Introduction Soil is the basis of agricultural production. A healthy soil is an essential component of a healthy environment; it is the foundation upon which a sustainable agriculture production system is built. Healthy soils are productive, resilient to stressors, and more resistant to degradation. Soil health refers to the soil’s ability “to support crop growth […]
These notes provide a collective summary of information highlights from the weekly breakfast meeting minutes with local crop consultants in Ontario. This week’s summary includes notes from meetings in Exeter, Simcoe and Winchester. Spring conditions have arrived across Ontario this week and some tillage and field preparation has started in fields with light-textured soils. Manure […]
All of OMAFRA’s pest management publications have been digitized into the Crop Protection Hub. While we have received positive feedback on this tool, we do understand that some prefer the print publications. We are working on a print solution from the Crop Protection Hub that we hope meets those needs. If you would like to […]
Spring conditions have arrived across Ontario this week and some tillage and field preparation has started in fields with light-textured soils. Manure application is also underway. Taking a manure sample at the time of application is recommended and will help fine-tune fertilizer needs. Several heavy rainfall events in early April have some producers concerned about […]
Quotes of the week: “Zero weed seed return is the GOAL!” – Dr. Peter Sikkema “Rotation is the 1st R, not the 5th.” – Peter Johnson The first agribusiness breakfast meeting of the season and first in-person since 2019, was held in Ridgetown on April 4, 2023. The Ridgetown Ag breakfast meetings will alternate between […]
Directors in the Thames Valley Soil and Crop Region (Elgin, Middlesex, Oxford) have lead an effort to produce larger, more consistent datasets for the on-farm soil and crop projects that are conducted locally each year. One part of this effort has been to post protocols for easier access and research consistency. Table 1 lists projects […]
Frost seeding is a popular way to renovate an existing forage stand and is most effective in fields where patches of bare soil at least the size of a loonie are visible. With spring around the corner, many producers have questions about how to best use this technique to improve their hay fields and pastures. […]
The soil surface is the interface between the soil and the atmosphere. Its quality – roughness, porosity, stability – determines the rates of exchange of water and gases. Visual assessment of soil surface quality (SSQ) can give an indication of soil health and soil function. A soil surface that has plenty of residue cover, presence […]
The Canadian Bt Corn Trait Tables have been updated for March 2023. These tables include all registered Bt Corn Trait Packages and indicates which Bt proteins and herbicide tolerant traits they contain and pests they target. These tables also include known resistance status for each pest and Bt protein. English: Canadian Bt Corn Trait Table […]
Number of Positions: Two (2) Location: 322 Kent Street West, Lindsay, ON Contract Length: 18 weeks, starting May 1, 2022 (start date negotiable) Salary: $16.35/hour (Level 2), based on a 36.25-hour work week Job Description: Are you looking to develop transferable skills, support your career goals and learn more about the Ontario Public Service? These […]
This article shares the findings from a 2021 on-farm trial that compared fall cover crop termination with planting green. It was conducted near Hagersville, Ontario, as part of an Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association Tier Two project. Highlights To watch a short video with in-season footage from the trial, click below: Background Information on […]
Organization: Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) Division/Branch: Economic Development Division / Agriculture Development Branch Position Title: Corn Agronomy Research and Extension Assistant Job Term: Temporary for up to 18 weeks, beginning spring 2023 Salary: $16.35 / hour, based on a 36.25 hour work week Office Location: Guelph, Ontario Contact: Ben Rosser, ben.rosser@ontario.ca Get your […]
Some popular insecticides won’t be available for use in field crops in Ontario in 2023. All products containing lambda-cyhalothrin including Matador, Warrior, Silencer, Labamba, Voliam Xpress and Endigo will be limited for use to only horticulture crops in eastern Canada this year. The Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) re-evaluated lambda-cyhalothrin and end use products in […]
Organization: Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) Division/Branch: Economic Development Division / Agriculture Development Branch Position Title: Student – Field Research Assistant Field Crops – 5 positions available Horticultural Crops – 2 positions available Job Term: Temporary, for up to 18 weeks, beginning spring 2023 Salary: $16.35/hour, based on a 36.25 hour work week Available […]
Co-authored with Ken Janovicek and Dr. Dave Hooker, University of Guelph Highlights By now, you’ve likely heard the message from the long-term rotation trials at Ridgetown and Elora: winter wheat in rotation improves corn and soybean yields. But with greater revenue coming in during corn and soybean years, the real question is whether these yield […]