Canadian mining companies are coming to realize that economic development in the rural communities near their exploration and ex-traction sites is part of the job. Not only is conflict avoided, but mutually beneficial relationships are also possible, say Monica Ospina of O Trade in Toronto. “The industry didn’t used to think like this. Now they’re […] Read more
Stories by Jeffrey Carter
Celebration of agriculture marred by vandals with paint
TORONTO, Ont. — Animal rights activists may have picked a poor target if they vandalized pickups and livestock trailers at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair earlier this month. “If it was activists, and we’re not 100 percent sure, they’re not bettering their cause by doing this,” said Sarah Brien, a spokesperson with Farm and Food […] Read more
Royal ‘better than Christmas’ for participant
TORONTO — There are places in Canada where rural communities have faltered. The neighbourhoods where Nicole Shelley and Janice Kyle reside are not among them. Neither is the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair. “It’s a large part of who we are. My mom and dad actually met down here and were engaged. My mom was very […] Read more
Farm touts apple a day the dehydrated way
TORONTO, Ont. — With just a small orchard and a northerly location, Matt Peredery’s apple business is small in scale but big on marketing. The Sudbury, Ont., farmer attended the recent Royal Agricultural Winter Fair in Toronto, where she sold her An Apple A Day dehydrated chips for $5 a bag. Each bag weighs 20 […] Read more
Organic certification changes take size into consideration
DRESDEN, Ont. — There’s a move afoot that could bring more farmers into the organic fold. It’s one possible outcome if changes to Canada’s current organic certification process are introduced to address the concerns of small diversified producers. Tony McQuail, an organic farmer in southwestern Ontario, is part of the Working Group on Small Scale […] Read more
Mob grazing proponents advise gradual approach
Experts visit Canada | American graziers draw on their own experiences as they help other producers get the most from their pastures
ARTHUR, Ont. — The learning curve was steep and nearly fatal when Greg Judy began mob grazing cattle in 1999. He had the pastureland, the animals and equipment. What he failed to recognize was the need to fully integrate all aspects of his fledgling operation in central Missouri. “Basically, we were doing everything wrong in […] Read moreGhanaian intern hones farm management skills
Beef farm the goal | Earth University student says he will take back ideas gleaned from Ontario vegetable farm
WATFORD, Ont. — Tropical Ghana is meeting temperate Canada, thanks to a southwestern Ontario farm family’s sponsorship of Hayford Gyamfi. The 28-year-old student, who plans to pursue an agricultural career in his homeland, said his internship near this rural Ontario community with vegetable growers Tony and Joanne Hogervorst has been useful. “We don’t grow such […] Read moreStrategies suggested for extending grazing
ARTHUR, Ont. — Cattle producers who want to extend grazing into the winter must start planning in the spring, says mob grazing advocate Greg Judy. Judy said he accounts for central Missouri’s dry mid-summer weather and the requirement for stockpiled pastures during winter when calculating the carrying capacity of his pastures,. “Stockpiling is the biggest […] Read more
Quebec launches veal brand just as calf prices take off
Competition for premium meat Processor says the Vivo brand will include new cuts and introduce products like veal bacon
DRESDEN, Ont. — A Quebec company’s new branding program intends to keep milk-fed veal on the plates of North Americans, but it’s not going to be easy. Mario Maillet, president of Écolait Ltd., said 90-pound calves are now selling for more than $400. In the past, some farmers didn’t bother marketing their calves when they […] Read more
Movable shelters help producers manage birds
Pasturing poultry Ontario-based manufacturer says units have been sold to western Canadian producers
ARTHUR, Ont. — Most farmers pasturing poultry have cobbled together their own movable shelters. Now there’s a commercial option, thanks to a business launched by a farm family in Ontario. David and Ellen Weber displayed their smaller shelter unit at a recent event sponsored by Practical Farmers of Ontario. As far as the couple knows, […] Read more
