Dig Deep Archive

Sulphur solutions

Industry has made great strides in reducing sulphur emissions, but as depositions in rainfall decrease, how will field crops be impacted?

By Jackie Clark

As agronomists and growers work to dial in the intricacies of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium fertility, increased attention is focusing on micronutrients like sulphur.

Autonomous equipment continues to drive farming forward

From self-driving tractors to sensors on implements, we explore how autonomy is advancing the ag industry.

by Taryn Milton

The future is already here, when it comes to autonomous equipment. What remains to be seen is how we fulfill the promise of the technology – to make a farmer’s job easier and to improve efficiency and profitability.

So how do we get from here to there?

Transition planning is disrupted. Now what?

Four experts explain how stressful circumstances may throw a wrench in planning and how to recover to make transition as smooth as possible.

By Jackie Clark

You did what every farm-business adviser suggests about transition planning – you started early.

You put in all the hard work and years of soul-searching, discussions, meetings, negotiating, paperwork and finally have a transition plan in place.

Late nitrogen applications: A strategic advantage?

Modern farm equipment adds flexibility when applying nitrogen on corn.

By Jackie Clark

The prevalence of high-clearance machinery is expanding producers’ options for corn management. Nitrogen (N) fertility is one aspect that growers and researchers alike strive to optimize.

Superhighway Strife

As opposition to the proposed Highway 413 grows, farmers in the area are left in limbo.

By Jackie Clark

Urban sprawl into rural areas is happening around many city centres across Ontario, but perhaps nowhere so intensively as northwest of Toronto. This is the site of the proposed GTA West (GTAW) Transportation Corridor Route, and potential route for Highway 413.

Weed management strategies for your farm

Herbicide-resistant weeds can have devastating effects on crop production. Experts provide tips on how to reduce selection pressures for resistance.

by Kate Ayers

Herbicide resistance has increased exponentially across the globe over the last four decades.

In fact, “resistance has been found in 263 species worldwide. That covers 23 of the 26 known herbicide sites of action. So, resistance is pretty wide-spread,” explains Dr. Charles Geddes.

Under Pressure

Even if you may not see visual indications, soil compaction could be crushing your crop yield

by Jackie Clark

“In places like western Europe, there are soil compaction maps and national programs. It’s really taken very seriously over there,” Dr. Dan Reynolds, a soil scientist at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada based at the Harrow Research and Development Centre, tells Better Farming.

Power Imbalance in Canada’s Food Chain

Are supplier fee hikes the latest example of how retailers hold all the cards in this high-volume, low-margin business?

by Jackie Clark

Canada’s food industry is vast and vibrant: from the farmers who grow ingredients, to processors who add value, to the retailers who sell to consumers. These key players rely on each other to deliver a variety of safe and nutritious food to Canadians. So, what happens when relationships between these players become unbalanced?

Planting Ahead

Farmers across the province provide insight into their planting plans and decision-making processes.

by Kate Ayers

Planting season can be a stressful, yet exciting time of year. Equipment will soon start to roll, bringing new opportunity to innovate and improve.

This month, Better Farming speaks with cash crop producers to learn about the crops they are planting, their equipment and seed choices, and how their decision-making processes have changed over the years.

Revisiting the bioindustrial economy

Where are we at, and what is Ontario’s ag’s role?

by Jim Algie

In July 2019, Quebec Superior Court Justice Michel Pinsonnault signed off on the distribution of Canadian assets belonging to an insolvent U.S.-based company called BioAmber Inc.