Dig Deep | Better Farming

Trade wars take toll on livestock producers

While American pork producers appreciate the USDA’s aid package, they would prefer more market opportunities and trade resolutions

By Kate Ayers
Staff Writer
Better Farming

Harvesting new apple opportunities

Vineland researchers search for the perfect match of apple varieties to meet Ontario consumers’ cider preferences

Committed to producing and consuming local food

Unlocking the growth of Ontario’s local food sector

Systemic barriers remain to the full development of Ontario’s local food potential, several observers say.

Open source + open mind = endless opportunities

DIY precision ag projects can improve operation efficiency. Asking questions and starting small can help get producers started.

By Kate Ayers
Staff Writer
Better Farming

Committed to producing local food

Weighing the data on direct marketing in Ontario

Among all Canadian provinces, Ontario had the largest number of farms reporting direct marketing, the 2016 census of agriculture said.

Financing Ontario’s agri-food growth

Non-profit fund launches to support local food sector

A new capital pool for Ontario’s local food producers and related businesses seeks to solve at least one financial challenge facing entrepreneurs in the sector, said Sally Miller, Local Food and Farm Co-ops project manager.

Seeking the authority to manage waste

Communities creatively repurpose closed landfill sites

By Kaitlynn Anderson
Staff Writer

Once rural landfills reach their capacities, communities can collaborate to repurpose these sites.

Serving up the details on cell-based meat

Will cell-based meat be classified as a novel food? If so, what will this mean for producers and consumers?

By Kate Ayers
Staff Writer
Better Farming

Dumping dirt: Excess soil turns up on farmland

Chatsworth Township producer encouraged municipality to pass site alteration bylaw

By Kaitlynn Anderson
Staff Writer
Better Farming

Sensing your soil’s potential

Image detection systems could enable producers to reduce chemical usage by up to 90 per cent

By: Kate Ayers
Staff Writer
Better Farming

Producers could use sensor-based precision herbicide applications as another tool to fight hard-to-control weeds in their fields.

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Grower wants Canada’s first cannabis field

December 10, 2018

A Toronto, Ont. cannabis company hopes to be the first grower in Canada to produce the crop in a field. 48North Cannabis Corp. has asked for Health Canada’s approval to plant 100 acres (40 hectares) of cannabis near Brantford beginning in May or June. “The application is still pending,” Jeannette VanderMarel, co-CEO of 48North Cannabis Corp., told Farms.com. “We’ll be submitting a video demonstrating our security systems to them by the end of the month to show our intrusion control and access control systems.” The company plans to germinate the plants... read more

Keeping informed with DON insurance claims

December 10, 2018

As the 2018 harvest season drags on, Agricorp continues to gather more information about Ontario’s DON challenges. Most affected customers are in southwestern and western Ontario, a Thursday Agricorp update said. The agency is working with farmers to ensure they understand how the insurance programs operate, enabling producers to make the right decisions for their businesses. As of Thursday, 20 per cent of insured growers had reported their final yields. The average yield is 186 bushels per acre, the agency said. Agricorp’s yield-based Production Insurance gives farmers a... read more

Ont. passes natural gas legislation

December 7, 2018

Ontario’s provincial government is taking steps to help rural families heat their homes and run their businesses at lower costs. This morning, Monte McNaughton, Ontario’s infrastructure minister, announced the passing of Bill 32, The Access to Natural Gas Act The legislation will help up to 78 communities and 33,000 households receive access to natural gas, while saving money in the process. Switching from other forms of heating to natural gas can save an average home between $800 and $2,500 per year, the government said. And increased access to natural gas can have several... read more

Slowing fusarium through proper ensiling

December 6, 2018

Following the correct ensiling process could slow down DON growth in corn silage. Fungi that produce DON, such as fusarium species, do not thrive in low oxygen levels or low pH environments. When corn is correctly ensiled, fusarium becomes inactive and can no longer produce DON, a Wednesday OMAFRA field crop report said. Corn silage becomes fully fermented after three weeks. To help prevent DON from spreading in silage once it’s stored, producers should harvest crops when moisture levels are stable, Doug Duffin, a cash crop, beef and poultry farmer in Middlesex County, told Farms.com... read more

Ont. groups host barn fire prevention event

December 4, 2018

Three groups are hosting a joint discussion to help farmers prevent barn fires and prepare emergency personnel respond to them. The South-West Oxford fire department, Equine Guelph and OMAFRA will lead the free event on Friday, Dec. 7 at the Mount Elgin Community Centre from 9 a.m. to noon. Each group will present different information. Equine Guelph’s portion of the event will cover the organization’s available resources, said Susan Raymond, the group’s communications and programs officer. “We’re going to be showcasing our available face-to-face and online... read more