Large food companies are increasingly worried about the broad impact they have on the environment. Now their programs are reaching down to the farm level, although those influences are mostly in early stages. American farmers are at the vanguard of this trend, with companies like General Mills aiming to influence a million acres by 2030. Why […] Read more
General Mills project could set standard for farm-level regulations
The company aims to influence a million acres of farmland by 2030
Fungicide re-evaluation has growers looking for alternatives
PMRA re-evaluation of chlorothalonil will make it more difficult to use
Chlorothalonil, a broad-spectrum multi-site fungicide active ingredient found in horticulture fungicides, has been re-evaluated by the Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) for all uses within agriculture and turf. It is part of PMRA protocol to re-evaluate pesticide products every 15 years, or sooner, as science evolves and new information, methodologies and approaches become available to […] Read more
Hay and forage co-op seeks more producers before expanding handling facilities
The goal is to build a hay double-compressor in southern Ontario to serve export markets
The Ontario Hay and Forage Co-operative is part way to attracting enough members to build a new double compacting facility to drive exports, but more committed hay producers are needed. The proposed project is currently planned to handle 100,000 tonnes annually in a 20,000 sq. ft. building with a double compaction press and be located […] Read more
Genetically modified alfalfas find their place
Feed quality, harvest window and seed establishment are benefits
Glyphosate-resistant alfalfa is being planted across about 10,000 acres in Ontario, giving farmers the option to better establish and clean up alfalfa fields, while preserving the valuable legume. HarvXtra alfalfa with Roundup Ready technology, a newer alfalfa found in the eastern Canadian market, also provides low lignin content for improved digestibility along with the Roundup […] Read more
Greenhouse biosecurity will be key to keeping tomato pest out of Canada
Horticulture experts say biosecurity and vigilance can help keep tomato Brown Rugose Fruit Virus out of the country
Tomato Brown Rugose Fruit Virus (ToBRFV) continues to be found in more countries, but luckily Canada is not yet among them. Within the first few months of 2019, it transferred to Germany, Mexico and Italy. It has also been previously found in California, and the first outbreaks were found in Israel in 2014 and Jordan […] Read more
Ontario farmland price increase drops to lowest level since 1999
Across the country, farmland values rose but not as much as in other recent years
Farmland in Canada continues to get more expensive, but commodity prices and less demand for land from some sectors means land value increases in 2018 have slowed compared to the previous two years. The 2018 Farm Credit Canada (FCC) Farmland Values Report shows Canadian farmland values, in price per acre, increased by 6.6 per cent, […] Read more
Brant County program named 2019 Farm & Food Care Champion
Bite of Brant program recognized for commitment to agriculture advocacy
The Bite of Brant program, run by the Brant County Agricultural Awareness Committee (BCAAC), has been presented with the 2019 Farm & Food Care Ontario Champion Award. The award has annually recognized individuals or groups in Ontario committed to engaging consumers on agriculture. The Bite of Brant two-day program exposes 1,000 Grade 5 students in […] Read more
Ayr fertilizer plant the latest to get new warehouse
Farmers are becoming more efficient and retailers are investing in infrastructure to keep up
FS Partners is one of the many agriculture retailers that have built a new fertilizer warehouse to keep up with Ontario farmers. “Farmers are looking for increased service and scalability. Their equipment has gotten bigger and we have to be able to follow that trend,” says Kevin Stumpf, manager of FS Partners, from its Ayr […] Read more
What to look for when picking replacements
Producers should take a good look at both calf and cow
As calving season comes to a close for Ontario beef farmers, producers must decide which animals to keep for replacements. Why it matters: Selecting the best heifers determines long-term herd health and herd expansion. Raising replacement heifers comes with considerable cost, so heifers selected for breeding must perform well and supply hardy and high quality […] Read more
The new look for the wildlife damage compensation program
There have been several changes to the program to make it easier for farmers
The Ontario Wildlife Damage Compensation Program has changed. The program is designed to help farmers whose livestock, poultry or bees have been killed or injured by predators. Why it matters: The changes are designed improve access to compensation once livestock is lost to predators. Some key changes include: More ways to provide sufficient evidence to […] Read more
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