News
MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR PROPOSAL: Companies pitch battery storage systems in farmers’ fields
MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR PROPOSAL: Companies pitch battery storage systems in farmers’ fields Nelson Zandbergen Farmers Forum DUNDAS COUNTY — Proposals for multi-million-dollar battery energy storage projects are popping up around Eastern Ontario farm country and generating controversy and local opposit... Read more
CONTEST OFFERS MILLIONS: If you can cut methane emissions
Farmers Forum staff MAXVILLE — The Liberal government has launched a multi-million-dollar contest to entice farmers into cutting the natural methane emissions from cattle, whose bodies are already fuelled entirely by a renewable form of energy known as plant matter. Eastern Ontario MP Francis Drouin... Read more
CRIME: Farm thefts up, vehicle thefts skyrocket but convictions are rare
Farmer rented plane, spotted his tractor on native reserve Read more
FINANCIALLY RESILIENT: Few farmers go bankrupt
Only 23 farms in farm debt mediation filed for bankruptcy in 2020 OTTAWA – Despite turbulent times, very few Canadian farms run into insolvency issues. Of 191,000 farmers across the country only about 170 a year use the Farm Debt Mediation Service, a free counselling service for farmers having diffi... Read more
Perth County sheep farmer loses leg in auger accident
MONKTON — A 34-year-old Perth County sheep farmer suffered life-altering injuries in what a family member said was an auger accident. Read more
Thieves steal trailer loaded with farm equipment at 3 a.m.
Nelson Zandbergen Farmers Forum GREY COUNTY — In the dark of night, thieves got away with a large flat-bed trailer loaded with used farm equipment from Brindley Farm Equipment in Markdale. The stolen equipment alone was worth over $150,000, while the nearly new trailer — owned by an American truckin... Read more
EASTERN ONTARIO: Farmland prices range from $5,700-$18,900
EASTERN ONTARIO: Farmland prices range from $5,700-$18,900 Farmers Forum staff OTTAWA — Ontario farmland prices continued to track upward during the first half of 2023 but at a substantially slower pace than 2022, according to Farm Credit Canada data analyst Corbin Chau. Higher interest rates may ha... Read more
ROYAL WIN: Plumber who became beef farmer three years ago wins big
Plumber became beef farmer 3 years ago, and his female wins Royal top honours Farmers Forum staff EASTERN ONTARIO — The Thaxter Cattle Company brought their entire Hereford herd to the Royal Winter Fair – a grand total of three animals. They have only been in the beef business for three years and th... Read more
AT THE ROYAL: Top beef bull sells for $15,000
Royal’s top beef bull sells for $15,000 Farmers Forum staff TORONTO — Among all the beef bulls judged at the 2023 Royal Winter Fair, the best of them all was entered by Baker Farms of Madoc. ‘Baker Farms Justified’ is the name of the two-year-old Charolais bull. He was named grand champion of his br... Read more
VICTORY FOR LANDOWNERS: Crop farmer wins court battle
Crop farmer wins big Conservation Authority calls 10 acres of dry land “wetland” and loses in court Patrick Meagher Farmers Forum BELLEVILLE — A Campbellford crop farmer and grain elevator operator has won a victory for landowners in a battle to keep the tentacles of the local conservation authority... Read more
THE MARKETS: What do we make of a strengthening loonie?
Weak loonie boosted crop prices, inflation… But what do we make of a strengthening loonie? If you ever have a city person ask you what you do on your farm, tell them that you’re a currency trader. First of all, that reply generally creates some interesting responses, and more importantly: it’s... Read more
NEW EXECUTIVE: Hamilton dairy, crop farmer is new OFA president
Hamilton dairy, crop farmer is new OFA president Brekveld steps down after three years Tyler Books OFA GUELPH — Drew Spoelstra, a dairy and crop farmer from Binbrook in the southeast corner of the city of Hamilton, was elected as the new president of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA... Read more
EASTERN ONTARIO: Solid corn yields, but not a bin buster
SOLID CORN YIELDS: But not a bin buster Nelson Zandbergen Farmers Forum OTTAWA — Eastern Ontario farmers are seeing solid corn yields this fall, though not a record bin buster, alongside the biggest corn harvest ever recorded in the United States, which is tempering prices. North of Wincheste... Read more
FINANCIAL STATEMENT: OFA reports $1.83 million profit
FINANCIAL STATEMENT: OFA reports $1.83 M profit James Pascual Farmers Forum TORONTO — If you look only at the bottom line, Ontario’s largest farm organization is top shelf. The Ontario Federation of Agriculture enjoyed its 8th stellar year in a row. It reported a profit of $1.83 million for its 2022... Read more
THE MARKETS: Weak loonie, inflation boosted prices – but what to make of now strengthening loonie?
THE MARKETS: Weak loonie boosted crop prices, also inflation – but what do we make of now strengthening loonie? If you ever have a city person ask you what you do on your farm, tell them that you’re a currency trader. First of all, that reply generally creates some interesting responses, and more im... Read more
APPLE HEAVEN: From 25 to 500,000 apple trees
From 25 apple trees to more than 500,000 Partnerships helped them grow to 700 acres with more than 400 seasonal workers John Schwartzentruber Farmers Forum There was only one Johnny Appleseed, the much-loved historical figure from American pioneer days. Johnny’s famed passion was planting apple tree... Read more
OPINION: My Remembrance Day Memory is meeting a WW2 bomber crew
My Remembrance Day Memory: Meeting a WW2 bomber crew In my public school days, I didn’t have hockey or baseball trading cards; I had Second World War cards of fighter and bomber planes and all the horrible stuff associated with war. That interested me. I have also watched every war movie made... Read more
OPINION: Don’t sweat the small stuff (A life’s lesson worth remembering)
Don’t sweat the small stuff: A life’s lesson worth remembering There is a bit of good stuff that gets printed in the news or spread through cyber space on social media. There is a lot more undiluted crap that gets propagated via those ubiquitous means. Thank goodness, we can ignore most of it. Howev... Read more
Americans want more kids, survey says
Americans want more kids, survey says Americans are seeing a resurgence in the preference for larger families of three or more children that hasn’t been seen since 1971, according to a Gallup survey. This marks a significant shift from the long-standing belief that one or two children were ideal fam... Read more
OPINION: Sick? My boys try to work through it
Sick? My boys try to work through it They said it would be returning and after a few months of shopping maskless, I am back to donning the damn thing again. I am often the only one in the store wearing it but recently I have noticed more doing so. It started slowly, first hearing […] Read more
Technology is moving too quickly for many farmers
HAVE YOUR SAY: Is technology moving too quickly for you? Farmers Forum staff Technology is moving at such a rapid pace, it can be overwhelming. We’ve already got robotic weeders, seeders and drones, GPS and auto-steer. The latest big advancement is A.I. (artificial intelligence) that can give... Read more
Fruit, vegetable growers to get protection from buyers who go bankrupt
Fruit, vegetable growers to get protection from buyers who go bankrupt Farmers Forum staff OTTAWA — Fruit and vegetable growers will get top priority to collect from bankrupt Canadian food retailers, under a new private member’s bill that recently passed third reading in the House of Commons and is... Read more
UNSUNG HERO: Farmwife and mom
UNSUNG HERO: Farmwife and mom Women didn’t just show up recently to farm – they’ve been here all along If you glance at advertising in any farm publication these days, one might conclude that the primary market for tractors, seed, and chemicals were women. Obviously, this is not the case, but more a... Read more
Gun buyback program delayed
Gun buyback program delayed Critics see buyback as disarming responsible Canadians, not criminals James Pascual Farmers Forum OTTAWA – Firearm owners are becoming increasingly frustrated by a proposed national gun buyback program that is part of a huge gun ban. But the program has faced such stiff o... Read more
Some post-pandemic steel prices doubled but market now sees price plateau
Some post-pandemic steel prices doubled but market now sees price plateau Farmers Forum staff WINCHESTER — Manufacturers serving the farm community continue to grapple with the economic fallout of ruinous pandemic policies and inflation but there is now some stability in the supply chain and related... Read more
Farmers applaud Bill C-359
Farmers applaud Bill C-359 New inputs would be approved and into farmers’ hands faster Farmers Forum staff OTTAWA — Canadian farmers would benefit if they could get their hands on new and improved inputs when they are ready for market. A new federal private member’s bill is designed to make that hap... Read more
WESTERN ONTARIO: Soybean harvest good enough, white mould tempers yields
CHATHAM — Southwestern Ontario’s soybean crop looked good and bountiful coming off the field this fall, though white mould arising from this season’s moist, lush conditions tempered yields. Read more
Liberal senators could torpedo grain-drying bill and farmers are ticked off
OTTAWA — The farmer-friendly carbon-tax exemption bill that passed with majority support in the House of Commons was on life support in the Senate in the first week of November ... Read more
What Royal judges look for
Here’s what four judges are looking for in the cattle show ring ... Read more
IT’S THE UDDER
It’s the udder Glengarry Holstein wins East-West show, boosts farm’s marketing for cow sales Nelson Zandbergen Farmers Forum METCALFE — A Glengarry County cow — appropriately named Bonnie — was named grand champion at the 2023 Eastern Ontario-Western Quebec Holstein Show. “She’s got a really balance... Read more
Vaccine booster reveals high level of risk, Swiss study shows
Vaccine booster reveals high level of risk, Swiss study shows Farmers Forum staff If there is a health risk when taking a COVID vaccine booster don’t you think we ought to know? Don’t you think it should at least be studied? Well, it has. In fact there is more than one study. A recent study [... Read more
Dutch farmers fight back
Dutch farmers fight back Gov’t plans to buy, shutter 3,000 farms Farmers Forum staff OTTAWA — Dutch farmers continue to push back hard against their national government and ongoing plans to put many of them out of business. Those farmers have picked up a lot of clout in their battle against nitrogen... Read more
Corn prices could go up, but it will take patience to find peak range
Corn prices could go up, but it will take patience to find peak range Monitoring export sales is a great indicator of whether or not prices should move The volume of grains used in domestic demand doesn’t change very much when prices move. If you have a local flour mill, you need to buy wheat. [... Read more
Corn-on-corn-on-corn…
Corn-on-corn-on-corn… Why farmers skip crop rotation and just grow corn every year, same fields Nelson Zandbergen Farmers Forum MORRISBURG — Though it defies conventional crop-rotation wisdom, growing corn in the same field year after year has always had its place. West Quebec’s Peter Finlayson rece... Read more
Liberals could torpedo carbon tax exemption
Liberals could torpedo carbon tax exemption Nelson Zandbergen Farmers Forum OTTAWA — With the harvest season in full swing, a proposed carbon-tax exemption for farm-based grain-drying and barn-heating appeared to be in serious trouble and farmers are ticked off. In late October, bill C-234 was heade... Read more
Velthuis Farms win junior champion again at World Dairy Expo
Velthuis Farms win junior champion again at World Dairy Expo Nelson Zandbergen Farmers Forum OSGOODE — For the second year running, a Kingsway-prefix heifer has notched a junior championship win at the World Dairy Expo in Madison, Wisconsin, and Velthuis Farms of Osgoode is again part of the victory... Read more
Indian River beef sale sees Simmental bull sell for $50,000
Indian River beef sale sees Simmental bull sell for $50,000 Farmers Forum staff INDIAN RIVER — Indian River Cattle Company hosted its ‘Quality Control VI’ Simmental and Angus sale Oct. 1, selling 62 lots with an average bid of $11,773. The top sale was of a Simmental bull — named Legit — that McMill... Read more
2024 forecast not as sunny for corn, soybeans
2024 forecast not as sunny for corn, soybeans Farmers Forum staff OTTAWA —The 2023-24 crop-marketing season won’t be as profitable as the early 2020s, Farm Credit Canada says in its latest outlook. Canadian farmer margins are being squeezed by declining commodity prices in combination with still-hig... Read more
Ontario farmland prices rise 7% in six months
Farmland values increase almost 7 % in first half of 2023 but FCC expects continued slowdown ... Read more
EASTERN ONTARIO: Almost awesome soybean yields
White mould sobers hope for outta’ the park yields ... Read more
Man killed, plowed into horses on highway
OTTAWA — If you spot a damaged farm fence along a highway, call the authorities or the affected farmer as soon as possible. Lives could depend on it. ... Read more
Soybeans, corn exports stopped as strike closed Seaway lock system
OTTAWA — As the last weekend of October approached, Ontario farmers and agricultural organizations had their fingers crossed in hopes that St. Lawrence River and Welland canal ship traffic would resume ... Read more
OPINION: Canada’s new moral code — Tyranny masked as compassion
Canada’s new moral code: Tyranny masked as compassion School is back in session and you’re in it. Your compulsory classes include D.E.I., E.S.G. and C.S.R. There’s no sign up sheet for these courses – they come right to you. They show up in emails from business associates, correspondence from farm o... Read more
Equipment prices plateau
Equipment prices plateau But some prices doubled since pre-pandemic Farmers Forum staff WOODSTOCK — Farm equipment manufacturers continue to grapple with the economic fallout of ruinous pandemic policies and inflation but there is now some stability in the supply chain and related costs. Two manufac... Read more
OPINION: CBC unleashed
Things appear more than a little off with the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. After all, what would you call men, armed with rockets, grenades and machine guns, who attack villages and kill more than 1,000 innocent people, entire families, including babies? What would you call them if they cut of... Read more
Fake U.S. equipment ads rip off Ontario farmers
Fake U.S. equipment ads rip off Ontario farmers OPP reports buyers have lost thousands of dollars to scammers Farmers Forum staff OTTAWA — Beware of fraudulent farm equipment and heavy machinery listings posted for sale online. The OPP has received recent reports of buyers losing hundreds of thousan... Read more
New bill targets trespassing activists with huge fines
Nelson Zandbergen Farmers Forum OTTAWA — A new federal private member’s bill hopes to put the boots to trespassing activists with fines of up to $50,000 or more, a huge jump from the paltry $250 fines levied now. Groups organizing an illegal occupation would face up to $500,000 in fines. If the bill... Read more
NEW FARMERS START SMALL: They’re bold, innovative and cheeky
New farmers need to start small, use all they’ve got and not be afraid to borrow ... Read more
IS CANADA HEADED IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION? Farmers don’t think so
Is Canada headed in the right direction? Poor leadership, high taxation and push toward communism worry farmers WOODSTOCK — Farmers Forum was at Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show in Woodstock last month and asked, “Is Canada headed in the right direction?” We found that Ontario farmers generally don’t thin... Read more
GOOD NEWS: Fertilizer prices down 40 per cent
GOOD NEWS: Fertilizer prices down 40 per cent Farmers Forum staff OTTAWA — A resilient global market has reacted to drive down the cost of fertilizer from record highs reached when Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022. Fertilizer prices have since fallen (as of September 2023) by over 40 %. Nothi... Read more
Install your own auto-steer
OTTAWA — A farmer can download free software from the Internet and retrofit a tractor to set up his own do-it-yourself auto-steer system. Read more
HAY BARN DOWN: To one man it’s a dismantled barn, to another it’s a tale of generations
For a certain vintage of farmer, the remaining skeleton timber frame of the huge old bank barn on “the Bowman place” near Brussels, Ontario, served to shout out rich, rural history. It was late August and another traditional barn, aged a century-plus, was being taken down. In a day or two, the only... Read more
Concrete silos lose strength, fall over
Concrete silos lose strength, fall over At least two concrete silos have toppled onto dairy barns in one year Nelson Zandbergen Farmers Forum SOUTH DUNDAS — At least two Ontario dairy farms picked up the pieces after concrete tower silos fell over and destroyed their barns for reasons unrelated to w... Read more
Feedmill transforms into MacEwen Agricentre
Unemployed car salesman put his heart into new venture, now runs three locations ... Read more
OPINION: Small town people have changed
There is no pride in supporting local businesses ... Read more
OPINION: Farming is a mystery to some
Farming is a mystery to some They don’t know the difference between plowing and discing and all cattle are cows Every spring I hear observing people remark that farmers are on the field “plowing their fields.” You’ll also hear newscasters say things such as “You can tell it’s spring, I saw a few far... Read more
WESTERN ONTARIO: Another yield boom?
