Veterinarians are often the first line of defence to prevent and mitigate animal diseases or foreign animal disease outbreaks. However, the increased number of veterinarians and graduates who migrate to companion animal practices could leave food animal practices in a precarious position when it comes to protecting the food supply. Why it matters: Ongoing animal […] Read more
Dwindling large-animal veterinary access heightens food supply risk
Editorial: Farmers have a YEN for more useful data
I was sitting in the livestock pavilion at the University of Guelph’s Ridgetown Campus during the SouthWest Agricultural Conference when I first heard about yield enhancement networks and thought they were a great idea. A cross-border version of the Yield Enhancement Network (YEN) was recently announced for wheat in Ontario and Michigan. It aims to […] Read more
Corn, soybean, wheat basis holds firm
Demand for old crop soybeans coming in below expectations
Statistics Canada’s June acreage survey held no surprises. Corn, soybean and wheat acreage was similar to March data. There was some yield drag on corn and soybeans in the dryer regions of Ontario but crops have held up well. Basis levels remain firm due to tight old crop stocks and uncertain new crop production. Quick […] Read more
Challenging their way to innovative food waste solutions
Competitions are becoming a popular way to encourage new technologies in agriculture and food
Challenge competitions are increasingly becoming popular ways to boost innovation. The idea is to harness the ideas and creativity of a broad audience of innovators, researchers and entrepreneurs in hopes of coming up with out-of-the-box solutions to tough problems. Why it matters: A “challenge” approach to research and innovation brings new perspectives and ideas to […] Read more
Study sheds light on how chickens adjust to the dark
Research shows birds anticipate darkness and eat accordingly to maintain feedstuffs throughout the gastrointestinal tract
Glacier FarmMedia – Broiler chickens learn when their barns will go dark and adjust their feeding patterns so they have feed in their systems throughout that time, research at the University of Saskatchewan has found. This leads to better feed efficiency, reduced mortality and heavier market weights. Why it matters: Contrary to popular belief, longer […] Read more
Healthy eating during harvest can be difficult
Planning and prepping is important to maintain good nutrition during a long harvest season
Lindsay Boere, a pork producer and cash crop farmer in Parkhill, Ont., says meal planning is especially important during the harvest season because time is in short supply. “When it’s go time, it’s go time.” Harvest can mean long hours so adequate nutrition and proper meals are needed to fuel equipment operators and other workers […] Read more
Is the veterinarian shortage real or regional?
Mentoring and partnering with farm animal practices can increase vet student confidence
There was a time when a veterinary help-wanted ad, even for a large-animal practice, would receive a healthy number of applications. Not anymore. A perceived global shortage of veterinarians is creating an urban-rural, companion-large animal bidding war for salary, incentives and work-life balance to attract applicants. Why it matters: Rural and large animal practices are […] Read more
Krone baler gets belted build
Bales can be formed under more conditions in the new Krone baler
Glacier FarmMedia – Chains and slats were standard in round balers decades ago, but most manufacturers shifted to continuous belts. Germany’s Krone held out against that move, citing the reliability of chain systems to form a bale under nearly any forage harvesting conditions and the reliability of the all-metal design. The company will continue to […] Read more
Guelph professor studies technology to curb agricultural emissions
Curbing chemical emissions of agricultural carbon dioxide and ammonia to mitigate climate change is the goal of a University of Guelph researcher who recently received $200,000 under the New Frontiers in Research Fund. Leanne Chen, professor in the chemistry department, hopes to develop a clean technology that uses renewable electricity to convert waste chemicals into […] Read more
Ontario company buys second autonomous power unit
Haggerty AgRobotics has purchased its second OmniPower unit to provide autonomous farming operations in Ontario. “Labour shortage concerns within our local growers have really elevated the need for more automation and robotics on the farm,” said Chuck Baresich, president of Haggerty AgRobotics. Haggerty Creek Ltd., an established company delivering grain and crop input needs for […] Read more
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