Homemade sourdough bread might not last into post-pandemic life, but that doesn’t mean the popularity of wheat and grains will diminish overall. Changing consumption behaviour offers many opportunities for the sector, according to Dana McCauley, veteran food system analyst and director of New Venture Creation in the University of Guelph Office of Research. Why it […] Read more
Grain-based foods popular in post-pandemic world
Altered purchasing behaviours and personal preferences may bring opportunities
Farmers push back against Chatham clear-cut bylaw
Municipality says council intended to prevent aggressive cutting as wider environmental policy changes are discussed
A Chatham-Kent bylaw banning the clear-cutting of woodlots and woodlands has generated frustration and feelings of exclusion in policy development among some Chatham farmers. Passed by municipal council on April 26, the temporary, 120-day bylaw pertains to wooded landscapes more than half an acre in size, and a specified density of trees. It comes as […] Read more
Genome mapping changes wheat breeding
New technologies help unravel the mysteries of a large, complex organism
Genomic technologies are helping wheat breeders speed the process of finding solutions to longstanding production challenges. But while DNA sequencing and other approaches are a boon for understanding the large and complex wheat genome, in-field testing for yield stability remains a critical part of cultivar development. Why it matters: As the genomes of more wheat […] Read more
How to plant into thick cover crops
Two farmers share their strategies for planting green
Accounting for corn stalks in the spring is one thing. Planting through thick green cover crops is another. Standard planter setups don’t quite cut it in such cases. For Blake Vince and Larry Dyck, who are both cover crop enthusiasts and experimenters, on-farm equipment customization has been the solution. Why it matters: Thick green cover […] Read more
VIDEO: Improving soil health in the field
Field Talk with Kelsey Banks
Matt McIntosh discusses how to start a soil health plan and tillage reduction strategies with Kelsey Banks, crop representative and agronomist with Embrun Co-op.
What’s driving equipment and land costs?
Low interest rates and good commodity prices, while significant, are not the whole story
Low interest rates and good commodity prices are often tied to increases in land and equipment values. While significant, however, they are not the only factors at play. Systems providing financial securities to different parts of the agriculture sector can have similar impacts on high crop prices. Asset interest from outside the industry, consumer whims, […] Read more
Planting, harvest equipment best kept separate, advisors say
Steps should be taken to prevent treated seed from contaminating harvested grain
Growers should take extra time at harvest to ensure no treated seed or treatment residue remains in augers, wagons and trucks, according to grain handlers. Otherwise, their grain could be rejected at the elevator or cause problems further up the supply chain. The opportunity for contamination is a growing concern as more acres are planted […] Read more
The big brake debate
Braking standards are voluntary, but as implement size increases, brakes are increasingly important
Big tractors and implements require a lot of braking power, but exactly how powerful braking systems need to be in Canada, and between countries, is not standardized. Why it matters: Braking systems and standards are not uniform. They are also largely voluntary. This can lead to liability risk in the event of an accident. Terrence […] Read more
Equipment parts see variable availability
More growers plan ahead by acquiring backup parts before harvest Growers are opting to acquire backup parts for farm equipment as wheat harvest approaches. They’re doing it because some parts, readily and immediately available under normal circumstances, are no longer so thanks to accrued and ongoing shipping delays It’s not a universal problem, however. Depending […] Read more
VIDEO: A pre-harvest checkup for wheat fields
Field Talk with Joanna Follings
With the wheat harvest only a short time away for some Ontario growers, Matt McIntosh with Farmtario talks with Ontario cereals specialist Joanna Follings with OMAFRA about field scouting and harvest preparations.
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
