In theory, variable rate (VR) technology should result in more efficient use of a farm's resources, whether that's a lower fertilizer bill, improved crop uniformity, or other potential benefits. So why, since most seeding tools are capable of using prescription maps, are adoption rates of VR not higher? And will we see a new wave... Read More
Category: Eastern Canada
On December 12, 2022, the Canadian government launched public consultations on the creation of a Sustainable Agriculture Strategy (SAS). The strategy — which would be separate from the agricultural policy framework agreements signed by the federal, provincial, and territorial governments every five years — is intended to "provide a coordinated approach to improving the agriculture... Read More
The Canadian Farmer Sentiment Index launched in September, asking nearly one thousand farmers a wide-range of questions on how they felt about marketing capacity, the direction of the agriculture industry in general, and the capability of governments to navigate the current political landscape. Now, in our first look at how sentiment may have changed after... Read More
Those looking for a challenge need to look no further than trying to grow the best crop of dry edible beans. Whether in Manitoba, Ontario, or further afield, dry beans offer a real possibility of tidy profit, but the crop is most certainly not for the faint of heart. To get through some of the... Read More
The Canadian government is launching public consultations on the creation of a "Sustainable Agriculture Strategy," which it says is intended to provide a coordinated approach to improving the agriculture sector's environmental performance and sustainability. Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, Marie-Claude Bibeau, spoke at media event to kick off the consultations in Ottawa on Monday. "We... Read More
What makes a good farmer, and what makes a great farmer? Shea Ferster and Colin Wenngatz of MNP say through their research, the difference comes down to data — and utilizing data with intention. Farmers know that by doing things at the right time, at the right place, in the right way, is the key... Read More
The Bank of Canada raised its overnight rate by 0.50 per cent earlier this week, but signalled this may be the beginning of the end for rate hikes. What does this, a tight labour market, and high commodity prices have in store for 2023? J.P. Gervais, chief economist with Farm Credit Canada, spoke this week... Read More
The pace that technology and manufacturing advances can, at times, be dizzying. It's no wonder then, that rules and laws on the books concerning copyright and intellectual property might need updating once in a while. Saskatchewan Conservative MP for Cypress Hills-Grassland, Jeremy Patzer, has put forward private member's bill C-294, in an effort to amend... Read More
Before you know it, the days are going to start getting longer, just as meteorological winter begins! And what does winter really mean? Conference season! In this week's episode of Wheat Pete's Word, host Peter Johnson answers your questions left on the phone line, offers some solid life advice from an astronaut, and shares his... Read More
OPINION Travel with me to a time not long ago when the government in Ontario was of the red variety. The former premier, at one point, went so far as to also serve as agriculture minister, in an effort, one can only imagine, to show her commitment and respect for the portfolio. Kathleen Wynne's government... Read More