A shortage of workers is limiting Canada's economic potential, especially in agriculture. Annual farm cash receipt losses to Canadian producers due to job vacancies are $1.5 billion, according to a report released this week. Postmedia columnist Andrew Coyne was the opening keynote speaker at the "Growing the AgriWorkforce Summit" in Winnipeg and he joins us... Read More
Category: Eastern Canada
Last month, I stopped in for the annual Organic Alberta Conference in Olds to hear what's new in the world of organics. I was a little later than I intended, but happened to sneak into the first concurrent session of the day just in time to hear Blake Hall of Prairie Gold Meats addressing an... Read More
Krone's Premos 5000 won an innovation gold at Agritechnica this year. It's the world's first mobile pellet harvester, and, according to Krone, it uses just half the energy of its stationary counterparts. Pellets can be made of straw or forage crops, and can be used in bedding, as part of a total mixed ration, or... Read More
"I don't need to exercise because I work outside." "I am farming — I have no time to eat right or exercise." Are these quotes from you? Do you make time for healthy eating and exercise during the week? Back in the 1930's you needed to have a strong back to be a farmer. The... Read More
Keeping kids safe on farms is the theme for this year's Canadian Ag Safety Week, which runs March 13th to 19th. One incident involving children is too many, and yet we continue to hear tragic stories. In support of the Canadian Ag Safety Association's Ag Safety Week, Dow AgroSciences developed this "Stop & Ask" video,... Read More
Another Word from the road! This week, Peter Johnson is hitting the stage in Saskatoon and Brandon, as part of the TechTourLIVE traveling roadshow. In this episode, Johnson covers these crazy spring conditions, weed control, "the crop of all crops," and roasting soybean. Have a question for Wheat Pete? Call 1-888-746-3311, send him a tweet... Read More
Since A&W launched its raised without hormones campaign, many farmers and ranchers have expressed displeasure about the marketing tactics of A&W. The most popular post in the the life of RealAgriculture is Andrew Campbell's column entitled I'm Done With Fearing Food and Done with A&W. The anger has extended to the ranchers and feedyards participating... Read More
Ontario Farmers are turning out in force to participate in the Great Lakes Agricultural Stewardship Initiative (GLASI). “We’ve had incredible response to GLASI in the targeted areas,” says Margaret May, regional program lead with Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association, which administers the program. Interest and attendance at program meetings has been strong, she adds.... Read More
Fertilizer Canada and the Canadian Association of Agri-Retailers (CAAR) launched a new online anhydrous ammonia safety course for farmers in conjunction with the kickoff of Canadian Ag Safety Week. The official launch for CASW, which runs March 13-19, was held in Vineland Station, Ontario on Tuesday. "Fertilizer Canada is taking significant steps to manage the... Read More
What a difference a year makes. Back in spring 2015, Ontario farmers were scrambling to manage an abundance of corn stalk residue and grappling with questions about tillage and how to fix fields full of ruts caused by a challenging harvest. Fast forward to spring 2016 and farmers are facing a much more favourable planting... Read More