University of Guelph appoints new OAC Dean Thursday, July 7, 2016 by SUSAN MANNRene Van Acker, a University of Guelph professor and associate dean with extensive expertise in weed management and biosafety, was appointed the new dean of the Ontario Agricultural College for a five-year term starting Sept. 1.Charlotte Yates, provost and vice president (academic) announced Van Acker’s appointment July 5. She chaired a hiring committee made up of faculty, students and staff that conducted an international search for the new dean.Van Acker is currently the Ontario Agricultural College’s associate dean (external relations) and a professor in the department of plant agriculture. He chaired the department from 2006 to 2009.The hiring committee was impressed by Van Acker’s dedication and commitment to OAC, particularly his work as associate dean during a period of great change and fiscal challenges, according to the university’s July 5 press release.OAC is already working on building its capacity for students to be successful in their studies along with being focused on efforts to help grow the food and agricultural sector provincially, nationally and internationally. Van Acker says those are his two key priorities too as he takes over the helm of the college.“At the University of Guelph we have a new executive that has been very supportive of the food and agriculture sectors and I think that bodes well for OAC,” he notes. Van Acker, a graduate from OAC, says it’s a tremendous honour to be named dean.“I’m thrilled,” he notes. “I’ve very excited and very happy.”Van Acker holds a bachelor of science degree in crop science and a master’s degree in weed science. His PhD degree is in crop weed ecology from the University of Reading in the United Kingdom.Van Acker says he’s humbled to have been selected from the pool of international applicants.“I take this as a tremendous opportunity and also a tremendous responsibility,” he notes. BF New noise protection requirements for Ontario farms Slight decline in farm input index reflects stable prices in agriculture says expert
Better Soil Health Improves Rain Absorption Wednesday, August 13, 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
Sunflower farming in Ontario Wednesday, August 13, 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
Grape King and Queen of the Furrow Unite for IPM in Niagara Tuesday, August 12, 2025 Two iconic agricultural traditions in Ontario came together in a special event in Niagara’s wine country. Jeff Duc, the Grape King, welcomed Taylor Legge, the Ontario Queen of the Furrow, for a meaningful meeting that highlights the shared values of excellence, leadership, and dedication to... Read this article online
Nitrogen protection is getting a leg up with new CENTURO™ A-PRO nitrogen stabilizer Saturday, August 9, 2025 The next generation of nitrification inhibitors is here, and just in time for fall applications of anhydrous ammonia. New for fall 2025 applications is CENTURO™ A-PRO from Koch Agronomic Services (KAS), a highly concentrated formulation of its industry-leading CENTURO™ nitrification... Read this article online
10TH Year of Boots on the Ground with the 2025 Great ON Yield Tour Friday, August 8, 2025 The 2025 Great Ontario Yield Tour is a two-week data tour (corn kernel and soybean pod counting) taking place August 11 - August 22, 2025. Tour scouts will be checking yields in over 400 corn and soybeans fields in farms across Ontario to arrive at a final yield estimate. As the... Read this article online