Dig Deep Archive

Winning with Winter Wheat

Start with Soybean Harvest, Then Timely Wheat Planting with a Starter Fertilizer

By Paul Hermans

Everywhere you look there is a lot of data that talks about the benefits of crop rotation. Adding winter wheat to the mix is a no-brainer.

Winter wheat helps spread workload, improves soil health, and provides cover crop benefits over the winter. Economically, it increases the yield potential of corn and soybeans in the rotation.

One on One with Mack Emiry

‘You get more from being involved than you spend giving to it.’

By Emily Croft

When Mack Emiry, a dairy farmer from Massey, found out he was selected as a successful nominee to be inducted into the Ontario Agricultural Hall of Fame this year, he was surprised.

“I was dumbfounded when I realized I was nominated, and then again when I was selected,” says Mack.

“I’m not different from a lot of people who have farmed, and still do farm, in this province.”

Working With Family

‘I Want Farm Families to See Conflict as a Good Thing that Can Be Resolved.’

By Emily Croft

Most farms in Canada are owned, operated, and passed down through families.

As multiple generations integrate on the farm, it can be difficult to manage the pressures of maintaining a business and family dynamics.

A clear transition plan is one way that farming families can ensure that the expectations and goals for the farm are shared.

Don’t Give Up on Your ‘Sons & Daughters’

Some Key Agronomic Challenges in Soybean & Corn

By Paul Hermans

If you have children, you know that throughout their life, they can challenge you daily. Ask yourself, have your ever given up on your children?

Consider your crops like your kids, you should never give up on them throughout the growing season. Keep constantly checking your crops and revise management strategies to reduce stress. This will lead to higher yields and profitability.

Two key factors are at play in this strategy:

Dale Cowan. A go-to person for Agriculture

Sharing over 40 years of knowledge with the next generation.

By Emily Croft

In a career of more than 40 years and counting, Dale Cowan has cultivated a reputation for his mentorship skills, an affinity for the newest technologies, and extensive agronomy knowledge. His lifelong contributions to farming will see Dale inducted into the Ontario Agricultural Hall of Fame on June 11.

Understanding Ontario’s Custom Farming Rates

Setting Fair Prices for Both Farmers & Contractors

By Mel Luymes

Considering the costs of the latest farm equipment and technology, more and more producers are opting to hire agri-contractors for one or more field operations.

Report Card Time

Grades A, B…or Fail?

By Paul Hermans

Back in the good old days I dreaded grade school spring report card time. I was always worried about what my parents would think when they saw my report. In some classes I got B marks – others not so.

As planting continues and wraps up through the countryside, it is now time to explore fields to get a report card on emergence as we start setting yield expectations for the 2023 growing season.

Keep Your Soybeans Clean

As Planting Season Approaches, Get Ready To Protect Your Yields From Pests

By Colleen Halpenny

In 2022, Ontario producers cropped an impressive 3,080,400 acres of soybeans according to Statistics Canada. This represents 58 per cent of total soybean production acres across Canada, and Ontario soybeans totalled $2.94 billion in farm cash receipts in 2021.

With so many acres invested, and yields on the line, we spoke with some experts to explore how you can bolster your stand’s health in the upcoming season.

Making the Most of Your 2023 Winter Wheat Crop

Strategizing to manage yields to their fullest potential.

By Emily Croft

After a long and warm fall, OMAFRA predicts that there has been a 30 per cent increase in the number of winter wheat acres planted in Ontario in the fall of 2022, compared to the previous fall. With both wheat and input prices high, what can you do this spring to get the most out of your 2023 winter wheat crop at harvest?

Planting Depth or Population

What has the most influence on yields?

By Paul Hermans

Being in the seed industry, probably the most common questions I am asked are: 1) What population should I plant my corn and soybeans at? 2) What is the best seeding depth for corn and soybeans?

Unfortunately, I usually respond with the typical agronomist answer of, “It depends.”

There is not just one answer. It depends on a lot of factors, ranging from yield expectations, soil type, crop type, and rotation, to disease management and more.