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4 The Business of Ontario Agriculture Better Farming | November 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 FARM FIRE SAFETY; THANKS TO YOU! The OFA recently hosted a webinar with the Ontario Association of Fire Chiefs on fire prevention and insurance. How prepared are you to prevent a fire on your farm? Do you keep several large fire extinguishers readily accessible in the barn or workshop and ensure you know how to operate them? Have you ensured your family and employees know their locations and understand your emergency response plan? Brian Crews, OFA director and dairy farmer based north of Trenton, offered some solid advice in a recent post on fire safety. Crews pointed out that barn fires especially are a serious concern as we head into colder months. Cold weather leads to more condensation on chilled surfaces, allowing a corrosive mix of barn gases and moisture to infiltrate the electrical system. Additionally, the increased use of heating equipment, such as gas heaters, raises the risk of ignition. “Easy steps farmers can take to reduce the threat of fire include hardwiring or using waterproof plugs or outlets, keeping buildings clean of dust and cobwebs, replacing extension cords, and identifying potential hotspots with a thermal imaging camera,” says Crews. “A few dollars spent on electrical upgrades can make a big difference. For example, installing an arc fault breaker can prevent a heat-causing fault that could easily cause a fire.” Crews also suggests farmers consider a fire prevention inspection by a professional from the local fire department or your insurance provider. You saw the front cover this month. Yes, it’s really been 25 years. As Better Farming reaches the quarter-century mark, we sincerely thank our farmer readers. Your loyalty, feedback, and engagement have been the driving force behind our success. We’re proud to have been part of your farming journey and look forward to continuing to serve you in the years ahead. Thank you! “A 2022 survey of 167 farmers found that they had invested, on average, only $541 in cyber security since 2020.” - Steve Croucher, Page 22 “When grain is harvested and dried, that dust contains a variety of things, including bacteria, fungi, insects, potential pesticide residue, animal droppings, and dried plant particles. We need to protect ourselves from dust exposure by limiting that exposure as much as we can, but are exposed whenever we are moving grain and working with it.” - Kendra Ulmer, Page 26 “Central banks typically begin lowering interest rates to provide some stimulus when there are economic storm clouds on the horizon. This is certainly the case at the moment.” - Graeme Crosbie, Page 34 “There was a touch of white mould in soybeans but much less than last year. Some tar spot was observed in corn in Southwestern Ontario, and western bean cutworm in Central and Eastern Ontario.” - Moe Agostino, Page 58 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 GEOFF GEDDES 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
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6 It’s Farming. And It’s Better. Better Farming | November 2024 Beyond the Barn NEW $60M FUND SUPPORTS FARMER CREDIT RECOVERY Glengarry Farm Finance Corporation, in collaboration with Farm Credit Canada (FCC), has announced a $60 million investment aimed at helping transitional farmers in Ontario and Western Canada. The investment will support farmers facing temporary credit issues, helping them stabilize their operations and improve longterm financial health. Founded in 2021 by a group of agricultural professionals and farm credit specialists, Glengarry focuses on offering flexible financial solutions. According to the lender, “these solutions are tailored to meet the unique needs of farmers who are unable to secure loans through conventional banks due to credit challenges. “By acting as a transitional lender, Glengarry plays a crucial role in helping farmers rebuild their financial standing and eventually qualify for traditional banking services.” Darren Baccus, executive vice-president of Investment at FCC, said that “FCC is committed to supporting Canada’s agriculture and food industry, and that includes responsibly expanding capital solutions in underserved areas. “Glengarry serves a segment of the market that complements our current capital solutions. “With the right support, qualified primary producers have the potential to continue to contribute to the resiliency, diversity, and innovation of Canadian agriculture despite temporary financial disruptions in their operations.” Greg Kalil, CEO of Glengarry, commented that “we have an unshakeable belief in the farming community. That’s why we want to modernize farm financing and make it more accessible. We understand agriculture is an unpredictable business, and many determinants of success are well beyond a farmer’s control.” BF An alpaca farm in Prince Edward County has recently become the 24th farm to be protected under the Ontario Farmland Trust (OFT). The program ensures land is saved from development now and in the future. The 94-acre Hazell and Klaassen Farm is known locally as Stonefield Eden and has been raising alpacas (previously planted to winter wheat, beans, peas, and corn). Getting a farmland easement will protect Stonefield Eden’s land along with the property’s natural areas. Martin Straathof, executive director of OFT, recently told Better Farming, “There are many benefits for farmers in partnering with OFT; this includes long-term land security and the ability to preserve farmland for future agricultural use. “This program is ever more critical in the face of growing pressures to develop on some of Canada’s richest and most fertile farmland. “This is giving agency to landowners to leave a legacy of protected food-producing landscapes so future generations can continue to be resilient and produce their own food.” How do farmers explore these benefits? Straathof further explained: “Farmers can engage with OFT to place farmland easements on the title of their property.” Farmland easements provide peace of mind during farm succession planning, as farmers receive assurance that their land cannot be sold for development or for other non-agricultural purposes. “This legal agreement allows them to continue farming while permanently protecting the agricultural and natural features of their land.” Straathof says farmers can then continue to invest in their operations rather than being deterred by encroaching development. This will help future generations maintain food supply and ensure land is not paved over. Farmland owners continue to own their land and maintain the right to sell their land or pass it on to the next generation. Farmland easement agreements do not restrict normal farm practices and are designed to support a wide range of farm types and agricultural uses. “Farmland that is protected will deter land speculators and help stabilize the price of farmland at rates affordable for farmers instead of having to compete with developers. “Our work ensures that Ontario’s farmland remains protected for future generations.” Answers to frequently asked questions about easements can be found at: ontariofarmlandtrust.ca/ resources/faqs/ BF - Mary Loggan OFT PROTECTS ANOTHER ONT. FARM Ontario Farmland Trust photo Owners Dee Hazell and Peter Klaassen with two farm employees.
