Tractor Tug for Tots, an Ontario Agricultural College (OAC) organization, raised $13,000 at its annual pull held on Nov. 13 on campus. The money will be going towards Food4Kids, a Guelph volunteer organization dedicated to fighting child hunger in Ontario. The organization provides healthy food for elementary school students with limited or no access to […] Read more
Ag college students give back in Tractor Tug event
Ontario Agricultural College effort raised record funds at annual event to be donated back to children’s food group
Royal Winter Fair draws first generation to cattle shows
Helping the next generation and learning about cattle keep these two young women interested in showing
Showing cattle isn’t a family tradition for two young Ontario women — it’s something they began to do on their own. Maddie Heard from Peterborough County has been showing dairy cattle for four years, while Layne Chantler from South Simcoe has been showing beef cattle for five years. Why it matters: Showing livestock is a […] Read more
Quebec and Atlantic region farmers chosen as 2019 Canada’s Outstanding Young Farmers
Dairy and beef farmers take home titles for risk management and ability to turn challenges into successes
Justin and Laura Rogers of Brae, Prince Edward Island, along with Simon Michaud and Myléne Bourque of Kamouraska, Que. were chosen as 2019 Canada’s Outstanding Young Farmers (OYF). The individuals were named winners during the program’s national event held Dec. 5-8 in Fredericton, New Brunswick. Justin and Laura Rogers are seventh generation farmers operating Picturesque […] Read more
Respiratory diseases in young livestock have lasting effects
Prevention starts with living environment and vaccinations
Respiratory diseases are most common in calves during the post-wean period and they can have long-term effects. Why it matters: Respiratory diseases are extremely common on dairy farms, although they are simple to prevent. They can have lasting effects on cattle up to their first lactation. Dr. Dave Renaud presented ways to prevent respiratory diseases […] Read more
Calves benefit from longer colostrum feeding
Gut development is enhanced if they get more than a couple of colostrum feedings
Multiple feedings of colostrum in the first few hours of life is an important investment in that calf’s long-term productivity, researchers say. The more feedings of colostrum a calf receives in its first first few hours of life the better it is for long-term productivity, farmers attending a recent research says that colostrum fed for […] Read more
New chair and vice chair elected for National Sheep Network
Alberta and Quebec representatives fill top roles
A new chair was elected for the National Sheep Network during a recent meeting held in Ontario. Ryan Greir from Alberta was elected chair for the organization, with Pierre Lessard of Quebec, elected vice-chair. Currently, Greir is vice-chair of the Alberta Lamb Producers and farms east of Strathmore, Alta. “It’s an exciting time to step […] Read more
Two national sheep organizations remain after Ontario AGM
Defeated resolution would have allowed producers to decide who represents them on a national level
A resolution to allow Ontario sheep farmers to vote on who represents them nationally was defeated at the Ontario annual meeting. Why it matters: Two national organizations means funds to support sheep farmers across the country are split. The OSF left the Canadian Sheep Federation and created the National Sheep Network with Alberta and Quebec. […] Read more
Production system, shearing status and lamb numbers are important factors in barn decisions
Floor and bunk space play a vital role in sheep health
Within the sheep industry there isn’t one ideal design when building or retro-fitting a facility. This leads to an array of facilities, ideas and layouts in production systems across the province, although, there are factors to keep in mind to allow for efficiency and improved health of the flock. Why it matters: Barn layouts affect […] Read more
Nutrient management program gets new look
Agrisuite updates to better accommodate farmers
Agrisuite, Ontario farmers’ nutrient management software, will have a fresh new look come winter. Web browsers’ inability to support the aging software was the initial reason for the revamp, but the Agrisuite development team is taking the opportunity to advance, simplify and promote the program with funding from the Canadian Agricultural Partnership. Why it matters: […] Read more
CN strike a threat for Ontario farmers
Inventory overload and lack of propane deliveries delays harvest
[Update Nov. 21, 2019] Farmers in southern and central Ontario are now reporting that they won’t get more propane delivered until after the CN strike is settled. The more than 3,000 Canadian National Railway workers who walked off the job Tuesday put a wrench in an already-tough harvest for farmers. The strike is poorly […] Read more
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