Ontario Agriculture

The network for agriculture in Ontario, Canada

CKNX TV in Wingham Signs Off for the final time.

I was wondering how people felt about the closing of this local TV station?

Any memories?

Thanks,

Kevin

Views: 837

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Joe Dales on September 1, 2009 at 2:02am
Hi Kevin:

I grew up with only one channel....CKNX TV channel 8.
It was the only station until we had cable introduced sometime in the 70's I recall.

CKNX had hockey night in Canada in those years and you never missed that on Saturday nights.

Thanks CKNX.

Joe
Permalink Reply by Wayne Black on September 1, 2009 at 4:00am
There was some concern from various people that the local news would not be heard. In today's society where policy is perceived to be developed based on what is in the news media, local policy could be hampered since there is no local media other than small town localized print media and radio. With more urban based media reporting, the rural issues could be skewed incorrectly or completely missed.
CKNX offered a great media outlet for local residents in the surrounding counties. CKNX farm news was on the top list of things to watch and listen to. A respected farm news broadcaster from CKNX is even in the Ontario Agriculture Hall of Fame. A few people who have worked at CKNX TV have moved on to develop great ideas.
As Joe pointed out - Saturday night hockey games were a must.
But with new technology and the increased (perceived) need to increase in size for economies of scale, local TV has lost the respect from some residents. Society is more interested in what dress Michelle Obama is wearing than the fact the neighbour a mile away lost their heirlooms in a theft.
Changing of the times, changing of the guard. Make the best of it and remember the great things (and people) that have come out of the CKNX building near the top of the hill.
I still remember touring the station in public school and sitting in the chair that Bryan Allen sat in for many years. I do not recall the name of the sports guy.
Thanks a bunch CKNX for the memories.
Permalink Reply by Kevin Stewart on September 2, 2009 at 2:03am
The sports guy you're likely refering to Wayne is Fred Burton.
Local news did not make CKNX unique. Community newspapers will continue to do a fine job covering that. What made this station so special was the people they attracted to become farm directors. These guys became celebrities in a unique way, Bob Carbert, Rodger Schwass, Cliff Robb and Murray Guant to name just a few. The unique brand each developed and their trusted work is what we miss today.

Wayne Black said:
There was some concern from various people that the local news would not be heard. In today's society where policy is perceived to be developed based on what is in the news media, local policy could be hampered since there is no local media other than small town localized print media and radio. With more urban based media reporting, the rural issues could be skewed incorrectly or completely missed.
CKNX offered a great media outlet for local residents in the surrounding counties. CKNX farm news was on the top list of things to watch and listen to. A respected farm news broadcaster from CKNX is even in the Ontario Agriculture Hall of Fame. A few people who have worked at CKNX TV have moved on to develop great ideas.
As Joe pointed out - Saturday night hockey games were a must.
But with new technology and the increased (perceived) need to increase in size for economies of scale, local TV has lost the respect from some residents. Society is more interested in what dress Michelle Obama is wearing than the fact the neighbour a mile away lost their heirlooms in a theft.
Changing of the times, changing of the guard. Make the best of it and remember the great things (and people) that have come out of the CKNX building near the top of the hill.
I still remember touring the station in public school and sitting in the chair that Bryan Allen sat in for many years. I do not recall the name of the sports guy.
Thanks a bunch CKNX for the memories.

▶ Reply to Discussion

RSS

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

Canadian Cattle Young Leaders announce 2026 Finalists

The Canadian Cattle Young Leaders (CYL) Program, a national youth initiative of the Canadian Cattle Association (CCA), is pleased to announce its 16 finalists for the 2026–2027 program year. The annual CYL Selections Competition took place on August 18, 2026, at the Canadian Beef Industry Conference in Winnipeg, Manitoba. During the competition, impressive semi-finalists from across Canada, involved in various roles within the beef supply chain, competed for a spot in the 2026 mentorship program year. Through the Selections Competition, semi-finalists rotated through discussions with their peers at six roundtables, each facilitated and judged by representatives from the program’s sponsors and industry. Semi-finalists put their skills to the test during thought provoking discussions about timely beef industry topics such as education, succession planning, leadership, public trust, innovative technology and international trade. Each finalist will be awarded a $3,000 budget for beef i

