December 5 marks World Soil Day, a day set aside by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization to celebrate this critical resource and raise awareness of the challenges of protecting it. This year’s theme, “Caring for Soils: Measure, Monitor, Manage,” underscores the importance of accurate soil data and information in understanding soils characteristics and […] Read more
Tag Archives soil health — page 2
World Soil Day celebrates critical resource
Soil’s secret language
Researchers decode plant-to-fungi communication
University of Toronto researchers have cracked the code of plant-to-fungi communication in a new study using baker’s yeast. The researchers discovered that the plant hormone strigolactone activates fungal genes and proteins associated with phosphate metabolism, a system that is key to plant growth.
Governments investing to improve Ontario farmland
More than $12.2 million has been awarded to Ontario farmers to make their agricultural lands more resilient against extreme weather events, increase biodiversity and enhance soil and water health. The funding, through the first intake of the Resilient Agricultural Landscape Program, is supporting 213 projects which include the planting of grasslands and trees, reducing tillage, […] Read more
Managing bare soils in the field after harvest
OMAFRA Field Crop Report for the week of August 26
Much of the province has completed harvest of both winter and spring cereals over the last two months. Growers must now make a decision on what to do with these fields through the fall. Option 1: Monitor and manage cereal re-growth Cereal crops often have significant regrowth throughout the summer and fall months, even with […] Read more
Opinion: Does soil health pay the bills?
The answer to that simple question is very complex, recent research shows
Glacier FarmMedia – Farmers are under tremendous pressure these days to factor soil health into their management decisions. While there are lots of opinions about the benefits of healthy soils to the environment and society in general, it’s not always clear what’s in it for the farmer. Building soil health, often referred to as regenerative […] Read more
Two perspectives on building soil resilience
Webinar looks at 65 years of crop rotation research and water management findings in 2023
A recent webinar organized by Quebec’s provincial agriculture ministry (MAPAQ) brought together two experts from different fields but pursuing the same goal — improving soil’s capacity to cope with increasingly extreme weather events. Laura Van Eerd, of the University of Guelph’s Ridgetown campus, shared data collected from 65 years of crop rotation research. The trials […] Read more
Off the ‘slightly muddier’ beaten path at Discovery Farm
The "Off the Beaten Path" demonstration tour presented by BMO at the Ag in Motion farm show July 16-18, highlighted the multi-year research underway by several companies at the 610-acre site, with the improved moisture levels in 2024 helping provide new data for the ongoing projects.
Senate report calls for soil strategy, national soil advocate
The two-year study recognizes conservation efforts over recent decades but finds there is more to be done
A recently released Senate committee report says Canada requires a long-term soil conservation and protection strategy. Ontario Senator Rob Black said the strategy is a priority among the report’s 25 recommendations and should contain concrete targets, regularly reviewed timelines and provisions, a government-appointed national soils advocate, and designation of soil as a strategic national asset. […] Read more
Soil report highlights shifting focus on core issues
Opinion: Turn and burn is the name of the game before sunny days turn wet again
“Soil is still at risk in Canada and around the world,” the report says. “The committee heard that while soil management has improved and crop yield has increased with enhanced plant genetics and cultural practices, these gains have also masked the effect of continued soil degradation and loss of agricultural land in every region of Canada.
Corporate help for soil health is on its way
The importance of healthy soils is attracting the attention of newer private sector partners
Corporate interest in sustainable agricultural practices has grown in recent years, along with money toback it. Why it matters: Food manufacturers say they want agriculture to use more sustainable practices and are helping the industry achieve those goals. In March 2023, PepsiCo made a $216 million, multi-year pledge to study long-term practices geared to improving […] Read more
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