As a crop input, phosphorus is one of those nutrients we tend to think about early, make application decisions as we are seeding, and then all too often, do not think about again until the next growing season. In reality, our crops have a season-long need for phosphate, and this singular focus and approach to... Read More

Oxford County MPP Ernie Hardeman has been tapped to lead the agriculture portfolio under Ontario Premier Doug Ford's new cabinet, unveiled June 29, as Ford took power. Hardeman has held the post previously, serving as minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs from 1999 to 2001 under then-premier Mike Harris. He has been an MPP... Read More

Even though Kentucky’s first-ever agricultural trade mission was eight months in the making, no one would have blamed the state’s trade commission for delaying last week’s five-day trek to Ontario until the air cleared of anti-Canadian rhetoric from U.S. President Donald Trump. After all, not only are trade tensions high, but Kentucky is as pro-Trump... Read More

New technology built on 30 years of Ontario- and Quebec-specific corn data is producing some surprising nitrogen top-dress recommendations for Ontario's corn crop. The prescription? Some dry areas of the province with a 220 bushel corn yield target are receiving total N recommendations of just 100 pounds per acre. Yes, really. Is this even possible?... Read More

Except for wheat, grain markets this week trended mostly lower. The oilseed complex saw a significant sell-off as the start to the U.S. growing season has been good. Further, there haven’t been any noticeable discussion between the U.S. and China regarding trade. The market is interpreting this as bearish for soybeans. Next week Tuesday, June... Read More

It's been a wild few months for Ontario's provincial leaders. From the sudden resignation of the PC's Patrick Brown in late January, to the nail-biter of a leadership race between Christine Elliott and the eventual victor Doug Ford, and on to an election that saw Andrea Horwath's fortunes rise even as Premier Kathleen Wynne conceded... Read More

In a surprising twist to this already tumultuous provincial election, Premier Kathleen Wynne held a press conference over the weekend to concede defeat, days before the election is to be held. Wynne, emotional in her speech, admitted she has no chance of being re-elected premier, and instead urged voters to still vote Liberal to ensure... Read More

The Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs is piloting a print-on-demand service for some of its extension publications, including the Guide to Weed Control. In addition, a few crop production publications have just now been made available for free download. The ministry says the pay-as-you-need service through a third party allows "clients to... Read More