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8 Story Idea? Email Paul.Nolan@Farms.com Better Farming | November 2024 Beyond the Barn University of Guelph researcher and associate professor Dr. Charlotte Winder has been recognized for her studies on improving the health of cattle and small ruminants. Winder, along with six other researchers, recently received 2024 Research Excellence Awards. The awards are given to tenured faculty members who have accomplished significant research, training, and knowledge mobilization achievements at the U of G. According to a university press release, “the awards help raise the profile of these researchers among external funding agencies and shine a spotlight on the work happening.” Winder focuses her research on issues producers struggle with while improving the health and productivity of ruminant farm animals. She also served as a member of the scientific committee for the 2023 update for the Code of Practice for the Care and Handling of Dairy Cattle, and is on the Scientific Committee for the Sheep Code update that has just started. “The goal of my research program is to investigate questions around animal health and welfare that have practical applications on farms,” Winder recently told Better Farming. More specifically, she said her studies aim to improve animal health and welfare on farms, and identify what supports are needed to improve management practice. Her research also seeks to provide farmers with improved solutions when dealing with down cows. Winder is currently conducting work with Ontario cow-calf producers to better understand the challenges associated with the adoption of biosecurity practices. Winder pointed out that “results will help inform extension efforts from veterinarians and other onfarm advisors to better understand the challenges associated with adopting biosecurity practices, as well as factors associated with adoption of improved practices. “By studying the adoption of different calf management practices such as weaning strategies, vaccination programs, and preconditioning, we can identify changes made within the industry over the past 10 years. “This will help us look into how and why practices were changed on specific farms, which will inform extension efforts to help further positive changes in the industry.” BF University of Guelph photo U OF G RESEARCHER IS RECOGNIZED Dr. Charlotte Winder at work in the barn. A FARMING LIFE: ROBERT CLEGHORN Farmer, husband, father, councillor, and deputy reeve. Born July 5, 1941; died Aug. 29, 2024. Robert J. Cleghorn of Guelph was a lifelong farmer with a passion for cropping. “Dad was born, raised, and then lived on the farm his entire life,” son Rob Cleghorn tells Better Farming. “He purchased the farm from his dad in 1963. Initially, it was a 40-head dairy operation, but he knew his true passion was in the field, and not in the barn.” After two years, Robert sold his herd and quota in 1965. “He was a cash-crop farmer moving forward, and never looked back. His true passion was the farm, and being productive and efficient with crop rotation and producing the highest yield.” Robert and his wife Carolyne (nee Tovell) were together for 61 years and had two children, Rob and Lee Anne. Rob shares that Robert passed down his admirable work ethic. “Dad taught me how to work, and that hard work is the key to your goals and your ultimate success,” Rob says. “He taught me how to have respect for people, for possessions ... “As a boy, I recall him coming into my room on Saturday mornings and pulling on my toes, and telling me it’s time to get up. Even if he had nothing for me to do … which was rare, because there’s always something to do on the farm!” Robert was also involved as a councillor and deputy reeve for Guelph Township. When he wasn’t farming, he enjoyed an annual fishing trip he would take with his dad, brother-inlaw, and Rob. BF - Leslie Stewart Robert J. Cleghorn
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10 Better Farming | November 2024 Follow us on @BetterFarmingON Parliament hill Report MPs returned to Ottawa recently to begin the fall session of Parliament, with a decided shift in the dynamics of the House of Commons. The carbon tax, cost of living and other topics are expected to be hot-button issues in the House, where Prime Minister Justin Trudeau continues to lead an unstable minority government. But where could ag fit into the equation? For that answer, Better Farming recently connected with Tyler McCann, managing director of the Canadian Agri-Food Policy Institute. An issue with implications for the Canadian ag sector is the newest dispute with China. The Chinese government recently launched an anti-dumping investigation into imports of Canadian canola from 2023, alleging Canada is dumping canola into China, sending its domestic prices down. This situation with China should have federal ministers looking ahead, McCann said. “It should really send the signal that government needs to be thinking about what to do next, the available tools and how to deal with these situations,” he told Better Farming. This could be an opportunity for Trade Minister Mary Ng’s office to do some work on market diversification. However, McCann said that no market can make up for China’s purchases. “Having more customers is always a good thing, but there’s no other customer like China. They buy so much of what the world produces, that you can’t just go and find a market to replace that.” he said. To put China’s Canadian canola