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

Hog trends and innovations
Researchers are challenging some long-held assumptions of pig management

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

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
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
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
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

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

Opinion: Following science, not ideology, critical in carbon debate
The march to some sort of agricultural carbon economy is on and it’s integral that we get it right if we go down this road. Policy can’t be driven by politics and ideology. Unfortunately, the science of carbon sequestration continues to be fuzzy, which leaves open the opportunity for opinion to guide the policy. There […] Read more

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