Reuters – U.S. farmers have cut back on using common weedkillers, hunted for substitutes to popular fungicides and changed planting plans over persistent shortages of agricultural chemicals that threaten to trim harvests. Spraying smaller volumes of herbicides and turning to less-effective fungicides increase the risk for weeds and diseases to dent crop production at a […] Read more
News
‘Off the charts’ chemical shortages hit U.S. farms
Tight supplies force some farmers to change plans, find alternatives where they can
Farmers feeling railroaded by lack of farm crossing designation
Some eastern Ontario farmers surprised by sudden demands from railway company for maintenance costs
When is a farm rail crossing not a farm crossing? That’s the $5 million question facing many landowners in Eastern Ontario who have found themselves having to fight Transport Canada and CP Rail to make the distinction. Why it matters: Some eastern Ontario farmers with railway crossings over their land have suddenly found themselves having […] Read more
Leamington comes to light pollution deal with vegetable greenhouse sector
Most but not all greenhouse businesses sign-off on updated bylaw stipulations
A bylaw restricting light pollution from Leamington’s greenhouse sector has been replaced by a new version considered to be a better compromise between the needs of greenhouse operators and the wider community. The light from some greenhouses in the area flood the night sky and can be seen for miles. The density of Leamington and […] Read more
Micronutrient fertilizer to fully commercialize
Announced facility will be the first major manufacturing facility for Soileos
Glacier FarmMedia – Three years ago, startup Lucent BioSciences was producing one kilogram a day of its novel micronutrient fertilizer Soileos, drawn from crop byproducts like pea or lentil hulls. Once a recently announced manufacturing plant in Rosetown, Sask., goes online, it will be churning out upwards of 6,500 tonnes a year. Why it matters: […] Read more
Enhancing corn and soybean yields in Ontario
OMAFRA Field Crop Report for the week of July 4
Gone are the days of grandpa getting the tractor and 3 furrow plow out to work the whole farm each fall after harvest. For decades now, producers have been developing and adapting new technologies and practices to optimize land use, while continuing to care for it. Thirty-one years of data evaluated by the University of […] Read more
Avoiding, preparing for and reacting to harvest fires
Tips on what to do if a fire happens, and how to prevent it
Field fires can happen in any crop and at any time but tend to be more prevalent in mid-summer during cereal harvest. With wheat harvest in the province fast approaching, it’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with how to prevent a field fire, and what to do if one occurs. Why it matters: A […] Read more
How to reduce grain handling and storage hazards
Practical strategies for a safer season
Handling and storing grain are dangerous tasks that expose farmers to numerous hazards. Power take-off (PTO) entanglements and suffocation from grain engulfment or entrapment are two of the most common incidents involving grain. Why it matters: Keeping stored grain in good condition and following recommended safety measures when working with grain can prevent incidents. To […] Read more
Don’t let health and safety take a backseat during harvest
Hiring adequate help and developing an emergency response protocol are key elements of safety plan
Harvest is one of the busiest times of the year in farming, which also makes it one of the most dangerous. While more roadway collisions and on-farm injuries are reported during harvest than in other seasons, farm safety experts suggest many incidents are predictable and preventable. Rob Gobeil, agricultural health and safety specialist with the […] Read more
Comment: Planting a flag for livestock
The livestock sectors need to work collectively to tackle challenges
Where is a sound and powerful agreement in favour of livestock production, but it involves nuance and requires thought. In today’s world, people default to simple, so we need to be strategic in our approach when presenting the case for livestock. Planting a flag for livestock involves all livestock sectors coming together to make a […] Read more
Discovery paves way for more sustainable crop cultivation methods
Science Notes: Researchers investigate how nitrogen-fixing bacteria within leaf cells could help revolutionize crop fertilization
Rutgers researchers have discovered that nitrogen-fixing bacteria hidden within leaf cells could lead to more efficient and sustainable methods of crop cultivation. The study, recently published in the journal Biology, investigated how bacteria in non-photosynthetic leaf cells of seed plants can naturally provide nitrogen to plants. Currently, inorganic nitrogen fertilizers, such as ammonia or nitrate, […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
