Wendy Hogarth and Murray Johnston have turned their cranberry farm market into a destination. Muskoka Lakes farm and winery, located in Bala, Ont. won the Ontario Farm Fresh Marketing Association’s 2019 Farm Market of the Year is Muskoka Lakes farm and winery. Hogarth talked about their farms’s transition at the 2020 Ontario Fruit and Vegetable […] Read more
Farm market becomes all-season tourist destination
Family behind farm market award says authenticity is key to differentiating their farm
Seed Synergy plan moves forward
Partnership currently working on the details of the program
Work continues on the Seed Synergy plan to bring together several organizations in the Canadian seed sector. The merger between Canadian Seed Trade Association, Canadian Seed Growers Association, Canadian Seed Institute, Canadian Plant Technology Association and Commercial Seed Analyst Association of Canada began back in 2015 to simplify the seed industry system. Crop Life Canada […] Read more
Resistance management is of utmost importance for cucurbit downy mildew
Changes in fungicide regulations have reduced the available treatments
Management of cucurbit downy mildew (CDM) requires more diligence with limited fungicide options. Recent changes in fungicide regulations leaves fewer options for farmers to control CDM, economically the most important disease for cucumbers. Why it matters: Re-evaluation of chlorothalonil has reduced the number of applications for cucurbit growers from seven to two. CDM has become […] Read more
Immigration continues to frustrate farmers seeking workers
The process is complicated and immigrant workers don’t have skills needed
The immigration system continues to fall short of meeting the needs of small businesses, including farms, facing labour shortages, says a new report by the Canadian Federation of Independent Business. A major mismatch exists between the jobs small businesses need filled and the skill levels of immigrants the government prioritizes, says the report. Also, the […] Read more
Turning farm data into dollars
Recording-keeping and understanding cost of production are where data show returns
Accurate and updated record keeping is vital for producers across Ontario. It allows producers to track data to make informed and timely decisions, and reduces environmental and legal risks. According to a 2015 report conducted by Agri-Food Management Institute, record-keeping was considered very important by profitable producers, said Erich Weber, business finance specialist with OMAFRA […] Read more
Study shows added benefits of wheat in rotation
Research shows corn, soy yield increase and N credit after wheat
A long-term study shows diverse crop rotations improve yields. Yet many farmers today grow strictly corn and soybeans, which has caused a decline in crop diversity and that is a major concern for Ontario producers. “It (corn-soybeans) is not really a crop rotation, it’s just an alternating crop sequence,” says Dave Hooker, assistant professor in […] Read more
The basics of growing cannabis
There are few pesticides available to help protect the crop
There’s still a lot to learn about cannabis production in Ontario, with limited pesticide options and evolving technology. Bill MacDonald, professor and co-ordinator with Commercial Cannabis Production at Niagara College recently introduced aspects of cannabis production to attendees of the SouthWest Agricultural Conference held in Ridgetown. Why it matters: Cannabis production presents an opportunity for […] Read more
Bayer announces new herbicide mode of action
The broadleaf herbicide will be the first new mode of action in 30 years
A new herbicide molecule, a different approach to short stature corn and XtendFlex soybeans are three projects in the Bayer CropScience development pipeline that could have an impact on farms. Why it matters: There is increasing resistance to current herbicides so a new mode of action will be welcome. Bayer announced the new herbicide and […] Read more
Making non-family business transition work
These two families found a way to make a dairy farm transition succeed
Most farm transitions today happen through succession planning between families, but there are growing examples of how non-farmers are making it work with existing farmers and on their own. FarmSmart, held at the University of Guelph on Jan. 18, presented opportunities for young individuals who don’t come from a farm to be successful in running […] Read more
The challenge of starting a farm from scratch
A young farmer continues to find ways into farming – driven by sound economics
Daniel Chiappetta has had to be creative in making his way into farming and that route has included investing in quicker return areas outside of agriculture and in targeted farm-related rental agreements and purchases. Chiapetta, an account manager for TD bought his first farm two years ago. And then he sold it because it made […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
