Reading Time: 3 minutes A farmer often goes about their day in relative isolation, especially this last year. Many will tell you there is reassuring sameness found on the farm when the outside world appears to be falling apart. However, when mental health issues edge in and you begin to crumble, that isolation can be a prison unless you […] Read more
Author Archives
In the Know addresses gap in agriculture-based mental health training
Canadian Mental Health Association, Ontario Federation of Agriculture teaming up to deliver the training program provincially
Clarity sought on Animal Protection Zone protocols
Livestock commodity associations and OFA working with government to clear up any confusion
Reading Time: 2 minutes Livestock producers are lighting up social media with confusion around Bill 156 Animal Protection Zone (APZ) signage protocols. A Facebook farming page thread with more than 100 entries discussed and questioned where signage was required, what signs looked like and if signage provided before the Security from Trespass and Protecting Food Safety Act (formerly called […] Read more
Keeping more goat kids alive
Lower kid mortality rates possible with record keeping and management modifications
Reading Time: 4 minutes Courtney Pranger battled with kid mortality issues in the early part of launching a dairy goat farm with her husband Josh. “We lost 90 per cent of our kids the first year (due to Q fever), which was very traumatic,” she said, adding she was constantly in tears over it. Why it matters: Reducing kid […] Read more
New Ontario beef processor to accept cattle soon
TruHarvest Meats will operate from the former Ryding Regency plant in Toronto
Reading Time: 2 minutes The Burgin family expects to soon start processing cattle at TruHarvest Meats as soon as March 1, with the goal of eventually harvesting 1,600 head of cattle per week. TruHarvest will be using the site of the former Ryding Regency company in Toronto. Ryding Regency’s licence was suspended by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency due […] Read more
Early reporting and biosafety protocols needed for disease control
Farmers are generally the first to notice emerging infectious diseases and viruses
Reading Time: 3 minutes Farmers are at the front line of disease identification, a role that’s not always recognized. Why it matters: Infectious diseases pose a risk to animal and human health, farm production and have trade implications. “I think this year has shown us why we pay attention to infectious diseases,” said Dr. Scott Weese, professor at Ontario […] Read more
Cow-calf management has big effects in feedlots
In-utero management of calves can assure a better functioning immune system
Reading Time: 4 minutes Making minor adjustments to health management may result in higher returns for cow-calf and feedlot operators. “I think there’s money being left on the table,” said Greg Dimmers, Metzger Vet Services veterinarian. “And potential things that could be done a little bit differently that can end up with a better-finished product at the end and […] Read more
COVID-19 spurs direct marketing growth
Consumer desire to source local food a cash-cow for on-farm direct marketing businesses
Reading Time: 4 minutes Consumers took a more active role in sourcing locally produce protein when COVID-19 exposed challenges in the food supply chain. Why it matters: The pandemic has accelerated the interest in local food, creating opportunities for farmers. Mike Dougherty, along with his mom Suzy and brother Doug had been steadily growing their 50-acre grass-fed and finished […] Read more
Hoof care in dairy barns requires a multi-prong approach
Reducing stand times and quickly addressing inflammation and lameness are key
Reading Time: 4 minutes Improved hoof health, limited standing time and immediate lameness mitigation goes a long way towards increasing dairy cow comfort and profitability. Travis Busman, program director and hoof health consultant for Sure Step Consulting Ltd. told attendees of the Grey Bruce Farmers Week Dairy Day that inflammation, regardless of the cause, is the prelude to lameness. […] Read more
Riding the wave of change in milk products
COVID-19, consumer expectations, buyer standards mean changing directions in dairy
Reading Time: 4 minutes A rise in consumption of fluid milk for the first time in many years is just one example of the changes wrought in the dairy market by the COVID-19 pandemic. “It’s the first time fluid milk sales has been up in I don’t know how many years… but decades,” said Michael Barrett, president, Gay Lea […] Read more
Let nature direct ecosystem health
Researcher says agriculture needs to learn from how water, soil function in nature
Reading Time: 4 minutes I have learned more from observing Nature than by trying to change it,” said Dwayne Beck. Beck, the research manager at Dakota Lakes Research Farm (DLRF) in Pierre, South Dakota, spoke at the Canadian Forage and Grassland Association conference. Why it matters: Learning how to manage for better soil health is critical for future generations […] Read more
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