Establishing a seed grade can be a frustrating process at times, especially at point of sale. If a seed lot is on the edge, there is a lot riding on what grade it ends up making. If the crop is graded on site, there can be a lot of areas where doubt can arise as... Read More
Category: Agronomy
There is always some risk involved when it comes to early planting of corn. The risk-reward scenario has to be weighed using a number of factors, some of which, like the weather, are out of the farmer's hands. This year you can add another factor to that scenario: tight corn seed stocks. If something does... Read More
In any situation, broadleafs and wild oats left unchecked in your field can end up robbing you of the yield you desire. The best way to manage these nutrient scavengers is to make sure you are using your crop protection products that work quickly and effectively. Ensure that you do your own research on the... Read More
A good crop starts with good quality seed. As far as choosing that seed goes, most producers make that choice based on two factors, germ and vigour. Those two things are critical, but they don't tell the whole story. The truth is that there are other unseen things that, if unaddressed can have a major... Read More
Planting early is almost always a good idea. There are aspects and elements that we can't control like the weather that tend to throw the best laid plans out the window, but in general, the theory is simple. The soybean plant is a factory that produces soybeans. That factory runs primarily on sunlight. The more... Read More
In this episode of the Corn School we continue our series with agronomist Darel Walker about the key factors in the pursuit of 300 bushel corn. In the first episode of the series we looked at soil tilth as one of those factors; in this episode we look to proper nitrogen application as another piece... Read More
As far as cover crops go, red clover is a no-brainer. That according to OMAFRA wheat specialist Peter Johnson. It's a statement that seems to be backed up by a lot of facts. The first being its ability to provide ample amounts of nitrogen and organic matter to the soil. A good stand of red... Read More
In this episode of the Corn School we talk with OMAFRA Corn Specialist Greg Stewart talks about the 4 year project undertaken to look at the benefits of starter fertilizer on corn. The study looked at all manner of formulations, applications and combinations. The major conclusion of the study showed the importance of potash levels... Read More
Considering some of the conditions during planting last year, the provincial average yield for soybeans was fairly impressive. If we can get 45 bushels last year, what is the real long term potential of soybean yields? What factors can we look at to bump those yields even higher. It has been reported that a grower... Read More
Assessing risk is a crucial part of any producer's pest control strategy. If you don't know what to look for or how to look for it, you are setting yourself up for some potentially costly problems. That risk assessment starts with a good knowledge of the previous year including hotspots for activity, and overall movement... Read More