Custom work can benefit a farmer’s operation. But it’s important that the farmer knows what they want, and that they’re able to work with and trust the operators to complete the field work. At the 2019 FarmSmart conference, held at the University of Guelph, a panel of three farmers discussed their thoughts on a successful […] Read more
Considerations when hiring custom operators
Mutual respect between farmer and operator can help strengthen the work relationship
Comparing banding to broadcasting fertilizer
Precision Planting research shows 50 per cent of corn P and N should be banded at planting
A team at technology/consulting company Precision Planting has completed research that compares banding fertilizer applications to broadcasting. Banding brings a higher yield potential. “The soil bank unreliably controls the fertilizer,” said Cory Muhlbauer at the 2019 Winter Conference put on by Precision Planting, referring to broadcast-applied fertilizers. When a grower broadcasts fertilizer on the soil […] Read more
Beef Farmers of Ontario look to get check-off increase passed again
The initiative will help fund a joint committee on market growth with the Ontario Cattle Feeders’ Association
Beef farmers will again vote on whether or not to increase the amount they send to Beef Farmers of Ontario at the organization’s annual meeting in late February. Beef Farmers of Ontario and the Ontario Cattle Feeders’ Association hope to work together to market Ontario-branded beef and engage consumers. Why it matters: The beef sector […] Read more
Taking out slugs without more insecticides
Slugs can be a challenge in minimal and no-till fields, where greater tillage isn’t an option
Most of the acreage in Pennsylvania is no-till and that means slugs can be a huge issue. This has become such an issue that growers are reverting to using more tillage, said John Tooker, of the department of entomology at Penn State University He spoke at the recent FarmSmart Conference at the University of Guelph. […] Read more
First generation sheep farmers find success in all sheep market opportunities
The Schill family is growing the CircleR flock while supplying meat and wool markets from their farm
Ryan and Romy Schill have big plans for their farm as they embrace many markets for their sheep products. The Schills, first generation sheep farmers, sell breeding stock around Ontario, lamb for the meat market and wool and wool products out of their farm store and at local and province-wide markets. Why it matters: The […] Read more
Loan program gets extension, funding boost
Changes made to the Commodity Loan Program to help deal with DON-infected corn financial challenges
Changes to the Commodity Loan Program (CLP) have been made to help farmers dealing with extreme harvest issues across the province. Grain Farmers of Ontario (GFO) asked for an extension back in November to assist farmers across the province managing challenges with corn crop quality this year. Why it matters: The CLP changes will help […] Read more
Getting more milk per cow nets environmental bonus
A study shows that increasing productivity on dairy farms decreases their environmental impact
Dale and Aaron Smith started focusing on improved herd health and feeding efficiency to boost milk production on their Mt. Hope, Ontario dairy farm — and they succeeded. Milk production increased 15 per cent, from 34 litres to 40 litres per cow per day from 2011 to 2016. What they didn’t expect to find was […] Read more
Eastern Ontario farmer named 2019 Innovative Farmer of the Year
Warren Schneckenburger places emphasis on minimizing tillage and compaction on his farm
Warren Schneckenburger’s attention to soil health, environmental stewardship and progressive production has resulted in winning the 2019 Ontario Innovative Farmer of the Year award presented by the Innovative Farmer Association of Ontario (IFAO). The IFAO cited Schneckenburger’s commitment to soil health and environmental stewardship through his practice of no-till soybeans and wheat, strip-tilled corn and […] Read more
Beef Farmers of Ontario look to get checkoff increase passed again
The initiative will help fund a joint committee on market growth with the Ontario Cattle Feeders’ Association
Beef Farmers of Ontario and the Ontario Cattle Feeders’ Association are hoping to work together to market Ontario-branded beef and engage consumers. The joint committee’s activities would be funded by a checkoff that Beef Farmers of Ontario hopes will be approved at its annual meeting in late February. “This will avoid duplication of costs, make […] Read more
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