The last six weeks have been extremely dry throughout parts of Ontario. Crops across the board have suffered as hopes for bumper yields have been deflated by the stress of prolonged hot and dry conditions. Corn in particular started with a great deal of promise, but now sits in a grey area as to how… Read More
The Ontario corn crop was really off to the races. There was optimal planting dates, early timely rains and the crop looked fantastic. And then KABOOM!!!!! The Ontario corn crop is now subject to some of the same stresses as its US counterpart. Dry hot weather has really impacted the Ontario corn crop moving the… Read More
This long and drawn out stretch of hot and dry weather in Ontario has sucked the potential out of a number of crops. High temperatures and no rain have put the brakes on some great looking early planted crops. For crops that manage to hang on through the stresses of a hot and dry July… Read More
There are a number of different elements that have to come together to unlock yield potential in corn and move it to that coveted 300 bushel mark. As we visit field number 2 of the PRIDE Seeds 300+ bushel initiative, we take a look at one of those factors and the issues that can come… 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
It looks as though soybean growers in Ontario may see an early planting opportunity this year. Mild conditions through the past few months and especially over the last few weeks have farmers more than ready to get in the fields. With the advantages of early planting in soybeans established, when an opportunity presents itself, farmers… Read More
There is always some risk involved when it comes to early planting of corn. The risk-reward scenario has to be weighed using a number of factors, some of which, like the weather, are out of the farmer’s hands. This year you can add another factor to that scenario: tight corn seed stocks. If something does… Read More
Soybean harvest is about to get revved up in Ontario and farmers get to see firsthand just how well their varieties performed. Now is the time when farmers start to evaluate some of the claims attached to their soybean seed suppliers and maybe do some coffee shop comparisons. Considering the obvious factors like planting date… Read More
Will it or won’t it? That’s the question on the mind of a great deal of Ontario farmers. Will that late planted corn finish? It’s a question that rests on a number of factors that tend to revolve around variety characteristics, geography, weather and of course, date planted. It’s also a question we thought could… Read More
This episode of “Why Should I Buy” may have you looking ahead to next spring as we talk to representatives from Syngenta, Dekalb, Pioneer and Pride Seeds regarding corn seed. Todays episode takes place from the grounds of Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show in Woodstock Ontario where we talk to Bob Thirlwall of DEKALB, Steve Denys… Read More
Conditions this season in Ontario have varied across the map. Cooler, wetter conditions this spring that resulted in a later plant for most farmers gave way to extreme heat that is leaving affected areas wanting for a timely rain. At this point there is no broad description you can apply to the Ontario corn crop… Read More
The trials and tribulations of Ontario soybean corn planting is well documented. An Ontario corn grower told me this morning that even the old timers cannot remember a spring like this one. With 60-65% of the Ontario corn planted producers are running out of time to get this corn crop in the ground. If warmer… Read More
I was in a meeting today and an Ontario farmer said that its not hard for corn seed retailers to corn seed this year. Corn is in an intense battle for acres with soybeans across North America and Ontario is no different. With corn being a profitable cropping choice for farmers in 2011 it is… Read More
In recent years more and more farmers are looking at the growing season from a systems approach. In the past farmers and and suppliers for the most part considered most inputs independent of one another, working on their own piece of responsibility in the growing cycle. Many researchers, input suppliers and farmers are trying to… Read More
Recently a study found that 40% of corn farmers were not following the refuge requirements of Bt trait corn. Stewardship guidelines are in place for a reason yet farmers are not playing along the way they should be. Many farmers complain of yield drag and not wanting to comprise yield at all by planting a… Read More