Behind the Lines - January 2015

Tuesday, January 6, 2015

Technology to help farmers grow better crops with fewer inputs is developing in leaps and bounds. But is farmers' faith about the security of information gathered about their farms advancing as fast? Seems there might be a gap there, as Senior Staff Editor Don Stoneman found out when he was researching this month's cover story.

The newest systems can send farming data, such as yields and soil test results, to a "cloud" computer, often maintained by a farm implement or seed company where it can be analyzed by experts and site-specific fertility programs can be quickly developed. Stoneman found that not all farmer are buying in to this. And there are also concerns that, because of proprietary programs, the information is not easily movable from one company's software to another.

Should you be wondering about the security of your farm's information? Parkhill farmer Rick Willemse and some other farmers think so. Makers and distributors of this new and very powerful software also give their side of the story. Industry-driven solutions are on the way and there may be more choices in the future. "Precision technology on the farm: Who owns the farm data on the new cloud servers?" starts on page 10.

Data privacy may be a relatively new issue, but there have also been developments with some long-standing farm challenges you will want to know about. Writer Mike Beaudin has tackled a couple of those topics. One involves the apparent disconnect between consumers and those who produce their food. Simcoe County's Food and Agriculture Charter connects farmers and consumers through activities such as school lunches. See Beaudin's report beginning on page 28.

Preservation of prime farmland is another one of those issues that seems to have been around forever and that just keeps changing its identity. A recent incarnation involves a diverse group of opponents pitted against developers spearheading a plan that would boost the population of Midhurst, at the edge of Barrie, from 3,000 to 18,000.

At ground zero in this struggle is Rob Wright, a second-generation dairy farmer whose 800-acre operation is threatened. There is an eclectic group on side with Wright which includes the Ontario Federation of Agriculture, Simcoe County Federation of Agriculture, the newly elected mayor of Springwater Township, the Council of Canadians, Midhurst Ratepayers Association, AWARE Simcoe, and even author Margaret Atwood. That story begins on page 35.

Another case of a coalition's efforts to save farmland has involved an epic battle against a so-called mega-quarry in Dufferin County. Farm operations ranged from beef to Brussels sprouts. Writer Jim Algie examined the types of farms and strategies involved in the battle. Bill French, one of the key farmers in the struggle, says the winner was "Ontario." See whether you agree. You'll find the story on page 30. By the way, the Bill French who grows brussels sprouts in Dufferin County and the Bill French who is mayor of  Springwater are not the same person. BF

ROBERT IRWIN & DON STONEMAN