WESTERN ONTARIO: Another yield boom? Expect strong corn and soybean yields, forecasters say Nelson Zandbergen Farmers Forum ONTARIO — Great Lakes Grain is projecting strong Ontario corn and soybean yields this fall — but not a provincial record. The company’s 14th annual crop as... Read more
WESTERN ONTARIO: Defeated clear-cutting bylaw targeted farms
Was motivated by money, says Chatham group Nelson Zandbergen Farmers Forum CHATHAM — Chatham-Kent farmers banded together and successfully persuaded their municipal council to finally repeal the region’s “temporary” clear-cutting bylaw that only affected local farmers. The Sept. 25 meeting included... Read more
WATCH CHINA: The World’s Biggest Market
China wants corn, soybeans as livestock feed to produce meat for huge population ... Read more
Blyth Steam show a blast from the past
Blyth Steam show a blast from the past Erupting relics, 600 trailers and fiddling into the night John Schwartzentruber Time took on a different meaning to the folks who roamed the sprawling grounds of the 62nd Annual Blyth Steam Show and Threshers Reunion held in Blyth last month. Oh, they su... Read more
METCALFE FAIR: 4-H members compete at regional show
METCALFE — The 2023 Metcalfe Fair buzzed with 4-H activity that culminated with the 4-H steer and lamb auction on Saturday night, Sept. 30. Read more
HWY 400 CRASH: Tons of celery stalk highway
Tons of celery stalk highway Highway 400, north of Toronto and near Aurora, was closed for several hours Oct. 3 after a transport truck overturned and dumped tons of celery sticks over the road. The incident occurred around 10 a.m., south of Highway 9, turning Hwy 400 into a slick, juicy mess. The c... Read more
OPINION: Grocery tax will backfire
Federal government grocery tax would discourage food production, economist says ... Read more
ROBOT CITY: Show features field of dreams if you’re into robotic weeders
ROBOT CITY WOODSTOCK — There were daily demonstrations of robots at the Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show in Woodstock last month. The odd-looking machines are increasing in popularity among field vegetable growers who prefer to lease them. All the robotics were provided by Haggerty AgRobotics, of Bothwell... Read more
OPINION: COVID again?!?
COVID AGAIN?!? At an Ottawa news conference, our chief public health officer Theresa Tam recently told Canadians it’s time to wear masks again. Yet, she knows that any old mask can be worth less than nothing. Some people wearing masks suffer side effects and even an N95 mask only slows down a travel... Read more
Bill C-234 would save farmers $1 billion, Ottawa study shows
Bill C-234 would save farmers $1 billion, Ottawa study shows Farmers Forum staff OTTAWA — The Canadian Taxpayers Federation is demanding immediate passage of legislation in the Senate to expand carbon tax exemptions for agriculture after a Parliamentary Budget Officer analysis shows it would save fa... Read more
EASTERN ONTARIO: Close to record-highs for corn and soybeans forecast
Record-breaking yields or close to it expected for corn and soybeans ... Read more
Sheep farmers buy farm next door, earn Peterborough’s farm family of year award
Sheep farmers buy farm next door, earn Peterborough’s farm family of year award Nelson Zandbergen Farmers Forum NORWOOD — Chalk up another honour for the Asphodel Sheep Company and owners Todd and Jennifer Payne. The Paynes have been named the 2023 “Farm Family of the Year” by the Peterborough and K... Read more
NO GLOBAL WARMING HERE: Farm weather station reports average temperatures
ORMSTOWN, QUE. — A Quebec crop farmer and longtime government weather station operator says he’s not worried about climate change ... Read more
OPP WARNING: Beware fake U.S. equipment listings
OTTAWA — Police are warning about fraudulent farm equipment and heavy machinery listings posted for sale online in the U.S. Read more
Farmer punches back at UN for saying foreign workers in Canada vulnerable to slavery
LYNDEN — Rocky retired about four years ago after working for 35 years on Ken Forth’s Western Ontario broccoli farm. He was 66. Read more
GOING UNDERGROUND: Water your corn from below and watch yields increase
OSGOODE — Irrigation of any sort is rare enough in the corn and soybean fields of Eastern Ontario — let alone an underground drip irrigation system. Read more
Bureaucracy stifling Ontario fruit industry
Grower says anti-farm policies will lead to fewer labour-intensive orchards, vineyards Read more
Thousands march across Canada to defend children from gender ideology
Farmers Forum staff OTTAWA — Thousands of Canadians marched on Sept. 20 in opposition to gender ideology taught in the classrooms. The 1 Million March 4 Children included 102 cities and towns across Canada. The Ottawa march included as many as 8,000 people. Protestors voiced their opposition t... Read more
Glengarry farmer dies after tractor forks hit road
GREEN VALLEY — A 69-year-old Glengarry County farmer died Sept. 6 when he was thrown from a tractor while hauling a load of hay on the road that afternoon. Read more
Sollio opens St. Thomas fertilizer coating plant
ST. THOMAS, September 18, 2023 – Today, Sollio Agriculture, the Agri-business Division of Sollio Cooperative Group, inaugurated CRF Agritech, a new controlled-release fertilizer production plant in St. Thomas, Ontario. The project was launched in 2021, after Sollio Agriculture entered a joint ventur... Read more
Mixed farming in a post-modern world
Mixed farming in a post-modern world Kingston-area farm has beef, broilers, crops, dairy, hogs, horse stable and on-farm store Charles Summers Farmers Forum KINGSTON — Charlie Cumpson is a lean mean farming machine. And I mean that very literally. There’s no cushioning on the 35-year-old, whose phys... Read more
Legal process was the punishment
Legal process was the punishment Beef farmer wins but the stress was exhausting, the herd is gone and he has legal bills to pay Nelson Zandbergen Farmers Forum WARSAW — Ontario’s animal police have dropped their whopping $375,000 claim against Peterborough-area beef farmer Walter Ray for cattle-boar... Read more
Dairy expands to bulls and beef
Dairy expands to bulls and beef He breeds and raises beef and beef-dairy crosses Nelson Zandbergen Farmers Forum KARS — The bull calves born at Cranberry Creek Dairy Farms avoid the typical dairy-farm fate: They don’t go to the sale barn at the earliest opportunity. Instead, they are raised a... Read more
Robotic weeder saves farmer time and money
Robotic weeder saves farmer time and money Nelson Zandbergen Farmers Forum NEW LISKEARD — A weed-controlling robot has saved garlic farmer Doug Inglis a bundle in labour costs this season. He says his cost of leasing the Naio Oz robot is $3,000 less than the combined wages of three workers he employ... Read more
Shuttered dairy farmer program gave farmer a future for his family
SUCCESS STORY New dairy farmer program gives farmer a future for his family Nelson Zandbergen Farmers Forum ATHENS — Nearly four years ago, John Newman, 30, realized his dream of reviving the dairying tradition that had long since disappeared at his family’s ancestral farm. His grandfa... Read more
The infamous plow that went the wrong way
The infamous plow that went the wrong way A few weeks ago there was an artist’s painting on Facebook of a farmer walking beside a one-furrow walking plow pulled by two horses and boy of maybe six years old holding the handle bars of the plow, and doing the plowing. There was a list of [... Read more
Phew! August is over
Phew! August is over August has never been my favourite month. Besides the usual signal of the end of summer, it has always been the month that I seem to be rushing from one job to another and never getting ahead of any of them. Everything piles up no matter how hard I work. When […] Read more
WEATHER FORECAST: Warm and dry
Farmers Forum staff SOUTHWESTERN ONTARIO — Despite a cooler and wetter summer than average, the weather outlook for Southwestern Ontario happily suggests warm, dry conditions for the coming fall harvest, according to Environment Canada senior climatologist David Philips. Summer weather often sets th... Read more
Sheep check-off fees up 22 %
Farmers Forum staff GUELPH — Sheep producers will pay 22 % more in licensing check-off fees after the Ontario Sheep Farmers (OSF) board imposed its first fee hike in 13 years. The new rate, announced at the beginning of August, has been set at $2.20 per live animal sold, an increase of 40 cents. The... Read more
Ontario’s young farmers of the year
Listowel pork couple employ 15, supply organic, conventional markets Read more
FINDING THE LIGHT: How mental health advocate and hog farmer survived the dark days of COVID
LISTOWEL — Stewart Skinner has made no bones about reaching the brink of suicide in December 2012. Read more
Forecast: Ontario corn, soybean yield record
Farmers Forum staff ONTARIO — The prognosticators with the Great Ontario Yield Tour are projecting record corn and soybean yields in Ontario this year. Based on data collected during the 8th annual tour, Ontario growers will have an average yield of 203 bu/ac for corn and 53.5 bu/ac for soybeans. Ox... Read more
Minimum wage laws don’t work… but they’re going up $1.05
Minimum wage laws don’t work… but they’re going up another $1.05 in October IROQUOIS — Farmers in the labour-intensive fruits and vegetable sector are feeling the squeeze on stagnant farmgate prices while hourly wages continue to surge upward. “That’s the problem when it’s all hand-harve... Read more
New fertilizer plant to open near Brockville in fall 2024
Farmers Forum staff MAITLAND — A $25-million fertilizer plant has broken ground at Maitland as Eastern Ontario-based V6 Ag moves production of its multi-compound granular fertilizers out of Europe. For the last seven years, the small company headquartered in North Augusta, northeast of Brockville, h... Read more
Got space in the barn? Could be a hot short-term rental opportunity
Got space in the barn? Could be a hot short-term rental opportunity James Pascual Farmers Forum OTTAWA — City folk want to get away from the concrete and see trees, animals and water. They want it bad and they want a unique experience. Coupled together, you can rent out a barn loft, an old cabin [... Read more
Take Raisin River, South Nation bus tour
Take Raisin River, South Nation bus tour Learn about grants for water projects, erosion control, tree planting Farmers Forum staff CORNWALL — A bus tour is set to roll through the Raisin River and South Nation River watersheds on Sept. 12, and farmers are invited aboard the free ride to learn about... Read more
What’s all the fuss? Farmers not worried about global warming
What’s all the fuss? Farmers not worried about global warming Farmers Forum staff NORTH GOWER — We’ve entered the era of “global boiling,” United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres sensationally declared this summer amid reports describing July 2023 as the hottest July in recorded his... Read more
Electric truck not worth the hassle, says stranded user
Electric truck not worth the hassle, says stranded user Farmers Forum staff OTTAWA — Detroit’s first battery-powered pickup truck, the Ford F-150 Lighting, made a media splash this summer, for all the wrong reasons. The worst fears of consumers, who are skeptical about the practicality, range and hi... Read more
OPINION: Guitar man calls out the entitled
Oliver Anthony was a nobody four weeks ago. He’s the smash hit writer of a song posted on YouTube on Aug. 8 that in two weeks racked up 35 million views. Raw lyrics, powerful, clean voice, accompanied only by his guitar and surrounded by trees and his three napping dogs, Anthony belts out the plaint... Read more
STEVE’S MARKET MINUTE: Will there be storage?
