A weekly report prepared by the staff of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA). If you require further information, regarding this report, call the Elora Resource Centre at 519-846-0941. Office hours: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. For technical information, call the Agricultural Information Contact Centre at 1-877-424-1300 or visit the OMAFRA website: www.ontario.ca/omafra
The 2015 FarmSmart Expo
Circle July 16 on your calendar and be sure to attend the FarmSmart Expo to hear the latest in agronomy News. Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) field crop unit staff and the University of Guelph’s research departments staff will be providing leading-edge, hands-on diagnostics sessions.
Join us for this year’s timely and engaging sessions including:
Narrowing the Yield Gap of 30” Soybean Rows. Horst Bohner OMAFRA and Hugh Earl, UG – Wide rows are becoming more popular and have a number of advantages such as reduced white mould pressure and lower seeding costs. Do inputs such as banded fertilizers, foliar fungicides, and foliar fertilizers work to regain the yield loss associated with wide rows compared to narrow rows? This stop will also address how light interception impacts yield.
Learn Lots from a Soil Pit. Doug Aspinall and Stewart Sweeney, OMAFRA – Explore the genesis (parent material, horizonation) from a soil pit, differences in soil structure in the plow layer resulting from the management applied – compacted road way, no-till corn, 5 years of alfalfa hay, long term sod, bush lot A horizon from nearby woodlot, rooting structure of the corn in the various scenarios
Feeling the Pressure. Jason Deveau OMAFRA – How nozzle pressure affects spray quality and coverage. Jason will be demonstrating the negative impacts of using spray nozzles outside their ideal pressure range… and it happens all the time. What does it mean for your operation?
Xtend Weed Control System . Mike Cowbrough, OMAFRA and Adam Pfeffer, Monsanto – Mike and Adam will provide an overview of where this new weed control system has the most value and demonstrate management practices that optimize its performance.
Achieving the ‘4Rs’ for Integrated N Management in Corn. Are We There Yet? Ben Rosser and Dave Hooker (UG) – During the last few years, relatively new application technologies have been developed along with a better understanding of N dynamics in cropping systems and modern corn hybrids. This stop will demonstrate the benefits and risks associated with various N management strategies in corn using the ‘4R’ approach, with a focus on application technologies as one of the ‘Rs’ (Right Place).
Cereals as Part of Complex Rotations Key to Better Soils! Bill Deen, UG and Peter Johnson, Agronomist, Real Agriculture – Improving soil health is the hottest topic this spring at the same time as farmers have been reducing wheat acres. Can cover crops in corn and soybean do the job? Highly unlikely! Winter wheat and spring cereals offer so many more opportunities. Ways to increase the impact of cereals on soil health will be explored.
Research Updates with UG Researchers/Technicians on Soils and Crops Research
Registration fee is $75 for OSCIA members, $110 for non-members includes a one-year membership in your local soil and crop improvement association, and students are $40. Walk-in registrations rate is $110 (no membership benefits). Certified Crop Advisor (CCA) Continuing Education Credits have been applied for.
To register online at www.farmsmartconference.com or call 1-877-424-1300. Information and program updates are posted online at www.farmsmartconference.com. Updates will also be posted on Twitter@FarmSmart15.
Coming Events:
July 16 – 19 Listowel Fair. For more information, please contact: 519-291-2776 or website: www.listowelfair.com
Aug. 7 – 9 Drayton Fair. For more information, please contact: 519-638-5093 or website: www.draytonfair.com
Aug. 22 Grand River Fair and Exhibition (Dairy Show and Tractor Pull) – For more information, please contact: 519-846-8879 or website: info@grandriveragsociety.com
Aug. 21 – 23 Palmerston Fair. For more information, please check the website: www.palmerstonfair.com
