Commercial feed costs inflate index Tuesday, January 15, 2013 by BETTER FARMING STAFFA 17.2 per cent increase in the cost of prepared commercial feed in Ontario has helped propel the Farm Input Price index to an 0.8 per cent rise in the third quarter of 2012, matching the index’s second-quarter rise.While animal production inputs were up 3.7 per cent across the country, the advance of the index was tempered by a 1.7 per cent decrease in crop production inputs.The Statistics Canada index increased in eight provinces during the third quarter. Ontario, with an increase of 1.9 per cent, and Quebec, with an increase of 2.5 per cent, added most to the national growth in input costs. The increases were partially offset by decreases in Saskatchewan of 1.1 per cent and New Brunswick of 0.1 per cent. Higher prices in Saskatchewan were dampened by a 5.3 per cent fall in the cost of fertilizers. Nationally, farm input costs increased 5.8 per cent between the third quarter of 2011 and the third quarter of 2012. Animal production inputs, up by 10 per cent, contributed most to the annual price movement of the index. Animal production has been the main contributor to the annual growth of the index since the third quarter of 2010. The index increased in all provinces between the third quarter of 2011 and the third quarter of 2012. Ontario, up 7 per cent, and Alberta, up 6.4 per cent, contributed most to the annual advance of the index.Over the one-year period from the third quarter of 2011 to the third quarter of 2012, annual animal production costs were primarily the result of prepared commercial feed costs rising in both Ontario and Alberta. In Ontario, the annual input cost increase for commercial feed was 24.3 per cent and in Alberta it was 20.4 per cent. BF Federal government invites comments on TPP environmental impacts 2013 a key year for Canada's dairy industry say DFO officials
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