Ontario Agriculture

The network for agriculture in Ontario, Canada

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: 53

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

NOAA Declares El Nino, Raising Key Weather Risks for Agriculture

NOAA has officially declared El Nino, and the resulting changes in weather patterns could significantly affect crop production across the United States and Canada in the coming months.

Federal Judge Sends Roundup Class Settlement Back to Missouri State Court, Clearing Path for Approval

A federal judge has ruled that the high-profile Roundup class settlement case must return to Missouri state court, a move expected to accelerate approval of a multibillion-dollar agreement covering tens of thousands of claims.

Hursh: A downward shift in fertilizer prices

War in the Middle East and the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz contributed to a rapid rise in nitrogen fertilizer values, but prices have dropped dramatically in recent weeks. Some analysts were worried that the normal price reset after spring seeding would not occur this year, but a price drop has happened quickly: There have been reports of international prices for urea, 46-0-0 moving lower, but what matters to farmers is the price locally. Up until a few weeks ago, the price of urea at farm input suppliers in Western Canada was around $1,250 a tonne. According to the Alberta Farm Input Price Survey, the lowest urea price of the past five years was just over $600 a tonne back in July of 2021. However, by April of 2022, world events had pushed urea prices to $1,350 a tonne. While prices this spring were not quite that high, they were onerous as compared to the price of grain. So where are prices right now? What would you need to pay for urea for summer or fall delivery? You cou

Soy Canada annual meeting highlights industry collaboration and future direction

Soy Canada’s 2026 annual meeting highlighted the power of collaboration across the soybean value chain and the opportunities ahead for Canada’s soybean industry. Discussions at the event focussed on strengthening market relationships, improving competitiveness and preparing for the future through a renewed strategic vision. The organization’s annual meeting was held June 18, 2026, in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ont. The event brought together industry leaders from across Canada to review progress over the past year and discuss future priorities for the organization. The 2025-2026 Annual Report highlights progress made in the past year. Brian Innes, Soy Canada Executive Director, shared key accomplishments from the past year, including strengthening relationships with international customers and improving collaboration across the soy value chain. Noted highlights included advancing discussions on soybean protein variability as part of the third Northern Soybean Summit and expanding participa

Two Nunavut communities strengthen access to traditional foods with new processing facilities

The Government of Canada is investing over $4.7 million on two community-led traditional food processing facilities that will help Gjoa Haven and Taloyoak residents access more local foods and strengthen food sovereignty in the region. The Government of Canada is taking action to address local food accessibility and high prices in Nunavut. That means advancing reconciliation with Inuit by investing in food systems to strengthen community infrastructure, reduce dependance on imported foods, and lower costs for Nunavummiut. Today, the Honourable Rebecca Chartrand, Minister of Northern and Arctic Affairs and Minister responsible for CanNor, announced a federal contribution of more than $4.7 million to create country food processing facilities in Gjoa Haven and Taloyoak. This includes $3,389,736 in funding from CanNor, $831,550 from Fisheries and Oceans Canada and $566,038 from Crown-Indigenous Relations and Indigenous Services Canada. The Gjoa Haven Country Food Processing Facility and

© 2026   Created by Darren Marsland.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service