Senate report, "Critical Ground: why soil is essential to Canada's economic, environmental, human and social health," marks a pivotal shift in how we value soil and soil health.
Editorial
Soil: the great unifier
Senate soil report highlights shifting focus on core issues
Editor’s Take: Reflection key to ag labour challenges
Agriculture has to face its workplace shortfalls.
Editorial: The bill’s coming for bad roads
It’s been a good spring for bad road stories. To be fair, it’s prime time for it — the season of frost boils, weight restrictions and ruts from vehicles and machinery on gravel roads that are still firming up. Even by the standards of spring, though, it feels like it’s been hard to drive any
Editorial: Grain business consolidation and concentration
Press releases are often notable because of what they don’t say. Then again, sometimes they unintentionally speak volumes. For example, consider the official statements coming from the Glencore team related to their role in the continuing consolidation and concentration of the grain handling business in Canada. In 2012, when Glencore announced it was acquiring Viterra,
Editor’s Take: Accounting for change
A life of spreadsheets might not be for everyone, but accountancy is important work. It’s how we measure success, track expenses, and how we hold people and organizations accountable. A new report from one of Canada’s major accounting firms, Deloitte Canada, proposes a different application for accounting principles, one that farmers may not be accustomed
Editorial: Prop 12 pork sector proposition a fascinating case study
California’s Proposition 12, which sets minimum space standards for pregnant sows that produce pork destined for sale in California, has become a fascinating case study of voter-consumer behaviours as data emerges on the effects. More importantly, it’s a case study with ominous overtones for Canadian farmers as they watch the coveted U.S. market splinter along
Editor’s Take: Reducing risk is better than insurance — and a lot less costly
Farmers aren’t the only ones dealing with risk management dilemmas these days. Insurance costs are rising rapidly across the board. One industry website recently suggested that car insurance rates in Ontario could climb by as much as 25 per cent, or about $600 per vehicle. One reason is the inflated cost of cars, which obviously
(Guest) Editorial: Time to farm with nature
I’m increasingly convinced that legislation to protect nature on farmland from ourselves is a necessity. Aside from the environment, there are practical political and economic reasons to support hypothetical restrictions on the removal of woodlots, fencerows, tallgrass prairie and the like. And if we are proactive, there is opportunity to lobby for frameworks that support
Editor’s Take: Self-care key before the spring rush
From my viewpoint, this last stretch before spring can be the dreariest time of year. A constant freeze-thaw cycle has rendered our landscape an icy mess, slightly less attractive than the ice planet Hoth from the Star Wars film franchise. It’s also about as safe to walk on as a concrete floor covered in ball
Editorial: In defence of 4-H
I was a 4-H kid as I was growing up. I didn’t do beef club, although my family’s farm did run beef cattle. All my friends did activity club, so I did the same. The environment was one of continually expanding exploration and skill acquisition, not surprising for an organization whose motto is “learn to