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