OFT Welcomes New Executive Director

Jun 30, 2022

Ontario Farmland Trust is pleased to welcome our new Executive Director, Martin Straathof!

Martin’s previous experience is diverse, ranging from agriculture, to non-profit work, and even rural planning. OFT is excited to have him on board, so that he can put his wide range of expertise to work!

Martin grew up on a dairy farm just west of Ottawa in Arnprior, Ontario. He spent much of his childhood helping his family with the chores (of which there are many), and participating in local 4-H clubs. While much of his time on the farm was spent with cows, he does have a particular soft spot for goats. He then pursued an undergraduate degree in International Development (with an emphasis on rural and agricultural development) at the University of Guelph

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Video: Winter Canola Trial in Mississippi | Can It Work for Double Cropping? | Pioneer Agronomy

Can winter canola open new opportunities for growers in the Mid-South? In this agronomy update from Noxubee County, Mississippi, Pioneer agronomist Gus Eifling shares an early look at a first-year winter canola trial and what farmers are learning from the field.

Planted in late October on 30-inch rows, the crop is now entering the bloom stage and progressing quickly. In this video, we walk through current field conditions, fertility management, and how timing could make this crop a valuable option for double-cropping soybeans or cotton.

If harvest timing lines up with early May, growers may be able to transition directly into another crop during ideal planting windows. Ongoing field trials will help determine whether canola could become a viable rotational option for the region.

Watch for:

How winter canola is performing in its first season in this Mississippi field

Why growers chose 30-inch rows for this trial

What the crop looks like as it moves from bolting into bloom

Fertility strategy, including nitrogen and sulfur applications

How canola harvest timing could enable double-cropping with soybeans or cotton

Upcoming trials comparing soybeans after canola vs. traditional planting

As more growers look for ways to maximize acres and diversify rotations, experiments like this help determine what new crops might fit into existing systems.