Search
Better Farming OntarioBetter PorkBetter Farming Prairies

Better Farming Ontario Featured Articles

Better Farming Ontario magazine is published 11 times per year. After each edition is published, we share featured articles online.


Less waste, more resources

Wednesday, October 18, 2017

Biofertilizers offer range of nutrients for land application

By Kaitlynn Anderson

With the Waste-Free Ontario Act underway, farmers could see more biofertilizers, such as LysteGro, being used across the province.

LysteGro, manufactured by Lystek, "is registered as a fertilizer with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and is currently utilized by farmers throughout Ontario as a commercial fertilizer replacement," said Mike Dougherty, director of product management for Lystek International Inc.

Due to the high concentrations of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium in the product, LysteGro has become a popular product among Ontario producers, Dougherty said.

The product also other nutrients, such as sulphur, calcium, magnesium and zinc.

"Approximately 75 per cent of the total nitrogen (available) in LysteGro is in the organic form, which is released slowly through mineralization and transformed into plant-available inorganic forms throughout the season as the crop needs it," said Dougherty.

"There is a similar relationship with phosphorus, where it will be released slowly over the years following application, allowing the farmers to build (up nutrients in the soil) over the long term."

In addition to providing nutrients, the biofertilizer also provides organic matter to improve soil health.

And farmers want to reap these benefits.

Soil in Hands

    Photo credit: stevanovicigor/iStock/Getty Images Plus photo

"Demand for the product is increasing all the time, despite price increases," said Dougherty. "The feedback has been very positive."

With more waste being diverted from landfills under the Waste-Free Ontario Act, Dougherty believes Lystek will experience further growth.

"This (legislation) will benefit Ontario producers, as there is a growing demand for organic amendments of every kind as soil health becomes a greater focus for many farmers," he said. BF

Current Issue

May 2025

Better Farming Magazine

Farms.com Breaking News

New board members for Ontario Pork

Friday, April 25, 2025

Ontario Pork, an association representing the 1,898 pork farms that market 5.9 million hogs in the province, has announced its new board lineup for 2025. As a Guelph, Ontario-headquartered organization, Ontario Pork is engaged in the areas of research, government representation,... Read this article online

Sheep farmers win Ontario’s Outstanding Young Farmers

Thursday, April 24, 2025

Sheep farmers and wool producers from Wallenstein, Ont. are Ontario’s Outstanding Young Farmers for 2025. “It’s great to be recognized by your peers in the industry with an award like that,” Ryan Schill told Farms.com. “When we started the sheep farm, there were people questioning us... Read this article online

Ontario ag connections in the NHL playoffs

Tuesday, April 22, 2025

The 2025 NHL playoffs are underway, and some of hockey’s biggest names got their start on an Ontario farm or have invested in agriculture since becoming professional athletes. Farms.com went through each of the 16 playoff team rosters to uncover which players have a connection to... Read this article online

New Alcohol Trade Freedom in Ontario

Thursday, April 17, 2025

The Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) has welcomed Ontario’s bold step in eliminating trade barriers and allowing direct alcohol sales to consumers. This new legislation aims to ease internal trade across provinces and support small businesses. One of the key changes... Read this article online

BF logo

It's farming. And it's better.

 

a Farms.com Company

Subscriptions

Subscriber inquiries, change of address, or USA and international orders, please email: subscriptions@betterfarming.com or call 888-248-4893 x 281.


Article Ideas & Media Releases

Have a story idea or media release? If you want coverage of an ag issue, trend, or company news, please email us.

Follow us on Social Media

 

Sign up to a Farms.com Newsletter

 

DisclaimerPrivacy Policy2025 ©AgMedia Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Back To Top