Winter cereals see all four seasons in Ontario, which means a wide variety of environmental conditions can affect their growth and yield. What can growers expect after a cooler fall for planting in parts of the province and an unusually warm winter? Do typical considerations like nitrogen and sulphur application timings and pest management strategi…

In March, during the first installment of our two-part series on managing drought, we chatted about what growers need to be doing right now to ensure their soil and crops have the best opportunity to thrive this coming summer. In this episode of Inputs, we expand on this topic, tapping into some of the measures farmers need to take over the course …

After a winter with below-average snowfall levels, farmers in Alberta and across the Prairies need to plan now for what could be a dry growing season. In this episode of Inputs, we are joined by agronomist extension specialist Ruoxi Xia, who works with Alberta Grains. Xia shares her insights and some tips on how growers can prepare for potential dr…

With more and more digital agricultural tools on the farm – whether guiding or driving the tractor, tracking finances or prices, or optimizing conditions in a barn – cybersecurity management should be on your radar, no matter the size of your operation. Just like you would manage any new pest, you should add cybersecurity to your toolbox. Janos Bot…

The start of the 2024 growing season is coming fast – do you have a plan for spring nutrient management? In this episode of Inputs, Chris Brown, field crop sustainability specialist with the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA), discusses considerations for successful spring manure application, as well as best management…

Peter Sikkema has been researching the importance of weed management on soybean crops for more than three decades now. A professor of weed management for field crops at the University of Guelph, much of Sikkema’s work has been conducted in Ontario, but there are key takeaways from his research for soybean growers in Manitoba and Saskatchewan. Durin…

Agriculture can be a contentious topic when speaking with the general public, as there is a lot of misinformation or confusion about the industry out there. But educating the public, whether on social media, at the coffee shop, or on a broader scale can be difficult when the industry is so diverse and resources aren't always easily accessible. Ente…

Dec. 5 marks the annual World Soil Day, which for 2023 will celebrate the theme of “soil and water: a source of life.” To recognize the importance of soil health to the farming community and the environment as a whole, Dr. Benjamin Ellert, research scientist and biogeochemistry and the agroecosystem science team lead with AAFC – Lethbridge, will jo…

Drones are a hot topic in the agriculture world right now, with spraying, mapping and seeding all at the top of a long list of tasks that would be incredibly beneficial to farmers. As the technology continues to improve, people like Bob Hoffos, a GPS/GIS instructor for the land and water resources program at Werklund School of Agriculture and Techn…

With all of the technology implemented in modern agriculture, automation and robotics is likely the next logical leap – but it can feel like an exceptionally large one for many. Between the economic, technological, and reliability considerations, there's the added difficulty of knowing which machine might work best for your operation, and whether i…

In mid-September, thousands of Ontario aggies descend on Woodstock, Ont., annually for Canada's Outdoor Farm Show (COFS) to see the latest (and biggest) equipment and machinery, innovations and technology. One of the elements that the pandemic put into perspective was the value of conversations held at events like this – whether at a booth, watchin…

Busy harvesting and planning for next season, September is a hectic time for farmers in Western Canada. This past year proved to be a challenging one for growers in the Prairies – whether it was dealing with fluctuating weather patterns, trying to maintain soil health for next spring or keeping machinery clean and working efficiently, growers have …

According to surveys conducted between 2015 and 2017, 48 to 99 per cent of lentil and pea fields in Saskatchewan had moderate to severe root rot; heavily infested fields in Saskatchewan and Alberta reported complete yield losses. There are few tools to combat root rots available – long crop rotations or lowering the pathogen load in a field through…

Keeping nitrogen where you want it is most beneficial for your crop, the environment and your wallet. Enhanced efficiency nitrogen fertilizers, or EENFs, are meant to do exactly that. But the different functions and varieties available can make it daunting to know what's the right choice. Cheyne Ogilvie, an agrologist who recently completed her gra…

They may be hard to see, but don’t make the mistake of neglecting these tiny, green pests until it’s too late! Aphids can cause damage to several crops, particularly when high numbers descend on your field, as can lygus bugs, which can wreak havoc even in lower quantities. In this episode of Inputs, John Gavloski, an entomologist with Manitoba Agri…

Corn can be susceptible to several different pests throughout the growing season, and for farmers, understanding which BT traits they are using in their fields is vital for a successful control management strategy. In this episode of Inputs, research scientist for field crop pest management at the University of Guelph’s Ridgetown campus Jocelyn Smi…

Grasshoppers can make farmers a little jumpy this time of year, particularly when the weather is hot and dry. But, there are ways to manage these pests and keep their numbers under control. In this episode of Inputs, James Tansey, and entomologist with the Government of Saskatchewan, and Rachel Evans, technical sales manager for the eastern Prairie…

