A look at tar spot in Canada and the U.S. shows the vital role of humidity in fostering the disease. In 2023, the big difference between the U.S. and Ontario was dryness; Michigan and other parts of the Midwest were dry compared to much of southern Ontario. The provincial corn crop was also planted later, […] Read more
Relative humidity and leaf wetness impact tar spot growth
The southern Ontario situation in 2023 provided more insight on management strategies
Latest soybean series claims boost in more than yield
Growers in Canada will have limited access to varieties that offer better disease tolerances
Soybean production has seen greater prominence in Ontario in the past 15 to 20 years. Agronomics, trait development and better, more intensive management boosted the crop’s performance and it is now the acreage leader among the big three. An announcement from Corteva Agriscience about its Pioneer brand Z-Series soybeans may provide growers with options to […] Read more
How EU policies may affect domestic edible bean production
Latest round of trade-enabling moves must be monitored
The edible bean complex is a unique market among row crops. Whether white, black, kidneys or adzukis, beans are grown under contract and face more consumer- and quality-based directives than corn or soybeans. Yet there are rising concerns about maximum residue limits (MRLs) set out by the European Union for certain chemical products. Although the […] Read more
Can your farm make do with one planter?
It is possible to grow longer rotations with one planter, but it’s a challenge
Advances in technology and plant breeding make it possible to manage with just one planter, but it can be a challenge to maximize yields when doing so. Differences in soil types, region and row spacing from crop to crop are primary considerations. Most growers find the 7.5-inch row spacing in wheat to be the main […] Read more
Differences revealed between old and new corn hybrids
Nutrient uptake, leaf architecture and planting densities examined
Research using tissue samples from corn fields is not a new concept, but a recent sampling study has uncovered interesting insights. The Corn Era Project has revealed shifts in production, including differences between 1980s hybrids and those of today. The goal of the project was to understand what’s changed in physiological terms when comparing modern […] Read more
Crop spraying in Europe sees high scrutiny
A British sprayer operator highlighted differences in sprayer awareness between Canada and the U.K.
Conditions for operating a sprayer in the United Kingdom, as in much of the European Union, are different from those in Canada or the U.S. “In the U.K., we have to pass tests before we start spraying,” said Iain Richardson, a sprayer operator from South Gloucestershire, England, who spoke at the Ontario Soil and Crop […] Read more
How important is water quality for spray applications?
It’s garnering more attention in a less forgiving world
Water quality can affect spray applications in how well the product mixes and how the sprayer performs. It can reduce product efficacy and result in negative environmental impacts. Jim Reiss from Precision Laboratories in Kenosha, Wisconsin, explained several water quality issues during the second day of the Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association’s annual meeting […] Read more
Drift: The dreadful ‘D’ word in crop spraying
Herbicide drift can cause crop damage and have other repercussions
Scrutiny of crop spraying continues to increase and off-target movement or drift can affect yield and become an annoyance growers would rather avoid. Why it matters: Understanding how drift can occur and dealing with it if it happens can minimize crop loss and keep neighbours happy. “I’m not representing any enforcement agency, but if there […] Read more
Breeding for plant plasticity
Epigenetics has immense potential for helping crops mitigate the effects of climate change
Genetic manipulations such as RNAi silencing and CRISPR are helping researchers and plant breeders enhance traits and characteristics. The genomic mapping of corn, soybean, wheat and oat creates more opportunities to improve plant growth and desired properties in those crops. Why it matters: Epigenetics could give plant breeders the ability to make crops more resilient […] Read more
Growers discuss digital technologies they use on the farm, and why
Farmers agree is there is no single tool that is one-size-fits-all
After nearly 30 years of development, expansion and experience, the search for the best precision ag tool has yielded one familiar conclusion: there is no silver bullet to attain profitability. It all depends on the farm operation, the equipment and the willingness of the producer to make everything work. That was the overriding message from […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
