Farms.com Home   Ag Industry News

Ontario’s ag community share what they’re thankful for this Thanksgiving

Ontario’s ag community share what they’re thankful for this Thanksgiving

Good health and good crops were among the items mentioned

By Diego Flammini
News Reporter
Farms.com

People throughout Canada will spend time with family and friends during Thanksgiving celebrations this weekend.

Before carving into a turkey surrounded by a variety of delicious sides, many will take a moment to give thanks to whatever, or whomever, has helped make 2017 successful.

With that at top of mind, Farms.com reached out to members of Ontario’s ag community to find out what they are thankful for this year.

Many farmers will be appreciative of September’s above-seasonal temperatures and the opportunity to get their crops off, according to Neil Currie, general manager of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture.

“I think most people are going to be thankful for that nice stretch of weather in September to dry things up a little bit,” he said. “Farmers will definitely see that as a blessing.”

Safety is always an important element of any farm operation and some producers are thankful they were able get through harvest without any injuries.

“I’m thankful we got through a year with no injuries to any workers,” Paul Arva, a ginseng, chicken and soybean farmer from Brant County who also works for a tobacco operation, told Farms.com, adding his farm is going to see a profit this year, which is always a sign of good fortune.

As some farmers are thankful for the dry weather that parts of Ontario has experienced recently, some are even more grateful for the rains that fell this year.

“I’m thankful for some excellent weather with rain,” Linda Grimo, chair of the Ontario Hazelnut Association and nut and fruit farmer from Niagara-on-the-Lake, told Farms.com.

And aside from the on-farm items to be thankful for, Ontario producers are also appreciative of the support system they have around them.

“I’m thankful for my community,” said Patti McKenzie, a beef and pork farmer from Tehkummah, Ont. which is located on Manitoulin Island. “It’s nice to know your neighbours have your back when you need their help.”

And at least one farmer is thankful for the growth of their family.

I am particularly thankful for my family and their health and happiness,” Emma Butlter, a beef producer from Chatham-Kent, Ont., told Farms.com. “In addition, my husband and I are celebrating our one-year wedding anniversary and expecting our own little farmer to arrive next month.”

Share your comments about what you’re thankful for this year.

And Happy Thanksgiving from everyone at Farms.com!


Trending Video

The FCDC and AgSmart Bring Plant Breeding to a Wider Audience

Video: The FCDC and AgSmart Bring Plant Breeding to a Wider Audience

In the vast prairies of Alberta, Olds College’s Field Crop Development Centre (FCDC) stands as a beacon of innovation and research in the agricultural world. The institution has become a key player in advancing agricultural technologies and practices. The FCDC’s commitment to applied research has driven them to seek effective means of disseminating their findings and creating a positive impact on the farming community.

One such avenue that aligns with their mission is AgSmart, an event dedicated to showcasing cutting-edge agricultural technologies. The coming together of the FCDC’s annual Field Day and Ag Smart has proved to be a natural fit, fostering a synergy that benefits both parties and propels the agriculture industry forward. The FCDC Field Day took part in conjunction with AgSmart for the first time this week on Aug. 1-2 in Olds, Alta. FCDC Program Director Kofi Agblor and Olds College VP of Development Todd Ormann sat down for an interview with Marc Zienkiewicz to discuss the significance of the two events taking part together and what the future holds.

The Intersection of Research and Technology The essence of the FCDC lies in its dedication to plant breeding and new seed varieties, particularly barley and triticale. While conducting research is essential, it becomes meaningful when its benefits are shared with the wider community. This is where AgSmart steps in, providing a key venue for the FCDC to showcase their research. This union between research and technology creates a holistic and enriching experience for farmers, ranchers, and industry professionals, the pair said.

Seeds as Technology For the FCDC, the partnership with AgSmart goes beyond mere event collaboration. It is about creating an environment that bridges the gap between seeds and smart technology, Ormann said. The college believes that for technology to truly revolutionize agriculture, it must begin with a strong foundation — high-quality seeds. As the saying goes, “it all starts with a seed.” To demonstrate this critical aspect, the collaboration aims to showcase the seed value chain as an integral part of the smartphone.

The Birth of a Powerful Alliance The idea of joining forces emerged when staff realized the potential synergy between AgSmart and the FCDC Field Day. With just a few days separating the two events, a proposal was put forward to merge them. The marketing and communications teams from both sides worked seamlessly to ensure the essence of both events remained intact, creating a powerful alliance that leverages the strengths of each, Agblor said.

Driving Advancements in Breeding For Agblor, the partnership with AgSmart has tremendous potential to drive advancements in breeding and other technology. With technologies like drones and imaging becoming integral to phenotyping, breeding is no longer confined to vast fields to assess thousands of plants manually. Instead, it benefits from the data-rich insights brought about by smart technologies. These advancements make breeding more efficient, precise, and instrumental in shaping the future of agriculture.

Overcoming Challenges Together While the partnership between Olds College and Ag Smart has been a resounding success, there are challenges on the horizon. Securing stable funding for long-term breeding initiatives is crucial to sustain progress. The college is committed to navigating these challenges and investing in agriculture’s future sustainably, Agblor said.

 

Comments


Your email address will not be published