Ian Richardson's Page

Sulphur Fertilizer Trial in Dry Edible Beans

Sulphur is an important nutrient in field crops. It is part of the chlorophyll in leaves, two essential amino acids, and rhizobia bacteria need it for nitrogen fixation. Sulphur is mostly stored in soil organic matter (OM), and it is mineralized each summer as OM breaks down. Sulphur will leach from the soil and volatilize into the air if crops don’t take it up, which makes soil testing difficult. Sulphur acts a lot like nitrate nitrogen, which has its own soil testing story! Our crops used to get a regular dose of sulphur from air pollution and acid rain, with manure being a good secondary source. Southern Ontario was always a hot spot for air pollution, but levels have dropped dramatically since 1990. This has reduced yearly sulphur deposition by 70% or more. At the same time our crop yields have increased, exporting additional S from the soil.

New ag mental health program in Ont.

Producers can benefit from a new mental health pilot project in Lennox and Addington County.

Temporary Field Storage of Manure In Winter

The opportunity to get bedded-pack cattle manure was too good to pass up. But now as the field in front of me is a sea of white with deep drifts, one question arises, “Where is the best location to temporarily store the manure?”

The Government of Canada Invests in Fishing and Recreational Harbours in southern Ontario

Communities across Canada are supported by small craft harbours that provide the commercial fishing industry with safe and accessible facilities. With approximately 44,000 Canadians employed in this sector, the Government of Canada is making investments to renew its network of small craft harbours and work with municipalities and other stakeholders to enhance local communities.

Government of Canada invests over $50 million to help the agricultural sector address emerging challenges and opportunities

Canada's agriculture and agri-food system contributes over $114 billion to our gross domestic product, and provides safe, nutritious and sustainable food for the world, while creating well-paying jobs for our middle class. The sector is working hard to find innovative approaches to respond to growing domestic and global demand while addressing emerging challenges and maintaining its environmental sustainability.