Katie Wood, assistant professor in ruminant nutrition and physiology at the University of Guelph recently offered five tips to lower winter feeding costs in beef herds. Speaking at the Ontario Beef Symposium at the University of Guelph on Jan. 18, Wood outlined the key steps: Test feed; Optimize alternative feeds; Know the herd’s body condition […] Read more
Lowering winter beef cow feed costs
There are opportunities to decrease the highest expense on beef farms
AgriCulture – the documentary
Film by Sheridan College student looks at farm hazards
Bailey Regier, a film writing and editing student at Sheridan College in Oakville completed a documentary for school on one the most dangerous professions in the developed world: farming. Her class was assigned in September of 2019 to complete a documentary, about six minutes long, on any topic of their choosing. Bailey Regier says TJ […] Read more
Planning for “What if”
Succession planning questions to ask and steps to take to start the conversation
Many farms think an unexpected change will never happen in their family. The premise is: “our family operation has nothing to worry about.” Few family operations survive unexpected changes to the business, such as changes due to a death, sudden illness, family or legal disputes, divorce, financial stress or loss of a key employee. Why […] Read more
Finding and keeping farm employees
Informative job description and positive workplace are key contributors
Farmers across Ontario are struggling to find and keep good help. Marlene Paibomesai, a dairy specialist with the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, and Mark Ferguson, business management specialist with OMAFRA presented tips on attracting and keeping great employees at the 2020 SouthWest Agriculture Conference held in Ridgetown recently. Why it matters: […] Read more
Poultry housing changes could increase risk of disease
Barn management can decrease risks of bird illness
New housing changes in the poultry industry may increase the risk of disease if the birds are not properly managed in their new environments, said a laying hen veterinarian with McKinley Hatchery. Dr. Mike Petrik spoke at the Poultry Industry Council’s Poultry Innovations Conference held in November in London. Why it matters: Producers will have […] Read more
Opportunities exist to increase profits at the feed bunk
Feed bunk costs can vary by 10 per cent based on gross revenue
The cost of feed for lactating and dry cows ranges by approximately 10 per cent of gross milk revenue. This provides opportunity for dairy farmers to increase profitability at the feed bunk. “The balance we found was a range of 25 to 35 per cent of gross milk revenue being used to feed our lactating […] Read more
Hog farmers continue to reduce antimicrobial use
Five-year study shows 57 per cent of participating farms decreased their antimicrobial use
An Ontario Pork Industry Council benchmarking study demonstrates that Ontario pork producers continue to lower antimicrobial use. The project, funded by the Canadian Agricultural Partnership Program, has been ongoing for five years, with surveys in 2014, 2016 and 2018. Why it matters: Antimicrobial use and antimicrobial resistance have become greater societal concerns, so being able […] Read more
Farm business optimism continues to be low
Business group calls on federal and provincial minister to address barriers to farm financial health
The Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) found in its latest monthly Agriculture Business Barometer that optimism in the agriculture sector is being weighed down by recent trade disputes, difficult harvest conditions in many parts of the country and costly carbon taxes. In fact, CFIB’s agriculture index finished the month of November at 51.1 – […] Read more
Taking the sustainability discussion to the city
An event in Toronto’s centre emphasized the complexity of farm ecosystems
Farm and Food Care has taken urban dieticians and food influencers out to farms across the province with its annual bus tours. The organization recently went the other direction to the centre of the city, hosting an agriculture sustainability discussion at the Royal Ontario Museum that challenged conventional urban wisdom about beef production. Why it […] Read more
Lots of options for automated calf feeding
Calves on two farms started differently before moving to individual rail feeding
Producers have options when it comes to managing calves while using automated feeders, whether the animals are in group housing or individual housing. Why it matters: There are many different ways to manage calves through the same feeding system – what’s important is the calves are healthy and growing well. At Hogendoorn Dairy and Markvale […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
