Canadian producers won’t be able to rest on previous efforts at the upcoming United Nations’ Food Systems Summit and if current sentiments continue, they should prepare for disappointment. Planned to take place in New York this September, the summit will look to launch new strategies to deliver on the UN’s 17 development goals. In Canada, […] Read more
News — page 319
Opinion: Expectations should be low for UN food summit
Ontario plowing competition cancelled
International Plowing Match and Rural Expo was also cancelled in 2020
For the second year in a row, the directors of the Ontario Plowmen’s Association have made the decision to cancel the International Plowing Match and Rural Expo (IPM). Having been postponed until October 2021, plans were well underway to hold the IPM at the Lindsay Exhibition Grounds and neighbouring farms. In spite of the current decline […] Read more
Grain farmers give $200,000 to new Ridgetown crop centre
Grain Farmers of Ontario has pledged $200,000 to the University of Guelph, Ridgetown Campus for its new Crop Research and Innovation Centre. “Our farmer-members have always recognized the importance of understanding new innovation and evolving best practices based on science and experience,” said Brendan Byrne, chair, Grain Farmers of Ontario. “We look forward to continued […] Read more
Opinion: Big solutions recommended for Canada’s food system
The Canadian Agri-food Policy Institute (CAPI) recently hosted the Big Solutions Forum, an event where private industry, producers and government officials discuss Canada’s food system. A theme throughout the dialogue was that a systemic approach will be necessary to achieve any meaningful impact. This prompted me to try to further understand the purpose of a […] Read more
Market for telehandlers gains ground
Merlo looks to impress producers with newer, bigger Multifarmer
Having spent a fair amount of time visiting farms in Europe, I can verify that the telehandler has become nearly as common as the regular ag tractor on farms there. Farmers, often cramped for space, value the material handling ability of these machines in everything from loading grain to stacking bales. For several years now, […] Read more
The big brake debate
Braking standards are voluntary, but as implement size increases, brakes are increasingly important
Big tractors and implements require a lot of braking power, but exactly how powerful braking systems need to be in Canada, and between countries, is not standardized. Why it matters: Braking systems and standards are not uniform. They are also largely voluntary. This can lead to liability risk in the event of an accident. Terrence […] Read more
Commodity groups split over supply management trade limit
A proposal would prevent the government from giving up any more of the market in trade negotiations
Commodity groups are split along predictable lines over a proposed law that would exclude supply managed commodities from future trade negotiations. Bill C-216 was introduced as a private member’s bill by Bloc Quebecois MP Louis Plamondon as a means of protecting supply management. If passed, federal negotiators would not be able to involve tariffs or […] Read more
Farm debt under control, but watch for higher interest rates
The potential for higher interest rates is the darkest cloud shading recent news that farm debt in Canada recorded the smallest increase in six years, according to Farm Credit Canada’s (FCC) chief economist. Statistics Canada data showed outstanding Canadian farm debt increased by 5.9 per cent to $121.9 billion as producers invested in land, buildings and equipment. […] Read more
Editorial: The thorny issue of people on your land
There are more people roaming around rural Ontario during the pandemic and that’s increased concerns about trespassing and trash that finds its way onto farms. We live on a corner property and one of the side roads that runs along our farm is a no-winter-maintenance road. Early in the pandemic it became a magnet for […] Read more
Experiential learning program plants SEEDS of on-farm knowledge
Organizers hope to launch a science-based program in September Three sets of eyes widen as a brown egg drops from a hen and rolls to a stop next to two others in the laying box. Amid excited squeals, one girl gingerly reaches forward and, after a few false starts, snatches the fresh egg from under […] Read more
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