4 The Business of Ontario Agriculture Better Farming | December 2024 INSIGHT FROM THE INSIDE INSIGHT FROM THE INSIDE INSIGHT FROM THE INSIDE INSIGHT FROM THE INSIDE INSIGHT FROM THE INSIDE INSIGHT FROM THE INSIDE LETTER FROM THE EDITOR MENTAL WELL-BEING; BIRD FLU CONCERNS December begins a season of unique mental health challenges for farmers across Ontario. Financial uncertainty, isolation, and short days can significantly affect our well-being. According to the Do More Agriculture Foundation, 45 percent of Canadian farmers report high stress levels, with 34 percent showing symptoms of depression. With these stats underscoring the importance of mental health, you can benefit from some support strategies. Stay connected. Winter can bring isolation, especially in rural areas. Staying active and engaged boosts mental well-being. Try joining local groups, connecting with friends, or exploring new activities. Stay active. Regular exercise, even during cold months, can help relieve stress and lift spirits. Keep a routine. A balanced diet and regular sleep have a powerful impact on mental health. Access ag-focused support. The Farmer Wellness Initiative, a CMHA program supported by the OFA, provides free, confidential counselling 24/7 (call 1-866-267-6255). And programs like Do More Ag’s “In the Know” offer mental health workshops tailored for farmers. Tavistock vet Dr. Nicole Burello spoke to us about the recent discovery of H5N1 avian flu in a pig in the U.S. for the first time. “It is concerning for not only the pork industry but other livestock industries as well. Influenza viruses are able to mutate rapidly, even between different species, which also could include humans.” (At press time a B.C. teen was being treated for a presumptive case of avian flu, the first known case in Canada. Officials were working to find the source of exposure.) “I think the livestock sector is well equipped to deal with outbreaks of different aetiologies. We’re very good at practising proper biosecurity measures on pig and poultry barns. “My biggest concern is hobby farms, homesteads and sanctuaries that typically do not have proper biosecurity measures, where there’s typically a lot of mixing and interacting of animals of different species, and exposure to wild birds/ waterfowl as animals are housed outside.” “The number of skilled trades coming into the industry is tremendous. Agriculture isn’t just ‘American Gothic’ – that painting of the couple with the pitchfork – anymore. It’s such a diverse opportunity, but we don’t talk about it to our kids.” - Steve Brackenridge, Page 17 “Aside from no frozen water bowls, my holiday wish for Ontario’s beef farmers is for a profitable year with continued strong cattle prices for both our cow-calf producers and feedlots in the province, as well as strong demand for Ontario beef both here at home and in countries around the world.” - Craig McLaughlin, Page 21 “The final game was either in Mitchell or Tavistock. Someone phoned the good news ahead. When we got back home late that night, the whole village was up. The Agricultural Hall was alight and full of people. There was singing and oratory. It was one of Holstein’s finest moments.” - Campbell Cork, Page 78 1-888-248-4893 90 Woodlawn Road West Guelph, ON N1H 1B2 PUBLISHER & EDITORIAL DIRECTOR PAUL NOLAN ext 202 Paul.Nolan@Farms.com ASSISTANT TO THE PUBLISHER & EDITORIAL DIRECTOR LESLIE STEWART ext 265 Leslie.Stewart@Farms.com AGRICULTURAL JOURNALISTS MARY LOGGAN EMILY MCKINLAY CONTRIBUTORS TO THIS EDITION MOE AGOSTINO CAMPBELL CORK DALE COWAN ABHINESH GOPAL PAUL HERMANS PATRICK LYNCH RALPH WINFIELD ADVERTISING TEAM GLENN RUEGG JEFF McKEE JENNY LONGSTREET SCOTT FARHOOD SAMANTHA RENAUD JOAN SPIEGELBERG DESIGN & PRODUCTION TEAM TANYA MYERS GREG MARLOW SHAUN CLARK ANDREA WILLIAMS www.BetterFarming.com Better Farming magazine is mailed as a member-benefit to all farmer members of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture. If you are not an OFA member, subscribe at: 1-888-248-4893 ext 281 Subscriptions@BetterFarming.com ISSN 1498-9344 (Printed) Canadian one-year subscriptions: $41 (11 issues; includes $4.72 HST). Two-year: $74 ($8.51 HST). U.S. subscriptions: $72 annually. International: $121. Single-copy back issues are $12. GST Registration #868959347RT0001 POSTMASTER: Send address changes to AgMedia Inc., 90 Woodlawn Road West, Guelph, ON N1H 1B2. Publications Mail Registration #1156. Publications Mail Agreement #40037298. Copyright ©2024 by AgMedia Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction of any content without written permission of the publisher is forbidden. Acceptance of advertising does not constitute endorsement of the advertiser, its products or services, nor do Better Farming, AgMedia or Farms.com endorse any advertiser claims. The publisher shall have no liability for the omission of any scheduled advertising. We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada. Follow us on @BetterFarmingON Cover: Grove Family photo; Shawn Hamilton CLiX–stock.adobe.com photo
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