imports into context, in 2023, it imported about 4.6 million metric tonnes of Canadian canola seed. According to StatCan, Japan had the second-highest import volume of Canadian canola seed that year with just over 1 million metric tonnes. At home, there could be opportunities for federal Minister of Agriculture Lawrence MacAulay, Innovation Minister François-Philippe Champagne, and Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault to support Canadian canola producers through biodiesel innovations and other avenues, McCann said. The federal government started a rollout of its national school food program, which could be an opportunity for governments to engage with Canadian farmers to ensure the food comes from local producers. But Canada has some work to do on that front, McCann said. “Countries around the world do a better job of using government procurement to support local agriculture, where we struggle with that here,” he AG ISSUES IN OTTAWA: THE FALL SESSION ‘My hope is that we get more of a mainstream interest during this session.’ By Diego Flammini, Farm Reporter Where do federal politicians stand on the issues facing agriculture in Canada? Marius - stock.adobe.com
11 Better Farming | November 2024 Follow us on @BetterFarmingON Parliament hill Report said. “This is clearly an opportunity, but I don’t get the sense there’s a lot of effort to seize on that opportunity.” Examples of school food programs that source products from local farmers are in Latvia and Ghana. Latvian farmers provide fruits, vegetables and other items used in school programs, and the source farms are within 300 km of each school. In Ghana, about 80 per cent of the food in the program comes from local growers. To advocate for ag and related issues, Minister MacAulay needs to have the time in question period to bring them to attention. He had 95 interventions in the House of Commons between Nov. 22, 2021 and June 19, 2024, the CBC reported in a look at MP participation. For comparison, John Barlow, the Conservative ag critic, and Alistair MacGregor, the former NDP ag critic, had 329 and 530 interventions in the same timeframe. MacGregor is also the party’s deputy critic for justice. But with so many issues facing ag, Minister MacAulay should have a larger role, McCann said. “I think that’s where some of the frustration comes from,” he said. “We have lower farm incomes, labour issues, and other things that should keep the agriculture minister busy, active and engaged. “My perennial hope is that we see agriculture get more of a mainstream interest during this session, but I expect those hopes not to be met.” That’s extra frustrating considering Canadian ag plays such a vital role in the economy, job creation and innovation, McCann added. When the carbon tax is mentioned in ag, many in the sector may wonder about Bill C-234’s status. The bill is back in the House of Commons after senators passed an amended version last year. It’s looking more like the legislation will die on the floor of the House before it gets any more attention, McCann said. “Unfortunately, that might be the case.” BF 1-866-267-6255 CALL TO ACCESS FREE, UNLIMITED COUNSELLING Stress on the farm Family or relationships Financial pressure Anxiety or depression Managing your workload Substance use Loneliness or isolation Supporting loved ones Processing traumatic events FREE MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT FOR ONTARIO FARMERS, FARM WORKERS AND THEIR FAMILIES FARMERWELLNESSINITIATIVE.CA SCAN THE BAR CODE TO ADD THE LINE TO YOUR CONTACTS
12 Thank You for Your Trust & Time, Since 1999 Better Farming | November 2024 Some 25 years ago, the very first edition of Better Farming was published. Farming in Ontario looked considerably different in 1999, with many technological innovations just coming into play. Farming has progressed significantly since 1999. Precision agriculture is becoming a common practice, as is the use of GPS, drones, and data analytics to monitor crops. Farming practices like crop rotation, cover cropping, and reduced tillage have been widely adopted over the last 25 years, with a commitment to soil health and biodiversity. Today, a more complex regulatory framework focuses on sustainability, food safety, and animal welfare. Better Farming connected with producers at this fall’s Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show in Woodstock to ask them how they expect farming to look 25 years from now, in 2049. Nicole Danen (dairy), Tavistock: “I grew up on a dairy farm, so I feel like the biggest challenge is city growth (we farm near Tavistock, so the sprawl of Woodstock, Stratford, and Kitchener surrounds us). In 25 years, I think we will have even more of a challenge from urban growth, and the need to feed more people with fewer acres. “The sprawl and continuous growth won’t stop.” Krista De Groot (cash-crop, pork, poultry), Kinkora: “I think there will be fewer people and more computers. There will definitely be more technology involved, but we hope farming will still involve families and family farms – it will just look a little different.” Ken Durham (cash-crop), Smithville: “Everything will become digital – there will be so much new technology. I grew up helping my grandfather, walking behind a six-foot seed drill, and now my son has a 30-foot seed drill that drives automatically. Those are just the changes that have happened in my lifetime. Imagine what will happen in another 50 years: Things will just happen automatically. We will just