My First Blog - reflecting on 2011

On my list of what to do in 2012, one of those items was to write a blog. Last year i was introduced to the world of Twitter, but you can't always communicate ideas in 140 characters or less.

2011 marked the first year that i operated the entire family farm. I am the 4th generation to use this land and much of the equipment i have was purchased by the 2nd, and even some that was used by my great grandfather. I farm 265 workable acres and maintain a full time management position at a nearby manufacturing plant. But this blog is about me, which includes the farm, not the factory job.

This past year was a challenge, even for the experienced farmer. Technically i didn't quite finish all my work, and it was Jan 3 before I called it quits with the plow. But i managed to plant and harvest all the crops. Yields were good and prices too. But the size of the input costs really made a dent, every penny i have saved in working for others over the past 12 years has been consumed by the farm, and the mortgage payments on the home farm are too big for the day job alone to cover. But I am advancing.

Added a 15,000 bu bin for corn, complete with stiration and propane drying. Its a nice shinny addition to the homestead. And this december I replaced my grandfathers MF 540 combine with a slightly (3000hrs) used Gleaner R52 combine. I am so looking forward to using that 230 hp this year.

Not having any no-til equipment, i am a full tillage farmer. 2011 marked the first year of using GM seeds, and this roundup ready soy and corn did make spring planting much easier. I had good weed control, but used the old fashioned method of removing the escapes, i walked the field and carried the weeds out. This year I am going to give IP beans a try on last years wheat ground, and may even grow non-roundup ready corn, but I still have a few months to change my mind on that.

So with 2011 behind me, i am moving into 2012 with bins full of grain, not quite as much winter wheat as I wanted, but enough to fill the small bin if the yield is good, and a big combine for 265 acres. Yes, i am very happy with the situation. And sadly father time took my grandfather from me last year, i was fortunate enough to have heard the best praise a young farmer could get "your doing a good job by me".

Next Post >

Comment

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

Join Ontario Agriculture

Comment by pigsrgr8 on January 17, 2012 at 7:15am: Gus,

I enjoyed reading about your first year.

Good job.

Comment by Joe Dales on January 13, 2012 at 2:21pm: Thanks for sharing and best wishes in 2012.
Take care,
Joe

RSS

Welcome to
Ontario Agriculture

Sign Up
or Sign In

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

Crop research a better long-term solution than BRM programs: USask Professor

Agricultural research requires investment, but it takes many years to develop a higher yielding crop variety or one with improved disease resistance. Recently announced funding and job cuts by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada are expected to impact the quantity and possibly the quality of new research in both the crop and livestock sectors. Richard Gray is a professor and grains policy chair at the University of Saskatchewan and was a key note speaker Thursday at the Top Crop Summit in Saskatoon. "I think the lack of a plan to how they were actually going to do some of the activities that were happening on those farms, that's a problem, and second, I don't think there was enough thought given to whether the sites that they were closing down were important for overall productivity of the researchers that remain." Gray said of the pending closures of research sites across Canada. The Indian Head research site represented about 35 per cent of the crop area in the province and was loca

Malta bee exporter blasts criticism from Canadian beekeepers

A European honeybee provider said they’re collateral damage to a dust-up in the Canadian honey sector over replacement bees. Ermanno De Chino, CEO of Melita Bees, a firm based on the Mediterranean island of Malta, said Italian and Maltese bee biosecurity and quality are the subject of unwarranted “smears” coming from a Canadian beekeeping contingent. He said they’re “pushing for the opening of the border with the United States,” a country he said is extremely vulnerable to the tropilaelaps (tropi) mite threat. “There’s little science and a lot of politics in all of this,” he wrote in a Feb. 10 email. In a separate email, De Chino described the risk of tropilaelaps entering the U.S. as “very high” due to the “enormous” number of cargo ships from Asia arriving at the ports of California, Texas, and Florida: three states with tropi mite-friendly weather conditions. “Swarms of Asian bees arriving in containers would have an easy time establishing themselves in these areas. The enormous

LDC commissions pea protein isolate production facility in Yorkton

Louis Dreyfus Company (LDC) has announced the start of commissioning for its new pea protein isolate (PPI) production facility in Yorkton. Alongside pea protein, LDC will also commercialize pea fiber and a proprietary pea starch produced at the new Yorkton facility, for the pet food, building materials and paper industries. Strategically located in one of the world’s largest pea-producing regions, at the site of LDC’s existing oilseeds processing complex, the new pea protein isolate plant is expected to employ some 60 people by the end of 2026, states a news release issued by LDC. The facility is currently in its commissioning phase, covering both wet and dry processing, which will be completed over the next couple of months, with commercial volumes expected to be available by mid-June, says LDC. The site will be among the largest pea processing facilities in North America, serving key segments of the plant-based market, including high-protein beverages and powder mixes, dairy alter

Groups call for mandatory labeling of genetically engineered pork products

No laws in Canada mandate specific labels for genetically engineered foods

Reinforcing Market Support at IAOM Latin America Conference

Engaging, learning, and networking were top of mind for attendees at the International Association of Operative Millers’ (IAOM) 49th Latin American Region Annual Conference and Expo, held in February in Guadalajara, Mexico. Lisa Nemeth, Cereals Canada director of market support and training, was among the presenters at the event, which attracted over 280 milling professionals from twenty-five countries. Nemeth presented on the quality of Canadian cereals, the Canadian quality assurance system, and the market support that Cereals Canada delivers to its customers. Nemeth shared that customers were happy to see Canadian cereals represented at the conference. On average, Canada exports 5.9 million tonnes of non-durum wheat to Latin America per year. Over the last five years, the largest markets in the region for Canadian cereals were Peru, Colombia, Ecuador, and Mexico. “Latin America loves Canadian cereals,” said Nemeth. “Mexico is an important market for Canada Western Red Spring (CWR

More…

Badges | Report an Issue | Terms of Service