Ontario Agriculture

The network for agriculture in Ontario, Canada

Days 11 & 12 - Enjoying the last few days in Romania

DAY 11: Piatra-Neamt – Brasov The first and only stop this morning was at a large farming operation near Piatra-Neamt. The group spent the morning at Ferma Zanesti Grupul de Firme TCE 3 Brazi to better understanding this fully integrated operation producing cereals and other crops on about 6000 ha of land.

What isn’t subsequently used in their dairy, beef, sheep and pig operations is sold/marketed off the farm. The milk produced through the dairy operation (250 cows) is sold in their four independent stores and at a number of dispensing unit locations located in the nearby city and well as further processed into cheese, yoghurt and other dairy products (also sold in their stores). The meat from the beef, sheep and pig operations is further processed in the farm’s abattoir and then sold through their store locations as well.


After learning much about the operation the group enjoyed lunch at the farm, and then it was back on the bus for the return trip across the Carpathians.

Up and over the mountains and back in the Transylvania Region of Romania, the group arrived in Brasov, one of the major cities in the region. Also known as Kronstadt, due to the presence of German colonists as early as the 12th century, Brasov is a beautiful medieval city boasting colourful facades, old ramparts, secret narrow cobble streets and guard towers. At the centre of mountain tourism, today Brasov is one of the most appreciated and visited places in Romania.

After checking in to the Casa Wagner, lodging for the next two nights is located in a medieval building in the city centre, the group enjoyed a short walking tour of the area before heading out on their own for dinner and the evening. Tomorrow is the group's last full day in Romania.

DAY 12 Brasov – Bran – Brasov This morning the AALP Alumni and Friends Tour group visited a food market in Brasov, where local producers are selling their crops and food products.

Brasov is well known for its potato production and all along the roads you can see small stands with bags and bags of potatoes for sale.

Travelling on, the group visited a 700 ha farm wheat, corn, soybeans and triticale. Previously a larger potato farm, the owners determined it was more profitable to downsize and switch from potatoes for processing and for seed to other field crops.

Back on the bus to Bran Castle, also known as Dracula’s Castle because of its link to Bram Stoker’s novel. This is a beautiful 14th century castle, restored in the 20th century to its former glory by the Romania’s Royal family. It is an imposing structure guarding the passing point between the two Romanian provinces – Walachia to the south and Transylvania to the north.

Making a stop in Prejmer the group visited its 13th century Gothic style fortified church, which is included on UNESCO’s World Heritage List. It is probably the most interesting of all the churches the group has seen on this trip.

Returning to Brasov, the group enjoyed a farewell dinner, local entertainment and some fun with the tour leader. The group's time in Romania is soon drawing to a close.

Views: 193

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

Ukraine and Russia Ceasefire's Long-Term Impact on Grain MarketsImpact

Russia and Ukraine have continued to dominate the global grain market, despite infrastructure damage from the war.

Canola Crush Falls in February

The Canadian canola crush declined in February, falling below 1 million tonnes for the first time in five months. A Statistics Canada crush report on Friday pegged the February canola crush at 882,610 tonnes, down 12.6% from January and the first sub-1-million tonne monthly crush since September. Last month’s crush also fell 1.6% below the same month last year. However, the cumulative 2024-25 crush (August-February) is still running 6.2% ahead of the previous year, totalling 6.81 million tonnes. That is 59% of Agriculture Canada’s full-year crush forecast of 11.5 million tonnes, potentially a new record high. Although western Canadian canola crush capacity has expanded in the past couple of years, the canola industry is now facing trade wars on two fronts. On March 20, China officially imposed 100% tariffs on imports of Canadian canola oil and canola meal. According to the Canola Council of Canada, total canola exports to China in 2024 were valued at almost $5 billion and include

MPP for Leamington Trevor Jones named new Ontario agriculture minister

Fresh off re-election in Chatham-Kent—Leamington, the riding’s Progressive Conservative MPP is now heading a cabinet portfolio in the provincial government. Trevor Jones was named minister of agriculture, food and agribusiness on Wednesday, replacing Elgin–Middlesex–London MPP Rob Flack, who moves to municipal affairs and housing. A news release from the office of Premier Doug Ford stated the cabinet is an experienced team that will “deliver on the government’s mandate to do whatever is necessary to protect Ontario in the face of tariffs from the United States,” while building a stronger, more resilient economy. “As Ontario faces one of the greatest challenges in our history, workers and families are counting on us to stand up for their jobs and well-being,” Ford said. “Our government will double down on our plan to build, train and reskill workers for better jobs and bigger paycheques, tear down internal trade barriers, retool companies for new customers in new markets, attract mo

Second avian flu case this month reported in Lambton County

Another confirmed case of H5N1 avian influenza in birds has been reported in Lambton County by Lambton Public Health. The new case isn’t connected to one reported March 14, the agency said in a release. The latest case was reported at a commercial poultry site, according to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) website. The earlier Lambton case was also at a commercial poultry site. Lambton Public Health said it is working with Ontario’s Health and Agriculture ministries and the federal food inspection agency to “contain, monitor, and respond to the situation.” Avian influenza is a viral disease that mostly affects domestic poultry and wildlife such as geese, ducks, and shore birds, the agency said. No human cases of the virus have been reported so far in Ontario or Lambton County, it said. Only individuals who have worked with affected birds are considered at risk and Lambton Public Health said it is following up with those individuals.

John Cranfield named dean of the Ontario Agricultural College

John Cranfield is the new dean of the Ontario Agricultural College at the University of Guelph, removing the “acting” part from his title earlier this month. He had been serving in an interim capacity since July 2023, taking on the role after the university named the previous dean, Dr. Rene Van Acker, as its interim vice-president (research). The five-year term that started March 1 is the latest in a longstanding relationship between Cranfield and the university, where he began as an undergraduate student. Cranfield told The Observer he had spent most of his adult life as part of the University of Guelph, starting as an undergraduate studying biology before transferring to agriculture in his third year. “It really set me on an amazing path, partly because I think I was a little older when I transferred into the program. So, I had some good habits, matured a bit,” said Cranfield. “I just felt incredibly well supported, and a lot of opportunity was created for me, especially as a ma

© 2025   Created by Darren Marsland.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service