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
New MacDon FD2 Plus Draper Header Monday, October 27, 2025 Case IH continues to expand its innovative harvest equipment lineup with the launch of the MacDon FD2 Plus Draper Header, a new series designed to provide farmers with smoother, cleaner, and more efficient harvesting. Available in multiple widths — 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, and even 61... Read this article online
Lots of news from the Ontario Pork Congress Monday, October 27, 2025 The Ontario Pork Congress (OPC) took place on October 20, 2020, at the Arden Park Hotel in Stratford, Ontario, with over 50 attendees. At the event, Arnold Drung, President of Conestoga Meats, was honoured with the . Drung has been a dedicated supporter of the OPC for over 23... Read this article online
Free Tools to Power Up Your Farm’s Digital Life in Canada Wednesday, October 22, 2025 For many Canadian farm families, the internet has become as vital as a tractor or combine. It is how producers manage precision planting, monitor commodity prices, check weather forecasts, pay bills and stay connected with suppliers and customers. However, fast and reliable broadband remains out... Read this article online
Precision Harvesting with HeadSight and TrueSight Tuesday, October 21, 2025 Modern harvesting relies heavily on precision and smart technology, and new systems for head height control and steering are making sure you are not leaving bushels in the field. These innovations ensure efficient crop collection, protect equipment, and reduce operator fatigue during... Read this article online
Remembering Ralph Winfield: Beloved Better Farming Columnist Tuesday, October 21, 2025 Ontario's farming community is mourning the loss of longtime agricultural writerRalph Gordon Winfieldof Glanworth, who passed away peacefully at St. Thomas-Elgin General Hospital on Oct. 17, 2025, at the age of 85. Ralph’s name has been closely tied to Better Farming since 1999. His... Read this article online