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Tag Archives soil health — page 7

Improving soil health, which includes the use of cover crops, can also translate into increased competitiveness and profitability opportunities via carbon offset financial rewards and preferred supplier status, says a new report.
News

Farmers at the forefront of reducing GHG emissions

Sequestering carbon the best way to reduce emissions, according to new report

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Adjustments to agriculture practices can play a significant role in attaining Canada’s lower carbon emissions commitment, according to a recently released report from Value Change Management International (VCMI).  The report, entitled Low Carbon Food Production, suggests commercial benefits and opportunities are possible if businesses are willing to adapt to and profit from environmental initiatives. “Because […] Read more
The prospect of having lower premiums could be an additional incentive to use practices which increase organic matter levels and avoid those that reduce it.
Crops, News

Should soil organic matter be a factor in insurance premiums?

Research has found higher organic matter reduces drought impact

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Glacier FarmMedia – Farmers may one day see lower crop insurance premiums if they have high levels of organic matter in their soil. A study by the Agriculture Financial Services Corporation (AFSC) found that farms with higher soil organic matter have better yields and lower crop insurance claims. In the region between Edmonton and Red Deer, AFSC […] Read more
The author writes that the findings and guidance for soil health from the Standing Senate Committee on Agriculture and Forestry needs to be strategic, and gives eight recommendations on how this can be achieved.
News

Opinion: Soil matters. Charting a path forward

Action is needed to preserve and improve soil health, but it must be strategic

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The following is an excerpt from a statement made by the author to the Standing Senate Committee on Agriculture and Forestry (Status on Soil Health in Canada) meeting, Sept. 22. Since the Senate of Canada “Soil At Risk” report was conceived by Senator Herb Sparrow four decades ago, generally soil management has improved and crop […] Read more
Rev. Ruth Butt received the Member of the Order of Ontario Agricultural College (OAC) at Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show Sept. 15. The award was presented to her by OAC Dean Rene Van Acker.
News

Recognizing a worthwhile gift

Rev. Ruth Butt receives a delayed Order of Ontario Agricultural College for her support for soil research

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Among the many special events featured during Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show was a special award bestowed upon an incomparable individual.  Reverend Ruth Butt, a United Church minister and former neighbour of the farm show site now known as Discovery Farm Woodstock, was presented with the Member of the Order of Ontario Agricultural College award Sept. […] Read more
Less tillage, more cover crops and targeted residue management are three themes in Denotter’s strategy to promote better soil health, and more profitable crops on his farm near Kingsville.
Crops, Machinery

Making money through better soil and water management

Living Labs event features Kingsville-area farmer’s winning strategies

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The heavy clay soils that characterize Henry Denotter’s farm can be hard to work with. But from a tillage perspective at least, he doesn’t have to work them too often.  From a production perspective, years of experimentation with equipment configurations, electronic tools and a strong environmental philosophy have brought success in no-till corn and soybeans […] Read more
farmer handling soil
Crops

Calculating soil health returns

Greenbelt report highlights costs and returns of soil-supporting management practices

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Short term costs for long term gains – that’s what a Greenbelt Foundation report says farmers need to consider when it comes to building soil health.  Released in early 2022, The Greenbelt’s Towards a business case for soil health report compiled and analyzed field research data from different production practices in different cropping and cow-calf […] Read more
russet potatoes
News

McDonald’s and McCain partner to boost regenerative soil practices

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A new partnership between McDonald’s and McCain Foods will invest $1 million in regenerative soil education and practices for Canadian potato production.  “Through our shared vision with McDonald’s Canada, we are focused on supporting our growers in accelerating the transition to the key principles of regenerative agriculture,” said Jeremy Carter, McCain Foods’ western Canada agriculture […] Read more
The rise in average temperatures is contributing to declines in soil moisture, which can impact crop production and degrade soil.
Crops, News

Soil quality critical to help crops weather heat stress

Science Notes: Study analyzed 30 years of data on four major crops

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The capacity of soil to hold water will be critical to determine how well farms in some regions of the United States manage prolonged heat stress due to climate change, a new study suggests. The journal Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems published the finding, based on analyses of 30 years of data on four major crops — […] Read more
Compacted soil from equipment decreases soil volume porosity, which will negatively affect root development in crops and the ability of the soil to absorb water.
Crops, Machinery

Three common soil compaction mistakes

Avoid these missteps to keep compaction from getting worse

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Glacier FarmMedia – With the advent of mechanized agriculture, farms became a great deal more productive than they were in times past. However, the large machines that ply farmers’ fields today can be hard on the soil and cause issues with compaction. Why it matters: Soil compaction can be a serious form of soil degradation resulting […] Read more
A soil infiltration demonstration provides a good visual of how coarse and fine root channels help move water through the soil. Cover crops with coarse roots (e.g. daikon radish) and those with very dense root systems (e.g. cereal rye) provide the most benefit.
Crops

Managing to get the most from available water

Tips for keeping it in the ground to make it accessible to crop roots

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Water is the most important limiting input for crop production. In more than a couple of the past years, producers across the province have been forced to watch while their crops suffer from dry conditions in the heat of summer. Other than irrigation (which is rare for field crops in Ontario), there’s really nothing we […] Read more

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