Making Progress to Protect Farmland

Nov 12, 2024

For many, November is a time for reflection on all that has happened over the year. This can certainly be said for the Ontario Farmland Trust, as we reflect on the amazing progress that we have made to protect Ontario farmland. OFT has been working with farmers across southern Ontario – from Bruce County to Frontenac County – to protect their farmland with conservation easement agreements.

Here are just a few example:

Bruce County – We finalized the donation of a 37-acre farm to OFT in the Tiverton area! This farm consists of pastureland, hay fields, mature trees, a river, a stream, and a farmhouse and outbuildings. It is home to Barn Swallows, Monarch butterflies, and Butternut trees. This truly generous donation will allow OFT to offer alternative ways into farming to local new, young, and equity-deserving farmers, which is new and exciting for both the community and OFT!

Click here to see more...

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.