I was sitting in the livestock pavilion at the University of Guelph’s Ridgetown Campus during the SouthWest Agricultural Conference when I first heard about yield enhancement networks and thought they were a great idea. A cross-border version of the Yield Enhancement Network (YEN) was recently announced for wheat in Ontario and Michigan. It aims to […] Read more
News — page 318
Editorial: Farmers have a YEN for more useful data
Pandemic cancels in-person Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show
Digital events occurring throughout the year and smaller in-person events are possible
Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show’s in-person trade show has been cancelled for 2021, although the company continues to roll out digital opportunities for farmers to get together and learn. The Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show team has met regularly with public health officials and the provincial government and it determined that the popular farm show could not […] Read more
Challenging their way to innovative food waste solutions
Competitions are becoming a popular way to encourage new technologies in agriculture and food
Challenge competitions are increasingly becoming popular ways to boost innovation. The idea is to harness the ideas and creativity of a broad audience of innovators, researchers and entrepreneurs in hopes of coming up with out-of-the-box solutions to tough problems. Why it matters: A “challenge” approach to research and innovation brings new perspectives and ideas to […] Read more
Healthy eating during harvest can be difficult
Planning and prepping is important to maintain good nutrition during a long harvest season
Lindsay Boere, a pork producer and cash crop farmer in Parkhill, Ont., says meal planning is especially important during the harvest season because time is in short supply. “When it’s go time, it’s go time.” Harvest can mean long hours so adequate nutrition and proper meals are needed to fuel equipment operators and other workers […] Read more
Are double crop soybeans following wheat harvest in your plans?
OMAFRA Field Crop Report for July 7
The unprecedented price of soybeans has fueled considerable interest in double cropping soybeans. As winter wheat comes off there are a number of factors that should be considered. Since half the growing season is over by mid-July double cropping soybeans in Ontario is risky and not covered by crop insurance. Double cropping has been tried numerous times with variable success. The main […] Read more
Is the veterinarian shortage real or regional?
Mentoring and partnering with farm animal practices can increase vet student confidence
There was a time when a veterinary help-wanted ad, even for a large-animal practice, would receive a healthy number of applications. Not anymore. A perceived global shortage of veterinarians is creating an urban-rural, companion-large animal bidding war for salary, incentives and work-life balance to attract applicants. Why it matters: Rural and large animal practices are […] Read more
Guelph professor studies technology to curb agricultural emissions
Curbing chemical emissions of agricultural carbon dioxide and ammonia to mitigate climate change is the goal of a University of Guelph researcher who recently received $200,000 under the New Frontiers in Research Fund. Leanne Chen, professor in the chemistry department, hopes to develop a clean technology that uses renewable electricity to convert waste chemicals into […] Read more
Online reporting for boilers, pressure vessels now live
Owners and operators of BPV equipment need to report it to TSSA
The online form for owners and operators to report existing agricultural boilers and pressure vessels (BPVs) is now available online. Owners and operators of agricultural operations should report their BPV equipment by completing the online form on TSSA’s website when agricultural BPV equipment must comply with the Technical Standards and Safety Act, 2000’s Ontario Regulation […] Read more
Ontario company buys second autonomous power unit
Haggerty AgRobotics has purchased its second OmniPower unit to provide autonomous farming operations in Ontario. “Labour shortage concerns within our local growers have really elevated the need for more automation and robotics on the farm,” said Chuck Baresich, president of Haggerty AgRobotics. Haggerty Creek Ltd., an established company delivering grain and crop input needs for […] Read more
Virtual Farm Safety Days allow broader reach during pandemic
Organizers optimistic 2022 will see a return to in-person programming
The traditional Safety Farm Days are missing from most farm communities’ calendars this year. A valued tradition, Progressive Agriculture Foundation (PAF) Farm Safety Days, in partnership with the Canadian Agricultural Safety Association (CASA), have helped hundreds of thousands of rural and farm kids learn how to stay safe while working and playing on the farm, […] Read more
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