In 2021, seven agricultural leaders will be inducted into Ontario Agricultural Hall of Fame. Their influences range from general farm organization, beef industry and industry tribunal leadership to agricultural extension, agricultural law and improvements to animal welfare, horticultural and agronomy. Stan Eby, Roger George, Herbert Norry, Delbert O’Brien, the late Terry O’Connor, Dr. Peter Sikkema […] Read more
News — page 346
Seven to be inducted into the Ontario Agricultural Hall of Fame
The inductees cover areas of agriculture including beef, food, government, crops and veterinary
Protesting farmers key to edible oil growth in India
Billions of dollars of oilseeds are imported, but there aren’t subsidies for domestic crops
Indian farmer Shingara Singh has grown grain for 35 years and is one of thousands of protesters against agricultural reforms who have the power to help slash a huge annual bill of US$10 billion for imports of vegetable oils. But Singh, 55, says he will only switch to growing oilseeds, such as rapeseed and sunflower, […] Read more
Data, today’s hottest commodity
Collecting information today can be useful for reasons that have not yet even been considered
It seems like the agriculture sector produces more data than commodities these days. Realizing the full potential of that data, however, requires more robust programming. In other words, growers need better tools to manage more aspects of crop production, while simultaneously knowing which ones require more focus. Why it matters: More refined computing could remedy […] Read more
Opinion: Farmers and food prices an uneasy fit
Blaming the price of grain for rising food costs raises the ire of farmers
The quickest way to get farmers riled is to suggest that the price of food is going up because grain prices are higher. Say it once, and watch the rosy burn creeping up their cheeks. Say it twice and look out. Within days after the 2021 version of Canada’s Food Price Report forecasted a three- […] Read more
Introspective estate planning for your farm
Focus on the people involved in farm succession, not just assets
Estate planning means knowing where financial and material assets will go after you die, but according to veteran financial strategist Chris Delaney, forgetting to prepare people to receive those assets can actually destroy long-accumulated wealth. Not accounting for one’s fears, and failing to reconcile emotion with rational action, can make things even worse. Why it […] Read more
New agricultural worker safety course launched
The Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) is launching an online training program for workers new to the agricultural sector, created in partnership with the University of Guelph — Ridgetown Campus Business Development Centre. The Ontario Agriculture Worker Safety and Awareness Certificate is geared towards helping job seekers become more familiar with on-farm safety, while making […] Read more
Travel restrictions won’t impact TFWs: federal sources
New restrictions will limit pleasure trips to the Caribbean and Mexico to April
New travel restrictions imposed on Canadians by the federal government won’t impact the arrival of temporary or seasonal foreign workers, according to sources. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced Jan. 29 that Canada’s air carriers had agreed to suspend services to sunny destinations. Flights to tropical locations, like Mexico, are being cancelled by Air Canada, West […] Read more
On-farm processing dream perseveres through adversity
Mistyglen revived plans to process milk during the pandemic, and after a tornado wrecked its barn
A venture that had been set aside “indefinitely” by a Belmont-area dairy farm several years ago received a full reconsideration during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, and as a result Mistyglen Creamery now aims to sell its first on-farm processed milk and yogurt in late 2021. Why it matters: An increase in interest […] Read more
New meat scientist joins University of Guelph faculty
Latest hire continues rejuvenation of Guelph’s Animal Biosciences department
Professor Marcio Duarte is expected to soon join the University of Guelph’s Department of Animal Biosciences as assistant professor in meat science and muscle biology. Duarte is currently an assistant professor in animal science at the Universidade Federal de Viçosa in Brazil. Beef cattle are his main focus, although he also collaborates on swine research […] Read more
New face at soil network helm
Tori Waugh has been appointed executive director of the Ontario Soil Network. Waugh, principal consultant at Conservation Ag Consulting, has helped grow the Ontario Soil Network to its current role in the sector. She was selected after a competitive process. The Ontario Soil Network has created a new strategic plan and it will be Waugh’s […] Read more
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