An unintended consequence of planned upgrades to Canada’s National Farm Building Code (NFBC) may be higher farm insurance rates.
Farm building code updates will drive insurance increases
Companies must replace to full current value after insurable loss, which will be more expensive
New online decision-making tool for species at risk
An online tool to help farmers choose the best options to help preserve species at risk and their habitats is coming to Ontario in 2025.
Ontario soybean yields proof of crop resilience
Despite a difficult spring and early summer, the crop could set a new provincial record for average yield
After struggling though tough early-season conditions, Ontario’s 2024 soybean crop delivered a surprisingly good average yield, perhaps edging into record territory.
Study ties hay/pasture conversion to biodiversity loss
Study draws on census data, AAFC land-cover analysis overlaid with avian population estimates
Research conducted by the Canadian Wildlife Federation, aimed at highlighting the “threatened” status of the Eastern Meadowlark on Ontario’s Species at Risk list, draws on Census of Agriculture data and land-cover analysis from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, overlaid with avian population estimates from the Ontario Breeding Bird Atlas organization.
Farm building costs could rise on code changes
Updates to the national building codes will affect on-farm construction, say builders
Costs to erect modern-scaled farm buildings in Ontario could increase in 2025 due to planned updates of national codes regulating construction, fire safety, energy safety and plumbing.
Steady harvest strains grain infrastructure
Good weather has kept combines running from soybean to corn harvest across Ontario at quick pace
Ontario grain handlers are struggling under the faster-than-normal progression of soybean harvest into corn harvest. There are no reports of Ontario corn being stockpiled on the ground, but “with the vessel delays that we’ve seen at ports, there’s sometimes nowhere for the corn to go,” said Hensall Co-op grain originator and marketer Berkley Fedorchuk. “We’ll make things work as best we can.”
Organics rebounding from price inflation woes
Trade report cites return to pre-COVID growth trend after inflation hit
Ontario has the potential to further expand its role as a national leader in organic food production and sales, according to a new report.
Canada Royal Milk ready to appeal to mainstream moms
Dairy plant opens for tours, sees infant formula powder opportunities in and outside Canada
Canada Royal Milk is ramping up production at its new processing facility on the outskirts of Kingston with an aim to supply baby formula across North America. The processing plant has capacity to produce five times the Canadian market for baby formula.
Research farm trials urban-style stormwater management
Upper Thames River Conservation Authority tests StormTech Stormwater Retention System to manage extreme rainfall events
Use of an urban-style storm water management system in an agricultural setting is being explored by the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority.
Microsoft on board to promote Kingston-area crop input
Wollastonite mineral can be spread on farm fields to boost nutrients, company offering it free of charge
Microsoft is partnering with a Kingston, Ont. company to encourage spreading of wollastonite because of its carbon storage capacity.