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Tag Archives soil health — page 12

Soil fungi numbers appear to be similar in different systems, but the types of fungi change, researchers have found.
Crops

Finding the right fungus

First steps taken to identify and promote fungi beneficial in cropping systems

By
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
Cameron Ogilvie is knowledge mobilization co-ordinator with Soils at Guelph.
Crops, News

Cover crops reduce nitrate leaching

40-year rotation trials find diverse rotation makes for more resilient crops

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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
Participating landowner Gord Green, foreground, discusses his family’s participation in the ONFARM soil health research initiative with Adam Hayes of the Soil Resource Group.
Crops

Twenty-five farms host on-farm soil health research

The ONFARM initiative brings together diverse industry cooperators

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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
A field of red clover cover crop underseeded to wheat. Increasing use of cover crops is a part of regenerative agriculture programs.
News

Cargill launches regenerative agriculture program

The company is the latest to push improved soil practices to meet its consumer commitments

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Cargill plans to have an impact on regenerative agriculture practices on 10 million acres in North America. The company recently announced plans to meet its climate commitments. Cargill will focus on row crops, especially corn, wheat, soybeans, canola and other major crops in North America. The company said in a statement that “Cargill expects these […] Read more
(Outdoorfarmshow.com)
Crops, Machinery

Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show looks to lock in land base

GFM plans to buy research land for eastern Discovery Farm

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As Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show goes digital this week, its operator is preparing to secure its real-world footprint in southern Ontario and put that real estate to year-round work. Glacier FarmMedia and the Ontario government on Tuesday announced their intent to work toward a land deal with the Agricultural Research Institute of Ontario (ARIO), which […] Read more
soil
News

New farm research group offers more by pooling resources

Central Ontario soil research and stewardship groups try two-year collaboration

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A partnership based out of Trent University is offering farmers free access to its expertise. The Quinte Farm Research and Stewardship Collaborative is a two-year initiative described by project co-ordinator Lindsay Nash as a network focused on modern agricultural practices in relation to soil health, water quality and new technologies. Why it matters: There are […] Read more
Soil microbes are key to improving soil health.
Crops, News

New soil test hones in on microbial populations

Understanding microbial populations can lead to better soil health, yields

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A new soil health test, VitTellus Bio Soil Health, launched by A&L Canada Laboratories quantifies soil microbial populations that support improved soil health and crop productivity. The test is an extension of the VitTellus Soil Health Test, launched in 2018, and looks at providing deeper information about the physical and biological interaction in the soil. […] Read more
McCain Foods hopes to promote alternative potato farming methods such as regenerative agriculture.
News

McCain builds farms to showcase sustainable practices

The company has committed to reducing the impact of its potato operations

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Glacier Farmmedia – McCain Foods says it is building the farm of the future. The New Brunswick company announced in mid-July that it wants potato production to be more sustainable. To that end, McCain’s is establishing three Farms of the Future to learn how regenerative agriculture and innovation can work at scale in potato farming. […] Read more
Fields that grow continuous corn have fewer nutrients for soil microbes.
Crops

Lasting Impact: Technology helps living soils knowledge

Different crops feed soil microbes in different ways

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Updated Aug. 11, 2020 This article is the final instalment of a three-part series highlighting lessons learned from two long-term crop rotation experiments at the Ontario Crops Research Centres at Elora and Ridgetown. Soil is teeming with life. And despite their size, fungi, bacteria, and other micro-organisms play an enormous role in soil processes, from […] Read more
New soil test looks at microbial populations
Crops, News

New soil test looks at microbial populations

By
A&L Canada Laboratories Inc. recently launched VitTellus Bio, a new soil health test that quantifies soil microbial populations. VitTellus Bio complements the VitTellus Soil Health test, which is used to help farmers make informed decisions on application of nutrient and managing and improving soil health. It does more than measure the chemical properties of soil, […] Read more

Cyber-Savvy Farmer

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