Online and In-Class course offered for FREE until August 31, 2016. Starting on August 31, 2016, successful completion of the Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Course for Corn and Soybeans will be required in order to purchase or plant neonicotinoid-treated corn and soybean seed. Following successful completion of the course, farmers will receive a certificate […]
Earlier this year, Grain Farmers of Ontario (GFO) and the Ontario Agri Business Association (OABA) were involved in broad industry discussions regarding the implications of using ManipulatorTM, a plant growth regulator, in the 2016 wheat crop. ManipulatorTM is not registered for use in the United States so the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has zero tolerance […]
Spring Planting Update: No tillage activity on the fine-textured clay soils Some tillage, manure application and fertilizer application to sandy and loamy fields Very little planting to date – a few acres of corn planted around Embro, Thamesford, Drumbo, Tillsonburg and sandy soils in Brant. Mainly just getting a few acres in and ensuring […]
Winter Wheat: The winter wheat crop looks excellent. There is lots of growth with excellent yield potential. There is a fear that putting on too much nitrogen at once will cause stem elongation and lodging. Some farmers have opted to split apply nitrogen to reduce the risk of lodging. A foliar leaf fungicide application (T1 timing) will […]
This week’s update investigates the causes of purple wheat leaves, how we should manage herbicide applications during periods of cold air temperatures and an update on corn planting progress in the province with a refresher on planting depth. Tell a friend about the OMAFRA field crop update and subscribe to the podcast on iTunes or Soundcloud. [iframe]<iframe width=”100%” […]
Breakfast Sponsor: Thanks from the group to “Roger Bourassa – Dupont Canada“ Synopsis: The quote of the week comes from Alan McCallum, a distant relative – “Don’t’ farm last year’s weather!” This is National Soil Conservation Week. Keep those soils covered! Don’t bury all that crop residue with tillage. The warmer weather has really […]
Synopsis: The consultant’s in attendance felt that 2016 wheat acreage is up from the previous year and that while intended corn acreage will be up from the 2015 season, soybean acres will be a bit down compared to 2015. Spring cereal acreage is also thought to be down from last year but on par with […]
Forages: There was a general discussion of what condition hays fields are in given the milder winter. A general observation of hay fields in the area is that most fields had quite a bit of stubble (estimated at 2 feet for some fields). Some discussion of what should be done with the stubble (harvest or […]
April 12, 2016 – Malibu Restaurant, Exeter Chair for this meeting was David Townsend There was an excellent turnout and good discussion to start the first meeting of the 2016 growing season. David Townsend was the chairman and BASF sponsored breakfast. Thank you. The next meeting will be on April 26th starting at 7:00 am […]
Meetings are held every 2nd Wednesday 7:30 – 9 am: Shire restaurant (Travelodge) 385 Queensway in Simcoe. Next meeting is April 20th To date there has not been a lot of spring activity. Very little nitrogen has been applied on wheat so far. Early N not needed since in general, wheat went into winter with […]
This week, the recent Ridgetown Ag Breakfast Minute high-points are discussed along with plans for content of future episodes. Tell a friend about the OMAFRA field crop update and subscribe to the podcast on iTunes or Soundcloud. [iframe]<iframe width=”100%” height=”166″ scrolling=”no” frameborder=”no” src=”https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/258847986&color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false”></iframe>[/iframe] […]
Breakfast Sponsor: Thanks from group to “Bob Thirlwall – DEKALB/Monsanto Canada“ Synopsis: The quote of the week comes from Dr. Peter Sikkema – “Start Clean – Stay Clean”! Very little activity due to the rain and cold temperatures expected this week although some have taken advantage of the conditions to get the last of their […]
On this week’s OMAFRA field crop update, listener questions are answered on what’s the best type of red clover and perennial sow-thistle and lamb’s-quarter control with herbicides. We revisit nitrogen strategies in winter wheat and begin a new segment called inaccurate 80’s herbicide commercials…admittedly this probably won’t be a re-occuring segment. Subscribe to the podcast […]
Although we had a mild winter this year, Ontario winters are typically cold and bring a lot of snow. Plan ahead and plant a windbreak before next winter – windbreaks are an effective way to trap snow and prevent snow build-up around driveways and laneways, buildings, farmyards and other high-use areas. For you, this means: […]
The number of acres of soybean planted in Ontario has been as high as 3 million in recent years, because of strong prices and development of high yielding varieties suited for Ontario’s different growing regions. In comparison, we have relatively few acres of dry edible beans (around 130,000 ac total) even though dry beans have a high […]