Agriculture news

• Ontario farmland prices cool down after years of double-digit jumps

  01-04-2025 20:11 via farms.com
  Though the recent year-over-year increases in farm prices are levelling off in southwestern Ontario, good land remains too pricey for many people with dreams of becoming an owner."Anything like 100 acres, you're just not going to find it for under $5 million," said Crispin Colvin, a farmer and area director of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture for Lambton and Middlesex counties. "There isn't really any cheap location to get into farming." A report released this week by Farm Credit Canad
  
  Read more

• Ontario building set to stop smoking days after fire

  01-04-2025 20:09 via farms.com
  A large agricultural storage building was destroyed in a fire today in Ontario, Oregon, that threatened nearby businesses and fuel storage facilities.Ontario Fire and Rescue (OFR) responded to the structure fire at 152 SE 9th Avenue, finding the approximately 25,000-square-foot building engulfed with flames visible through the roof in multiple locations.According to OFR, the fire threatened Murakami Produce to the south and a Farmers Supply COOP bulk fuel storage facility to the east while also
  
  Read more

• How one agricultural society is taking inspiration from the 1800s to keep its fair relevant

  01-04-2025 20:07 via farms.com
  It would cost about $80,000 to bring in the calibre of carnival rides that would rival Rockton World’s Fair or the Norfolk County Fair. It’s money the Burford Agricultural Society just doesn’t have.It operates on a “shoestring budget” from fundraising, Brant County grants, and donations from the community, society president Chris Howell said.After its longtime midway provider retired from the business several years ago, the society has struggled to set itself apart
  
  Read more

• Ontario Agri-Food Discovery Centre holds AGM

  01-04-2025 20:06 via farms.com
  As it continues its journey towards an eventual opening, the Ontario Agri-Food Discovery Centre welcomed guest speaker Kerry-Leigh Burchill, director general of the Ottawa-based Canada Agriculture and Food Museum, to its annual general meeting to shed some light on what the group in Listowel can do to be successful.As Burchill explained to attendees at the Thursday morning meeting, the agriculture industry is one that is very dynamic and ever-changing, meaning the Discovery Centre will have to c
  
  Read more

• Advertisement

• How a trade war could boost small-scale farming in southwestern Ontario

  01-04-2025 20:04 via farms.com
  A southwestern Ontario farmer hopes the ongoing U.S.-Canada trade war encourages the country to look inward to keep itself fed, while making itself more resilient in the face of future crises.It's a hope shared by some farmers with smaller operations, as they search for upsides in a situation that could have dire consequences for the Canadian economy — and agribusiness on a larger scale."I think it's really important that we know how to supply ourselves," said Chris DeVries, the owner of C
  
  Read more

• Potato Growers of Alberta release video series

  01-04-2025 16:26 via farms.com
  The Potato Growers of Alberta (PGA) have launched a highly anticipated video series called: “The Story of Us: Alberta Potato Growers.” Five potato farmers across the province have been filmed. The first series is “The Seed: Where It All Begins.” Also to be included is a water video explaining why this precious resource is so important for the success of the potato industry in Alberta and how the most advanced irrigation systems in the world are being utilized.The Pot
  
  Read more

• Ginseng video shows labour-intensive aspects of harvest and processing

  01-04-2025 16:24 via farms.com
  A new communications initiative was launched in March to promote Ontario ginseng to audiences around the world. A set of videos shed light on how the high-value specialty crop is grown and processed to meet a growing demand both domestically and abroad.The project was undertaken by the Ontario Ginseng Growers’ Association (OGGA), one of AAC's 55 member organizations that represent Ontario's agri-food sector. The videos tackle challenges in cultivating the crop, the labour-intensive aspects
  
  Read more

• Agriculture in the Classroom welcomes new executive director

  01-04-2025 16:23 via farms.com
  Agriculture in the Classroom Canada (AITC-C) has appointed Denise Schmidt as its new executive director. With deep roots in agriculture and a career dedicated to collaboration and community-building, Schmidt steps into this role ready to strengthen the foundation of agricultural literacy across Canada.Raised with a deep appreciation for Canadian agriculture, Schmidt brings decades of experience connecting industry, producers, associations and government. Most recently, she served as senior direc
  
  Read more

• Advertisement

• What’s in store for crop protection

  01-04-2025 16:22 via farms.com
  In March 2025, I celebrated my one-year work anniversary with the Fruit and Vegetable Growers of Canada (FVGC). It is hard to believe that a whole year has passed!First and foremost, I want to thank FVGC’s staff, the growers and their associations for welcoming me with open arms and honesty from the get-go. The learning curve for crop protection is steep, with some of the files spanning almost a decade. I am therefore so grateful to FVGC’s Crop Protection Advisory Group (CPAG) for th
  
  Read more

• No Big Surprises in USDA Stocks Report

  01-04-2025 16:15 via farms.com
  The USDA quarterly grain stocks report on Monday contained no major surprises, with March 1 stockpiles of both corn and soybeans coming in about as expected. Wheat stocks were just slightly above trade ideas. The report pegged nationwide corn stocks as of March 1 at 8.15 billion bu, down 2% from a year earlier but almost exactly on par with the average pre-report trade guess of 8.154 billion.At 1.91 billion bu, soybean stocks as of March 1 were up 4% from last year and also near the near the ave
  
  Read more

• US Producers to Trim Canola Area

  01-04-2025 16:14 via farms.com
  Like their Canadian counterparts, US farmers intend to cut back on canola in 2025. Monday’s USDA prospective plantings report showed American producers intend to plant 2.57 million acres of canola this spring. If accurate, that would be down 7% on the year although still the second highest on record behind 2024’s 2.75 million. Compared with last year, intended planted area is down in five of the seven major canola-producing states, with only Kansas and Washington showing an increase.
  
