Ontario Agriculture

The network for agriculture in Ontario, Canada

It's Official - I'm Now a Farmer.

So I think its official – I’m a real farmer. Now there was no certificate or degree from Guelph. No big ceremony or letter stating I was now accepted to the farming profession. I’ve decided I’m a real farmer because of one innocent thought. People told me I would have these thoughts, they warned me to expect them. I always shrugged those naysayers off saying I would not be like other farmers. But then it happened, just like it was suppose to. We were baling hay late yesterday afternoon. The third cut crop had been sitting in the field for about a week trying to dry through showers and rain storms. We finally got a 3 day string of sun and took advantage of it. The big square baler quickly going up and down the rows followed shortly by my grandfather and I picking those bales up to take to the barn. One load turned into two; two to three; three to six; and we kept taking them off. Then it happened. I thought it was too bad we had such a good hay crop because it was proving difficult to get it all into the barn.

Why do we do that? Turn something that we hope and pray for into a negative? Jokes have been made about these thoughts, the ones where nothing can ever prove good enough for a farmer. Dennis Hull talks about the guy who complains that a good grain crop is tough on his machinery. I joke about the farmer I golfed with who got a hole in one and complained because he could have used the putting practice. It really is a funny phenomenon when you think about it, but I continue to be intrigued about it. I’m hoping we can have some fun with this. What positive thing have you turned to a 'too bad...?' Don't be shy, post a comment and let me know.

Views: 58

Comment

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

Join Ontario Agriculture

Comment by Wayne Black on August 28, 2009 at 5:02am
Not everyone does it. I think it is all in your outlook on life. On the flip side we always try to see the good in a bad situation. Like the fella who was in a tractor accident. While in surgery they found a tumour that was never found before.
I have a theory that people who listen to country music generally are negative. (I have a tear in my beer...). While pop music is generally upbeat and positive (tonight is going to be a good night - Black Eyed Peas).
Comment by Andrew Campbell on August 27, 2009 at 4:32am
I think a lot of Canadians are like that - I just think farmers are better at it. Partly because of all the elements that are out of their control.

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

Equipment Technician Demand Reaches New Highs

A new report warns Canada will need thousands of equipment technicians in the next decade, with labor shortages affecting dealer growth, customer service, and industry revenue.

Canada Could Add $5.4 Billion by Food Processing in the Country

Shifting 10 per cent of Canada’s raw crop exports to domestic processing could boost the economy by $5.4 billion and create 34,000 jobs, according to a new report from EY.

New herbicide for soybean producers

Growers can implement Zidua Prime into their operations for the 2027 season

Canfax Weekly Article | Report for the week of September 21, 2026

The Canfax average fed steer and heifer price closed around $292/cwt live, $2.50/cwt lower than the previous week. Fed cattle prices are at the lowest point since December 2025. Light trade was reported last week with dressed sales ranging from $486.50–$489.50/cwt FOB the feedlot. Cattle that traded were scheduled anywhere from early October to early November delivery. Western Canadian steer carcass weights have steadily increased this summer and are 2 pounds shy of their highs set back in January. Ontario was the bright spot for the Canadian fed market as their prices strengthened last week. Last week, the Canfax feeder steer and heifer price closed the week $8–$11/cwt higher. Despite higher prices, all classes of cattle are trading below last year. With good grass conditions across much of the Prairies, the yearling run has been slow to develop. Over the past week, there was a bigger offering of forward delivery calves with over 50,000 head marketed for fall delivery. In some cases,

U.S. August cattle placements fall to record low

U.S. feedlots placed fewer cattle in August than in any other August since the data series began in 1996, according to the latest Cattle on Feed report from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Despite the decline, cattle and calves on feed for the slaughter market in feedlots with a capacity of 1,000 head or more totalled 11.2 million head as of September 1, up one per cent from a year earlier. August placements totalled 1.62 million head, down nine per cent from the previous year. Net placements were reported at 1.57 million head. USDA data shows it was the lowest August placement total since the series began in 1996. The report was largely in line with pre-report trade expectations, which anticipated lower placements and marketings alongside slightly higher on-feed inventories. Marketings during August totaled 1.52 million head, down three per cent from the same month last year. It was also the lowest August marketing total since 1996. Other disappearance totaled

© 2026   Created by Darren Marsland.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service