Sidebar 1: How solar panels work Thursday, April 2, 2009 The process of converting small particles of light into electricity is called the photovoltaic effect. Photovoltaic (PV) cells convert sunlight directly into electricity. PV cells are usually made of silicon. When sunlight hits the PV cell, the photons "knock" electrons loose from their atoms, creating a current. Cells have metal contacts on the top and bottom to draw off the current to be used as electricity. Since solar cells are not very efficient, much of the sunlight being either being reflected or absorbed by the cell (like heat). Typically, a cell has an efficiency of about 15 per cent. However, Steven Novack of the Idaho National Laboratories has come up with an inexpensive, foldable solar panel which may turn out to be up to 80 per cent efficient, when and if it comes to market.The key measures of electricity are: • Kilowatt: 1000 watts.• Kilowatt hour: A unit of energy equivalent to one kilowatt of power expended for one hour.• Megawatt: one million watts. BF Sidebar 2: OFA wants solar on buildings, not farmland Dairy farmers favour quota price cap
Rooted in Resilience -- Women Cultivating the Future of Agriculture Thursday, November 6, 2025 Feeling the weight of a tough year in agriculture? If you’re a woman working in agriculture - whether your boots are in the field or your focus is in the boardroom - you’ve likely felt the weight of a tough year. But here’s the good news: you’re not alone, and your work matters more than... Read this article online
CGC issues multiple licences in early November Thursday, November 6, 2025 The Canadian Grain Commission (CGC) has been busy in the first week of November. The CGC issued four licences on Nov. 1 with three going to companies in Saskatchewan. Eskdale Seed Farm in Leross received a primary elevator licence. This type of licence goes to “an operator of an... Read this article online
Farmers coming together to shape the future of agriculture Thursday, November 6, 2025 Every November, farmers from across Ontario gather for one of the most important events on our calendar—the Ontario Federation of Agriculture’s (). It’s a time of faith in our future and fellowship in new beginnings. From the most southern tip of the province to our northern... Read this article online
Free Tools to Power Up Your Farm’s Digital Life in Canada Wednesday, November 5, 2025 By Farms.com Based on an Article on SmallFarmCanada.ca by Jeff Buell For many Canadian farm families, the internet has become as vital as a tractor or combine. It is how producers manage precision planting, monitor commodity prices, check weather forecasts, pay bills and stay... Read this article online
Railroads push record grain shipments Wednesday, November 5, 2025 As Ontario farmers wrap up a season marked by weather extremes and yield variability, Canada’s two major railways—Canadian National Railway Company (CN Rail) and Canadian Pacific Kansas City Limited (CPKC)—are reporting strong performance in moving corn, soybeans, and grain across the... Read this article online