Case Studies

We all learn differently.  Do you learn by blending information from the field with information that you can get from books or other written materials?  Then a Research Case Study might be just what you need!  

Soils At Guelph in Partnership with St. Clair Region Conservation Authority (SCRCA)

These case studies showcase how farmers modified their existing equipment to achieve their soil-crop-nutrient management goals. If you’re someone who likes to see it to believe it, these case studies are the perfect place to start. 

Interseeding Cover Crops into Standing Corn

In this case study, we examine how three farmers upgraded their planting equipment to achieve better cover crop establishment when interseeded into standing corn.

Variable Rate Fertilizer Application

Curious about how to adapt your current equipment to apply fertilizer at variable rates? In this case study, you’ll see how one farmer upgraded their strip-till setup with a dry fertilizer rate controller—turning their goals for variable rate application into reality.

Early Season Cover Crop Planting

Wanting to give his cover crops a head start before winter, this farmer equipped his 120-foot sprayer boom with seed spreader units and seeded into the standing crop ahead of harvest.

Erosion Control Structures - The WASCoB (I)

When land is extremely vulnerable to gully erosion, grassed waterways may fall short. With financial and expert support from the local conservation authority, these two fact sheets show how two farmers tackled the underlying water movement challenges to bring erosion under control.

Erosion Control Structures - The WASCoB (II)

When land is extremely vulnerable to gully erosion, grassed waterways may fall short. With financial and expert support from the local conservation authority, these two fact sheets show how two farmers tackled the underlying water movement challenges to bring erosion under control.

SOILS Case Studies

This series of 4 case studies includes an exploration of the following topics: Soil Health, Soil Biology, Soil and Carbon and Soil and Nitrogen.  They feature 4 farmers from across Ontario who have looked long and hard at one of the topics.  Each topic also explores the underlying scientific concepts using diagrams, reference to the state of Ontario research, and orients the reader for what they might do next on the farm or beyond.
 
Scroll down to read the 4 articles first published in the Ontario Farmer. They are based on the case studies. 

Soil Health

Soil Biology and Agriculture

Soil Carbon

Using and Losing Soil Nitrogen in Agriculture

Articles from the Ontario Farmer

So now I have to consider if my dirt is healthy?

The Nitty Gritty on soil biology

Soil carbon and Christmas stockings

The nitrogen hangover – ‘tis the season to take stock