Traditional or patriarchal social values can still exist in rural communities, which can lead to silence about abuse amongst victims and community members who suspect or know about the abuse.

Rural women and violence: What we don’t talk about

Women in rural settings face unique challenges in unhealthy relationships

Why doesn’t she just leave? It’s a question many may ask themselves about a woman they know or suspect is in an unhealthy or violent relationship. Concern over safety, housing and finances are just some of the barriers women in unhealthy relationships have to overcome in order to leave. And for women living in rural […] Read more

Some consumers are becoming angry and frustrated about high food prices, and they’re looking for someone to blame.

Editorial: Concern over grocery prices no joke

The issue of soaring grocery prices was the subject of a hilarious skit on the Canadian comedy television show This Hour has 22 Minutes earlier this month. In the skit, a woman is seen going up to a cash register at a grocery store with a basketful of ingredients for a charcuterie board, which she […] Read more


The OFA board of directors at the OFA's annual convention, Nov. 21-22, 2023.

OFA’s proposal to remove Policy Advisory Council tabled to 2024

The OFA board is proposing to change its Policy Advisory Council to a policy forum which will change how the board hears from its members outside of the annual meeting. In one of her last roles as president of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA), Peggy Brekveld introduced discussion on the organization’s proposal to remove […] Read more

Opinion: Grain farmers need drying cost relief

Opinion: Grain farmers need drying cost relief

From the seat of his combine on November 2, Grain Farmers of Ontario Chair Brendan Byrne urged his followers on X (formerly known as Twitter) to support Ontario grain farmers in their quest to have fuel used for drying grain exempted from the carbon tax. Byrne, like many other Ontario grain farmers, was trying to […] Read more

‘Faced with consumer backlash over the rising cost of food, it’s no surprise that politicians feel pressured to do something.’ – Kristy Nudds.

Editorial: Food and politics don’t mix

I admit that I snickered a little at the prime ministers’ ultimatum to Canadian grocers last month, demanding they find a way to stabilize grocery prices. Faced with consumer backlash over the rising cost of food, it’s no surprise that politicians feel pressured to do something. But the prime minister’s demand shows us that politicians […] Read more


Winners of the Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show Innovation competition included (LtoR) Glen Yates and Colin Yates of VETSon, Matt Leinen of Ag Leader Technology, Mathieu Paneuf of Agrilog, Vanessa Camacho of Clean Works, and Greg Patterson and Rob Field of A&L Laboratories.

Vet app, grain data tech, biostimulant among innovation winners

Exhibitors with innovative products were recognized last month during Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show. The Innovation Program offers awards to businesses in five categories: agronomics, business solutions, environmental sustainability, equipment and livestock. The 2023 winners were announced Sept. 11 before the Sept. 12-14 show began at Discovery Farm Woodstock. Why it matters: The program recognizes new […] Read more

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Editorial: Revenge of the nerds

I still vividly remember the day my dad walked in the kitchen door carrying an enormous cardboard box, with a smile nearly as wide as the box itself. Inside was our family’s first VCR, a very exciting day indeed. For my Baby Boomer parents, the VCR was a huge leap in technology. I was too […] Read more

Yes, cattle release methane as a co-product of digestion. But livestock can contribute much more than they take away.

Editorial: Livestock has a sustainability role, too

The emphasis on reducing greenhouse gas emissions has been the dominating subject in agriculture for quite some time, and will likely continue. I am inundated with notices of events and press releases on how farmers can reduce emissions by employing varying cropping practices, and what new technology can help them do this is on the […] Read more


Attendee numbers were high last year at Canada's Outdoor Farm Show.

Opinion: COFS to offer farmers great experiences

Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show (COFS) is returning to Discovery Farm Woodstock Sept. 12-14, and I’m really looking forward to it. Last year’s show was the first time since 2019 it was held in person, and as I wrote in this space afterwards it was so good to see so many farmers and exhibitors smiling and […] Read more

Editorial: Beware of the electric hunters

Editorial: Beware of the electric hunters

According to the Ontario government, the future is electric. If you’ve watched television or browsed online lately, advertisements for Ontario’s electric future have been plentiful. Putting the cart before the horse, the ads have been running for several months, long before Energy Minister Todd Smith finally laid out the province’s plan to achieve its electric […] Read more