Better Farming - August 2016

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Photo: KYLE RODRIGUEZ
4 Farm News First > Better Farming August 2016
I was raised on a third-generation family farm
in Oxford County, which includes cash crop
and cow-calf operations. When I’m not in the
office or the community with Better Farming and
, you can typically find me in the
field, the barn or the farm office. I remain
active in our family farm operation.
I am also familiar with the activities and
initiatives of the OFA; for many years, my
father has served on the board of the Oxford
County Federation of Agriculture .
My passion for agriculture shaped my
education, albeit perhaps not in the typical
way. I recently graduated with my PhD, with a
focus on Ontario agricultural history.
This month’s edition of Better Farming coverage ranges from a review of the
markets with Moe Agostino and Abhinesh Gopal, to a discussion of crops
with Dale Cowan and Pat Lynch, and to an examination of machinery and
electricity with Jaap Kroondijk and Ralph Winfield. In Up Close, Mary
Baxter features a cash crop and egg farmer near Napanee.
We’re also pleased to introduce new departments, including the Farm
Weather Report below. Field Trip, our new photo essay feature, this month
profiles a cash crop and horticultural operation near Innerkip. We’ve also
added a number of short articles summarizing ag news from beyond our
Canadian borders, under the banner Far Afield.
My role as managing editor allows me to combine my love of farming with
my love of research and writing. I am eager to continue to build relationships
with even more Ontario farmers, being a member of this community myself.
Please do not hesitate to contact me with any comments or ideas. BF
ANDREA M. GAL
EDITORIAL & LAYOUT
PUBLISHER & EDITORIAL DIRECTOR
Paul Nolan (519) 763-9660, ext 202
MANAGING EDITOR
Andrea M. Gal
(519) 763-9660, ext 201
CONTRIBUTING EDITOR
Mary Baxter (519) 858-0774
CONTRIBUTORS
Moe Agostino
Campbell Cork
Dale Cowan
Norman Dunn
Abhinesh Gopal
CONTRIBUTORS
Susan Mann
Jim Algie
DESIGN & PRODUCTION
Barbara Sushycki (519) 763-9660
SALES & MARKETING
SENIOR SALES ASSOCIATE
Glenn Ruegg (519) 415-3276
DIRECTORY, SPECIAL SECTIONS
Jeff McKee (519) 848-1112
ADVERTISING SALES COORDINATOR
Jennifer Stewart (519) 763-9660, ext 256
OFFICE ADDRESS
Better Farming |
52 Royal Rd., Guelph, Ontario N1H 1G3
(519) 763-9660
1-888-248-4893
Jaap Kroondijk
Kyle Rodriguez
Pat Lynch
Barry Wilson
Ralph Winfield
The main crops were planted on time in the month
of May in the major regions of the province. Early
planting often leads to better yields and better harvest
conditions.
The Corn Heat Unit (CHU) accumulations are
very similar to last year and the 30-year average. May
1 to July 13, the range was: 1,238 (Mount Forest),
1,417 (Ottawa) and 1,659 (Windsor). Crops are
progressing through growth stages as expected. As of
press time, lack of rainfall was the biggest issue.
Almost the entire province has been 25 to 50 per cent of normal, with parts
of eastern Ontario being the driest. The crops look surprisingly good for the
lack of rain. Some pockets definitely show drought stress.
Also at press time, both the corn and soybean crops are in the most sensi-
tive reproductive stage for yield determination. Timely rains during soybean
flowering and silk emergence on corn are critical to maintaining yield poten-
tial. Rains have been spotty and range from 0.1 mm to 40 mm in single
events. Dry weather is conducive to wheat harvest and detrimental to second-
cut forages. The final yields are an interaction of genetics, management and
weather. The latter holds the trump card on final yield levels.
Dale Cowan is a senior agronomist with AGRIS Wanstead Cooperatives. Data from WIN and
the Ag Grower Daily Dashboard Program.
Farm Weather Report: Rainfall only 25 to 50 per cent of normal