The evolution of farm machinery has occurred incredibly fast, with the first engine-powered tractors showing up in the mid 1800s. Driven by steam engines, these tractors were loud and, compared to today's standards, far from comfortable. In the late 19th century, the first gasoline-powered tractor was built, no doubt impressing the farming community. Today, machinery... Read More
Category: Eastern Canada
Bees, pollinators and honey-makers alike, are enjoying some much deserved attention right now. There was a time not too long ago when many consumers had no inkling of the importance of pollinators in our food supply. Unfortunately, much of the added attention stems from recent bee deaths, the mysterious colony collapse disorder (CCD) and controversy... Read More
Favourable weather continues to hover like a dark cloud over the grain markets as they continue to trek lower, just as meat prices are going the opposite direction. While most prices are relatively unchanged week-over-week, soybean prices did find a bit of a bounce on very strong U.S. export sales (as they say, the cure... Read More
Last winter, Wyoming, Ontario, farmer Alfred Noorloos had a big decision to make. A neighbouring farm came up for sale and he wondered whether he should buy it. The beef and cash crop farmer was looking to expand, but was the timing right? Was his operation financially strong enough to justify the expansion? There were... Read More
Water walks, not runs, off Seth Watkins' farm. That's the first of three principles Watkins uses to guide the agronomic decisions he makes on Pinhook Farms, based in Iowa. Watkins, who raises corn, soybeans and cattle across several counties in Iowa, spoke recently at the World Congress on Conservation Agriculture to share his experience with... Read More
Agri-Food Management Excellence (AME) Inc. and Farm Management Canada (FMC) have announced a new partnership to enhance the delivery of the Canadian Total Excellence in Agricultural Management (CTEAM) program, Canada's only national farm business management training program. AME and FMC will be working together to conduct an in-depth analysis of the CTEAM program, assessing its... Read More
Have you heard of the United Nations' (UN) "International Year of..." designations? The UN has put together various observances, as far as three years out, in an effort to help it reach its objectives on things like food security, for example. This year is the year of the family farm. Next year is the year... Read More
Palmer amaranth could be the next glyphosate resistance weed problem for Ontario farmers. University of Arkansas weed scientist Jason Norsworthy calls it “pigweed on steroids.” Norsworthy, who first saw glyphosate-resistant palmer amaranth in Arkansas in 2006, says the weed can grow two to three inches a day after it reaches four inches tall. “You can... Read More
There's a difference between new technology that becomes a useful tool and new technology that's just a toy. The difference is largely in the practical application of what any given technology makes possible. Exhibit A: the smartphone — great and powerful technology, but likely also overwhelmingly used to share silly cat videos and status updates.... Read More
With 2,500 acres of identity preserved (IP) soybeans in the ground, Sheppland Farms, based at Selkirk, Ontario, is one of the largest IP soy growers in Ontario. For Scott Sheppard, who farms with his father and brother, IP soys have turned out to be a great fit for the farm. The heavy clay soil makes... Read More