Cornell University economist says the deal signals that Canadians should prepare for life after supply management
DRESDEN, Ont. — The proposed Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal is receiving mixed reviews in the United States. The National Milk Producers Federation, which represents more than 30 dairy producer co-operatives, sees opportunity in the deal. The organization feels there may be opportunities to export more U.S. milk and milk products to Canada and Japan. “New […] Read moreStories by Jeffrey Carter
Infrastructure issues hinder Ont. vegetable sector
KINGSVILLE, Ont. — The United States is emerging as a new competitor in greenhouse vegetable production, thanks partly to the Ontario growers who are locating there. “They have access to cheaper infrastructure and lower regulatory costs,” said Jamie Cornies, vice-president of the Ontario Greenhouse Vegetable Growers. “I’m not sure on wages, but I’m guessing it’s […] Read more
Farmer awarded for providing pollinator habitat
STAPLES, Ont. — Adding natural habitat to a farm does not necessarily mean losing production. That’s been the experience of David Ainslie, the 2015 winner of the Canadian Farmer-Rancher Pollinator Conservation Award. “I feel when I give up acres for this, in the end, I value what’s on the farm, not what I can take […] Read more
Quebec-built 1896 thresher still operating
FLORENCE, Ont. — A stationery threshing machine manufactured in Quebec saw a century of active duty before it was given to the Sydenham Antique Club in 1990. Fully restored 25 years later, it is now used regularly at the Grand Ole Power Days event that the club hosts in this rural community in southwestern Ontario. […] Read more
Cheese sales drive Ontario goat milk demand
WOODSTOCK, Ont. — Ontario’s milk goat flock could increase by 60 percent, which would bolster production and the number of young farmers entering the industry. “The dairy goat processing here has capacity in excess of 100 million litres,” Ontario Dairy Goat Co-operative general manager Keith Cummings said at Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show in Woodstock in […] Read more
Ontario utility searches for stray voltage cause
Ontario dairy farm learns that an in-ground steel barrier has reduced the ground current that caused calves to die
THAMESVILLE, Ont. — The largest electricity distributor in Ontario is trying to get to the bottom of stray voltage problems on the province’s dairy farms. A large crew from Hydro One and the firm Kinectrics settled in for a day’s work at Herbert Dairy Farm Sept. 30 to trace the source of suspected ground current. […] Read moreRaw milk producer defiant after raid
DRESDEN, Ont. — Michael Schmidt and members of his farm-share arrangement remain defiant after a raid at their Ontario raw milk operation near Durham on Oct. 2. While both the federal and Ontario governments maintain that raw milk poses a health hazard, Schmidt wants its sale regulated. He views the farm-share arrangement as a way […] Read more
Expansion on minds of young Ont. cattle producers
WOODSTOCK, Ont. — After years of stagnation, Ontario’s cattle industry appears to be on the rebound. Dan Ferguson, manager of producer relations at Beef Farmers of Ontario, said there are now just 275,000 beef cows in the province, down from 400,000 immediately before BSE was discovered in Canada in 2003. Ferguson said his organization has […] Read more
German dribble manure technology debuts in Canada
The Vogelsang unit is equipped with a knife and cutting screen, turning manure into “liquid gold” that can be applied to a growing crop
WOODSTOCK, Ont. — Manure application technology from Germany has arrived in North America. Ole Beckmann, international sales manager with Hugo Vogelsang GBMH & Co., said dribble manure application was developed in the late 1960s in Germany and is now used widely in Europe. Vogelsang developed the first dribbler bar in 1978. The technology caught the […] Read moreNeonic issue continues to rankle Ont. farmers
A split was diverted within the Ontario Federation of Agriculture over the OFA’s talks with government about neonics
WOODSTOCK, Ont. — The Ontario farming community narrowly avoided a further split over the neonicotinoid issue during Grain Farmers of Ontario’s recent semi-annual meeting. Delegates at the Sept. 15 meeting had an opportunity to drop their membership in the Ontario Federation of Agriculture. Instead, they tabled the resolution. The GFO had refused to participate in […] Read more
