By Emily Croft
When Mack Emiry, a dairy farmer from Massey, found out he was selected as a successful nominee to be inducted into the Ontario Agricultural Hall of Fame this year, he was surprised.
“I was dumbfounded when I realized I was nominated, and then again when I was selected,” says Mack.
“I’m not different from a lot of people who have farmed, and still do farm, in this province.”
By Emily Croft
Most farms in Canada are owned, operated, and passed down through families.
As multiple generations integrate on the farm, it can be difficult to manage the pressures of maintaining a business and family dynamics.
A clear transition plan is one way that farming families can ensure that the expectations and goals for the farm are shared.
By Paul Hermans
If you have children, you know that throughout their life, they can challenge you daily. Ask yourself, have your ever given up on your children?
Consider your crops like your kids, you should never give up on them throughout the growing season. Keep constantly checking your crops and revise management strategies to reduce stress. This will lead to higher yields and profitability.
Two key factors are at play in this strategy:
By Emily Croft
In a career of more than 40 years and counting, Dale Cowan has cultivated a reputation for his mentorship skills, an affinity for the newest technologies, and extensive agronomy knowledge. His lifelong contributions to farming will see Dale inducted into the Ontario Agricultural Hall of Fame on June 11.
By Mel Luymes
Considering the costs of the latest farm equipment and technology, more and more producers are opting to hire agri-contractors for one or more field operations.
By Paul Hermans
Back in the good old days I dreaded grade school spring report card time. I was always worried about what my parents would think when they saw my report. In some classes I got B marks – others not so.
As planting continues and wraps up through the countryside, it is now time to explore fields to get a report card on emergence as we start setting yield expectations for the 2023 growing season.
By Colleen Halpenny
In 2022, Ontario producers cropped an impressive 3,080,400 acres of soybeans according to Statistics Canada. This represents 58 per cent of total soybean production acres across Canada, and Ontario soybeans totalled $2.94 billion in farm cash receipts in 2021.
With so many acres invested, and yields on the line, we spoke with some experts to explore how you can bolster your stand’s health in the upcoming season.
By Paul Hermans
We in agriculture are lucky. Every year we can look back at our growing season and learn new management strategies to enhance yields in the upcoming one.
This past winter I attended various agronomy conferences aimed at gleaning “some new tricks.”
Here are some of my favourite learnings that highlight research ideas from key industry, academic and likeminded individuals.
Keep in mind there were many more great topics presented, to which many a reader can attest.
By Emily Croft
Farms and agricultural businesses continue to struggle with labour shortages, and an aging population of farmers means that many are looking toward the next generation to continue their work.
While the industry searches to fill vacancies, high school co-operative education programs, or co-ops, are an opportunity to introduce young people to ag careers, while sharing the passion for farming held by the current generation.
By Colleen Halpenny
Electric versions of compact cars and some small utility vehicles have been on the market, and with increased presence, for a number of years. And as you’ve likely noticed, some manufacturers are beginning to unveil their first electric pickup truck models.
We recently researched how current electric options compare, and we also looked at the likelihood they would become essential machines on the farm and in the lives of Ontario farm families.