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: 233

▶ Reply to This

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

Corteva bringing Telbek PRO fungicide to Canadian wheat growers

The product is the first Group 21 fungicide in cereals

ODA accepting 2026 International Year of the Woman Farmer nominations

The Oregon Department of Agriculture is joining partners at all levels in celebrating the International Year of the Woman Farmer 2026, according to a recent news release.. Established by the United Nations General Assembly in 2024, the IYWF highlights a global commitment to empowering and recognizing women in agriculture. “Help us celebrate Oregon women in agriculture,” said ODA Director Lisa Charpilloz Hanson in the release. “Share stories about their inspiration, the challenges they face, and the benefits of supporting female farmers and their contributions to our resilient agriculture and food systems. Send us your stories, and we will help raise awareness of the achievements of women in Oregon agriculture.” ODA invites industry partners and the public to submit stories and photos. The agency plans to feature these women across its communication platforms throughout the year. To participate, complete the online form at oda.direct/IYWF. Submissions will be shared on ODA’s Facebook

Advancing small business in rural Eastern Ontario

Eastern Ontario is fortunate to have not-for-profit organizations that are dedicated to helping small, rural businesses grow through financial support, guidance and strategic planning. Assistance can be found through the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food & Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) for funding support for job creation and investment, as well as through the Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development to support skilled trades advancement, training, apprenticeships and provincial employment services. In addition, the Community Futures Development Corporation (CFDC) is part of a national group of 60 Ontario and 267 Canadian CFDCs, supported by both the provincial and federal governments, to build strong, rural communities. This organization offers counsel for community-based projects, business services and access to business loans up to $150,000. Under the umbrella of the CFDC is the Community Futures Eastern Ontario (CFEO), a regional association with professional members focus

Farmers provide ‘on the job training’ for Ontario agriculture minister

Trevor Jones is coming up on his first year as Ontario Minister of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness and says the job has been a humbling learning experience. Since taking on the portfolio in March, Jones said he’s visited people on farms in communities across Ontario, at dinner tables, in stables and barns. Beginning his career with the Ontario Provincial Police, Jones later took on an executive role in the fresh food industry. Although he didn’t grow up on a farm, Jones said farmers have “welcomed me with open arms.” One thing he has learned from meeting farmers across Ontario is to ask questions. “If you don’t know, they know,” Jones said. “You can’t fake it.” When you ask questions, he said, “A farmer’s eyes will light up and tell you their story about challenges, opportunities, ideas and they’ll train you on the job. “So right now, it’s on the job training. Our farming families across the Ontario are training me to be a good minister.”

Funds meant as hand-up to farming, agriculture

Ontario farmers and agriculture-based businesses looking to bite into a chunk of $20 million in provincial and federal funds can start submitting applications at the end of next month. The funds, for enhancing or expanding existing operations, intend to give qualified recipients a hand-up "in the face of tariffs and economic uncertainty," a provincial news release said on Tuesday. Applications to the Market Diversification and Trade Resiliency Initiative can be made between Feb. 17 and March 17. "This investment will help our local farmers and agribusinesses sell more (Ontario-grown) products to markets around the world," Ontario Agriculture minister Trevor Jones said in the news release. Jones, a former police officer, grew up in Leamington, a southwestern Ontario farming hub. Program applicants must have less than 500 employees, a backgrounder says. Information about how to apply is available online at ontario.ca. Also this week, an Ottawa-based association of Canadian agricult

© 2026   Created by Darren Marsland.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service