August 2025 Newsletter

Nortera Update

Pea harvest has been competed by Strathroy and Tecumseh facilities and will be competed in Ingersoll next week. Yields are finishing at budget with the largest issues being weed pressure caused by poor control due to environmental factors. 

 

Tecumseh sweet corn harvest starts today. Yields look to be budget due to the colder temperatures of May resulting in delayed emergence. Corn crops overall look good. Ingersoll will start their corn early August. 

 

Bean harvest in the Tecumseh region has been ongoing and well. Largest struggles have been driven by colder May temperatures and split sets from the high temperatures in June. Yields appear to be improving now. Strathroy snap bean harvest is expected to start early August with budget yields expected. Lima bean crop is looking good so far. 

 

  • Supplied by Stefany Snobelen

Pea Tenderometer Testing

With pea harvest wrapping up, the final round of tenderometer inspections for the season have been completed. Measurements from each plant have fallen within the expected accuracy range. We look forward to welcoming Farm to Fork Food Safety back for the 2026 pea season.

Cucumber Downy Mildew Update

July 29, 2025 - CDM was detected in 5 of the 5 fields involved in the scouting program provided by Tomeck Ag.

 

Detections of CDM have remained stable since last week. Out of a total of 50 sites (5 fields with 10 sites/field) CDM was observed at 27 sites in week 6 compared to 24 sites in week 5. Severity is unchanged in four fields and decreased in one field. The range of CDM severity has decreased with 1% or less leaf coverage at 20 sites and 7 sites with 5%.

 

If you have any questions regarding your crop, please reach out to our office at 519-681-1875 or cucumber crop specialist, Elaine Roddy, at 519-401-5890 or emailing elaine.roddy@ontario.ca.

 

OMAFA Soil Health Report

 

The Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness (OMAFA) has published the Ontario Topsoil Sampling Project: Soil Health Baseline Study (OTSP), a new report establishing a benchmark for soil health across the province. This study offers important insights into the impact of land management practices and environmental conditions on topsoil, supporting farmers in making informed decisions to enhance soil quality and crop productivity. The study reports on key metrics such as soil organic matter content and bulk density.

 

Key takeaways form the report:

  • You can benchmark your soil test data compared to provincial averages.
  • Critical soil health risks are identified (like compaction and erosion) based on soil texture and landscape.
  • Good practices are paying off (crop rotation, cover crops)

 

Use the report as a tool to guide your decisions:

  • Spot if your farm has similar issues (like compaction or low organic matter)
  • See how your practices compare to what others are doing
  • Get ideas to improve your soil health and productivity over time.

 

You can view Ontario Topsoil Sampling Project: Soil Health Baseline Study HERE.

 

New 5th edition Environmental Farm Plan (EFP) is available 

The 5th edition EFP workbook has been updated to reflect regulatory changes, current industry priorities and best practices in agriculture. It also includes new information to increase awareness of species at risk, biodiversity and a changing climate.

 

The EFP is a confidential and voluntary environmental risk assessment tool that helps the owners of all types of farms—large or small—take a whole-farm view and identify incremental improvements that support long-term sustainability, profitability and productivity. There is no cost to participate.

 

The EFP workbook consists of two components:

  1. A confidential self-assessment of the farm operation
  2. A farm-specific action plan

 

Cost-share funding programs may be available to help implement improvements outlined in the plan.

 

Farmers can complete an EFP, using the new 5th edition workbook, in one of three ways:

  • In-person: Attend a two-day workshop led by knowledgeable OSCIA staff, with opportunities to network with fellow farmers.
  • Virtual sessions: Participate in two, two-hour online interactive webinars delivered by OSCIA staff.
  • Electronic EFP (eEFP): Renew a previously-verified 4th edition EFP independently online

 

Find more information on registration dates and renew a previous edition HERE.

OPVG's Open House: Save the Date

 

OPVG is expected to move into the new office by the end of August. Located at 4026-122/123 Meadowbrook Drive, London ON, the new office will serve as a hub for OPVG's ongoing efforts and operations.

 

Mark your calendars for OPVG's open house.

 

Thursday, October 30th 10am-2pm.

 

Tour the space, talk with the Board and staff, and enjoy some food and refreshments. We look forward to welcoming you to our new home!

OPVG office hours

8:00 am – 4:00 pm 

Monday to Friday

519.681.1875 opvg@opvg.org
Follow us
Twitter  Youtube