Farmers bet on Bitcoin Monday, February 3, 2014 At press time, the value of volatile digital currency Bitcoin was skyrocketing. CNBC reports that the five-year-old open-source currency went up 8,000 per cent over the course of 2013, and on Nov. 29th, Coindesk.com reported that one Bitcoin was (briefly) worth more than an ounce of gold. Most companies are reluctant to accept this new currency, but some small businesses are getting on board. And according to a recent story on NPR blog The Salt, this includes some small farmers. Bitcoin means no credit card transaction fees and more physical security at the farmer's market. Clinton Felsted of Utah farm La Nay Ferme tells The Salt, "Taking money with you is a real risk . . . a real security problem. With Bitcoin you can take it anywhere with no risk." Transactions pass from smartphone to smartphone. And if Bitcoin's value continues to rise, Bitfarms.com argues it may provide unsubsidized small farms with an industry advantage. Campbellford's Carlen Farm is hoping to cash in on Bitcoin's promise. The small honey and maple syrup farm has been accepting Bitcoin since opening in the spring of 2013, but has yet to make their first Bitcoin sale. The problem, owner Mark Carlen says via text (a true modern farmer!), is a "lack of people knowing what (Bitcoin) is." However, he still sees the value in Bitcoin as a means "to increase exposure and possibly be a part of an alternative medium of exchange due to (the) underlying fragility of our current system." BF B.C. land speculation edges out young farmers The Heinz/Kellogg's plant closures A body blow to Ontario food processing
Lynmark Farms named Master Breeder for 2025 Wednesday, April 2, 2025 The Canadian Milking Shorthorn Society has announced that Lynmark Farms has been named as a herd for 2025. Lynmark Farms is owned and operated by Tim Shearer and Irene Vietinghoff of Norwood, Ontario. They are the third Milking Shorthorn herd to be recognized as a since this... Read this article online
John Deere collaborates with Dovetail Workwear Wednesday, April 2, 2025 Built by, for, and with women, Dovetail Workwear is teaming with John Deere ( Deere & Company) to develop a collection of apparel and gear specifically designed to address the needs of women in the agricultural industry. The companies said there’s a shared commitment to celebrating... Read this article online
Keep it Clean launches 2025 Product Advisory Wednesday, April 2, 2025 The from Keep it Clean is now available to inform growers and crop advisors about potential market risks tied to certain crop protection products when used on some crops. Click HERE. Keep it Clean is a joint initiative of the Canola Council of Canada, Cereals Canada, Pulse Canada,... Read this article online
No Surprise -- Ontario Farmers Intend to Plant More Corn Acres Wednesday, April 2, 2025 The 2025 Farms.com Risk Management Ontario planting intentions survey indicates Ontario farmers plan to plant 2.242 million acres of corn in 2025, marking a 4% increase compared to 2024. Corn acreage is expected to be up 1.1% compared to the 5-year average, driven in part by... Read this article online
OFA Fights for Farmer Rights during Tariff War Monday, March 31, 2025 The agricultural sector in Ontario trades billions of dollars annually with the U.S. In 2023, this amounted to $32.8 billion, it also included a trade deficit of nearly $2 billion. The impact of tariffs and trade barriers on this trade is significant, as they disrupt supply chains, reduce... Read this article online