Huge volume of wheat is in the bin and an above-average corn and soybean crop is coming Read more
SWEET CORN: Great crop, great price, great taste
SWEET CORN: Great crop, great price, great taste Farmers Forum PRINCE EDWARD COUNTY — The cornfields are towering lush and tall around the region, so it’s no surprise that sweet corn producers have also been seeing — and reaping — a great crop this season. “Come September, people think sweetc... Read more
Fallen farmer took over farm at 21, 21-year-old daughter poised to carry on
INKERMAN — Don Grotenhuis was just 21 when his father died, and he found himself taking over the family dairy farm, southwest of Winchester. He worked the farm for more than 40 years and last month died of a massive heart attack at age 64 while out late at night looking for the family dog. Read more
Harvest sees big apples, lots of them
CORNWALL — Heading into September, Eastern Ontario orchards reported a good crop of nice-sized apples. Read more
Milk tanker catches fire in Morewood
MOREWOOD — Firefighters extinguished a burning milk tanker trailer in Morewood early this morning, Aug. 25. Read more
CALF RAISING SPECIALIST: He raises 60 calves at a time and is about to expand in a big way
Calf raising specialist 60 calves raised at one time but this operator is about to expand Nelson Zandbergen Farmers Forum MARVELVILLE — As a university student, Mark Nyentap visited an American farm that custom-raises tens of thousands of dairy calves at any given time. “They had 30,000 hutch... Read more
TILE DRAINING SINCE AGE 5: This water witch unveiled his tile maps — a thing of beauty
Tile draining since age 5 Breathing new life into soil, the water witch unveiled his tile maps – a thing of beauty God gave us the rainbow as a sign and promise that he would never flood the world again. He put Herman Geenevasen here to make sure of it. “Well, my parents were from […] Read more
One in 35 people suffered heart damage after Moderna booster shot, study says
One in 35 people suffered heart damage after Moderna booster shot, study says Farmers Forum staff A new study from Switzerland has found alarming rates of heart inflammation, or myocarditis, among people who received a booster shot of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine. The peer-reviewed work, publ... Read more
OPINION: When milk board was created, farmers protested
I remember when the Ontario Milk Marketing Board (OMMB) was created in August of 1965. It wasn’t a happy occasion for most milk shippers in Ontario. The OMMB encountered resistance among dairy producers who had strong relationships with local dairies or who were part of successful dairy co-operative... Read more
OPINION: Got Canada Revenue Agency issues? Arm yourself with patience
Got Canada Revenue Agency issues? Arm yourself with patience Back in 2020, the Canadian Revenue Agency admitted that its security system had been breached mid-August by hackers. They said that about 5,600 accounts were affected, although it was likely a lot more. This admission came be... Read more
OPEN HOUSE AUG. 22: Robotic ‘KITCHEN’: Feeding system saves at least two hours a day
Robotic ‘KITCHEN’ Feeding system saves more than two work hours a day Nelson Zandbergen Farmers Forum NORTH AUGUSTA — The Oosterhof family’s robotic journey has recently taken another quantum leap. Not only do robots milk the cows at JoBo Farms, they feed them now, too. The additional labour... Read more
Non-profit legal group racks up victories against COVID restrictions
Non-profit legal group racks up victories against COVID restrictions Restrictions far worse than virus, critic says Farmers Forum staff OTTAWA — The pandemic is over, and many Canadians and their policymakers are eager to forget about the falloutthat lingers for many who faced fines, a... Read more
WANT TO BE A DAIRY FARMER? You have until Oct. 31 to apply for program
Want to be a dairy farmer? New entrant program has attracted 111 dairy farmers since 2010 Farmers Forum staff TORONTO — Do you dream of becoming a quota-holding dairy farmer but lack the family connections to make it happen? The Dairy Farmers of Ontario (DFO) offers a way forward for these un... Read more
PAWS visit beef farm following ‘wild accusations,’ farmer says
PAWS visit beef farm following ‘wild accusations,’ farmer says Nelson Zandbergen Farmers Forum NORWOOD — John Lunn believes that somebody in his community has a beef with him — and is showing their displeasure by calling provincial authorities to complain about his cow-calf-to-finishing opera... Read more
$106,000 electric pickup turns heads
$106,000 electric pickup turns heads The trunk is where an engine would be Nelson Zandbergen Farmers Forum RENFREW — Crop farmer Bob Stuart quips that he only had to wait 83 years to buy his first electric pickup truck. Stuart, 83, purchased his Ford F-150 Lightning in January. The $106,000 price ta... Read more
OPINION: Sometimes all you need is a few good men
If there is a lesson to be drawn from the farmers’ protests in the Netherlands, it’s that a small segment of a population, if desperate and angry enough at the unjust and intentional destruction of their livelihood, can win public sympathy and shake an overreaching government to its core. By no mean... Read more
NEAR MISSES: Farmers want CP to clear crossings
NEAR MISSES To avoid collisions, farmers want train company to clear railway crossings Nelson Zandbergen Farmers Forum FINCH — A Stormont County beef and hay farmer says he was left shaken after a Canadian Pacific Railway freight train came perilously close to hitting his tractor on a railway crossi... Read more
OPINION: Artificial intelligence is taking over – perhaps, too quickly
Artificial intelligence will majorly disrupt the entire economy in as little as three years’ time, if some of the experts are to be believed. The amazing but somewhat scary technology, we are told, will change society as we know it. Civil unrest is not beyond the realm of possibility as jobs are rap... Read more
Funding to return land to natural state
OTTAWA — Dairy Farmers of Canada has introduced a new program for a farmer to get funding if he takes land out of production. Dairy farmers will get a helping hand with the construction of habitat that will return land to wetlands, grasslands and treed areas. Called the New Acre Project, it is a one... Read more
Soybean handlers relieved as Vancouver port strike ends
Soybean handlers relieved as Vancouver port strike ends Nelson Zandbergen Farmers Forum BLENHEIM — The two-week port strike in Vancouver interrupted the shipping of food-grade Ontario soybeans set for export around the world in shipping containers. The strike ended with the International Labour... Read more
HOG FARM HACKED
Cyber attacks on the rise but this one has a twist: Activists demand public apology, not money ... Read more
ANOTHER WIN FOR WALTER RAY: Beef farmer hounded by animal police but was never charged
Another win for Walter Ray Court punts animal activists from case involving beef farmer who has never been charged but faced $400,000 in animal care fees Nelson Zandbergen Farmers Forum OSHAWA — Activists with Animal Justice failed to gain intervenor status in an upcoming court appeal that pits Onta... Read more
Eastern Ontario median farmland price hits $15,000 per acre, report says
Farmland rental rates range from $50 to $250 per acre Nelson Zandbergen Farmers Forum CORNWALL — Farmland mostly increased in value in Eastern Ontario last year but remained substantially cheaper than the most expensive agricultural areas of the province, according to an annual survey that asks farm... Read more
KCAT alumni awards two $1,000 scholarships
KCAT alumni awards two $1,000 scholarships Farmers Forum staff OTTAWA — The sons of two Eastern Ontario farm families picked up $1,000 scholarships from the Kemptville College Alumni Association earlier this year. Dylan Wallace of Kemptville and Arden McWilliams of Navan were se... Read more
ANOTHER REASON NOT TO LIVE IN TORONTO: Mayor wants to ban two-stroke engines, including lawnmowers
Toronto mayor wants to ban two-stroke engines, including lawnmowers Farmers Forum staff Renfrew County Conservative MP Cheryl Gallant is shocked and appalled by “Toronto’s new socialist mayor” who is pushing for a ban on two-stroke engines in that city. She fears that it “will only be a matter of ti... Read more
SLOW DOWN when heading into town
You could be charged with stunt driving Farmers Forum staff OTTAWA — Pay very close attention to your speedometer when entering the outskirts of any rural Ontario village from a swift drive in the country. The road may be straight and smooth as glass, but the potential punishment can be immediate an... Read more
10 trucks taken off the road in Sharbot Lake inspection blitz
10 trucks taken off the road in Sharbot Lake inspection blitz One driver abandons truck and livestock Farmers Forum staff SHARBOT LAKE — The driver of a cube van abandoned the vehicle and its cargo of four calves and three chickens after police and Ministry of Transportation officials pulled... Read more
Court rules text with thumbs-up emoji was as good as signing a grain contract
Court rules text with thumbs-up emoji was as good as signing a grain contract Farmers Forum staff When a Saskatchewan farmer texted a thumbs-up symbol to a grain buyer, it was as good as putting his signature on a contract, a judge ruled in June. Swift Current producer Chris Achter must pay over $82... Read more
Watch for USDA upcoming yield estimates and how crop prices react
Steve’s Market Minute Watch for USDA upcoming yield estimates and how crop prices react There has been more than a small amount of frustration amongst corn growers this summer as new crop corn prices seem to be lazy to react to weather pressure and market events which one might have expected w... Read more
‘Nation River Lady’ identified after 50 years, man charged
‘Nation River Lady’ identified after 50 years, man charged CASSELMAN — A local farmer discovered the wrapped and bound remains of a woman floating face down in the South Nation River, just outside Casselman, on May 3, 1975. The so-called ‘Nation River Lady,’ as she became known, went unidentified fo... Read more
Fertilizer targets impossible without cutting usage
Ottawa plan to cut fertilizer emissions must include reduction in use, study says James Pascual Farmers Forum OTTAWA — Canada can’t cut fertilizer emissions 30 % by 2030 without cutting actual fertilizer usage, despite Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s contrary insistence, according to a recent report... Read more
Super corn borer resistant to Bt corn could infect Eastern Ontario first
WINCHESTER — European corn borer is becoming resistant to the Bt corn varieties that have effectively repelled the pest for 25 years, and Eastern Ontario producers are likely to see it munching on their crop first ... Read more
FOR SALE: Alfred College research farm and 323 acres
ALFRED — The research farm at the former francophone agricultural Collège d’Alfred is for sale. But there is no listed price. Read more
Yes, you can plant soybeans before corn in Eastern Ontario
WINCHESTER — Does it make sense to plant soybeans before corn in Eastern Ontario? The jury is still out on the question. Read more
Buy a house and get a farm at Thornbury Acres
37 houses for sale; buyers share in vegetable farm Read more
Kemptville College grad? Register for the annual Alumni reunion, Aug. 19
LOMBARDY — The Kemptville College Alumni Association looks forward to its annual reunion on Aug. 19th, 2023, at Lombardy Fairgrounds. Read more
Empire Farm Days runs Aug. 3-5 in upstate New York
POMPEY — Empire Farm Days, the largest outdoor trade show in the northeastern U.S., returns to Pompey, New York, in early August. Read more
Bibeau out, MacAulay back in as federal Ag minister
OTTAWA — PEI-based farmer MP Lawrence MacAulay (LIB — Cardigan) is back as federal Agriculture and Agri-food minister, replacing MP Marie-Claude Bibeau (LIB — Compton-Stanstead) in the role she had assumed from him in 2019. Read more
MAN VS. MACHINE: Agronomist John Seliga rates crop knowledge of a smart computer called ‘Norm’
Artificial intelligence has come to agronomy with the recent launch of ‘Norm,’ an “AI ag advisor,” introduced by U.S. based Farmers Business Network. Read more
200 Canadian farms each have more than 25,000 acres
OTTAWA — The biggest farms in Canada are on the Prairies. And they are huge. Read more
MAPLE SYRUP A NEW GROWTH MARKET: If only Ontario knew
Imagine, if you will, a tree that bleeds money. A tree that doesn’t have to be planted or pruned, which grows naturally in abundance ... Read more
U.S. approves sale of lab-cultivated chicken
WASHINGTON – The United States has approved the production and sale of lab-grown chicken cells, a move that has alarmed farm groups that say the product should not be called meat. Read more
OPINION: Sure, farmers are tough and hard-working, but they’ve got sentimental hearts, too
When anyone thinks of farmers, words such as tough, capable, hard working, inventive, independent, disciplined, efficient, come to mind. Read more
INFLATION explained with pizza
Federal government is absolutely to blame for rising prices and the reason is simple ... Read more
OPINION: My hot sun protection makes much more sense than government advice
There is something I don’t understand about people and it really perplexes me. Read more
Farm family helps disabled man buy the wheelchair he needed
STRATFORD — When stories are written about important people in various publications, a writer sometimes doesn’t always know where the story might lead. Read more
Ontario corn-fed beef receives internationally recognized ‘Superior Taste Award’
LONDON — Ontario corn-fed beef recently earned another 3-Star Superior Taste Award from the International Taste Institute. Read more
An unusual year of replanting
A lot more farmers replanted soybeans this year ... Read more
HAGERMANS JUST HAVING FUN: From truck crops and dairy farming to an on-farm store and restaurant
In my experience there are few better measures of the current health and the future success of a farm than the number of children’s bicycles strewn about the dooryard. Read more
REPORT: It’s impossible to cut fertilizer emissions without cutting fertilizer use
OTTAWA — Canada can’t cut fertilizer emissions 30 % by 2030 without cutting actual fertilizer usage, despite Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s contrary insistence, according to a recent report by researchers at the University of Calgary’s School of Public Policy. Read more
Tractor driver chases 5 teens after they allegedly damage vehicle, all 6 facing charges
Farmers Forum staff LONDON — A bizarre chase involving the enraged operator of a farm tractor in pursuit of five teenaged cyclists concluded with no reported injuries — and arrests and criminal charges for everyone concerned. The July 18 disturbance on a rural road north of London kicked into gear w... Read more
FCC forecasts lower farm cash receipts in Ontario, Quebec this year
OTTAWA — Weaker hog and crop revenues in 2023 will mean an overall drop in farm cash receipts in Ontario and Quebec this year ... Read more
PAUL VS NORM: Agronomist rates knowledge of a smart computer crop advisor called ‘Norm’
Artificial intelligence has come to agronomy with the recent launch of ‘Norm,’ an “AI ag advisor,” introduced by U.S. based Farmers Business Network. Norm is a specialized version of the popular ChatGPT platform to help farmers and their agronomists with almost limitless agriculture, livestock and c... Read more
STATE OF EMERGENCY: Rural hospital exodus is no accident
The fire in the eyes of Sarah White (name changed) matched the intensity in her voice as she described the turmoil ripping through her hospital ... Read more
Farmers upgrade dairy barn — then move in
STIRLING — Brian and Donna Kerby sold the cows years ago and recently moved into their dairy barn ... Read more
Oxford, Perth cropland ranks as Ontario’s costliest
OXFORD — Farmland prices increased almost everywhere in Southwestern Ontario last year, with the most expensive hitting a median value of $30,000 per acre in Oxford and Perth counties, according to a survey ... Read more
25 YEARS AGO: Renfrew farmer paid $1 for Pembroke hospital, a pile of headaches, and dream of retirement living come true
PEMBROKE — Twenty-five years ago last month, Renfrew County crop farmer and Farmers Forum columnist Maynard Van der Galien handed the province a $1 note for the purchase of the former Pembroke Civic Hospital ... Read more
The man who took down the OSPCA
Chesterville farmer David Robinson beat their charges, but it financially flattened him ... Read more
New research will help farmers predict health issues in cattle long before you can
Work is already underway at two undisclosed pilot dairy farms, one in Eastern Ontario and one in Quebec, although they say this will “quickly” expand to a network of over 100 farms across both provinces ... Read more
Farmer survives tractor runover
31-year-old sustains non-life-threatening injuries Read more
Two ATV collisions, two deaths, including a 16-year-old
LISTOWEL — The 16-year-old operator of an all-terrain vehicle died in hospital more than a week after a June 12 collision with a pickup truck on a country road in rural Perth County ... Read more
20 Ontario cow-milk producers now processing dairy on-farm
ONTARIO — Once rare as hen’s teeth, there are now 20 farms processing and selling their own cow-milk dairy products in Ontario. Read more
Young and old pull together at 30th vintage tractor jam
Metcalfe resident Victoria Dooley, 12, peers up at her father, Darrell, as she drives a 1950s Cockshutt 30 in a tractor pull at Stanley’s Olde Maple Lane Farm, southeast of Ottawa. It was Victoria’s first time competing in a tractor class. The 30th anniversary Vintage Tractor Jam drew visitors from... Read more
Late Stan Vanden Bosch receives Award of Excellence
The OVSGA Award of Excellence recognizes outstanding achievement in agriculture. Read more
Farmer fought at tribunal to establish Ontario’s first on-farm organic dairy processing plant
ST. EUGENE — Ontario has 20 cow-milk dairy producers licensed to process and market at least some of their own milk, and the Dairy Farmers of Ontario happily encourages this niche industry. Read more
Crop diagnostic day returns to Winchester, July 19-20
WINCHESTER — After a three-year hiatus, Eastern Ontario Field Crop Diagnostic Day is set to attract farmers back to the Winchester Agricultural Research Station later this month. Read more
Genetic mutation means Holstein calves cannot stand up
Since 2019, American dairy farmers began to notice a few calves in their herds that couldn’t stand up. Read more
WESTERN ONTARIO: Crop report, July 2023
Rows closed on most corn planted by mid to later May ... Read more
Two wind turbines catch fire in Western Ontario
