Article: Owning a farm is much more than a business; it is a way of life. As with most businesses, there are some very stressful times that can weigh you down. During busy seasons or critical production periods, it is normal to be faced with time constraints and pressures and facing major financial issues can multiply these pressures many times. During these times, and with the added reality of COVID-19, these demands can put anyone involved in the business of agriculture under a great deal of stress, often impacting one’s mental health. The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) cares about the well-being of farmers and farm families and recognizes the unique challenges that can lead to mental…
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Continuous Corn Growers Should Check Fields for Rootworm Resistance to Bt Hybrids
Reblogged from Field Crop News: Continuous corn growers should check fields for rootworm resistance to bt hybrids Canadian Corn Pest Coalition News Release: Corn rootworm (CRW) has historically been one of the most important pests of corn in Canada and can cause extreme economic loss and increased management costs. High CRW pressure in Ontario in 2020 is challenging current Bt corn rootworm hybrids and several growers of Bt rootworm hybrids are reporting unexpected injury by CRW to trait providers and research and extension scientists. Specifically, several fields in Huron, Perth and Durham Counties have been identified with injury to various Bt rootworm traits, providing an early warning of possible resistance development by CRW to some Bt traits. There is the…
Changes under the Nutrient Management Act are here!
By Matt Wilson, Nutrient Management Lead, Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs As of July 1, 2019, two important changes to the Nutrient Management regulation are in effect under the Nutrient Management Act. They will help farmers reduce regulatory burden in the agriculture sector while continuing to protect the environment. The most far-reaching change removes the automatic expiration of nutrient management strategies every five years. This requirement added burden without improving environmental protection. Nutrient management strategies can now remain in effect until there is a significant change to an operation, placing a greater emphasis on annual reviews. To support this change, OMAFRA is developing tools for producers to help them more easily complete their annual review and keep…
Results of the 2015 Lamb Feeding Questionnaire
The 2015 Lamb Feeding Questionnaire was circulated to the Ontario Sheep Marketing Agency (OSMA) email list and the Large Flock Operator email list. This questionnaire was developed to collect information on how Ontario sheep producers feed lambs to direct our talks at the Sheep Seminars and to evaluate the need for extension resources related to lamb feeding. The response to the survey was excellent with a total of 106 surveys started and 97 fully completed. The average flock size of those participating was 338 ewes with representation from all sizes of operations. Almost all participants were raising lambs born from ewes on their own farm with a focus on meat production. Producers responding to the survey represent about 79,000 market…
OMAFRA nutrient management courses now available online
From Jennifer Jarvis, Stakeholder Communications and Marketing Advisor with OMAFRA: The Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) offers a range of training courses to provide information on nutrient management and the Nutrient Management Act (NMA). These courses are now available on line! OMAFRA’s training courses give learners the tools to safely manage nutrients while protecting the environment. Take our courses to become a government-certified Nutrient Management Planner or Consultant. Our eLearning format allows you to learn on your own time and at your own pace. The newest eLearning course – Introduction to Nutrient Management – provides a basic understanding of nutrient management best management practices. This course will be of interest to a wider audience beyond those…
