Ontario Agriculture

The network for agriculture in Ontario, Canada

It's Official - I'm Now a Farmer.

So I think its official – I’m a real farmer. Now there was no certificate or degree from Guelph. No big ceremony or letter stating I was now accepted to the farming profession. I’ve decided I’m a real farmer because of one innocent thought. People told me I would have these thoughts, they warned me to expect them. I always shrugged those naysayers off saying I would not be like other farmers. But then it happened, just like it was suppose to. We were baling hay late yesterday afternoon. The third cut crop had been sitting in the field for about a week trying to dry through showers and rain storms. We finally got a 3 day string of sun and took advantage of it. The big square baler quickly going up and down the rows followed shortly by my grandfather and I picking those bales up to take to the barn. One load turned into two; two to three; three to six; and we kept taking them off. Then it happened. I thought it was too bad we had such a good hay crop because it was proving difficult to get it all into the barn.

Why do we do that? Turn something that we hope and pray for into a negative? Jokes have been made about these thoughts, the ones where nothing can ever prove good enough for a farmer. Dennis Hull talks about the guy who complains that a good grain crop is tough on his machinery. I joke about the farmer I golfed with who got a hole in one and complained because he could have used the putting practice. It really is a funny phenomenon when you think about it, but I continue to be intrigued about it. I’m hoping we can have some fun with this. What positive thing have you turned to a 'too bad...?' Don't be shy, post a comment and let me know.

Views: 53

Comment

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

Join Ontario Agriculture

Comment by Wayne Black on August 28, 2009 at 5:02am
Not everyone does it. I think it is all in your outlook on life. On the flip side we always try to see the good in a bad situation. Like the fella who was in a tractor accident. While in surgery they found a tumour that was never found before.
I have a theory that people who listen to country music generally are negative. (I have a tear in my beer...). While pop music is generally upbeat and positive (tonight is going to be a good night - Black Eyed Peas).
Comment by Andrew Campbell on August 27, 2009 at 4:32am
I think a lot of Canadians are like that - I just think farmers are better at it. Partly because of all the elements that are out of their control.

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

U of G Researcher Receives Funding to Develop More Sustainable Wheat

A University of Guelph researcher has received government funding to help Canadian farmers grow wheat using fertilizer more efficiently while strengthening soil health and the wheat microbiome.  

Will the Iran War Make Already High Food Prices Worse? | OPINION

Food prices in Canada have been rising at a faster rate than overall inflation for the past several years. In fact, food prices are 30 per cent higher than they were a decade ago.

Prairie Swine Centre celebrates 35 years of driving innovation

Over that time, the centre has evolved into one of Canada's premier swine research facilities, delivering practical, industry-focused research that strengthens the financial position of pork producers while advancing animal welfare and environmental sustainability across the Saskatchewan and Canadian pork industries. A foundation built on industry partnership The PSC story began in 1980 when the University of Saskatchewan (USask) built the facility for its swine research and teaching program. The original operation consisted of two 100-sow and one 50-sow farrow-to-wean units, a 240-head feeder barn, and a small office and service building. However, it was in 1991 that PSC transformed into the organization it is today. In 1987, USask and the Saskatchewan Hog Marketing Commission partnered to review the centre’s operations. An advisory board including industry representatives from across Western Canada identified two critical needs: increased emphasis on grower-finisher research, and

Investing in Canada: Why Gate Matters

Canada’s cereals sector has earned a global reputation for quality, consistency, and reliability. That reputation was built over generations by farmers, researchers, exporters, and value chain partners working together to deliver premium grains to international markets. But, as global competition intensifies, maintaining Canada’s leadership requires more than tradition; it requires strategic investment. That’s where the Global Agriculture Technology Exchange (Gate) comes in. In our latest video, Gate Capital Campaign member David Hansen explains why Gate is essential to Canada’s future in global grain markets. Gate will provide the modern infrastructure and technical support that global customers expect, giving them the data, unbiased advice, and confidence they need to continue choosing Canadian cereals. Gate connects global buyers directly with Canadian expertise, showcasing the science, innovation, and collaboration behind our wheat and other cereals. By strengthening technical e

Making Every Pound Count: Nutrient Management in Corn

Fertility starts with the soil and the variables that make nutrients available to a growing crop. Know Your Soil Texture Clay – very fine, soils with >50% clay Silt – rock & mineral particles that are larger than clay and smaller than sand. Soils with >87% silt Sand – very coarse, soils with >70% sand Loam – a balanced mixture of clay, silt and sand (approximately 20-40-40) Soil texture determines a soil’s water holding capacity. Sand has low capacity to hold water and low water content at permanent wilting point (~10-15% v/v). Clay loam has a higher capacity to hold water, therefore has a higher water content at permanent wilting point (~15-20% v/v). Nutrient Balance Nutrient balance is vital to soil fertility and crop production. Nitrogen is most commonly the first and most limiting nutrient for non-legume crops, but without an adequate fertility blend with other nutrients, nitrogen use efficiency is not “maxed out” and suffers. A poorly fertilized corn crop uses just a little l

© 2026   Created by Darren Marsland.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service