Herbicide resistance is an industry-wide problem, which means everyone has a part to play in preventing or slowing the development of resistance. In this episode, Dale Ziprick, a product manager with Gowan Canada, discusses the benefits of herbicides old and new, slowing the development of glyphosate resistance in wild oat in Canada, and the import…

The recent snowfall might have put a damper on planting fervour, but we're closing in on the right time to put crops in the ground for 2023. But taking a little time to prepare what you can while you can will save time and headaches down the line, and starting clean can help set you up for success. In this episode of Inputs, co-host Dylan Sjolie sp…

It's officially spring, which means planting time is fast approaching. What should Ontario corn growers keep in mind as they prepare for the 2023 growing season? In this episode of Inputs, Ben Rosser, corn specialist with the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA), recaps the 2022 corn season, shares some things to watch f…

Insect pests are a fact of life each season; the big question is which ones are going to pose a greater problem than others. While it's not possible to know everything before the growing season kicks off in earnest, there are factors already at play which can provide some indication of what to watch for. In this episode, Eastern editor Alex Barnard…

Looking to spice up or lengthen your rotation? For the past five years, the Diverse Field Crops Cluster (DFCC) has been working to make the decision to include special crops in your operation easier. Led by Ag-West Bio and with funding from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s Canadian Agricultural Partnership (CAP) program and industry partners, the…

Pea seed-borne mosaic virus (PSbMV), first identified in Canadian field pea breeding lines in 1974, is an economically damaging pathogen affecting pulse crops, including field pea, lentils and fababeans. Its symptoms on pulses include mosaicked leaves, delayed or uneven crop maturation, and various forms of seed and pod deformation. Dr. Sean Prager…

The Living Laboratories initiative, introduced by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada in 2018 and implemented in several provincially organized labs in the intervening years, has been reframing the relationship between research and innovation. A collaborative effort between producers, industry groups and researchers, Living Labs projects examine pract…

Insect pests are a fact of life in agriculture. Having an idea of what coming in the season ahead is just one of the benefits of tracking what's in your fields and knowing what's happening in the fields a town – or a province – over. Thanks to a group of entomologists and ag collaborators, the Prairies are being kept well-informed. In this episode …

What information do canola growers need to improve their crop? The Manitoba Canola Growers Association set out to answer this question in 2022 through a survey and coordinating trials led by research manager Sonia Wilson. Wilson joins co-host Dylan Sjolie in this episode to share details about her goals and position within the association, and insi…

Farming is an innovative business, and managing resistance is one area where that shines especially bright. Many farmers who deal with resistance – whether herbicide-resistant weeds, insecticide-resistant insects, or fungicide-resistant diseases – have developed some method of coping that works for them – and might for others. But aside from the lo…

Plot2Farm looks to ask agronomic questions and conduct discussions about best management practices with the goal of helping farmers make better decisions. The project, led by the Alberta Wheat and Barley Commissions and co-ordinated by Jeremy Boychyn, agronomy research extension specialist, is a producer-driven program with the framework and suppor…

It's the most wonderful time of the year – to look back on the previous season and start planning (or finish planting) for next year! Given some challenging conditions during fall 2021 and summer 2022, how did the winter and spring cereal crops fare? In this episode of Inputs, Sophie Krolikowski, acting cereals specialist with the Ontario Ministry …

Palmer amaranth is a term that makes farmers and agronomists shudder a little each time it's mentioned. Native to the United States, it's an invasive weed that has been on the radar in Canada for several years due to its ability to develop herbicide resistance so quickly. As Kim Brown-Livingston states, it grows quickly and causes incredible econom…

Soils at Guelph wants to get the science-backed, sustainable word out about soil health. Led by the ag research power trio of Kari Dunfield, Laura Van Eerd and Claudia Wagner-Riddle as co-executive directors, it serves as a multidisciplinary, collaborative knowledge hub for researchers and industry stakeholders to bring together their expertise and…

Pulse crops have made waves in Western Canada in recent years, and for good reason – they're high in protein and pull their weight in a rotation by fixing nitrogen. Like any crop, there are agronomic challenges, but there's growing potential. In this episode, Robyne Davidson, pulse crop specialist and research scientist at Lakeland College in Lacom…

Grasshoppers, flea beetles, lygus bugs, grasshoppers, crickets – Tyler Wist has seen all of these and more in recent years. Wist, a research scientist and field crop entomologist with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada in Saskatoon, is the guest on this week's episode of Inputs, and unlike many, he's happy to see insects show up in field crops. In th…

Continuous corn has been possible the past couple decades thanks to Bt corn hybrids. But, as in many situations where there are limited options for control, the repeated use of Bt corn has allowed resistance to develop in corn rootworm populations. In a report published in late August, Tracey Baute, field crop entomologist with the Ontario Ministry…