look up to the heavens and say, ‘Plant the seeds!’” Tessa Feryn (cash-crop, equine), Stratford: “Living in a rural farming area, I see farmers’ fields getting smaller and cities expanding. Growing out and not up. In 25 years, I see small farmers of 100 acres dying out and industrial farming taking over. Family farming will be a thing of the past, and large corporate factory farming will take over to support our larger populations, cities, and corporate needs.” Joanne Innes (cash-crop), Saint Pauls Station: “I think we’ll be growing different crops than in 2024. Our heat units are changing. We have too much spring water now, and it’s so hard to get crops in. “We might even have to look at crops like rice. In 25 years we will need more crops that are tolerant to drought and rain. Also, we will be using more drones for spraying, fertilizer, etc., because it’s harder to get on the fields at the optimum time.” Marjorie Marshall (cash-crop), Thorold: “In 25 years, we definitely will be farming with new technology and advancements in seeds. We will need more food to feed more people. We will be seeing even more severe weather. It’s the continuation of more of these same themes. With all the technology we could become armchair farmers.” Digging Deeper FUTURE FARMING: 25 YEARS FROM NOW ... Expanded tech, urban sprawl, & challenges to family farms. By Mary Loggan Nicole Danen Marjorie Marshall Krista De Groot Robert Meier Ken Durham Ken Pearcey Tessa Feryn Greg Schmidt Joanne Innes Sara Wood
13 Thank You for Your Trust & Time, Since 1999 Better Farming | November 2024 Robert Meier (Case IH territory sales manager), Brantford: “The challenge in future won’t be in getting money; the challenge will be in getting people. So, what’s the solution? Autonomous tractors and other technology will advance and make it easier to open the field for operators. There will be more autonomy and smarter equipment on our farms in 2049. A lot more expansion of the labour pool achieved through technology.” Ken Pearcey (beef), Bracebridge: “I believe our industry is going to get very corporate and many smaller farms are going to have a tough time surviving. Back when I started farming, things were very different, and people were able to enjoy more locally produced food. Things have changed; milk and other products are being transported longer distances to reach people.” Greg Schmidt (cash-crop, dairy), Woodstock: “I worry there will be too much bureaucracy, and farmers won’t be able to operate in the same way they do now. I think in 25 years it will be a lot harder for smaller family farms, and large corporations will take over, in an effort to keep up with competition. I hope there will be a way to support family farms, while still finding ways to improve productivity.” Sara Wood (cash-crop, poultry), Mitchell: “Our largest challenge will be the preservation of water. In 25 years, we will be focused more than ever on water conservation. “How we manage it, conserve it, and acquire it. “By 2049, we will also have transitioned from being ‘just a farmer’ to being CEO of a farming operation. Even now, we are multi-million-dollar business owners and CEOs.” BF Digging Deeper WWW.GLENGARRY.CA Let's make it work. We'll help you get there. Maybe the weather didn’t cooperate. Maybe your plans changed. Maybe your partner wants out, or the kids want in. Whatever it is, it’s called farming. When others can’t see it… we do. Ate Today? Thank A Farmer. We will be selling a limited number of our popular new “25th Anniversary” commemorative T-shirts at the OFA 2024 Annual General Meeting this month. See you there! Thanks to all OFA members for your trust and time, since 1999. November 26-27, 2024 Delta Toronto Airport Hotel & Conference Centre Paul Nolan Publisher - Since 1999 - Glenn Ruegg Senior Sales Associate - Since 2000 - Jennifer Longstreet Marketing Coordinator - Since 2008 - ONTARIO FEDERATION OF AGRICULTURE Annual General Meeting Tracey Howell photo
14 Ate Today? Thank a Farmer. Better Farming | November 2024 Research & Farm Science A sweeping global research review of the links between climate and agriculture reveals the likelihood of an emergent feedback loop whereby, as climate change puts more pressure on the global food supply, agriculture will, by necessity, adopt practices that may exacerbate its environmental impact. This research, published in Science, includes an extensive evaluation of experts, including from Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health. The paper also identifies new agricultural practices that have the potential to increase efficiency and stabilize our food supply in the decades to come. The authors point out that greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture are now 18 times higher than they were in the 1960s, accounting for about 30 per cent of global warming. Excess fertilizer left on farm soil is broken down by bacteria to form nitrous oxide, a greenhouse gas that is 300 times more potent than carbon dioxide. Strategic efforts to reduce the warming impact of agriculture while maintaining high yields are essential to both mitigating climate change and protecting our food supply from its impacts. “It is important to recognize that the impact of agriculture on public health, from pesticide usage to water quality, is almost certainly going to be exacerbated with climate change,” said Lewis Ziska, PhD, associate professor of Environmental Health Sciences at the Columbia Mailman School of Public Health and a co-author. The research found: Climate change has broad-ranging impacts on agricultural practices, Continued on Page 16 Researchers are looking at the relationship between agriculture and climate change. JJ Gouin/iStock/Getty Images Plus photo CLIMATE COLLAPSE & FARMING PRACTICES Climate change exacerbates environmental impacts of agriculture. From Columbia Mailman School of Public Health
