March 2017

In this issue:

Understanding precision agriculture

EXPERIENCES FROM THE FIELD

March 2017 - PAST ARTICLES IN our Understanding Precision Agriculture series have focused on the main pieces — data collection, management zone creation, and prescription mapping — that form the foundation of a successful precision ag approach.
Citizen scientists

IMPORTANT PARTNERS IN TRACKING WEATHER

March 2017 - AGRICULTURE AND AGRI-FOOD Canada (AAFC) uses data from multiple sources to interpret and produce all kinds of agroclimate maps and information detailing things such as weather conditions and the impacts of climate on agriculture. Naturally, the more data that’s available, the clearer the picture becomes, so AAFC uses weather stations, satellites, and people on the ground to help collect this data.
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Cropside: Perennial sow-thistle

AGRONOMIC INFORMATION FROM ONTARIO'S CROP SPECIALISTS

March 2017 - WITH LATERAL ROOTS that go as deep as two metres and seed production approaching 10,000 per plant, perennial sow-thistle is extremely difficult to eradicate. To minimize its impact, management that reduces top growth will lower…
Crown rust in oats

MITIGATING CROP LOSS

March 2017 - UNDER THE RIGHT (or wrong) conditions, crown rust can be a real problem for oat growers. While most varieties carry some resistance, Albert Tenuta, plant pathologist with the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) warns that races do change over time, affecting variety performance. The disease can cause substantial loss with 50 per cent or more of the crop being affected. Good management, though, can help growers avoid losses entirely.
Emerging corn diseases

CONCERNS SOUTH OF THE BORDER

March 2017 - PLANT PATHOLOGISTS AT Iowa State University Extension are red-flagging three newly emerging corn diseases and asking farmers to submit possible samples during the coming crop season.
GFO Newsletter for March 2017

GET THE LATEST NEWS FROM GRAIN FARMERS OF ONTARIO

March 2017 - COME SEE US AT A FARM SHOW NEAR YOU! London Western Fair farm show March 8 – 10 http://www.westernfairdistrict.com/london-farm-show in the Grain Farmers of Ontario pavillion booth #727V. Ottawa Valley Farm show March 14-16 http://ottawafarmshow.com/…
Business side: Insuring the business

CONVERSATIONS WITH BUSINESS EXPERTS

March 2017 - (J.M.) INSURANCE IS AN IMPORTANT PART OF RISK MANAGEMENT AND PROTECTING THE FARM BUSINESS. WHAT ARE SOME TYPES OF BUSINESS RELATED INSURANCE COVERAGE FARMERS SHOULD CONSIDER IN ADDITION TO TRADITIONAL FARM POLICIES? (L.N.) Farmers need…
Midwestern crop threat

INCREASING RESISTANCE

March 2017 - RESISTANCE ISSUES, AND especially herbicide resistance, were a dominant concern for growers and Iowa State extension agronomists at this winter’s series of Crop Advantage workshops.
Managing resistance

NEW WEED CONTROL OPTIONS

March 2017 - THE INCREASE IN herbicide-resistant weeds and the need for weed control is an ongoing challenge for both farmers and crop protection companies, driving the development of new products to decrease weed presence.
Go slower, spray more

AGRONOMIC INFORMATION FROM ONTARIO'S CROP SPECIALISTS

March 2017 - IN AN EFFORT to get more done in a day, and to ensure sprays are applied during an ever-shrinking window of opportunity, sprayer operators may be tempted to drive faster. Certainly, sprayer manufacturers have supported this strategy by making self-propelled sprayers capable of high speeds. However, just because you can drive 25 mph doesn’t mean you should.
Market side: Futures trading basics

LESSON 26: TECHNICAL ANALYSIS

March 2017 - This monthly educational series will feature the basic workings of the futures and options markets and how they can be utilized to help farmers with risk management. GAP THEORY Gaps are indicated on a chart…
Late nitrogen insights

ANSWERS TO KEY QUESTIONS

March 2017 - THERE IS UNPRECEDENTED interest and investment in applying nitrogen (N) on corn later in the season. By later, we mean applications that are beyond the traditional planting or sidedress timings and generally between the V10 to VT (tassel emergence) stages. Some key questions and answers have been gradually coming to light as we aim to shift more of the corn crop’s N supply to later in the season.
A sustainable nutrient plan

APPLYING THE PRINCIPLES OF 4R

March 2017 - 4R ONTARIO HAS been created as an industry-led initiative working towards a science-based approach to improve nutrient use efficiency and reduce potential nutrient loss into our environment.
Farming the Great Clay Belt

NEW OPPORTUNITIES FOR GROWTH

March 2017 - A MARCH 31, 2016 article in Northern Ontario Business titled Beef farmers look to gain ground in the Clay Belt says “the North’s climate limits what cash crops can be grown, but the fertile soil is perfect for growing hay, oats, and grazing cattle”.
Issues that matter

FROM THE CEO'S DESK

March 2017 - IN JANUARY, GRAIN Farmers of Ontario held its Annual District Grain Committee Meetings. These meetings are an integral part of our organization — they are where your local delegates and directors are elected, where information about the work we do is shared, and where important provincial and local issues are raised by you, our farmer-members. This was our eighth round of meetings, and based on attendance and the feedback we received, I would consider them a success.

March 2017

Understanding precision agriculture

Citizen scientists

Cropside: Perennial sow-thistle

Crown rust in oats

Emerging corn diseases

Business side: Insuring the business

Midwestern crop threat

Managing resistance

Go slower, spray more

Market side: Futures trading basics

Late nitrogen insights

A sustainable nutrient plan

Farming the Great Clay Belt

Issues that matter

Recommended:

Tar spot prevention

From the CEO’s desk – October 2025

GrainTALK Newsletter

Have an idea for an upcoming issue?

March 2017

Understanding precision agriculture

Citizen scientists

Cropside: Perennial sow-thistle

Crown rust in oats

Emerging corn diseases

GFO Newsletter for March 2017

Business side: Insuring the business

Midwestern crop threat

Managing resistance

Go slower, spray more

Market side: Futures trading basics

Late nitrogen insights

A sustainable nutrient plan

Farming the Great Clay Belt

Issues that matter

Recommended:

Tar spot prevention

From the CEO’s desk – October 2025