Ontario's premier, Kathleen Wynne, has named several individuals to the Agri-Food Growth Steering Committee. The group is tasked with providing advice and guidance on the road to pushing Ontario's agriculture and agri-food sector to "double its annual growth rate and create 120,000 new jobs by 2020." Included on the committee are: Deb Stark, Deputy Minister,... Read More
Category: Eastern Canada
Paul Hetherington, CEO of the Baking Association of Canada says we need a better understanding of the public acceptance of genetically engineered wheat. Hetherington spoke at the Western Association of Wheat Growers’ AGM in early January, with a presentation entitled The world as it is, not as we may want it to be. In the... Read More
Who makes the best equipment salesperson — a former mechanic? How great is your local equipment dealer at trouble-shooting all the new tech and equipment in the tractor and combine cab? For this very special FarmTech edition of the Kickin’ Tires podcast, co-hosts Shaun Haney and Jim Hale are joined by spray application specialist and... Read More
Despite the tumble in wheat futures over the last month, there are still reasons for growers to be optimistic about where wheat prices are headed, according to the president of LeftField Commodity Research. Chuck Penner shares his take on what’s happening in the grain markets in this video filmed at FarmTech in Edmonton. “I’m friendliest... Read More
Between 2010 and 2013, Transport Canada issued 1,527 approvals for unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) operations, with the number growing every year. Last fall, the organization announced exemptions to the Special Flight Operations Certificate, once mandatory for all non-recreational use of UAVs. Find out if you need permission to fly a UAV. The exemptions could pave... Read More
Last week, the U.S. released its cattle inventory numbers for January 1, and, as expected, there was some growth of the cattle herd. The numbers were slightly higher than anticipated, but still make for a historically small cattle herd. What does it mean for cattle supplies going forward? And will the Canadian numbers follow the... Read More
Do you know someone who has made a major contribution to agriculture in Canada? Here's a chance to recognize them and celebrate their achievements — the Canadian Agricultural Hall of Fame is looking for people to induct into the hall in 2015. For the first time in the hall's 55-year history, the induction ceremony will... Read More
Recently, I was asked to speak at the Alberta Ag Services Board's 70th annual meeting. The theme centered around change and all that agriculture had evolved through in the last 70 years. From horse-drawn implements, to variable rate, sectional control-equipped seeding equipment, the last 70 years has literally been a technological revolution in producing food.... Read More
Sometimes it’s the little things that go unnoticed that actually have a big impact. Who hasn’t been waylaid by one tiny little part that breaks or goes missing? Big-picture considerations are important too, but the devil, as they say, is in the details. When it comes to spraying, details can easily be overlooked. When’s the... Read More
Agriculture’s global profile got a boost last year thanks to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization deeming 2014 the International Year of Family Farming. Journalists wrote enlightening stories about the fact that nearly all Canadian farms are family owned. Politicians spoke in glowing terms about the economic, social and cultural contributions made by family... Read More