Chris Roelands, a Honeyland Ag agronomist, foreground, and Jack Legg, SGS Crop Science manager and agronomist, shared best practices and timing for soil and tissue testing and utilizing the results to fortify crop success at Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement’s February Microsmart Deep Dive presentation in Kingston.

Taking the mystery out of soil and tissue tests

Agronomists, soil scientists on what they offer, and what the differences between the tests are

Soil tests assess the potential availability of nutrients under optimal conditions. In contrast, tissue tests indicate actual uptake under variable field conditions.


The Soiltech Wireless sensor can be placed on the ground to act as a localized weather station by measuring temperature and humidity. It can also be buried to monitor moisture and temperature.

Soil tech firms allow sensors to work together

Ceres Imaging and Soiltech Wireless say the recent agreement allows their technology to validate each other in the field

Glacier FarmMedia – Ceres Imaging and Soiltech Wireless have an agreement that enables the two systems to work together. Soiltech Wireless offers a cellular-based wireless sensor and Ceres Imaging uses in-field sensors, advanced analytics and high-resolution imagery to provide a macro-level look at crops. Ehsan Soltan of Soiltech Wireless said the company’s wireless sensor monitors […] Read more

John Poel, left, provincial director to OSCIA's Heartland region, accepts a cheque from Trillium Insurance representatives Mike Brine and Angela De Groot. The donation was made Aug. 5 during a Compaction Day event at Rostock.

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



“There is normally a relationship to yield, but it’s not necessarily linear. Yield is a product of spatial times temporal variability.” – Jonathan Zettler.

Soil testing complexity increasing

The future of soil testing includes better imaging, health indicators, and cost effectiveness

The days of single-sample field soil analysis are fading. What’s needed, say soil experts, are analysis tools that provide accurate representations of different management zones.  Speaking at the recent Innovative Farmers Association of Ontario (IFAO) conference, Jonathan Zettler, agronomist and founder of Fieldwalker Agronomy Ltd., said soil testing tools should also be all-encompassing – that […] Read more

Investing in details can guide fertilizer decisions

Investing in details can guide fertilizer decisions

Soil tests are a baseline, but there are other options on which to judge best use of expensive fertilizer

For those who want to reduce fertilizer costs, certified crop adviser and Renfrew County farmer Jennifer Doelman has some tips.  Fertilizer availability has fluctuated in recent months, she notes. Staff shortages and other factors have also contributed to disruptions within normal supply channels. With limited capacity and high demand, suppliers might have to prioritize regular […] Read more