Measuring value can range from a storage bin of corn to a load of fertilizer or the return on investment of a tractor. It’s part of farming and it’s becoming more complex. Irrigation is an expense that must be justified, and two influences have convinced growers to sharpen their pencils: higher commodity prices for more […] Read more
Finding the fit for irrigation
Precision agriculture systems are enhancing its value in different ways
Adopting a plan B in soybeans
Improving soil health interactions is key to unlocking higher yields
As the importance of soil health gains recognition, its reach extends beyond nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and sulphur. Boron, a micronutrient, is getting more attention among advisors and growers, mostly because of its role in plant health and performance. Cell formation, cell wall and vascular tissue formation, node number and plant height, flower development, pollen viability, […] Read more
Finding ways to maximize grain drying efficiency
Costs are not coming down, but some options can make a difference
Despite higher commodity prices, growers are being encouraged to examine their costs across all facets of their farming operations. The impact of higher drying costs was the focus of a presentation during the first day of the Innovative Farmers Association of Ontario (IFAO) annual conference, held in London last month. Drying charges have become a […] Read more
Planting considerations for bio-strip tilling
Ontario grower shares experience from three-year trial on his Strathroy farm
Bio-strip tilling or bio-stripping is gaining attention from growers, particularly with the focus on sustainability and regenerative agriculture. It was also the subject of a presentation at the Innovative Farmers Association of Ontario annual conference last month. Nick Stokman, a producer from the Strathroy area, provided his experience with bio-stripping during the second day of […] Read more
U.S.-Mexico corn dispute unlikely to affect Canada
Long-term impact might set a precedent for future actions
It’s been two years since a decree by Mexican president Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador to phase out imports of corn grown from genetically modified seed. In January 2021, the Obrador government followed through on its pledge to ban the import of GM corn hybrids for human consumption, and the use of glyphosate, by 2024. The […] Read more
Can corn and cover crops work together?
Concerns continue about ‘planting green’ and when to terminate a cover crop
Interest in cover crops, and the debates surrounding their management, have increased in the past five years. Long-term data from University of Guelph’s Ridgetown Campus have established the benefit of red clover underseeded to winter wheat, but frustration remains over getting a good catch. Discussions about the value of oilseed radish or oat or cereal […] Read more
The search for clarity in the carbon credit market
Corporate outlook may differ from the producer’s vantage point
The market for carbon is a source of debate on actual opportunities versus perceived value to the agri-food industry. Insight on this debate was provided during the Innovative Farmers Association of Ontario conference in London last month, where a more farm-centric view on the potential for carbon offsets and insets was shared. Why it matters: […] Read more
Getting more out of satellite imagery
“Resellers” are reshaping imagery demand and usability
The demand for overhead imagery continues to gain acceptance. The volume of data gathered is increasing, and the time and learning curves required for analysis by growers and advisers are rising. At the same time, accessibility in nanosatellite technology and higher-resolution imagery has not led to sweeping adoption of detailed information. Has satellite imagery’s march […] Read more
Seed mills strike back at weed resistance
Researchers have seen up to 95 per cent control of resistant weed biotypes
Weed biotypes have an incredible capacity for developing resistance to chemical products and growers are having a tough time keeping up with the changes. Some farmers are now battling weed resistance at harvest by attaching seed mills to the rear of a combine, which gather weed seeds and damage them, preventing germination. Why it matters: […] Read more
The premise and promise of biological crop inputs
What’s relevant and what’s not in this fledgling branch of agri-food
The search for alternatives to traditional agriculture inputs has greater urgency as commodities like fertilizer increase in price and decrease in availability. It’s not that nitrogen-use efficiency or the activity of mycorrhizal fungi was less of a concern years ago. But the list of products that can enhance soil health and potentially boost yield has […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
