Decades of experience with Farm Credit Canada (FCC) showed John Geurtjens, former vice-president of operations in Ontario, how adaptable the province’s agriculture sector really is. And while issues may change, opportunities remain. In modern times, where debt levels and prices diverge from interest rates, those opportunities start with a general reconsideration of how farms look […] Read more
Viewing your farm debt differently
FCC veteran John Geurtjens discusses how attitudes to debt and business opportunities have changed on the farm
Anhydrous use dwindles in Ontario
Suppliers are turning to more popular, less regulated nitrogen options
Safety concerns, ever-tighter regulations and good alternatives continue to reduce the availability of anhydrous fertilizer in Ontario. But while urea and urea ammonium nitrate (UAN) now dominate, some growers and input suppliers still see enough value in anhydrous to maintain a degree of availability. Why it matters: Anhydrous, the comparatively cost-effective option for nitrogen fertility, […] Read more
How hot can prices get?
High prices can skew cost of production, making farmers vulnerable
Commodity prices have been strong for the past eight months. It’s been a boon for growers, though prolonged periods of decent returns can skew cost of production. Canadian growers could be open to significant financial hardship if they see sustained price reductions or major production challenges like those experienced in the 1970s and 1980s, after […] Read more
N-inhibitors aid in greenhouse gas reduction
Weather and field conditions impact year-to-year effectiveness
Research from the University of Guelph indicates the application of nitrogen inhibitors can help farmers significantly reduce their emissions. While such products can differ in consistency across various growing conditions, their medium- and long-term impacts can still have a major effect. Why it matters: Governments are pushing the reduction of climate change-inducing gases and inhibiting […] Read more
Living Lab project to energize knowledge transfer
AAFC initiative pushes for greater validation and faster adoption of environmental farm practices
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada is pushing to increase the adoption of environmentally friendly growing practices by farmers in Ontario’s Lake Erie region. Adding to similar initiatives in the eastern Prairies, Quebec and the Atlantic provinces, the $4.2 million Living Lab — Ontario initiative intends to bring the sector together to develop, test and share innovative […] Read more
Province sees mixed frost damage
Northern and some Eastern regions hardest hit, with some replanting occurring
After a generally favourable planting season, cold weather and frost in the last week of May brought mixed damage to Ontario’s corn and soybean crop. Why it matters: Favourable weather conditions in April and May offer excellent seeding conditions – but early seeding can also increase the risk of cold damage and poor emergence. Growers […] Read more
VIDEO: Assessing stand counts in corn
Field Talk with Johanna Lindeboom
Farmtario contributor Matt McIntosh speaks with Johanna Lindeboom of Clark Agri Service about assessing stand counts in corn and crop conditions in Norfolk County.
Is this the year for double-crop soybeans?
Sky-high prices make it an alluring strategy but risks and tradeoffs remain
Are high commodity prices a temptation to try double-crop soybeans? More growers are considering the option this year, but experts remind producers not to let the prospect of good returns overshadow inherent risks. Why it matters: Double-cropping soybeans could complement sky-high prices. But there’s no guarantee of a crop and the opportunity to improve fields […] Read more
Changing service expectations
The sector is undergoing an evolution in how dealer service is valued, as digital tools increase
Digital tools are increasingly transforming the way farmers operate and interact with machinery. And while discussions about right-to-repair policies continue, equipment dealers have been adopting new strategies to accommodate the service needs of producers. The latter group, however, also likely needs to service their expectations. Why it matters: The relationship with digital tools in the […] Read more
How to get drones into fields, doing useful work
The value of the tech has often been oversold, despite potential for useful applications on farms
For some ag-tech enthusiasts both, realizing the full potential of drones on farms and ranches requires a better overall understanding of the technology’s limitations in agricultural systems, as well as less marketing misdirection. The financial and time commitments required to accrue, process and act on drone-derived data has been a significant barrier to achieving the […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
