Ontario Agriculture

The network for agriculture in Ontario, Canada

What Was The Ontario Agriculture Top News Story Of The Year? Any suggestions?

In 2010 What Ontario Agriculture Top News Story was the biggest and most impactful in the province?

 

Here are some of my thoughts?

 

Tremendous Financial Challenges Faced By the Pork and Beef Producers in Ontario.

 

Excellent Crop Production Year in Ontario - Yields and Strong Prices.

 

The New Role and Restructuring of Ontario Pork.

 

Ontario Land Prices Continue to Increase.

 

 

 

These are some of my thoughts looking back, what other topics do you have?

 

Thanks and Happy New Year,

 

Joe Dales

Farms.com

joe.dales@farms.com

877 438-5729 x5013

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Views: 785

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Steve Twynstra on January 4, 2011 at 6:18am

I would suggest that one of the most interesting stories of 2010 was how many Ontario producers continued to shun basic  and fundamental business principles.  Examples include wilfully selling into local markets that were clearly uncompetitive to our major trading and global competitors, buying or renting land at P/E ratios that are well north of "bubble" territory, and continuing to operate as if they can borrow their way to prosperity judging by the latest StatsCan reports.  Will be of further interest to see how all sectors of the industry react when we return to below COP returns within the next 12 - 18 months as many pundits are suggesting.

Just my 2cents.

Permalink Reply by John Schwartzentruber on January 4, 2011 at 12:50pm
Government interventions have historically had a way of insulating producers from the realities of market forces that conflict with personal choices. So your thoughts are interesting, Steve, but no new story here! Remember the infamous Farm Debt Review Board of the 80's?
Permalink Reply by Joann on January 4, 2011 at 3:11pm

Albert Einstein is quoted to saying "We can't solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them".

 

Then by all means, I would suggest you are both righ. 

 

Our government has managed to further erode farmers' rights in Ontario but have not released our obligations to the public.   ......in other words..... our provincial government is incapable of solving our agricultural problems as they are the very people that lead us to this point.

 

Woe is us.

 

John Schwartzentruber said:

Government interventions have historically had a way of insulating producers from the realities of market forces that conflict with personal choices. So your thoughts are interesting, Steve, but no new story here! Remember the infamous Farm Debt Review Board of the 80's?
Permalink Reply by OntAG Admin on January 6, 2011 at 3:22am

Hi Steve, John and Joann

Good thoughts...what does the future hold...what should we do....

 

One of my New Year's Resolution is to keep improving our business fundamentals and not make too many expensive mistakes....

 

I like to follow something that I heard a keynote speaker say called the Ant Philosophy.

 

Think Winter, All Summer   (Prepare when times are good)

and

Think Summer, All Winter   (Be Optimist when times are tough)

 

Take care and see you soon,

 

Joe Dales

 

Permalink Reply by Joann on January 6, 2011 at 10:51am

I lean towards Dr. Spencer Johnson's thoughts in "Who Moved my Cheese".

 

and I truly believe the farmers' cheese is about to be moved in a big way in Ontario.

 

take care

 

joann

 

OntAG Admin said:

Hi Steve, John and Joann

Good thoughts...what does the future hold...what should we do....

 

One of my New Year's Resolution is to keep improving our business fundamentals and not make too many expensive mistakes....

 

I like to follow something that I heard a keynote speaker say called the Ant Philosophy.

 

Think Winter, All Summer   (Prepare when times are good)

and

Think Summer, All Winter   (Be Optimist when times are tough)

 

Take care and see you soon,

 

Joe Dales

 

Permalink Reply by Roadrunner on January 6, 2011 at 4:11pm
I think the story could be the large swings in commodity prices....in June the experts were warning about $2.50/bu corn and now they are talking about $7 corn...Crazy markets is my vote.
Permalink Reply by John Beardsley on January 7, 2011 at 9:33am
i agree with you joe that crop price and yeild is the story. never have we been in the news more and because food prices never came down after the wheat spike in 2007-2008 we don't have all the noise about ethanol being bad for society.Never in my life in agriculture have i seen good yeilds and good prices in all main commodities of corn soys canola and wheat. pork buy out program allowed many to get out with dignity and equity intact. and teeth in not being able to refill barns for three years will allow even the pork industry to recover
Permalink Reply by Joe Dales on January 7, 2011 at 10:56am

Thanks John,

I heard the crops did well up there.

What kind of yields on corn and soy?

Talk to you soon.

