COVID-19 transmission, and protect workers and the province’s food supply chain ahead of next year’s growing season. The joint government-industry Prevention, Control and Outbreak Support Strategy for COVID-19 in Ontario’s Farm Workers… Read More
Resistance to Bt corn rootworm hybrids has developed in Ontario and growers are asking: what’s the best strategy to control the yield-robbing pest if in-seed technology fails? Resistance has been confirmed in several fields in Huron, Perth and Durham Counties in Ontario and the problem is likely even more widespread, says Tracey Baute, Ontario Ministry… Read More
It’s time for Day 3 of the virtual Ontario Diagnostic Days! This week, we’re joined by Dr. Peter Sikkema with the University of Guelph, and Mike Cowbrough, weed specialist with the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. This episode focuses on weed management, specifically on glyphosate resistant Canada fleabane and waterhemp, and the… Read More
Typically, it’s tough to grow organic soybeans without turning to tillage for weed control. When done well, organic yields can rival conventional production, but it comes at a cost — from equipment and labour requirements to long-term soil degradation. There are production systems, however, that are proving to deliver yield without these drawbacks. In the… Read More
If you’re looking for a little snack and happen to be standing in a patch of weeds, it’s entirely possible the plants at your feet are edible — maybe even tasty. If you’re looking for help on which one to eat, you might be surprised to learn that Ontario’s weed specialist can tell you not… Read More
In a move considered long overdue by livestock producers, transporters, and processors, Ontario’s agriculture department is set to introduce new legislation to better protect farmers, farms, and the food supply from animal rights extremists. Ernie Hardeman, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, is set to introduce the Security From Trespass and Protecting Food Safety… Read More
Ontario farmers have been strip tilling for almost two decades, but the soil conservation tillage method appears to be gathering momentum across the province. Ian McDonald, Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs crop innovation specialist, says part of the attraction of strip till is its ability to capture the benefits of both conventional… Read More
It’s basically Agronomic Tuesday today, with a range of topics, including: Roots – resident agronomist Peter ‘Wheat Pete’ Johnson joins to talk about the wet spring and its impact on corn roots; Lodging – Amy Mangin, University of Manitoba PhD student, on managing lodging; Keeping it Clean – Nevin Rosaasen of Alberta Pulse Growers talks… Read More
Retiring alfalfa fields used to be a simple process. Conventional tillage farmers would just drop the mouldboard plow in the fall, while those under a minimum tillage system would rely on a glyphosate burndown before planting a new crop the following spring. With the introduction of glyphosate tolerant (GT) alfalfa, however, glyphosate is no longer… Read More
It’s the beginning of the week which means it’s time for agronomic Monday on RealAg Radio! Host Shaun Haney has the following guests on the show: Pam de Rocquigny, general manager of the Manitoba Wheat and Barley Growers Association discusses seed treatments; Horst Bohner from OMAFRA explains why a producer should consider seeding soybeans first;… Read More
It’s agronomic Monday on RealAg Radio and you’re in for a treat as host, Shaun Haney, will be covering all five of the major crop types in the country! Guests on the show include: Horst Bohner, OMAFRA soybean specialist on dealing with corn residue; Peter ‘Wheat Pete’ Johnson talks all about fertilizer timing; Ken Ferrie,… Read More
It’s time for another episode of agronomic Monday on RealAg Radio. Currently cold winds and snow are covering a vast majority of the country; however, we can still talk about the growing season to warm us up a little! Today’s show features: Dr. David Zaruk on agriculture’s battle with activists to remain viable in 2019. … 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