OntAG Admin's Blog – March 2015 Archive (4)

Peavey Mart Closing 21 Stores in Ontario

Peavey Industries announced the closure of 21 stores in Ontario to streamline operations and ensure long-term sustainability, while emphasizing continued commitment to customer service.

More Opportunity for Saskatchewan High School Students in the Oil & Gas Industry

Three additional energy companies are partnering with Saskatchewan Distance Learning Centre (Sask DLC) and Teine Energy to support the creation of new online oil and gas high school courses with work placements. Cenovus Energy, Vermilion Energy and Whitecap Resources have joined Teine Energy's commitment to provide support and industry expertise to Sask DLC's development of new Energy and Mines - Oil & Gas 20 and 30-level online courses. The four energy companies, each with operations in the province, are providing a combined total of up to $160,000 over two years to support the creation of the new courses and to fund a coordinator position to facilitate student work placements and industry engagement opportunities. "The energy sector is an important part of our province's strong and growing economy - both locally and globally," Minister Responsible for Sask DLC Everett Hindley said. "It is exciting to see Saskatchewan students will be able to learn about the career opportunities

Ag Data Transparent: Building a common language for agtech companies and farmers

As the use of digital agriculture technology increases, so does the importance of strengthening communications between farmers and agtech companies. This is the aim of Ag Data Transparent (ADT).  While presenting at EMILI’s 2024 Agriculture Enlightened Conference in November 2024, Todd Janzen, attorney and ADT administrator, shared the origins of ADT and the role the non-profit group plays in strengthening the agriculture data ecosystem in Canada and the USA. Janzen’s presentation was followed by a panel discussion that included Canadian Federation of Agriculture (CFA) Board Member and Keystone Ag Producers President Jill Verway, GrainFox Chief Growth Officer Liz Pham, and ADT Board Member and EMILI Director of Agri-Food Data Dan Lussier.  To qualify for Ag Data Transparent certification, agtech companies answer 11 standard questions and submit copies of the contracts and data use agreements they ask farmers to sign. This application package is reviewed by the ADT Administrator to v

Take the Bull by the Horns

Bull sale season will soon be in full swing, meaning now is the time to determine the bull selection criteria and budget for purchasing your next herd sires. Considering that a bull’s contribution to the genetic makeup of a beef herd in a single breeding season is more than a cow may contribute in her lifetime–a bull may sire 25 or more calves per year while the average cow produces fewer than 10 calves–selecting genetically superior bulls is the quickest way to improve herd genetics. But how do you determine which bull is right for your operation? Match Your Breeding Program to Your Operational Goals The first step in identifying which bull or bulls are right for your farm is to clearly establish both the long- and short-term goals of your operation. These goals, along with the management practices and infrastructure that fit those goals, will determine the breeding programs and genetics required to achieve them. There are a variety of breeding programs available, and effective si

Agriculture minister gets taste of CCOVI research

Ontario Minister of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness Rob Flack made his inaugural visit to Brock University on Monday, Jan. 13, using the time to learn about Canada’s premier grape and wine research, outreach and education institute.