The Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE2) is a software program designed to help farmers estimate the potential for soil erosion under different land management and cropping practices. The software overcomes many of the limitations of the previous USLE equation. The Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) has adapted the RUSLE2 for Ontario farmers by incorporating climate,…

I recently was asked if I knew of any good resources for farmers wishing to reduced herbicide use or transition to organic production. My favourite is called “Steel in the field – a farmer’s guide to weed management tools” Edited by Greg Bowman and published by the Sustainable Agriculture Network. If you want a print version of this book you…

“Carbon to nitrogen ratio imbalance” is a term used to describe a type of nitrogen deficiency. A field recently had pulp and paper biosolids applied. The newly planted crop looked great, until the seedlings ran out of seed reserves and started utilizing soil nutrients. The crop then turned a neon shade of yellow. What happened? When an organic amendment is…