Glacier FarmMedia – The Do More Agriculture Foundation is participating in a national fundraiser called Maple (Re)Leaf. It has partnered with 18 organizations across Canada and the proceeds go to the organization of the donor’s choosing. Adelle Stewart, executive director of Do More Ag, said its funds will go toward a national support line for […] Read more
Do More Ag works with national fundraiser project
Proceeds will go to a national support line for farmers
Two Ontario farms to test automated mushroom harvesting system
Creating a system that can select the right mushrooms without bruising is the challenge
The vision of an automated harvesting system for the mushroom industry recently took a significant step closer to becoming a reality. The federal government, through its national supercluster for advanced manufacturing, Next Generation Manufacturing Canada (NGen), announced almost $4.2 million in funding to improve the mushroom harvesting system that Putnam,Ont.-based Mycionics Inc. has been developing. […] Read more
Cargill fiscal 2021 revenue rises to US$134.4 billion
Reuters – Global commodities trader Cargill Inc. has reported a 17 per cent rise in revenue in fiscal year 2021, the latest company to benefit from high prices for agricultural goods. Privately held Cargill halted public reporting of most of its quarterly and annual financial data last year. It said in an annual report fiscal […] Read more
China targets sow herd at about 43 million head until 2025
Reuters – China aims to maintain its breeding sow herd at about 43 million head during the period to 2025, the government said in early August, as it looks to put herd production on a firm footing since numbers were decimated by African swine fever. Following the onslaught of the disease first detected in China […] Read more
Soil health plan works best with gradual gains
Soil experts recommend starting small for bigger long-term results
Improving overall soil health takes time – a long time. But for Kelsey Banks, crop representative and agronomist with Embrun Co-op, making gains doesn’t require immediate drastic action. Many growers opt for conventional tillage in Banks’ area of Eastern Ontario for various reasons but mostly because it’s an effective, tried-and-true approach. Why it matters: Better […] Read more
Funding has ‘bin’ a win for Ontario Tender Fruit Growers
Growers have a bumper year despite snowy start
Ontario tender fruit growers have a bin full of wins this year with a bumper crop, accelerated harvest and extended government funding. On July 29, the Ontario government announced a three-year funding extension of $867,484 to buy branded display bins for Ontario Tender Fruit Growers. Why it matters: The tender fruit farmgate value for fresh […] Read more
Opinion: Questions abound in farming’s future
Painful though it might be, would an industry shake-up be good for Ontario agriculture in the long term?
Running a business is inherently risky. But as the cost of growing a farm business rises higher, does the sector understand its vulnerability to sudden change or who will win and lose from it? For those trying to break into or grow small farm businesses, what series of events could occur to level the financial […] Read more
More flexibility urged for next ag policy round
Former assistant deputy agriculture minister says farm programs must be designed differently because world has changed
Glacier FarmMedia – Rising east-west tensions could erode the foundation of Canada’s agricultural policy framework even as governments negotiate the next one, says a former federal civil servant. Douglas Hedley, in a paper commissioned by the Canadian Agri-Food Policy Institute, said the stability established through common policies 20 years ago is now shaky. He helped […] Read more
Good soybean canopies lead to more mould
High moisture before crop flowering brought more white mould to parts of the province
Ontario is sporting some good-looking soybean fields this year but ideal environmental conditions before and at flowering mean many lush canopies are hiding white mould. As described in a July 16 Field Crop News article, Horst Bohner, soybean specialist for the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, said high humidity, high soil moisture […] Read more
Ontario ag minister Thompson steps into new role
Focus on growing efficiencies, market share and innovation top new ag minister’s to-do list
Lisa Thompson has a quick, warm smile and a penchant for direct eye contact when engaging in conversation. Her open nature can momentarily eclipse her razor-sharp observational skills and the wealth of knowledge she brings to the table as a farmer, businessperson and politician. “I think the foundation to addressing any situation, whether it’s good […] Read more
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