A worldwide pandemic, technology and the ability to adapt on the fly have catapulted agriculture-based business into a new hybrid dimension that will likely continue. In rapid succession, the agriculture workplace landscape morphed from a hands-on, in-person machine to one of virtual meetings, touchless billing and payment systems and greater demand for accessible and reliable […] Read more
Agriculture workplaces grapple with change
Flexible hybrid work options and managing a return to face-to-face interactions top the trends
Encouragement needed for healthy soil practices
Report argues for significant investment in programs that are easy for farmers to use
Soil improvement is a keystone of Canada’s agricultural future, and fundamental to its longevity, according to the “Power of Soils” report published by the Greenbelt Foundation. Produced in partnership with a wide array of industry associations, the publication is designed to provide a comprehensive overview of Canada’s current agri-environmental policy and programming, what practices are […] Read more
‘Right to repair’ rules prove challenging
Creating legislation that enforces a right to repair has been popular around the world, but why has most legislation not passed?
Countries around the world are considering the rights of consumers and farmers to repair everything from medical equipment to phones, but few legislative bills have made it into law, including in Canada. In farm circles, “right to repair” refers to the ability to fix machinery hardware as well as software. The concept has been hotly […] Read more
Innovation competition spurs creative product development
Soy-based anti-chafing cream one of 2021’s Project SOY winners
A long-running student competition at the University of Guelph that promotes creative innovation for new product development marked its 25th anniversary at the end of March with its annual awards ceremony. The winners of Project SOY Plus 2021 included an anti-chafing cream made of soybeans, a vegan yogurt using chickpeas, and a dietary supplement infused […] Read more
Farm automation likely adopted in high-value crops first
Ontario crop service company creates agriculture robotic division
The growing number of new crop automation products coming to market are finding their first uses in high-value crops, like vegetables or grapes. Several farm robots featured at the recent AgRobotics and Automation event hosted by the RH Accelerator focused on higher-value crops instead of corn, soybeans or wheat. The interest is creating new players […] Read more
Study released on organic cost of production
There has been little information on cost of production for organic farmers
New cost of production analysis for organic crops and livestock should help farmers benchmark their operations against others in the sector. The Organic Council of Ontario (OCO) in late April published cost of production (COP) analyses for dairy, salad greens, field crops and pastured poultry, in a project funded through the federal/provincial Canadian Agricultural Partnership. […] Read more
Heterosis an overlooked way to improve less heritable cow traits
Elite animals can be best to use as crossbreds
Glacier FarmMedia – Many cow-calf operations don’t use heterosis to full advantage in their herds, according to two producers who recently discussed breeding goals. “I was always told that commercial breeders should have better cattle than any purebred breeder because they’ve been able to capitalize on heterosis,” said Lance Leachman, a cattle producer from Maidstone, […] Read more
Flaxseed can help during cow transition
Adding linseed oil to dairy cattle diets can benefit herd health, fertility and milk quality, according to studies outlined at the recent digital version of the 2021 Eurotier livestock farm show. The Hamburger Liestungfutter company’s Wisan-Lein products have been promoted for pet food use, but cattle product manager Anika Henke used Eurotier, Europe’s largest farm […] Read more
Grass management is important for successful pastures
Timing of livestock introduction play important role in limiting overgrazing
Getting the most nutrition from a dynamic rotational grazing system involves understanding and maintaining healthy and productive grasses. Why it matters: Rotational grazing can be an economical use of land and forages for some livestock farmers. Above ground, forage species are ready to be grazed when they reach three or four leaves, but below ground […] Read more
New fungicide treats sugar beets
Nufarm, in partnership with Valent Canada, recently released Excalia, a new horticulture fungicide registered for the control of scab and powdery mildew in apples and suppression of rhizoctonia crown and root rot in sugar beets. Excalia delivers locally systemic and translaminar action for complete leaf tissue uptake and distribution across the entire leaf surface. It […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
