Ontario Agriculture

The network for agriculture in Ontario, Canada

AALP Class 14 North American Study Tour - July 12, 2012

We were off to a comfortable start this morning, with Dave the bus driver ready to roll at 8:30 headed for the Wye research station. Once there we met Dr. Russell Brinsfield and Ken Staver who briefed us on the watershed issues surrounding the Chesapeake estuary, the body of fresh water with the largest land to water contact in North America. We discussed some of the intricacies and challenges encountered in monitoring phosphoric runoff and educating both those who influenced and those were influenced by this growing concern. As Canadians many of us came away from this discussion comforted by the policies and legislation that we already have in place to better address similar watershed issues on our side of the border. On our way to visiting a pilot project Wye research station was working on,which involved the feasibility of utilizing switch grass as a heating fuel source, we stopped by a few corn fields which were showing severe signs of drought stress from the hot dry weather that seems to be a common theme for most of North America this summer.

In the afternoon we visit St. Brigid's Dairy Farm.  Bob Fry and Judy Gifford provided an interesting power point about their 55 acre postage stamp size farm. This dairy operation is a grazed herd that uses a seasonal calving method. By doing this they are able to keep feed costs to 39% of their total expenses.  Besides the dairy 27% of their income was niche marketing of baby veal and market jersey beef. We were shocked that they were able to sell 4 month old jersey suckling calves for $400.  They were also able to use some of their cull cows as surrogate mothers for these calves.  Their market for these calves are restaurant based.  The farm contracts with Land O Lakes cooperative and a local cheese factory.  Bob and Judy are community minded and take time to educate youth in the community about agriculture by having tours and school visits and they have also hosted Farm to Fork charity dinners on the farm for the last five years. 

Judy arranged for us to go into the nearby town to "Scoop De Ville" for a delicious ice cream break.  Some of the class took a few minutes to peruse the antique shops across the street. 

On the way back to our hotel we made a stop for supper at the "Fish Whistle" a restaurant right on Chesapeake Bay for a taste of local seafood cuisine.

Kim McCaw, Marian Sterk, Wes Wiens - Class 14

Views: 180

Comment

You need to be a member of Ontario Agriculture to add comments!

Join Ontario Agriculture

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

Minister MacDonald’s record in the House

He spoke 54 times in the House and cast 173 votes

U.S. Winter Wheat Harvest Jumps; Spring Wheat Condition Eases

The U.S. winter wheat harvest advanced rapidly over the past week, while the condition of both the winter and spring wheat crops slipped slightly, according to Monday’s USDA crop progress report. The winter wheat harvest reached 40% complete as of Sunday, up sharply from 25% the previous week. Progress was well ahead of 18% a year earlier and the five-year average of 24%. In Kansas, the largest winter wheat-producing state, the harvest more than doubled to 58% complete from 28% a week earlier. That was also well ahead of 18% last year and the 26% average. Oklahoma was 95% harvested, compared with 73% the previous week and 61% on average. Texas advanced more modestly to 77% from 75%, while Illinois jumped to 41% from 20%. No winter wheat harvest progress was reported in either Michigan or Ohio as of Monday. Michigan was 1% harvested at the same point last year, compared with 0% on average, while Ohio was 2% complete last year versus a five-year average of 3%. National winter

Manitoba Seeding Advances Just Slightly

Manitoba seeding inched forward this past week, moving slightly closer to completion. Tuesday’s weekly crop report showed overall seeding in the province at 97% complete, up only a single point from a week earlier and behind last year and the five-year average at 100%. Precipitation was highly variable across agricultural Manitoba during the seven days ended June 21, with some areas receiving substantial rainfall while nearby locations remained almost completely dry, the report said. Somerset recorded the province’s highest weekly accumulation at 34.3 mm, while the driest locations in the Central Region, Brunkild and Bagot, received only 1 mm. In the Eastern Region, Sprague reported 26.6 mm, compared with no measurable rain at Stead. Rainfall was generally lighter in the Interlake, where Gimli received 11.8 mm and Fisher Branch just 0.3 mm. The Northwest remained the wettest part of the province overall, with Swan River recording 22.1 mm and Ste. Rose receiving 0.6 mm. In the

Agribition reports excellent 2025 show, but questions linger about capacity for 2026 event

Based on a number of statistics, the most recent Canadian Western Agribition was the best on in recent memory. During Agribition's Annual General Meeting, CEO Shaun Kindopp shared a number of highlights from the 2025 edition of the show. Among them was the international representation, as over 700 guests from 76 countries visited Agribition, including 56 Mexican cattle producers. The international delegations contributed to $280-thousand 600 in purchases of Canadian genetics. Kindopp says travelling abroad has been a focus in recent years to build those relationships. Overall attendance was 151,037 and Kindopp notes increases in attendance for other events happening at the show, including Maple Leaf Circuit Finals Rodeo which saw a total of 24,000 come through the doors. "Our Indigenous Agriculture Summit attendance was up, our rodeo attendance was up, our attendance through the gate was up, so everything measurable that had an attendance tied to it was up this year." he said, add

Interim Participation Agreement signed between CCA, ABP

Alberta Beef Producers (ABP) are staying on as a member of the Canadian Cattle Association (CCA) for now. It was announced Wednesday an Interim Participation Agreement was reached. Under the agreement, ABP will provide gap funding for the national organization from July 1st to August 31st as well as stay involved in meetings and discussions, but as a non-member under the current governance structure. President of CCA Tyler Fulton says the agreement shows talks with ABP are moving in the right direction, but there are things that still need to be addressed prior the CCA's Semi-Annual meeting in August. Fulton noted eight or nine resolutions were passed at their AGM in March to start this process. The resolutions address the structure of governance, acknowledge the need for a finance chair and committee to address the funding related issues, and better communication at all levels. He says details on the new governance structure are being worked on with assistance from provincial cat

© 2026   Created by Darren Marsland.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service