GUELPH, Ont. — Ontario farmland values may be about to soften, according to a speaker here at an economic outlook conference on May 26. “If I have to look in the crystal ball, I’d say you can expect changes in farmland prices next year, farmland prices going down,” University of Guelph agricultural economist Brady Deaton […] Read more
Stories by Jeffrey Carter
Greenhouse industry growing, but could expand faster
Lower electricity costs would allow Ontario growers to expand to year-round production, says official
KENT BRIDGE, Ont. — Development on farmland in southwestern Ontario doesn’t always result in the loss of agricultural production. With the greenhouse vegetable industry, it means growth. Jason Geertsma and his father, Rob, at Greenhill Produce are part of the phenomenon, beginning with a six-acre greenhouse in 2002. “We never dreamed in a million years […] Read moreIs corporate investment threatening farmer control?
BRIDGEN, Ont. — The extent of the problem isn’t known, but the author of a National Farmers Union report says growing corporate ownership of farmland should concern Canadian producers. “There are no official statistics kept concerning the type of farm ownership,” said Cathy Holtslander, former NFU director of research and policy development. “In terms of […] Read more
Piglets suffering anemia benefit from second injection of iron
DRESDEN, Ont. — Providing supplementary iron to piglets is routine in Canada’s swine industry. What producers may not realize is that a second injection may be help boost productivity. Dr. Robert Friendship cited work by graduate student Amanda Kubik in making the assertion. “If we got everyone to evaluate iron and then do something about […] Read more
Farmers stand up for seed treatments
DRESDEN, Ont. — Their provincial government’s shoot-from-the hip response to neonicotinoid seed treatment concerns may be just the tip of an anti-farmer iceberg, according to Grain Farmers of Ontario. Chief executive officer Barry Senft made the comment in response to recent statements by Ontario environment minister Glen Murray. “It doesn’t seem he’s satisfied with just […] Read more
Soybean’s popularity blamed for ragweed invasion in fields
HARROW, Ont. — Ontario farmers have two reasons to be concerned when it comes to giant ragweed. The weed, which can grow up to three metres high and produce prodigious amounts of seed, has become glyphosate resistant in the far southwestern corner of the province. It’s also moved out of the ditch banks and into […] Read more
Herd uniformity goal of sow feed monitor program
Online program helps producers group sort according to condition and provide precision feeding for maximum productivity
Uniformity is the core objective of Topigs Norsvin’s new online Sow Feed Monitor program. “Our philosophy in terms of feeding programs is that you cannot steer or develop a good feed program unless you can decrease the variation in your sow barn,” said Willem Steyn, the company’s nutrition team lead. “We give you the reference […] Read more
Leafy silage corn about to get better
BLENHEIM, Ont. — Francis Glenn scored a coup when he released the world’s first leafy corn varieties more than 20 years ago. That achievement and more recent silage corn breeding advances will be recognized in July at the annual meeting of the Canadian Seed Trade Association in Windsor, Ont., where Glenn is slated to receive […] Read more
Ont. environment minister slams neonicotinoid use
Glen Murray also touted organic farming as a way to reduce climate change
WATERLOO, Ontario — Not only are neonicotinoid seed treatments bad for the environment, they’re not delivering their promised yield benefit to Ontario’s corn and soybean growers. Glen Murray, Ontario Minister of the Environment and Climate Change, made the comment here at the annual meeting of the Organic Council of Ontario on April 24. Citing yield […] Read more
Ontario wine industry takes weather hit
Cold temperatures this winter damaged vines, but the full extent of the damage won’t be known until late April and early May
Ontario’s wine grape growers are bracing themselves for bad news as extreme low temperatures last winter reduced yield potential. Vineyard temperatures fell to as low as – 26 C in the Niagara Peninsula, Ontario’s biggest growing region. “We had a low of – 21 C here at our vineyard,” said Paul Bosc at Château des […] Read more