15 Ate Today? Thank a Farmer. Better Farming | November 2024 Research & Farm Science UNDO, a leading carbon dioxide removal project developer, has signed a deal with Microsoft to advance enhanced rock weathering (ERW) carbon removal science. The plan directly involves Canadian Wollastonite, a wollastonite mine based in Kingston, along with a University of Guelph research farm, and a laboratory based at Queen’s University in Kingston. The Microsoft award will remove 15,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and provide funding for crucial scientific research in the ERW field. It will also contribute to Microsoft’s commitment to be carbon-negative by 2030. UNDO’s commercial relationship with Microsoft began in 2023 with a contract to remove 5,000 tonnes of CO₂ from the atmosphere. ERW is the acceleration of natural rock weathering, whereby the carbon dioxide in rainwater interacts with silicate rocks such as wollastonite and mineralizes and is safely stored as solid carbon for hundreds of thousands of years. To speed up this natural geological process, UNDO spreads crushed silicate rock across agricultural land, accelerating the chemical reactions between rain, air and rocks, permanently removing CO₂ from the atmosphere. Jim Mann, CEO and founder of UNDO, commented that “this agreement with Microsoft is a clear signal to the market that enhanced rock weathering has potential to deliver scalable carbon removal, and that UNDO can deliver critical scientific research to instill more confidence in this vital climate tech.” Brian Marrs, Senior Director of Energy Markets at Microsoft, said that “Microsoft is committed to being carbon-negative by 2030. We are excited to support UNDO’s enhanced rock weathering carbon removal projects with co-benefits for soils, farmers and rural communities.” Earlier this year, Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) concluded a clear link between the heat waves that Canada suffers annually and human-caused climate change. To avoid the worst effects of climate change, we need to be removing at least 10 billion tonnes of CO₂ from the atmosphere every year by 2050. In 2021, the Government of Canada announced its commitment to net zero emissions by 2050. The country has developed major political, business and financial backing for carbon removal and has attracted more than 70 carbon dioxide removal (CDR) companies around the country. This deal will see UNDO, in partnership with Canadian Wollastonite, spread 25,000 tonnes of crushed wollastonite rock over 5,000 hectares of Canadian farmland, permanently removing thousands of tonnes of atmospheric CO2. Canadian Wollastonite will supply and spread the crushed rock to local farmers free of charge in 2024. Farmers only pay the cost of trucking the material to their land. (The cost of the wollastonite itself will be 100 per cent subsidized by the sale of carbon removal credits.) Crushed wollastonite can bring agronomic advantages such as improved soil pH, crop health and pest resistance. Farmers in Ontario interested in receiving crushed wollastonite can fill out a form at https://un-do.com/ our-partners/contact-us/. The recent announcement represents a significant contribution to UNDO’s scientific research concerning the measurement, reporting and verification of ERWbased carbon dioxide removal. With the funding, UNDO will set up field trials and monitoring sites in Ontario, including one on a research farm owned by the U of G, and at UNDO’s principal laboratory for operations in Canada, at Queen’s. Currently operating in Southeast Ontario, UNDO plans to expand its operations across Eastern Canada, first in Ontario and then in Québec. UNDO is establishing commercial partnerships that will enable the spreading of millions of tonnes of silicate rock each year, a first step towards billion-tonne scale operations. BF MICROSOFT JOINS CARBON REMOVAL DEAL GUARDIANNETWORK.CA REGISTER FOR A GUARDIAN NETWORK SUICIDE PREVENTION TRAINING TODAY
Research & Farm Science DEMAND NEW HOLLAND https://agriculture.newholland.com/nar/en-us Bob Mark New Holland Sales Ltd. Campbellford • 705-653-3700 Bob Mark New Holland Sales Ltd. Lindsay • 705-324-2221 Bob Mark New Holland Sales Ltd. Napanee • 613-354-9244 Bob Mark New Holland Sales Ltd. Sunderland • 705-357-3121 Delta Power Equipment Mitchell • 519-348-8467 Delta Power Equipment St. Marys • 519-349-2180 Delta Power Equipment Tilbury • 519-682-9090 Delta Power Equipment Waterford • 519-443-8622 Delta Power Equipment Watford • 519-849-2744 Delta Power Equipment Winchester • 613-774-2887 Ebert Welding Ltd. New Liskeard • 705-647-6896 ESM Farm Equipment Ltd. Wallenstein • 519-669-5176 Maxville Farm Machinery Ltd. Maxville • 613-527-2834 McCauley Equipment Sales Orillia • 705-325-4424 Oneida New Holland Caledonia • 905-765-5011 Oneida New Holland St Catharines • 905-688-5160 Regional Tractor Sales Ltd. Freelton • 905-659-1094 Richards Equipment Inc. Barrie • 705-721-5530 Robert’s Farm Equipment Sales, Inc. Chesley • 519-363-3192 Robert’s Farm Equipment Sales, Inc. Mount Forest • 519-323-2755 Robert’s Farm Equipment Sales, Inc. Walton • 519-887-6365 