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Better Farming Ontario Featured Articles

Better Farming Ontario magazine is published 11 times per year. After each edition is published, we share featured articles online.


Badgers not welcome on all farms

Monday, May 4, 2009

Danielle Ethier wants to know if a squat creature, the size of a raccoon, with a checkerboard-black-and-white face and (gulp!) two-inch-long front claws is in your neighbourhood. The question is whether you, as a farmer, are willing to tell her?

Ethier, a masters student at Trent University in Peterborough, says that as few as 200 American badgers remain in Ontario. Historical reports place them in Glencoe and even near Kincardine, but mostly their burrows are found in sandy soil areas of Norfolk, Brant and Haldimand.

Badgers are classified as an endangered species, and Ethier says landowners shouldn't be concerned that they won't be able to farm around the burrows if they are located.

Bryan Gilvesy, chair of the Norfolk County Alternative Land Use Services pilot project, recently planted some suitable habitat on his farm, but acknowledges not all farmers are as welcoming. Some may be shooting badgers rather than reporting them, he says.

"In general, the farm community is still very much afraid of there being a listed species found on their farm," adds the beef and specialty crop raiser. "A lot of that has to do with the uncertainties of what will happen" if an endangered animal or plant is found in their property.

Karen Bellamy, manager of Species At Risk, Ministry of Natural Resources, Peterborough, says the new provincial law protecting species is very different from the federal Species At Risk Act. She says if there is a badger on your property it is because you have good habitat. Concerns arise if you are going to change your farming activities and permits are available. BF

 

Current Issue

December 2024

Better Farming Magazine

Farms.com Breaking News

December Better Farming Ontario available online

Thursday, December 12, 2024

The December issue of Better Farming Ontario has been held up, like many publications, by the Canada Post strike. Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA), which provides their members with a Better Farming subscription, has graciously agreed to share the digital version of the... Read this article online

New fund targets invasive phragmites spread

Thursday, December 12, 2024

The Ontario Phragmites Action (OPA) program has announced the launch of the Invasive Phragmites Control Fund (IPCF) and is now accepting project proposals. Supported by the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, this fund aims to enhance efforts to control invasive Phragmites across the... Read this article online

Farm Fresh Ontario is now Agritourism Ontario

Wednesday, December 11, 2024

Agritourism Ontario (formerly Farm Fresh Ontario—the name change took place on December 2, 2024) is heading into 2025 with a new name and look that is more reflective of what the association does. It is also taking on some big projects thanks to the support of the Ontario Ministry... Read this article online

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