Farmers Forum staff CHATHAM — There were two wind turbine fires in Western Ontario last month. A wind turbine burst into flames just northeast of Goderich on June 3. Despite speculation of a lightning strike, “there was no lightning that day,” said Goderich fire chief Jeff Wormington. In discussion... Read more
STEVE KELL: What was the price bandit that stole our crop rally? The Canadian dollar
Steve Kell’s Market Minute Agricultural commodities markets tend to have a reliable seasonal cycle to them, and that “seasonality” in prices is almost entirely the result of weather during the growing season for the major crops in the significant production regions around the world. For North... Read more
KNOW THIS GUY? Suspects sought in theft of Kubota tractor, trailer
NORFOLK — Police have released photos of suspects connected with the theft of a tractor, a trailer and a pickup truck from a Norfolk County business on Highway 3. The combination was stolen sometime during the early morning hours of June 22. The truck has been recovered but the hunt is still on for... Read more
Ridgetown graduates 112 ag students
RIDGETOWN — The Class of 2023 graduated last month from the University of Guelph’s Ridgetown campus, including 112 graduates with an associate diploma in agriculture, the largest single discipline on campus. That’s up from the 51 agricultural diploma graduates of 2022 but down from the 126 graduates... Read more
Dogs are not livestock killers, townships say
Nelson Zandbergen Farmers Forum SPENCERVILLE — How deadly are domestic dogs to farm livestock when compared with wild predators like coyotes, wolves, foxes and weasels? Not very deadly at all, based on the informal recollection of municipal officials familiar with livestock losses inflicted by dogs.... Read more
Lab-cultivated chicken approved for sale in the United States
WASHINGTON — The United States has approved the production and sale of lab-grown chicken cells, a move that has alarmed farm groups that say the product should not be called meat. The U.S. Department of Agriculture granted approval on June 21, opening the door to an entirely new alternative pr... Read more
MEGA-FARMS: 200 farms in Canada each have more than 25,000 acres
200 farms in Canada have more than 25,000 acres Read more
EASTERN ONTARIO: Crop Report, June 21
CORN • 7- to 9-leaf stage on June 20. • 691 Corn Heat Units (CHU) measured in Kemptville from May 1 to June 20, down from the 53-year average of 831 CHU. • Corn stands overall in good to excellent ratings. • July tassel time will be fungicide time. Look at reduced tillage, corn-on-corn and […... Read more
Lockdowns’ cancerous legacy
Lockdowns increased undiagnosed cancer, shuttered businesses, was disastrous policy, studies show Read more
World’s biggest soybean processor Bunge inks merger with rival Viterra
ST. LOUIS — Bunge Ltd., a leading U.S. grains merchant and the world’s largest soybean processor, will merge with Viterra ... Read more
OPINION: Food Day best celebrated without those in charge
The first Food Day Canada will be celebrated on August 5. But is it a day of celebration? Some nationally recognized days are for celebrating. Others are for honouring or mourning. Christmas is celebrated. Easter is first mourned (the brutal execution of Christ) on Good Friday, then celebrated (His... Read more
The case against banning glyphosate in Canada
Glyphosate, commonly known as Roundup, has been a vital tool in modern agriculture for several decades. Read more
U of G breaks ground on $16-million honey bee research centre
GUELPH — The University of Guelph has broken ground on a new 15,000-square-foot headquarters for the school’s honey bee research centre. Read more
Cover crops can be good or bad, depending on environment and implementation methods, study finds
Researchers at Stanford University have conducted the first large-scale, field-level analysis to understand the impact of cover cropping on crop yields. Read more
Rotational grazing hinders cattle weight gain, US study finds
A 10-year study conducted by researchers at the USDA’s Agricultural Research Service (ARS) found that rotational grazing produces cattle with less weight-gain than continuously-grazing cattle. Read more
Combine sales up, tractor sales down
New combine sales on both sides of the border have increased in April. Read more
Newspaper declines farmer candidate’s ad ahead of Oxford by-election
BEACHVILLE — Oxford County crop farmer John Markus said he has been bombarded with positive feedback after a local newspaper declined to publish a full-page ad that he had already paid for. Read more
When bulls, cows become killers
The day after celebrating his 44th birthday, Teeswater area farmer, Martyn Van Meeteren got a late, unwanted present. Read more
OPINION: Allowing more rural housing on farmland makes no sense
As good arable land becomes harder to find, the less likely farmers will be to sever any lots, especially at the larger sizes that by-laws now require. Read more
Bottle-fed bulls are more dangerous
Did you know that bottle feeding a bull makes him more dangerous? Read more
Predators killed 2,346 livestock last year
GUELPH — Predators killed 2,347 livestock in one year, from April 2021 to March 2022, and farmers collected over $893,000 from the province in compensation. That’s up from the 1,938 livestock killed by predators one year earlier, but short of the nearly 2,500 farm animals lost to predation in 2020. Read more
OPINION: In almost 60 years, the courses I have taken can be counted on one hand
I’m not one to take courses. The number of courses I’ve taken in the last 57 years since I left school in 1965 can be counted on one hand. Read more
OVSG supports youth with scholarships
Young people are the future of the agriculture industry. Recognizing this, the Ottawa Valley Seed Growers Association (OVSGA) provides scholarships to youth of the Ottawa Valley planning to pursue a career in agriculture and entering at least their second year of post-secondary studies. Up to four 2... Read more
Dundas ag hall of famer, Estella Rose, recalls her first milk cheque was $50
NORTH DUNDAS — They were local farm kids and high school sweethearts: Estella and Ed Rose started married life with a modest herd of 10 Ayrshire and 2 Holstein milk cows on a 100-acre farm they bought on credit from the previous owner ... Read more
Gutsy move, grisly business: beef farmers buy Athens abattoir
ATHENS — Chad Hunt always knew that he wanted to be a farmer, and he always farmed with all of his might — but the financial realities of agriculture made it a morning/evening/weekend lifestyle rather than a full-time occupation ... Read more
STRESSED OUT: 45% of Canada’s entrepreneurs suffer mental health issues
... and you can thank inflation Read more
Parent distrust of government on vaccines has increased, survey says
After three years under a COVID pandemic scare and lockdown, the Canadian government is discovering that Canadians are more likely to question COVID vaccines. Read more
The future of dairy farming: On-farm direct sales an alternative to herd expansion
LANCASTER — Not every Ontario dairy producer is meant to take the plunge into cheese and ice cream production, but local cheesemaking pioneer Margaret Peters Morris says it’s an attractive idea for some farmers ... Read more
New boon for food and farming: Gene editing
OTTAWA — Gene editing is awesome and it’s too bad most Canadians don’t know what it is, says Dr. Sylvain Charlebois, professor and senior director of the agri-food analytics lab at Dalhousie University ... Read more
Mad Cow, 20 years later
For most Canadians, May 20, 2003, means little. But for the beef industry, the situation was nothing less than dreadful ... Read more
Health Canada calls for end of capitalism, says racism causes global warming
Holy cats! What’s up with Health Canada? It looks like they are suggesting we overthrow capitalism, Western society, and even the very concept of “liberty and individualism.” I mean, who needs those things, right? They’re so overrated. Read more
Activists eager to cut off Ontario from essential oil and natural gas needs
SARNIA — In a relentless battle that shows no signs of abating, the operation of the multinational Enbridge Line 5 pipeline has attracted the attention of anti-energy activists ... Read more
WESTERN ONTARIO: Crop Report, June 2023
Planting generally wrapped up by May 22 ... Read more
Jamaican report finds happy workers, not “slavery” on Ontario farms
Noisy activists with a strategy to unionize foreign farm workers just had the rug pulled out from underneath them. Read more
Ontario farmers’ realized net income increased 4.1% in 2022 but decreased for farmers nationally
OTTAWA — The dollars are getting bigger in agriculture but a farmer’s realized net income is shrinking as farm expenses rise faster than farm cash receipts, according to the latest figures from Statistics Canada. Read more
Ottawa offers farmers more interest-free loans
OTTAWA — More interest-free money is now available to help farmers with rising production costs, through the federal Advance Payments Program. The program offers cash advances on a producer’s future sale of crops and livestock. Read more
EASTERN ONTARIO: Crop Report, June 2023
Corn was 99 % planted by May 23 ... Read more
Farm severance off the table, but you can still build a new house on your farm
TORONTO — The Ford government has pulled the plug on a controversial proposal that would have permitted some farmers to convert some of their prime agricultural land into housing lots. Read more
Spring frost easy on corn but tough on tomatoes
CHATHAM-KENT — Southwestern Ontario saw overnight freezing temperatures on at least two nights in late May. Major grain and oilseed commodity crops were mostly unscathed by Jack Frost, but some tender fruits and tomato plants were not. Read more
THE MEGA-FARM: 48 Ontario farms have 5,000 or more acres
OTTAWA — There are 48 Ontario farms of 5,000 acres or more in size, according to the 2021 Canadian Census. Thirty-three of those farms are in southwestern Ontario. Read more
OPINION: Get off my land, says farmer who wants stricter trespassing laws
Angela Dorie Farmers Forum CORNWALL — Our phone rang for the fourth time that Sunday afternoon, the same unknown number. Husband working the land, I answered, knowing it would be the same as the other three. “Your cows on the 4th have no water!” a voice bellowed. “I’ve checked, the tank is full and... Read more
OPINION: Is Food Day a time for celebration?
The first Food Day Canada will be celebrated on August 5. But is it a day of celebration? Some nationally recognized days are for celebrating. Others are for honouring or mourning. Christmas is celebrated. Easter is first mourned (the brutal execution of Christ) on Good Friday, then celebrated (His... Read more
Ganaraska Grain vexed by incoherent bills — slapped with $245,000 bill to cover two years of errors
Nelson Zandbergen Farmers Forum PORT HOPE — The co-owner of an Eastern Ontario grain-drying operation is fuming after she alerted natural-gas supplier Enbridge of billing discrepancies and was retroactively billed $254,000 in a metering mess dating back two years. Margot Currelly says the dispute wi... Read more
DRONE ON: applying pesticides using drones could be two years away
Nelson Zandbergen Farmers Forum CHATHAM-KENT — Drones are dropping seed and fertilizer onto some Ontario farm fields this season. It’s a niche market that keeps contractor Adrian Rivard busy enough — until the day that regulators fully unleash the technology by adding pesticides to a drone’s legally... Read more
Inkerman ‘olive oil’ from soybeans a hit with Asian customers
Farmers Forum staff INKERMAN — Move over olive oil: Canadian-owned soybean company Sevita International has developed and released this country’s first non-genetically modified soybean variety high in omega-9 fatty acid — also known as oleic acid — a trait desired by overseas food companies and proc... Read more
Labour Ministry launches safety blitz with unannounced visits to farms
TORONTO — Hundreds of inspectors across the province will soon be visiting manufacturing operations and farms to ensure that they are in compliance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act. The safety campaign began May 1 and will last until March 2024. Inspectors could arrive on your farm unanno... Read more
Carbon tax exemption bill gets push-back
OTTAWA — The Senate recently debated a farmer-promoted bill to exempt grain-drying and barn-heating from the federal carbon tax. But the bill is getting push-back from a British Columbia senator appointed by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Senator Yuen Pau Woo argued against Bill C-234, saying “the v... Read more
Ontario Lyme disease areas of risk largely unchanged from last year
ONTARIO — Black-legged tick territory appears largely unchanged in Ontario this year, based on the latest information from the province, although the blood-sucking species has turned up in one new corner of Eastern Ontario. Public Health Ontario’s recently released 2023 Lyme disease ri... Read more
Carbon tax increases again; monthly charge already hit almost $21,000 for one grain elevator last fall
OTTAWA — The federal carbon tax jumped another 30% in April ... for buyers of natural gas, which includes for barn heating and grain drying, that translates into a carbon-tax burden of 12.4 cents per cubic metre — up from 9.79 cents last year. Read more
No one wants a big truck on electric power
A 19-hour trip in an electric transport truck would take 69 hours — including 50 hours for recharging ... Read more
STEVE KELL: If 2023 looks very similar to 2021, what does that mean for crop prices?
The spring of 2023 has been a rough ride down for farmers watching grain prices and waiting for an opportunity to make sales. Read more
Farm groups line up against Bill 97 allowing new housing lots on ag land
Nelson Zandbergen Farmers Forum TORONTO — It’s been impossible for farmers to carve out housing lots on their prime agricultural land since the retirement-lot allowance ended decades ago in Ontario. But the Ford government is set to turn back the clock by allowing some farmland owners to extract a f... Read more
$8 billion BSE lawsuit appealed, goes back to court
TORONTO — A judge’s dismissal of a class action lawsuit launched on behalf of Canadian cattle producers hurt by the BSE crisis 20 years ago will be the subject of an appeal to be heard in a Toronto courtroom, likely this year. Read more
OPINION: Has our province re-discovered the value of rural schools?
Angela Dorie Farmers Forum A few days ago I was scanning through Premier Doug Ford’s latest offering, Bill 97 (aka “ Helping Homebuyers, Protecting Tenants Act”). I was looking for references about the possibility of extra severances for farmers and the concept of extra taxes on unoccupied houses (s... Read more
UPDATE: City wants 700 wind turbines!? Ottawa also approves 36-square km of solar panels
OTTAWA — Ottawa is one of the world’s largest rural cities with about 1,200 farms and thousands of acres of cropland and pasture. Read more
TRUE GRIT: Two men who stood the test of time and trials are still persevering
Despite how busy everyone is, farmers don’t seem to mind to stop and talk with you. Two I’ve had the good fortune to interrupt lately are both living local legends. Let me tell you about them ... Read more
OPINION: Food can still be a good deal if you shop smart
I’m fed up with all the negative news and stories about high food prices. Enough! The Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) leadership said government workers earning $40,000 to $65,000 a year have to go to a food bank in Ottawa. They can’t afford groceries. It’s ludicrous. A CTV reporter was out... Read more
OPINION: Reason, hysteria and the facts about climate
A voice of reason was heard from the Hill. It was not God. It was the House of Commons Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food. In a 57-page report, the committee concluded that farmers should not be forced to reduce fertilizer use if it reduces yield. Among 22 recommendations, the one that cr... Read more
Circle irrigation cheaper than buying more land
Farmer saw technology he needed while looking out of an airplane Read more
Carbon-tax exemption bill: Senator questions if farmers would plow savings into solar, geothermal
OTTAWA — A British Columbia senator appointed by Justin Trudeau has questioned the need to exempt grain-drying and barn-heating from the federal carbon tax, as the Senate recently debated a bill to make that change. Read more
DREAM CHASERS: Herdsman dreamed of owning farm for years, seizes chance in PEI as Ontario too costly
JERSEYVILLE — Ross Toebes, 31, admits he just about tore the steering wheel off his Toyota when the radio blared an alleged impending shortage of 30,000 farmers in Canada ... Read more
Governments wouldn’t dare steal our land, would they?
The spring-like, late-April day in Huron County started with a phone call from neighbour Rockin’ Ronnie Redbeard asking if Square Deal Niel had gotten in touch to get me wound up over changes to his Official Plan mapping ... Read more
Breeding cattle for more easily digestible milk
Dairy farmer John Van Dyk advocates for A2 milk Read more
In this succession plan, communicating is key
Shares offered without a price tag and daily coffee meetings keep farm humming along ... Read more
Parliament grants official recognition to ‘Food Day in Canada’
OTTAWA — Twenty years ago, the late Anita Stewart of Wellington County spearheaded “the world’s longest barbecue” as a show of support for beef farmers hard hit by the BSE border-closure crisis in 2003. Read more
10 companies share $2 million grant to find alternative fertilizers
Farmers Forum staff ONTARIO — Ten Ontario companies are sharing $2 million in grant money recently awarded through the Ontario ‘fertilizer challenge.’ The recipients include a new cricket manure vendor, crop-input companies, a robotic farm implement dealer, and a couple of biogas developers. The pro... Read more
CAUTION: Don’t try to fool these readers on what’s raising prices
James Pascual Farmers Forum GUELPH — It was a strange commentary from the get-go. University of Guelph’s Evan Fraser and Lenore Newman, director of the Food and Agriculture Institute at the University of the Fraser Valley, together penned an article for the National Post recently arguing that you sh... Read more
Antique seed drill gets 7 hours of action once a year
Farmers Forum staff BRINSTON — The Westervelt family farm is a modern dairy operation with cow-milking robots near Brinston, south of Winchester. But functional equipment from the past still has a place, such as the vintage Massey Ferguson 33 “nine-foot” seed drill that farm partner Martin Westervel... Read more
Make money by growing for the food bank
BRECHIN — Inspired by “sky-high” prices for off-season squash in his local grocery store, Don MacDonald began growing gourds at his Brechin cash-cropping farm. He’s since discovered the financial benefits of squash production but with a twist: He donates his squash to food banks in return for charit... Read more
How did thieves steal 30,000 chicks?
