Ontario Agriculture

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Young Farmers In Ontario

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Young Farmers In Ontario

This group has been set up for young and beginning farmers to discuss the challenges and issues associated with running a farming operation.

Members: 55
Latest Activity: Jun 3, 2013

Discussion Forum

Durham couple wins Young Farmers Award

Started by AgOntario Apr 13, 2010.

2009 Outstanding Young Farmers Announced.

Started by OntAG Admin Dec 15, 2009.

Young Farmers: Provide Input to the Federal Government.... 1 Reply

Started by Joe Dales. Last reply by Roadrunner Dec 5, 2009.

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Comment by AgOntario on May 10, 2010 at 2:43am
FCC's Young Farmer Agriwebinar Series
NOW ONLINE!

Go to www.agriwebinar.com to view the following Agriwebinars in the...

Starting a New Farm Business
Agriculture is full of entrepreneurs. Learn from producers who started a completely new venture as part of their business. You’ll see how they managed risk, became profitable and had fun along the way.

Presented by: Brent Vankoughnet, Owner & Manager, Agri Skills Inc.

Creating a Balanced Partnership
Often, two heads are better than one especially when everyone brings their own unique skills to the table. Learn how to successfully create a partnership between yourself and another producer for mutual profitability.
View Webinar

Presented by: Terry Betker, Meyers Norris Penny

Transitioning to Full-Time Farming
Many producers work off-farm to make ends meet. How do you make the jump to farming full-time? This is your chance to learn how to make a smooth and sustainable transition.

Presented by: Reg Shandro, Farmacist Advisory Services Inc.

Transferring the Farm Outside of the Family
More and more producers are thinking of succession and many farming operations are being passed onto business partners outside of the family. Learn how to make succession planning work for you.

Presented by: John Fast, Family Enterprise Solutions


Hosted/Sponsored by Farm Credit Canada.
Comment by Kevin Stewart on March 20, 2010 at 3:42pm
Grooming a young farmer to take over.

Comment by OntAG Admin on March 19, 2010 at 3:37pm
Canadian Young Speakers for Agriculture competition, Camille Black Video Speech - Click on the link.

http://www.farms.com/FarmsPages/Commentary/DetailedCommentary/tabid...
Comment by Kimberly Dawn on March 18, 2010 at 9:18am
Does anyone know when to start growing vegeatables in Southern ON? Planning on expanding our farm this year.
Comment by AgOntario on December 8, 2009 at 9:33am
INISTER bLACKBURN CONCLUDES A SERIES OF PRODUCTIVE MEETINGS WITH YOUNG FARMERS

OTTAWA (Ontario), December 8, 2009 – Minister of National Revenue and Minister of State (Agriculture) Jean-Pierre Blackburn reported on his five-city, cross-Canada tour to meet with young farmers, agricultural academics and industry representatives and discuss farm succession issues.

This sector’s challenges are well known and complex, ranging from increasing financial pressures and international competition, to changing consumer and societal demands and shifting technology.

“Speaking with young farmers was extremely rewarding. Across the country, I met young people who are excited about what they do and full of plans, despite the pressures they are facing and the disparities inherent in the industry. These discussions have given me insight into the challenges young farmers are facing and the existing opportunities – whether they are starting out, managing or taking over an existing family farm,” said Minister Blackburn. “Only by engaging in these types of discussions can we ensure that our programs are appropriate and working effectively.”

Discussions with young farmers covered a wide range of topics relating to the future of agriculture, including farm succession, barriers to entry, leadership planning and ways to address declining enrolment in agricultural university programs. The young farmers also shared their views
Comment by Brooke Leystra on August 28, 2009 at 7:13am
Really we need to get Joe Dickenson on here he's signed up for ontag...he's an OFA Director and has been doing a lot of work on Young Farmer definitions and initiatives. He should be able to start some discussion!
Comment by Joe Dales on August 28, 2009 at 6:05am
Hi Wayne:

