The University of Guelph is seeking input from farmers to better understand the opportunities and challenges associated with growing pseudocereals, including buckwheat and quinoa. Researchers are conducting a study to assess the current knowledge, familiarity, perceptions, and experiences of growers and processors regarding pseudocereals. The goal is to identify barriers to cultivation and utilization while […]
Seeded canola acres increased by 12% compared to 2025 as approximately 52,000 acres were insured in 2026 through Agricorp. Reported acreage is inclusive of winter canola seeded in 2025 and spring canola seeded in 2026. Spring Canola Many spring canola fields were seeded in May under great field conditions. Wet weather in some areas including […]
This article was co-authored with Albert Tenuta, OMAFA Field Crop Pathologist. OMAFA field crop specialists in collaboration with Grain Farmers of Ontario (GFO) and members of the Ontario Agri-Business Association (OABA) have completed the 2026 annual Ontario corn ear mould and DON mycotoxin survey. Corn ear moulds such as Gibberella and their corresponding mycotoxins occur […]
Winchester – Wednesday, October 14, 2026 Soybeans Winter Wheat Corn Other Next Meeting: 7:30am, Wednesday, November 25, 2026 @ Country Kitchen, Winchester Arnprior – Tuesday, October 20, 2026 Soybeans Corn Wheat Other Next Meeting: 8:00am, Tuesday, November 24, 2026 @ PJ’s Restaurant & Diner, Arnprior […]
Soil is home to billions of organisms, from bacteria and fungi to earthworms and beetles. Learn how soil biology influences nutrient cycling, soil structure, residue decomposition, and overall soil health. Key takeaways Soil Life Soil is a dynamic, living ecosystem. The many organisms that use agricultural soils as their habitat exert a strong influence on […]
Winchester Breakfast Meeting – Wednesday, September 9, 2026 Soybeans Corn Field Amendments Arnprior Breakfast Meeting – Tuesday, September 22, 2026 Soybeans Corn Other Crops Reminders SAVE THE DATE: Manure Expo – Elora, ON, August 10-12. More information to available here. Area X.O is hosting an open house Tuesday, September 29th. More info can be found […]
When Weather Skews Soil Test Results Ontario growing seasons can range from extremely wet to extremely dry, and prolonged periods of either extreme weather in season can affect crop nutrient availability. These impacts are often visible during the season as nutrient deficiencies as shown in Figure 1, but they can also influence soil test results […]
High-yielding winter wheat begins long before spring green-up. Ontario research consistently shows that the foundation of a profitable wheat crop is timely planting, strong fall establishment and adequate phosphorus at seeding. Success is rarely determined by one management decision alone. Instead, high-yielding wheat crops are built through a series of management practices that work together […]
Caution! Members of the sorghum family – sorghum, sudangrass, and hybrid sorghum-sudangrass – contain dhurrin, a glucoside that breaks down to release hydrocyanic acid, also known as prussic acid (hydrogen cyanide, HCN). A sudden disruption of growth such as frost, drought or cutting, causes prussic acid to be released inside the plant at a more […]
Gearing Up for Harvest – Managing Volunteer Wheat, Crop Residues, and Fall Tillage As we enter mid-September the beans are showing a wide range of harvest readiness, but it will be on us quickly. Let’s consider what we need to be thinking about moving forward as the dash to the season finish is soon to […]
The Winning with Hay series launched in September of 2026. This series explores the business and agronomy aspects of commercial hay production in Ontario. Commercial hay production is a thrilling, high management, high volume/capacity business that these farmers are into for many reasons including profitability, diversity, labour management, crop rotation benefits, sustainability and soil health […]
Winter triticale production in Ontario has increased rapidly. Farmers include winter triticale in their crop rotation for many reasons: The recent boom in popularity can be somewhat attributed to research and extension work done by Tom Kilcer, previously out of Cornell University in New York State. However, Ontario has a shorter growing season than New York, […]
Cover crop integration after corn and soybeans Establishing cover crops after corn and soybeans offers a unique opportunity for soil improvement. For the many Ontario acres that don’t receive the benefits of a third crop in rotation, it is one way to help maintain soil productivity. Winter cereals, such as winter cereal rye, are the […]
Pre-Harvest Herbicide Timing in Soybeans Co-authored by Mike Cowbrough and Horst Bohner Pre-harvest herbicides can improve harvest efficiency when weeds interfere with combining. They help dry down green weeds and plant material, making harvest smoother and more predictable. They can also improve field conditions for fall operations such as no-till winter wheat planting. What pre-harvest […]
A pre-harvest herbicide treatment can make harvest more efficient when there are an unacceptable number of weeds in a soybean crop. Both conventional and glyphosate tolerant fields that are weedy can benefit from a pre-harvest herbicide. Drier plant matter will pass more easily through the combine, lowering seed losses and reducing seed staining… […]