SOUTH HURON — Call it Huron County’s great chick robbery ... Read more
STEVE KELL: How to be sure crop grading discounts are fair
One of the most frustrating things in the cash cropping business is to deliver grain to an elevator or end user and find out that the receiver has a different idea about your grain’s quality than you did ... Read more
Growers need to find better way to ensure crop grading is accurate, Grain Farmers of Ontario says
When an Ontario farmer’s grain was tested at Grade 2 he balked and took his load to another elevator. He was behind the wheel, so he had the option ... Read more
Car plant wipes out 1,500 acres of farmland and we likely wasted billions of dollars
Nelson Zandbergen Farmers Forum ST. THOMAS — Thousands of farmland acres and billions of taxpayer dollars will be sacrificed to a new Volkswagen electric vehicle battery plant in St. Thomas. The Ontario Federation of Agriculture is decrying the loss of prime agricultural land, while the Canadian Tax... Read more
$80K tractor stolen from 401 carpool parking lot
ELGIN — Police are on the lookout for a full-sized farm tractor stolen from a carpool parking lot north of Highway 401 in the Municipality of Dutton Dunwich. Read more
HEALTH CANADA calls for end of capitalism, says racism causes global warming
By James Pascual Holy cats! What’s up with Health Canada? It looks like they are suggesting we overthrow capitalism, Western society, and even the very concept of “liberty and individualism.” I mean, who needs those things, right? They’re so overrated. According to a New Health Canada report,... Read more
Study finds pandemic took its toll on the mental health of rural Ontarians
Farmers Forum staff GUELPH — The mental health of rural Ontarians — particularly rural women — took a unique hit amid the lockdowns and other disruptive measures imposed during the COVID-19 pandemic. That’s a key takeaway of a new University of Guelph pilot study that surveyed almost 3,500 adult res... Read more
Jean Sullivan earns food champion award
Farmers Forum staff ELORA — A longtime local 4-H leader and farm organization volunteer from the Ottawa Valley was recognized for “telling the story” of agriculture and food in her community. Jean Sullivan received the Farm & Food Care Champion Award April 13 at a ceremony in Elora. Farm & F... Read more
Agricorp pays out $113.6 M in Ontario for the big three
Prescott-Russell gets biggest crop insurance claims for corn, soybeans James Pascual Farmers Forum staff GUELPH — Even though the 2022 crop yields were slightly above average for Ontario corn and soybeans – and 15 % above average for wheat – there’s always crop failure and many farmers are grateful... Read more
Canadians prefer real meat, survey says
Sales of plant-based products have dropped significantly in recent months, giving livestock producers the opportunity to rejoice in knowing that Canadians much prefer real meat. Turns out that “Price” was the biggest factor. The drop in plant-based sales prompted researchers at Dalhousie... Read more
Grain Farmers of Ontario commend agriculture standing committee for recognizing farmers need fertilizer
STANDING COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE AND AGRI-FOOD RECOGNIZES FARMERS NEED FERTILIZER Guelph, ON – April 28, 2023 – Today Eastern Canadian farmers from Atlantic Grains Council, Grain Farmers of Ontario, and Grain Farmers of Quebec commend members of the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food f... Read more
TIE-STALLS BANNED? Depends on who you talk to on the committee that made the rules
OTTAWA — Just don’t call it a ban on new tie-stall dairy barns: The recently updated national dairy code requires that all newly built dairy barns “must allow daily, untethered freedom of movement and social interactions year-round.” That will be the rule as of April 1, 2024. Read more
Farmer rankled by new vacant house tax that comes with unanswered questions
OTTAWA — As a farm grows, it’s not unusual for the operation to end up owning a number of houses, and that’s creating a new paperwork and tax hassle courtesy of the Trudeau government. Read more
Don’t force farmers to reduce fertilizer use, federal committee urges
James Pascual Farmers Forum staff OTTAWA — Farmers should not be forced to reduce fertilizer use if that reduces yield, argues a report released this month by the House of Commons Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food. The 57-page report titled Feeding the World: Strengthening Canada’s Capacity to... Read more
1 in 200-MILLION: Dundas County’s agri-triplets
OTTAWA — There were double and triple takes as identical triplets Dan, Tim and Andrew Van Gilst took a walking tour together around the 2023 Ottawa Valley Farm Show ... Read more
Canada and Ontario investing up to $6 million in market development effort
TORONTO – The governments of Canada and Ontario are investing up to $6 million through the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP) to help eligible agri-food businesses and industry organizations expand into domestic and foreign markets. The Grow Ontario Market Initiative is... Read more
OPINION — Farm wives have their own cache of tools too
Angela Dorie Farmers Forum If a survey of Canadian farm wives asked if they had their own tools in the house, despite having access to machinery sheds and workshops full of them, I bet the answer would be a resounding, “You bet I do!” from at least 98 % of them. The tools might range […] Read more
OPINION: Why I never saw wildlife as a kid but now city people do
Maynard van der Galien Farmers Forum There have been many changes to farm life since I was a boy in the 1950s and a teenager in the 1960s. One change that never seems to be mentioned is wildlife. You didn’t see wildlife back then. They stayed in the bush hidden from view. The only wildlife […... Read more
HOG HELL: Producers worry as Olymel announces closure of third processing plant in Quebec
OTTAWA – The Canadian Pork Council said Olymel’s April 14 announcement of the closure of its Vallée-Jonction, QC plant is tough news for the industry ... Read more
GO OR GROW? 44-year-old dairy farmer let the pencil decide
WINCHESTER — At a certain point in his career, a tie-stall dairy farmer faces an almost inevitable choice: Spend big bucks or get out. Read more
Homeless man lands job on farm while asking for change
Nelson Zandbergen Farmers Forum NEWCASTLE — Sixty-year-old Brian Bannister, was a local homeless man secretly living inside a rickety, tiny backyard shed in a residential area when a chance street encounter with a hobby farmer changed his world. Danielle MacDuff, who operates a 50-acre animal-rescue... Read more
How loving your cows can lead to a Master Breeder shield
Nelson Zandbergen Farmers Forum MOUNTAIN — Members of the Velthuis family at Vriesdale Holsteins in Mountain will officially pick up their first Master Breeder shield in Montreal later this month. And the women in the family have been key to the achievement, co-owner Robert Velthuis says. “Like anyt... Read more
Dutch, New Zealand farmers could fill farmer shortage in Canada: report
TORONTO — Displaced Dutch, European and New Zealand farmers should come to Canada as policymakers in their home countries drive them out of business, advises the Royal Bank of Canada and other authors in a new report that addresses a presumed impending shortage of 30,000 farmers in this country by 2... Read more
More than half of farmers asked to pay fertilizer tariff, survey says
GUELPH — More than half of Ontario crop farmers last year were asked to pay a surcharge to cover a tariff on fertilizer, a recent survey of about 1,000 farmers reported. Read more
NEXT STEP FOR VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS REDUCTION: an Ottawa working group to encourage volunteers
Nelson Zandbergen Farmers Forum OTTAWA — The Trudeau regime has set up a “fertilizer working group” to help develop a plan for “voluntary” fertilizer emissions cuts in agriculture, a plan that includes improved “measurement and tracking” of fertilizer emissions on Canadian farms. The group — involvi... Read more
OPINION: Corn price could push higher with weather uncertainty
By Steve Kell One of the really interesting conversations in the Ontario grain industry over the past few weeks is word that at certain times the Great Lakes export terminal operators have been “no bid” on both corn and wheat for spring or summer ’23 movement. The “no bid” news is a big anxiety for... Read more
WEATHER FORECAST: Warmer than normal spring
WINDSOR — Ontario farmers can expect a warmer than normal spring and summer, according to Environment Canada’s senior climatologist David Phillips. Read more
Farm succession law tweaked: Still offers tax fairness for in-family sales
Farmers Forum staff OTTAWA — The Trudeau government’s 2023 federal budget contained a surprise Easter egg: A tightening up of the tax rules that apply when transferring farms and small businesses from parents to children. The tweaks aren’t raising too many alarm bells, barely two years after the law... Read more
Eastern Ontario dairy farmer still rebuilding 31 months after fire
FRANKFORD — Quinte West dairy farmer Maurice Suurdt appears to have some more time to restart production at his Frankford-area operation after DFO’s end-of-February deadline came and went ... Read more
Dutch-farmer revolt exposes net-zero
Dutch journalist argues climate change fearmongering is an attack on freedom ... Read more
Agricultural ‘sustainability’ includes people and the planet … but don’t forget profit, panelists urge
OTTAWA — A farm isn’t “sustainable” — to use the current buzzword — if that farm is unprofitable ... Read more
50-year KCAT grads re-unite on April 27
IVY LEA — Kemptville College’s class of ’73 will mark their 50th anniversary with an April 27 reunion in the 1000 Islands ... Read more
U of G develops rapid testing to detect fake maple syrup
GUELPH — Fake and adulterated maple syrup will be harder to pass off as the real thing now that scientists have used ultraviolet light to effectively measure the different “fingerprints” of both pure and contaminated syrup. Read more
U of G: Mental health tops list of COVID-related impacts in rural communities
GUELPH — The mental health of rural Ontarians — particularly rural women — took a unique hit amid the lockdowns and other disruptive measures imposed during the COVID-19 pandemic ... Read more
Trucker gets one-year probation for striking, killing animal activist who stepped in front of truck
BURLINGTON — A semi-truck driver who fatally ran over an animal-rights protester in 2020 as he hauled a load of pigs into a Burlington pork-processing plant will pay a $2,000 fine ... Read more
Majority of Canadians oppose government intervention as ‘solution’ to food inflation
HALIFAX — Canadian consumers aren’t too keen on having the government intervene in the grocery marketplace as a solution to high food inflation ... Read more
Ontario sees whopping 19.4 % increase in farmland prices
The average value for cultivated land in Ontario increased by 19.4 % in 2022, according to the Farm Credit Canada farmland values report ... Read more
ANALYSIS: Fertilizer-emissions reduction won’t work, isn’t scientific and farmers don’t like it
For the most part, the farm organizations have seemingly resigned themselves to reluctant acceptance of the Liberal government’s strong-arm tactics even though they might not agree with the methodology or the ideology driving it ... Read more
Simcoe County potato farmer killed in equipment accident
Farmers Forum staff ALLISTON — A young potato farmer died after being critically injured in an equipment accident at his family’s Alliston farm late last month. Jonathan Vander Zaag, 24, died in hospital after emergency crews responded to P&K Vander Zaag Farms around 12:30 p.m. on Friday aftern... Read more
HAVE YOUR SAY: Are you buying what the prime minister is selling?
Nelson Zandbergen Farmers Forum OTTAWA — Last month, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau assured farmers at the Canadian Federation of Agriculture’s annual general meeting in Ottawa that his government is working on voluntary — not mandatory — measures to achieve a 30 % reduction in fertilizer emissions b... Read more
Ottawa backs off on fertilizer restrictions, CFA president says
Ottawa backs off on fertilizer restrictions, CFA president says Farmers Forum staff OTTAWA — While many Ontario farmers fear that government regulations will come down hard on fertilizer use, the Canadian Federation of Agriculture president Keith Currie says that Ottawa has backed off and credits pu... Read more
NO REFUND: Federal Budget misses the mark on fertilizer tariffs, groups say
Farmers Forum staff OTTAWA — Farmers won’t be reimbursed for the fertilizer tariffs they’ve paid out, nor will they see the removal of Ottawa’s controversial 35 % levy anytime soon. Federal finance minister Chrystia Freeland dashed both of those hopes in the 2023 budget, and Eastern Canada’s unhappy... Read more
Carbon tax farm exemption passes, moves to Senate
Nelson Zandbergen Farmers Forum OTTAWA — Parliament passed a carbon-tax exemption for grain-drying and barn-heating on March 29, sending private member’s Bill C-234 to the Senate for final approval. The third and final vote in the House of Commons passed 176-146 with the Conservatives, NDP and Bloc... Read more
18-year-old Western Ontario teen killed in grain auger accident
AYLMER — A Western Ontario teenager was killed after getting caught in an auger at Elgin Feeds in Elgin County on March 15. Read more
SUNSHINE LIST: 296 OMAFRA employees earn more than $100,000
ONTARIO — The number of Ontario public servants paid six figures continues to rise ... Read more
Norwood sheep farmers specialize in genetic sales, win sheep pasture award
NORWOOD — A Peterborough area sheep farm, with a niche market in genetics, is the latest recipient of the Ontario Sheep Pasture Award for their expertise in pasture management for their flock of 800. Read more
Federal report on fertilizer emissions: 2,000 submissions but you can’t see them
Farmers Forum staff OTTAWA — The Trudeau regime has set up a “fertilizer working group” to help develop a plan for “voluntary” fertilizer emissions cuts in agriculture, a plan that includes improved “measurement and tracking” of fertilizer emissions on Canadian farms. The group — involving governme... Read more
Southwestern Ontario farmland prices spike 51 % in two years
Farmland most pricey in Perth and Oxford Farmers Forum staff PERTH — Southwestern Ontario farmland values surged 51 % between 2020 and 2022 and hit a median value of $23,000 per acre, according to figures compiled by analyst Ryan Parker of Valco Consultants in London. That whopping percentage is bas... Read more
SELLING AT THE ROADSIDE: It works but you have to deal with people
LYNDHURST — As the world’s second oldest profession, turning your land and labour into cash money has been the perennial problem in agriculture for thousands of years. Read more
FOOD FRAUD: Found most often in expensive oils and honey
Farmers Forum staff OTTAWA — Food fraud worldwide is on the rise and was found in Canada most often in expensive cooking oil and honey, according to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency in its annual report Meat products, however, are most often, exactly what the importer, processor and retailer adv... Read more
Ford is Canada’s favourite pickup truck
OTTAWA — No surprise, Detroit still dominates when it comes to a farmer’s most indispensable vehicle: the pickup truck. Read more
BACK IN THE DAY: circa. 1960
Milk man In 1960, Bob Dainard travelled door-to-door in Lindsay, Ontario, bringing milk and butter often to each house on a street. At each delivery he would blow a whistle to let homeowners know that fresh milk had just arrived. Dainard then moved to the next house, dropping off filled bottles and... Read more
Farmers balk at Trudeau’s ‘voluntary’ fertilizer emission cuts (VIDEO 4:46)
OTTAWA — At the Ottawa Valley Farm Show, Farmers Forum asked farmers for their take on the prime minister's recent assurance that his government's fertilizer emissions strategy will be 'voluntary.' Read more
HAVE A PLAN: three dairy farmers on exiting the industry
EASTERN ONTARIO — Twenty years ago, there were 6,000 dairy farms in Ontario ... Read more
Scammer tries to rip off farmer
Kijiji ad for $800 cultivator goes sideways quickly ... Read more
Farmer builds first methane digester to handle 10 farms
BRINSTON — A multi-million-dollar silo digester that can handle manure from about 10 dairy farms is nearing completion on Thurler Farms, southwest of Winchester. It’s the first in a planned fleet of 310 units nationwide to extract methane from most of the manure produced on Canada’s 10,000 dairy far... Read more
ACTION ON THE FARM: 19th annual Farmers Forum photo contest
CAMBRIDGE — Cassi Brunsveld loves to take photos on her Cambridge-area family farm and of her three-year-old son Conrad who would rather be doing chores than playing in the sandbox. Read more
Farming in Zambia is barely scratching the surface
Wrestling down my deeply-rooted training against eating with my fingers, I broke off a small chunk of the thick, white mush on my plate, following the example of my host. Read more
OPINION: What’s easier? Helping a neighbour by phone to AI his pig or getting a government worker to process a form?
