An Ipsos study has identified the top seven habits of successful farmers. Do you have them? Results of a new national Ipsos study clearly show that management matters when it comes to farm business success. The report also identifies seven key habits that have the biggest impact on farm profitability. The survey included 604 farms of all types and sizes and farmers of all ages across Canada in the grains and oilseeds, beef, hogs, poultry and eggs, dairy, and horticulture sectors; 183 respondents were grain growers. The work was commissioned by the Guelph-based Agri-Food Management Institute (AMI) and Farm Management Canada for the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. Acco
The following is a list of crops commonly used for cover crop cocktails and the pros and cons of each plant: LEGUMES Berseem Clover - Cool season legume - Nitrogen fixation - Needs inoculant - Shallow taproot - Sensitive to grazing - 140,000 seeds per pound - 4 seeds/sq ft/pound - Slender stems - Moderate C:N ratio - Mycorrhizal association Persian Clover - Cool season legume - Nitrogen fixation, flooding tolerance - Grazing tolerant - Branching taproot - 140,000 seeds per pound - 4 seeds/sq ft/pound - Tight C:N ratio - Forms mycorrhizal association Crimson Clover - Cool season legume - Nitrogen fixation - requires inoculation - Taproot - 149,000 seeds per pound - 4 seeds/sq ft/pound - Good
Photo Credit: Jim Bauer Soil carbon key to building resilience on farms, says organic scientist “Your job is to feed them and maintain their habitat,” Kristine Nichols, the chief scientist with the Rodale Institute told farmers attending the Organic Connections conference Nov. 3 in Regina. “There are 10 billion organisms and all they need from you is food and a place to live.” The Rodale Institute, based in Pennsylvania, has been researching organic farming systems since 1947. Much of its recent work has focused on reducing or eliminating tillage in organic systems. Nichols said finding ways to add carbon is key to building resiliency into farming systems. “Soil is your most important resour
