Latest Newsletter

High fertilizer and seed costs require growers to understand the importance of nitrogen timing and placement to limit losses.
Crops

Corn growers urged to focus on profit rather than yields

Striving for the most efficient nitrogen use and planting rates is seen as wiser than pushing for ‘that last bushel or two’

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Glacier FarmMedia – Corn seed is expensive. Nitrogen is now expensive. Those facts should goad producers to take a careful look at corn planting and nitrogen rates, says a Purdue University corn specialist. “It’s managing for maximum return instead of managing for maximum yield,” said Daniel Quinn during Purdue’s January Top Farmer Conference. Why it […] Read more
The vast majority of Temporary Foreign Agriculture Workers in Ontario are double or triple vaccinated and must follow strict federal protocols.
News

Migrant workers under social microscope

A recent ban on the workers hasn’t helped with community relations, say farm representatives

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Frustration is growing for the Windsor-Essex agriculture sector as negative perceptions around migrant workers and COVID linger.  “These workers did everything that was asked of them,” said Joseph Sbrocchi, executive director and general manager of Ontario Greenhouse Vegetable Growers (OGVG).  The vast majority of Temporary Foreign Agriculture Workers (TFAWs) in Ontario are double or triple […] Read more
The funding will offer veterinarians who treat livestock in Ontario more telehealth options and enhanced virtual care service to farms.
Livestock, News

More veterinary service needed on Ontario farms

$4 million investment aims to improve on-farm veterinary visit efficiency

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Enhanced virtual care, diagnostic work and tele-medical support for Ontario livestock producers may soon be possible through the Livestock Veterinary Innovation Initiative. Up to $4 million is available to veterinarians through the Canadian Agricultural Partnership in Ontario to help give farmers better veterinary service.  Why it matters: Ontario has a shortage of veterinarians and veterinary […] Read more
News

NFAHW Council now Animal Health Canada

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The National Farmed Animal Health and Welfare Council formally changed its name to Animal Health Canada (AHC) Jan. 10. Animal Health Canada’s new vision and mission will include increased collaboration between industry and government groups, building upon the success of the NFAHW Council while shifting to a more collaborative model of governance and clarification of […] Read more
A sounder of Eurasian Wild Boar was spotted multiple times on the Pickering Federal Lands in November. They were captured by Ministry of Northern Development, Mines, Natural Resources and Forestry staff the following month.
News

Eurasian Wild Boar captured north of Pickering

Natural resources ministry believes 14 animals escaped from farms

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A sounder of Eurasian Wild Boar spotted numerous times in the Pickering Federal Lands and surrounding territory was captured and killed in early December, following a month-long pursuit by invasive species specialists from Ontario’s Ministry of Northern Development, Mines, Natural Resources and Forestry. “Our place was Operation Control Centre for (ministry staff) to finally get […] Read more
Demand for U.S. corn will keep the market strong until Brazil’s second corn crop is available for export in late May.
Markets, Markets/Business

South American soybean production may cause market volatility

Corn prices remain high due to feed demand, wheat in seasonal low

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Ontario corn prices are relatively unchanged from last month. All three pillars of corn demand are at seasonal highs. Ontario corn exports are running ahead of year-ago levels while strong energy prices support the year-over-year increase in ethanol production.  Cattle on feed inventories tend to peak during the winter. Ontario soybean crushers continue to show […] Read more
News

Editorial: Worker safety and food security a balancing act

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Will growers who rely on the labour of Temporary Foreign Agricultural Workers (TFAWs) face yet another season of uncertainty due to COVID-19 housing and quarantine rules?  It certainly looked that way in mid-January when Dr. Shanker Nesathurai, the acting Medical Officer of Health (MOH) for Windsor-Essex County Health Unit (WECHU) issued a letter stating no […] Read more
The Windsor-Essex County Health Unit (WECHU) was visiting farms last month to test TFAWs for COVID-19 despite limited testing capacity within the region.
News

Behind the short-lived Windsor-Essex foreign worker ban

Foreign agriculture workers were being tested at a much higher rate than the rest of the community, which inflated the numbers

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The Windsor-Essex County Health Unit (WECHU) rescinded its order limiting the arrival of temporary foreign agricultural workers within three days of issuance after the province stepped in to say it was unconstitutional. Dr. Shanker Nesathurai, acting Medical Officer of Health for WECHU, issued a letter of instruction Jan. 12 that paused the arrival of incoming […] Read more
Farm outlook 2022: A look ahead
Markets, News

Farm outlook 2022: A look ahead

Supply chains, crop prices and their impact on feed prompt a need to manage farm financial risk

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Will the zaniness of 2020 and 2021 be repeated in the coming year? The uncertainty of the past couple of years makes annual predications tough.  According to Farm Credit Canada’s economics team, Canada’s agriculture sector has a lot going for it despite known and yet-to-be realized challenges.  Here are some of their ag predictions for […] Read more
Winners of the first phase of the Deep Space Food Challenge are developing food and beverages that will keep astronauts fed, use few resources and leave no waste.
News

Algae, plant-growth chambers and insects could fuel future astronauts

Canadian Space Agency announces Phase 1 winners of Deep Space Food Challenge

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One of the many current limitations of long-distance space travel is how to keep the people on those missions fed.  And although we’re nowhere near a Star Trek-style replicator that can create and serve up any dish or drink on command, Canadian companies are working on some innovative solutions that could also benefit those of […] Read more

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