I do think this will be a pretty popular group, we will be launching this site at the Outdoor Farm Show in Woodstock in a couple of weeks so the activity should increase. I think where we need to start is to begin some discussion forums that are relevant to young and starting farmers...such as Financing, Succession, Relationships... I am looking forward to being involved even though I am not as young as I once was. Thanks and take care, Joe
Comment by Wayne Black on August 28, 2009 at 4:47am
Is this an example of a Young Farmers Group - everyone sitting around watching waiting for someone to take the bit? Glad to see a young guy like Joe Dales forming this group! :-)
Comment by Roadrunner on August 27, 2009 at 2:27am
Beep Beep
 

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

*Webinars* Strategies for Reducing Calf Losses: Veterinary Insights from Across Canada

Are calf losses cutting into your beef operation’s productivity and profitability? You are not alone! The BCRC is hosting two 90-minute webinars featuring veterinarians from across Canada who work directly with cow-calf operations like yours. A March 18 webinar will feature veterinarians who work with Eastern Canadian cow-calf operations, sharing insights on practical prevention strategies to implement before, during and after calving to increase calf survivability. During the March 25 webinar, Western Canadian veterinarians will outline regionally relevant approaches for reducing calf losses, highlighting essential pre-calving strategies and practical management techniques to use during calving to help ensure healthier outcomes for both cows and calves.   Both webinars will include an extended Q&A session, giving you plenty of time to ask questions. Each webinar will also be available for?one continuing education (CE) credit for veterinarians and registered veterinary technologists

China halts tariffs on some Canadian ag

Some Canadian ag products will have tariff-free access to China as of March 1

Farmers Face Harsh Truths While Refusing to Abandon Their Way of Life

A recent post on social media by a friend asked to add a line from a movie that fans of it would instantly recognize. One of my contributions was, “You can’t handle the truth.” While that line came in a courtroom scene from one of my favorite movies with Jack Nicholson yelling it at Tom Cruise, it actually got me thinking about farming. Many of us who grew up on a farm have seen both good and tough times. That is the truth. But what are we currently experiencing and can we handle these truths? American Farm Bureau recently said there was a 46% increase in farm bankruptcies in 2025. That’s pretty sobering. Those of us who grew up during the farm crisis in the 1980s, when more than 250,000 farmers filed for bankruptcy, never want to hear about someone losing a farm. For a few years I’ve personally been concerned about what’s happening in our farming communities. Interest rates have been plenty high; input costs don’t seem to come down when market prices do. Farmers have always been pr

As US agriculture flails, farmers see big corn acres as best bet to break even

U.S. farmers, though punished by slumping prices after last year’s monster corn harvest, are expected to cut back only slightly on their plantings of the grain in 2026 as they brace for a fourth straight year of narrow profit margins or even losses. Farmers expect corn, the most widely grown U.S. crop, to hew close to break-even levels this year, supported by strong usage. Some see soybeans as riskier, given rising competition from Brazil and a volatile U.S. trade relationship with top buyer China. “Right now, you absolutely cannot make money on beans,” said Tim Gregerson, who farms in eastern Nebraska. “You can probably break even on corn, but you are going to have to have an extraordinary yield, or a price increase,” Gregerson said. Most growers in America’s Midwest farm belt grow both crops, alternating what gets planted on each field from year to year to boost soil health. Many add wheat, sorghum, cotton or other crops to their rotations. But among farmers who have some flexible

This is Agriculture: Producer, advocate, industry leader

Jill Verwey lives and breathes agriculture. Her roots growing up on a mixed grain and cattle operation in rural Manitoba lend themselves well to her current roles – the office manager for Verwey Farms Ltd., president of Keystone Agricultural Producers (KAP), and first vice president of the Canadian Federation of Agriculture (CFA). Jill’s pride in Canadian agriculture is unmistakable. Learn more about her career and advocacy journey below. Describe your job or product in one sentence. My role includes managing the day-to-day administration and financial operations of our family farm, overseeing food and animal safety and human resources, and representing agricultural producers provincially and nationally through leadership roles with KAP, CFA, and various boards and advisory groups. Where did you grow up? Was it an agriculture or urban environment? I grew up in rural Manitoba on a mixed grain and cattle operation. I have been married for 32 years, and my husband and I are involved in

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