Wynne Provides Update on Bee Issue, Still Waiting for Feds to Take Action

Sep 26, 2013

Wynne Provides Update on Bee Issue, Still Waiting for Feds to Take Action

By Amanda Brodhagen, Farms.com

Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne says the government continues to find science-based solutions to ensure a healthy bee population the province. Wynne issued a statement Thursday, noting that the province is waiting for direction from its federal counterparts on neonicotinoid use, which regulates pesticide use in Canada. Some believe neonicotinoids are to blame for reported bee deaths.

Wynne reports on progress of the Ontario Bee Health Working Group, which was formed in July. Various stakeholders including the Ministry of Agriculture and Food, seed, grain and farmer organizations have begun initial discussions on planting options for farmers.

The Premier has asked the group to continue to provide updates leading up to spring 2014 planting. The Bee Health Working Group is made up for 21 bee specialists. The province has pledged more than $100,000 to the Ontario Beekeepers’ Association and an additional $700,000 in funding to support research initiatives relating to bee health.

Video: Dr. Emerson Nafziger: Nitrogen Fertilizer Rates for Corn

The Crop Science Podcast Show, Dr. Emerson Nafziger from the University of Illinois breaks down decades of nitrogen research. From the evolution of N rate guidelines to how soil health and hybrid genetics influence nitrogen use efficiency, this conversation unpacks the science behind smarter fertilization. Improving how we set nitrogen fertilizer rates for rainfed corn is a key focus. Discover why the MRTN model matters more than ever, and how shifting mindsets and better data can boost yields and environmental outcomes. Tune in now on all major platforms!

"The nitrogen that comes from soil mineralization is the first nitrogen the plant sees, and its role is underestimated."

Meet the guest:

Dr. Emerson Nafziger is Professor Emeritus of Crop Sciences at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, with degrees in agronomy from Ohio State, Purdue, and Illinois. His research has focused on nitrogen rate strategies and crop productivity. He co-developed the Maximum Return to Nitrogen (MRTN) model, which is widely used across the Midwest. His research spans N response trials, hybrid interactions, crop rotation effects, and yield stability.