Calf club expansion boosted Monday, April 25, 2011 by PAT CURRIEBuoyed by an injection of more than $300,000 over the next two years, the Ontario beef industry is fighting through tough times by expanding the calf club concept as a proven market strategy with a huge potential for better profits. Paul Stiles, assistant manager for the Ontario Cattlemen’s Association, said the funds — provided equally by the OCA and Ontario’s not-for-profit Agricultural Management Institute — will be used to expand the existing six calf clubs in the province and encourage the creation of new clubs."While the concept of cow-calf clubs’ is not new, we’ve identified it as being an opportunity for Ontario cow-calf producers to embrace on a larger scale," explains Paul Stiles, Assistant Manager of the OCA. "The idea is that by being proactive and working together, members can take advantage of a proven marketing approach." Essentially, calf club members follow the same formula in rearing calves with the same qualities and sell them all at the same time at the same sale — the annual October Calf-O-Rama at the Keady Livestock Market near Owen Sound."Usually our big feed lots go to Western Canada to buy big batches of cattle, something they can’t do in Ontario except at Keady," said Stiles.The tactic is a proven one for commanding higher prices for producers, he said.Two new calf clubs were established in Ontario in 2010 "and there’s room for many more," Stiles said.Only a small percentage of Ontario beef currently comes from calf club members "and there’s all kinds of potential for more," he added. BF Quarry walk raises awareness Big plans for corn plantings
Cdn. farmers can win a chance to brew their own beer Wednesday, October 30, 2024 A contest is giving Canadian farmers a chance to brew their own beer. Bayer and Origin Brewing & Malting Co., out of Strathmore, Alta., have teamed up for the FieldBrew contest. The contest is open to farmers from B.C. to Ontario who are at least 19 years old. Participants can earn... Read this article online
Farmers and small businesses worried about Federal Debt Crisis Wednesday, October 30, 2024 Nearly 74% of Canadian small businesses express concern over the federal government’s lack of a concrete plan to balance the budget, as deficits and federal debt continue to rise, reports the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB). These sentiments are also held by many growers... Read this article online
Setting the record straight on Bill C-282 and what it means for Canada Tuesday, October 29, 2024 An op-ed from Egg Farmers of Canada, Dairy Farmers of Canada, Chicken Farmers of Canada, Turkey Farmers of Canada, and the Canadian Hatching Egg Producers. Canada is an attractive trading partner for many nations. Arguing that countries would abandon trade talks simply because we... Read this article online
Massey Ferguson introduces six new tractors Tuesday, October 29, 2024 Massey Ferguson has debuted its new of tractors, what the company calls a line-up of versatile and powerful machines designed to meet the needs of modern farmers. This series includes six new models, each tailored to different farming requirements and preferences. MF... Read this article online
Ontario Pork Congress Annual Meeting report Tuesday, October 29, 2024 The Ontario Pork Congress was held on October 22, 2024, at the Arden Park Hotel in Stratford, Ontario, with over 35 people attending. At the event, the association revealed the winner of its —Tara Terpstra, a Huron County pork producer who is currently Chair of Ontario Pork. The... Read this article online