Walker Industries has partnered with Ontario Greenhouse Vegetable Growers (OGVG) on a project to evaluate the feasibility of collecting and recycling spent growing media from growers in the Leamington/Kingsville area. The research also involves testing Walker’s composting process to determine whether it can successfully inactivate certain viruses like the Tomato Brown Rugose Fruit Virus (ToBRFV). […] Read more
Spent greenhouse growing media diverted from landfill
Why the younger generation needs a last will and testament
Farm succession specialist Ray Riel describes the importance of estate planning for younger farmers
Mortality is universal. How people prepare for the inevitable is not. Important as estate planning is for those of more advanced age, it’s also important for a successor looking to get more involved in the family farm, particularly if a spouse and children are also in the picture. But according to Ray Riel, a farm […] Read more
New herd record-keeping technology being tested
A simple hand-held device collects on-the-go information
Glacier FarmMedia – Modern technology has provided some easy methods for keeping accurate track of cattle. Flokk is one new system for beef herd management and traceability reporting, and is currently undergoing initial testing. It’s designed for the cow-calf producer — large or small. Bill Leask, a rancher near Dog Pound and Mark Olson of […] Read more
Industry maps out agriculture labour strategy
Steering group proposes five-pillar plan to attract and retain workers with the right skills
Glacier FarmMedia – An industry steering group has released an agricultural labour strategy it hopes will lead to a comprehensive plan for a stable workforce. The critical shortage of workers in both primary agriculture and food and beverage manufacturing was well known before the COVID-19 pandemic and exacerbated over the last two years. The Canadian […] Read more
Raven releases a more robust robot
Omnipower units remain compatible with existing attachments as CNH considers further autonomous options
Glacier FarmMedia – Raven’s Omnipower agricultural robot now has more power and a better controls system. “We’ve beefed up the frame and some of the structural elements to allow that extra power to be handled by the frame. There’s a redesigned caster wheel system and we put higher flotation, higher weight capacity tires on,” said […] Read more
North American pork producers face tight labour market
U.S. packers struggling to staff up, sending hams to Mexico for processing, producers heard
Glacier FarmMedia – Labour issues for pork producers and processors in Iowa and Minnesota are just as dire as in Canada, pork producers heard during Manitoba Pork Council’s annual meeting April 6. “Currently labour is our No. 1 issue on the farm as well as in the plants,” said Kevin Rasmussen, president of the Iowa […] Read more
Critical benefits of snowpack diminish for winter wheat
Science Notes: Less snow could see a deep freeze for winter crops
University of Minnesota scientists are partnering with a global team to study the complex effects of climate change on winter crops. Warming winters may sound like a welcome change for some farmers because the change in temperature could reduce freezing stress on plants and create more ideal conditions for growing overwinter cash crops and winter […] Read more
Farm equipment dealers merge
The new North American Equipment Dealers Association is official after its four associations voted in favour of merging, which is expected to happen July 1. The joint membership consists of the Midwest-South Eastern Equipment Dealers Association, the United Equipment Dealers Association, the Western Equipment Dealers Association and the Equipment Dealers Association. The member vote was […] Read more
Are on-farm trials a fit for your operation?
Testing something on the farm isn’t the same as conducting a scientifically valid field-scale trial
Glacier FarmMedia – We’re hearing more and more about producers conducting their own on-farm trials to sharpen their management decisions. And it makes sense. Before committing to a practice, product, or variety, many growers want to see results on their own land. But on-farm trials demand time, resources, and determination. “You have to keep in […] Read more
Pandemic pivot improved the bottom line
How some farm businesses found that pandemic-related changes resulted in improved profits, processes
The COVID-19 pandemic forced many farm businesses to alter how they do business, but there is a silver lining. Having to pivot how their businesses operated brought new innovation, taught them resiliency and to have a greater appreciation for partnerships, several farm businesses told attendees at the recent Farm and Food Care Ontario annual meeting. […] Read more
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