Reading Time: 3 minutes Nutritionally, edible beans’ protein and fibre levels have made them a fan favourite among dieticians, “foodies” and health-conscious consumers. Yet from a production perspective, their acreage is only a fraction compared to corn, canola, wheat or soybeans. In Ontario, the acreage of white pea (navy) and coloured beans has been inconsistent since 2015, from a […] Read more
Making beans even healthier
Enhanced amino acid levels especially important for customers in countries where beans are a staple in the diet
The product, not the process
New rules for assessing novel foods could speed the arrival of better varieties for producers and consumers
Reading Time: 5 minutes It’s been 30 years since Canada’s regulatory system for plant breeding innovation was last reviewed, but since then, genetically modified organisms (GMO) technology has become an important feature. More recently, there have been advancements in gene editing such as with CRISPR Cas9, RNAi and epigenetics. These changes, among others, prompted a Health Canada review of […] Read more
Boron. An oft-forgotten (micro) nutrient for soybeans
Compared to other nutrients, soybeans need only a little, but how little is enough?
Reading Time: 5 minutes When it comes to fertilizer, many stick to the ABCs of N, P and K, perhaps with the addition of S (sulphur). But there is a growing recognition of the need for micronutrients such as boron in plant health and performance, especially for soybeans. Boron aids cell formation, cell wall and vascular tissue formation, node […] Read more
The Canada fleabane problem
At current corn and soybean prices, the value of control is at an all-time high
Reading Time: 4 minutes If you think you’ve heard the same message about glyphosate-resistant Canada fleabane more than once, you’re probably right. But that doesn’t mean you should pay less attention, especially since it’s particularly important if you’re growing corn. The problem of resistant biotypes isn’t getting much better, says Peter Sikkema, weed scientist with University of Guelph’s Ridgetown […] Read more
Are corn and soybeans on the wane?
Could other crops erode their dominance in Eastern Canada, and if so, which ones?
Reading Time: 5 minutes In the next 10 to 30 years, could corn and soybeans became lesser crops in Ontario and Eastern Canada? What would that look like and how might that unfold? Before you say, “It’ll never happen,” think back to 1992 and changes such as transgenics, GPS and precision ag technologies and production capabilities that have virtually […] Read more
Impact of delayed post-emergence herbicide in soybean
#CropPatrol: Consider a two-pass treatment tailored to the weed spectrum in each field
Reading Time: 3 minutes The landscape for soybean production in Eastern Canada continues to evolve, influenced by newer cultivars, herbicide-resistant technologies and longer growing seasons. In 2021, Ontario growers planted more than 2.9 million acres of soybean, with a farm-gate value of nearly $1.5 billion. Despite these advances and the money at stake, growers still risk yield losses averaging […] Read more
An alternative cover crop for soybeans
Broadcast rye provides more management options and improves soil health
Reading Time: 5 minutes Agriculture has its share of innovators who set their own pace and adopt practices that initially have others shaking their heads. But then the new practice works, and they’re happy to share their experiences. That applies to Reuben Stone. Operating a farm value-added business near Cobden, Ont., Stone grows several specialty crops, including Daikon radish, […] Read more
Strip till catching on
Residue management and improved soil health are among the benefits
Reading Time: 4 minutes In theory, strip till should boost yields, especially in corn, where the practice is most usually used. Clearing residue from a seed zone and berming the soil so it warms faster in preparation for spring planting sounds like an obvious benefit. More equipment manufacturers have adapted systems to enable “multitasking” such as combining strip till […] Read more
Are your soybeans “O-K”?
Alpine agronomist says that soybeans respond remarkably well to late-season potassium applications
Reading Time: 4 minutes Steve McQueen says you should treat your soybeans like corn. No, not exactly the same, such as with split nitrogen applications or fungicides to thicken stalks or stems. But the agronomy manager for Alpine says growers could apply the same diligence to improving soybean performance as has become the norm in corn. McQueen says he’s […] Read more
A new trait for corn rootworm
The RNAi trait will launch in Canada in 2023 and complement current Bt Cry protein traits
Reading Time: 5 minutes Late in 2019, agronomists in mid-western Ontario urged producers to opt out of growing continuous corn or corn on corn in an effort to break the cycle of resistance that had developed within corn rootworm. The issue had arisen because of resistance to three of four Bt Cry proteins, reducing the effective modes of action […] Read more
A message from April Stewart, Country Guide's Associate Editor
