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
Category: Agronomy
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
This years Crop Production Week had a number of high-clearance sprayers from multiple companies being showcased on the tradeshow floor. We looked at a few of those sprayers already. In this segment, we turn our sites on AGCO's 2012 Rogator high-clearance sprayer. Some of the new features of this sprayer are visible from the outside,... Read More
In order for the pulse industry to grow in Canada, a number of areas have to be looked at. One of those areas is market development. The world's food needs are growing and changing. New markets are opening up as a middle class emerges in areas of the developing world. Those people have specific end-use... Read More
The last time we spoke to Patrick Crampton, we talked about Agrisoma's research and development of the carinata plant in the area of biofuels. The plant is very similar to canola, but with an industrial oil profile suited well to diesel and jet fuel usage. The agronomics are very similar to canola in the fact... Read More