Building from farm tragedy to ‘perfect day’

Jun 27, 2017

Donkers gives back through Breakfast on the Farm

By Kaitlynn Anderson
Farms.com

Shedden-area farmer Ed Donkers is a perfect example of rural resilience overcoming tragedy.

In December 2013, Donkers lost 900 goats in a barn fire. The blaze made its way onto national newscasts.

Donkers made news on Saturday for a different reason, hosting a sold-out Breakfast on the Farm, an event organized by Farm & Food Care Ontario.

“To the consumers who maybe don’t know where food always comes from, I hope we showed them a great place,” said Donkers. “We gave away cheese and pasteurized milk, and that was very popular.

“I don’t know the numbers yet, but it was a perfect day, and I hope everyone had a good time.”

Farm & Food Care Ontario flickr photo (From L to R: MP Karen Vecchio, Ed Donkers, MPP Jeff Yurek)

The Southwold Township producer explained that his barn fire was an experience that changed him “from being solely a farmer into being an activist for farming.”

So, an ideal candidate to host a Breakfast on the Farm.

Farm & Food Care Ontario, the agricultural advocacy group based in Guelph, should be credited for the event’s success, Donkers reports.

“Farm & Food Care did an amazing job of organizing. They deserve a lot of praise for what they pulled off.”

Donkers started farming with his parents 25 years ago, running a dairy operation. He moved to goats in 2008.

Video: Spring weed control in winter wheat with Broadway® Star (pyroxsulam + florasulam)

#CortevaTalks brings you a short update with Cereal Herbicides Category Manager, Alister McRobbie, on how to get the most out of Broadway® Star.

Significant populations of grassweeds, including ryegrass and brome, can threaten winter wheat yields. Spring applications of a contact graminicide, such as Broadway Star from Corteva Agriscience, can clear problem weeds, allowing crops to grow away in the spring.

Broadway Star (pyroxsulam + florasulam) controls ryegrass, sterile brome, wild oats and a range of broad-leaved weeds such as cleavers. It can be applied to winter wheat up until GS32, but the earlier the application is made, the smaller the weed, and the greater the benefit to the crop. Weeds should be actively growing. A good rule of thumb is that if your grass needs cutting, conditions are right to apply Broadway Star.