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News — page 330

COVID-19 PPE supplies challenge farms
News

COVID-19 PPE supplies challenge farms

OFA survey shows some farmers concerned about PPE availability

By
A recent Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) survey showed some farmers and farm businesses are struggling to acquire personal protective equipment (PPE) to meet COVID-19 safety protocols.  The OFA’s small-scale Agricultural Personal Protective Equipment Survey (APPES) of 498 members showed 16 per cent of respondents were concerned a lack of PPE would see them closing […] Read more
News

Snobelen Farms celebrates 50 years

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Snobelen Farms is celebrating its 50th anniversary throughout 2021.  In 1971, Mike and Judy Snobelen started the business with two grain bins on their home farm near Ripley, Ont. The business now operates eight elevator locations across southwestern Ontario and employs about 60 full-time employees.  Snobelen Farms remains an independent, family-owned company specializing in the […] Read more
A rendering of what a new pork research barn at the University of Guelph’s Elora Research Station could look like.
Livestock, News

Pork research barn nears building stage

Ontario Pork board approves funds to add five observation rooms to design

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Construction of the new Ontario Swine Research Centre (OSRC) is about to begin. “This is another major step forward in our industry’s commitment to innovation,” said John de Bruyn, Ontario Pork’s new chair at the organization’s annual meeting.  “Investment in this new research facility will help maintain the competitiveness of our Ontario pork industry.” Why […] Read more
Marc Bercier with his ALUS award at his farm.
News

Award-winner values relationships in land preservation

La Ferme Agribec recognized by ALUS Canada for work creating natural areas on farms

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Improving the environment or building farming’s reputation among consumers might be possible incentives for getting involved with farmland conservation efforts, but for St-Isidore’s Marc Bercier it’s relationships. Bercier was the winner of this year’s $10,000 Dave Reid Award from Alternative Land Use Services (ALUS) Canada. He’s been involved in ALUS projects for eight years. Why […] Read more
Pandemic-driven demand for materials is making farm projects expensive.
News

Input costs escalate

Pandemic-driven demand for materials make farm projects expensive

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From fertilizer to steel, agricultural input costs are rising. The only certainty, say some analysts, is the great number of factors in play make forecasting prices a challenge.  Why it matters: Farmers need to play far ahead in purchasing inputs and planning purchases and expansion, and volatile, rapidly rising prices can make for more expensive […] Read more
Sandi Brock in her sheep barn.
News

Brock and Nairn named 2021 Food and Farming Champions

Farmer and OFA rep lauded for their communication about agriculture with the public

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Updated Farm and Food Care Ontario (FFCO) recognized Sandi Brock and Paul Nairn as its 2021 Food and Farming Champions. “This is truly an honour. To be nominated by peers is truly amazing and I, for once in my life, I’m a bit speechless,” said Brock. Why it matters: Farm and Food Care’s annual award […] Read more
Dairy cattle carbon efficiency has improved greatly.
News

Why profitable farms can produce less carbon

Livestock efficiency gains result in more production from fewer animals, which produce less carbon along the way

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Increasing production efficiency and profitability are two of many ways the livestock industry can help mitigate climate change, according to a University of Guelph expert on the topic. Dr. Claudia Wagner-Riddle of the School of Environmental Science was the presenter at the latest webinar in the Horizon series developed by the Livestock Research Innovation Corporation […] Read more
Animal activists claiming a win as criminal case acquitted
News

Animal activists claiming a win as criminal case acquitted

Charge stemmed from breaking and entering a fur-bearing animal pen in Frontenac Township

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Animal activist Malcolm Klimowicz celebrated his criminal charge acquittal with a triumphant almost 18-minute video on Facebook.  “The fur industry has attempted to punish me for publicizing the rampant animal cruelty I witnessed inside their facilities but now their baseless accusations and plans to make an example of me has backfired,” said Klimowicz.  “The judge’s […] Read more
Cargill’s London facility processes 100,000 chickens daily.
News

COVID outbreak closes Cargill chicken processing plant

Eighty-two workers test positive, all employees encouraged to get tested

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The Cargill chicken processing facility in London abruptly ceased production on April 13 after 82 workers tested positive for COVID-19.  The number of COVID-19 positives at the Cuddy Boulevard facility marks a steep increase from the nine reported by the Middlesex-London Health Unit the week before.  “Our focus is on continuing to keep our employees […] Read more

Cyber-Savvy Farmer

Glacier Farmmedia Podcast