When beef processing facilities close due to worker illness, such a Covid-19 outbreak, livestock farmers quickly feel the fallout. We’ve seen it happen at numerous plants recently in Canada and the U.S. Instead of generating cash flow for animals shipped, producers incur additional costs for a longer period of care and feeding. But a bit of early business planning can mitigate the situation.
Read More
Butchers and meat managers say they feel confident in continuing to be able to supply us with the high quality products we enjoy. Meat and Poultry Ontario reminds us that we can still support the restaurant members of its association through take-out and delivery options. Photo: CNN.com
Read More
Tree planting, like farming, can be physically demanding, solitary work. And just like farming, it isn’t a get-rich-quick occupation. But on the plus side, there’s real reward in seeing the fruits of your labour grow and flourish. Unfortunately, many young people are missing the opportunity; agri-food jobs far outnumber those interested to fill them. Photo: Jennifer Gonzale
Read More
Prime Minister Trudeau’s recent announcement of financial help for the agri-food industry was a welcome move, but insufficient for one of the nation’s hardest hit sectors in this pandemic. After enduring two years of terrible weather coupled with brutal trade wars, many producers were ready to quit farming, even before COVID-19. Photo: The Western Producer
Read More
Healthy soil is where good food starts. It nourishes the crops and supports livestock production for Canada’s food complement. Our capacity to produce essential goods here at home has gained a lot of attention lately, and we need healthy soil to do it. Photo: Travis Weins.
Read More
Owen Roberts is an agricultural journalist and communications instructor based in Guelph, Ontario, Canada. He is a trustee on the Global Foundation for Agricultural Journalism and an associate editor (communications) for the Journal of Agromedicine. Previously, Owen was president of the International Forum for Agricultural Journalists, an agricultural communications faculty member at the University of Illinois, and research communications director at the University of Guelph. His programs and research papers have been recognized through awards from the Journal of Applied Communications, the National Agri-Marketing Association, the Association for Communications Excellence and the Canadian Farm Writers' Federation.