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Forage Fertility: Where We Are and Why it Matters

By Garth Ruff and Greg LaBarge

Hay and haylage crops are grown on just over 1 million acres in Ohio (NASS, 2019) and are grown on more Ohio farms (44% of all farms) than any other crop (Becot et al., 2020). In addition, there are over 1.3 million acres of pastureland on nearly 39,000 farms (50% of all farms) in the state of Ohio (NASS, 2017). Fertilizer costs represent 40 to 60% of the variable input costs of forage hay production (Ward et al., 2016, 2018), and so managing these costs is key to an Ohio forage producers’ ability to stay competitive. Furthermore, water quality issues in the state underscore the need for Ohio farmers to manage on-farm nutrients as efficiently as possible. A farmer’s ability to find this optimal balance between meeting crop nutrient requirements without over-application is highly reliant on the best available information.

In order to make better and up-to-date forage fertility recommendations, we want to hear back from producers as to what current practices are already implemented on farms across the state. Understanding current practices and limitations to forage fertility will guide us in determining the type and kind of related research to conduct in order to revise current recommendations.

Source : osu.edu

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SaskAgToday.com Roundtable: China hits Canada with canola seed tariffs

Video: SaskAgToday.com Roundtable: China hits Canada with canola seed tariffs

The big story this week was China placing a 75.8 per cent anti-dumping duty on Canadian canola seed imports.

While China claims the duty is temporary - pending the conclusion of its anti-dumping investigation into Canadian canola next month - many are calling on the federal government to take the lead and get the tariffs removed. The SaskAgToday.com Roundtable discusses what farm groups, and politicians, have been saying.

Also, the panel highlights a grand opening of Grain Millers flax processing facility, limited harvest progress in Saskatchewan due to widespread rain, and the Grain Growers of Canada on its second annual Summer Tour.