It’s an area larger than the total acreage now farmed in Ontario, yet the prospect of clearing, tiling and bringing the 16 million acres of the Great Clay Belt to […] Read more
The prospect of farming in the Great Clay Belt
It may be too daunting for some, but the potential is there
Space for every type of grower
Cover crop adoption is increasing, but data is needed to confirm anecdotal evidence about the practice
Promotion of cover crops, be it a single- or multi-species blend, isn’t always an easy sell but the latest statistics from various sources on cropping practices show intriguing trends. The […] Read more
Disease management, higher yields focus for seed development
What new directions and new technologies are in the offing for 2024
The challenge of keeping pace with weeds, diseases and insects isn’t only an issue for growers. It affects seed dealers and plant breeders as well. They search for hybrids and […] Read more
Crop monitoring projects yield important data
Continuous monitoring projects aim to provide benchmark and understanding on performance of corn, soybeans and edible beans
The search is ongoing for more information about crop yields and the reasons they change from one year to the next. It’s a bit of a cruel twist that, as […] Read more
A different cover option for soybeans
Broadcasting rye offers more harvest management options, improved soil health
Growers often fall into two categories: those who follow convention and those who set their own pace amid questions from others. Meet Reuben Stone. Operating a value-added farm business […] Read more
Challenging soybean season shows management lessons learned
Two agronomists say soybean yields are better than expected due to genetic improvements and better knowledge among growers
Soybeans have a reputation for being able to overcome stresses while yielding a decent crop. The 2023 growing season tested this reputation, from late planting in parts of Ontario, a […] Read more
White mould mapping project underway
The current goal is to amass a large database for in-depth research on the disease
Until this past growing season, sclerotinia or white mould was third behind soybean cyst nematode and sudden death syndrome as the biggest soybean threats for most of Ontario. It likely […] Read more
Don’t dismiss charcoal rot in soybeans
The disease isn't widespread, but can reduce profits in soybeans
Mistaken identity can be a problem with diseases in soybeans. How often is soybean cyst nematode dismissed as a nutrient deficiency or a planter issue? Like other root rot diseases, […] Read more
New tool can reveal cost of soybean cyst nematode
A profit calculator from the U.S. that works for Ontario fields determines the field-by-field impact
A new and free online tool can help growers estimate profit loss from soybean cyst nematode. The SCN Profit Checker calculator was developed by the SCN Coalition, a collective of […] Read more
Plant breeding picks up the pace
The pace of plant breeding has quickened by leaps and bounds, from selective breeding to the use of transgenics. Yet the process of breeding seeds with desired traits, rechecking for […] Read more