The Senate committee on Agriculture and Forestry recently heard that agricultural soil is declining, and the issue needs more attention from the federal government. Five presenters, including several from Ontario, […] Read more
Tag Archives Agricultural soil science
Senate committee hears that soils need new priority
Soil experts testify that the federal government should take a greater role in soil research and data management
Information from above
The quest is on to obtain more detailed soil type and topography data on Ontario croplands from satellites
If farm agencies in Ontario were to make an information wish list, it would likely include detailed and up-to-date soil and topographical data. This information would, among other things, help […] Read more
Keeping cool under cover a benefit of cover crops
American farmers use cover crops to moderate soil temperature
Cover crops can positively affect a wide range of soil health characteristics. According to some American farmers, the ability of cover crops to moderate soil temperature is also important but […] Read more
Riding the learning curve on organic no-till
Farmers are pushing the boundaries of roller-crimping winter rye and direct seeding soybeans behind
Planting soybeans into a just-terminated cover crop of winter rye is gaining popularity among Ontario’s organic community, as farmers strive to introduce minimum-till strategies into their rotations. No-till planting has […] Read more
Taking out slugs without more insecticides
Slugs can be a challenge in minimal and no-till fields, where greater tillage isn’t an option
Most of the acreage in Pennsylvania is no-till and that means slugs can be a huge issue. This has become such an issue that growers are reverting to using more […] Read more
The importance of voluntary 4R nutrient management
Agriculture has a chance to manage phosphorus load in waterways, before regulations arrive
As nutrient runoff into Lake Erie and other waterways continues to be a major public environmental issue, veteran agronomists say voluntarily adopting 4R Nutrient Stewardship is more important than ever. […] Read more
Eastern Ontario farmer named 2019 Innovative Farmer of the Year
Warren Schneckenburger places emphasis on minimizing tillage and compaction on his farm
Warren Schneckenburger’s attention to soil health, environmental stewardship and progressive production has resulted in winning the 2019 Ontario Innovative Farmer of the Year award presented by the Innovative Farmer Association […] Read more
Curiosity and care guide farm’s principles
The Chauvin farm takes a long-term view on measures like soil organic matter
The Essex Soil and Crop Improvement Association recently bestowed its 2018 Conservation Farm of the Year award to Maurice (Moe) Chauvin, a sixth-generation grain farmer from Pointe-aux-Roches (known as Stoney […] Read more
Measuring savings from variable rate
Farmers suggest finding areas on the farm where precision technology makes sense
Sometimes new tech is employed for what some farmers dub “the cool factor.” For most, though, the adoption of precision farming strategies largely relies on a rather dogged question – […] Read more
Looking for machinery compaction data
Ontario team working to establish tire inflation guidelines
Preventing soil compaction is something farmers should keep in mind, particularly with the scale of modern farm equipment. At Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show in Woodstock, Ont., Alex Barrie, engineer in […] Read more