Ontario farmer heads new organization | He says soybeans may some day rival canola acreage in Western Canada
THAMESVILLE, Ont. — The recently named chair of Soy Canada hopes his interest in market development will prove helpful as Canadian acreage of the oilseed crop increases. Mark Huston, who farms near Thamsville with his father, uncle and cousin, said some industry players feel soybeans could one day rival canola as Canada’s No. 1 oilseed […] Read moreStories by Jeffrey Carter
Ontario sugar beet growers harvest record crop
40 tons per acre | Wet, cool weather favoured sugar beets in Ontario, but other crops may see issues
CHATHAM, Ont. — Ontario farmers generally believe that it’s better to be hot and dry than cool and wet, but there is at least one notable exception this year. Sugar beet growers are looking forward to what could prove to be a record yield, thanks to the cool and wet summer. “Right now, guys are […] Read moreU.S. company invests in Canadian hemp sector
DRESDEN, Ont. — Canada’s re-laxed regulatory stance toward hemp may lead to a U.S. company investing in Ontario and Alberta. “Canada has a remarkable regulatory advantage, and there’s good land and climate for growing hemp,” said Sam Alawieh, a board member of Creative Edge Nutrition and executive director of Hemp Technologies, which Creative Edge re-cently […] Read more
Ontario leads in food-grade bean exports
DRESDEN, Ont. — Food-grade, non-genetically modified soybeans have propelled the Hensall District Co-operative into the No. 1 export position. “We are the biggest exporter of food-grade beans (soybeans and edible beans) in North America and in food-grade soybeans. There’s no one in the states that does more than us,” said Jason McNaughton, the co-op’s identity […] Read more
Migrant workers in Ontario granted parental leave benefits
DRESDEN, Ont. — More than 100 migrant farm workers employed in Ontario have been granted parental leave benefits after six years of legal wrangling. Jennifer Pothier, executive director of Niagara North Community Legal Assistances, said the federal justice department, which represented the Employment Insurance Commission, conceded all 102 cases Sept. 16. Paul Meinema, national president […] Read more
Bean cutworm threatens Ontario corn
Weather also a concern | Cool temperatures in July and August have delayed maturity, and lodging could pose a problem
ZURICH, Ont. — It’s going to take spectacular fall weather to finish Ontario’s grain corn crop. Sixty percent of the 1.9 million acres that were planted this spring is at risk. “To me there’s no point of worrying about this, but it’s going to be a worse than 2009,” said Mike Nuttall, a private agronomist […] Read more
Vintage farm equipment finds eager buyers
HIGHGATE, Ont. — Bidders came from as far away as Texas for what auctioneer Mike Shackelton described as the largest sale of vintage equipment in which he’s ever been involved. About 70 John Deere tractors, in all stages of repair and disrepair, were recently sold near this southwestern Ontario community, along with another 50 major […] Read more
Animal bedding business thinks ahead of the box
Sheets of corrugated cardboard | Plain sheets without printing dyes contain corn starch that helps absorb ammonia and starts to compost in six to nine weeks
WOODSTOCK, Ont. — It seems like a simple idea, but a considerable amount of work was needed before Jillian Jasper could launch her corrugated cardboard bedding business. “I spent four years researching this idea before I began marketing it,” Jasper said. “It’s actually a little more expensive, but there’s a shortage of wheat straw and […] Read more
VIDEO: Disc gangs dominate cover crop tillage demo
WOODSTOCK, Ont. — Designs incorporating two gangs of offset discs followed by rolling harrows dominated the cover crop tillage demonstration at Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show earlier this month However, the demonstration featured a wide range of choice in terms of equipment weight, horsepower requirement, depth control, disc and bearing design and price. Ontario agronomist Pat […] Read more
Video: Biomass opens door for new machines
Choppers, grinders, mowers | Manufacturers introduce equipment to handle feedstock for use in ethanol plants, compost or livestock bedding
WOODSTOCK, Ont. — Farm equipment manufacturers have been beefing up their equipment to handle biomass. “This baler is well suited to the toughness of this material,” Glen Farris of Agco said while pointing to a Massey Ferguson 2270XD on display at Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show in Woodstock Sept. 10. The machine, built in Hesston, Kansas, […] Read more
