Dig Deep Archive | Page 2 | Better Farming

Relying on renewables: raising fuel’s ethanol content

Kansas Ethanol, LLC is set to incorporate Syngenta’s Enogen corn into biofuel production this fall

By Kate Ayers
Staff Writer
Better Farming

Syngenta and Kansas Ethanol, LLC recently signed a three-year marketing agreement to use Enogen corn enzyme technology at the biofuel plant. This deal will provide participating growers with a premium per Enogen bushel and will benefit local communities.

Supply-managed sectors look to future

The World Trade Organization wants to eliminate ag export subsidies

By Jim Algie
Better Farming

Just when you thought all the trade talk had ended, along comes the World Trade Organization’s (WTO) decision to revive long-stalled talks about agriculture.

Protecting the province’s groundwater

A bottled water company in southern California carefully manages its natural spring water source

By Kate Ayers
Staff Writer
Better Farming

Growing to new heights

Innovative user-friendly technology makes it simple for growers – including those with small-scale operations – to monitor plant health

By Lauren Arva

Monitoring indoor crops could become a lot easier for producers, thanks to technological advances in the ag industry.

Pipe plans for expanded natural gas access

Infrastructure minister 'wants shovels in the ground as quickly as possible'

By Jim Algie
Better Farming

Full details should be available within “the next couple of months” about a new system of cross-subsidization by natural gas ratepayers for expanded rural services, said Monte McNaughton, the province’s minister of infrastructure, in a Better Farming interview.

Finding support after a farm incident

A national charity seeks volunteers and funding to continue supporting injured, ill and disabled farmers

By Kate Ayers
Staff Writer
Better Farming

Through the Canadian Farmers with Disabilities Registry (CFWDR), a registered charity, program coordinators connect recently injured or disabled farmers with other producers who have experienced similar life-changing events.

How to finance your farm projects

As part of the federal economic update, new tax incentives are available for farmers

By Kate Ayers
Staff Writer
Better Farming

Ontario producers can access a range of government programs to help finance improvements to their operations.

Growing Canada’s agri-food industry

CN’s director of grain marketing highlights supply chain pressures

David Przednowek, CN’s director of grain marketing, looks to the future of the supply chain. He stresses the increasing efficiency of rail but highlights the seasonal nature of grain transportation, and the cost and volume pressures on this infrastructure.

Double duty: Working on and off the farm

An Oxford County beef farmer shares tips on successfully managing a heavy workload

By Kate Ayers
Staff Writer
Farms.com

John Mason stays busy year-round with his construction company, marathon training and coaching – in addition to working on his family’s beef farm.

His parents Martin and Liz own a 100-acre farm in Oxford County. John has a few cows on the farm and puts in some sweat equity.

Rural Ontario debates green energy reforms

One county moves toward full reliance on renewable energy

By Jim Algie
Better Farming

Oxford County has adopted plans to achieve 100 per cent renewable energy by 2050 for eight municipalities within this mainly rural and heavily agricultural region.

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Preparing for SWAC

November 12, 2019

One of Ontario’s popular ag events is gearing up for its 27th year. The Southwest Agricultural Conference (SWAC) takes place at the University of Guelph’s Ridgetown Campus on Jan. 7 and 8, 2020. The theme for the conference is 2020 Ag Vision, which will give farmers an opportunity to discuss the latest innovations and techniques. The event will feature 44 sessions on many industry topics. Jeff Cook, a grain producer from London, Ont., for example, is part of a three- farmer panel titled Real Corn Growers. “I plan on running through what works for us on the farm,”... read more

Farmers across Ont. prepare for winter

November 12, 2019

Snow has blanketed fields across Ontario. Though it may not last, the white stuff is a sure sign that winter is on the way. So, farmers across the province are focusing on what lies ahead as we reach the end of a fickle and challenging harvest season. “It’s been a little bit of a stressful fall,” Chris Chadwick, a cash-crop farmer from Chatham-Kent, told Farms.com. “There are a couple big operators by us that have some beans left in the field. (But), for the majority, we’re just waiting on corn,” he said. He hopes to get a window soon to allow him to... read more

Wild pigs in Ontario

November 11, 2019

Ontarians have sighted wild pigs which pose a risk to natural ecosystems and agriculture. “Based on reported sightings to date, Ontario’s wild pig population appears to be small,” Jolanta Kowalski, spokesperson at the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNR&F), said in a statement to Farms.com. Wild pigs usually come from farm escapes, either wild European boars which were kept as exotic livestock or “feral” domestic pigs, the MNR&F said in a statement released Oct. 7. Wild pigs can reproduce rapidly, exhibit nocturnal and elusive behavior, and... read more

Winter wheat seeding promising in Ont.

November 8, 2019

Producers in Ontario planted most of their intended winter wheat acres in time for good establishment before winter. “Winter wheat seeding has actually gone really well this year,” Joanna Follings, cereals specialist at OMAFRA, told Farms.com. “We had a pretty good harvest window, from a soybean perspective at least. A lot of the soybeans came off in really good time. Winter wheat was seeded right after into really good conditions.” Optimal planting timing is essential to accumulate adequate Growing Degree Days for winter wheat germination and emergence. “The... read more

Ontario’s corn harvest update

November 6, 2019

Combines are starting to roll in some Ontario corn fields. “In Kent County, a lot’s been done in the last couple days – I’d say close to 25 per cent of the crop,” Matt Chapple, a market development agronomist with Pride Seeds, told Farms.com. “Anybody with his or her own dryer is picking away at it. The corn crop is high moisture, (so farmers) are trying not to take it off too early if they don’t have to.” High moisture is the story in the eastern part of the province as well. Farmers have harvested only 5 per cent of the corn in his region,... read more