Ontario Agriculture

The network for agriculture in Ontario, Canada

Grey County Beef Farmer Wins 2011 Ontario Pasture Award

The sponsors of the Ontario Pasture Award - the Ontario Cattlemen's Association (OCA), MAPLESEED and the Ontario Forage Council (OFC) - are pleased to announce that James McKinlay "Silver Springs Farms" at Ravenna in Grey County, is the winner of the 2011 Pasture Award. The prestigious award was presented today at the OCA Annual General Meeting. For his environmental and pasture improvements and management, McKinlay will receive a cash award of $750 and a bag of forage seed, courtesy of MAPLESEED, plus a complimentary stay for one night at the OCA Annual Meeting.

\James and his wife, Joan McKinlay, operate Silver Springs Farms with approximately 400 acres of pasture and 500 acres of cash crop including winter wheat, soybeans, canola, barley and corn.  James is quick to point out that, in their operation, a good crop rotation is extremely important and forages play a vital role in that rotation.

James grazes about 150 cow-calf pairs, plus an additional 80 heifers are bred for herd replacement and breeding stock sales.

The cows are pastured in groups and are rotationally grazed on several different farm locations. James is a strong believer in a good rotational grazing system and states, "Keep it simple and achievable. By doing so, you will accomplish successful results. Fresh clean water is also of utmost importance, so fenced corridors have been constructed to protect the water source and provide restricted access to quality water close to each paddock."

As James says, "We recognize the responsibilities we have as food producers and ambassadors for agriculture, especially the importance of demonstrating good land stewardship to our urban neighbours who form an integral part of our local community."

Gerrit Van Keulen, Sales Manager with MAPLESEED, comments that the pasture management program being utilized on Silver Springs Farms is a model that not only makes greater use of pasture resources, but is also another good example of positive and sustainable environmental practices.  

Ray Robertson, Manager of the Ontario Forage Council, said that as producers try to cope with the challenging times, the practical techniques being followed by the McKinlays are great examples that can help many producers maximize their net returns.

The deadline for applications for the 2012 Ontario Pasture Award is November 30, 2011.

For details, call the Ontario Forage Council at 1-877-892-8663 or visit either the Ontario Forage Council's Web site at www.ontarioforagecouncil.com or the Ontario Cattlemen's Association Web site at www.cattle.guelph.on.ca .

 

For further information:

James McKinlay, Ravenna, Ontario, 1-519-599-6236
Ray Robertson, Ontario Forage Council, 1-877-892-8663
Gerrit Van Keulen, MAPLESEED, 1-519-281-0032
LeaAnne Hodgins, Ontario Cattlemen's Association, 1-519-824-0334

Views: 230

▶ Reply to This

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

MLAs clash over foreign ownership of Saskatchewan farmland

The issue of foreign ownership of farmland rose to the surface again at the Legislature. During Question Period last Thursday, the opposition NDP accused the Sask. Party government of not taking the issue seriously and failing to enforce the illegal purchase of farmland by foreign entities. “We’ve been calling on that government from the moment they’ve been elected, and they look the other way and have failed to enforce the law,” said Trent Wotherspoon, deputy agriculture shadow minister. “There’s so much more that we need to do. The Farm Land Security Board needs more resources and real teeth. The fines for breaking the law need to be more than a slap on the wrist. And most importantly, the government must audit and enforce the divestiture of land acquired and owned by foreign entities that have breached the law and caused the forfeiture of profit in its divestiture.” Wotherspoon went on to say that no ‘foreign entity, governments like China or criminal organizations’ should be abl

Federal strychnine ban review may help control gopher ‘plague’ on Sask. crops

Farmers and rural officials across Saskatchewan say Ottawa’s decision to review the strychnine ban could finally bring relief in the fight against gophers. Still, some warn that the solution needs to balance effectiveness and safety. At the Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities (SARM) midterm convention in Regina, delegates announced a resolution calling on the federal government to either reintroduce strychnine or provide a cost-effective alternative for pest control. The once-common chemical was banned by Health Canada’s Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) in 2023, leaving producers with few reliable options. SARM President Bill Huber told delegates that the association had received a verbal commitment from Ottawa to review the use of strychnine in emergencies, with support from provincial and municipal governments. “We also asked for the reinstatement of strychnine to manage Richardson’s ground squirrels,” Huber said. “They’re not just a nuisance, they’re a plagu

Foreign ownership of farmland a hot topic at Sask. Legislature

The issue of foreign ownership of farm land rose to the surface again at the Saskatchewan Legislature. During Question Period on Thursday, NDP Leader, and Agriculture Shadow Minister, Carla Beck accused the Sask. Party government of not taking the issue seriously.  "Mr. Speaker, the (Provincial) Auditor and SARM (Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities) have both sounded the alarm when it comes to the wide gaps in the system that supposed to ensure that only Canadians can buy Saskatchewan farmland. Will the Premier finally admit what most people on coffee row already understand, and that is that his government has failed to ensure that...those foreign interests can't buy up Saskatchewan farmland." Beck asked. In response, Moe noted "increases in the stringency on ownership in this province" and ensured that "there is an ongoing discussion and a committee that is going to be engaging with (land) owners to ensure that we have this right all the time in this province."  The p

2026 regional Outstanding Young Farmer nomination deadlines approaching

Most nominations are due by the end of 2025

Ag in the House: Nov. 3 – 7

Conservatives targeted the industrial carbon tax and its effect on Canadian ag and food

© 2025   Created by Darren Marsland.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service