DRESDEN, Ont. – It’s still unclear how the Biologique Canada Organic seal will fit into the organic industry’s branding effort. Some members of the industry, including the Choices Market chain in British Columbia, have assumed it was created to identify organic products that are “Canadian made, processed or grown.” But Gunta Vintins, a member of […] Read more
Stories by Jeffrey Carter
Science of farming empowers locals
GUELPH, Ont. – Ignorance cuts both ways. That’s what the director of international development studies at the University of Guelph learned through her rural development work in Honduras over the past two decades. Sally Humphries said her misconceptions about the ability of small Honduran farmers were swept away. She had been concerned their minimal literacy […] Read more
Ontario organic companies may join forces to compete
GUELPH, Ont. – The owner of a modest organic feed mill in eastern Ontario hopes to change the face of agriculture in his region. Tom Manley, working with an Ottawa investment firm, plans to open Organic Central in a former textile plant near Cornwall, Ont. The 19,000 metre building would become the new home for […] Read more
Staff, volunteers keep the Royal a regal affair
TORONTO – Working the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair is more than a job for most. For Dominic Rodriguez, who works as a janitor at the event, the annual event reminds him of his grandparents’ farm in Portugal. “It’s a nice show. I like it the best. I can smell the cows and I can smell […] Read more
Bean cutworm worries Ontario corn growers
LONDON, Ont. – Farmers weren’t too worried when the western bean cutworm showed up in Ontario in 2008. Three years later, they’re beginning to become concerned. “We feel the pest will cause economic damage this year, but just in a few locations,” said University of Guelph researcher Jocelyn Smith. “It seems the heaviest infestations are […] Read more
Everyone loves a world record tractor parade
DRESDEN, Ont. – Farmers have set a Guinness world record in this small rural community for the largest tractor parade. The final count at the July 24 parade equaled 1,231 tractors, more than double the number set in Stirling, Ont., in 2008, said chief organizer Ken Richards. The event also raised $120,000 for the Canadian […] Read more
Health Canada takes cautious approach to nutritional claims
GUELPH, Ont. – Government-certified health claims for the cholesterol- lowering capabilities of oats and barley may be coming to Canada. The timing depends on Health Canada and researchers Susan Tosh and her associates at Agriculture Canada’s Guelph Food Research Centre. “Health Canada is very cautious,” Tosh said. “They want to make sure that products with […] Read more
Ontario farmers see money in solar energy
RIDGETOWN, Ont. – Ontario farmers and other investors are hot on solar.Don Hilborn, engineer with the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, isn’t surprised. He said the potential for 11 percent return on investment is within reach.“I understand there are more than 13,000 applications, mainly out of rural Ontario.”Hilborn, along with Swiss engineer Thomas Bohni and Hydro […] Read more
Proper staff management makes efficient operation
LONDON, Ont. – Excellence in pork production is not just about the pigs, says a hog industry consultant. It’s also about the people. As a result, Hans Rotto of Ames, Iowa, developed a six-point approach to employee management. It begins with clear expectations, Rotto told the London Swine Conference March 31. “Have stated goals and […] Read more
Ontario warming up to energy crops
LONDON, Ont. – Agricultural energy crops appear poised to change Ontario’s landscape. The supply of farm-grown biomass is small, but interest and production are growing. Ontario Federation of Agriculture policy analyst Ted Cowan told a recent Growing the Margins conference in London that energy crops can compete as a source of heat with propane and […] Read more
