Padlocked metal gate

Farmers report spring surge in rural crime

High value GPS receivers and displays are among targets in farm theft

A rising number of Ontario farmers have fallen victim to theft this season. Multiple incidents occurred across southern Ontario in May and June, many of which involved theft of high-value precision agriculture technology products. Two John Deere dealers confirm that global positioning system (GPS) StarFire receivers and displays have been of significant interest. Depending on […] Read more

While railways have historically maintained farm crossings that don’t have public access and are only used seasonally to access landlocked farmland, some farmers in eastern Ontario have been receiving notice that they are now responsible for maintenance costs.

Farmers feeling railroaded by lack of farm crossing designation

Some eastern Ontario farmers surprised by sudden demands from railway company for maintenance costs

When is a farm rail crossing not a farm crossing?  That’s the $5 million question facing many landowners in Eastern Ontario who have found themselves having to fight Transport Canada and CP Rail to make the distinction.  Why it matters: Some eastern Ontario farmers with railway crossings over their land have suddenly found themselves having […] Read more

Brandt’s Moose Jaw property will now be its primary manufacturing site for utility trailers. (CNW Group/Brandt)

Brandt to build trailers at new Saskatchewan plant

Equipment maker aims to free up space in Regina

Ag and industrial equipment manufacturer Brandt plans to start making its lines of utility trailers at factory space it owns in Moose Jaw, Sask., freeing up its factory floors in Regina to expand other product lines. The Brandt Group of Companies announced Tuesday it expects to start production of its trailer lines late this summer […] Read more

The new program aims to help offset some of the costs associated with water management.
 Photo: File

Sask farmers, ranchers get cash for water management

Saskatchewan farmers and ranchers have $700,000 flowing their way from the Water Security Agency (WSA), in an effort to improve responsible agricultural management projects such as watersheds. The pilot program is being labeled as the Agricultural Water Management Fund.  “Effective water management may be one of the most important factors driving Saskatchewan’s growth in the […] Read more

The OFA says balancing the need for accessible, affordable housing with protection of agricultural land can be achieved through strong, long-term strategic land planning.

Calls for farmland protection intensify amid daily land losses

Recent ag census shows farmland loss has nearly doubled in the past five years

Concern is increasing over Ontario’s rapidly depleting agricultural lands, which make up five per cent of the province’s land mass. According to the latest Census of Agriculture, Ontario’s daily farmland loss has nearly doubled since 2016, to 319 acres compared to 175 acres per day. That is the rough equivalent of losing nine farms each […] Read more


Photo: Thinkstock

Indigo Ag to roll out first tranche of farm soil carbon credits

Chicago | Reuters – U.S. farm technology firm Indigo Agriculture on Wednesday said its carbon farming program has produced 20,000 tonnes in soil carbon credits that it will sell as emissions offsets to buyers including JPMorgan Chase JPM.N, Barclays BARC.L and The North Face. They are the first agricultural soil carbon credits to be verified […] Read more

Content created by farmers benefits the agricultural industry, and its value should be more widely recognized by organizations making outreach efforts, and do a better job of enabling more people to engage from a grassroots level, says Andrew Campbell.

Making public outreach more effective

Instagram is one thing; multi-layered experiences are another

Although the digital age we live in has a plethora of ways to reach an audience, ensuring a message has genuine impact amid the noise of so many media channels is a tall order. For agriculture and science communication, at least, busting through the noise can be achieved by delivering more developed, multi-layered experiences.  That’s […] Read more

Lisa Thompson.

Lisa Thompson returns as Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs

Lisa Thompson was visibly emotional while swearing her oath to the 2022 Ontario Cabinet on June 24.  During her short 12 months as Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, the Huron-Bruce MPP dealt with several sector challenges, including drought conditions in northwestern Ontario, agri-food labour shortage challenges and processing capacity issues. Why it matters: […] Read more


An electric Silverado is expected to hit the U.S. market in 2024.

GM electric vehicles to test as standby generators

EVs could work as alternative power sources in an emergency

Glacier FarmMedia – Frequent power outages are an unfortunate fact of life for many people living in rural locations. In winter those outages can be particularly problematic, creating troubles like frozen livestock watering bowls. With the automotive industry expected to move to the widespread adoption of electric vehicles (EVs), could they work as backup sources […] Read more

The Ontario government recently eliminated passenger vehicle and light-duty truck licence plate fees, retroactive for 2020 and 2021. However, commercial or farm-plated vehicles were not included in that change and to reduce fees, farmers should take a look at how they are using their trucks and decide if it’s worth it to keep a farm or commercial plate.

Re-thinking the value of farm plates for pickup trucks

Changes to the Ontario vehicle fee system cause of confusion for farm businesses

Your pickup is licensed to farm, but are the benefits worth the price to plate?  “We recommend that our members – and all farmers – really look at what they use their truck for,” said Ian Nokes, Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) transportation policy analyst. If the trucks are more for personal use than farm […] Read more