Beef Improvement Ontario sells lab Wednesday, March 2, 2011 by BETTER FARMING STAFFGuelph-based Beef Improvement Ontario has sold Agri-Food Laboratories. The price is not being disclosed and the buyer is not being revealed at this time, pending clearance from lawyers. BIO general manager Mike McMorris says the soil-testing lab, purchased from private owner Dale Cowan in 2006, has been a revenue generator for the producer-owned and governed genetic evaluation organization. Hanging onto the laboratory was not an option, he says, in the face of a well-financed competitor determined to enter the Ontario market. Updating equipment to compete would drain resources from BIO’s core businesses.The value of the laboratory is at an all-time high, says a document distributed at the BIO annual meeting last week. McMorris says BIO’s revenue will be reduced but the organization will get by. The buyer approached BIO in February of 2010. A committee of directors, the general manager and a consultant considered the offer and other options.According to the document, “The return on investment has been tremendous. The sale will yield a return on investment of approximately 70 per cent per year.”BIO revenue last year exceeded $4 million and profit was $330,000 after “significant development in bioTrack development, according to BIO’s financial report.BIO manages pedigrees on cattle, performance and management records for breeders and evaluates bulls, and beef cattle genetics in general. BF Good news for solar project Egg case sealed
Sunflower farming in Ontario Tuesday, August 19, 2025 While Manitoba dominates sunflower production in Canada—accounting for about 90 percent of the national output (https://oggardenonline.com/where-in-canada-are-sunflowers-grown.html)—Ontario is home to a growing number of sunflower farms. These farms are often smaller in scale and... Read this article online
2025 Livestock Tax Deferral Regions Announced Tuesday, August 19, 2025 Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) has published the initial list of prescribed regions eligible for the 2025 Livestock Tax Deferral provision, a key support measure for Canadian livestock producers grappling with the impacts of extreme weather. “As we continue to see the very... Read this article online
Winter wheat in Ontario: A resilient crop for a sustainable future Tuesday, August 19, 2025 Winter wheat has long been a staple in Ontario’s agricultural landscape, offering both economic and environmental benefits to farmers across the province. Grown primarily in southwestern Ontario, this crop plays a vital role in crop rotation systems, soil health, and food... Read this article online
Better Soil Health Improves Rain Absorption Monday, August 18, 2025 The OMAFA Fieldcropnews.com team recently held demonstrations regarding how soil management can greatly affect the amount of rainfall absorbed into the soil for crop use. This is especially important for corn, soybean, and wheat growers facing dry spells or intense summer storms. In early... Read this article online
Farm ponds and the trouble with algae Monday, August 18, 2025 Farm ponds are more than just tranquil features on rural landscapes—they’re essential tools for water management, livestock care, irrigation, and biodiversity—especially in North America. They are also considered to be a key agricultural asset outside North America, especially in... Read this article online