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Soil health is the foundation of productive and sustainable agriculture. For farmers, accurate soil information is more than just data. Having access to accurate soil information is essential for making informed decisions about crop selection, farm management, and land stewardship. With better access to reliable soil data, farmers can improve productivity, reduce input costs, and […]
Farmers know their land better than anyone. They see it up-close, every day, and understand their farm with a level of detail that can only be provided with hands-on experience. To augment hands-on knowledge and ensure long-term agricultural success, a broader scope of agricultural information can be accessed using AgMaps. AgMaps is a free, online, […]
The Corn Rootworm Trap Network is 5 years old! We have learned a lot about corn rootworm populations here in Ontario and we value the efforts of all trap participants who have monitored sites each season. A special thanks goes to Dan Bihari, Senior GIS Specialist, OMAFA for maintaining the trap network platform and to […]
We invite farmers to participate in a University of Guelph research study examining current knowledge and familiarity among Canadian growers and processors regarding pseudocereals (such as buckwheat and quinoa). The purpose of this study is to identify barriers to cultivation and utilization and explore opportunities for growth in this sector. Your perspective is essential to […]
Efficient Grain Drying Techniques for Quality & Profitability Hosted by the Engineering and Innovation Unit, Environmental Management Branch, OMAFA This webinar has now been completed, but a recording is available at the following link: Date: Wednesday, December 3, 2025 Time: 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM (EST) Virtual: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/QpJhYp_hQ5OCkZvTfkkPhA Meeting ID: 841 3257 1925 (Registration is […]
As seed orders are being finalized, it’s a good time to reassess whether insecticide seed treatments are truly needed. A comprehensive 4-year study led by Dr. Jocelyn Smith at the University of Guelph – Ridgetown Campus evaluated 129 corn and 31 soybean field trials across Ontario. The study compared fungicide-only seed treatments (FST) with neonicotinoid […]
Early Season Cold Stress Frost damage in May or June will generally have little impact on the crop, provided the growing point of the corn plant is still below the soil surface. This is the case until the young plant reaches roughly the sixth-leaf stage (V6). On more advanced plants and/or where damage is more […]
Diseases Figure 1. Corn scouting calendar, shows diseases that could be causing the symptoms in the field. Individual descriptions of diseases, scouting and management strategies can be found in Chapter 16, Diseases of field crops. Figure 1. Corn Scouting Calendar (Disease calendar with links to various diseases in disease section below) Seedling Blights Anthracnose Leaf Blight […]
Insects and Pests Figure 1. Corn scouting calendar, shows insects and pests that could be causing symptoms in the field. Individual descriptions of insects and pests, scouting and management strategies can be found in Chapter 15, Insects and pests of field crops. Figure 1. Corn Scouting Calendar (Insect and pest calendar with links to various pests […]
Corn Drying The three general types of grain dryers used on the farm are: No single drying system is superior. Grain dryer selection is dependent on desired features, including drying capacity, grain quality, fuel/drying efficiency (BTUs per volume of water removed), convenience, manpower required to run the dryer, ability to dry a variety of crops, […]
Harvesting Physiological maturity (black layering) occurs when the grain moisture content reaches 31%–33% moisture. After this stage, there is no dry matter added to the corn kernel. Harvesting grain corn at moisture contents above 28% often results in significant damage to the grain and makes it more difficult to market commercially. High quality food grade […]
Figure 1. Corn scouting calendar, shows insects and pests that could be causing symptoms in the field. Individual descriptions of insects and pests, scouting and management strategies can be found in Chapter 15, Insects and pests of field crops.[BR1] Figure 1. Corn Scouting Calendar (Insect and pest calendar with links to various pests in pest section […]
Magnesium Magnesium is plentiful in most Ontario soils, but deficiencies can occur on acidic, sandy soils. The symptoms appear first as yellow striping of the lower leaves (Figure 1). As the deficiency worsens, the upper leaves may become striped while the lower leaves turn reddish-purple. Dolomitic lime is an excellent source of magnesium where limestone […]