Compared to last year, Ontario farmers will increase soybean acres by two per cent and corn acres will be up 1.7 per cent, according to Statistics Canada. Ontario farmers are increasing row crop acres at the expense of spring wheat, oats and barley. As of May 4, about 12 per cent of the Ontario corn […] Read more
Brazil crop uncertainty boosts corn market
Commercial buyers struggle to find old crop supplies of soy
Editorial: There’s hope ahead
I recently had my COVID-19 vaccination. It was one of the best and most hopeful days I’ve had in a while. I’ve still got some time to go before the first vaccination kicks in and I’m mostly covered, and then a while to wait until a second vaccination before I’m fully covered, but it’s a […] Read more
Activists challenge Bill 156 constitutionality
Filings suggest appeal would be based on Charter rights and arrest provisions
Animal Justice and two co-applicants caused a media stir in March by submitting an application challenging the constitutionality of what they call Ontario’s “ag-gag” law. The Security from Trespass and Protecting Food Safety Act, 2020, colloquially known as Bill 156, is aimed at deterring activist disruptions of farm and food processors, and closing the gap […] Read more
Rural strength lies in ability to make quick decisions on issues
Rural politicians point to municipalities being able to pivot to do what is needed for survival
Necessity is the mother of invention and rural Canada knows about both necessity and invention, a group of rural panelists agree. It has to be agile and innovative to get things done. Why it matters: Rural municipalities are often left to figure out what’s best, with fewer resources than cities. “Rural municipalities have this great […] Read more
John Deere refreshes its 9 tractor series
More power and a heavier chassis coming for Deere’s flagship line
Glacier FarmMedia – More power, more weight, more cab space and more technology. That sums up what John Deere has in store for model year 2022, 9 series tractors. And the more power part now pushes the largest articulated 9R and 9RX models to the pole position in the industry’s horsepower race. The model numbering […] Read more
Testing delays prevent TFWs from getting to work
Lost tests and longer-than expected results create farmer and worker stress
[UPDATED: May 13, 2021] The road to getting Temporary Foreign Workers from their flight to the field is fraught with COVID-19 challenges this season. Workers arriving at Pearson International Airport are offered a COVID-19 vaccine and receive the first of a two-step remote COVID-19 swab test. Why it matters: Producers depend on temporary foreign workers […] Read more
Vaccinations come to Ontario farm country
The local health unit interpretation of provincial guidelines determines local access
The agriculture sector isn’t needling the province to organize vaccine clinics for workers. Many employers are stepping up to make sure it gets done. Agriculture sector workers, including those in processing, temporary foreign workers (TFWs) and those in food production, including farmers, were eligible for Phase Two pre-registration in early March. By mid-April, many still […] Read more
Instant expert access allows better decisions on the farm
AGVisorPRO brings diverse expertise in agriculture into one app
There are many experts in the agriculture sector with valuable input and advice to share, but making the connection when and where it’s needed is often difficult. For Patrick Walther and Robert Saik, the solution is a virtual platform to bring farmers and agribusiness professionals together in real-time. The two co-founded AGvisorPRO last year in […] Read more
Bolstering the food system is about people, regulations
Managing risk has taken on new meaning during the pandemic
Farm sector representatives say greater investment in public outreach and improved risk management programs are needed to propel the sector beyond the pandemic. Industry representatives who were part of the launch of the Ontario Chamber of Commerce’s (OCC) report on the province’s food system and COVID-19, also mentioned more agriculture-oriented education opportunities for young adults […] Read more
Opinion: Officials should follow advice of migrant advocates
Glacier FarmMedia – Reports of vaccinations for seasonal farm employees and workers at processing plants are encouraging, but more attention must be paid to the needs of international farm workers. Despite federal government failure to adopt more assertive measures dictating when these essential workers will receive their shots, many provinces are starting to report COVID-19 […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
