Reading Time: 3 minutes New housing changes in the poultry industry may increase the risk of disease if the birds are not properly managed in their new environments, said a laying hen veterinarian with McKinley Hatchery. Dr. Mike Petrik spoke at the Poultry Industry Council’s Poultry Innovations Conference held in November in London. Why it matters: Producers will have […] Read more
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Must Reads
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New solar panels grab light from above and below
Electricity is a major expense for Canadian greenhouse growers. At the same time, large greenhouse facilities offer potential to produce…
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Opportunities exist to increase profits at the feed bunk
The cost of feed for lactating and dry cows ranges by approximately 10 per cent of gross milk revenue. This…
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Antimicrobial monitoring project gets support
A project to monitor antimicrobial resistance in beef feedlots recently received funding. The Beef Farmers of Ontario (BFO) welcomed the…
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Robot automates hard-to-fill jobs in agriculture and turf
A local start-up has developed a compact, rugged autonomous robot that can automate a wide range of agricultural tasks, like…
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Hog farmers continue to reduce antimicrobial use
An Ontario Pork Industry Council benchmarking study demonstrates that Ontario pork producers continue to lower antimicrobial use. The project, funded…
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Editorial: Convoluted solution is no solution
Tomato growers and processors need a clear solution to the marketing purgatory into which they’ve been plunged over the past…
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Stories from our other publications
Poultry housing changes could increase risk of disease
Barn management can decrease risks of bird illness
Sweets, alcohol, not meat common to high carbon households
Science notes: Frequency of restaurant meals were also influential in Japanese study
Reading Time: 2 minutes Families with higher carbon footprints are likely to consume more confectionary, alcohol, and restaurant food, according to a new study by Japanese and European researchers published in One Earth. Considering the spectrum of traditional to urban lifestyles across Japan, associate professor Keiichiro Kanemoto of the Research Institute for Humanity and Nature in Kyoto, Japan, and […] Read more
Ecological Farmers Association celebrates 40-years
Current president looks to a future of widespread acceptance
Reading Time: 4 minutes The Ecological Farmers Association of Ontario (EFAO) marked its 40th anniversary during its annual educational conference in December in Belleville. But it is also looking ahead, as the ideas that it has espoused, regenerative farming and farm-level research and cooperation gain popularity. Why it matters: The EFAO has provided training and farmer-to-farmer networking for 40 […] Read more
New solar panels grab light from above and below
Potential solution towards balance between crop growth and electricity generation capabilities
Reading Time: 2 minutes Electricity is a major expense for Canadian greenhouse growers. At the same time, large greenhouse facilities offer potential to produce renewable solar energy — but the challenge to date has been how to do that without impacting the growth and productivity of the crop inside. A potential solution from Ontario solar panel manufacturer Heliene is […] Read more
Opportunities exist to increase profits at the feed bunk
Feed bunk costs can vary by 10 per cent based on gross revenue
Reading Time: 4 minutes The cost of feed for lactating and dry cows ranges by approximately 10 per cent of gross milk revenue. This provides opportunity for dairy farmers to increase profitability at the feed bunk. “The balance we found was a range of 25 to 35 per cent of gross milk revenue being used to feed our lactating […] Read more
Antimicrobial monitoring project gets support
Reading Time: < 1 minute A project to monitor antimicrobial resistance in beef feedlots recently received funding. The Beef Farmers of Ontario (BFO) welcomed the investment of up to $294,314 through the Canadian Agricultural Partnership to conduct new research on the “National Surveillance of Antimicrobial Use and Antimicrobial Resistance in Ontario Feedlot Cattle”. “Collecting antimicrobial use (AMU) and antimicrobial resistance […] Read more
Robot automates hard-to-fill jobs in agriculture and turf
The RomeIO robot is being tested in many uses in agriculture where labour is scarce
Reading Time: 3 minutes A local start-up has developed a compact, rugged autonomous robot that can automate a wide range of agricultural tasks, like soil sensing, applying inputs, and harvest yield prediction for grapes. Korechi Innovations’ RoamIO features an expandable platform that is compatible with different functional attachments — similar to the DOT technology from western Canada —has a […] Read more
Opinion: Minister buying time on business risk programs
Federal deficit and provincial agreement are barriers to change
Reading Time: 2 minutes The federal government is buying time when it comes to making drastic improvements to AgriStability and other business risk management (BRM) programs. Federal Minister of Agriculture Marie-Claude Bibeau recently announced minor, cost-free tweaks to AgriStability, during the same week the public was given an updated look at Canada’s fiscal situation. The recent fiscal update shows […] Read more
Hog farmers continue to reduce antimicrobial use
Five-year study shows 57 per cent of participating farms decreased their antimicrobial use
Reading Time: 3 minutes An Ontario Pork Industry Council benchmarking study demonstrates that Ontario pork producers continue to lower antimicrobial use. The project, funded by the Canadian Agricultural Partnership Program, has been ongoing for five years, with surveys in 2014, 2016 and 2018. Why it matters: Antimicrobial use and antimicrobial resistance have become greater societal concerns, so being able […] Read more
Editorial: Convoluted solution is no solution
Reading Time: 3 minutes Tomato growers and processors need a clear solution to the marketing purgatory into which they’ve been plunged over the past couple of years. However, the province’s recent proposals fail to provide the needed stability. I’ve written numerous similar pieces over the past couple of years as the province tries to break the collective bargaining power […] Read more
