Professor Marcio Duarte is expected to soon join the University of Guelph’s Department of Animal Biosciences as assistant professor in meat science and muscle biology. Duarte is currently an assistant professor in animal science at the Universidade Federal de Viçosa in Brazil. Beef cattle are his main focus, although he also collaborates on swine research […] Read more
New meat scientist joins University of Guelph faculty
Latest hire continues rejuvenation of Guelph’s Animal Biosciences department
New face at soil network helm
Tori Waugh has been appointed executive director of the Ontario Soil Network. Waugh, principal consultant at Conservation Ag Consulting, has helped grow the Ontario Soil Network to its current role in the sector. She was selected after a competitive process. The Ontario Soil Network has created a new strategic plan and it will be Waugh’s […] Read more
Sherk re-elected Dairy Farmers chair
Lactanet appointed as quality assurance validator
Dairy Farmers of Ontario has signed on Lactanet as the independent validator of the proAction quality assurance program in the province. DFO had been using its own customer service people to validate the program, but there was concern that would be seen as not independent enough for validation of a quality assurance program. Indeed, in […] Read more
Goat code open for public comment
The Draft Goat Code of Practice is now open for public comment ahead of a Feb. 22 deadline. “Whether you have a small herd or a large herd, the impact of the revised Goat Code of Practice on your farm will be the same,” stated Ontario Goat President Dirk Boogerd. “It is important for goat […] Read more
Let nature direct ecosystem health
Researcher says agriculture needs to learn from how water, soil function in nature
I have learned more from observing Nature than by trying to change it,” said Dwayne Beck. Beck, the research manager at Dakota Lakes Research Farm (DLRF) in Pierre, South Dakota, spoke at the Canadian Forage and Grassland Association conference. Why it matters: Learning how to manage for better soil health is critical for future generations […] Read more
‘Dr. Tim’ to continue advocating for farm causes
Tim Henshaw is known for veterinary work over 40 years, but also his social media presence
Dr. Tim Henshaw worked his final day on the farm on New Year’s Eve, but the EastGen veterinarian will continue contributing to the dairy sector during semi-retirement. The veterinarian for the cattle genetics company says he has examined more than 1.1 million animals and met “a lot of new friends… and a few enemies” in […] Read more
OFA increases leadership program contribution
The Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) contributed an extra $10,000 to the current class of the Advanced Agricultural Leadership Program (AALP). The money raised will offset costs of additional COVID-19 related travel requirements for more social distancing and re-planning of AALP Class 18’s international study tour. A foundational partner of the Advanced Agricultural Leadership program, […] Read more
Letters: European equipment imports happen for a reason
Dear editor, I have read the story in Farmtario quoting Bev Leavitt, head of CEEDA, Canada East Equipment Dealers Association, crying wolf about farmers buying agricultural machinery from Europe. Maybe it would be good to consider the reasons why this is happening. First of all, this is far from being a common practice. Between the […] Read more
Ridgetown grad’s gap year takes winding farm road
Abbey Taylor worked at various farm jobs while crossing Canada
Belmont-area Ridgetown College grad Abbey Taylor recently returned from several months working her way from farm to farm across Canada, learning about a wide range of products and production strategies. She was inspired, in part, by a podcast created for the Canadian Gap Year Association. Taylor most recently returned to Ontario after leaving a position […] Read more
What to look for in a new sprayer
Consider good cleaning, easy filling, the right boom — and ignore colour
Sprayers are expensive, absurdly so, according to Tom Wolf, Saskatoon-based spray application specialist. In an Ontario Agricultural Conference seminar with Jason Deveau, application specialist for the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, Wolf gave his recommendations on what characteristics buyers might want to prioritize before signing on the dotted line. A few wishlist […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
