Ontario Agriculture

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Pure profit: $830,000 in two weeks selling seed potatoes

Warning: Real potato farmers should stop reading here. This might ruin your week. A San Francisco-based company just cleared $830,000 US in two weeks by selling seed potatoes. The potatoes are virtual but the money is very, very real. Zynga is a developer of apps for Facebook and the iPhone. One of their biggest hits is... get this... a game about farming. Farmville lets users own and manage a virtual farm. Apparently it's very addictive. At least, the 20 million users who are currently playing the game must think so. A screen capture of the Farmville game on Facebook

The game is free to play. The way the company makes money is through micropayments. People can spend real dollars buying tractors and things like seed, such as this special new potato that was released. The micropayments are small and allow players to improve their farms without having to earn the extras through normal play. This from a game strategy website: For people who don't want to waste time waiting for the crop to grow, farm coins can be purchased with real-world cash using a PayPal account or credit card. The cost is currently 7,500 coins or 25 farm cash for $5; 15,800 coins or 55 farm cash for $10; 33,300 coins or 115 farm cash for $20; or 70,600 coins or 240 farm cash for $40. Players can also earn free farm cash or coins by taking part in special offers or questionnaires. I've blogged about micropayments before. I've already purchased apps for my BlackBerry, such as the Nat Decants app that allows me to go to a wine store, choose a wine, and find recipes to match. That application cost me $3. An editor of a major trade newspaper was telling me that micropayments could be the future of journalism. It's not hard to imagine a tiny Visa and MasterCard icon beside the headline on a publication's website. The only way to read the whole story would be to click one of the icons and have 25 cents charged to your card. Log-in once in the morning and stayed logged in, securely, all day. Sure 25 cents ain't much. But multiply that by 100 readers. That's a day's wage right there. Okay potato farmer. Unplug your ears. And if you were listening after all, just remember that all these virtual farm game players probably eat a lot of REAL french fries. [Note: For more posts like this one visit www.andrewdouglaspr.com]

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Comment by Richard Hamilton on November 6, 2009 at 4:00am
Good article Andrew. I know several people who are addicted to it. I haven't played it. Anyone know if they are learning anything worthwhile about farming by using it - besides that your goat will explode if you don't milk it?
Comment by Joe Dales on November 2, 2009 at 4:26am
Hi Andrew: Good article. It is about as close to a farm as most city kids will get unfortunately.

People who have never visited FarmVille out may want to check it out on Facebook - just search Farmville and it should pop up.

Joe

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

Premier Weighs In On Potential Strikes At Both CN And CPKC

Close to 10 thousand workers with CN and CPKC were planning to hit the bricks next Wednesday if the companies didn't deal with their concerns. The number one issue, according to the Teamsters is an adequate amount of rest time between shifts. It's possible, a strike won't happen next Wednesday. That's because the federal labour minster asked the Canada Industrial relations board to study the impact of a strike and whether it could lead to safety concerns. Until the board makes a ruling, a strike can't happen. There's no timeline for the board to issue a decision, it could tomorrow,.it could happen next month. The Teamsters says it will abide by that. This week, Premier Danielle Smith said while she appreciated the federal government intervened by asking for this report, she says the government must ensure there is a lasting solution to this dispute. Andre Harpe with the Grain Growers made it clear, the impact of a strike by both railways at the same time right in the middle of seedin

Ottawa Announces $9.6 Million for ASF Prevention, Preparedness

The federal government on Friday announced a multi-million dollar investment in African Swine Fever prevention and preparedness. The more than $9.6 million in funding will support 29 African Swine Fever Industry Preparedness Program (ASFIPP) projects in Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island, Ottawa said in a release. The money will be earmarked for ASF research, improved biosecurity measures, wild pig management activities, retrofits of existing abattoirs, and regional preparation for the welfare depopulation and disposal of healthy hogs. Funding will also go toward sector analysis, engagement and education tools, and ensuring the domestic hog sector is prepared should a case of ASF be detected. “This initiative, and its proactive approach, underscores our commitment to invest in advanced technologies, rigorous training, and collaborative partnerships to fortify our defenses against African Swine Fever and other potential threats,”

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East Gen Launches Registration For 2024 Atlantic Showcase

With over 30 years of success in Atlantic Canada, the East Gen Showcase is scheduled for the Exhibition Grounds in Bible Hill, for July 2-4, 2024.  Registration is now open, and we are excited to welcome dairy and beef participants for three days of learning, friendships, and showing cattle.

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