Sidebar 4: Cathy McKay, 55, South of Port Perry (Durham Region) Monday, May 4, 2009 McKay is the main operator of Nature's Bounty, a farm which she owns with her husband, Marvin Stevenson. They have one son. An apple orchard is the 100-acre farm's primary focus. She also grows pumpkins, squash, gourds, decorative corn and the operation includes 40 ewes, pasture and alfalfa. In the mid-1990s, the couple shifted the farm from exclusively wholesale apple sales to on-farm retail and wholesale. Greatest success. Implementing the transition from wholesale to retail and transforming the farm from a money loser to a profitable business.Greatest challenge. "Being pulled in many directions. Sometimes people don't understand that you are working. Yes, you're home, yes you have some flexibility, but you are working."Words of advice. Farming is a "huge commitment," she says. "You have to really like it." Sidebar 5: Laura Kivits, 32, Dalkeith (Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry) Sidebar 3: Trudy Reid, 29, District of Thunder Bay
Renew CUSMA? Grain groups say yes—but with changes Wednesday, December 17, 2025 The Canada–United States–Mexico Agreement (CUSMA)—known as USMCA (United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement) in the US and T-MEC (Tratado entre México, Estados Unidos y Canadá) in Mexico—is the trade pact that, on July 1, 2020, replaced NAFTA (North American Free Trade... Read this article online
Plants flip genetic switch to survive sudden cold, study finds Wednesday, December 17, 2025 One things for sure—weather happens. When a sudden cold snap hits a farm, it can destroy seedlings slow growth. It can make the season's growth 'iffy' going forward. But like a ray of sunshine, results from a new study offer farmers hope. Scientists have discovered how plants... Read this article online
CFIA extends BIOPOWER SC claims to young ruminants Wednesday, December 17, 2025 Lallemand Animal Nutrition has announced that the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has extended its approved claims for BIOPOWER SC, a viable yeast product (Saccharomyces cerevisiae CNCM I-1077) classified as a gut modifier in Canada. The new approval adds... Read this article online
Equipment Ontario Welcome to Two Trusted Dealers to Network Tuesday, December 16, 2025 Equipment Ontario Incorporated has announced a significant expansion of its dealership network with the addition of two well-established and highly regarded businesses: ESM Farm Equipment Ltd. and Bob Mark Equipment Sales & Rentals. ESM Farm Equipment Ltd., a New Holland Agriculture... Read this article online
PigTek offers new warranties on select products Tuesday, December 16, 2025 Following recent updates to its feed line offering, PigTek of Milford, Indiana, has announced new five-year limited warranties on select products. The company’s anchor bearing, stainless-steel boots, and stainless-steel control units now come with the industry-leading warranties for... Read this article online