  Read more

• Pulse Market Insight #272

  01-04-2025 16:12 via farms.com
  Indian Market UpdateWith all the other things going on in pulse markets, the situation in India has almost faded into the background, but it remains a critical part of the outlook. India’s rabi harvest includes lentils, peas and chickpeas and is now in its late stages. The outcome of this rabi crop is one of the key factors in the Indian government’s decisions about allowing or restricting imports.Earlier in March, Indian Ag Ministry released its first estimates of the 2025 rabi harv
  
  Read more

• Sask. becomes first carbon tax free province

  01-04-2025 15:05 via farms.com
  Saskatchewan removed its industrial carbon tax and calls on others to do the same
  
  Read more

• Trade Wars Solve Nothing: Canola & EV Tariffs Need to End.

  01-04-2025 12:38 via farms.com
  Western Canadian farmers are paying the price—again. The Federal Government’s reckless trade policies have put us in the crosshairs, pitting Eastern Canada against the West while doing nothing to protect our industries. China is weaponizing trade, and instead of defending Canadian farmers and manufacturers, Ottawa is making it worse. Tariffs don’t create winners—they weaken competitiveness, limit productivity, and threaten our future in agriculture.“The Federal Libe
  
  Read more

• Farm groups’ federal election wish list for all Canadians

  01-04-2025 12:36 via farms.com
  Farm organizations have been quick to bring forward some lengthy election wish lists for politicians to consider during Canada’s 37-day sprint to the April 28 vote.It’s no surprise tariffs top the list. Farm groups are calling on the federal government to do whatever it takes to maintain tariff-free access to the U.S. and Chinese markets for livestock and grains.“Tariffs, and the potential for tariffs, from the two key markets of the U.S. and China are the largest threats facin
  
  Read more

• SPG Letter to Prime Minister Carney on Urgent Engagement with China Regarding Tariffs

  01-04-2025 12:35 via farms.com
  Congratulations on your recent election as the leader of the Liberal Party of Canada and appointment as Prime Minister.On behalf of 15,000 pulse crop farmers in Saskatchewan producing peas, lentils, chickpeas and beans, we strongly urge your prompt action regarding the retaliatory tariffs on Canadian agricultural products that were recently announced by China.The Canadian pulse industry contributes $6.3 billion to the Canadian economy, $3.1 billion to Canada’s GDP and 26,000 jobs, based on
  
  Read more

• Grain Growers of Canada urges farmers to ‘Vote for Grain’

  01-04-2025 12:33 via farms.com
  Grain Growers of Canada (GGC) is launching a campaign to engage grain farmers in the upcoming federal election.“This election comes at a pivotal moment for grain farmers,” said Kyle Larkin, executive director of GGC in a Monday news release. “Farmers are facing mounting challenges, and this campaign gives them a direct way to engage with their local candidates and understand where political parties stand on key issues affecting their operations.”Prime Minister Mark Carney
  
  Read more

• U.S. dairy exports make big inroads into Canada

  01-04-2025 12:32 via farms.com
  Trade data shows that the United States is selling more dairy products to Canada.In the last few years, American exports of cheese, butter, whey and other dairy products to Canada have climbed by 67 percent — going from C$525 million in 2021 to $877 million in 2024, using data from Agriculture Canada.It’s a big win for U.S. dairy farmers, but that’s not the story being told by president Donald Trump.“Canada must immediately drop their Anti-American Farmer Tariff of 250 pe
  
  Read more

• Increasing land conservation in Alberta

  01-04-2025 12:26 via farms.com
  Landowners are committed to protecting their land, water and the plants and wildlife that live there, while still being able to provide for their families. Alberta’s government remains committed to working alongside landowners, while growing the economy and protecting the environment.As a result of a request for proposal (RFP) issued in 2024, $5 million in grant funding through the Land Trust Grant Program will be awarded to 19 different projects, protecting nearly 21,000 acres across the
  
  Read more

• Reducing the wildfire risk around your farm or acreage

  01-04-2025 12:23 via farms.com
  FireSmart is a program that gives you information and recommendations on how to reduce the risk of a wildfire damaging your home or other buildings. The FireSmart program is supported by many community fire departments as an education and prevention tool for fire prevention/damage reduction.For example, the Vulcan County Protective Services department has summarized some key aspects of wildfire risk reduction into the following checklist. To minimize the risk to your home and property, follow th
  
  Read more

Follow @AgricultureUSA on Twitter!