I’ve been writing the Farmtario market column for some time and have enjoyed the feedback from farmers and industry representatives. Every year has a specific set of challenges. No two years are the same, although we often compare weather to a specific year in the past. This is the main factor that makes commodity analysis […] Read more
Markets education started at the farm
A global lens on crops is critical for profitable marketing decisions
Researchers expand tillage options related to dry beans
There are few weed control options for dry bean in conservation tillage
More than half of the dry bean trials at the Centralia Research Station are now done using strip tillage equipment. “We want to go strip till, because that’s what we’re evaluating it for, growers who want to go strip till or minimum till. We want to be closest to the practices that growers are using […] Read more
OFA elections mark end of era for retiring directors
They reflect on their tenure and the essential nature of member involvement
Keith Currie is no shrinking violet and although he is stepping back from the Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA), his advocacy for agriculture will continue. During his tenure as an OFA board member and president, Currie said he made it a personal mission to bring the agricultural lens to every committee, political and board table […] Read more
Opinion: Tiny nanoparticles poised for huge impact
Companies are emerging to give farmers more precise management of crops and livestock
Science is about big ideas that change the world. But sometimes, big impacts come from the tiniest of objects. Nanotechnology might sound like science fiction, but it represents technologies that have been developed for decades. Nanotechnological approaches have found real-world applications in a wide range of areas, from composite materials in textiles to agriculture. Agriculture […] Read more
Canadian food security doesn’t look like it does in other countries
Accessibility to food is one thing — but resilience in production and processing is another
As some countries stockpile agricultural products, Canada continues to ship them out despite feed affordability concerns in parts of the country. Would investments in a stockpiled grain supply have helped what appears to be a developing food production crisis? As a leading exporter, however, the question for Canada should be different. A true food security […] Read more
Editorial: Local counts during election campaigns
An uninspiring election could be an opportunity for agriculture inroads
The federal election has been a bit of a snoozer so far, with no defining issues and little widespread attachment to any of the parties and leaders. Movement in the polls started in late August with a hint that in the absence of any defining reason to call an election, the electorate questioned the prime […] Read more
Dairy producers should get to know beef breeding tools
Profitability of cross-bred calves can be enhanced with available genetic tools
A term that might sound to some like scientific jargon – “expected progeny differences” (EPDs) – could become more well-known to Ontario’s dairy farmers as they pursue the breeding of a portion of their herds to beef genetics. That’s if they follow the advice of Brad Gilchrist, beef marketing and product specialist with the Semex […] Read more
New dairy, crop events coming to farm show site
Outdoor Dairy Days, Crop Stop in-person events an opportunity for networking and learning
When Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show was cancelled for the second year, it was obvious that a large event with 30,000 people would be very hard to run during the pandemic. However, as more people were vaccinated and case numbers dropped, the Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show team, in conversation with leading industry groups, decided there was […] Read more
Province said to lack foresight in land development policy
Ag group says more proactive strategies are needed to stem farmland loss
Some members of Ontario’s agricultural and conservation communities do not think the provincial government is taking urban sprawl seriously enough. They say current provincial land development policy is detrimental to farmland, natural heritage and Ontario’s future. On the farm side, the rate at which land is being lost to housing and other developments is due […] Read more
Farmers should push ag agenda at local level: CFA
Provincial ag organizations provide online tool kits to supply background on issues
Many battles are won and lost before waging war, and so it goes on the election trail. Having local candidates and party leaders hear concerns during the campaign is the first step toward having them heard by caucus. Why it matters: Agricultural issues raised during an election campaign provide a road map to winning candidates […] Read more
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