Field observations
SPRING 2023
-
June 15, 2023 The rain gauge was arguably the least used piece of equipment on the farm this spring. That is until the start of this week when a very welcomed (gentle) rain was received…
April 2023
In this issue:
-
-
Biodiversity and agriculture
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE FINDS A BALANCE
- WHILE GLOBAL NEGOTIATIONS and agreements on climate and the environment can seem far removed from our daily lives in Canada, they can significantly impact Canadian policymaking. This is why when the world descended on Montreal… -
Advertisement
-
Global wins
FROM THE CEO'S DESK
- IT IS SPRING, which means farmer-members across the province will be gearing up for one of the busiest seasons of the year — planting. After a long winter of researching, learning, and planning, it is… -
Farm employees
CONVERSATIONS WITH BUSINESS EXPERTS
- (J.M.) WHAT DOES THE CANADIAN AGRICULTURAL LABOUR MARKET LOOK LIKE TODAY? (K.D.) Canadian farmers continue to report that labour shortages are chronic and pervasive across the country. Canada consistently depends on international workers to fill… -
Wacky weather
LA NINA, LA NINO, AND THE JET STREAM
- DISTRUPTIVE WEATHER PATTERNS like too much rain causing flooding, too little rain causing drought, windstorms, snow storms, hail, tornadoes and more can be explained by the jet stream, according to Andrew Pritchard. “When we talk… -
Sustainable Canadian Soy program
DRIVING VALUE FOR ONTARIO FARMERS
- PROVIDING HIGH-VALUE soybeans for premium markets has put Canada on the map for quality soybeans. Ontario’s soy industry has been a leader in building Canada’s reputation for Identity Preserved (IP) and food-grade soybeans, consistently meeting… -
Made-in-Huron fertilizer
CARLSUN ENERGY TO CONSTRUCT HYDROGEN PLANT
- ONTARIO MAY BE one step closer to decreasing reliance on imported fertilizer. Bruce County-based Carlsun Energy Solutions is in the early stages of establishing a new hydrogen plant on the site of the former Bluewater… -
GrainTALK for April/May 2023
AN UPDATE ON GRAIN FARMERS OF ONTARIO NEWS AND EVENTS
- FROM THE CHAIRYou recently represented Grain Farmers of Ontario during a trade mission to the Asia-Pacific region. What did you learn from that experience? Crosby (Devitt, CEO) and I were invited by the Ontario Ministry… -
Sustainable Agriculture Strategy
INDUSTRY GROUPS CONSULT ON A FEDERAL STRATEGY
- SUSTAINABILITY IS THE focus of a new strategy being developed by the federal government to set a shared direction on priority environment and climate issues in Canadian agriculture. The Sustainable Agriculture Strategy (SAS), previously referred… -
4R grain corn
BENEFITS OF ADVANCED 4R NITROGEN MANAGEMENT
- 4R FERTILIZER MANAGEMENT (Right Source, Right Rate, Right Time and Right Place) is a well-known, well-respected and widely-implemented program in Ontario and across Canada. It is also an evolving program, with new studies continually being… -
Single-use plastic recovery
OPTIONS FOR REDUCING IMPACT OF AGRICULTURAL PLASTICS
- FARMERS RELY ON single-use plastics for crop production and protection every day, but as bans are enacted by governments worldwide on consumer products like plastic straws and grocery bags, many farmers are questioning whether items… -
Resilient woodlots
ADVICE FROM A FOREST EXPERT on HEALTHY ECOSYSTEMS
- PRIVATE WOODLOTS DOT the Ontario countryside, forming a perfect backdrop for fall foliage photos when the leaves change, and eager photographers head out to hunt for the perfect shot of the vibrant colours that frame… -
Managing bluegrass
AGRONOMIC INFORMATION FROM ONTARIO'S CROP SPECIALISTS
- BLUEGRASS COMPETITION IN winter wheat can result in up to 50 per cent yield losses. Over the past two seasons, three herbicides (Simplicity GoDri, Varro and Axial) have shown promising results and have prevented significant… -
Does organic production need tillage?
GROWERS DISCUSS REDUCED TILLAGE OPTIONS
- IMPLEMENTING REDUCED TILLAGE or no-till practices on organic farms is possible without sacrificing yield or profitability, according to three organic producers who spoke as part of a panel discussion in an on-demand session at the… -
Patchwork broadband
FARMERS BEING LEFT BEHIND IN HIGH-SPEED INTERNET
- WHEN THE PANDEMIC hit in 2020, and everyone shifted their lives online, it quickly became apparent that reliable internet access was no longer a luxury. The internet has become an essential tool for school, work,…