Ontario Agriculture

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August 2009 Blog Posts (12)

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AgVisionTV: UnDiscussables with Elaine Froese: Death, Divorce and Disability.

Here is Elaine talking about a difficult… Continue

Added by Kevin Stewart on August 29, 2009 at 3:22am — 1 Comment

It's Official - I'm Now a Farmer.

So I think its official – I’m a real farmer. Now there was no certificate or degree from Guelph. No big ceremony or letter stating I was now accepted to the farming profession. I’ve decided I’m a real farmer because of one innocent thought. People told me I would have these thoughts, they warned me to expect them. I always shrugged those naysayers off saying I would not be like other farmers. But then it happened, just like it was suppose to. We were baling hay late yesterday afternoon. The… Continue

Added by Andrew Campbell on August 26, 2009 at 2:48am — 2 Comments

Which is Better-Livestock or Deadstock?

If you are going to have livestock, you are going to have deadstock.



I don’t know who coined that term, but every farmer knows it’s the truth. But that doesn’t mean you leave anything sick to die.



That would appear to be what some folks rather we do. As noted in an article in TIME Magazine and the New York Times, the world seems to have something against antibiotics.



I’m going to use our small dairy farm as an example. It’s been a tough couple of weeks. After… Continue

Added by Andrew Campbell on August 24, 2009 at 6:35am — No Comments

Learn How to Buy, Manage and Optimize Precision Agriculture Technology.

Wallace: The GPS Guru



My name is Jordan Wallace and I am a partner with a company called GPS Ontario. We have been in business for 8 years selling precision farming equipment to progressive farmers in eastern Canada.



I was asked to write this blog for Farms.Com to help growers learn more about the equipment, management and peripheral issues relating to GPS precision farming practices. With that said I’m hoping to settle a few myths and answer your questions, but my primary… Continue

Added by Jordan Wallace on August 22, 2009 at 4:31pm — No Comments

Agri-Traveller: Small Projects Pay Big Dividends in Rural Brazil

Bob Thomas: The Agri-Traveller A hand up……….not a hand out. On the wall of their simple church is written: “Nao podemos atraz e faxer um novo comeco Mas podemos recomecar fazer uma nova final” How true it is. “We are not able to go back to make a new beginning; but we can make a new ending.” I was meeting with the Sal e Luz (Salt & Light) youth group in the small town of Cha Grande in northeast Brazil to discuss their proposal to SHARE for funding of a screened shade house to raise peppers… Continue

Added by Bob Thomas on August 22, 2009 at 4:11pm — No Comments

New Opportunities Need to be Explored in Midst of Pork Crisis.

New Opportunities Need to be Explored in Midst of Pork Crisis



By Henry Stevens, Christian Farmers of Ontario



It’s no secret that Ontario’s pork sector is currently in a disastrous position. Unacceptably low live hog prices, coupled with high input costs and diminished export markets, have led to a situation in which producers lose money on every hog that leaves the farm. To top it off, there is considerable uncertainty about the role of the provincial marketing system in… Continue

Added by John Clement on August 22, 2009 at 1:55pm — 1 Comment

Leadership Lessons from a Retrofitted Lincoln

Leadership Lessons from a Retrofitted Lincoln



By John Clement



Neil Young has a vision that has leadership lessons for agriculture. Most know the singer-songwriter as either the crooner of acoustic ballads or the prototype of grunge rock. But the former Canadian musician is also sympathetic to the plight of family farmers and has been a strong force and founder of the U.S. Farm Aid concerts. He also fuels his tour bus with U.S.-based biofuels derived from the crops… Continue

Added by John Clement on August 22, 2009 at 1:52pm — No Comments

Emerging Opportunities for Farmers in the Bio-Economy

Emerging Opportunities for Farmers in the Bio-economy.



By Nathan Stevens

August 21, 2009



The emerging bio-economy has the potential to provide Ontario farmers with new and

innovative ways to improve the profitability of their farms. There are currently large hurdles

that are slowing down this process, from regulatory adjustments to policy challenges to

technological speed bumps to mature markets that make it profitable to produce for the… Continue

Added by Nathan Stevens on August 22, 2009 at 1:42pm — No Comments

Do you want biotech wheat?

Do you want biotech wheat?



Two weeks ago I wrote about my hopes for the next phase of biotech traits for agriculture. Since then, grower and processor organizations representing Canada, U.S. and Australia have come forward to indicate they are actively advocating for genetically modified wheat.



