Red Clover underseeded in spring wheat paid up to an extra $100 an acre in Grain Corn! A four year study at the Winchester Research Farm started in 2009 was initiated to look at the effect of underseeding red clover in spring wheat at different growth stages and its impact on spring wheat yield and the […]
Many people are assuming that pests won’t be a problem this year given the long and very cold winter we had. Though overall there could be a reduction in pest populations, this is not necessarily true for all of our key pests. Some of them are quite tolerant to harsh winters and deal with it […]
This post discusses some of the results from one of the variable rate nitrogen trials on an Oxford County corn field. The background on this trial can be found in an earlier post. This farm was recently purchased so the producer had very little history, one year of yield data, and elevation was a limiting factor to […]
Wheat yields pushing 150 bu/ac are very possible with good management and increased nitrogen (N) rates. Recent research clearly shows an interaction between fungicides and nitrogen. But high nitrogen rates immediately raises questions about lodging, nitrogen source, and application timing. Wheat’s nitrogen demand is much earlier than corn, so nitrogen management needs to be different. […]
In order to mitigate risk of dust exposure to bees, Ontario stakeholders believe that practical initiatives to reduce dust released during planting should be considered. This includes the use of an improved seed lubricant and the use of planter deflectors, in order to minimize pollinator exposure. Two key ways to mitigate dust drift, as referenced […]
We are looking for OSCIA members who are interested in planting on-farm strip trials of neonicotinoid and fungicide only corn seed this year. Key objectives include: 1) gaining a better understanding of where the important soil insects are in Ontario corn fields so that we can develop high risk maps and 2) measure the economic […]
Results of a variable rate corn population trial in Oxford County conducted during the 2013 season are presented below. In an earlier post we talked about the importance of reviewing as-applied maps. This field had several years of historical yield data which over time can be used to create management zones that are based on productivity. […]
If you grow soybeans and have had all or either of Canada fleabane, common ragweed and giant ragweed growing in your fields, the use of pre-plant herbicide tank-mixes will be your best chance at achieving good control of these weeds. Management options for these three weeds are either limited or do not provide acceptable control […]
Research Team: Tracey Baute, OMAF and MRA, Dr. Art Schaafsma, UGRC, Dr. Cynthia Scott-Dupree, UG SES, Dr. Yingen Xue, UGRC, Dr. Victor Limay-Rios, UGRC and Jocelyn Smith, UGRC A summary of the results from our 2013 field study can be found here: Neonicotinoid Contaminated Dust and Pollinator Exposure during Planting; Results from 2013. Though this […]
OMAF and MRA and the Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) have worked together to develop new Best Management Practices (BMPs) for Pollinator Protection and Responsible Use of Insecticide Treated Seed for the 2014 season. The new BMPs can be found here: 2014 BMPs for Pollinator Protection and will also available on both of the pollinator […]
Protecting water from manure nutrients would be a lot easier if the weather would cooperate. Most produers know that applying manure on snow or on frozen ground is a bad idea. Nutrients don’t end up where they are needed and more money is spent on compensating with commercial fertilizer. From an evironmental perspective, however, the risk is high […]
With higher yields, forage inventories have been increased to more normal levels. Hay inventories carried over in the spring were extremely low, and hay prices peaked at historic highs, before softening after first- and second-cuts. Haylage and baleage inventories and quality are very good. Early-cut, green 1st-cut hay is in short supply and selling at […]
by Joel Bagg, Forage Specialist, Jack Kyle, Pasture Specialist, & Melanie Beech, OMAF and MRA Controlling weeds in horse pasture can be challenging. Weeds grow well in poor, overgrazed horse pastures, so good pasture management (sacrifice paddocks, rotation, mowing, fertility, drainage, etc) goes a long way in controlling weeds. Overgrazing thins the grass stand and […]
Co-Authored by: Albert Tenuta, OMAF & MRA Field Crop Pathologist The OMAF and MRA Field Crops team has recently completed a survey of the 2013 Ontario corn crop to determine ear mould incidence as well as the occurrence of mycotoxins in the grain. These mycotoxins, particularly vomitoxin (DON) produced primarily by Gibberella/Fusarium ear moulds can […]
Tracey Baute, Field Crop Entomologist and Paul Kozak, Provincial Apiarist, OMAF and MRA The issue of what is impacting honey bee health in Ontario is complex and multifaceted. There are still many unknowns and research is underway to try and address some of those factors. While there are many theories being promoted in the public […]