Getting fungicides and insecticides into the canopy and to the underside of leaves is a challenge for most sprayers. Small droplet sizes and even coverage are needed for this and for the fungicide lacquering required for control in most non-systemic products; and that comes with the risk of drift. Why it matters: With more precise […] Read more
Tag Archives OMAFRA — page 11
Sprayer power: Is electricity the next big thing in spray adjuvants?
Positively charging spray droplets can help them stick to plants, but droplets need to be small
New markets for hemp emerge with cannabis legalization
New hemp derivatives will be able to be sold, which could make it more attractive in Ontario
Industrial hemp growers may encounter a growing market as the Canadian government moves towards cannabis legalization. Part of the new federal cannabis legislation involves updating industrial hemp regulations to allow growers to harvest the flowering heads, branches and leaves of the crop for immediate sale to licensed cannabis processors — thereby making use of its […] Read more
Ontario hog sector prepares for African swine fever threat
The appearance of ASF in China has heightened concerns about the disease’s potential to spread to North America
The detection over the past four years of African swine fever (ASF) in Eastern Europe was met with muted concern by Ontario’s pork producers. But since the first confirmation of the virus in China on Aug. 1, the alarm is now being raised. Why it matters: AFS has potential to devastate Canadian swine herds if […] Read more
Report looks to connect the North’s new growth with consumers
More food is being grown and raised in Northern Ontario, but systems are still being developed to get it to local residents
Northern Ontario is a vast region that contains “many locales (that) can be considered a food deserts” despite growing production in the area, a new University of Guelph report says. The report was prepared by a team from the university’s School of Environmental Design and Rural Development, led by Dr. Wayne Caldwell. It was released […] Read more
Plan to assess corn fields for ear rot and mycotoxin risk
Moulds can be disruptive when fed to livestock, especially hogs
The Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs has begun sampling grower corn fields to determine ear mould incidence and occurrence of mycotoxins in the grain. The mycotoxins, particularly vomitoxin (DON) produced primarily by Gibberella ear moulds, can be disruptive when fed to livestock, especially hogs. Why it matters: The annual survey is designed […] Read more
Why soys look so good in year of extremes
Dry conditions, then lots of rain and heat have been great for growing soybeans
A year of extremes and wild fluctuations in moisture and temperature appear to have produced a very good soybean crop in much of the province, say experts. Why it matters: A mismatch of plant development timing and swings in growing conditions — dry conditions at the start of the season followed by prolonged periods of […] Read more
Livestock transport regulations could drive change
Studies show national standards are mostly being met for cattle rest, but experts say humans involved need consideration too
Everyone involved in the process has responsibility for maintaining animal welfare when shipping beef cattle, especially animals trucked long distances. If anything goes wrong, then it needs to be communicated back down the shipping chain. Those were the key messages from Kincardine-area feedlot operator Steve Eby during a session on moving cattle long distances during […] Read more
OMAFRA crop report: hail-damaged corn, later cover crops and winter canola
The opportunity to get some cover crops planted is coming to an end soon
Thunderstorms brought some localized hail events through parts of southwestern Ontario, particularly during the last week of July. Like most plant stresses, yield loss from defoliation increases through vegetative stages, peaks around tassel or pollination, and declines through grain-fill. For example, using the defoliation table from OMAFRA Agronomy Guide — Pub 811, estimated yield loss […] Read more
OMAFRA strip till demo to highlight working units
The live demonstration gives farmers a chance to see strip till machines in the field
OMAFRA is taking soil health action to the field this year at Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show (COFS). The Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs is hosting a live strip tillage demonstration every day at 11:15 a.m. in the Southwest Demo Field at the show. This is in addition to the regular equipment demonstrations […] Read more
Aphid Advisor crop-scouting app updated
The app now makes it easier for crowd-sourced data to help make decisions on whether to spray
There’s been an evolution over the past few years in the way Ontario’s soybean farmers view the sharing of data online, say developers of some just-released updates to the Ontario-based Aphid Advisor crop-scouting app. Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) Field Crops Entomologist Tracey Baute says there are now fully updated versions […] Read more
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