Smiths Farm Equipment (Jasper) Ltd. Jasper • 613-283-1758 Stewart’s Equipment Erin • 519-833-9616 increasing water use and scarcity, nitrous oxide and methane emissions, soil degradation, nitrogen and phosphorus pollution, pest pressure, pesticide pollution and biodiversity loss. Climate-agriculture feedback pathways could dramatically increase greenhouse gas emissions. Without changes in farming, this feedback loop could make it impossible to achieve the Paris Agreement goal of limiting global warming to 1.5 C to 2 C. Existing sustainable agricultural practices and technologies, if they are implemented on a wide scale, can greatly reduce agricultural emissions and prevent a feedback loop from developing. To achieve this, governments must work to remove socioeconomic barriers and make climate-resilient solutions accessible to farmers and food producers. “We need agriculture, but the future of humanity also requires that we reduce agriculture’s environmental harms,” said co-author David Tilman, a professor at the University of Minnesota College of Biological Sciences. “By evaluating new practices being tried around the world we have identified practices that appear to increase harvests while decreasing environmental harm. “Once these new practices are tested and verified, we need a farm bill that pays farmers both for producing food and for improving the environment. Enabling better stewardship has tremendous benefits for all of us. “The researchers looked at all aspects of the relationship between agriculture and climate to determine where new practices are the most effective. While carbon sequestration is currently a priority, an integrated approach that factors in farming efficiency and pollutants like nitrous oxide could deliver much larger climate benefits and a more stable future for agriculture. “Practices such as precision fertilizer use and crop rotation can prevent a feedback loop from developing.” The team identified a number of next steps. First and foremost, stakeholders should accelerate the adaptation and cost-reduction of efficient and climate-friendly agriculture. Precision farming, perennial crop integration, agrivoltaics, nitrogen fixation, and novel genome editing are among the emerging techniques that could increase production and efficiency in agriculture while reducing climate change impacts. They recommend further research on climate-agriculture feedback pathways and new technologies like onfarm robots. BF This research was funded in part by the U.S. National Science Foundation. Founded in 1922, the Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health pursues an agenda of research, education, and service to address the critical and complex public health issues affecting the world.
18 It’s Farming. And It’s Better. Better Farming | November 2024 Farm MachinerY ‘THE YEAR OF THE COMBINE’ Case IH celebrates their past while introducing new technology. By Leslie Stewart At the recent Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show in Woodstock, Case IH territory sales manager Robert Meier and his team brought together vintage and new equipment for producers to see the progress in some iconic farm machinery. While things have changed over the years, a central theme remains consistent: Constantly innovating to ensure efficiency, productivity, and minimal yield loss. “This (2024) is the ‘Year of the Combine’ for Case IH,” Meier tells Better Farming. “We had the AF9 on the lot, and our flagship 8260 combine. Both new products. To contrast, I had the 1938 Case A-6 combine positioned between them.” Before modern combines existed, harvest was an all-hands-on-deck affair. Many farmers had to hire outside help to get the crop off the field. Case engineered a solution that allowed farmers to work more independently: The 1938 A-6 Case combine. This pull-type implement hooked on to the back of tractors and processed the crop hands-free. The spring-balanced header had knife sections that shaved the ground and could harvest all commercially grown crops. It was adjustable with a simple lever so operators could adapt the machine for different tasks and field types. Reels brought the grain through the combine on a ‘continuous canvas’ by synchronizing with the movement of the combine as it drove through the field. The reel drive was equipped with an adaptable chain tightener so that you could change speeds without removing links. Once the crop was on the canvas, it was fed up to the cylinder to be threshed and moved through to the ‘bottom bouncing’ separator to remove the chaff. Farmers were impressed with the A-6 and saw potential in the machine. Indiana farmer Ralph Unger is quoted in company literature: “I have used the Case six-foot combine and am sure it is what the future farmer wants.” Unger was right. The combine is still an essential part of every harvest, and many things have evolved in the last 86 years since the A-6 hit the market. Combine technology has grown more sophisticated, accurate, and comfortable for the farmer. Case IH has been using and advancing Axial-Flow rotor technology for some 50 years. In 2024, they expanded their Axial-Flow combine lineup to include the single-rotor AF9 A 1938 Case A-6 combine next to a 2024 Case IH AF9 at the recent Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show. Paul Nolan photo