Having turned 65 this year I reached my target for applying for CPP (Canada Pension Plan) and OAS (Old Age Security) benefits. Read more
MASSIVE MANURE INJECTOR: Kills odour, covers 90 acres a day
Nelson Zandbergen Farmers Forum KEMPTVILLE — In just two cropping seasons, a massive, tractor-drawn manure tanker-injector system has displaced enough fertilizer to recoup the investment made by North Gower Grains. “The amount we’ve reduced our commercial fertilizer use has paid for the machine,” De... Read more
RURAL REVOLUTION: The Lanark Landowners Association exploded onto the scene 20 years ago
It was 20 years ago this month when a small group of about 15 rural property owners and farmers in Lanark County met to unload their burdens about escalating government overreach ... Read more
OPINION: Making firewood, a productive winter workout
After retiring from keeping livestock five years ago, I needed something to do that would make the long winters go by quicker ... Read more
RJ Farms holds master breeder honours for both Holsteins, Jerseys
CORBYVILLE — Rare is the farm that wins a master breeder shield in more than one dairy breed, but the Jarrell family managed it earlier this year. Read more
Dairy farmer launches petition to stop milk dumping — gets almost 30,000 names
STRATFORD — When Dunnville dairy farmer Jerry Huigen publicly dumped 30,000 litres of over-quota milk at the end of January, it inspired another Ontario dairy-farm family to collect almost as many signatures on a petition decrying the waste. Read more
Welcome to the Ottawa Valley Farm Show
Jeff Waldroff OVSGA President Guest Column OTTAWA — On behalf of the Directors of the Ottawa Valley Seed Growers Association, I invite everyone to visit the 2023 Ottawa Valley Farm Show. We are all are very excited to welcome you back in-person. After a three-year absence we have missed you! OVSGA d... Read more
OPINION: All dairy farmers dump milk but rarely do they dump saleable milk
If you are of a certain age or had parents who were diehard fans of “Dragnet,” the popular 1950s police crime drama, you will remember Sergeant Joe Friday and the phase ... Read more
Ottawa Valley Farm Show is back with 365 exhibits
OTTAWA — Re-emerging from a three-year hiatus, the Ottawa Valley Farm Show returns this month to the EY Centre, next to Ottawa’s international airport. Read more
EASTERN ONTARIO: What crop farmers worry about
Increasing costs and government disconnect on fertilizer ... Read more
STEVE KELL: China buys Brazilian corn for first time but it won’t affect global prices
One of the most interesting things that has happened in the corn market during the winter of 2023 is that China has reached an agreement with Brazil to allow Brazilian corn to flow into the Chinese marketplace. Read more
Ontario farmers go North for cheap land and grant money
SUDBURY — There is a small but remarkable migration of farmers going north, attracted by inexpensive farmland and government grants for tile draining the land. Read more
POTASH WARS: Blackrock to compete with Nutrien, world’s largest fertilizer company
Farmers Forum staff SASKATOON — The largest fertilizer company in the world posted record earnings in 2022, despite the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the Canadian government war on farm fertilizer. Nutrien Ltd., of Saskatoon, reported net earnings of $7.7 billion, despite lower 4th quarter sales a... Read more
Ag truck ticketed for going over 40 km/hr, evokes criticism directed at police
FERGUS — Is it time to liberate modern farm machines from the 40 km/h maximum speed limit that applies to them when on the road in Ontario? Read more
78 % of Ontario field-crop farmers use GPS technology, mostly for tracking and guidance
Nelson Zandbergen Farmers Forum VERNON — The vast majority of Ontario farmers use Global Positioning System (GPS) technology in their tractors and combines and the number of users continues to rise, according to Statistics Canada’s latest farm management survey results for 2021. StatCan conducts the... Read more
More farm unrest predicted for Europe
Farmers Forum staff OTTAWA — Farmer unrest in Europe is growing as politicians ratchet up environmental restrictions. In 2022, European farmer protests jumped 30 % over 2021 — led by the Netherlands — according to Verisk Maplecroft, a consulting firm specializing in risk assessment and data analytic... Read more
Hire a European worker through exchange program
Farmers Forum staff OTTAWA — Aside from trying to hire local farm workers on Kijiji or Indeed.com or hiring Mexican and Caribbean labourers through the seasonal workers program, more than 100 Canadian farms are signed up for a program that hires mostly young adults from Europe. The federal governmen... Read more
WESTERN ONTARIO: What crop farmers worry about — the cost of everything
Nelson Zandbergen Farmers Forum AILSA CRAIG — With another growing season just around the corner, crop farmer concerns vary but the biggest worries are about costs. Many crop farmers are concerned that there is no resolution on the fertilizer tariff issue “that’s making us uncompetitive with US and... Read more
AG CANADA NO LONGER BACKS FARMING: backs wild prediction of future climate
AG Canada no longer backs farming, backs wild prediction of future climate Patrick Meagher Farmers Forum OTTAWA — Agriculture Canada no longer appears to have the farmers’ backs. That’s the word from an increasing number of Ontario crop farmers who are not happy that the federal department, with a s... Read more
CANADA IS BROKEN: 76 per cent of rural people agree
CANADA IS BROKEN: 76 per cent of rural people agree and a survey of one week of news reveals they have good reasons Patrick Meagher Farmers Forum An online Leger poll of 1,554 Canadians found that we think that the country is in really bad shape and half the population is downright angry abou... Read more
BEEF FARMERS TARGET ANIMAL POLICE in one of 17 new resolutions
Farmers Forum staff TORONTO — The 2020 law governing Ontario’s animal police needs to be changed to treat farm livestock differently from house pets, according to one of 17 resolutions passed at the Beef Farmers of Ontario (BFO) 2023 annual general meeting. The approved resolution calls for a “segre... Read more
Push back or get hammered on climate change policies
Federal gov’t is making bad decisions, environmental economist argues ... Read more
Countries that ban nitrogen fertilizer “hate their people,” top scientist says (VIDEO 49 sec.)
Dr. David Legates, at the international conference of climate change in Orlando, Florida, speaks of the benefits of nitrogen fertilizer. Read more
OPINION: Science vs. climate hysteria (hysteria is winning and farmers are paying the price)
If you want to stoke fear about the environment, talk to the people who are most afraid. Talk to people who are taught to fear climate change. Talk to young Canadians. The federal government did that, paying Leger Marketing $56,500 to interview more than 2,000 people between ages 18 and 34. The poll... Read more
Farm Credit Canada paid all managers bonuses during three pandemic years
Farmers Forum staff OTTAWA — The farmers’ lender, Farm Credit Canada, paid bonuses to every senior manager in all three years of the pandemic, records show. The Regina-based lender was one of nine federal agencies to pay 100 per cent of executives a bonus year after year, reported the Ottawa-based B... Read more
Provincial decree opens prime ag land to housing developers
LINDSAY — Believing it’s wrong to build on prime agricultural land, cash-cropper Doug Shaw says he flatly refused a housing developer’s $10-million offer for his Lindsay-area farm. Read more
DOUBLE WHAMMY: Canada persists with tariff on Russian fertilizer and now exempts Ukrainian chicken from supply-management agreement
OTTAWA — The Trudeau government’s response to the war in Ukraine has come at the expense of Canadian farmers on two fronts: added fertilizer costs and — as it turns out — potential lost chicken meat sales displaced by imported Ukrainian chicken. Read more
Ontario farm net worth pops 19 % — but farmers say that’s not good if you want to expand
Farmers Forum staff BOURGET — During the lockdowns and pandemic restrictions of 2021, Ontario farm operations grew in net worth by a whopping 19.2 % — almost double the still-impressive national increase of 10 % — much of it driven by rising farmland prices. In Ontario, farms hit a total net worth... Read more
Carbon-tax exemption bill still on track to become law before summer
Nelson Zandbergen Farmers Forum OTTAWA — A carbon-tax exemption bill for grain-drying and barn-heating still awaits a third and final vote in the House of Commons, but the bill remains on track to pass both the House and Senate and become law by summer. However, this means farmers won’t get relief i... Read more
Farmers illegally dismantle emissions system on “every single” tractor, insiders say
... and “right to repair” legislation will make it even easier Read more
Ontario farm cash receipts increased 12 % in 2022
ONTARIO — Canadian farm cash receipts went up by $11.7 billion — or 14.1 % — to hit $94.9 billion in 2022, according to Statistics Canada. Ontario farmers’ share of this national increase was $2.3 billion, the highest after Alberta (up $3.5 billion). Read more
Mushroom farm’s carbon-tax plight highlighted in Parliament
OTTAWA — Indoor-grown mushrooms are saddled with the federal carbon tax, but indoor-grown vegetables, flowers and even cannabis get an 80% break from the fickle federal levy. Read more
POTASH WARS: Nutrien vs. “woke giant” BlackRock
World’s largest potash producer reports record income but will soon compete against woke giant BlackLock Farmers Forum staff SASKATOON — The largest fertilizer company in the world posted record earnings in 2022, despite the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the Canadian government war of... Read more
VERTICAL FARMING and the future of lettuce
CORNWALL — Canadians love their romaine lettuce. You can’t make a Caesar salad without it. But to eat it we need to import almost all of it ... Read more
PLOWED UNDER: Much to love about the hand plow but it just got harder to find
Charles Summers Guest Columnist Salt of the Earth Farm Fleeing bankruptcy and debtors’ prison in his native Vermont, a 33-year-old blacksmith named John Deere took his last $73 and headed west to the then frontier of Illinois. A year later, in 1837, forging a steel sawmill blade, the disc snapped... Read more
OPINION: Freedom Convoy gave the people hope
John Schwartzentruber Farmers Forum One woman stood out, unique from the throng of a thousand exuberant celebrants lining the main street of our little town one year ago. With one arm outstretched, like a stately statue she held a beautiful red and white maple leaf pennant high and proud. It wasn’t... Read more
RINK IN A PIG BARN: Farm family puts unused barns to good use
SHANLY — A Spencerville-area farm has turned a former pig barn into a private indoor rink. Read more
DO JERSEYS MAKE MORE SENSE? He replaced entire Holstein herd, others try to make Holsteins more Jersey-like
Nelson Zandbergen Farmers Forum SPENCERVILLE — Not so long ago, the prevailing wisdom suggested that everyone loved cute Jersey cows, just not quite enough to give up their almighty Holsteins. But things are changing. Some Ontario dairy farmers really are switching from the venerable black-and-white... Read more
KAWARTHA LAKES FARMER PROTECTS LAND with conservation easement
Kawartha Lakes farmer protects land with conservation easement Agreement allows him to continue working the land or pass it on to next generation Ed Hand Farmers Forum KAWARTHA LAKES — Debate rages in Ontario over the government’s Bill 23, the More Homes Built Faster Act, which has opened up... Read more
CANADA GOES TO POT: Cannabis-impaired driving has skyrocketed
It’s now easier to find pot than a Tim Hortons coffee shop .... Read more
OPINION: U.S. proposal of less soy in biodiesel would cool soybean market
Steve Kell’s Market Minute One of the most remarkable things to watch in the agricultural commodities markets in the 21st century has been the emergence of renewable fuels, and the groundswell of demand for grains and oilseeds as farmers fuel motor vehicles. Ethanol typically carries the headlines i... Read more
WHAT’S WRONG WITH NET ZERO? It’s based on a fallacy of a crisis while innovation is best path forward
Patrick Meagher Farmers Forum The Dairy Farmers of Canada has been running online advertising that makes some dairy farmers cringe. The video reveals a drone’s view of Canadian farms as a voice-over reports that “Reaching net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 takes a lot of work. Who would commi... Read more
SIZZLING SOYBEANS: Soil is poorly understood in soybean production
GUELPH — What’s it take to grow a “sizzling” soybean crop? Soil plays a key role, naturally, but experts at the 2023 Ontario Agricultural Conference admitted that relatively little is understood about the below-ground processes ... Read more
FARM-FAVOURITE DOC QUITS: Dr. Matt Strauss eased restrictions, skeptical of masks
SIMCOE — Dr. Matt Strauss, the straight-shooting Haldimand-Norfolk medical officer of health who was hired after farmers denounced the pandemic policies of his predecessor ... Read more
GLOBAL WARMING HAS BEEN GREAT (for North American agriculture), scientist says
Nelson Zandbergen Farmers Forum For decades, the farmers of Canada and the U.S. have enjoyed ever increasing yields, and a lot of that extra bounty is due to a slight increase in global warming and extra sunshine, says Iowa-based plant physiologist and research scientist Dr. Jeff Schussler. He also... Read more
Dairy farmer dumps milk, makes video, faces backlash
HALDIMAND COUNTY — A stainless steel pipe gushes fresh milk over the milking-parlour floor as unhappy Dunnville dairy farmer Jerry Huigen loudly decries having to waste 30,000 litres ... Read more
PROFESSOR SAYS: U.S. egg prices skyrocket but supply management keeps Canadian prices stable
OTTAWA — The avian flu crisis has driven up the price of eggs in the U.S. but not so much in Canada and you can thank our supply management system, says the professor who supply management farmers love to loathe. Read more
WINTER IS SHOW SEASON: Farm shows, conferences are back
WINTER IS SHOW SEASON: Farm shows, conferences are back Farmers Forum staff EASTERN ONTARIO — February and March are a traditional time for farmers to get out, get together and check out the latest technology and information at a variety of winter shows and conferences. And after the upheaval of the... Read more
BREEDING LOW METHANE CATTLE: Genetic trait a game changer for dairy industry
BREEDING LOW METHANE CATTLE: Genetic trait a game changer for dairy industry GUELPH — Knowledge is power, and Ontario dairy farmers will soon be empowered to breed low-methane cattle to gradually cut their herd’s emissions of the greenhouse gas 20 to 30 % by 2050, according to Semex. The bovine seme... Read more
CAR SURGERY: Creates utility buggy from a Dodge
CAR SURGERY: Creates utility buggy from a Dodge Nelson Zandbergen Farmers Forum SPENCERVILLE — Retired mechanic Tom Luimes has a thing for turning old cars into dune buggies. But this one is for moving empty wagons around the farm. Since 1992, this buggy (at left) has proven useful at... Read more
ONE YEAR AGO: Freedom Convoy shook the nation
ONE YEAR AGO: Freedom Convoy shook the nation Patrick Meagher Farmers Forum There was a noticeable increase in vehicles sporting Canadian flags in downtown Ottawa and it was not Canada’s birthday. Snow was piled high on the sidewalks and it was -8 C. Government employees were told to keep an eye out... Read more
EVERYTHING IS ON THE RISE… from mental health issues to food prices
As 2023 starts off, things don’t look much better. Groceries are forecast to increase another 5 % to 7 % in the first six months of this year on top of the 10.3 % they increased last year. Plus the Bank of Canada has increased the overnight rate by another 0.25 % placing home ownership […] Read more
ROBOT MINDS MAKE FARMING DECISIONS
A robot can now give you better advice than your neighbour and give the crop advisor a run for his money. Read more
ONTARIO SAW 152 BARN FIRES IN 2021
TORONTO — Ontario had 152 barn fires and record damages of just over $54 million in 2021, according to the most current statistics from the Ontario Fire Marshal’s Office ... Read more
The animal police took his cattle, did not charge him, but are still after him
Beef farmer wins another round with PAWS trying to stick him with foster-farm bill Read more
FEDERALLY-INSPECTED SLAUGHTERHOUSE SUSPENDED OPERATIONS, CFIA reports
Nelson Zandbergen Farmers Forum TORONTO — Farmer-owned TruHarvest Meats in Toronto, one of the last federally inspected beef packing plants in Ontario, stopped taking cattle for slaughter at the end of January, according to industry insiders. “TruHarvest has indicated to the Canadian Food Inspection... Read more
GREENHOUSES, NURSERIES AND FLOWER PRODUCERS – report top Ontario farm income
Greenhouses, nurseries and flower producers report top Ontario farm income Farmers Forum staff OTTAWA — Total farm income increased in the first year of COVID restrictions. The average Canadian farm family’s total farm income in 2020 was $179,724. Ontario farm families were slightly below the nation... Read more
EMPLOYMENT DROPPED IN CANADA DURING COVID but not on farms
Nelson Zandbergen Farmer Forum OTTAWA — The number of farm employees in Canada held steady during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic while non-farm jobs plummeted. The number of people working on Canadian farms stood at 278,762 in 2020, a decline of just 0.3% — or 878 — from 2019, according to... Read more
WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM: The super-rich and their super-bad ideas
The World Economic Forum is not your friend unless you’re close to a billionaire or a president James Pascual Farmers Forum Canada was back at the World Economic Forum last month. But this year, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and most G7 leaders stayed away. Some say it’s a backlash against the super... Read more
90 % OF RURAL CANADA WORRIES ABOUT GETTING PROPER HEALTH CARE
ONTARIO — The vast majority of rural Canadians are worried about the healthcare system, and to an even greater degree than other parts of the country, according to a recent survey by Leger and The Association for Canadian Studies. The survey found that 90 % of rural residents reported being worried... Read more
FARMERS AT HIGHER RISK OF SUICIDE: Beware of stress, psychotherapist warns
Farmers at much higher risk of suicide Beware of chronic stress, heavy workload, psychotherapist warns Patrick Meagher Farmers Forum A Western Ontario farmer was under such a heavy burden of stress for so long that when he read a cruel social media message directed at his personal life and family, t... Read more
OPINION: My big 2022 victory, no pesky houseflies in the house — none
Maynard van der Galien Renfrew County Back in September I asked an acquaintance, who lives in the country but doesn’t farm, if they had the usual number of house flies, or more or fewer than other summers? “Terrible,” was the reply. They couldn’t understand how all those flies got into their house w... Read more
GRAIN ELEVATOR CHALLENGES: Handling grain shrink, contract executions, quality anomalies
SIMCOE COUNTY — Everyone who handles, conditions, and stores grain knows that there are more than a few challenges in the business ... Read more
TRAGEDY TO TRIUMPH: Paralyzed after accident, farm boy back in the combine
WALLACETOWN — At age 20 and fresh out of Ridgetown College, where he studied agriculture, Garrett Dieleman was one of many up-and-coming farmers in the area ... Read more
OPINION: Cynicism has the floor
Patrick Meagher Editor Last year was a year of lows. We went from having little confidence in our leaders and experts to having even less. We don’t trust them and our leaders and experts have themselves to blame. I present to you one of my favourite examples of cynicism to emphasize my point. It is... Read more
LAND OF MILK ‘N HONEY: Dairy farmer sells debt-ridden business, now sells prize-winning honey
MOREWOOD — Glenn Smirle hasn’t looked back since trading in his Holsteins for honeybees six years ago. Read more
OPINION: Ignoring science has damaged trust in world’s scientific institutions
John Tierney Fraser Institute There have been worse plagues than COVID, but none has ever done so much damage to the world’s scientific institutions. In the pre-COVID era, the public health establishment had been gradually falling under the sway of progressives pushing their agenda, but it retained... Read more
KEEPING IT NATURAL: Sheep farm employs horses, skips on inputs, avoids debt
LYNDHURST — In light of the extremely productive, but also very intensive manner of today’s farming, it is also possible to produce food through more of an “ecology management” technique ... Read more
ROYAL WINNING BULL: Once-in-a-lifetime deal has now spiked in value, says Perth owner
PERTH — Shane Reid was especially delighted at the performance of an American-born Black Angus yearling — Buchanan’s Bruno — in the ring at the Royal Winter Fair in Toronto this past November. Reid — Bruno’s co-owner — watched as the animal, which he purchased stateside several months earlier, was r... Read more
FLORIDA TO BAN CHINA FROM BUYING FARMLAND: Canada needs to track land purchases
Canada needs to keep track of land purchases here, researcher says James Pascual Farmers Forum OTTAWA — The state of Florida plans to ban Chinese nationals from buying farmland and property in the sunshine state. Florida’s Republican governor Ron DeSantis initially expressed worry about Chinese purc... Read more
SECOND ROUND LEUKOSIS TESTING: Herd health surveillance project continues in 2023
Second round leukosis testing begins University of Guelph’s herd health surveillance project continues in 2023 GUELPH — Milk at all Ontario dairy farms will soon be sampled and tested again for several endemic bovine diseases in early 2023, as a herd health surveillance project overseen by Universi... Read more
GET’R BUILT OR LOSE QUOTA: Race to complete barn reconstruction
Get’r built or lose the quota Barn burned three years ago, race on to complete reconstruction by end of February Nelson Zandbergen Farmers Forum FRANKFORD — Quinte West dairy farmer Maurice Suurdt has been working feverishly to wrap up reconstruction and restart milk production after a devastating f... Read more
STEVE’S MARKET MINUTE: Follow world politics to predict wheat prices
One of the most important marketing considerations as we market Ontario’s potentially record large 2023 wheat crop is that international export markets are going to become a key driver of domestic price. With the expectation that this province will harvest more than 3-million tonnes of winter wheat,... Read more
SELLING AT A LOSS: 44% of Canadian fruit and vegetable growers sold produce at a loss in 2022
44 % of Canadian fruit and vegetable growers sold produce at a loss in 2022, growers say Rebecca Lee Executive director of the Fruit and Vegetable Growers of Canada Speaking to the House of Commons agriculture committee on Dec. 5: According to Statistics Canada, fresh fruit prices were up 9.6 % in M... Read more
DERECHO REPAIR AND DESPAIR: Ottawa area farmers face insurance hassles after huge storm
Ottawa-area farmers face insurance hassles after huge storm ... Read more
BILL C-244: Why steal secrets if right-to-repair bill gives them away?
