Ontario crop advisor organization to offer NM planning specialist certification in 2016 Thursday, December 3, 2015 by SUSAN MANNThe Ontario Certified Crop Advisor Association will be the first Canadian organization to offer a nutrient management planning specialist certification for its certified crop advisors next year.The specialist certification is based on the 4R nutrient stewardship framework of right source, rate, time and place for nutrients. Created by the International Certified Crop Advisor program and the American Society of Agronomy, the 4R specialty certification was piloted in six American states in August 2015. It will be offered again in the United States in February 2016.Only people who already have their certified crop advisor designation can get the specialty certification. And certified crop advisors will have to write and pass a four-hour exam to get it. The exam will likely be offered in August 2016, says Susan Fitzgerald, executive director of the Ontario Certified Crop Advisor Association.The specialization will recognize the work certified crop advisors do in nutrient management planning. “It’s to profile the positive soil and water and nutrient management stewardship at the farm level,” she says, noting the 4R philosophy is being promoted by various organizations.Advisors will also need increased hours of continuing education in the soil/water quality and nutrient management categories for the specialist certification. All certified crop advisors have to get 40 pre-approved hours of continuing education every two years in four agronomic categories: soil/water quality, nutrient management, integrated pest management and crop management, she says. The continuing education is pre-approved by the crop advisor association.For the nutrient management planning specialist certification, advisors must have a minimum of 7.5 hours of continuing education every two years in each of the soil/water quality and nutrient management categories. The minimum for the other categories is five hours. But advisors will have more hours in some areas than others to reach their 40 hours.There are 540 certified crop advisors in Ontario, Fitzgerald says. She doesn’t know how many advisors will sign up to get the nutrient management planning specialist certification but “I would like to see at least 50 come forward next year.”Fertilizer Canada is working in partnership with the certified crop advisor association and is developing 4R nutrient stewardship resource materials and continuing education opportunities. BF New hay co-operative sees potential in export markets New U.S. standard a positive signal for renewable fuels says head of IGPC
Early Career Research Award supports two Guelph research initiatives Friday, July 4, 2025 The was presented to two University of Guelph researchers at the recently held Livestock Research Innovation Corporation (LRIC) symposium. Dr. Kelsey Spence received $40,000 towards her work in on-farm biosecurity research, and Dr. Sam Workenhe was awarded $60,000 to further his... Read this article online
Grape Growers 40th Annual Celebrity Luncheon has Dr. Hayley Wickenheiser Friday, July 4, 2025 The Grape Growers of Ontario’s marks the opening of the by showcasing Canadian personalities and celebrating the annual grape harvest. This year, in partnership with Meridian Credit Union, Ontario’s largest credit union and the third largest in Canada, the Grape Growers of Ontario... Read this article online
Ontario crops respond to summer heat Wednesday, July 2, 2025 According to the OMAFA Field Crop News team, Ontario field crops are showing rapid development as summer-like temperatures have dominated late June early July. The warm spell has accelerated growth and helped reduce the heat unit deficit from a cool spring. Corn fields have seen a burst... Read this article online
Canada’s Place in Global Food System Resilience Wednesday, July 2, 2025 Canada’s food system is facing serious pressure due to global supply chain issues, climate change, and rising food prices. According to a KPMG report, bold and united action is needed now to make Canada’s agriculture sector more resilient and self-reliant. With the global population... Read this article online
Calf Auction Raises Funds for Youth Monday, June 30, 2025 Wyatt Westman-Frijters from Milverton won a heifer calf named Ingrid through a World Milk Day promotion by Maplevue Farms and a local Perth, Ontario radio station. Instead of keeping the calf, 22-year-old Westman-Frijters chose to give back to the community. The calf was sent to the... Read this article online