If you’re sacrificing the amount you sleep during busy farming seasons, do yourself a favour, and focus on quality, for not just your health, but also your safety. “Sleep affects us in a lot of ways,” says Gary Chambers, co-host of the Fit Farmer podcast. “It affects our overall health, our ability to manage stress,… Read More
A lot has changed for Debra Harrison in the past 39 years. Almost four decades ago she was the first female engineer ever hired by John Deere. Today she is president of John Deere Canada. Earlier this week, Harrison shared that journey with 450 people attending the Advancing Women in Agriculture Conference at Niagara Falls,… Read More
It’s okay to not have all the answers when it comes to how you want your farm or agriculture career to look in five, 10, or 20 years down the road. Steph Kowalski, agronomy lead for Sollio Agriculture, says she ended up in her leadership role somewhat accidentally, but not without significant commitment to getting… Read More
Near the end of November and into December, Manitoba Agriculture will have its auction for Crown land leases. “The former Department of Agriculture conducted extensive consultations with stakeholders on the allocation of agricultural Crown lands,” says Blaine Pedersen, minister of agriculture and resource development. “The auction system is a fair and transparent approach that will… Read More
Robotics are changing the dynamics of dairy businesses, and co-evolving along with them. “Today, conventional dairies spend 50-60 per cent of the total labour on the physical act of milking cows, (and) only 10 to 20 per cent on feeding cows, five to 10 per cent on health, and the other 10 per cent on… Read More
There’s no doubt that the world of international trade has been rough and tumble the last while, but that doesn’t mean Canada shouldn’t continue to participate. Beyond just participating, Canada should be actively investing in agriculture’s major potential on the world stage now, and in the decades to come. It’s no secret to those in… Read More
If you’re an Alberta rancher who uses public land to graze your livestock, Bill 16 should be on your radar in the coming months. Today, the Alberta government introduced the bill in an effort to modernize the rent and fees ranchers and cattle owners pay for the use of public lands. The current grazing fee… Read More
The Government of Manitoba has announced changes to the Water Rights Act, changes the Keystone Agricultural Producers (KAP) say will make it harder — not easier — for farmers to control water on their land. The Pallister government has launched a “new approach” to the act which will streamline the approval process for producers and… Read More
Those who trespass on Alberta farms will potentially face stiffer fines, as Premier Jason Kenney has announced upcoming changes to the provincial petty-trespass act in the upcoming fall session. “Alberta’s farmers and ranchers treat their animals well, and they have a right to run their operations without illegal harassment from militant trespassers. I’ve asked Minister… Read More
Toban Dyck farms near Winkler, Manitoba. He’s also a columnist for the National Post. And this week’s column struck a chord with RealAg Radio host Shaun Haney. Dyck joined the show to talk about his take on what farmers need right now, not just in light of the upcoming election, but overall as an industry,… Read More
We’ve seen results from an early-campaign survey on what Canadians are worried about in regards to food, and we’ve heard from each of the four main parties heading into this federal election. But what I want to know is, what are YOUR priorities, Canadian agriculture? As media, I watched the debate, I interviewed Sylvain Charlebois… Read More
It’s unlikely that anyone goes in to a marriage expecting it to fail, but the reality is that marriages do end, and when a farm business and farm property is involved it can get very messy, very quickly — It doesn’t have to be this way. Instead of thinking of a pre-nuptial agreement as an… Read More
It’s the second year the Do More Agriculture Foundation, along with Farm Credit Canada (FCC), will be providing free mental health courses to several farm communities. This year’s goal is to provide the training to 20 communities across Canada. According to a news release, the training and workshops are aimed at developing community members who… Read More
Canada’s sheep industry is full of opportunity, with strong demand and decent prices, but producer retention past the five-year mark has been identified as one of the challenges of growing the industry. Several factors play a role in new entrant and existing producer success, and Ontario Sheep Farmers (OSF) have focused on risk management program… Read More
As harvest is in full force for most, it’s always good practise to be up to snuff when it comes to fire safety on the farm. Depending on where you live, conditions could be favourable for the smallest spark to light a grass fire. That being said, regular harvest conditions can lead to the potential… Read More