Ontario Agriculture

The network for agriculture in Ontario, Canada

Its a common misconception that a grain farmer gets the winter off.  Granted the daily chores are not so urgent as planting or harvest, but they need to get done eventually.  Unlike farms with livestock, who probably never get a day off, this is a slower time of year.  

The late fall resulted in a lot of delays in equipment maintenance.  Its now the time to make those repairs and modifications to equipment, without the pressure of having to get it done now.  My 5 furrow plow is ready for new points, shin plates..etc but it won't be needed until after wheat harvest.  The header on my combine needs just about everything and i have taken it half apart so far.  Its far more enjoyable to take time to fix/rebuild it properly than to rush to a "good enough" state and suffer break downs in the rush of harvest.  

But its not just a time for maintenance, its time to plan next years crops.  Early purchases of seed can save a bit of money, and ensure supply for what you want.  My farm divides up well into 5 fields of 50 to 55 acres each.  The wet fall prevented me from getting one completely planted in winter wheat, so i only have about 40 acres currently planted, and the rains so far have been taking there toll.  I can't be sure i will harvest anything.  So i must have the plan of what to do if i must work down the wheat in the spring.  Sadly, this weeks rain and subsequent floods from undersized pumps in the local drainage scheme places half my crop under water.

It would be simple to just grow the crop with the best income per acre.  Prices today would point to corn.  A good yield will give the best returns, but corn is expensive to grow.  The fertilizer costs are significant.  And it may take too long to get everything planted.  Furthermore, you shouldn't grow corn year after year in the same field.  Crop rotations are needed to reduce disease, pests and for weed control. My goal, one field into corn.  That works well with my available bin space, but those few extra acres that didn't make it into wheat might see corn.  I need to consider what will be planted the following year before finalizing that decision. 

Next money maker is soybeans.  You can't grow soy every year and maintain the high yields.  If you grow IP beans or non-GMO.  Then weed control can be much more work, with cultivating and hoeing the field.  This can provide for a premium though.  But last years crop may prevent getting an IP contract.  It can't be planted on GMO soy from the previous year.  I will try my hand with one field of IP.

So why did i even plant any wheat.  For crop rotation.  Wheat doesn't bring in the big money, but when the straw is plowed under it adds all that organic mater and makes for great soil conditions for the following crop.  Corn loves wheat ground.  Just for the yield benefits in the following years crop gives wheat a permanent home in my rotation plans.

After bouncing all these competing priorities, i still need to pick which varieties to grow.  There is no shortage of research available to see what traits to have, seed treatments, how many heat units for maturity, genetically modified or not, bin run seed or new.  Its a time for reading and learning.  I still need to determine what herbicides i should use for weed control.  Its starting to get overwhelming just typing about it.  The good news is, starting now, time is on my side, at least for a few more weeks.  So between wrenches on the equipment and eyes in the books, I almost won't have time to help my wife clean the chicken coop.  I am sure she will help me find the time though!

Views: 164

Comment

You need to be a member of Ontario Agriculture to add comments!

Join Ontario Agriculture

Agriculture Headlines from Farms.com Canada East News - click on title for full story

UM Aggie Bedpush rolls across Manitoba to support rural health and wellness

The annual Aggie Bedpush is back this fall, continuing a beloved tradition of fundraising and community spirit led by students from the University of Manitoba’s Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences. From September 26 to 28, students will push their iconic burgundy bed through Manitoba towns, raising money for two meaningful causes: STARS (Shock Trauma Air Rescue Service) Foundation and the Manitoba Farmer Wellness Program Bedpush organizer Pyper Hollar explains the deep connection between these charities and the farming community. “Many Aggies live and or work in rural communities meaning that the nearest hospital can be at least an hour’s drive away. STARS is an Air Rescue service that can provide not only hospital transport when trouble arises, but has an incredible team of highly skilled professionals who can treat on the ground and in the air; STARS can be the difference between life and death for many Aggies out there,” she says. Mental health is another key concern. “Th

Tasters needed for bread acceptability research study

We are recruiting volunteers to participate in a Sensory Research Study in Food and Human Nutritional Sciences in the Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences. You would have the opportunity to take part in sensory research and learn methods related to the acceptability of food products. Details including the consent form and screening questionnaire are in the Information Package link below. Title: Acceptability of Bread with a Bioactive Ingredient Principal Investigator: Dr. Cristina Rosell (cristina.rosell@umanitoba.ca) Activity: Observe, smell and taste bread samples to determine degree of liking of appearance, aroma, flavor, texture and overall Eligibility: No allergies to foods or beverages, no sensitivity to gluten, 18 years of age or older, and no direct involvement or knowledge of the project Commitment: One Session about 20 minutes Session Options: September 23, 25, 26, October 1 and 2 every 30 minutes from 11:30 to 1:30 inclusive Where: Fourth Floor Human Ecology Buil

Saskatchewan harvest chugs along

There was good harvest progress over much of Saskatchewan last week—although there were rain delays in some areas. The weekly Saskatchewan Agriculture report says combining is 41 per cent complete—up from 23 per cent the previous week. The five-year average is 58 per cent and the ten-year average is 49 per cent. The southwest is 55 per cent combined and the southeast is at the halfway point. Plenty of progress made in the northwest last week, which is now at 41 per cent combined. East-central sits at 31 per cent with west-central and the northeast at 27 per cent combined. Peas are mostly in the bin with lentils at 84 per cent. Moving to the cereal crops—barley is 54 per cent combined, durum 49 per cent, while spring wheat and oats are 35 per cent harvested. Canola sits at 12 per cent combined and flax at three per cent. Volunteer crop reporters were asked to provide yield estimates—keeping in mind there can be large variations between fields due to scattered rainfall during the gro

“More positive than anticipated” is how Saskatchewan’s Premier terms meetings with Chinese government officials

Premier Scott Moe is crossing more time zones on Monday only two days after finishing a trade mission to China and Japan last week. Moe spoke to reporters at the Saskatoon airport prior to departing on a flight to the nation’s capital for additional meetings with Prime Minister Mark Carney and senior cabinet ministers. Moe and the Prime Minister’s parliamentary secretary Kody Blois met with officials within the Chinese Commerce Ministry—the body that is responsible for implementing import tariffs. It has placed very hefty preliminary tariffs on Canadian canola seed—as well as canola oil, canola meal, peas and pork. Those tariffs were seen as a response to Canadian tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles. That tariff was implemented at the request of the United States. It’s hoped the trade mission will begin a gradual process to improve relations between Canada and China.

Ontario’s most problematic weed -- Canada Fleabane Cuts Corn and Soybean Yields

Persistent Canada fleabane, now resistant to multiple herbicides, causes significant yield losses in Ontario corn and soybeans, demanding zero-tolerance management and adjusted herbicide programs.

© 2025   Created by Darren Marsland.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service