“We want to create measures that make it difficult for thieves.” – Kevin Martin, South Bruce OPP Constable.

Farm theft still a threat in rural areas

Basic precautions the best safeguard against theft

Pretty much everyone living in rural Ontario has a story of someone they know who’s been hit with a farm theft in the past few years. It might be the pickup truck stolen from the edge of a field while someone was planting, visits to sheds at night picked up by motion-sensor cameras, or a […] Read more

“If we’re not careful and we don’t take measures now, we’re going to lose out. At some point we have to protect our capacity to produce.” – Margaret Zafiriou.

Pressure increases on farmland

CAPI report highlights what’s needed to save farmland while increasing production and protecting the environment

Ensuring Canada remains an agricultural powerhouse requires concerted efforts to preserve the country’s natural capital and resources, particularly farmland, according to a recent Canadian Agri-Food Policy Institute (CAPI) report. With long-term planning, the pressures affecting agricultural productivity and farmland loss in Canada can be navigated, bringing greater prosperity and environmental improvement at home, as well […] Read more

Success of a sustainable agriculture strategy depends on government co-operation at all levels.

Collaboration key to Canada’s agricultural sustainability

Success of a sustainable agriculture strategy depends on government co-operation

Federal, provincial and territorial government collaboration is vital to the future of Canada’s agriculture sector, said panelists at a May 31 webinar. Organized by the Canadian Agri-Food Policy Institute, the webinar focused on a report by University of Toronto professor Grace Skogstad entitled Towards a Collaborative Sustainable Agriculture Strategy for Canada. Why it matters: Collaboration […] Read more

GM’s fully electric 2024 Sierra EV Denali Edition 1 should be arriving on dealers’ lots early in 2024.

BEV Sierra truck to debut in 2024

Fully electric truck by GM features 754 horsepower

Glacier FarmMedia – GM continues to move toward its goal of offering a zero-emissions fleet of vehicles by 2035 and abandoning the internal combustion engine. The latest announcement in its BEV (battery electric vehicle) development program is a full-sized, fully electric Sierra pickup that will begin delivery to dealers in early 2024. It will join […] Read more

Smoke billows upwards from the Donnie Creek wildfire south of Fort Nelson, B.C. n June 11, 2023. (Photo: B.C. Wildfire Service handout via Reuters)

Western Canada covered in smoke as wildfires loosen grip on Quebec

Over 200 of 449 wildfires now out of control

Ottawa | Reuters — Smoke shrouded Western Canada on Monday as wildfires flared again in the main oil-producing province of Alberta, while firefighters in Quebec doused some of the worst early-season blazes, allowing thousands of evacuees to return home. Canada is enduring its most destructive start to wildfire season, with about 4.8 million hectares — […] Read more


NYMEX August 2023 West Texas Intermediate crude oil, with August 2023 Brent crude oil (black line). (Barchart)

Extent of Saudi oil production cut unclear

Reported tensions within OPEC limit price gains

MarketsFarm — At the OPEC+ meeting Sunday in Vienna, Saudi Arabia announced it will cut its oil production by one million barrels per day (BPD) come July. And while that move was bullish for the markets, by how much remains to be seen, said Phil Flynn of the Price Futures Group in Chicago. “It’s probably […] Read more

AgScape continues to evolve and thrive in the classroom

AgScape continues to evolve and thrive in the classroom

Organization continues successful reach into school boards across the province

AgScape grew from strength to strength throughout the pandemic, and its trajectory continues to climb. “After so many years of work and assembling a group of talented individuals, we’re being recognized as experts in the field of agriculture and food education,” said Kathryn Doan, AgScape board chair, at the provincial agri-food education organization’s recent annual […] Read more

Smoke from active wildfires in Alberta’s north and west hangs over Calgary on May 16, 2023. (Photo: Reuters/Leah Hennel)

No respite expected for wildfire-hit Alberta

Forecasts call for fire conditions to worsen

Ottawa | Reuters — Abnormally hot and dry weather is set to return to Alberta on Thursday after a couple of cooler days helped calm wildfires that have forced thousands of evacuations in the province. Record-high temperatures and tinder-dry vegetation have led to an intense, early start to wildfire season in Western Canada this year. […] Read more


Members of the Third Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry (3PPCLI) take part in wildfire prevention operations near Grande Prairie, Alta. on May 12, 2023. (Photo: MCpl, Cass Moon/Canadian Forces/Handout via Reuters)

Air quality deteriorates as wildfires rage in Western Canada

Evacuations continue in Alberta, B.C., Saskatchewan

Reuters — Calgary received a special weather alert on Tuesday, warning residents of poor air quality and reduced visibility as tinder-dry weather and shifting winds elevated the risk of spreading wildfires in Alberta’s north and west. As of Tuesday evening 89 wildfires are active in Alberta, with 25 out of control, according to the provincial […] Read more

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, federal Emergency Preparedness Minister Bill Blair and Edmonton MP and Tourism Minister Randy Boissonnault are briefed by Canadian Forces Lt. Col. Ben Schmidt at CFB Edmonton on May 15, 2023. (Photo: Reuters/Amber Bracken)

Little chance for rain on Alberta wildfires

Coming cold front more windy than rainy in nature, Environment Canada says

Ottawa | Reuters — Prime Minister Justin Trudeau visited Alberta on Monday as raging wildfires prompted mass evacuations and reduced energy production in Canada’s main oil-producing province, where meteorologists expect virtually no rain for 10 days or so. In Edmonton, Trudeau received an update on firefighting efforts by Canadian soldiers sent to help provincial firefighting […] Read more