High winterkill in forage this spring meant farmers looked for other species to provide feed for livestock. OMAFRA forage and grazing specialist Christine O’Reilly and University of Guelph forage research technician Donna Hancock took the opportunity to review some different forage options at the FarmSmart Expo at the Elora Research Station in July. Why it […] Read more
Finding alternative forage options to alfalfa
High alfalfa winterkill levels this spring led growers to consider other species to get enough feed
Condition scoring added to COFS sheep handling demo
The new demonstration will showcase how the practice can help farmers manage flock condition
Sheep body condition scoring (BCS) has been added to handling system demonstrations at Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show (COFS) this year to emphasize the importance of the practice. Delma Kennedy, sheep specialist genetics and reproduction with OMAFRA, will be leading the demonstration for farmers at the Ontario Sheep Farmers’ exhibit during the three-day show in September. […] Read more
Autonomous platform to make Ontario debut
Canadian-developed DOT A-U1 Power Platform continues to add more implements
The U-shaped DOT A-U1 Power Platform, an autonomous farming robot, will have its Ontario debut at the 2019 Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show at Woodstock. DOT will be accompanied by many members of the company’s Autonomous Farming team, along with CEO of DOT Farm Solutions, Robert Saik. Why It matters: The showcase will give farmers an […] Read more
New Elora Beef Research Centre officially opened
Plans for leading beef research facility began in 2011
The new Elora Beef Research Centre officially opened on Wednesday. The state-of-the-art facility was accomplished through a partnership between Beef Farmers of Ontario (BFO) the provincial government, through the Agriculture Research Institute of Ontario and the University of Guelph. The centre measures out to 165,000 square feet, equal to about 3.8 acres of land. Why […] Read more
Elmira hay and straw auction continues successful record
Prices have fluctuated this year based upon availability
Sales of dry hay and straw have been strong at the Elmira Produce Auction Co-operative so far this year. One grower at the July 24 sale said he was happy with the selling price of his dry hay as well as the efficiency of the auction. “It’s our first time here, we have some hay […] Read more
New water-treated soymeal concentrate aimed for piglets
The Danish product can replace heat-treated soymeal
A new-to-Canada soymeal product uses water to remove the anti-nutritional factors found in soybean meal. Protekta is the Canadian distributor for a new soy-protein concentrate called AX-3 Advanced for piglets in creep, first and second stages of nursery diets. The feed should improve protein absorption by piglets and help reduce the use of zinc oxide, […] Read more
Know your tank mixes to avoid incompatibilities with sprayers, products
Jar tests, reading the label and asking trusted advisors are good steps
Farmers need to know whether the products they’re putting into their sprayer tanks will get along or whether they risk plugged nozzles, crop injury and reduced weed control, provincial extension advisors warn. Mike Cowbrough, weed specialist with the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, and Jason Deveau, application technology with OMAFRA, suggest farmers […] Read more
Trial aims to better detect late blight pathogen before it infects tomatoes
The three-year project will evaluate early detection, management approaches and potential benefits
A new three-year project is in place at the University of Guelph, Ridgetown Campus, to help detect late blight pathogen presence in the air before it infests tomatoes, allowing for better control management. There is currently no method to detect the presence of the phytophthora infestans, making it difficult for growers properly manage late blight, […] Read more
The quiet manure sucker tries out sand
Lely’s manure vacuum is being tested in Ontario farms with sand bedding
Lely has become known for its robots, small and large, that hum their way around dairy barns. They’re found in feed alleys and shoving manure down slats behind cows, but the latest is the Discovery 120 Collector, that runs up and down an alley among the cows, sucks up the manure and delivers it to […] Read more
The first step you need to take before rolling the combine out to the field
Clean crop data starts with calibration and maintaining it at regular intervals
Accurate combine calibration is not just a once-in-a-harvest task. Why it matters: Combine sensor calibration ensures quality data is created for making crop management decisions based on yield maps. “If the sensors are not calibrated properly on the machine, and even re-calibrated throughout the season, that data that you are collecting is pretty much useless […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