Joe

Permalink Reply by bert on January 9, 2011 at 5:00am

You must have memorized all 180 sayings

 

Joann said:

Albert Einstein is quoted to saying "We can't solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them".

 

Then by all means, I would suggest you are both righ. 

 

Our government has managed to further erode farmers' rights in Ontario but have not released our obligations to the public.   ......in other words..... our provincial government is incapable of solving our agricultural problems as they are the very people that lead us to this point.

 

Woe is us.

 

John Schwartzentruber said:

Government interventions have historically had a way of insulating producers from the realities of market forces that conflict with personal choices. So your thoughts are interesting, Steve, but no new story here! Remember the infamous Farm Debt Review Board of the 80's?
Permalink Reply by Joann on January 9, 2011 at 11:11am

No.

 

I just happen to like people such as Einstein and especially Hawking.

 

 

 

bert said:

You must have memorized all 180 sayings

 

Joann said:

Albert Einstein is quoted to saying "We can't solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them".

 

Then by all means, I would suggest you are both righ. 

 

Our government has managed to further erode farmers' rights in Ontario but have not released our obligations to the public.   ......in other words..... our provincial government is incapable of solving our agricultural problems as they are the very people that lead us to this point.

 

Woe is us.

 

John Schwartzentruber said:

Government interventions have historically had a way of insulating producers from the realities of market forces that conflict with personal choices. So your thoughts are interesting, Steve, but no new story here! Remember the infamous Farm Debt Review Board of the 80's?
Permalink Reply by Bristow on January 10, 2011 at 1:41pm
I would say Carbon tax mark two, this time by the proviencal means, as a poss to fedral acts.  The rock spiders are planning it already. 
Permalink Reply by Roadrunner on January 15, 2011 at 3:09am

Steve, I think the wild land prices and rents will be the story in 2011 with these crop prices and everyone tripping over themselves to get a bigger piece of the gold rush...

 

 

▶ Reply to Discussion

RSS

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

McDonald’s Canada and Cargill Further Champion Youth Leadership in Beef Sustainability through partnership with the CRSB

The Canadian Roundtable for Sustainable Beef (CRSB) is proud to announce support from McDonald’s Canada and Cargill for its CRSB Council Youth Position, reinforcing their commitment to sustainability and amplifying the voices of young leaders in the Canadian beef industry. The position, an Ex-Officio (non-voting) role established in 2025, was added to the CRSB Council to ensure youth perspectives are represented and embedded in our approaches to beef sustainability now and in the future. This financial support for the position provided by McDonald’s Canada and Cargill will enable full participation in CRSB Council, member and other events for the next three years. The objectives of this CRSB Council youth position are to provide a platform for youth to actively participate in and contribute youth perspectives to the CRSB; to learn from, engage and collaborate with the multi-stakeholder representatives on the CRSB Council, and to provide youth governance experience and mentorship oppor

Purchasing the right bull can quickly move your beef herd toward your production goals. However, buying the right bull doesn’t start on sale day; it begins months in advance.

Purchasing the right bull can quickly move your beef herd toward your production goals. However, buying the right bull doesn’t start on sale day; it begins months in advance. #1: Establish Short- and Long-Term Breeding Goals Before looking at bulls, identify what you want your herd to achieve in the short and long-term. Your breeding program should align with your operation’s resources, management style and future plans. For example, knowing the traits that you want your calves to have (e.g. lighter birth weight, better growth, carcass quality, maternal traits), will better prepare you to match those goals with the genetic potential offered by available bulls. #2: Determine the Traits to Focus On Based on your goals, determine which traits to select for. As an example, if you are breeding first calf heifers, selecting bulls with higher calving ease is essential. In contrast, if you are not retaining replacement females and sell all calves after backgrounding, consider focusing on

Former ag minister Ritz remembers working with Prime Minister Harper

The former prime minister had his official portrait unveiling last week

Bonnefield joins Canadian Agriculture Investment Coalition

Bonnefield joined an investment coalition aiming to invest up to five billion dollars in Canadian agriculture and food innovation by 2030 to support growth and long-term success.

FCC Rallies Investor Coalition to Deploy Up to $5 Billion in Ag Innovation

Farm Credit Canada (FCC) has convened a coalition of more than 20 investment organizations collectively prepared to deploy up to $5 billion into Canadian agriculture and food innovation by 2030, marking what it describes as a generational investment opportunity for the sector. 

© 2026   Created by Darren Marsland.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service