Matt McIntosh
Farmtario
Ontario, Canada
Contact Matt
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Past articles by Matt:
Essential service designation should keep farm inputs moving
Reading Time: 3 minutes Barring some changes to business interaction behaviours, producers should be able to access production inputs as usual this growing season. Why it matters: Currently, the supply of fertilizer, chemicals, seed, and other inputs remain unaffected by the spread of COVID-19 and subsequent mitigation efforts. Agriculture and its supply chain were on the essential list when …… → Read More
Using glyphosate wisely
Reading Time: 4 minutes Researchers from the University of Quebec say farmers might want to use glyphosate more sparingly — and for reasons beyond herbicide resistant weeds. Why it matters: Glyphosate may be comparatively benign, but overuse can still raise agronomic and environmental concerns. Presenting at the Innovative Farmers Association of Ontario’s annual conference, Marc Lucotte,… → Read More
Ontario ethanol production drops with low prices and demand
Reading Time: 2 minutes As prices and demand for ethanol slump amidst the ongoing pandemic, fuel producers are reducing – or temporarily stopping – production. At IGPC Ethanol in Aylmer production continues, albeit at a reduced capacity. Ashton Nembhard, chief executive and operations officer for IGPC, says demand liftings are “off a minimum of 30 per cent” with their … Read more → Read More
Weed of the week: Redroot pigweed
Reading Time: 2 minutes Redroot pigweed can be a tough customer. But don’t wallow in despair – control is possible. Redroot pigweed (Latin name Amaranthus retroflexus) is an annual weed found throughout Ontario in cultivated fields, gardens, pastures, waste places, roadsides and, according to the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, nearly any other disturbed area. While …… → Read More
When sustainable agriculture isn’t enough
Reading Time: 3 minutes Move over sustainability. Regenerative might be the new environmental buzzword for food and agriculture. At the Innovative Farmers’ Association of Ontario’s annual conference on Feb. 19, farmers, marketers, and soil health experts discussed the concept of “regenerative agriculture” — what it is, who is focusing on it, and how farmers can push beyond sustainable practices.… → Read More
Crop input availability should be normal despite COVID-19
Reading Time: 3 minutes Barring some changes to business interaction behaviours, producers should be able to access production inputs as usual this growing season – but accessing seasonal labour is another story. Why it matters: Currently, the supply of fertilizer, chemicals, seed, and other inputs remain unaffected by the spread COVID-19 and subsequent mitigation efforts. Keith Currie,… → Read More
Better nitrogen efficiency
Reading Time: 3 minutes Nitrogen loss from leaching, atmospheric exposure, and soil runoff can be costly. However, there are products designed to minimize that loss. And according to Mario Tenuta, professor of applied soil ecology at the University of Manitoba, the stronger the product is, the better. Why it matters: Nitrogen is an expensive input on farms and with … Read more → Read More
Could Ontario agriculture be a carbon sink?
Reading Time: 3 minutes Could agriculture be a net-zero carbon emitter, or even a carbon sink? According to Vern Osborne, professor of animal biosciences at the University of Guelph, the answer is yes — and it could be done today, with current technology. During a presentation at the Farms.com Precision Agriculture Conference in London, Osborne detailed the future of … Read more → Read More
Using technology to pinpoint problem weeds
Reading Time: 3 minutes Britain’s island geography has been a major barrier for invading forces throughout history, but it’s not so effective at stopping the spread of invasive weeds. That’s why United Kingdom researchers have developed an inexpensive, convenient tool to help farmers identify resistant weeds, specifically black grass, as early as possible. Black-grass is to the U.K. what … Read… → Read More
Clarifying data ownership for higher ROI
Reading Time: 3 minutes University of Guelph researchers say farmers and agribusiness people need greater clarity on data ownership issues when it comes to the adoption of precision technologies. Sarah Marquis and Emily Duncan, a masters and PhD student at the school, presented this thesis at the recent Precision Agriculture Conference and Technology Showcase in London. Why it matters: … Read… → Read More