Lucan farm family's creative efforts generate public interest Wednesday, March 7, 2012 photo: Left to right - Paul DIetrich, Dianne Dietrich, Frank Dietrich, and Steve Unverferth. by SUSAN MANN The Dietrich family of Lucan never expected to win a video contest showcasing their use of a recently purchased grain cart. But the only Canadian entry to be named one of the top five finalists won the contest by a landslide. The Dietrichs were the only Ontario farmers but not the only ones from Canada to enter the contest, sponsored by United States-based farm equipment manufacturer Unverferth Manufacturing Co. Inc. Frank Dietrich says their video captured more than half of the 11,000 votes cast by the public who could vote on the winning entries on the Brent Grain Cart product website. Set to a song called, Farm Boy written by a local Lucan-area band, River Junction Band, the Dietrichs’ video features all four family members, Frank, Dianne, and their two sons, Scott and Paul, explaining why they bought the Brent Grain Cart and the family’s use of the cart from when it first arrived in January 2011 on their cash crop farm, through wheat and corn harvest to cleanup and storage. Frank says they were surprised they won because “we’re from Canada and it’s an American contest.” Dan Fanger, vice president of sales and marketing for Unverferth, says in a press release the Dietrich video like all the entries “clearly showed their pride in their family farm and the Brent Grain Cart.” Frank says their sons did most of the filming for their video, which also featured still photographs. As the grand prize winners, the Dietrichs won a 60-inch flat screen LCD television valued at $2,500. The “Why Do You Choose Brent?” video contest was open last year to all North Americans who bought the cart. The idea was for farmers to capture and share video footage of Brent Grain Carts in use and depict how they make harvest go smoother. The Dietrichs and four other finalists’ videos can be viewed on the Unverferth website at: www.unverferth.com. BF Ontario adapting to climate change Specialty foods have different regulatory needs from mainstream products: report
Ontario Grows Most of the Nation's Celery Friday, July 24, 2026 When Canadians reach for a stalk of celery at the grocery store, there is a good chance it began its journey on an Ontario farm. While celery occupies only a small share of Canada's overall vegetable acreage, the crop continues to play an important role in the country's fresh... Read this article online
University of Guelph Receives $1 Million Gift to Advance Sustainable Materials Research and Bioeconomy Growth Friday, July 24, 2026 The University of Guelph has received a $1-million gift from The WB Family Foundation to expand research into sustainable materials and support the continued growth of Ontario's bioeconomy. The investment will support the University's Bioproducts Discovery and Development Centre... Read this article online
Southco Launches R4-50 Rotary Latch with Dual Triggers for Equipment Cabs Friday, July 24, 2026 Southco has launched a new cab access solution aimed at improving safety, durability, and ease of operation in demanding environments. The company’s latest product, the R4-50 Rotary Latch with Dual Triggers, is designed specifically for agricultural and heavy-duty... Read this article online
Zucchini Harvest and Summer Squash – Ontario leads the way. Friday, July 24, 2026 Ontario has the largest field vegetable sector in Canada, with approximately 859,000tonnesof field vegetables produced in 2024, representing about 34% of total Canadian field vegetable production. Quebec was second at about 694,000tonnes. Ontario also has the largest number of field... Read this article online
Pilot project supports Ontario and Quebec ag Friday, July 24, 2026 A new two-year pilot project is designed to help livestock farmers in Quebec by giving them access to an Ontario abattoir. The project, a collaboration between the Quebec and Ontario governments, with additional support from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), would see a limited... Read this article online