Ontario Agriculture

The network for agriculture in Ontario, Canada

AALP Class 13 North American Study Tour Day 8


July 12, 2010 – The eighth day of our tour took Class 13 to Chesapeake Bay to learn about the opportunities and challenges in this area. The Chesapeake Bay area is the 2nd largest watershed footprint after the Mississippi.

We started the day touring a cucumber harvesting operation and had a great tour by a young and ambitious farmer named Hannah (who was also a member of the Maryland Lead program). After a ride around the field on the cucumber puller we drove over to tour the grading plant. It was a great stop and thankfully our driver Paul was able to get our bus unstuck (they had 5 inches of rain the day before).

From there we visited the Wye Research Station for an update on the Maryland Lead Program. Then on to the Wye Black Angus farm where we met 40 year Virgin, Forester and Briar.

A visit to a local winery and a large dairy were next on the list. Each stop provided a great look into the opportunities and challenges that are faced in the Maryland Delaware area. Plus we are bringing a taste of Maryland home to our loved ones (which is only 4 days away).

The day wrapped up with a good home cooked dinner with the Iowa Lead group. It was a great day of tours and speakers that provided a better understanding of the local environment. Many similarities were noted throughout the day with the struggles and challenges faced by farmers in both the Chesapeake Bay region and Ontario.

There is a resilience to defend the different agriculture industries with the environmental challenges that are being placed on the shoulders of the agriculture industry.

Tomorrow promises to be another great day – stay tuned!

Neil Hemingway, Nathan Klages, Christa Royce – AALP Class 13

Views: 47

Comment

You need to be a member of Ontario Agriculture to add comments!

Join Ontario Agriculture

Agriculture Headlines from Farms.com Canada East News - click on title for full story

CFIA Proposes Changes to Expand Interprovincial Meat Movement

Canada is proposing temporary regulatory changes to support interprovincial meat trade, improve food security, reduce costs for producers, and strengthen rural and remote communities.

American Lentil, Pea Acres Slide from March, Last Year

U.S. farmers planted fewer lentils and dry peas than they indicated in March, with both crops also posting declines from last year, according to the USDA’s June Acreage report released Tuesday. American lentil area was estimated at 747,000 acres, down 85,000 acres from March intentions of 832,000 acres and down 30% from 1.072 million in 2025. Area expected to be harvested was forecast at 701,000 acres, down from 949,000 last year. Montana, the largest lentil-producing state, accounted for most of the decline. Farmers planted 560,000 acres, below the March projection of 620,000 acres and down 270,000 acres from 2025. North Dakota acreage fell to 130,000 acres, compared with the March estimate of 155,000 acres and 185,000 acres last year. Washington acreage was unchanged at 57,000 acres. Dry pea plantings were estimated at 1.047 million acres, down from the March projection of 1.17 million and down 11% from last year. Harvested area was forecast at 1.001 million acres, compared wit

ICE Close: Canola Higher on Return from Canada Day Holiday

Canola futures finished slightly higher on Thursday as the market returned from the Canada Day holiday a day earlier. Modest gains in crude oil provided some support for vegetable oils and helped lift canola, while mixed movement in Chicago soybeans and soyoil kept the advance restrained. Crude oil settled marginally higher Thursday on short covering ahead of the U.S. holiday weekend. Trading was relatively cautious, however, as market participants adjusted positions ahead of another holiday interruption. U.S. markets will be closed Friday for the Independence Day holiday, reducing direction from Chicago until trading resumes next week. Prairie weather also remained a background influence, with excessive moisture in some areas supporting crop concerns, although generally favourable conditions elsewhere and Canada’s larger projected canola acreage limited the upside. November was up 41.20 at $736.50, and January added $1.50 to $745.40.

Manitoba Crops Holding Up Amid Wet Conditions

Manitoba crops remain in generally good condition, even as isolated thunderstorms brought hail, strong winds, intense rain to portions of the province this past week. According to Tuesday’s weekly crop report, weekly rainfall totals ranged from just 2 mm to more than 123 mm, with the heaviest amounts reported near San Clara, Roblin, Waskada, Minnedosa, Manitou and the southern Interlake. Parts of the Northwest have now received more than 150% of normal precipitation since May 1, while the Stonewall area is approaching 250% of normal. Even so, winter wheat and fall rye are flowering and showing strong yield potential, the report said, while spring cereals range from tillering to the flag-leaf stage. Canola development varies widely from the two-leaf stage to early flowering, and soybeans are mostly between the first and fourth trifoliate stages. Excess moisture remains the main concern, particularly in the Northwest, Interlake and low-lying parts of the Southwest. Standing water,

Fireworks, Flavor, and a 250th Birthday: How to Keep Cookout Favorites Food Safe All Holiday Weekend

In preparation for America’s 250th Anniversary on the Fourth of July, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) provides tips for practicing safe food handling when grilling and hosting outdoor gatherings. “The summer heat increases food safety risks, but simple steps can prevent foodborne illness from outdoor gatherings,” advises Under Secretary for Food Safety Dr. Mindy Brashears. “Keeping perishables in coolers or insulated containers, following a two-hour rule (or one hour when temperatures are above 90 F), and grilling meats to safe internal temperatures are easy ways to protect friends and family from harmful bacteria as we all celebrate America’s 250th birthday.” Here are some recommendations for safe outdoor food preparation and serving: Marinating Always marinate meat in the refrigerator, never on the counter or at room temperature. Marinade used on raw meat or poultry must be boiled for a few minutes to destroy any harmful bacte

© 2026   Created by Darren Marsland.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service