By Becky Dumais
Agriculture is embedded in Patrick Lynch’s bones, and he’s known for his experience, wisdom and mentorship.
Patrick – who will be inducted into the Ontario Agricultural Hall of Fame on June 12 in Elora – was raised on a farm in Otonabee Township, near Peterborough. In childhood he developed a deep respect for farming and farmers, beginning with his dad.
By Colleen Halpenny
Frank Dietrich of Lucan was excited to begin making tiling plans for one of his fields recently. “We purchased this plot a couple of years ago, but last year really looked into getting it tile-drained so we could maximize yields,” he reflects.
“Currently, along the road, there are 10 hydro poles, which sit about 30 feet into my field. The poles are not in great shape – most were installed in the 1960s.”
The poles hampered his operations.
by Colleen Halpenny
Still residing on the original Stafford family farm in Howick, John Stafford’s history in Ontario agriculture speaks to a generational love of farming. “A Stafford has lived on this farm since 1868. We still have the deed from the Crown, signed by Queen Victoria!” he proudly proclaims.
Born in 1935, and excited to have recently celebrated his 87th birthday, John’s passion for agriculture, and his fellow producers, is still very evident.
by Becky Dumais
“We need to have lots of kernels and we need to make them all heavy.”
That’s how David Hooker describes a great year for Ontario corn producers.
Hooker is a field crop agronomist and associate professor at the University of Guelph (UofG), Ridgetown Campus, and he says yield potential is excellent again this year.
So what are the current best practices to ensure those cobs are crammed with heavy kernels?
by Kristen Lutz
Lake Erie, Lake St. Clair and surrounding watersheds continue to be affected by nutrient runoff from farms, leading to well-documented increases in algae blooms.
Agricultural nutrient runoff contains nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P), which continues to be a significant source of water pollution leading to these blooms.
Better Farming interviewed experts on what programs are in place to address the ongoing issue, and what producers might do on their farm.
by Colleen Halpenny
With spring planting just around the corner, now is the time to invest in the steps to get your crops off to their best potential start.
We have connected with producers, experts, and advisors to bring you top reminders and tips to ensure your 2022 season garners top results.
by Becky Dumais
Every year producers have to deal with pests creeping onto the farm – those unwanted guests that infiltrate the field, eat their way through their crops of choice and leave a path of destruction and damage in their wake.
by Kristen Lutz
With planting season ahead, crop-protection is now a focal point. While allowing for expected herbicide shortages, producers are planning their applications. New products offer potential relief with broader crop protection, higher concentrations and new genetics.
Better Farming spoke with experts about some of the solutions for the 2022 planting and growing season.
By Becky Dumais
Farms are important businesses that run serious equipment, yet their rural location puts them at a disadvantage for securing a reliable, high-speed internet connection. What good are those technology-enabled systems if you can’t even get online? Simply having internet access is no longer enough; being restricted by a limited choice of providers or burdened with costly overages is also unacceptable.
By Kristen Lutz
Every weed is invasive … every single one of them,” says Patrick Lynch, member of the Ontario Certified Crop Advisor Association and Better Farming agronomist.
Although weed control can be managed with herbicides and other management practices, their presence is an ongoing challenge. Invasive and noxious weeds not only pose risks to producers but also create several environmental concerns.