Almost any agricultural professional knows that a day off (or two or three) can be an impossible dream. But those living near Brighton, Ont., can turn to Meaghan Herrington and her summer business Early Morning Relief Milking and Farm Services. The East Northumberland Secondary School student offers such services as cow clipping, barn cleaning, relief […] Read more
News — page 2
Farm-sitter finds a summer job giving farmers a break
Young farm entrepreneur Meaghan Herrington starts a business taking care of farm chores
Opinion: Agriculture is finally at the immigration table
Recent pilot program is a large step to making immigration work for agriculture
Farmers and farm workers feel we finally have a seat at the Canadian immigration table with the recent Agri-Food Immigration Pilot project announced in July. At last we can say agriculture is part of Canada’s official immigration plan, with the new immigration pilot allowing 2,750 federal immigration spots. Farm workers and butchers of all skill […] Read more
The challenges of upgrading a farm for modern production
A Grey County producer transformed a stony farm with many fields
Adrian Op’t Hoog knew he was taking on a challenge when he bought about 200 acres that had been in cow-calf production for generations. There were 16 different fields and pastures, many separated by stone fences, piled up over years from the rocky ground near Feversham. Two years in, the soil is covered and the […] Read more
Young farmers jump into direct marketing with on-farm stores
Ontario producers see the benefit of events and local food networks, and their hard work is paying off
Some young farmers are making direct-to-consumer sales an important part of their farm business plan. They’re using creative thinking on events and bringing new skills to the expansion of their businesses. Why it matters: Direct to consumer marketing can be an effective way for farmers to get more of the food dollar. But they have […] Read more
Editorial: Selling the story of food to reach consumers
There are several forces driving change in the way consumers act, and food companies and farmers need to make sure they’re ahead of them. At this point they are not, and are stuck in traditional boxes that are constraining to growth. The world is connecting via digital and social media into like-minded cabals. For whatever […] Read more
Dairy research cluster gets continued federal funding
The third round of the funding will help to continue dairy research projects across the country
Canada’s agriculture minister attended the annual meeting of Dairy Farmers of Canada and brought with her a large funding announcement. Marie-Claude Bibeau committed the federal government to funding the third round of the Dairy Research Cluster, which brings together researchers across the country in dairy-farmer-directed research to increase efficiency for dairy farmers and improve the […] Read more
Canada, EU agree to zoning rules on African swine fever
Zoning principles were already in place through CETA, and what will change is unclear
Glacier FarmMedia – Canada and Europe have agreed to new zoning arrangements in case African swine fever is discovered in Canada, but it’s not clear what will actually change. Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Marie-Claude Bibeau made the announcement in early July. The agreement would allow for safe trade of swine products from disease-free zones […] Read more
Increasing enforcement coming for farm vehicles using Ontario roads
Farm vehicles haven’t always had the same level of enforcement as other industries
Farmers are paying more fines and will need to be more vigilant about their vehicle identification and safety in the future. That’s according to a long-time supplier of lighting and observer of agriculture and road trends. Mike Stewart, of IXL Canada is helping Country Air in Moorefield with its increasing customers looking for new lighting […] Read more
Crop pest insects descend on Ontario fields
Ontario Field Crop Report for the week of August 5
Western bean cutworm (WBC) Peak moth flight is likely taking place this week for many regions of Ontario, putting both corn and dry beans at risk. WBC moths prefer pre-tassel to full tassel corn to lay eggs in so scout these fields first. If corn has passed these stages in the immediate area, moths will choose […] Read more
New Canadian research finds 168 new milk compounds
Glacier FarmMedia – Researchers have created what they call an encyclopedia of milk, launching a new database that uncovers more than 2,000 compounds in the popular beverage. The University of Alberta project, which was recently completed, took nearly five years of work after researchers combed through data and uncovered new compounds. “It was a tremendous […] Read more
