Ontario Agriculture

The network for agriculture in Ontario, Canada

Interest in farming is a great communications opportunity

The world’s food needs are under the microscope and we hear near-daily pleas from groups such as the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization for greater investment in feeding hungry people. So why are development agencies such as USC Canada dedicating scarce resources to hackneyed anti-corporate promotions such as this latest poll?

That’s what I’m pondering in this week’s Urban Cowboy column in the Guelph Mercury. The poll shows people want to know more about farmers and farming…so farmers need to use the opportunity to explain what they do, and why they use technology and research. Farmers have long lamented the urban media gets things wrong or doesn’t listen to them. But people learn by being taught. Farm community, it’s time to ramp up communications.

Views: 53

Comment

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

Join Ontario Agriculture

Comment by Roadrunner on October 31, 2009 at 4:06am
Good points...the challenge is that farmers only talk to a few consumers directly and the marketing resources are with the food companies and grocery chains.... We also grow corn, soys and wheat and most consumers don't relate with those crops... Big challenge in the future as the city kids are even more distant to the farmer and their food production.

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

Woolwich Farmland Fight - Petition Urges Council to Protect Prime Ontario Agricultural Land

A proposed development in Woolwich Township has sparked community opposition as residents seek to protect more than 100 acres of prime agricultural land from being redesignated for employment use.

Canadian Ag Minister Works to Strengthen US Farm Trade Ties at Iowa State Fair

Canada’s agriculture minister used the Iowa State Fair to strengthen relationships with key U.S. agricultural leaders, highlighting the importance of the $101.2 billion Canada-U.S. agricultural trading partnership

SHIC-Funded Study Examines Mammalian Orthoreovirus, Adenovirus, Novel Pathogens in US Swine Herd

The Swine Health Information Center funded a study to examine whether mammalian orthoreovirus (MRV) and porcine adenovirus (PAdV) are present in US swine herds and whether they pose health risks. Led by Dr. Wenjun Ma, University of Missouri, the study suggests that MRV and PAdV can infect pigs and contribute to general enteric disease but that these viruses are not associated with severe or unique clinical signs. These findings suggest that both viruses circulate in swine populations, with evidence pointing toward intestinal shedding or prior exposure rather than widespread active disease in routine tissue submissions. For producers and their veterinarians, this study helps interpret diagnostic findings on MRV or PAdV, enabling more informed herd health decisions. Read the industry summary of study #24-022 here. Emerging and re-emerging viral pathogens remain an ongoing threat to the US swine industry, and undiagnosed disease outbreaks continue to highlight important gaps in pathogen

Grain Markets Climb on Weather and Supply Concerns

Grain markets finished higher during the week ending August 14, 2026, driven by a supportive USDA crop report, heavy Midwest weather risks, lower private yield estimates, and Black Sea geopolitical tensions.

Gay Lea Expands Dairy Plant for Protein Demand

Gay Lea Foods is investing more than $200 million to expand its Toronto dairy plant, helping meet growing demand for high-protein dairy products while creating jobs and supporting Canadian farmers.

© 2026   Created by Darren Marsland.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service