ONTARIO FARMER - PRODUCTION BLOG

April 9 - It can be interesting to look beyond North America for machinery innovations. This one comes from Holland, from a company called Clean Light. It’s an alternative to spraying fungicides on crop. This machine emits ultraviolet light that kills fungi, viruses and molds but doesn’t harm crops. It’s been tried in Europe on potatoes, onions and grapes but there are wider models available that would be suitable for edible beans, soybeans or wheat, according to company chief technology officer Arne Aiking.
The machine is likely to cost more than a standard sprayer but your application costs are small - $1 to $1.50 an acre to generate the electricity. But since it only kills what’s on the surface, you probably have to go through the crop more than once, Aiking says.
The idea could make its debut in Ontario, providing that Clean Light can find an equipment manufacturer to build the machines. Clean Light holds the patent and licenses the technology to manufacturers. But Aiking, who’s spent much of his life in Ontario, says his company would be very interested in setting up an office in Guelph. There’s more information on the company website at www.cleanlight.nl
Just got a heads-up for growers from Cargill agronomist Pat Lynch. He says the wet weather, coupled with some solid frosts has caused a considerable amount of heaving in winter wheat and alfalfa stands. If we get some good rains it could wash up enough soil to re-anchor the plants, he says. But if it turns hot and dry, they’ll dessicate. A few alfalfa growers have had success pushing the plants back down into the ground with a packer.
There’s been a fair bit of talk this winter about new corn heat unit ratings for Ontario hybrids. OMAFRA corn lead Greg Stewart is reluctant to give out a lot of details because he doesn’t want to confuse growers this close to planting season. Look for an in-depth article on the changes once the corn is in the ground.