Two soil health contributors were honoured with Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association (OSCIA) 2021 Soil Champion Awards. “This year we are lucky enough to be able to award two worthy nominees,” said Chad Anderson, OSCIA president. “One in the producer category and one in the extension category.” Dr. Laura Van Eerd, a professor of […] Read more
Tag Archives cover crops — page 6
Van Eerd, Denotter honoured with OSCIA Soil Champion Award
Roger and David Buurma recognized for on-farm ingenuity with Don Hill Legacy Award
Let nature direct ecosystem health
Researcher says agriculture needs to learn from how water, soil function in nature
I have learned more from observing Nature than by trying to change it,” said Dwayne Beck. Beck, the research manager at Dakota Lakes Research Farm (DLRF) in Pierre, South Dakota, spoke at the Canadian Forage and Grassland Association conference. Why it matters: Learning how to manage for better soil health is critical for future generations […] Read more
Relationships crucial for farm-to-farm cover crop grazing
Neighboring farmers find mutual benefit in livestock grazing, farming arrangement
There’s opportunity for the grazing of cover crops, whether it’s livestock farmers using their own cropland and animals, or offering services to cash-cropping neighbours. That was the overarching message delivered over three successive Tuesday evening Zoom meetings, hosted through November by the Cover Crop Grazing Committee — a collaboration between OMAFRA, Beef Farmers of Ontario, […] Read more
Finding the right fungus
First steps taken to identify and promote fungi beneficial in cropping systems
Do you have fungus? Your fields certainly do, though the varieties vary based on several factors. While tillage levels, rotational diversity and cover crops affect fungi type, they don’t appear to have a significant impact on population. These conclusions come from a University of Guelph study that analyzed fungal communities in long-term horticultural and corn […] Read more
Cover crops reduce nitrate leaching
40-year rotation trials find diverse rotation makes for more resilient crops
Research findings released recently from the Soil Health Monitoring Station at Elora, Ont. suggest including cover crops in a rotation could significantly reduce nitrate leaching. Using soil lysimeters installed at the Soil Health Monitoring Stage in 2016, researchers are exploring how crop rotations impact soil emissions. The lysimeters are large steel drums installed in ground […] Read more
Twenty-five farms host on-farm soil health research
The ONFARM initiative brings together diverse industry cooperators
A four-year federal-provincial agreement to fund a series of field-scale soil health research projects is underway across southern Ontario. In all, 25 co-operator farmers have taken on side-by-side plots at which a focus will be placed on either cover cropping, tillage, organic amendment application or some combination. At seven other locations, described by Ontario Soil […] Read more
The economics of cover crops
Ridgetown research highlights profitability gains and losses in grain and vegetable systems
The impact of cover crops on profit margins is a long-contested subject, but new data from the University of Guelph shows some clear winners and losers. Vegetable crop yields, specifically, benefit most – grains not so much, unless farmers get credit for carbon sequestration. Studies showing the economic costs and benefits of cover crops exist, […] Read more
Trial looks at cover crops in 60-inch corn
Increased sunlight exposure to the soil is thought to help the establishment of cover crops
A demonstration project south of Clinton is looking at 60-inch row corn, over traditional 30-inch row corn, to better establish cover crops. It is thought that the wider row corn can increase the light penetration to the soil, increasing the ability for cover crop establishment. The impact on corn yield or the following year’s soybean […] Read more
Drop tubes allow dual urea and cover crop seed application
New granular/seed tubes for RoGator put the right products in the right places, between the rows, not on them
Glacier FarmMedia – Farmers can now apply 150 pounds per acre urea while simultaneously applying 20 pounds per acre cover crop seed through new drop tubes retrofitted to a RoGator AirMax Precision R1/R2. The new drop tube kit is designed for between-row application of in-season dry granular fertilizer and precisely seeding cover crops into standing […] Read more
Post wheat harvest weed management strategies
OMAFRA Field Crop Report for July 30
The establishment of cover crops after cereal harvest has been shown to reduce weed seed production and dispersal to the soil. This is of particular benefit when trying to manage glyphosate resistant weed species like Canada fleabane and waterhemp (a relative of redroot pigweed). Some highlights from recent studies include: Fall planted cereal rye on […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
