Southern soils mitigate manure microbes Tuesday, November 2, 2010 A U.S. Department of Agriculture study in Mississippi shows that swine manure doesn't appear to bring dangerous bacteria to soils when it is spread on fields and used to grow hay, a common southern U.S. practice. The fields tested – on five farms and 20 soil types – had been sprayed with manure for 15 years or more. There was no difference in the amount of E. coli and Enterococcus found in sprayed and unsprayed fields. Campylobacter and Salmonella enteritidis could not be cultured in a significant amount from the spray fields. An analysis of data from three public health districts found no difference in the number of reported disease incidence between areas with concentrated animal feeding operations and those without.Team microbiologist John Brooks said: "Finding similarly low levels inside and outside the spray fields suggests that the low levels of pathogens in [manure] are further diluted in spray fields and either do not survive in soil or survive at low levels below cultural detection limits."The results were published in the September-October issue of the peer-reviewed Journal of Environmental Quality, published by the American Society of Agronomy, Crop Science Society of America and the Soil Science Society of America. BF Cover Story: Combatting the Menace of Glyphosate-Resistant Weeds Australians get to ride a horse and eat it, too
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