Ontario Agriculture

The network for agriculture in Ontario, Canada

Innovative Farmer of the Year Winner: Tom Barrie

Creativity and advancements in crop rotation systems in their no-till farming operation have earned Tom Barrie, a Bowmanville grower, and his team, the 2013 Innovative Farmer of the Year Award. Each year, BASF Canada and the Innovative Farmers Association of Ontario recognize an Ontario grower who promotes innovation and leadership in the agriculture sector to be named the Innovative Farmer of the Year. 

 Trevor Latta from BASF Canada presents Tom Barrie with the 2013 Innovative Farmer of the Year award. 

Views: 389

Comment

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

Join Ontario Agriculture

Comment by Joe Dales on March 3, 2014 at 8:30am

Bowmanville grower receives 2013 Innovative Farmer of the Year award 

 

MISSISSAUGA, ON, FEBRUARY 26, 2014 – Creativity and advancements in crop rotation systems in their no-till farming operation have earned Tom Barrie, a Bowmanville grower, and his team, the 2013 Innovative Farmer of the Year Award. Each year, BASF Canada and the Innovative Farmers Association of Ontario recognize an Ontario grower who promotes innovation and leadership in the agriculture sector to be named the Innovative Farmer of the Year.

BASF Canada presented Barrie with the award at the Innovative Farmers Association of Ontario Conference at the Best Western Lamplighter Inn in London on February 25.

“BASF is proud to recognize Tom and the Barrie family as growers who implement an innovative and sustainable no-till farming operation,” said Trevor Latta, Business Representative for BASF Canada. “The operation’s use of soil protection practices is an excellent example of growers regenerating the landscape and farming for the future.”

Barrie, who farms with his brothers Steve and Glenn from Gordon Barrie & Sons, rotates corn, soybeans and canola followed by winter wheat which is under-seeded with red clover.

Now in their 21st year of no-till farming, their commitment to improving the efficiency on their farm has led to a crop rotation system that has improved soil structure, lowered fuel costs and equipment needs, and reduced trips over the field. Creating this system has made it easy for Barrie and his brothers to formulate cropping plans.

“Adapting technology and cropping methods on our farm has led to great success with crop quality and yield,” said Barrie. “We’re always striving to find better methods to prevent soil erosion and maintain the land. I think the future of agriculture will bring crops that can free up trapped nutrients and tolerate colder and wetter soils for early planting.”

For more information visit www.ifao.com.

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

How One Simple Tool Can Help Protect Crop Quality

The Keep it Clean pre-harvest interval calculator helps canola and pulse growers determine the required waiting period between pesticide application and harvest to protect crop quality.

Heat and Rain have led to a challenging growing season for Cauliflower Growers in Ontario.

As Ontario's cauliflower harvest begins, local growers rely on irrigation and skilled management to navigate summer heat and deliver fresh, high-quality produce across the province.

Foreign Workers Fill Jobs Young Canadians Avoid: CFIB

Nine in 10 small businesses using Canada’s Temporary Foreign Worker Program say they cannot fill those positions with local employees, according to new research from the Canadian Federation of Independent Business. The CFIB said in a release Tuesday that many of the jobs most commonly filled by temporary foreign workers involve overnight shifts, heavy physical labour, outdoor conditions, seasonal schedules or rural locations — work conditions many young Canadians are reluctant to accept. Nearly half of surveyed youth said they would not seek jobs requiring regular overnight work or frequent heavy physical effort. More than one-third said they would avoid mainly outdoor positions or jobs paying at or near minimum wage, the CFIB release said. Harvesting labourers account for about 32% of temporary foreign worker positions in Canada. Other common occupations include nursery and greenhouse workers, cooks, livestock labourers and food service supervisors. Location is another major b

Who Knew so Much Canadian Watermelon is Grown in Ontario

Ontario watermelon season is underway, with growers in Southwestern Ontario preparing for harvest. Warm summer conditions are supporting crop development as consumers look for this locally grown fruit.

4-H Alberta celebrates graduates while investing in the next generation of leaders

Graduation may mark the end of one chapter for 4-H Alberta members, but the organization hopes it is just the beginning of a lifelong connection to leadership and community involvement. In its July Scoop newsletter, 4-H Alberta is celebrating its 2026 graduates while introducing new leadership opportunities designed to help member, and volunteers,continue growing within the organization. Celebrating the Class of 2026 Gardner encourages graduates to remain connected to the organization, noting that the skills developed through 4-H — including communication, responsibility, confidence and leadership — will continue to serve them throughout their education, careers and community involvement. Building leadership for the future Building on that commitment to leadership development, 4-H Alberta has announced the launch of its new Legacy Leaders Program. The initiative builds on the long-standing Key Leaders program while providing additional training, expanded resources, clearer role exp

© 2026   Created by Darren Marsland.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service