Group housing a norm for Ontario's veal calves says industry spokesperson Tuesday, May 15, 2012 by SUSAN MANNOntario’s veal industry supports the work of American veal farmers to switch their animal housing to group pens by 2017.But unlike the American industry, which is mainly milk-fed veal, the industry in Ontario is predominately grain-fed veal and the animals here are already in group housing, notes Jennifer Haley, executive director of the Ontario Veal Association. The one company that raises milk-fed veal in Ontario has made “huge steps to group housing efforts already voluntarily.”In the United States, the American Veal Association voted unanimously in favour of a resolution in 2007 calling for all veal farmers in that country to change their operations to group housing. A recent survey reveals that 70 per cent of veal calves raised by association members will be housed in group pens by the end of this year, it says in an association press release.The American association estimates that U.S. veal farmers will spend $250 million over 10 years on new technology to retrofit or build new barns to accommodate group-housing methods. Veal farms in the U.S. are typically small family farms with 200 to 250 animals. They are generally located in states with significant dairy production where farmers raise the male Holstein calves born on dairy farms and utilize the milk by-products from those farms.Haley says this is an important issue “in terms of consumer perceptions and understanding in how we raise our animals.” The Ontario industry applauds American veal farmers for voluntarily changing to group housing at their own expense. “It’s fantastic.” BF Canadian tractor sales are booming Establishing councils for animal welfare and environment a priority for new organization
Tips for first year university students Friday, August 29, 2025 The final weekend of summer is here, and students across Ontario will be returning to class next week. That includes at the University of Guelph’s Ridgetown Campus, where staff, faculty, and volunteers are preparing to welcome a new crop of first year students. “There’s definitely a... Read this article online
Sterling buckle marks 170 years at Spencerville Fair Friday, August 29, 2025 For its 170th anniversary, the Spencerville Fair is presenting a distinctive piece of Canadian silverwork that reflects nearly two centuries of agricultural tradition. The 170th Anniversary Spencerville Fair Sterling Silver Buckle was designed and handcrafted by Alex Dordevic of TRIBE, a... Read this article online
Corn and Soybean Crops Fall Short in 2025 Predicts Great Ontario Yield Tour Thursday, August 28, 2025 Ontario’s 2025 corn and soybean harvest is shaping up to be one of the most challenging in recent memory, as persistent drought and heat have pushed yields below the Agricorp 10-year average say experts and master scouts Moe Agostino and Henry Prinzen of the 2025 Great Ontario Yield Tour.... Read this article online
Global grain trade gets a shake-up: What it means for Canadian farmers Thursday, August 28, 2025 The global grain and oilseed trading industry is undergoing a major transformation—and Canadian farmers should take note. A recently published study in the September 2025 issue of discussed how the traditional dominance of a few multinational giants is giving way to a more competitive,... Read this article online
Ontario Farmers Share Yield Strategies Amid Drought Wednesday, August 27, 2025 The Great Ontario Yield Tour held an event at Petersen Custom Farming in Osgood, Ontario, on Thursday, August 21, 2025. The farmer panel during lunch was one of the highlights of the event. Farmers and industry experts gathered to discuss yield strategies and the realities of this season’s... Read this article online