Fast and reliable Internet: are we getting close on the farm? Thursday, December 22, 2016 Better Farming investigates rural Internet access challenges and highlights some of the developments which promise improvements Across the province, farmers struggle with access to reliable, high-speed Internet. Rural service can be interrupted by wind and precipitation – and plans can be costly. Download speeds can vary significantly by location; farmers dependent on wireless Internet can expect download speeds of 1.5 to 3.0 megabits per second (Mbps), while rural residents in Glencoe in Middlesex County can expect upwards of 26.0 Mbps. But the situation seems to be at a turning point. Both the provincial and federal governments, for example, have invested in SWIFT (SouthWestern Integrated Fibre Technology). This not-for-profit "aims to build an ultra-high-speed fibre optic regional broadband network for everyone in Western Ontario," according to its website. Satellite imagery: Multi-use, multi-purpose Right of passage
March 8 is International Women’s Day Friday, March 13, 2026 Across the United States and Canada, women are taking on increasingly visible roles in agriculture—managing farms, leading ag-tech startups, advancing research, and strengthening the rural economies that feed both nations. Their work reflects a shift in an industry once defined... Read this article online
Middle East conflict pushes fertilizer costs higher, forcing Ontario growers to rethink corn acres Friday, March 13, 2026 Ontario farmers are bracing for a turbulent spring as fertilizer and fuel prices surge in response to the escalating conflict involving Iran, a development that analysts say could reshape planting decisions across North America. The spike in nitrogen costs—the most critical and... Read this article online
Sask Farmer Say he Knows Why Fertilizer Companies Come Out Ahead When Markets are Disrupted Friday, March 13, 2026 As farmers continue to grapple with volatile input costs (Read: Fertilizer Prices Rise as Gulf Supply Tightens, one Saskatchewan farmer has offered a blunt assessment of why he believes fertilizer companies often appear to come out ahead during wars, sanctions, and global supply... Read this article online
PEI introduces one of Canada’s strictest honey bee import protocols for 2026 Friday, March 13, 2026 Prince Edward Island has released its updated 2026 protocol regarding the importation of honey bees, establishing some of the most stringent movement rules in the country. The protocol outlines new inspection, disease control, and transport requirements for any beekeeper or broker moving... Read this article online
Ontario Young Farmer Award Finalists 2026 Friday, March 13, 2026 The Ontario Outstanding Young Farmer (OOYF) Program will announce the province’s top young farmer during the 2026 awards banquet on April 8 at Cellar 52 in St. Jacobs, Ontario. The event will recognize young agricultural leaders whodemonstratestrong farming skills, innovation, and community... Read this article online