“We are living under a context embargo.” I recently heard that statement and thought it was a good way to summarize the tendency to focus on an issue at the expense of understanding the bigger picture. Unfortunately, those who try to bring attention to the bigger picture are often vilified. If you need proof of […] Read more
News
Opinion: Livestock, climate and a context embargo
Industry needs to lead the development of a balanced vision for the future
What are agrivoltaics, and can they make money?
Researchers and energy experts say better policies could help solar; 10 sites being tested in the province next year
Canada’s pastures and cropland are prime sites for the mass deployment of solar energy infrastructure, according to advocates of agrivoltaics – a term used to describe the simultaneous use of land for solar energy and food production. The use of solar panels on buildings, in pastures and in other areas of working farms is not […] Read more
See it all first hand at COFS
In-person demonstrations are a hallmark of Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show and many return for 2022
Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show is the place where agriculture equipment and technology come alive, providing an unparalleled ability to watch demonstrations and try out items that can be useful on the farm. In 2022, there will be several new demonstrations to see and experience. The skid steer ride-and-drive is returning to the show after several […] Read more
Opinion: Different approach, same goal
Like their Canadian counterparts, U.S. farmers will soon have more funding available to adopt climate-friendly production practices. But unlike Canada, the U.S. is not adding to the federal deficit to fund its climate change initiatives. It is aiming to reduce its environmental footprint and decrease its deficit at the same time in a bid to […] Read more
Managing a family legacy
Property can be protected through improved legal agreements, while accounting for emotional connections
Explaining estate decisions might be the key difference between maintaining a viable farm business and disintegration of a family legacy. In part three of this farm business planning series, Ray Riel, a farm transition and business management professional and operator of Advice Only Financial Group, reiterates two critical elements of successful succession planning: providing clear […] Read more
Evaluating soil structure
OMAFRA Field Crop Report for the week of August 15
Many Ontario soils display a similar pattern of compaction. The secondary tillage layer – usually the top 2-4 inches – is relatively loose and friable, with mostly small, rounded aggregates, especially earlier in the season before rains reconsolidate the soil. Below this layer is usually one that is significantly denser and more poorly structured. In the second […] Read more
Lessons learned from the H5N1 outbreak
Changes to disease response must be considered as climate change means the virus will continue to be a threat
Canada’s poultry sector has seen relatively minor repercussions from an ongoing global outbreak of highly pathogenic Avian Influenza (AI) but panelists at the recent Health Day hosted by the Poultry Industry Council (PIC) agreed that changes to disease response must be considered if the industry wants to avoid future harm. That’s largely because this strain […] Read more
Europe’s insect industry enters large-scale production
Sustainable insect farming to play a key role in the future of food and farming
Insects as a food source is not new in many parts of the world, but only in the last decade or so have they gained significant interest in Western countries. Europe is home to many of the world’s leading insect producers, and after about 10 years of research and development, its budding insect industry is […] Read more
Opinion: Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership delivers on dollars but falls short on climate ambition
It’s not clear how many of the federal-provincial cost-share program dollars will go toward emissions reduction programming
On July 20, federal, provincial and territorial ministers of agriculture gathered in Saskatoon to finalize a five-year multilateral agricultural policy framework (APF) that promises to have a significant impact on Ontario farmers in the future. This multi-billion-dollar framework includes several distinct programs, and when they are combined, they represent the main funding mechanism by which […] Read more
Soil quality critical to help crops weather heat stress
Science Notes: Study analyzed 30 years of data on four major crops
The capacity of soil to hold water will be critical to determine how well farms in some regions of the United States manage prolonged heat stress due to climate change, a new study suggests. The journal Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems published the finding, based on analyses of 30 years of data on four major crops — […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
