National Soil Conservation Week runs from April 15th to 21st, 2018. Soil conservation for many years focused on protecting the soil from wind and water erosion. Today, that is still a focus but the soil is becoming an integral part of the larger environmental picture. Soil conservation is now directly linked with water quality, greenhouse […]
On November 1st the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs released New Horizons: Ontario’s Draft Agricultural Soil Health and Conservation Strategy for public input. The strategy will serve as a blueprint for Ontario agriculture to protect and improve its soils for years to come. The strategy has four key areas soil management, soil data […]
It’s now the end of May, so the “perceived optimum” planting date for corn and soybeans has passed. Optimum planting date assumes the soil is “fit” for seeding – if the soil is unfit, the optimum planting date lingers until soil conditions are suitable. The extremely wet weather this spring has left soils saturated and […]
The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs is rolling out a total of 21 new soil health publications. These publications provide best management practices to help you preserve and conserve soil while improving soil health and crop production. Check out these five new titles on our Soil Health in Ontario web page: […]
We live in interesting times when it comes to understanding soils. Our concept of what soil organic matter actually is, how it is formed, and how long it sticks around is evolving. The basic principle that has guided management of soil organic matter (SOM) for many years has been that the level of soil carbon […]
Windbreaks are a great way to reduce soil erosion and increase crop growth on your farm. They reduce wind speeds, which can increase growth of crops for a distance of up to 20 times the height of the trees. The taller the trees and the longer the windbreak, the greater the area the windbreak will […]
The Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) is developing an Agricultural Soil Health and Conservation Strategy. Specifically, OMAFRA is seeking feedback on a Discussion Document that outlines a draft vision, goals and objectives for the strategy. Healthy agricultural soils are essential in order to ensure ongoing productivity and competitiveness in Ontario’s agri-food sector […]
Windbreaks can increase crop yields up to 15 per cent, more than making up for the amount of land they use. How? Windbreaks improve a field’s microclimate by reducing wind speeds, increasing temperatures and reducing the amount of moisture loss. Have you considered planting a windbreak? Windbreaks can also: reduce soil erosion decrease odour and […]
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: […]
Did you know that windbreaks: increase crop yield, improve soil moisture distribution over fields and reduce soil loss? provide shade and shelter for livestock? minimize spray drift and odours? decrease the amount of snow drift onto driveways and roads? enhance biodiversity and wildlife habitat can generate alternative income? Windbreaks have many benefits for farmers and […]
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 […]
Diseases and pathogens are always a risk, but with Avian Influenza and PEDv outbreaks in Ontario extra vigilance is required. The poultry and swine industry are doing their part to prevent spread of the diseases. However, as farmers, custom work operators and agronomists begin spring field work, including manure application, it is extremely important that […]
Porcine Epicemic Diarrhea virus (PEDv) will result in additional challenges for everyone involved in agricultural custom work. Awareness, communication and precautionary measures will go a long way in reducing the risk of spreading the virus. Going into spring planting season requires everyone involved in agricultural operations – including custom manure application, but also custom tillage, […]
Leaving a minimum of 30% crop residue has been proven to minimize top soil losses from wind and water erosion. But what does 30% soil cover look like? Do certain tillage implements leave less than 30% crop residue? Crop residue in the form of corn stalks or cereal straw, or green cover (growing crops or […]
by Doug Young, University of Guelph – Ridgetown Campus Monday April 23, 2012 was a reminder that wind erosion can be a serious issue in Ontario (photo 1). Soils are most vulnerable to wind erosion when they are bare or when crops are newly emerged. Photo 1: Wind erosion south of Ridgetown ON, April 23, […]