Earlier efforts to bring GM wheat with herbicide tolerance to the marketplace failed miserably. Importing nations, end users and consumers put a quick stop to this initiative a few… Continue

Added by Peter Gredig on August 22, 2009 at 1:15pm — No Comments

Interest Rates - Where From Here?

Interest rates – where from here?



Nothing sharpens management skills like a mortgage. For most producers, debt is an inescapable part of the business. In fact, it’s possible that knowing how to manage and optimize debt may be at least as important as agronomy and productivity considerations.



For agriculture, the silver lining to a global recession in outside markets is historically low interest rates. The temptation to take advantage of cheap money is very strong. For crop… Continue

Added by Peter Gredig on August 22, 2009 at 1:14pm — No Comments

Mid-Season Corn/Soy Review

Mid-Season Review



For corn and soybean growers, the calendar says we are well past the mid-season mark, but in many parts of corn/soy country, the crops didn’t get the memo.



With late planting and cool weather from spring through the end of July, it’s a race to the finish line for many corn and soybean fields. The “F” word – frost – is starting to pop up in farmer conversations and with market analysts trying to get a handle on whether we are headed for bumper crops and… Continue

Added by Peter Gredig on August 19, 2009 at 2:30pm — No Comments

Welcome to the new Ontario Agriculture Online Community Website.

We hope you will enjoy visiting and participating in this website that is set up for the Ontario Agriculture Community to share information and network together.

Please take a few minutes to set up an account and share your thoughts and comments on the major issues that are important to you.

Let us know how we can make this a valuable meeting place and resource for Ontario Agriculture.

Thanks,

Joe Dales
Farms.com Ltd.

Added by Joe Dales on August 18, 2009 at 9:35am — No Comments

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

Update on AAFC Staffing Reductions and Canola Research

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC)’s decision to close multiple research stations and reduce staff across the country is alarming. Consultation is urgently needed so research funders understand the impacts of the cuts, explore alternatives where needed, and identify paths forward. AAFC researchers and facilities are world-class, and they have played a crucial role in advancing canola production for Canadian farmers. Alberta Canola, Manitoba Canola Growers and SaskOilseeds expresses our heartfelt gratitude to the AAFC researchers, technicians, and other supporting staff who have contributed to growth and profitability of the canola sector in Canada. Canadian farmers have earned Canada’s place as a leading oilseed supplier, with canola contributing billions to the Canadian economy; these government cuts raise serious questions about the support needed to sustain that success. Canola growers invest millions of dollars per year in research projects, many of which are being led and

Joint Letter on the Closure of Federal Agricultural Research Centres

We are writing to express our deep disappointment with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s recent decision to close three federal research and development centres and four satellite research farms across Canada, including the research and development centre in Lacombe, Alberta. Research and development are critical to advancing industries and economies by addressing current challenges and building resilience for the future and has played a vital role in growing agricultural exports to $100.3 billion in 2024 (AAFC, 2025). In the context of today’s global environment and declining productivity for Canadian agriculture, it is more important than ever to support domestic research capacity to ensure Canada remains a leader in agriculture for years to come. Public investment in agricultural research has historically delivered some of the highest economic returns of any government expenditure. Independent studies consistently demonstrate that agricultural research and development generates st

Alberta Canola Announces Board Leadership After 36th AGM

Alberta Canola Producers Commission held its 36th Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, during the CrossRoads Crop Conference in Edmonton. Following the AGM, the Board re-elected Andre Harpe of Valhalla Centre, as Chair and elected Christine McKee of Stirling as Vice Chair. Harpe also recognized and thanked outgoing directors Christi Friesen and Paula Law for their dedicated service. Friesen represented growers in Region 1, bringing energy, thoughtful perspective, and a strong commitment to collaboration. Law served growers in Region 7 and was a respected voice on the Board, known for her leadership, vision, and steady focus on the best interests of Alberta’s canola growers. The Board also welcomed Chris Kamphuis of Worsley as the new director for Region 1 and Jason Lenz of Bentley as the new director for Region 7.

Canadian Olympic ties to ag

From athletes to officials, Canada’s ag sector will be represented in Italy

Nutrien Names Chris Reynolds Global Sales Leader

Nutrien has named Chris Reynolds as EVP Global Sales to unite sales teams worldwide improve efficiency and strengthen customer value as part of a planned leadership transition.

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