Cotton rises again Sunday, April 3, 2011 Ethanol is one reason for the high price of corn. Another reason is pressure for farming acres from an old competitor, cotton.The Los Angeles Times reports that cotton-picking machines last fall chugged across fields that used to grow vegetables, vineyards or lay fallow. Growers were expected to plant 309,000 acres of upland and Pina cotton, up from 201,000 in 2010. Acreage is still far less than the one million planted in California in the 1990s. Acreage across the southern United States is expected to grow to 11.04 million acres, a 50 per cent jump in production.The benchmark cotton futures price bottomed at 37 cents a pound in November 2008 as the textile industry collapsed in the recession, and then stayed near the high of $1.57 this January. Poor weather resulted in short supplies in major growing areas around the world and demand is growing in – you guessed it – China and India. BF Smart phone usage by farmers expected to jump Behind the Lines - April 2011
Sunflower farming in Ontario Tuesday, August 19, 2025 While Manitoba dominates sunflower production in Canada—accounting for about 90 percent of the national output (https://oggardenonline.com/where-in-canada-are-sunflowers-grown.html)—Ontario is home to a growing number of sunflower farms. These farms are often smaller in scale and... Read this article online
2025 Livestock Tax Deferral Regions Announced Tuesday, August 19, 2025 Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) has published the initial list of prescribed regions eligible for the 2025 Livestock Tax Deferral provision, a key support measure for Canadian livestock producers grappling with the impacts of extreme weather. “As we continue to see the very... Read this article online
Winter wheat in Ontario: A resilient crop for a sustainable future Tuesday, August 19, 2025 Winter wheat has long been a staple in Ontario’s agricultural landscape, offering both economic and environmental benefits to farmers across the province. Grown primarily in southwestern Ontario, this crop plays a vital role in crop rotation systems, soil health, and food... Read this article online
Better Soil Health Improves Rain Absorption Monday, August 18, 2025 The OMAFA Fieldcropnews.com team recently held demonstrations regarding how soil management can greatly affect the amount of rainfall absorbed into the soil for crop use. This is especially important for corn, soybean, and wheat growers facing dry spells or intense summer storms. In early... Read this article online
Farm ponds and the trouble with algae Monday, August 18, 2025 Farm ponds are more than just tranquil features on rural landscapes—they’re essential tools for water management, livestock care, irrigation, and biodiversity—especially in North America. They are also considered to be a key agricultural asset outside North America, especially in... Read this article online