Loss of farmland continues to be top of mind for Ontario farmers

May 16, 2023

Land development policy changes in Ontario continue to cause confusion within the agricultural sector.

The Ontario government has introduced several policies aimed at accelerating housing construction, including opening up the Greenbelt and other farmland, reclassifying wetlands, and allowing municipalities to expand beyond established urban limits.

While the government claims these changes will facilitate housing development, critics argue that they will exacerbate the loss of farmland.

The lack of transparency and communication from the government has made it challenging for journalists and municipal planners to understand the impacts of these complex policies. With Ontario losing an average of 319 acres of farmland per day to development, there are growing concerns about the long-term consequences and the protection of prime agricultural areas.

Farmers and agricultural organizations are calling for a comprehensive evaluation of the effects of these policy changes before further modifications are made. They fear that the increased severance allowance and minimum distance requirements could hinder livestock operations and lead to a decline in the number of livestock farms.

The government’s fast-paced approach without considering the impact of previous actions has raised concerns about the future of Ontario’s agricultural sector and the preservation of its valuable resources.

Source : Black Burn News

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.