When you've worked so hard all year to achieve a beautiful canola crop, the last thing you need is a problem in the bin. Luckily, the Canola Council of Canada has five simple tips for keeping crops clean and ready for market. Harvest season is busy, but it's important to remember that the season doesn't end after the crop is in the bin. Ian Epp, an…

The Canola Council of Canada recently launched Canola 4R Advantage, a program designed to help growers initiate or advance nutrient stewardship and fertilizer efficiency on canola farms. Curtis Rempel, vice-president of crop production and innovation for the Canola Council of Canada, joins co-host Stefanie Croley to discuss the program and break do…

Biscuity, bready, toffee, a chewy mouth feel – if you appreciate these adjectives in your beer, you have malt barley to thank. This cereal is the lesser-known hero of many a craft brew, next to the punchier presence of hops. Aaron Mills, an agronomist with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada in Charlottetown, P.E.I., has parlayed an interest in craft …

April, May and June showers bring... bumper crops? That's the hope, especially in Manitoba, where excess rain has delayed seeding and spraying, impacted crop emergence and created high weed, disease and insect pest pressure. In this episode of Inputs, co-host Dylan Sjolie chats with entomologist John Gavloski and field crop pathologist David Kamins…

It's said the first cut is the deepest – for forages, it's also the longest in terms of plant development and giving pesky insects the opportunity to snack on the growing crop. Christine O'Reilly, forage and grazing specialist with the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA), discusses how the season is going so far in prep…

The Canola Council of Canada is a national trade association that represents the entire canola value chain. Beyond offering canola producers across the country agronomic resources and support, the council plays an important role in market and trade. Clint Jurke, agronomy director of the Canola Council of Canada, joins co-host Dylan Sjolle on this e…

When do you plant winter wheat? There may be an ideal date that comes to mind based on where you farm, but the reality is there are plenty of factors that affect when you actually get the crop in the ground, like the previous crop in rotation and when you can get it harvested, weather, soil conditions, and more. This episode of Inputs features Emma…

As spring seeding gets underway in some parts of the country, our heads are filled with thoughts about what to expect this year. In this episode of Inputs, Stefanie Croley, editorial director of Top Crop Manager, is joined by Farmers Edge's Kris Kinnaird to chat about how to get a handle on all of the variables the coming season may bring, from a s…

Wheat stem sawfly has been a problem pest for Prairie growers for years due to a lack of effective chemical options and lifecycle adaptations of the insect. In this episode of Inputs, Dylan Sjolie, former graduate student at the University of Saskatchewan under the supervision of Dr. Meghan Vankosky and Dr. Christian Willenborg and recent co-host o…

Producers in Western Canada know all about canola, but as you head east, the bright yellow crop isn't as common. What’s the word on canola in Ontario? Meghan Moran, the canola and dry edible bean specialist with the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, chats with co-host Dylan Sjolie on all of the details of Ontario canola, incl…

On a global scale, nutrient deficiency is a huge driver of yield gap in wheat production, but other factors – like access to fertilizer and weather conditions – vary depending on region. In this episode of Inputs, Aiden Sanden, a graduate student at the University of Saskatchewan under the supervision of Dr. Richard Gray, shares details of his stud…

Spring is quickly approaching and corn growers in Ontario are growing eager to start planting. But before you begin, consider all of the factors that go into your spring seeding plan and ensure you're setting your corn crop up for success from the get-go. In this episode of Inputs, Ben Rosser, corn specialist with the Ontario Ministry of Agricultur…

Top Crop Manager has long focused on delivering third-party research results and insights to farmers across Canada – but there's so much more than we can share within our print pages. In this episode of Inputs, we introduce a new series called the Graduate Research Showcase, featuring Amanda Fedorchuk, a master's student at the University of Saskat…

Keeping fertilizer in your field is an important crop management strategy, and with rising fertilizer costs, it's top of mind now more than ever. In this episode of Inputs, Nutrien's Todd Latimer shares how nitrogen loss occurs, what the risk factors are, and how N loss can be prevented. Never miss an episode of Inputs by subscribing to the podcast…

Peas and other pulse crops have grown in popularity over the years, but growing pulses doesn't come without challenges - like any crop, weed and disease pressure can devastate a field. But with more and more market opportunities and resources for growers, the interest - and potential - for pulse crops continues to grow. In this episode, Laura Schmi…

Though it's often required in smaller amounts than nitrogen and potassium, phosphorus is a key element to crop nutrition and is critical to establishing good yield potential. In this episode, Alan Blaylock, senior agronomist with Nutrien, gives a primer on why phosphate is essential to crops, especially in post-drought years, and shares information…