Demands and expectations are very high on seeders and planters. Seed must be delivered quickly and gently, then metered accurately and placed precisely in the furrow, regardless of conditions. The planter then has to close up the furrow, pack it down and carry on, all the while adjusting for terrain and trash at over five... Read More
Category: Eastern Canada
The National Farm Machinery Show, held each year at Louisville, Kentucky, is a dream show for anyone who likes iron. It's a huge show, with giant crowds and all the latest and greatest machinery on display. At this year's show, KINZE Manufacturing unveiled its newest planter — the 4900 model. The 4900 features a brand... Read More
The Ontario Cattlemen's Association's annual general meeting is going on right now at Toronto, Ont., and yesterday the motion to re-name and re-brand the association was carried. As of next year, OCA will be known as the Beef Farmers of Ontario. This name change is many years in the making, but a similar motion was... Read More
There is a proverb that says "The enemy of my enemy is my friend." Never is this more true than at the field level, nestled deep in the crop canopy, where beneficial insects are hard at work killing and eating crop pests. The tricky part, however, is that these beneficial insects can look a whole... Read More
In an effort to gain respect, agriculture has long fought the public image of farmers as salt-of the-earth types, more at home in the barn than the boardroom. But recent high-profile media events involving farmers have captured the hearts and imaginations of millions of people…and suggest maybe image isn’t a problem after all. First, long... Read More
Being your own boss, as farmers are, should mean you don't ever have to write up a witty resume, right? Well, maybe not. In the quest to secure a land base from the ever-increasing number of non-farming landlords, farmers now and in the future are going to have to get creative in how they approach... Read More
No doubt many farmers, if asked, would tell you that it's the lifestyle that drew them to farming. That group would also tell you that you have to work hard in order to keep that lifestyle. That means treating your farm like any other business which means long hours away from the family at times,... Read More
To say that they don't make them like that anymore certainly applies to Eugene Whelan, a former federal ag minister who passed away last night at the age of 88 from complications from a stroke. His trademark green cowboy hat and bombastic personality made him one of the more memorable ministers of the early '80s.... Read More
Lameness isn't just a welfare issue, it's a production issue too. A cow or bull in pain due to an abscess, foot rot or or injury may go off feed, or, if it's a bull, may not be able to breed. There are several different types of lameness, some more common in feedlots, others an... Read More
Many farmers consider the farm to be their retirement nest egg. Of course the farm will play a significant role in funding retirement, but relying solely on farm assets can create challenges when it comes to farm succession. "You can run into trouble if you put all your eggs in one basket," says farm succession... Read More