The Tillage Radish has piqued the interest of both eastern and western farmers. While cover crops are far more common in the east, western Canadian farmers are warming up to the usefulness of oilseed radish and the Tillage Radish. It's a versatile crop — the Tillage Radish creates massive roots that can break up hardpan,... Read More
Category: Agronomy
Harvest is a great time to grab a sample of grain and have it tested for germination and disease levels. Harvest is also the easiest (and warmest) time to get a representative sample, as you can sample as you fill bins. The sooner you know some basic quality parameters the better, as poor germ or... Read More
Whether it's to fix nitrogen, protect against erosion or to do both these and provide grazing or green feed, cover crops are a key component of Ontario crop rotations. While many farmers are content with oats, red clover or ryegrass, the options for cover crops are seemingly endless. Christine Brown, cover crops specialist with OMAFRA,... Read More
Uniform seeding at a consistent depth is the first step to a banner wheat crop, but the first mistake many farmers make — seeding too deep — hurts them twice over. Wheat seeded too deep means fewer plants emerge and those that do are slower to grow and produce fewer tillers. It's an issue for... Read More
A large part of the Prairies is dry. And when we say dry, we mean dusty dry down a few inches. No, not everywhere and, no, not like the U.S., but nearly the entire growing area of Manitoba could use a good drink. Farmers in parts of Saskatchewan and Alberta say the same. A dry... Read More
A shot of glyphosate post-harvest and just before winter is the ideal way to gain control of perennials and winter annuals. Controlling them in the fall is effective because perennial weeds, such as Canada thistle and dandelions, are beginning to shut down for winter and are actively trans-locating sugars from the leaves to the roots... Read More
Every once in a while it's good to get your hands dirty, literally. Getting a good look at the medium that makes you a living can give you a new perspective on what's going on in your field. That's exactly what Lyndsey Smith got to do at Canada's Outdoor Farm Show as OMAFRA Land Resource... Read More
Shopping around for farm equipment can be a little daunting. Every manufacturer makes claims that their equipment is the best and the best fit for you. While you may have an idea what you want, the actual performance of that equipment can only be seen once you're in the field. That can leave farmers with... Read More
The Ontario corn crop isn't going to break any yield records in 2012, but most producers are going to fare OK once decent prices are factored in to the lower yields. One bright spot in a tough year is variety comparison — in a good year, it's difficult to really be objective as to what... Read More
As harvest wraps up, farmers thoughts turn to fall field work and planning for next year's crop. Soil sampling is one way to get a handle on where soil nutrient levels are at or how they've changed over time. The trick is to ensure soil samples are taken properly, at the right time and with... Read More