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Tag Archives Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association — page 2

News

Environmental Farm Plan update process eased

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The Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association (OSCIA) has made it easier for producers to update their Environmental Farm Plan (EFP). Farms with a third or fourth edition EFP are now eligible to renew through a new, one-day workshop. “Farmers requested an efficient way to update their EFP and take their best management practice learning […] Read more
Lowering tire pressure is one of the first places to start to reduce compaction damage.
Crops, Machinery

How to prevent compaction at harvest

Limiting damage starts with decisions when combines go into fields

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Field activity makes soil compaction worse. That’s just the nature of the work. But there are methods to reduce it, in favourable and unfavourable conditions. Why it matters: Ways to reduce soil compaction vary, depending on soil type, field conditions, equipment capability, operation style, and other factors. For Alex Barrie, a Bowmanville-area farmer and soil […] Read more
Sandhill Cranes continue to cause damage
News

Sandhill Cranes continue to cause damage

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A resolution to allow seed treatments for control of Sandhill Cranes was passed at the Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association annual meeting. The cranes dig up seeds and other crops such as potatoes and cause significant damage when they stop in North Ontario. Mac Emiry, who farms in the Sudbury district has heard that […] Read more
Soil manager app helps with test interpretation
Crops, News

Soil manager app helps with test interpretation

The app gives another option for understanding soil tests

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A new soil test app will give farmers an easy way to get quick interpretation of their soil test results. The app, found at soiltestmanager.ca was launched at the recent Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association annual meeting in London. Jake Munro, OMAFRA’s soil management specialist for field crops, says that the app brings together […] Read more
The Luymes brothers are trying biostrips as a way to work with strip tillage.
Crops

Provincial soil tour looks at minimal tillage, biostrips

The tour visited regional farms as part of the Ontario Soil Network

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There’s no one system for improving soil health and that was on display during a recent Ontario Soil Health Network tour across the province. The tour visited more than 20 farms, from Kingsville to Douglas, arriving at the farms of the members of the first cohort of the Ontario Soil Network over four days. Farmtario […] Read more
At the Israel family’s Drayton-area organic farm, delayed maturity of the rye meant that roller-crimping had to occur in early July, well after the emergence of the soybeans. A side-by-side comparison on July 22 showed the soybeans were delayed, but had come through the mat of rye in good health.
Crops

OSCIA-supported trial examines no-till organic soybeans

Despite difficult spring, growers persist with planting into roller-crimped rye

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Delayed soybean emergence and the seed costs for a lush cover crop of rye are the main reasons why one innovative approach to no-till farming might not make financial sense under conventional management. But a new research trial being conducted at six sites across southern Ontario is showing promise that the method might be something […] Read more
This no-till drill is used to plant cover crops and prairie grass buffer strips. It is loaned to farmers by the ERC.
Crops, Machinery

Local demonstration showcased soil management options

Machinery demonstration designed to spur more thinking on soil health

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A Kingsville-area demonstration day was held July 23 to showcase a variety of tillage and other equipment and how each can be used to improve soil management. But while the machinery was the focus visually, the main purpose of the event was to highlight how producers can incorporate profitable and environmental production changes using both […] Read more
The Environmental Farm Plan was created in Ontario and has been expanded across the country.
News

Environmental Farm Plan can now be renewed online

The change means that farmers won’t always have to travel to attend in-person workshops

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Farmers in Ontario can now access a website to update their Environmental Farm Plans. The enhanced system will make it easier for many to continue using this tool, which guides Ontario farmers to voluntarily adopt more environmentally sustainable practices. Why it matters: The Environmental Farm Plan is a long-time program that has helped fund and […] Read more
Anne Verhallen doing what she loves to do — talking about soil.
News

Denys, Verhallen named 2019 soil champions

A farmer and an OMAFRA soils expert are being recognized for trying new practices to improve soil health

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The Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association (OSCIA) has named a farmer and a long-time supporter of soil health as its 2019 Soil Champions. The OSCIA made the announcement at its annual conference in Kingston in early February. Jim Denys is a Middlesex County farmer, producing pork farrow-to-finish while cropping corn, wheat and soybeans. He […] Read more
Corn has been discounted across much of Ontario because of high levels of DON. There are challenges in marketing especially high infection level corn.
Crops

How the new DON testing cost-share program works

Funds will share half of the cost of DON testing or equipment purchase so farmers can know what they have in their bins

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With vomitoxin (DON) levels prevalent in this year’s corn crop, the Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association (OSCIA) says a new DON testing cost-sharing initiative will help producers strategically market their grain. Why it matters: OSCIA says the cost-sharing program will help farmers know how severe their deoxynivalenol (DON) issues are, and how to market […] Read more

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