Peter Johnson joins forces with VERITAS and South West Ag Partners’ Sustainable Cropping Systems
News from Veritas and South West Ag Partners
(Chatham, ON) Ontario ag retailer South West Ag Partners (SW Ag) announces Peter Johnson has joined their VERITAS farm management division as the senior project agronomist.
South West recently announced the establishment of Sustainable Cropping Systems, a new product and service category to meet growers’ needs in addressing environmental challenges and the increasing scrutiny on Ontario agriculture. The first offering within this new category is a pilot strip-tillage project featuring the SoilWarrior® strip-tillage machine.
“Johnson will play a key role in the VERITAS agronomy team, providing support and expertise to our customers participating in the strip-till project,” said Rick Youlton, marketing manager for SW Ag. “Peter’s reputation in agronomy and research and his passion for helping farmers is very well known and highly respected. Our objectives align with Peter’s as a reduced tillage and fertility management champion. This new sustainability project offers the opportunity to address many of the issues facing Ontario agriculture.”
Youlton stressed, “Our Sustainable Cropping Systems will develop a production package addressing the current and pending challenges Ontario agriculture is facing. These challenges will require farmers to change. Change is not easy, and change will require learning, knowledge and support. Peter’s expertise will be a key component in perfecting this system.”
SW Ag’s Sustainable Cropping Systems will initially focus on four key areas of sustainability: soil health, nutrient retention and efficiency, crop residue management and crop productivity. The SoilWarrior strip-tillage offer combines four core components – tillage equipment, agronomics, precision nutrient management and custom application – into a cropping recommendation tailored for individual farmers.
“Our initial offering from Sustainable Cropping Systems, the strip-till project, is designed to provide farmers with a unique opportunity to explore and develop a different cropping system without the risk of having to initially invest in the equipment, and with an extensive team of experts to support them through the process of change,” said Youlton. “Peter is an integral member of the agronomy/research support team.”
A kickoff and demonstration event is planned for July 30 in Chatham. Additional opportunities to view the tillage equipment are also planned throughout August and September.
Farmers interested in learning more about SW Ag’s Sustainable Cropping Systems should contact their SW Ag representative, Rick Youlton at 519-380-0491, or Dave Page at 519-360-0463.
South West Ag Partners is a leading supplier of crop input and grain marketing services to progressive farmers and end-user customers in southwestern Ontario. With roots going back to 1947, SW Ag’s mission is to help our agri-food customers prosper.
Peter Johnson recently retired from OMAFRA after 30 years in extension and as the Ontario cereals specialist. Along with his farming, Peter is the agronomist at Real Agriculture and continues to be involved with farm conferences, research projects and speaking engagements.
For more information visit http://www.southwestag.ca or http://www.myveritas.ca
Editors Note: Here is video interview with Peter we did while he was the OMAFRA wheat specialist.