19 It’s Farming. And It’s Better. Better Farming | November 2024 Farm MachinerY and AF10, and the AF11, which uses a brand-new AFXL2 dual-rotor system. The AFXL2, available with the AF11 combines, increases the threshing and separation area by 45 per cent and uses six threshing and 12 separating modules to allow for greater adaptability in changing conditions. “The AFXL rotor on the AF9 and AF10 combines has been made larger for 2024 and has 50 per cent more separation area. “The new 2024 releases come standard with a 455 bu grain tank capacity and can unload the tank at the speed of 4.5 bu per second,” explains Case IH product specialist Patrick Landry. “The optional 567 bu grain tank capacity can be unloaded at the speed of six or 4.5 bu per second. A big step up from the A-6’s capacity of 20 bu.” The AF Series combines have a climate-controlled cab full of precision ag technology. Dual Pro 1200 displays are mounted onboard, and can display helpful information about yield and moisture, set up auto guidance, view yield maps, and share data between the fleet, or with off-site managers or other consultants. In 1938, farmers relied on a lever to control the cutting height of their combine. Now, automation is in play to take out the guesswork. Harvest Command is a standard feature that comes with all AF Series combines. Once you punch in your crop type, maximum operating speed, and your power limit, the system adapts to your needs. The four automation modes let you decide whether you’re prioritizing performance, grain quality, or throughput. Meier explains: “In 1938, the compact and light A-6 combine replaced reapers and stationary threshing machines. It was the future, and farmers likely could not imagine more. “Today, we have incredible technology to deliver capacity, simplicity of operation, and precision guidance. It is hard to imagine any more possibilities. But then, farmers in 1938 likely thought the same thing – and look at where we are now.” BF A page from the 1938 A-6’s brochure. Early pull-type implements let farmers process crops hands-free. Case IH photo Case IH photo Paul Nolan photo The AF Series combines come standard with a 455 bu grain tank.
20 Story Idea? Email Paul.Nolan@Farms.com Better Farming | November 2024 CYBER SECURITY ON YOUR FARM Remember when “hacking” was simply a way of cutting through the brush on your woodlot? Today, it is a cutting-edge method of infiltrating computer systems without permission. Though it is not always done with malice, the incidence of hacking as part of cyber-attacks in many industries, including agriculture, is on the rise. These attacks aim to ”steal, expose, alter, disable, or destroy data, applications, or other assets through unauthorized access to a network, computer system or digital device.” For the ag sector, the impact on farmers, retailers, and consumers is a growing concern. HOW TO HALT THE HACKING CYBER ATTACKS TAKE A BYTE OUT OF AG BY GEOFF GEDDES Mary Loggan photo
21 Story Idea? Email Paul.Nolan@Farms.com Better Farming | November 2024 What’s next happens here. ™ ® Trademarks of Corteva Agriscience and its affiliated companies. © 2024 Corteva. A new era in soybean performance. • More yield: 2.7 bu/a advantage vs current A-Series soybeans • Better agronomics: improved disease protection against white mould and sudden death syndrome • Weed control flexibility: powered by the Enlist™ weed control system Learn more at Pioneer.com/Z-Series “The biggest challenge most businesses face is from ransomware,” says Ryan Westman, director of threat intelligence with eSentire, a managed detection and response (MDR) service based in Waterloo. “Ransomware is a type of malware (malicious software) that finds a way into your computer system, often when a staff member opens an attachment. From there, the hackers lock you out of your files and demand a ransom in exchange for the key.” The intrusions can even come with a twisted sense of humour, often including a message that “your system is slowing down while your pulse is speeding up.” “Hackers like to put a lit cigarette in your eye,” says Westman. Minding your Ps More importantly, they often threaten one or more of the “3 Ps” for ag operations: Production, profit and profile. While individual farms are unlikely to report an issue, a cybersecurity attack on Canadian farmers can impact production, revenue and animal health. If an attacker compromises an industrial control system that powers fans for drying grain, there could be a significant decrease in grain quality and revenue. “Disruptions to irrigation systems during critical drought conditions could severely affect crop yields, impacting overall productivity and financial outcomes for the farming operation,” says Steve Croucher, vice president of sales with Malleum, a cyber security company based in Ottawa. Compromising a farming operation’s Wi-Fi network could also expose sensitive information, such as financial data, personal records, and crop/ livestock details. This type of breach may result in operational disruption, economic loss and long-term reputational harm to the business. Potential issues with livestock range from the dangerous – such as messing with milking machines and preventing farmers from assessing milk quality on dairy farms – to the daft. “On an Ontario pork farm recently, an animal activist hacked their system and froze all the technology,” says Cathy Lennon, general manager of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) in Guelph. “They told the farmer they would only unlock his operation if he made a public statement that he was responsible for animal abuse.” Though leaps in technology have brought rewards for farmers, it is the classic case of a double-edged sword. Friend and foe “Farmers are increasingly leveraging automation and devices to run their farms,” says Croucher. “Most operations today have some form of industrial control/operational technology systems, and they are using advanced equipment such as drones and autonomous machines to reduce labour and increase efficiency. However, this also CYBER SECURITY ON YOUR FARM
