A new, coast-to-coast study in the U.S. tracks five years of the financial benefits of including cover crops in corn and soybean rotations, but the numbers may not apply in […] Read more
Cover crops: Short-term pain but long-term gain
A U.S. study underlines the benefits, but costs of adoption can be higher north of the border
Pollinator plots open eyes and create conversations
Sixty plots will be established at the edges of farms after two years of the program
Across Ontario’s farm country over the past two years, small patches of fields have been transformed into a mix of flowering plants ideal for attracting bees and other insects and […] Read more
Farm groups have less standing in new interim animal welfare system
Province sticking to January timeline for new animal welfare legislation
Livestock commodity organizations do not have formal standing to provide insight and expertise under a new interim regime for investigating and enforcing concerns regarding animal welfare in Ontario. But a […] Read more
Biosecurity key in preventing spread of poultry disease
Lessons learned from U.S. and Canadian outbreaks
Strict adherence to biosecurity protocols was a common denominator as guest speakers offered insight into recent poultry disease outbreaks in Canada and the United States, during meetings hosted by the […] Read more
Minimizing bird stress all about barn management
Humidity levels must be measured and temperatures properly managed for optimum bird health
The small details of barn management have proved to be key to maintaining healthy birds, especially when not raised with antibiotics. Dr. Brian Fairchild of the University of Georgia says […] Read more
Barn cleaning more complex than thought
Study shows necrotic enteritis precursor not being managed by sanitation protocols
Recent research findings show that bacteria that can cause the potentially damaging necrotic enteritis is more likely to be present on a barn floor that has been cleaned and sanitized, […] Read more
Monitoring wild bird threats to domestic poultry
Clusters of dead birds are an alarm bell and should be sent for testing
An outbreak of Newcastle disease among cormorants, as was seen in the summer of 2018, can generate significant public interest when it occurs in an area also high in population […] Read more
The natural heritage debate
Provincial land use direction continues to raise concerns with farmers who haven't been consulted
Farmers are worried that a change in the designation of their land to “natural heritage” will affect their ability to farm in the future. Farmers in Huron County are the […] Read more
Wild boar groups small so far in Ontario
There is concern about growing numbers of feral hogs due to their potential role in African swine fever transmission
Reported sightings of large groups of wild pigs – known as “sounders” – in Ontario are still limited to one or two instances in the Parry Sound/Magnetawan district, although there […] Read more
Ontario fruit, vegetable growers challenged by wet weather
Strawberry season delayed; veggie growers wait out the rain
Ontario’s cool, wet spring has widespread repercussions for the fruit and vegetable sector. So far it has delayed flowering and planting, caused some farms to reschedule the arrival of temporary […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
