Instead of looking at what they don’t have, rural communities should look at advantages and opportunities to change things for the better, says report
BLYTH, Ont. — Canada’s rural communities should be viewed as a reservoir of untapped potential, according the speaker who opened the Rural Talks to Rural conference here Sept. 28. “Despite what they may think in Toronto, the world does not revolve just around Toronto. Rural Canada makes an important contribution,” Al Lauzon of Ontario’s University […] Read moreStories by Jeffrey Carter
Ontario’s regulatory body still in hot seat
There are fears that the Farm Products Marketing Commission wants to replace final offer arbitration when growers negotiate with processors
DRESDEN, Ont. — The Farm Products Marketing Commission in Ontario continues to come under fire for its unilateral attempt to remove marketing powers from Ontario Processing Vegetable Growers. According to agricultural economist Larry Martin, the drama that unfolded over the past four months adds substance to concern among Canadian farmers that their political influence is […] Read moreNiche marketing requires focus, dedication, say Ontario producers
BLYTH, Ont. — Niche markets are not without their challenges, but there’s often an important benefit once they are established: farmers can hold the line on price. That’s been the experience of Warren Ham, a garlic grower, and Fred deMartines, who produces and markets specialty pork. Both spoke at the Rural Talks to Rural conference […] Read more
Ontario milk firm builds in New York
DRESDEN, Ont. — Canada’s largest manufacturer of milk replacer has set its eyes on the American market with the opening of a 60,000 sq. foot plant in New York state. “The full capacity of the plant will not be realized for some years. In our projections we contemplate eventually outstripping the Canadian operation,” said Jurian […] Read more
Entrepreneur says venture overseas enlightening
BLYTH, Ont. — Martin Vanderloo recognized the risk when he decided to act on an e-mail from a large Ukrainian farming operation looking for Ontario soybean genetics. Some people in Canada even expressed concern that he was lending aid to their competitors. Yet Vanderloo, a long-time commodities trader, decided to move forward after hearing that […] Read more
Need a big guard dog? Consider a Kuvasz
WOODSTOCK, Ont. — Ranchers and farmers looking for a large dog capable of guarding family, flock and herd should consider a Kuvasz, a relatively rare breed. Amber Kunz, secretary-treasurer with the Kuvasz Club of Canada, explained why at the organization’s booth at Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show in September. “They don’t attack. They’re not mean. They […] Read more
Researchers look to microbes to balance soil ecology
Scientists examine the impact on greenhouse emissions of removing carbon-rich crop residues from farm fields
HARROW, Ont. — Harnessing soil ecology for the benefit of agriculture is the central objective for one of the new research scientists at the Harrow Research and Development Centre. “We’re looking to manage microbes to develop practical cropping management solutions,” Lori Phillips told the centre’s open house Sept. 10. “We need to think of the […] Read more
Nitrogen inhibitors save money, improve yields: researcher
HARROW, Ont. — Farmers have an opportunity to boost yields and reduce input costs with nitrogen inhibitors according to a research scientist at the Harrow Research and Development Centre. “The return on investment is there. Depending on the year, I see a three-to-one to five-to-one return,” Craig Druy said at a recent open house. “The […] Read more
Cover crop shown to deliver nitrogen, yields
HARROW, Ont. — As Ontario farmers start to explore the potential of cover crops, an Agriculture Canada researcher is putting numbers to the potential benefits. Xueming Yang spoke at an open house at the Harrow Research and Development Centre Sept. 10. “We started this because we were looking at an alternative to manure for organic […] Read more
Calf feeding system mimics Mother Nature
The inventor says it provides many of the advantages that can be obtained by assigning calves a dedicated nurse cow
WOODSTOCK, Ont. — A farmer drew inspiration from his family’s dairy farm and its raising of dairy calves and other young ruminants. He noticed there were advantages to having calves on a dedicated nurse cow. “We saw how well they did with consistent feeding and more frequent feeding. That makes a huge difference,” Lester Martin […] Read more