22 Better Farming | November 2024 Follow us on @BetterFarmingON means that farmers are managing increasingly large amounts of data and technologies that potentially expose them to cyberattacks.” Adding to the problem, many farmers may not be adequately equipped to deal with the accompanying cybersecurity threats that these technologies introduce. “The farming industry in Canada is made up of a significant number of independent business owners who manage their own IT and OT systems,” says Croucher. “A 2022 survey of 167 farmers found that they had invested, on average, only $541 in cyber security since 2020.” Not surprisingly, the damage to agriculture goes far beyond the farm gate. For example, in 2021, a ransomware attack on JBS, the world’s largest meat processing company, earned the hackers US$11 million in ransom. “In the process, production was disrupted for several days, including at the JBS Canada beef processing plant in Brooks, Alta.,” says Westman. “The incident threatened to disrupt food supply chains and further inflate already high food prices.” Another prominent target was Saskatoon-based Federated Co-operatives Ltd. (FCL), a wholesaling, manufacturing, marketing and administrative co-operative owned by more than 160 independent retail co-operative associations from B.C. to Manitoba. These co-ops own and operate “agrocentres,” food stores, gas bars/convenience stores and home centres. “FCL stated it was hit by a cyberattack in June of 2024,” says Westman. “Though it did not publicly state that it was a ransomware attack, there were many signs indicating as much.” The attack affected internal and customer-facing systems, stock in some grocery stores, and cardlock fuel locations, which supply fuel to various corporate clients. “There is a potential for consumers to face higher prices for certain products if farming operations are disrupted by these intrusions,” says Croucher. “A reduction in the quality or quantity of crop yields could drive up costs. Additionally, pressure on commodity prices may arise from irrigation issues, reduced product availability in grain elevators, and impacts on transportation systems, such as the rail network, due to lower volumes.” As a result, consumers may receive lower-quality products at inflated prices. Furthermore, if farming operations are compromised and struggle to recover, consumer confidence could be lost. Learn not to burn The private and public sectors are being encouraged to educate farmers, businesses, organizations and citizens about current and emerging cyber threats. “The Government of Canada has started an educational program where you can take short, online courses for free to enhance your awareness of the issue,” says Lennon. “What does a scam or phishing expedition look like? How do you know if a message or email you receive is safe? “We regularly send out test messages to our staff to see if they recognize the threat, just to remind them of what to look for.” One of the easiest and most effective protective measures, whether for a family farm or large retailer, is to have strong, unique passwords. “We are all guilty of reusing the same password over and over, and that can be your weakest link,” says Lennon. “Once a hacker gets your password for one of your sites, they can use it for all of them.” As an additional safeguard, Lennon advises changing your passwords regularly and keeping them private, even from friends and co-workers. While some larger companies hire a managed detection and response agency to monitor their systems 24/7, that comes at a cost. “I have been advocating for the Canadian government to offer a non-refundable tax credit for small and medium-sized businesses when they hire an MDR,” says Westman. “This would allow those companies to pair with a service that will identify risks and help manage them.” The Canadian government has taken steps to address the threat of cyberattacks against critical infrastructure. “In 2020, the Canadian Centre for Cyber Security released the National Cyber Threat Assessment, identifying the agricultural sector as part of Canada’s critical infrastructure vulnerable to cyber threats,” says Croucher. “Additionally, the CCCS has published the ‘Baseline Cyber Security Controls for Small and Medium Organizations’ to assist small independent businesses in managing their security. However, Bill C-26 – An Act respecting cyber security, which aims to strengthen critical infrastructure on cyberattacks, does not include food and agriculture specifically.” Fortunately, whether it’s crops or computers, ag sees the need to “act, not react” – something Croucher cites as vital to winning the cyber war. “By providing targeted guidance, education, and actionable steps, stakeholders can help reduce risks across the entire farming supply chain, including farm operations, transportation, and shipping.” BF CYBER SECURITY ON YOUR FARM Ryan Westman Steve Croucher Cathy Lennon GEOFF GEDDES Geoff is an agriculture writer and editor. He has written for farm magazines, blogs, websites, and social media.
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