Ontario Agriculture

The network for agriculture in Ontario, Canada

Days 5 & 6 - The tour continues through Bucharest

DAY 5 - Overnight train ride from Budapest, Hungary to Bucharest, Romania saw the AALP Alumni and Friends tour group arrive at noon in Romania. The overnight train ride was a first for a number of the travelers. It was interesting to note that two train cars (in line) with berths were from different originating countries and so had different passenger service levels. One group enjoyed cloth towels and breakfast served along with coffee. The other enjoyed very little - no service, no breakfast and no washing towels. In this latter car, when requested members of the group were given a paper towel and a disposable toothbrush to use!

Afternoon walking tour of Bucharest's city centre and a tour of the People's House, the seat of political and administrative power, a multi-purpose building containing both chambers of Romania's Parliament.

According to the Guinness Book of World Records, this building, built between 1984 and 1994, is the world's largest civilian administrative building, the most expensive administrative building, and the heaviest building. It is a HUGE building and was started by Ceausescu and meant to be "his place" to greet the world.

A welcome dinner at one of the city's most famous restaurants capped off a very interesting day.

DAY 6 - Bucharest - Afumati - Pantelimon - Bucherest. This morning the group had a presentation and toured the Romanian DuPont Pioneer Seed Plant where they produce corn, sunflower and soybean seed.

The afternoon saw the group visit a large Holstein dairy farm, started under the communist regime in 1973. Following the fall of communism, it was purchased privately by one of the former veterinarians on the farm. Now there are about 500 head, including approximately 250 milking cows producing more than 5000 liters per day. 70% of the milk produced is sold to a processing facility and 30% is sold through several milk dispensers (of unpasteurized milk) in Bucharest. One of these dispensers was located on the farm and provided an opportunity for the group to see it 'in action'.


In June 2009 the farm opened the first 'Farm Park' in Romania, close to the dairy farm, providing an opportunity for school children to learn and see first hand small animals, birds and parts of the farm 'in action'.

The group enjoyed a lunch prepared at the Farm Park before heading back to Bucharest for a free late afternoon and evening in the city. Tomorrow the group leaves the city of Bucharest for Sibiu.

Views: 118

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

NOAA Declares El Nino, Raising Key Weather Risks for Agriculture

NOAA has officially declared El Nino, and the resulting changes in weather patterns could significantly affect crop production across the United States and Canada in the coming months.

Federal Judge Sends Roundup Class Settlement Back to Missouri State Court, Clearing Path for Approval

A federal judge has ruled that the high-profile Roundup class settlement case must return to Missouri state court, a move expected to accelerate approval of a multibillion-dollar agreement covering tens of thousands of claims.

Hursh: A downward shift in fertilizer prices

War in the Middle East and the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz contributed to a rapid rise in nitrogen fertilizer values, but prices have dropped dramatically in recent weeks. Some analysts were worried that the normal price reset after spring seeding would not occur this year, but a price drop has happened quickly: There have been reports of international prices for urea, 46-0-0 moving lower, but what matters to farmers is the price locally. Up until a few weeks ago, the price of urea at farm input suppliers in Western Canada was around $1,250 a tonne. According to the Alberta Farm Input Price Survey, the lowest urea price of the past five years was just over $600 a tonne back in July of 2021. However, by April of 2022, world events had pushed urea prices to $1,350 a tonne. While prices this spring were not quite that high, they were onerous as compared to the price of grain. So where are prices right now? What would you need to pay for urea for summer or fall delivery? You cou

Soy Canada annual meeting highlights industry collaboration and future direction

Soy Canada’s 2026 annual meeting highlighted the power of collaboration across the soybean value chain and the opportunities ahead for Canada’s soybean industry. Discussions at the event focussed on strengthening market relationships, improving competitiveness and preparing for the future through a renewed strategic vision. The organization’s annual meeting was held June 18, 2026, in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ont. The event brought together industry leaders from across Canada to review progress over the past year and discuss future priorities for the organization. The 2025-2026 Annual Report highlights progress made in the past year. Brian Innes, Soy Canada Executive Director, shared key accomplishments from the past year, including strengthening relationships with international customers and improving collaboration across the soy value chain. Noted highlights included advancing discussions on soybean protein variability as part of the third Northern Soybean Summit and expanding participa

Two Nunavut communities strengthen access to traditional foods with new processing facilities

The Government of Canada is investing over $4.7 million on two community-led traditional food processing facilities that will help Gjoa Haven and Taloyoak residents access more local foods and strengthen food sovereignty in the region. The Government of Canada is taking action to address local food accessibility and high prices in Nunavut. That means advancing reconciliation with Inuit by investing in food systems to strengthen community infrastructure, reduce dependance on imported foods, and lower costs for Nunavummiut. Today, the Honourable Rebecca Chartrand, Minister of Northern and Arctic Affairs and Minister responsible for CanNor, announced a federal contribution of more than $4.7 million to create country food processing facilities in Gjoa Haven and Taloyoak. This includes $3,389,736 in funding from CanNor, $831,550 from Fisheries and Oceans Canada and $566,038 from Crown-Indigenous Relations and Indigenous Services Canada. The Gjoa Haven Country Food Processing Facility and

© 2026   Created by Darren Marsland.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service