Gary Sliworski - Agricultural Report

By Gary Sliworsky
Ag rep, Emo

Are you a producer who will be carrying increased livestock numbers this pasture season?
If this applies to your situation, here are a number of options to increase your pasture production this coming year.
•Rotational grazing

By Gary Sliworsky
Ag rep, Emo

There are many ways to manage pests on organic farms.
The overall strategy always should be to try to manage your cropping system to avoid the insects, diseases, weeds, etc. Easier said than done, but here are some strategies (each pest will have their own weakness).

By Gary Sliworsky
Ag rep, Emo

A lot of herds are finished calving and it is now time to think about re-breeding the herd.
What breed should you use, when should the bull be put in with the herd, how many, and what age should the bulls be?

By Gary Sliworsky
Ag rep, Emo

Do you know how much phosphorus and potassium is leaving your fields during a rotation?
Are your nutrient reserves slowly being depleted as average crop yields increase?
The answer to these and many questions is just a click away.

By Gary Sliworsky
Ag rep, Emo

“When can I start my cattle on pasture?” is a question that runs through everyone’s mind as spring approaches.
If you turn cattle out too soon, the grass will not support the livestock. Once the grass is set back at the beginning of the season, it will be less productive throughout the entire grazing season.

By Gary Sliworsky
Ag rep, Emo

The Canadian Nuffield Farming Scholarship Trust is accepting applications for its 2013 program.
Applications are due by April 30 (forms can be downloaded from the Nuffield Canada website at www.nuffield.ca).
Three scholarships of $15,000 each are available for 2013.

By Gary Sliworsky
Ag rep, Emo

When I planned the timing for this article, I never dreamed so much of the snow would be gone and the nights would be so warm.
However, there still might be some opportunities.
The following is information on frost seeding from Barry Potter, agriculture development advisor, OMAFRA:

By Gary Sliworsky
Ag rep, Emo

Subsurface, or tile, drainage is an aid to agricultural production, as well as a very important soil and water conservation practice.
In essence, it is a technique for controlling the water table by means of drainage pipe installed at a certain depth in the ground.

By Gary Sliworsky
Ag rep, Emo

On Jan. 4, Ontario amended O. Reg. 282/98 under the Assessment Act to provide new rules with respect to the assessment of property taxes on renewable energy installations.

By Gary Sliworsky
Ag rep, Emo

Social media and smartphone topics have been popular at farm meetings this winter—and for good reason.
Many farmers and other agri-businesses are using these online and mobile tools to streamline and improve their communications and business activities.