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Farmers Matter to Host Election Town Hall

Event Details

Farmers Matter to Host Election Town Hall

Time: April 21, 2011 from 1pm to 3pm
Location: Stratford Rotary Complex
City/Town: Stratford, Ontario
Website or Map: http://www.farmersmatter.ca
Event Type: election, town, hall
Organized By: Farmers Matter
Latest Activity: Apr 18, 2011

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Event Description

Farmers Matter encourages farmers to engage politicians, learn platforms and vote for the party that best supports agriculture

Farmers Matter will host an election version of its Town Hall meeting out of the Stratford Rotary Complex in Stratford, Ontario on Thursday April 21, 2011 from 1:00p.m. to 3:00p.m.

Following on the heels of last November's phenomenally successful Town Hall Meeting with the Honourable Ralph Goodale and the Honourable Wayne Easter among local MPP's, farm organization representatives, and over 800 audience members, this meeting will do what Farmers Matter does best: raise awareness as to the importance of Canadian agriculture.

With 22 seats up for grabs in southwest Ontario, Wayne Easter, Liberal Agriculture & Agri-food Critic, will be at the Town Hall to present Canada's Liberal Party agricultural platform.

The Town Hall will offer attendees the opportunity to ask Mr. Easter questions concerning the Liberal party's direction regarding risk management programs, inter-provincial trade, food safety and labeling, and the sustainability of Canadian agriculture. Perth-Wellington Liberal candidate Bob McTavish will also be attending, along with fellow Liberal candidates from adjoining rural ridings. Farmers Matter is encouraging farmers and consumers alike to sign their on-line pledge (www.farmersmatter.ca/petition) indicating they will vote for the party that best supports agriculture.

Farmers Matter was created in July of 2010 in order that producers could voice their concerns and ideas for policy change that will support the sustainability of Canadian agriculture as well as offer solutions to short-term risks currently affecting their respective industries. Furthermore, they are looking to develop symbiotic relationships with the consumers who purchase their products by ensuring a safe, affordable and consistent supply of Canadian grown meat and produce.

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

Drones expedite field surveying and spraying

New technology tools are eyed as farm efficiency helpers. That’s exactly what draws farmers to drones (also referred to as unmanned aerial vehicles). The greater speed at which drones can survey or spray agricultural fields continues to advance. “It’s amazing how fast surveying or spraying gets done,” said Matt Herman, who along with his wife, Julie, owns Herman Ag Services in southeastern Illinois. Services offered include custom drone application, plant nutrition and agronomic consulting. Another advantage to agriculture drone use: It’s much less expensive compared to hiring crop-duster planes, said Herman, who also operates a diversified 500-acre farm with corn, soybeans and wheat. A new University of Missouri Extension publication, “Economics of Drone Ownership for Agricultural Spray Applications,” introduces cost-estimating tools for farmers and custom operators curious about investing in drones. “These tools enable producers to calculate their own drone application costs ba

AI brings cybersecurity risks for farmers

As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to reshape agriculture, grain farmers are seeing significant improvements in efficiency, profitability and sustainability. AI-driven tools optimize planting, fertilization and harvesting while also helping farmers navigate market fluctuations. However, with increased reliance on digital technology, cybersecurity threats pose a growing risk to modern farm operations. Implementing AI alongside strong cybersecurity practices ensures a resilient and productive future for grain farmers. AI-powered tools analyze soil health, moisture levels and weather patterns to guide planting decisions. Smart sensors provide real-time data, helping farmers determine the best seed varieties and planting densities for maximum yield. By optimizing seed placement and soil inputs, AI reduces waste and enhances efficiency.

Planter developments enhance seed success

Kent Shannon says there is always something new when it comes to spring planting. That includes machinery and planting practices, he says. Shannon serves as an Extension ag engineer with the University of Missouri. “For example, one of the things we are seeing more and more is soybeans getting planted earlier,” he says. “I know there are some that have already been planted. This is a newer practice in Missouri.” Shannon says most major machinery manufacturers will have new equipment on the ground this spring. “They are always tweaking something as it relates to the planter,” he says. Shannon says John Deere is featuring newer displays this year along with some other items. Precision Planting is another company Shannon says is working on new equipment.

Tariffs, proposed shipping costs, lead to uncertainty in ag industry

Tariffs and retaliatory actions by trading partners are causing “uncertainty” throughout the ag industry, and economic experts during NDSU’s Agricultural Market Situation and Outlook Webinar on April 4 discussed the impacts of the tariffs on agriculture, as well as the new proposals for shipping and vessels, especially for Chinese vessels, that would charge upwards of $1 million for entry into the U.S. ports. Steel and aluminum Tariffs on steel were set at 25 percent and will continue at that percentage indefinitely, according to Bryon Parman, NDSU ag finance specialist. “The exemptions for a lot of the carve-outs for steel manufactured products like stamped bumpers and things like that are going away,” he said. Aluminum tariffs have risen from 10 percent to 25 percent across the board, and the top country the U.S. imports aluminum from is Canada. While the U.S. imports about 24 percent of the steel it uses, it imports a larger share of aluminum.

Autonomous tech helps with cover crops, precision jobs

Being autonomous on the farm seems to have different meanings based on who is discussing the topic. Autonomy on the farm has often been associated with automated adjustments while working in the field or decision-making aided by technology based on nearly instantaneous information gathering. Other people may talk about taking farmers’ hands off the wheel entirely. “Some companies, like John Deere, AGCO and others, are targeting or foresee the future of automation where the farmer doesn’t need to be in the tractor,” said Naveen Uppalapati, research scientist at the University of Illinois I-FARM’s Farm of the Future. While certain advances, such as the combination of GPS and autosteer, have made some aspects of driving easier, the growth of autonomous technology doesn’t necessarily mean farmers will be able to sip coffee in their living rooms as the combines roll in the field. Uppalapati said putting the operation totally in the hands of machines is a very far-away view of how autonom

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