By Kate Ayers
Staff Writer
Better Farming
Given the growing concern about rural crime across Western Canada, provincial government officials are pushing for legislation updates to better protect farmers and other rural residents. Below, we recap the recent developments in each province.
By Jim Algie
Farmers considering niche grain production for emerging artisanal markets operate within what one close observer calls “an informal seed system” that generally lacks supply and reliable data about productive varieties.
By Kate Ayers
Staff Writer
Better Farming
Communities and industries across Canada must prepare themselves for increasingly volatile weather conditions.
By Jim Algie
Better Farming
Dairy Farmers of Ontario’s (DFO’s) interim grass-fed milk standard protocol requires forage or grass feeding of at least 75 per cent of total dry matter intake for qualifying cows and at least 120 days on pasture for a minimum of six hours daily during the gazing period.
by Jim Algie
Better Farming
Until U.S. President Donald Trump began working trade policy in earnest in 2018, the trend for government support payments to farmers in both the United States and Canada had shown a 30-year period of almost continual decline, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) analysis showed.
By Kate Ayers
Staff Writer
Better Farming
While food fraud has been a challenge in Canada for decades, food supply chain stakeholders and consumers have recently become more aware of the issue. The intentional adulteration of food can harm the reputation of the entire agri-food industry and affect producers’ bottom lines.
In midsummer, “conservation authorities (CA) and Conservation Ontario (were) stunned” by a letter from Jeff Yurek, minister of the environment, conservation and parks, Conservation Ontario said in a Aug. 19 press release.
CAs are required by the Conservation Authorities Act to “re-focus their efforts on the delivery of programs and services related to their core mandate,” Yurek said in his Aug. 16 letter.
By Kate Ayers
Staff Writer
Better Farming
In June, the federal government launched Canada’s first food policy, which is a $134.4-million investment over the next five years.
Through this policy, the government aims to address a range of challenges that the agri-food industry and Canadians face, such as food insecurity, food waste and food illiteracy.
By Kate Ayers
Staff Writer
Better Farming
Volatile weather conditions can significantly affect farmers’ abilities to produce and maintain quality feed and forages for their animals.
Prolonged dry or wet periods take their toll on pastures and forage fields, and can result in thin feed supplies throughout the year.
By Kate Ayers
Staff Writer
Better Farming
Many rural Ontario communities depend on volunteer firefighters.