EastGen is now providing sales and service of PigCHAMP for pork producers across Canada. The partnership was announced May 10 and the team will be led by John Wiebe, business development manager for IMV Technologies. Why it matters: Management software for hog farmers is important, especially as record-keeping becomes more of a quality assurance imperative. […] Read more
Hog management software gets new Canadian distribution
Collaboration intended to better serve Canadian clients
Timing fungicide applications on corn crops essential
Delayed maturity of corn may put it into more favourable conditions for disease development
Delayed maturity in corn throughout the province from late planting into challenging soil conditions is causing corn maturity to move into more favourable conditions for many diseases. Albert Tenunta, OMAFRA’s field crops pathologist and Dave Hooker, an associate professor at the University of Guelph’s Ridgetown College, said at the recent Ridgetown-based Crop Diagnostic Days that […] Read more
Road safety is important as harvest season approaches
Defensive driving and proper lighting of equipment are ways that farmers can contribute to safe roads
Combines, grain buggies, gravity wagons and many more tractors will be on the road soon as they travel to harvest wheat, corn and soybeans. That’s when road safety becomes a concern. It’s important that drivers of large equipment and other motorized vehicles on the road be courteous. Derek Wilbee, enforcement auditor, investigator with the Ontario […] Read more
Timing of 2019 wheat harvest challenging
Uneven staging and fusarium head blight have complicated harvest decisions
Uneven staging of wheat fields across Ontario is making it difficult for farmers to make the call on when to harvest. Why it matters: Difficulty with timing of harvest can create a window of opportunity for fusarium development, lodging problems and poor quality grain. Less than ideal conditions last fall and the cold, wet spring […] Read more
New Beef Farmers of Ontario executive director hired
Richard Horne, former manager of policy and issues to take on role
Richard Horne is the new executive director of Beef Farmers of Ontario (BFO), replacing the retiring Dave Stewart. Horne began his career as a policy advisor with BFO in 2014 and started his new role July 22. “Serving the province’s beef producers for the past nine years has been both a privilege and an honour,” […] Read more
Federal government funding $6 million to Canada Pork International
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada has announced $6 million will be invested in Canada Pork International (CPI) to focus on strengthening, diversifying and growing of Canada’s pork exports. It will help to boost the awareness of the industry in the priority international markets. Why it matters: A halt to exports to China has made finding other […] Read more
Finding ways to increase payback on wheat
Variable rate nitrogen application shows economic and environmental benefit
Better use of nitrogen in wheat through variable rate application is showing benefits across the province. Less lodging, higher economic return and positive environmental impacts are catching the eyes of crop farmers across Ontario wanting to get better return on what is sometimes called “poverty grass”. Why it matters: Some growers who have invested in […] Read more
Soil nitrate tests low in wet, cool year
OMAFRA’s screening shows that soil nitrate levels are about 25 per cent lower than average
Pre side-dress nitrogen tests across Ontario have lower-than-average nitrate levels this season. Why it matters: This year’s results show that nitrate level recommendations for side-dressing and top-dressing may vary for corn growers across the province, depending on when they were able to get their crop planted. The OMAFRA field crop team completed samples from 66 […] Read more
Mental health literacy program a step closer to reality
Fall 2019 pilot project results currently being analyzed to prepare final version
Participant surveys of the “In The Know” mental health literacy program pilot project held last fall across Ontario are now being analyzed. The program is part of an ongoing mental health project that University of Guelph has been working on for several years. Why it matters: Agriculture is a high-stress industry, yet few mental health […] Read more
2019 Ontario canola acreage estimated to be lower
Chinese trade deal and western glut affect Ontario price
This year’s Ontario canola acres are estimated at 15 to 25 per cent less than in previous years because of lower international demand and lower domestic prices. These numbers were estimated last winter after talk with industry professionals, salespeople and farmers. Final numbers won’t be known until crop insurance provider Agricorp releases its data. Why […] Read more
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