OTTAWA — Farm equipment manufacturers are sounding the alarm over proposed invasive “right to repair” legislation in Canada that will make their proprietary technology easier for China to rip off and malevolent hackers to exploit. Read more
CHATHAM FARM SHOW RETURNS: 2023 show set for Jan. 25-26
CHATHAM — After a two-year pandemic pause, the annual Chatham Kent Farm Show returns to the John D. Bradley Convention Centre on Jan. 25-26. Read more
WESTERN ONTARIO: Local Dutch farmers glad to be in Canada
Local Dutch farmers glad to be in Canada While Dutch farmers cry in their barns, Ontario farmers don’t see doom and gloom here Nelson Zandbergen Farmers Forum WESTERN ONTARIO — Ontario farmers continue to be concerned about Dutch farmers as the Netherlands government presses ahead to shrink herd-siz... Read more
U.S. FRUIT & VEGETABLE FARMERS GET MORE GREEN FUNDING: Growers take risks, grocery chains reap rewards
U.S. fruit and vegetable farmers get more green funding Growers take all the risks, while grocery chains reap the rewards Farmers Forum staff OTTAWA — Canada needs to level the playing field to make Canadian fruit and vegetable growers more profitable, the executive director of the Fruit and Vegetab... Read more
DELETED DATA: StatCan wipes out 25 years of food inflation information
StatCan wipes out 25 years of food inflation data, Food Professor says Read more
ONTARIO DROPS $35 MILLION: Aims to bolster food automation, address labour gaps
Ontario drops $35 million to bolster food automation and address labour gaps Nelson Zandbergen Farmers Forum TORONTO — Ontarians will eat more food grown and processed in the province 10 years from now, if all goes according to plan. The Ford government’s newly released ‘Grow Ontario’ strategy inten... Read more
BEEF FARMER RAY WINS AGAIN: Animal police loses second round
PETERBOROUGH — Ontario’s animal police have lost a second legal round in their bid to extract more than $375,000 from a 78-year-old Warsaw-area beef farmer to cover costly animal-boarding fees when 100 of his beef animals were confiscated. Read more
DOWN THE DRAIN: Ontario farmers dump 1.7 million litres of milk
Ontario farmers dump 1.7 million litres of milk One farmer dumped milk last year but got no compensation Nelson Zandbergen Farmers Forum WESTERN ONTARIO — Nobody picked up the tab when bad winter weather forced Meaford-area dairy farmer Paul Vickers to dump milk last winter. So he was unimpressed w... Read more
OPINION: Follow world politics to predict wheat prices
One of the most important marketing considerations as we market Ontario’s potentially record large 2023 wheat crop is that international export markets are going to become a key driver of domestic price. With the expectation that this province will harvest more than 3-million tonnes of winter wheat,... Read more
OPINION: Milk producers told to dump milk after hours of waiting for milk pickup truck
There was plenty of warning of the “generational storm” forecast to hit Ontario Christmas weekend. Even if the predictions changed (as weather forecasts are prone to do) and it wasn’t expected to be as bad, it was still going to be nasty. Most started prepping mid-week, changing travel plans and Chr... Read more
CANADA SETS CORN YIELD RECORD: Ontario sets winter wheat record
Canada sets corn yield record, Ontario sets winter wheat record Farmers Forum staff OTTAWA — Canada’s 2022 crop season produced a record corn harvest and third-largest wheat harvest. But Ontario saw a winter wheat yield record for both soft red and soft white which cracked 100 bu/ac for the first ti... Read more
Expect strong demand for farm equipment in 2023, FCC says
Expect strong demand for farm equipment in 2023, FCC says Farmers Forum staff ONTARIO — Strong demand for increasingly expensive farm equipment will persist into 2023 despite higher interest rates, a weakening Canadian dollar and continuing low equipment inventory levels, according to a Farm Credit... Read more
Ontario beef herd numbers on decline since 2018
Ontario beef herd numbers on decline since 2018 Farmers Forum staff ONTARIO — Ontario’s beef herd numbers continued their decline in 2022, in line with an overall North American trend identified in Rabobank’s 2023 animal protein outlook. That outlook points to a continued “multi-year decline” in Nor... Read more
Top 10 stories of 2022
OTTAWA — Farmers headed into 2022 amid strong crop prices that followed one of the most bountiful growing seasons in living memory. Alongside this optimism, however, was an intensified societal malaise ... Read more
13 farm fatalities in Ontario in 2022
EASTERN ONTARIO — Last year, 13 Ontarians died in on-farm farm-related accidents. There were 9 fatalities in 2021 ... Read more
WHEN VOTING COMES TO NOTHING : Why resolutions from the OFA delegates get shot down
LONDON — Leeds County members of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture feel like they don’t get respect ... Read more
Local Dutch watch the Netherlands’ anti-ag policies and fear they are coming here
EASTERN ONTARIO — Ontario farmers continue to be concerned about Dutch farmers as the Netherlands government presses ahead to shrink herd-size and impose fertilizer cuts — and now, expropriate 3,000 farms while paying out 120 % of market value for the properties. Read more
Christmas blizzard stopped trucks, forces farmers to dump 1.7 million litres of milk
EASTERN ONTARIO — Ontario dairy farmers dumped about 1.7 million litres of milk due to the Christmas weekend blizzard that left roads impassable to traffic, including the tanker trucks that pick up milk from dairy farms every other day. Read more
January 18 deadline for On-Farm Climate Action Fund grants
ONTARIO — Ontario farmers have until Jan. 18 to apply for federal environmental money through the Ontario Soil & Crop Improvement Association. Individual grants range up to $30,000 for nitrogen management projects and up to $20,000 for cover-cropping or rotational grazing projects, through the s... Read more
Napanee farmer dies in blizzard on farm
NAPANEE — Sixty-three-year-old Napanee-area farmer Laurie Simpson wore a green John Deere toque as he walked out of his house around 6 p.m. to do some chores during the Christmas Eve blizzard that lashed Eastern Ontario. He never returned to the house and was found dead the next day on the property. Read more
THE BIG BETRAYAL: 190 countries sign deal to stifle global development and agriculture
TORONTO — More than 190 nations got together in Montreal this month to figure out how to protect nature from people. They came away with a deal for the world that is so vague, it’s difficult to assess what it means. Read more
Remember when experts believed interest rates would hit 1.5% at year’s end? FCC 2022 Economic Year in Review
The ever-optimistic among us hoped we’d seen the worst COVID impacts. If that were true, a moderation in demand would help to lower inflationary pressures without invoking dramatic monetary intervention from the Bank of Canada (BoC). But with inflation at 5.1% to start the year and the omicron wave... Read more
Grains innovation fund invests in new ideas from straw-pellet bedding to kitty litter and Asian-style soy cakes
GUELPH — From corn-fed beef to bran-based kitty litter, the Grain Farmers of Ontario have invested in all manner of special projects to spur increased usage and awareness of the corn, soybeans and cereals grown by member producers. Read more
OPINION: Cancel free trade
Make what we need at home, reduce pollution, create well-paying jobs Read more
BACK IN THE DAY: The Royal Winter Fair
This year was the 100th anniversary of the Royal Winter Fair in Toronto. Cattle judging, above, dates back to 1930. Read more
OPINION: Cover your head and ditch those big cheap red balloon-like junky Christmas things in the front yard
I got some groceries on the first snowy day in November and was rather amused to see a few shoppers come out of the store with a long handle ice scraper among their groceries ... Read more
Beef-dairy cross breeds open new beef markets
EMBRUN — Sexed semen technology allows Ontario’s dairy herds to produce hybrid beef cattle but the technology can be a double-edged sword. Read more
How to get involved or compete in seed shows
Volunteers with the Ottawa Valley Seed Growers Association have been working closely with seed shows in the valley since 1927. Over the decades, local involvement opportunities have continued to expand with support from farmers and agribusiness. Read more
Blackstock dairy farm wins family award
BLACKSTOCK — Add another honour to the award shelf for the owners of Altona Lea Farms in Blackstock. Read more
Potatoes could outrank grapes as Ontario’s top vegetable/fruit crop for 2022
KINBURN — At Bruce Hudson’s Kinburn farm, potatoes are a sideline compared to his 700 acres of conventional cash-crops and a commercial farrow-to-finishing hog operation. Read more
Hospital treats cow and bull attack on same day
ALMONTE — A cow and a bull claimed victory in separate attacks on humans last month. Read more
World population hits 8 billion
On November 15, the world’s population reached eight billion people. Read more
Beef-dairy cross breeds open new beef markets
THEDFORD — At Stewardson Dairy in Thedford, co-owner Jeff Stewardson estimates that a female beef-dairy calf fetches $100 more than a Holstein bull calf. The difference rises to $200 for a beef-dairy bull calf, over a Holstein bull calf. Read more
Dial-a-vet: Out-of-the-way and smaller farms now have access to a veterinarian
Need a vet but can’t get one to come to your farm? Read more
Ontario farm cash receipts up 13.5 % so far this year
ONTARIO — Ontario’s farm cash receipts continued their upward trajectory in the first three quarters of 2022. The January through September period saw Ontario farm cash receipts hit almost $14.65 billion, up 13.5 % from the same period in 2021, Statistics Canada reports. Read more
Gigantic combine-tractor in testing stage
How’s this for next-level huge? Read more
OPINION: World population growth is a marketing opportunity
On November 15, the world’s population reached eight billion people ... Read more
Chronic labour shortage: 75 % of agribusinesses say they are short-staffed and working longer hours
ONTARIO — Nearly three quarters of Canadian agribusiness owners are working more hours because they are short-staffed and nearly half are turning down sales or contracts for the same reason, according to a new Canadian Federation of Independent Business report on the negative impact of chronic labou... Read more
The Ontario Agricultural Conference returns for real Jan. 4-5; see registration details
KEMPTVILLE — For the first time in two years, the Ontario Agricultural Conference will welcome back in-person attendees in Kemptville, Waterloo and Ridgetown in January. But act fast if you want to physically attend the revived tradition: Seating is limited and registration for in-person participant... Read more
OPINION: The rich world’s climate hypocrisy
They beg for more oil and coal for themselves while telling developing lands to rely on solar and wind ... Read more
ENBRIDGE LINE 5 BATTLE: Sarnia mayor frustrated by “extremely passive approach of waiting around for treaty negotiations”
SARNIA — Newly re-elected Michigan governor Gretchen Whitmer is still trying to shut down Enbridge Line 5 — even at a time when cutting off a neighbour’s energy supply reeks more of Putin-ism than environmentalism. Read more
Feds offer $1.7 billion for producers hit by USMCA
GUELPH — Canada’s supply-managed dairy, poultry and egg producers will collect billions in taxpayer funds as compensation for concessions this country made in the United States-Mexico-Canada agreement on trade. Read more
Used pickup truck prices slow down
The price of a used pickup truck by mid-2021 was 45 per cent higher than the previous year. You can thank COVID restrictions that hampered new vehicle production and interrupted supplies of new parts. Read more
Ontario farm profits jump 45.5 % in 2021
ONTARIO — Canada’s farm gross income jumped 15 % in 2021 over 2020, the largest one-year increase in 40 years, while Ontario farm profits jumped by almost 50 %, Statistics Canada reported. Read more
OTTAWA THE GRINCH: Farm groups demand return of 35 % tariff on Russian fertilizer
OTTAWA — Six farm groups are again calling on the Trudeau government to refund Canadian farmers for extra fees and costs resulting from tariffs imposed on fertilizer in 2022. Read more
WESTERN ONTARIO: Fast and furious corn harvest
Happy with average or better but farmers feared worse ... Read more
Carbon tax exemption for farmers inches closer to getting Ottawa approval
OTTAWA — A private member’s bill to exempt grain-drying and barn-heating from the Trudeau government carbon tax will proceed to third and final vote in the House of Commons — but with an added amendment. The carbon tax exemption will expire in 8 years unless parliamentarians pass a resolution to ext... Read more
Housing bill could mean more houses in your area whether you like it or not
TORONTO — On Nov. 28, the Ontario government passed what appears to be a developers’ dream of a housing bill in hopes of getting 1.5 million new houses built in 10 years to ease what it recognizes as a housing shortage. But farm groups and family advocates are not happy. Read more
Farm Financial Fluency training available online this month
ONTARIO — Farm Management Canada and accounting firm MNP will offer six-hour online ‘Farm Financial Fluency’ training programs for hog and beef producers this month. Read more
OFA passes 19 resolutions for change at annual meeting
LONDON — Delegates at the Ontario Federation of Agriculture’s 2022 annual general meeting passed 19 of 27 resolutions on Nov. 22. Read more
STEVE KELL: Don’t confuse harvest speed with crop size
One of the things which Ontario grain farmers are going to remember about the 2022 harvest for many years is just how fast this year’s harvest went ... Read more
Province to extend gas tax cut for another year
TORONTO — Ontario Premier Doug Ford is extending the government’s gas tax cut for another year, lowering gas taxes by 5.7 cents per litre. Read more
OFA has another stellar year with healthy profit
Financial statements reveal $9.6 million earned in membership fees ... Read more
THE SWITCH: Peterborough farm family winners move from beef to vegetables and love it
INDIAN RIVER — Kevin Cornish and wife Janet Dawson started their vegetable business with just two acres of sweet corn and a serve-yourself farm stand at the end of their driveway. Read more
Good weather, quick harvest, makes it feel like a bumper crop
JOHNSTOWN — Trucks were lined up at the Port of Johnstown Nov. 10 as the facility continued to take in the region’s soybean crop in advance of the corn crop that was soon to follow. Read more
Food cost concerns reach historic highs
The cost of food remains the top concern for Canadians and is the main factor influencing purchasing decisions, the Canadian Centre for Food Integrity (CCFI) reported. Read more
EASTERN ONTARIO: Eye-popping corn yields
Nelson Zandbergen Farmers Forum EASTERN ONTARIO — Under excellent harvest conditions, farmers made quick work of the 2022 corn crop that ranged from average to extremely bountiful. Growers reported near-record yields in Eastern Ontario, dropping to more average production levels in Central Ontario a... Read more
