The Ontario corn ear mould and mycotoxin survey showed levels are considerably lower than 2018 with 96 per cent of samples testing less than two parts per million of deoxynivalenol (DON). OMAFRA field crop specialists, Grain Farmers of Ontario and members of the Ontario Agri-Business Association collaborated to complete the survey. Why it matters: Farmers […] Read more
Down with DON: a clear corn crop
Toxin levels are lower this year thanks to weather and farmer and supplier vigilance
Artificial intelligence could create efficiency and reliability in greenhouses
Canadian researchers say fewer managers are needed to run greenhouses with their system
Microsoft Research, with help from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, won the first Autonomous Greenhouse Challenge in 2018 with Project Sonoma — a system to operate greenhouses efficiently and reliably, while enabling greenhouse controls from remote areas. Wageningen University and Research, in Wageningen, Netherlands, and corporate sponsor Trencent challenged researchers, scientists and experts to build the […] Read more
2019 winter wheat crop decent quality
Despite weather conditions, the lower-volume crop graded well
The 2019 Ontario winter wheat crop has millers reporting excellent quality. Most of the 2019 wheat crop was graded a No. 1 or No. 2 this year, with No. 2 being average for an Ontario crop, says Joanna Follings, OMAFRA cereals specialist. While yield was on the lower side for this year, and there were […] Read more
Cover crops decrease nitrate leaching
Living mass within soil reduces concentration of nitrate
A recent study at the University of Guelph found cover crops help to reduce nitrate leaching, a threat to the environment. Masters student Jared Lapierre studied how cover crops help to better control nitrate leaching in two different soil types. Why it matters: Cover crops are known to help store and contain nutrients by increasing […] Read more
Interpretive centre heading into fourth season with lysimeters
Unique sensors help collect data points to determine soil health
In 2016 the Soil Health Interpretive Centre installed 18 lysimeters to help measure data points within soil to understand soil health. The instalment is the biggest of its kind in North America. “There are 230 in the world and we have 18 of them,” says Sean Jordan, research technician with the School of Environmental Sciences […] Read more
General Mills looks to change how agriculture is viewed
The company says regenerative farming can be a solution to agriculture challenges
A farmer is regenerative when he or she improves soil health, biodiversity and farmer economic resilience, says Steve Rosenzweig with General Mills. The company has used the term a lot and believes adoption of regenerative processes is what it will take to change the paradigm through which farmers view agriculture. Why it matters: General Mills […] Read more
Ontario trade mission aimed to connect Ontario producers, processors with buyers
The trade mission visited Japan and South Korea
Ontario’s Agriculture Minister, Ernie Hardeman, along with representatives from Beef Farmers of Ontario, Ontario Pork and Grain Farmers of Ontario have completed their trade mission in Japan and South Korea. The objective of the mission, which took place Oct. 12 to 24 was to promote Ontario’s products to overseas markets, specifically pork, beef and soybeans. […] Read more
Leaf tissue testing helps to identify herbicide resistance
Two- to 10-day turn around for test results is much quicker than in the past
Resistant weeds continue to create problems across Ontario as horticulture growers have far fewer post-emergent herbicide products compared to cash crop growers. Why it matters: If growers have access to a quick, reliable test for herbicide resistance, they can develop control strategies sooner, and reduce the potential for the weeds to spread. Kristen Obeid, weed […] Read more
Ontario Sheep looks into production insurance
The potential insurance plan would focus on production levels rather than price
Ontario Sheep Farmers is investigating production insurance for its members that would help farmers guard against production declines. Meetings were held across Ontario for producers from Sept. 10 to 12 to discuss the risks they face within their production systems, and for Ontario Sheep Farmers to grasp producer interest in a production insurance program. “The […] Read more
New initiative launched to improve soil health education
The Soils at Guelph aims to bridge the gap between agriculture and the general public
Soils at Guelph, launched at the University of Guelph on Sept. 19, aims to put more high quality soil health information in the hands of farmers. Why it matters: The continuous degradation of soil health across Ontario and Canada is creating a barrier for farmers as soil quality dwindles. The development of the program began […] Read more
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