Publications, Resources & Past Initiatives

OSCIA is a part of leading edge research on soil health, crop production, bio-energy, grassland bird conservation and more.

An example of the work OSCIA is involved in is Living Labs
**(Pending Approval)**

Living Labs is an Agriculture and Agri food Canada (AAFC) initiative that bring producers, scientists and other partners together to evaluate BMPs in a real-life context. OSCIA is the lead applicant on a collaborative proposal that includes Ecological Farmers Association of Ontario (EFAO, Innovative Farmers Association of Ontario, Ontario Soil Network (OSN) and three Conservation Authorities in the Lake Erie Basin. This proposal has been co-developed with staff in AAFC’s Science and Technology Branch. The objective of the proposed project is to increase the adoption of BMPs (cover crops and minimum tillage) that enhance soil health and protect water quality in the Lake Erie watershed.
This will be addressed through the following objectives:

Innovative On-Farm Trials and Demonstration to evaluate the benefits of the BMPs
Socio-economic Analysis of adopting BMPs on a farm and watershed scale
Determine the level of BMP adoption and impacts on water quality on a watershed scale
Communicate the benefits of BMP adoption through social media, demonstrations, workshops and peer-to-peer learning opportunities

If approved, the Living Labs initiative will be a valuable opportunity for producers and agri-enviro organizations to work with government scientists to evaluate and communicate the socio-economic and ecological benefits of BMP adoption.

Select past research initiatives

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Grassland Birds and Agriculture

OSCIA has partnered with Bird Ecology and Conservation Ontario (BECO) and Renfrew County farmers to complete research on the effectiveness of set-asides in rotational grazing on the nesting success of grassland birds (specifically bobolink) in rotational grazing systems. This two year research project will be key to developing best management practices that allow for productive farm systems and conservation of grassland birds. This project is funded by Environment and Climate Change Canada through the Species at Risk Partnerships on Agricultural Lands initiative.

[icon type=”video-camera” size=”icon-5x” url=”https://youtu.be/cLkZaMbA7xo” box=”true”] Studying Bobolink in Grazed Pastures

**Keep up to date on our Research Initiatives in our News section and on our Applied Research Website (by clicking on image below)**

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Soil Mesocosms for Precise and Controlled Mass Balance Studies at the Field Scale: A Unique Facility in North America

OSCIA is participating on the Advisory Committee for innovative soils research at the Elora Research Station, lead by Dr. Claudia Wagner Riddel. The proposed outcomes are:

Science-based management practices for soil ecosystems that will reduce the environmental impact of agriculture, while still providing the ecosystem services Canadian society needs from agriculture;
Improved models that can predict risk of groundwater contamination and greenhouse gas emissions, under climate change and various management systems;
Improved understanding of the role of soil microbial communities and their response to warming and nitrogen addition, and estimates of soil resilience under a changing climate for better future soil management.

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Lake Erie Retrospective Analysis
Partners: Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs

Emissions Testing from Biomass Heating (DRAFT Infosheet) (News Article)
Partners: Forman Farms, Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs; University of Guelph

Field-Scale Agricultural Biomass Research and Development Project
Partners: University of Guelph

Ontario Field Crop Residue Survey of Availability and Properties as Potential Feedstocks for the Bioeconomy
Partners: Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs

Quantifying the Physical Characteristics of Good Soil Quality
Partners: Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

Lake Simcoe Soil Health Improvement Project
Partners: Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs

On-Farm Corn and Soybean Trials – Neonicotinoid Seed Treatment Efficacy Study
Partners: University of Guelph (Ridgetown Collage)

Publications and Resources

Mapping

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Source Water Protection Map

Find out if your property is located in a vulnerable area – e.g. close to a municipal drinking water well or intake – and find information on managing activities using the source protection plan.

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AgMaps

The Agricultural Information Atlas is an interactive online application that allows you to create custom maps and find agricultural information for Ontario.

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Program Research and Resources

Environmental Farm Plan and Growing your Farm Profits – Gap Analysis (Summary Presentation)
— Deloitte

Potential Role of the Ontario Environmental Farm Plan in Responding to Sustainability Demands of the Agri-food Supply Chain
— Claudia Schmidt, Janalee Sweetland and Al Mussell (George Morris Centre)

Environmental Farm Plans: Measuring Performance, Improving Effectiveness, and Increasing Participation
— Prairie Research Associates for the Ontario Federation of Agriculture, on behalf of the Ontario Farm Environmental Coalition

Spatial Analysis of the Adoption of Nutrient Management Related Best Management Practices in Ontario, April 2005-March 2010
— Elisabeth Woyzbun, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

Alternative Funding Models for Agricultural Stewardship Programs in Ontario
— Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association

Species at Risk and Agriculture

Nutritional Quality of Perennial Forages from May to August: Impact of Delaying First Cut on Dairy and Beef Production
— University of Guelph, Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, and the Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association

Farming with Grassland Birds: A guide to making your hay and pasture bird friendly
— Jack Kyle and Ron Reid for the Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association

Risk or Reward: An Investigation of Ontario Farmer Perceptions of Species at Risk
— Lyn Garrah for the Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association

Actions on the Farm: How farmers support wildlife through the Species at Risk Farm Incentive Program (Poster) (Tri-Fold Brochure)
— Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association

A Safe Harbour Policy for Canada? Examining the potential for safe harbour agreements within the confines of the federal Species at Risk Act
— Sumeet Tandon for the Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association

Citizen Science for Environmental Research
— Colin Robertson, Wilfrid Laurier University

Species At Risk Public Registry Information (link)
— Canadian Wildlife Service, Environment and Climate Change

Ontario Grasslands on Your Farm
— Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association

Other Relevant Research and Resources

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Cover crops early harvest postcard — Early Harvest Cover Crops – Postcard

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Cover crops Fall postcard — Fall Cover Crops – Postcard

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New Crops, Old Challenges: Tips and tricks for managing new crops!
— Simcoe Research Station

Rotational Grazing in Extensive Pastures
— Victoria MacPhail, AAFC & Jack Kyle, OMAFRA

Ontario Pedigreed Seed Industry Economic Impact Study: An Update
— Al Mussell and Irena Rajcan (George Morris Centre)

An Economic Comparison of Pasture Based Beef Breeding Herds and Cash Crops in Southern Ontario
— Yungblut & Associates for OSCIA

Ontario Cover Crops Strategy
— Steering committee included representatives from: OMAFRA, CCA, GFO, IFAO, OABA, OFA, OFVGA, OSCIA, and Upper Thames River Conservation Authority