Researchers have found more healthier piglets in a system which allows the piglets to roam and choose which sow they want to nurse.

Hog trends and innovations

Researchers are challenging some long-held assumptions of pig management

This looks like it will be a good summer to be a hog farmer, as an unexpected drop in sows in the United States is driving up hog prices. Other commodities have been rising in value over the past eight months and it looks like hog farmers will get some of that momentum. Why it […] Read more

Sixty-five per cent of consumers say their behaviours and preferences for shopping and services like grocery have changed.

Shifting consumer expectations could be a challenge post-COVID

The pandemic hit the fast-forward button on trends already in progress

The pandemic ushered in technological, social and economic change for most Canadians, but did it change trends? “(It’s) simply an acceleration of trends we were already seeing, it’s not going to fundamentally transform our world,” said David Coletto, Abacus Data CEO at the annual meeting of Farm and Food Care Ontario. “But, perhaps, fast-forward us […] Read more

The federal government is willing to unlock $45 million to increase compensation rates to farmers, so long as the provinces agree to collectively contribute $30 million.

Opinion: The feds came with cash for AgriStability, but Prairie provinces are holdouts

Provinces expressing disappointment with the federal government for not putting its share of AgriStability funding on the table are being disingenuous and failing to take their share of responsibility for reform talks that failed largely due to their tight pockets. The AgriStability saga between Prairie provinces and the federal government continues, despite the two sides […] Read more

Just let them be cows

Just let them be cows

Cow comfort has evolved to include natural behaviours

Less time standing on concrete, less time in headlock gates, less stress and more time expressing natural instincts are the modern-day keys to what is an evolving understanding of cow comfort for dairy cattle. “Let them eat without stress, let them rest without stress, and let them calve without stress,” said world-recognized cow behaviour specialist […] Read more

Nitrogen application innovation wins award

Nitrogen application innovation wins award

David and Roger Buurma’s ingenuity in developing a low-cost solution for side-dressing nitrogen in corn has won them the 2021 Don Hill Legacy Award. The Lambton County grain farmers have developed an easy-to-use rubber hose dropping system that enables efficient, accurate nitrogen delivery into a taller corn canopy using the 120-foot boom on their self-propelled […] Read more


COVID-19 PPE supplies challenge farms

COVID-19 PPE supplies challenge farms

OFA survey shows some farmers concerned about PPE availability

A recent Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) survey showed some farmers and farm businesses are struggling to acquire personal protective equipment (PPE) to meet COVID-19 safety protocols.  The OFA’s small-scale Agricultural Personal Protective Equipment Survey (APPES) of 498 members showed 16 per cent of respondents were concerned a lack of PPE would see them closing […] Read more

Snobelen Farms celebrates 50 years

Snobelen Farms is celebrating its 50th anniversary throughout 2021.  In 1971, Mike and Judy Snobelen started the business with two grain bins on their home farm near Ripley, Ont. The business now operates eight elevator locations across southwestern Ontario and employs about 60 full-time employees.  Snobelen Farms remains an independent, family-owned company specializing in the […] Read more

Soybean stocks in Ontario are expected to be low by the end of this growing season.

Ontario corn, soybeans hit highs, wheat slides

Markets are now focusing on upcoming North American production

Ontario corn and soybean prices made fresh 52-week highs in early April while elevator wheat bids have dropped 40 cents per bushel from the February peak.  Quick look Soybeans: Ontario soybean production is expected to be up in 2021 versus 2020.Corn: Crude oil’s increase is helping to underpin corn price.Wheat: Timely rains will be needed […] Read more



A rendering of what a new pork research barn at the University of Guelph’s Elora Research Station could look like.

Pork research barn nears building stage

Ontario Pork board approves funds to add five observation rooms to design

Construction of the new Ontario Swine Research Centre (OSRC) is about to begin. “This is another major step forward in our industry’s commitment to innovation,” said John de Bruyn, Ontario Pork’s new chair at the organization’s annual meeting.  “Investment in this new research facility will help maintain the competitiveness of our Ontario pork industry.” Why […] Read more