All Blog Posts Tagged 'agriculture' (32)

Sixteen of the eighteen current and emerging Agricultural Leaders in agriculture, agri-food and rural sectors have been continuing their leadership journey with their third seminar in the Advanced Agriculture Leadership Program. For Class 17’s seminar in Sarnia, the customized leadership program explored the theme of “Shaping the Future, Dynamics of Change, Decision Making and Responsibility”.

During their time in Sarnia, the AALP Class 17 group had the opportunity to expand…

Connections and collaboration were a key theme during the Poultry Health Research Network (PHRN) Research Day at the University of Guelph last week.

The research day brought together representatives from government, industry and academia to provide updates on current research and prompt discussion for future collaborations.

“The whole intent was to ensure that our industry partners and our researchers, either from academia or the…

Outreach and education are key components of the Poultry Health Research Network (PHRN). Five recently published factsheets, as well as research stories and a new seminar series, aim to share this scientific expertise with the poultry community.

The University of Guelph has one of the largest groups of poultry scientists and experts in North America. With expertise in a wide range of issues - from health and welfare to nutrition,…

Poultry industry representatives had an opportunity to connect with the researchers whose discoveries help their industry at a mid-July barbeque held at the University of Guelph.

A joint venture of the University of Guelph, Livestock Research Innovation Corporation (LRIC), Poultry Industry Council (PIC), and the …

Gayle Ecker, director of Equine Guelph, has been awarded the prestigious Equine Industry Vision Award for 2015.

The award, presented at the American Horse Publication Tally-Ho at the Alamo Seminar in San Antonio, Texas on Friday, June 19, 2015, recognizes Ecker’s innovation, vision and commitment to the equine industry.

Sponsored by Zoetis, the award is intended not only to recognize outstanding leadership, creativity…

This past Thursday I had the pleasure to speak with the Quebec Farmers' Association about marketing and entrepreneurship. Although the presentation was to the QFA, I believe it is relevant to Ontario farmers just as much. Take a look and feel free to comment with any questions or comments! Thank you, Kelsey Banks.…

As great as the benefits are for Golden Rice, with the potential to save 2 million children from dying of malnutrition, the reality is most GMO products are not focused on food nutrition but rather pesticide use.  A Pesticides is a general term for a substance used to control or prevent unwanted pests, such as insects, weeds and diseases.  There are numerous types of pesticides, a few common types include herbicides (controlling…

Agriculture has advanced continuously throughout the ages to ensure that people have enough to eat.  In years past the majority of the worlds population were directly involved in agriculture and so they didn't fear these advancements.  That is no longer the case, at least not in the privileged countries of the world.  Here in Canada roughly 98% of the population has nothing to do with the growing of there food, excluding any small garden they may maintain.  So it should not come to any…

Cambridge, Ontario (Marketwire- August 6, 2013)

In late June 2013, The Ontario government announced the details of their $417 million investment in Growing Forward 2. The 5-year provincial funding programs are complementary to the AgriInnovation and…

The slow pace of winter is starting to give way to a renewed urgency to get things ready for planting season.  The winter has stubbornly refused to let go, but as the sun climbs higher in the sky and the hours of daylight continue to increase, its days are numbered.  That doesn't stop the cold mornings from putting on a show.

These poor ducks couldn't get there feet…

When it comes to the growing season for Canadian farms, the southern counties in Ontario rank among the longest seasons, with favorable weather patterns and productive soils.  The land is relatively flat and ideal for producing a multitude of crops.  The two most southerly counties, Kent and Essex have a significant role in Canadian agriculture.  But it wasn't always this way. 

Before the area was colonized this was a forested land with many poorly drained swamp like areas. …

Farm Safety is no accident.  Long hours and heavy equipment make for the best conditions to have accidents happen, but they don't have to.  This time of the year, well in advance of spring work is the perfect time to plan for the coming year, and SAFETY should be a big part of that plan.  It is very easy to convince yourself "it won't happen to me" and you may even think theres nothing that can be done in advance, but I'll say your wrong if thats your approach to a safe farm.

Had a…

The last half of 2012 was busy for me, even took on custom combining to give me an extra reason to run home fast from the factory.  And although the crops turned out good, the markets are favourable, it was still a tough year.  

My appeal (Detail in a prior Blog) to have my farm land taxed at the farm rate came, and the decision made, NO you don't get the farm tax rate, you get to pay…

This is no record that will make the evening news, or ever the local newspaper, but a first none the less.

My cousin joined me in the field for first ever 10 furrow round.  Up until now this field had never seen more than my 5 furrow plough.  But on…

The wheat is off, the crops are sprayed, the pressing field work is behind me.  There is always more to do, but its no longer time critical.  Sure i can pull some weeds in the field, but it doesn't need to be done today.  The wheat stubble needs to be plowed, but no rush, I would prefer a good rain to sprout the lost wheat before I start anyhow.  Sure the free range chickens and turkeys need constant attention, but that has become no different than doing the laundry, its just part of life.…

It is starting out to be an exciting season.  The weather has been cooperating with my work schedule and so far my decisions have resulted in planting success.  The warm weather has brought Soybeans out of the ground after about a week.  Most of my Soys are planted on land that was plowed last year, and this ground is holding moisture very well.  I had to work the ground…

My corn is planted and on its way up!  It was none too warm on the weekend while I sat on my open air tractor planting two fields of corn.  The cold rain on Monday gave me a bit to worry about, daytime highs of 13C are not particularly desirable, but the heat has shown up and the corn seed has noticed.  Only5 days in the ground and I have an up shoot. The forecast has some reasonable temperatures called for, so I hope to see it out of the ground by the end of next week.

I have been…

Wow, does time fly when your busy.  The mild and dry spring has given me plenty of opportunity to take care of a lot of field maintenance issues.  New culverts, fixed tiles, disc/level plowed ground.  I have made use of every minute of sunlight and good use of tractor lights as well.  

The ground has dried out well, allowing field work on what is usually the last to be fit, that plowed ground.  Even spreading urea on the wheat, not a mark in the field.  The moisture is there, just…