Ontario Agriculture

The network for agriculture in Ontario, Canada

The Farmer - A more global view

Thanks to the insistence of my wife, this past week was spent in the luxury of a Caribbean resort in Jamaica.  But credit to a day long excursion to an inland coffee plantation I returned home with more than a tan.  In our high quality of life society it is sometimes easy to overlook that we are the worlds wealthy and the vast majority of people in this world can only dream of the lifestyles Canada's lowest paid get to live.  The farmers I saw didn't get the option to own their land, or even the crop, but make a living from caring for the plants and the environment to gain income from the manual harvest of a wealthy mans plantation.  A people who keep the weeds back with a machete, and hand pick and process coffee beans.  Despite living in homes that are less substantial than a crumbling out building in Ontario, they were smiling and singing while going about there lives.  They work so that they may live to work yet another day, no mansion by the sea or Lexus in yard will ever cross these peoples lives.  By comparison, the Canadian farmer has it easy, but the difference is so significant a true comparison is just not possible.  I respectfully wish those farmers well, and though wealth is unlikely in their future, I hope the continued happiness from their labours will give them the deserved sense of accomplishment and success.  

Aside from reinforcing my belief that I live in the greatest country on earth and am truly fortunate,  it was my first trip abroad were Canadians outnumbered everyone, even the locals it seemed.  Introductions went from "So where are you from?" to "Where in Canada do you live?" - seriously.  So close to 3000km from home someone notices my Hyland seed cap and asks "are you a farmer?".  Well so where they, from London maybe 150km from my home.  A great conversation ensued with Chris and Ruth, where I gained a lot of insight into the dairy industry in Canada.  My opinion - Over regulated.  When was common sense completely lost in agricultural bureaucracy?  All one can do is shake your head.  But it was nice to chat with another fellow farmer from home, not a large operation and dependent on family and neighbours.  When I think about other industry, you would never hear about the CEO of Ford taking care of GM so the other guy could go on vacation, but on a farm, I find all the neighbours want to see each other succeed.  Sure there are always some who can't get along, but its more the exception.

It was also great to talk with fellow countrymen from Newfoundland to BC, and if those good folks from Regina do end up checking out my blog, big hello to Ross and Dianne.  

As aside note, I hope to keep this blog interesting and thank everyone who has been reading and I truly appreciate your feedback and comments, it makes it fun to take the time to right.

Views: 172

Comment

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

Join Ontario Agriculture

Comment by Roadrunner on February 11, 2012 at 5:00pm

Hi Gus,

Welcome back to Winter.

I agree that third world farmers have a tough life.

 

 

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

Which Situations Require the Use of a Soybean Inoculant?

If soybeans have been in a rotation on the field, an inoculant is not normally recommended. Most universities recommend that if the field has not grown soybeans in the last 3 or more years an inoculant may help to prevent a yield loss. Some environmental conditions, such low pH, floods, and drought may increase the need for periodic inoculation even in fields with a history of soybean production. Care must be used when storing and handling these products as they contain a living bacteria. Soybeans form a symbiotic (mutually beneficial) relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria that live in the soil (Figure 1). In this relationship, Rhizobia bacteria fix atmospheric nitrogen into a plant available form in exchange for plant-derived carbon. Because soybeans are the host for the bacteria, if soybeans are grown in rotation the bacteria will persist in the soil. However, if soybeans have never been grown or have not been grown in an area for several years, the bacteria can become deple

Effects of Frost & Freeze Conditions on Young Corn and Soybeans

Air temperatures at or below 28 °F can be fatal to corn and soybeans, depending on their duration and crop growth stage. Waiting a few days after the freeze or frost event to examine affected plants, is the best way to assess the extent of damage and make management decisions. Certain management practices such as herbicide applications, may need to be delayed when frost-freeze injury occurs. Air temperatures at or below 28 °F for just a few hours can kill corn outright, even when the growing point is below ground, while air temperatures above 28 °F have a variable effect on young corn. For soybeans, when the air temperature drops below 28-32 °F, plants can experience some degree of frost damage. If the freeze period lasts for several hours and damage occurs below the cotyledons, soybeans can die. When light frost occurs, it typically shows up in bottom ground and lower parts of fields where the cold air has a chance to collect. It may also show up in fields protected by trees, since

Bfo Statement: Ontario Court Upholds The Legislation And Intent Of The Security From Trespass Act

The Beef Farmers of Ontario (BFO) is pleased to hear that the Ontario Superior Court of Justice has upheld the legislation and intent of the Security from Trespass and Protecting Food Safety Act (2020), which has been under a court challenge since 2021. We understand that while the Act has been upheld, a ruling on sections of the underlying Regulation has been suspended. We will be actively monitoring further developments regarding this case. The Security from Trespass and Protecting Food Safety Act is a critical safeguard to protect farm animals, the food supply, farmers and others from risks that are created when trespassers enter places where farm animals live or when persons engage in unauthorized interactions with farm animals. The repercussions include the risk of exposing farm animals to disease and stress, as well as the risk of introducing contaminants into the food supply. Animal neglect, abuse and cruelty is never acceptable, and animal welfare is of the utmost importance

Federal Budget 2024 Misses Key Opportunities, says Fruit and Vegetable Growers of Canada

Budget 2024 unfortunately overlooks several significant measures that could have greatly supported the fruit and vegetable sector, such as a carbon tax exemption, financial protection against market volatilities, and the establishment of a Grocery Code of Conduct. Similarly, no funding was allocated for greenhouse agriculture or the Sustainable Agriculture Strategy, both essential for climate adaptation and sustainability. Nevertheless, Fruit and Vegetable Growers of Canada (FVGC) is cautiously optimistic about several included initiatives, like the extension of the Advance Payments Program’s interest-free limit to $250,000 and the introduction of the New Canada Carbon Rebate for Small Businesses. The budget also proposes funding for maintaining the pesticides regulatory system and promoting sustainable pesticide use, which underscores the importance of sustainable crop protection practices. FVGC is particularly concerned about the rising costs affecting both growers and consumers. As

Altona's E2 Trucking acquires Rosenort-based trucking firm

E2 Trucking, an Altona-based company, has expanded it's operations by acquiring PK Friesen Trucking in Rosenort. A big step for the company, the deal closed on February 9th. . E2 owner Evan Erlandson says they learned a lot and got to know a lot of good people that he's proud to have on the team. "That added 12 trucks to our fleet, roughly an even split of north-south routes and east-west routes. The east-west trucks and trailers and business was new to us, we were not involved in that business. The north-south wasn't new to us, so we just kept those guys on. Well, we kept everyone on, and we're doing our best to keep everybody busy." The fleet now totals about 35 units. Along with the repair shop, support staff, is made up of some 10 people, including three full-time mechanics, dispatchers, administration, a couple of managers and all the drivers. From the perspective of a business owner, Erlandson feels a responsibility, especially in small town, to do what he can to preserve

© 2024   Created by Darren Marsland.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service