A single and apparently isolated case of another influenza variant normally seen in hogs has turned up in a Manitoba resident, the province announced Monday. Manitoba Public Health on Monday said the H3N2 influenza variant (H3N2v) seen in this case is related to flu viruses that circulate in pigs, noting that while such viruses don’t […] Read more
Tag Archives COVID-19 — page 17
Another swine flu variant case appears in Manitoba
Variant of H3N2 confirmed in southern Manitoba resident
Farm workers qualify for Alberta’s ‘critical worker’ benefit
Employers can apply starting Tuesday
Alberta has expanded the pool of workers eligible for its pandemic-related Critical Worker Benefit to include farm workers starting Tuesday (June 22). The province announced Tuesday that eligibility for the $1,200 payments would expand to more categories of workers who “provided critical services to Albertans, were essential to the supply and movement of goods, and […] Read more
B.C. again waives ag income threshold for farm properties
Some farms otherwise risked property tax reclassification
British Columbia farmers who’ve taken pandemic-induced losses in farm income will be able to keep their farm properties classified as such for another tax year. The province on Monday announced that for the second year running, it will waive the minimum farm income thresholds normally required for B.C. properties to be classified as farms for […] Read more
Businesses, U.S. legislators fume as Canada extends travel ban
Trudeau stands firm on ban's extension
Ottawa | Reuters — Canada is extending a ban on nonessential travel with the United States and the rest of the world until July 21, officials said on Friday, prompting frustration from businesses and U.S. legislators. Canada is under pressure from companies and the tourism industry to ease the ban, which was imposed in March […] Read more
Canada taking first step toward lifting border restrictions
U.S. border restrictions still in place until at least June 21
Ottawa | Reuters — Canada on Wednesday took a cautious first step toward easing COVID-19 border restrictions, saying it was prepared to relax quarantine protocols for fully vaccinated citizens returning home starting in early July. Canada’s air and land borders have allowed for only essential travel since March of last year, and Canadians coming home […] Read more
EastGen announces virtual event for beef and dairy youth
EastGen has created the EastGen Youth Ag-Stravaganza for beef and dairy youth in Ontario and the Maritimes. The event replaces the four traditional youth events EastGen normally has each summer that cannot be safely held this year due to COVID-19 restrictions. The virtual event for beef and dairy 4-Hers is slated to be held July […] Read more
Opinion: Farmers, workers deserve better
The company given the task of managing coronavirus tests for travellers entering Canada continues to cause headaches for farmers and the international workers they employ. Switch Health is managing the initial tests being given to travellers within 24 hours of entering Canada, and the second test given several days later. International farm workers and others […] Read more
Local ag education turned virtual during COVID-19
Programs that had focused on their area schools suddenly had a larger audience
A virtual on-line format has allowed locally driven agriculture education programs to reach classrooms across the province. COVID-19 put a halt to school attendance and many regularly scheduled events, including Bite of Brant, an agriculture awareness program for Grade 5 students across Brant County. Last year would have marked the 25th anniversary for Bite of […] Read more
Rural child care faces a long road ahead
There is reason to be optimistic, but local initiatives will be key for implementation
The federal government has pledged $30 billion over the next five years to help offset the cost of early learning and child care services. Its goal is to create a national child care system with costs of $10 per day for the average Canadian family. The proposed program has created optimism that child care services […] Read more
Well-known Jersey farm to process its own milk
Processing facility almost ready at Sargent Family Dairy to make milk, butter and camembert cheese
A new building has been rising within sight of the well-respected Enniskillen dairy barn, within a couple of hundred barn near the Old Scugog Road. The new on-farm processing facility is bright blue with a prominently displayed circular logo featuring the distinctive shape of a Jersey cow. It’s almost ready to begin production as a […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
