On this episode of The Agronomists, host Lyndsey Smith is joined by Anne Kirk, cereal specialist for Manitoba Agriculture and Dr. Aaron Mills, researcher with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada PEI, to discuss crop sequence — what do we know about the impact of order crops are grown in? How is crop sequence different from rotation?... Read More
Category: Cover crops
Pasture is king at Riverview Ranch in Melancthon, Ont., where sheep farmer Mike Swidersky and his family run a flock of 650 ewes. On this episode of RealAgriculture's Profitable Practices, Swidersky shares how he and neighbouring grain farmers have used the pasture created by late-season cover crops to generate high-quality feed for the sheep. It... Read More
Ontario’s winter wheat crop has exceeded expectations, as the province has officially surpassed the 100 bushel per acre average yield mark, clocking in at 100.4 bu/ac (yes, the .4 matters!) But while Wheat Pete is celebrating that milestone, there are concerns this week as parts of Ontario are bone dry, mildew is flaring up in... Read More
When the nights turn crisp and the drill is parked, is it still worth chasing green? This Ruminating with RealAg episode tackles the late-fall question: what to do when it feels “too late” to seed cover crops, and whether a few leaves before snowfall can still pay back in soil health or livestock feed. Host... Read More
It’s already September and Wheat Pete’s got a jam-packed podcast this week, covering everything from unexpected rivalries to tillage talk, corn maturity, fleabane control, and red clover root mass. Whether it’s broadcasting wheat soybeans, oat/pea cover crop N considerations, or managing residue of sudangrass, this one’s full of practical agronomic advice and timely reminders. Have... Read More
This week, Peter "Wheat Pete" Johnson takes listeners from the tough realities of crop stress to the fun of agronomy problem-solving. From temperature swings in South Africa to drought and green snap at home, Pete stresses the importance of community and agronomic planning in a challenging season. Have a question you’d like Wheat Pete to... Read More
When it comes to cover crops in Ontario, the three leading options for farmers tend to be red clover frost-seeded into wheat, oats after wheat, and the versatile cereal rye, which fits lots of spots that call for cover. There are also a host of other cover crops that make up multiple species mixes, as... Read More
When it comes to plant roots and residue that help control erosion and contribute to soil health, soybeans always get a failing grade. But with advances in drone technology, the future will bring more opportunity for timely fall seeding of cover crops to better manage the poor contribution the oilseed crop makes to soil organic... Read More
Unseasonably cold weather returned to Ontario this week and so, Peter Johnson, host of Wheat Pete's Word, dives into the agronomic consequences—from severe erosion and grassed waterways to sulphur behaviour in soil. This jam-packed episode of the podcast also features scouting surprises in winter canola, tile drainage success in cold regions, and a red clover... Read More
Cover crops can keep soil and nutrients in place, suppress weeds, and fix nitrogen, but they can also use too much water or create a mess of rotting plant material if not terminated properly. On this episode of The Agronomists, host Lyndsey Smith is joined by Kevin Elmy with Cover Crops Canada, Jim McComb with... Read More