May 2010 Blog Posts (10)

This past week I attended a Kitchen Table Conversations in Clinton. My wife and I were two of only about seven people who attended. It was the last of 5 meetings held in the past two weeks across Huron County. There were two reps from the local food banks in attendance. It was interesting to learn about how the system operates and what their challenges are. They were "pleased" to see that the number of clients have increased. "Pleased" because the… Continue

[Lexington, KENTUCKY] – The audience was singing “Oh Canada” as two University of Guelph students took home the top prize when global animal health company, Alltech announced the prestigious winners of its annual Young Scientist competition during Tuesday’s general session at its 26^th Annual Animal Health and Nutrition…

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Each class of the Advanced Agricultural Leadership Program (AALP) includes two study tours as part of the curriculum – one in North America, and one involving international travel. These study tours give participants the opportunity to gain an even broader perspective and understanding of regional/national/ international issues and their…

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Dairy farmers can sometimes get a bad reputation. Because of supply management, I'd agree that some farms can hang on longer than they would if they were open to the free market. The free market can be very good and eliminating the least efficient very quickly. Unfortunately - it can also eliminate some good farmers who just get mixed up in a market they can't control (just ask a hog farmer).



However - I think those least efficient dairy farmers are going to have to make…

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The AgriEnergy Producers’ Association of Ontario (APAO) conducted a strategic planning workshop on March 29 & 30^th – 2010 in Ottawa, Ontario to develop a future direction and road map for the association. The combined efforts of the out-going and newly elected board members, as well as input from stakeholders helped to develop the following key strategic goals that…

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It is easy to talk about seeding depth pre-planting but it is even more critical to review planting depth after emergence. It is no different than any other business process. PLAN - EXECUTE - REVIEW - IMPROVE - REPEAT THE CYCLE.



The stand above ground tells only part of the story though. You also need to consider and observe what the plants are showing you below the soil as well.…



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When I think of farming, I think of a few things. Feeding cows, planting and harvesting corn, baling hay. They, and most of the jobs I do around the farm, all relate to production. Most of you will agree that is one of the big reasons we farm -- we like being around animals, we like being on the land, we don't like numbers.



But I was lucky enough to get the chance to realize that even if we don't like the numbers, we all like making more money.



The Ontario Dairy Youth…

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David and Colin Lake farm at Rawdon View Farms. They are one of the few dairy farms left in the area. They are looking to the future not only to make their dairy operation as efficient as possible but also to see how they should adapt their business to changing times.

Great video on Dairy Farm found on Hastings Local Food Blog… Continue

Early Weaning Impacts Gut Enzyme in Piglets, Study Finds

University of Guelph researchers have uncovered one of the reasons piglets often struggle with illness and sometimes die when they are weaned from their mothers.According to the new study, published recently in The Journal of Nutrition, a gut enzyme involved in digesting phosphate and fighting off harmful bacteria is significantly compromised during the early-weaning process.

“We found that…

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The Ontario Farm Animal Council presents this video snapshot of modern Canadian agriculture. Farmers are proud to showcase how they raise their animals and grow their… Continue