Breeding Barley for an Uncertain Water Future

Western Crop Innovations breeder Yadeta Kabeta explains how new barley varieties are helping Prairie farmers manage drought, improve water-use efficiency and maintain yield stability in an increasingly unpredictable climate. Few production challenges occupy prairie farmers’ minds more consistently than water. Some years it’s too little. Other years it’s too much. Even when total rainfall looks adequate, the timing often isn’t. Moisture may arrive after the crop’s most critical growth stages have passed, or disappear altogether during grain fill. For Yadeta Kabeta, barley breeder with Western Crop Innovations (WCI), that increasing variability has become one of the defining challenges facing Prairie crop production. “Low moisture availability or variability in moisture is currently probably a top concern for producers,” says Kabeta. “In recent years there has been so much variability in the amount of rainfall and in the patterns of rainfall. Sometimes it doesn’t come when crops need

Wheat, Barley Groups Partner to Reshape Canadian Breeding System

The Canadian Wheat Research Coalition and Canadian Barley Research Coalition have entered a formal strategic partnership aimed at strengthening and modernizing Canada’s wheat and barley breeding system. Announced Thursday, the agreement brings the Canadian Barley Research Coalition (CBRC) formally into ongoing discussions between the Canadian Wheat Research Coalition (CWRC), and Agriculture Canada on the future of cereal breeding. CWRC chair Jocelyn Velestuk said the partnership builds on a history of collaboration between the two organizations and reflects the common challenges facing wheat and barley breeding. “Many farmers grow both wheat and barley, and the breeding systems for both crops face similar challenges that we can now address collaboratively,” said Velestuk in a statement. The discussions grew out of a CWRC review of Canada’s wheat breeding innovation system, which examined potential risks and opportunities and how the system can continue developing high-performin

Saskatchewan Yield Estimates Mixed as Harvest Reaches 18% Done

Saskatchewan’s 2026 crop is shaping up with lower yields than last year for many major crops, although durum, peas, and mustard are notable exceptions, according to the latest provincial crop report on Thursday. The province currently estimates the average spring wheat yield at 52 bu/acre, down from Statistics Canada’s final 2025 Saskatchewan yield of 55.8 bu. Barley is pegged at 74 bu./acre versus 78.2 last year, while oats are estimated at 94 bu/acre, down from 101. Canola is estimated at 38 bu/acre compared with 44.4 in 2025, while flax is projected at 26 versus 27.8. Durum is estimated at 44 bu/acre, up from 39.6 last year, while peas at 39 bu./acre are slightly above the 2025 yield of 38.6. The average provincial lentil yield is currently estimated by the province at 1,361 lbs/acre, below last year’s 1,705 lbs. Canary seed is pegged at 1,266 lbs versus 1,623 in 2025, while chickpeas at 1,501 pounds are down sharply from 1,985. Mustard is the exception, with the 2026 estimate

Global Food Commodity Prices Up Again in August

Global food prices rose for a second consecutive month in August, reaching their highest level since late 2022, as adverse weather, geopolitical tensions and trade disruptions increased concerns about supplies of major agricultural commodities. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations said Friday that its Food Price Index averaged 133.3 points in August, up 1.9% from a revised July reading and 2.5% above a year earlier. The index had risen 0.6% in July after declining 0.3% in June. Despite reaching its highest level in about four years, the index remained roughly 17% below the all-time high of 160.2 points reached in March 2022 following the Russian invasion of Ukraine Cereal prices were among the main drivers of the August increase. The FAO cereal price index averaged 116.3 points, up 2.2% from July and reaching its highest level since May 2024. Prices increased across all major grains amid strong demand, weather concerns and continued uncertainty surrounding

© 2026   Created by Darren Marsland.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service