Ontario government looks to greenhouses in the north

The Ontario government is providing $16,500 to help the town of Rainy River conduct a greenhouse feasibility study. The study is expected to help identify the infrastructure required for a greenhouse facility, as well as assess the advantages of the greenhouse industry, such as increased variety and availability of produce, longer growing seasons, lower produce […] Read more

Political failings mean AgriStability likely won’t see changes until 2023.

Comment: Producers biggest losers of slow RMP talks

Politicians from different levels of government and party stripe continue to debate how to improve Canada’s business risk management programs – but already, producers have lost. Finger-pointing among elected officials began almost as soon as the latest round of federal-provincial-territorial agriculture minister meetings ended with no consensus on changes to business risk managements (BRM) programming […] Read more

A trout sandwich created through the Re(PURPOSE) project.

The circular meal: thinking about food differently

Farmers, restaurateurs and food producers join together to create a meal out of waste

Fish poop, bugs and beer waste aren’t the top of mind ingredients when one contemplates a gourmet meal. But they’re exactly what went into “upcycled” dinners served at three Guelph restaurants this fall as part of a pilot project to reduce food waste and encourage everyone in the food chain to change their thinking about […] Read more

Development of the Nemesis line began in 2013. It was launched to the public in 2019.

How to design a tractor, part 2

A continuing look at the development of a new Canadian-produced tractor

Glacier FarmMedia – After Buhler Industries took over the original Versatile assembly plant in Winnipeg from New Holland in 2000, tractors sporting the Versatile brand name once again appeared on the market. Although the company inherited the four-wheel drive and Genesis tractor line along with the Winnipeg factory, both lines were dated and needed upgrades. […] Read more

Mike Swidersky grazed weaned sheep on a clover cover crop which was underseeded in wheat.

Relationships crucial for farm-to-farm cover crop grazing

Neighboring farmers find mutual benefit in livestock grazing, farming arrangement

There’s opportunity for the grazing of cover crops, whether it’s livestock farmers using their own cropland and animals, or offering services to cash-cropping neighbours. That was the overarching message delivered over three successive Tuesday evening Zoom meetings, hosted through November by the Cover Crop Grazing Committee — a collaboration between OMAFRA, Beef Farmers of Ontario, […] Read more


Early results indicate lower chick mortality when hatched on the farm, as well as better average daily gain of the chicks.

On-farm hatching may benefit bird welfare

A poultry company is studying the logistics and benefits of bringing the eggs to the farm and hatching them there

Glacier FarmMedia – Hatching chicks on the farms where they are raised, rather than in a hatchery for later shipment to the farm, might improve bird welfare and performance. Groupe Westco, a New Brunswick poultry company, has undertaken research on the subject, with full results expected in 2021. Why it matters: Concerns about chick mortality […] Read more

Phosphate price hit bottom in 2020 and could rise in 2021.  Photo: iStock/Getty Images

Fertilizer price rebound delayed by COVID effects

There’s more upside in phosphate prices than in nitrogen, say fertilizer companies

Glacier FarmMedia – One of the largest manufacturers and retailers of nitrogen fertilizer products says an anticipated price rebound has been delayed. “We believe there was little growth in global demand this year due to the macroeconomic impacts of COVID-19,” Nutrien president Chuck Magro told investment analysts during a recent conference call announcing the company’s […] Read more

China had been a major buyer of Canadian soybeans, but shipments to the Asian country fell off dramatically in 2018 after Canada detained Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou at the request of the American government.  Photo: Reuters/Bryan Woolston

Canada has new top soybean buyer

Iran purchased 383,000 tonnes of soybeans from January to the end of September, worth $181 million

Glacier FarmMedia – In 10 seconds or less, name the Number One buyer of Canadian soybeans in 2020. Japan? The United States? China? The answer is Iran. Why it matters: Canada has struggled to replace soybean demand from China since it disappeared in 2019. From January to the end of September, Iran bought 383,000 tonnes […] Read more


AgScape gets boost from Libro Credit Union

AgScape’s Ontario-wide food and agriculture education program recently received a $45,000 investment from Libro Credit Union. Libro’s investment will be directed over a three-year period to fund 195 agri-food lessons for more than 4,200 southwestern Ontario students. Libro’s investment will also sup- port three AgScape interactive Career Competitions where students will have the opportunity to […] Read more

Bobcat’s new V923 also has a maximum height of 23 feet, but it has 130 h.p. and a 9,000 pound lift capacity.

Bobcat handler gives bigger reach, power

Telehandlers were once seen as a nice option on the farm. For those who have them, they are now a necessary tool

Glacier FarmMedia – Bobcat beefed up its telehandler lineup with the introduction of the V923 VersaHandler this summer. The company already offers a V519 telehandler that has 74 horsepower and can lift 5,500 pounds with a 19-foot-high maximum height, as well as a 100 h.p. V723 that can lift 7,700 lbs. and a maximum height […] Read more