What’s Growing On?

Aug 23, 2022

Ontario’s farmland plays an integral role in keeping our local communities fed, which is one of the reasons why farmland protection is always at the forefront of our minds.

Have you ever wondered what is grown on our permanently protected farms? During the summer months we are able to visit all of our protected farms and see what’s growing on!

Hay has been one of the most prevalent crops we’ve seen so far this year with a total of six permanently protected farms growing hay. We love the look of a hay field blowing in the wind before it has been harvested, and we know that the Bobolinks and Eastern Meadowlarks we have observed on our properties love it too. Pastures and hay fields are important habitat for grassland birds like those, and in addition to hay, many of our farms also have pastures located on them!

Two of our farms are raising beef cattle this year, and on one of them we were even introduced to dwarf cattle! We love how curious the cows are when we are on our site visits.

There has been no shortage of animals on the farms, aside from all of the exciting wild animal sightings we have had, we have also seen sheep, chickens, llamas, horses, donkeys, (and not to mention many farm dogs and cats). It is always a buzz getting to see what our farmers are up to!

We have also seen many honey bee hives on our protected farms! Both honey bees and other native bee species are essential for pollination, and they can increase product yields by up to 24 percent.1 We have definitely seen our fair share of happy farmers with bees flying around their farmland. Four of our protected farms are currently bee keeping and making their own honey!

Source : ontariofarmlandtrust.ca

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.