Irrigating precious crops equals jobs Tuesday, February 9, 2016 Almond, stone fruit, grape and citrus owners once paid $70 an acre foot to irrigate their orchards in Kern County in California's central valley. Now they are paying as much as $1,300 an acre foot, more than 18 times as much, with very little retail increase in their products, says the December newsletter of the national crop insurance program. Yet California agriculture is surviving only because of "massive but unsustainable over pumping" according to a study published by the Pacific Institute, which describes itself as an independent global water think tank.Farm revenue remains strong even though acreage is down by 640,000 acres. The Pacific Institute says some losses have been offset as farmers fallowed their land and sold water rights to growers of high-value crops. The study is available at http://pacinst.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/21/2015/08/ImpactsOnCaliforniaDrought-Ag.pdfAccording to the study, a California acre of fresh tomatoes, melons, squash or cucumbers supports more than 160 jobs. BF Appeal lost for obstructionist farmers Grow-ops cause Pacific power blowouts
Buying a horse? How to protect yourself from fraud and hidden health issues Thursday, November 20, 2025 Buying a horse is a major investment for farmers and equine enthusiasts alike. Whether for work, breeding, or recreation, the process often involves trust between buyer and seller. Unfortunately, that trust can sometimes be misplaced. Cases of horses sold with undisclosed... Read this article online
Ont. farmer raises money for employees affected by Hurricane Melissa Thursday, November 20, 2025 An Ontario farmer collected donations to support members of his staff affected by Hurricane Melissa. Brad Raymont employs nine migrant workers from Jamaica to help harvest strawberries, blackberries, and raspberries at Raymont’s Berries in Cottam. “Our farm wouldn’t exist without these... Read this article online
Canadian Farmers Seek Fair Succession Tax Reform Thursday, November 20, 2025 Family farmers across Canada are urging the federal government to update tax rules that they say no longer reflect the reality of modern farming families. Current laws under the Income Tax Act allow farmers to transfer their farms to their own children without immediate tax... Read this article online
Supreme Court Backs CFIA Ostrich Farm Cull Monday, November 17, 2025 Agency staff began rounding up the birds mid-afternoon on November 6, corralling the ostriches into an enclosure made of hay bales about three to four metres high. The cull order was originally given ten months ago, on December 31, after lab tests confirmed the presence of highly... Read this article online
Bringing together today’s leaders with tomorrow’s Monday, November 17, 2025 An event taking place in Guelph this week brings together people in leadership positions with the aspiring leaders of tomorrow. The United Way Guelph Wellington Dufferin’s GenNext committee, which encourages people in their 20s and 30s to become involved with the United Way to fully... Read this article online