82-year-old dairy farmer dies in on-farm truck accident
CASSELMAN — Daniel Coulange was already a middle-aged farmer and a veteran of the Algerian war when he immigrated from France to Canada with his wife, Hélène, and their three children. Read more
Emergencies Act Inquiry: Freeland says elected officials not involved in Farm Credit Canada blacklisting
OTTAWA — In her turn on the public inquiry stand yesterday, Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland testified that elected officials were not involved in Farm Credit Canada’s customer blacklisting activities after the Trudeau government invoked the Emergencies Act last February. Read more
Beef king Billy racks up 40 ribbons
INDIAN RIVER — It was an impressive showing for the Indian River Cattle Company and the Elmhirst family who won 40 ribbons in their return to Toronto’s Royal Winter Fair after a pandemic pause. Read more
Eastern Ontario heifer wins at World Dairy Expo and Royal
Third win at national level Holstein show in one year ... Read more
MacLean farm of Kingston devastated by fire
KINGSTON — More than 70 purebred Holstein died in a barn fire at the MacLean family farm east of Kingston on Nov. 14. The owners managed to save only 14 animals from the ‘Duart’ prefix herd — a mix of bred heifers and dry cows. Read more
THE ROYAL IS BACK
TORONTO — The thundering hooves on the 6-horse hitch were back. So were the bull riders, trick dogs, and prize-winning cheeses, apples and butter tarts ... Read more
Ontario farmers see risk management program as vital to the economics of farming, study shows
OTTAWA — A new study, commissioned by a coalition of farming organizations, evaluated the risk management program (RMP) and self-directed risk management program (SDRM) and found that almost all farmers say the programs are vital for their operations. Read more
20 tips for preparing seed show samples
Ottawa Valley Seed Growers Guest Column County seed shows are coming again in the spring — and now is the time to think about getting ready! Volunteers of the Ottawa Valley Seed Growers Association put their heads together and came up with their best tips to help you prepare. Find out when your So... Read more
19-year-old pays $11,000 for cow that later wins show
2022 Eastern Ontario/Western Quebec Holstein Show Read more
First farm to earn cash from cow gas
ILDERTON — A London-area dairy farm is first in the province to sell methane — produced from cow manure and other waste — directly into the natural gas grid, and enough to supply 1,300 homes. Read more
Farmers need to take precautions as farm theft on the rise
Farm theft and trespassing incidents are increasing, and sadly, it’s a trend that is expected to continue as people struggle with inflation and growing fears of economic recession, the Ontario Federation of Agriculture reports. Read more
MAYNARD’S FARM HISTORY QUIZ: Question 1 is a stumper
Maynard van der Galien Renfrew County I’m a history buff and was reading through the Renfrew County Federation of Agriculture’s first minute book that begins in 1941 and goes to 1960. There are over 300 large pages filled with handwritten minutes. It’s slow reading and much of the handwriting is har... Read more
COMMENTARY: Nothing like waiting until the last minute
Angela Dorie Backroads Nothing like waiting until the last minute DFO demands for more milk with little warning leave farmers scrambling The morning of October 1, 2022, the men here got up early and hurried to the barn, just as they had a month earlier on September 1, 2022 and on numer... Read more
Join Progressive Dairy Operators on California trip this February
GUELPH — See how individual farms milk thousands of cows with the latest technology in California. A dozen agriculture- and dairy-industry stops are scheduled during an extensive tour of the Golden State being organized this February by the Guelph-based Progressive Dairy Operators organization. High... Read more
88-year-old man dies in Perth East after one tractor rolls into another
PERTH EAST — An 88-year-old man was killed while working on a tractor Nov. 10 in the Township of Perth East. Read more
Jaylor feed-mixer dealership opens at Winchester
Mejer Ag offers made in Ontario product ... Read more
Ontario less free than it used to be, think tank study says
VANCOUVER — Ontario is not as economically free as it used to be. The province trails all American states and ranks only above Mexico in the latest North America economic freedom index published by the Fraser Institute. Read more
Rebuilding after the storm
McFaddens to rebuild bigger dairy barn with robots ... Read more
Potato harvest variable but dismal at unirrigated farm
HAMILTON — Variable precipitation had an impact on this year’s potato crop in southwestern Ontario, especially if the operator didn’t have irrigation. Read more
Young farmers place speed above safety
23% of farms report a serious injury or close call in one year ... Read more
HEALTH CRISIS HITS RURAL HOSPITALS
Nurses quit, emergency departments close down ... Read more
OPINION: Crisis of encouragement
Troubled American actor Shia LaBeouf found God while living in his truck in California. He had come to the end of himself, presumably finding nothing much left that he liked and even had a gun on a table ... Read more
WESTERN ONTARIO: Shifting yields, but many see better corn yield than expected
BORNHOLM — This year’s Ontario corn crop was nothing if not variable as combines started rolling into the region’s corn fields last month. Read more
OPINION: How do we adjust our marketing strategy for winter wheat?
One of the really interesting things about the fall of 2022 has been how good the weather was for harvesting beans, (both edibles, and soys), and replanting those fields into winter wheat. Read more
WESTERN ONTARIO: Crop report
Corn harvest underway in most areas by Nov. 2. Progress ranged from just started to over 50% complete ... Read more
Teen trapped in skid steer, airlifted to hospital
Nelson Zandbergen Farmers Forum MOOREFIELD — A teenaged boy was airlifted to hospital after his leg was crushed Oct. 29 at a Mapleton Township dairy farm, north of Kitchener in Wellington County, local firefighters say. The teen was operating a skid steer loader near the concrete wall of a manure pi... Read more
Young child struck, killed by tractor in Waterloo Region
WATERLOO REGION — A young girl was struck and killed by a tractor as it backed up in rural Woolwich Township in Waterloo Region. Read more
Two-time North American top Harvestore salesman retires
Henk Huizenga found his calling in sales at age 49 Read more
THE LONGEST YEAR: Acredale Farms lost its entire milking herd in a devastating fire and it’s taking months to recover
MANOTICK — It only took 15 minutes for the fire to rip through the tie-stall barn and wipe out 127 dairy cattle, including 85-milking cows. Read more
Carbon tax exemption could be here by Christmas
Future of Bill C-234 looks promising ... Read more
No glee in Ontario over New Zealand proposal to tax cattle burps and farts
Ontario dairy farmers not amused ... Read more
EAST: Crop report
A leaf frost (-2 C) on October 3rd capped CHU accumulation at 3150 for the season, which is in line with normal ... Read more
SURPRISE, SURPRISE: A recession around the corner after recent ruinous economic policies
OTTAWA — The experts predict a recession for Canada early next year as fallout of rising inflation and interest rates spurred by massive pandemic spending and soaring energy prices. Read more
FCC forecast: Excellent crop prices for 2022-23
CANADA — As this year’s harvest draws to a close, Farm Credit Canada foresees “excellent” prices for the 2022-23 crop-marketing year in soybeans, canola, lentils and durum wheat. While well above the 5-year price average, the current period will fall short of the highs for those commodities seen in... Read more
HERE COME THE JUDGES: What they look for in cows at the Royal
TORONTO — The judges are eager to put their discerning skills back to work in the cattle show ring at the Royal Winter Fair in Toronto this month, following a two-year pandemic pause. Read more
EASTERN ONTARIO: Solid soybean yields but highly variable fields
MANOTICK — Eastern Ontario farmers have been seeing high variability in soybean yields but overall have seen above-average yields, Winchester agronomist Gilles Quesnel says. Read more
ORANGE HEAVEN
At front, Warren Abrams puts a pumpkin on the wagon. Other workers are Denholme Angus, Stedley Neil and Dennis Black. Read more
17-year-old Eastern Ontario girl finishes second at World Dairy Expo
MADISON, WISCONSIN – Nadia Uhr, 17, took a Jersey heifer to near the top of her age division in the Youth Showmanship Contest at last month’s World Dairy Expo in Madison, Wisconsin. Read more
PUBLIC COMMISSION: Why was the Emergencies Act needed to quash non-violence?
OTTAWA — Former Ottawa police chief Steve Bell offered a novel way of looking at violence during the Freedom Convoy protest in downtown Ottawa in February. According to his own testimony at the Public Order Emergency Commission, Bell didn’t say there were violent acts but that he “felt” violence. Wh... Read more
None the worse for wear: Farmer takes liquid-manure dip
WISCONSIN — Will Scholze was up to his chest in liquid manure while operating a bulldozer that slid into a cow manure pit. Read more
Food inflation hit highest rate in 41 years, in September
CANADA — Grocery prices in September were up 11.4% from a year earlier, the fastest food-inflation pace in 41 years. Not since August 1981, when Pierre Trudeau was prime minister, have Canadians witnessed a higher (11.9%) year-over-year rise in the cost of store-bought food, according to the latest... Read more
Quebec farm dominates at Eastern Ontario/Western Quebec Holstein Show
METCALFE — The first cow ever purchased by Samuel Guay, 19, of Ferme Lolisee in Brownburg-Chatham, Que., turned out to be grand champion at the 2022 Eastern Ontario/Western Quebec Holstein Show last month. A friend described 5-year-old Berwen Avalanche Fantom as “Sam’s baby.” “I knew she was the one... Read more
Tractors aren’t treated the same as other vehicles
ONTARIO — Farm tractors are treated quite differently from other road users, under the Highway Traffic Act of Ontario. The Workers Safety and Prevention Services (which now includes the former Farm Safety Association of Ontario) published a handy guide to remind everyone — farmers and police officer... Read more
Farmer calls 9-1-1 on “rogue” officer
Rules of the road not well understood by police and farmers ... Read more
He rides broncos and bulls and, so far, no broken bones
ELMIRA — The rollicking, bone-crushing rodeo ring is a long way from the tranquil world of horses and cattle on the old-order Mennonite farm where Lester Bowman grew up. Read more
THE NETHERLANDS: Gov’t crackdown could force sale of 600 farms
Farmers Forum staff NETHERLANDS — Ontario farmers standing with protesting Dutch farmers over draconian plans to limit farming in the Netherlands are now fearing the worst. Six hundred Dutch farmers face the forced sale of their farms to their unmoved national government in the next year, according... Read more
HELICOPTER CRASHES NOT SO UNCOMMON: Crop dusting pilot at Brantford did not see low-hanging lines
BRANTFORD — More than one year after a helicopter crashed while spraying a Brantford-area farmer’s field, the Transportation Safety Board of Canada issued its official report, concluding the pilot’s view was obscured by the early morning “glare from the sun” when it crashed into the “unexpected posi... Read more
SHOCK: Farmer’s storm water management fee jumps 10,000 %
RICHMOND HILL — Crop farmer Paul Doner has become the latest victim of urban government overreach. But for many, it is not a surprise. He is one of the few farmers remaining in the city of Richmond Hill, north of Toronto, where farming is not well understood. Read more
Man dies after motorcycle and farm tractor collision
WEST LINCOLN — A motorcyclist died after sustaining serious injuries in a collision with a farm tractor Oct. 11 in West Lincoln Township. Read more
In days of prim and proper and the one-room
There were 26 students at this Richmond-area quarried limestone school back in 1907 at 7511 Trail Road. It eventually closed in the 1960s. Like so many one-room school houses, this one was sold and became a family home. Author of the One Room Schoolhouse, Joy Forbes drew up a list of rules for “Byto... Read more
She’s launched a new look in barnyard attire
KEMPTVILLE — Brantford-area market gardener Nicole Toebes always found men’s overalls too bulky. So the mother of three young children and wife of a local dairy farm manager took matters into her own hands. In September 2020, she and her husband launched their own line of workwear — Mudeas (pronounc... Read more
OPINION: With all the major advancements what have we lost?
There have been major advances in farming over the years, but what have we lost? Our son owns our old McCormick International 80 pull type combine, built in the early’50s if not earlier. In August there was an antique combine day held a few miles away and our combine was one of the participants. Eac... Read more
HAVE YOUR SAY: Is farming more stressful today than five years ago?
Inflation, new regulations, increasing taxes and volatile commodity markets can contribute to the feeling that farming is getting tougher and tougher ... Read more
Local Conservation Authority manager takes charge of all 36 watersheds
Nelson Zandbergen Farmers Forum FINCH — The South Nation River watershed authority has spawned a new leader at the organization representing all 36 watershed — or conservation — authorities in the province. Angela Coleman left her general manager’s position at South Nation Conservation Sept. 19 to b... Read more
ABOUT TIME: Ottawa to investigate grocery store prices
Ottawa will investigate food prices. It’s about time. By Sylvain Charelbois With the hype caused by the scandal at Hockey Canada, few noticed last week that Ottawa decided to investigate food prices and the alleged abuse by large grocery chains. This was decided by the Parliamentary Standi... Read more
9-year-old wants to be a beef farmer; sells bird houses to buy his first calf
Farmers Forum staff OMEMEE — Nine-year-old Cameron Ormiston aspires to be a beef farmer like his parents at Windyvew Farm, so he’s building and selling birdhouses to start his own herd. The resourceful youngster is beginning modestly, with a single calf. His birdhouse project has so far raised about... Read more
Canadians react to food inflation and grow their own gardens, seek food bargains
Dr. Sylvain Charlebois Dalhousie University Retail food has increased by 11 per cent in one year, according to Statistics Canada. What are some Canadians doing about it? 15.5 per cent of Canadians have started growing their own food, just in the last year. Canadians have been trying to cope with hi... Read more
Combine-driving farmer calls 9-1-1 after cop pulls him over
ORILLIA — Cash-cropper Mike Sternberg says he had to call 9-1-1 on a “rogue” police officer who pulled over his combine and demanded to see the “licence” to operate it. Except there’s no licence of any kind required for a combine. The Highway Traffic Act exempts farm tractor and combine operators fr...