The traditional Safety Farm Days are missing from most farm communities’ calendars this year. A valued tradition, Progressive Agriculture Foundation (PAF) Farm Safety Days, in partnership with the Canadian Agricultural Safety Association (CASA), have helped hundreds of thousands of rural and farm kids learn how to stay safe while working and playing on the farm, […] Read more
Virtual Farm Safety Days allow broader reach during pandemic
Organizers optimistic 2022 will see a return to in-person programming
Opinion: Expectations should be low for UN food summit
Canadian producers won’t be able to rest on previous efforts at the upcoming United Nations’ Food Systems Summit and if current sentiments continue, they should prepare for disappointment. Planned to take place in New York this September, the summit will look to launch new strategies to deliver on the UN’s 17 development goals. In Canada, […] Read more
Grain farmers give $200,000 to new Ridgetown crop centre
Grain Farmers of Ontario has pledged $200,000 to the University of Guelph, Ridgetown Campus for its new Crop Research and Innovation Centre. “Our farmer-members have always recognized the importance of understanding new innovation and evolving best practices based on science and experience,” said Brendan Byrne, chair, Grain Farmers of Ontario. “We look forward to continued […] Read more
Planting, harvest equipment best kept separate, advisors say
Steps should be taken to prevent treated seed from contaminating harvested grain
Growers should take extra time at harvest to ensure no treated seed or treatment residue remains in augers, wagons and trucks, according to grain handlers. Otherwise, their grain could be rejected at the elevator or cause problems further up the supply chain. The opportunity for contamination is a growing concern as more acres are planted […] Read more
Opinion: Big solutions recommended for Canada’s food system
The Canadian Agri-food Policy Institute (CAPI) recently hosted the Big Solutions Forum, an event where private industry, producers and government officials discuss Canada’s food system. A theme throughout the dialogue was that a systemic approach will be necessary to achieve any meaningful impact. This prompted me to try to further understand the purpose of a […] Read more
Market for telehandlers gains ground
Merlo looks to impress producers with newer, bigger Multifarmer
Having spent a fair amount of time visiting farms in Europe, I can verify that the telehandler has become nearly as common as the regular ag tractor on farms there. Farmers, often cramped for space, value the material handling ability of these machines in everything from loading grain to stacking bales. For several years now, […] Read more
The big brake debate
Braking standards are voluntary, but as implement size increases, brakes are increasingly important
Big tractors and implements require a lot of braking power, but exactly how powerful braking systems need to be in Canada, and between countries, is not standardized. Why it matters: Braking systems and standards are not uniform. They are also largely voluntary. This can lead to liability risk in the event of an accident. Terrence […] Read more
Commodity groups split over supply management trade limit
A proposal would prevent the government from giving up any more of the market in trade negotiations
Commodity groups are split along predictable lines over a proposed law that would exclude supply managed commodities from future trade negotiations. Bill C-216 was introduced as a private member’s bill by Bloc Quebecois MP Louis Plamondon as a means of protecting supply management. If passed, federal negotiators would not be able to involve tariffs or […] Read more
Controlled drainage showcased on new demo farm
The farm near Thorndale has numerous drainage and soil health practices to see
Drainage contractors were hard at work at a farm just west of Thorndale in early June, creating a showcase tile drainage project. Numerous drainage systems and cropping best practices will be demonstrated at the farm, owned by the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA). Why it matters: Drainage is important to profitability on much of […] Read more
Male piglets less resilient to stress
When sows have significant illnesses during key stages of pregnancy, their immune response may negatively affect developing piglets, making them less productive on the farm. New research from the University of Illinois shows that when those piglets, especially males, experience a second stressor in early life, they are at higher risk of neurodevelopmental and other […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
