Alison Sunstrum was pushing for interconnectivity of farm data long before the internet was even commonplace. It's that kind of foresight that has pushed Sunstrum to grow not only her own businesses, but also to act as mentor — and sometimes funder and partner — to several other upstarts and innovators in agriculture. In this... Read More
Category: Livestock
The post-COVID situation for the food industry may be a concern for the average consumer. The impacts might be most felt by the grocery and restaurant sectors and one has to wonder what the business might look like when we emerge from the pandemic. "It depends which country you're in," says Dr. David Hughes, emeritus... Read More
Statistics Canada says that the cow herd and ewe flock have declined as of January 1, 2021, year-over-year, while hog numbers are up slightly. As of the first of the year, StatsCan says the hog herd increased by less than one per cent — just 0.4% year-over-year — while cattle numbers dropped one per cent... Read More
A national coalition of industry-wide farm organizations have launched the Agriculture Carbon Alliance (ACA). The goal of the alliance is to ensure that "Canadian farmers’ sustainable practices are recognized through a policy environment that maintains their competitiveness, supports their livelihoods, and leverages their critical role as stewards of the land," the organization says. As of... Read More
Diversifying can mean making a small tweak to an operation, or in today's guest's case, building really big — like 40,000 head of cattle big. Joining us for today's RealAg LIVE! is Kevin Serfas, of Serfas Farms near Turin, Alta,. who just completed a brand new, large-scale feedlot with new cattle in it (today)! RealAg... Read More
In a story that only seems to get more contentious and downright odd the longer it goes on, Dairy Farmers of Canada (DFC) is now asking dairy farmers to consider eliminating the use of palm oil by-product supplements in dairy rations, until new research is completed. Earlier this month, RealAgriculture explored reports by some Canadians... Read More
A Conservative MP's private member's bill that aims to exempt propane and natural gas used on farms from the federal carbon tax was approved at second reading in the House of Commons on Wednesday night. MPs from the Conservative, New Democrat, Bloc and Green parties voted in favour of Ontario MP Philip Lawrence's Bill C-206,... Read More
An enterprising farmer is one that, in finding a gap in available equipment, decides simply to build their own. Such is the case with Korb Whale of Clovermead Farms and the biodigester setup on his farm. When the farm decided to pursue building a digester, there really wasn't a turn-key option in Canada. Instead, Whale... Read More
One of the silver linings of COVID-19 is that it has shone a spotlight on Canadian farms and food production, says the federal agriculture minister. Marie-Claude Bibeau joined Shaun Haney for Canada's Agriculture Day to highlight the event and discuss several key agriculture policy files. Bibeau also delivered the opening remarks at Agriculture More Than... Read More
The Beef Farmers of Ontario (BFO) held its annual general meeting virtually last week. During the event, the producer group handed out awards and held elections for the board. Of note, Kim Jo Bliss was elected to fill a vacant seat as director at-large for a one-year term. Bliss farms near Emo, Ont.., where she... Read More