The Ontario government announced it’s investing up to $2 million over two years in the Fertilizer Accelerating Solutions & Technology Challenge. This funding will support made-in-Ontario solutions to increase the availability of fertilizer options, alternatives and technology to farmers in the province. The goal of the challenge is to “incent agri-businesses and industry to research, […] Read more
Tag Archives OMAFRA — page 3
Made-in-Ontario fertilizer solutions to receive funding
Diversifying on-farm land use
Farmers look for municipal guidance when diversifying operations
University of Guelph — Ontario has lost 319 acres of farmland a day since 2016, according to the recently released 2021 Census of Agriculture. The number of small- to medium-sized farms is decreasing while the number of larger farms is increasing. These numbers show some family farms’ difficulties in maintaining a viable agricultural livelihood. But […] Read more
Mobile Soil Technology Suite hits the road to farm events
OSCIA offers use of unit and technicians to organizations
A pair of trailers packed with state-of-the-art soil science and audio-visual equipment had what was referred to by Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association (OSCIA) officials as a “kick-off” on July 13 in Bothwell. Based on the rave reviews received there and at later events in Elora and Rostock, they’re confident the Mobile Soil Technology […] Read more
Ontario winter wheat crop gets top marks for quality
Provincial survey indicates smaller acres, average yields and top quality
Ontario’s 2022 winter wheat crop has surpassed expectations. Though wet conditions caused a significant drop in the number of acres planted last fall and some areas had challenging growing conditions, this year’s crop yield is average and quality is impressive. “Initial results from our annual wheat harvest survey indicate very good overall quality, with over […] Read more
Giving feeder cattle an extra push on feed intake
Feed pusher common to dairy farms has potential for beef feedlot
A robotic technology common on Ontario dairy farms is showing promise for helping beef feedlot operators increase feed intake in their cows. A one-year trial using a feed pusher in a feedlot setting has just wrapped up in the province and results show that the technology could be valuable to producers, allowing them to reduce […] Read more
CanSpot ASF testing to expand to provincial processing plants
Early based detection aimed at limiting disease transmission
As the threat of African swine fever (ASF) creeps closer to North America, CanSpot ASF is ramping up its programming. CanSpot ASF is a risk-based early detection program aimed at limiting ASF transmission, and reducing its spread. “Canadian and provincial governments, along with members of the pork industry, have made significant investments to reduce the […] Read more
Keep a watchful eye for these soybean pests
If presented with the right conditions, soybean insects can cause significant plant damage
Bean leaf beetle, spider mites and aphids are the soybean pests that growers should be watching for this season, say agronomists. Why it matters: Soybean insects are sometimes overlooked during the season and if not quickly identified they can cause serious damage. Bean leaf beetle Bean leaf beetles are among the more common soybeans pests […] Read more
Q&A with Minister Lisa Thompson
Farmtario sat down with Lisa Thompson, recently reappointed as Ontario’s Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA), to ask how she will tackle pressing issues facing the Ontario agri-food sector during her next term. Q: It’s clear you are proud to represent OMAFRA, especially considering the personal attachment you have with the agri-food sector. […] Read more
OMAFRA discontinues annual nitrogen survey
The survey may be replaced with a better program to advise farmers on nitrogen applications to corn
An annual soil nitrogen test survey led by the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) has been discontinued for 2022, with the ministry’s corn industry program lead Ben Rosser hoping to work with partners to come up with what he describes as a more effective and easily-administered replacement. The Pre Sidedress Nitrogen […] Read more
Farm & Food Care Ontario celebrates 10 years with new funding agreement
OMAFRA will contribute up to $547,200 to outreach initiatives over three years
A new funding agreement that will contribute up to $547,200 to Farm & Food Care Ontario’s (FFCO) outreach activities over the next three years was announced by Ontario Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) Lisa Thompson at FFCO’s annual meeting on April 13 in Elora. “Ensuring Ontarians have the facts on where their […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
