Drought tolerant crop varieties have also had an enormous impact. Russ Barker, Pioneer Hybrid sales representative and certified crop adviser based near St. Marys uses the drought of 1988 to illustrate how far modern corn hybrids have come. “A good crop in those days would run 150 bushels. Yields in that drought environment then were half that, even on good soils,” says Barker. “Today, our top-drawer fields put 200 or 250. If you gave genetics the same kind of stress, in severe drought, they would likely go in the 150-160 range.” MAKING POSITIVE CHANGE A Field Crop News crop report from July 6, 2022, argues that more varied and extreme seasonal weather appears to be the new norm in Ontario and that adding complexity to crop rotations and diversity to tillage practices will have long-term benefits, including overall yield increases. ONTARIO GRAIN FARMER 31 SEPTEMBER 2022 continued on page 32 Varied and extreme seasonal weather appears to be the new norm in Ontario and adding complexity to crop rotations and diversity to tillage practices will have long-term benefits. Results of a University of Guelph project analyzing 31 years of weather, cropping, and tillage data indicate yield boosts associated with positive changes in both management areas. More specifically, the findings showed moving from a corn-soybean rotation to a corn-soybean-wheat rotation increased the following average soybean yields by 13 per cent. The more crops in a rotation and the Serving customers for the past 75 years by growing enduring relationships through extraordinary service, a deep knowledge of the market and a knack for finding new ways to add value. Working with The Andersons on your grain marketing and risk management plan gives you more time to focus on your operation. Call us today! www.AndersonsCanada.com Blacks Lane Alan Bloomfield (519) 785-0888 Blenheim Dan Van De Velde (519) 676-5446 Granton Blair Chowen (519) 225-2360 Hensall Matt Foulon (519) 262-2923 Kent Bridge Brad Irwin (519) 676-6200 Mitchell Amanda Peer (519) 348-8433 Norwich Jennifer Kilbourne (519) 424-9852 Pain Court Mike Robinson (519) 676-6223 Pontypool Neil Moloney (705) 277-2002 Port Albert Carol Buys (519) 529-7901 Rannoch Blair Chowen (519) 229-6290
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