Reading Time: 3 minutes We have a saying in our home that breakfast is the most important meal of the day — you should always make it home for breakfast. (When I was in my teens it was to make it home for breakfast and for the 3 a.m. milking!) Canadians do love to eat breakfast, especially in Quebec […] Read more
Schoepp: The short and sweet of who we are and what we eat
A survey of eating habits shows that tastes differ across the country, but food brings us together
Making room for youth — and youthful thinking — in farming
Young farmers love technology and are excited by change, but they’re often penned in by the walls of tradition
Reading Time: 4 minutes Farmers often lament the lack of youth in agriculture. I would argue that this is not true — there are a lot more baby strollers than walkers at major agricultural conferences, especially ones where technology is highlighted. There may be fewer young farmers, but the young men and women farming today have a broader reach […] Read more
Schoepp: Big picture ignored in supply management debate
Critics focus on milk powder, but the real issue is about creating valued-added products while protecting farm families
Reading Time: 4 minutes Canadians produce over 700 kinds of cheese. It makes me smile to think of all the small processors and farmers who delight in cheese making. Cheese also contributes $69 million in exports every year. Sounds like a good-news story and as Canadians we tend to focus on what we know — and we know cheese […] Read more
Good record-keeping when treating livestock is a must
Thorough records are vital for showing that farmers are responsible stewards who follow the rules when treating livestock
Reading Time: 3 minutes In spring, cattle that seemed to be doing well all winter often become ill. Warm days and cold nights bring out the chronic conditions that were lying latent in the body. These cattle may or may not respond to medication. Old damage in the lungs or intestines may dominate or there could be resistance to […] Read more
Report says business management the key to success in farming
Report highlights need to manage capital, focus on marketing, and become better employers
Reading Time: 3 minutes The Conference Board of Canada is set to release a Canadian food strategy in March based on results of two previous food summits and some on-the-ground research. One of the supporting documents, Seeds for Success: Enhancing Canada’s Farming Enterprises, is a broad look at farming that makes recommendations that may surprise you. While we all recognize […] Read more
Report says business management the key to success in farming
straight from the hip Report highlights need to manage capital, focus on marketing, and become better employers
Reading Time: 3 minutes The Conference Board of Canada is set to release a Canadian food strategy in March based on results of two previous food summits and some on-the-ground research. One of the supporting documents is, Seeds for Success: Enhancing Canada’s Farming Enterprises, which is a broad look at farming that makes recommendations that may surprise you. While […] Read moreRushing from one task to another takes its toll on family life
Reading Time: 3 minutes Lisa Genova’s inspirational book, Left Neglected, is the story of a young executive who suffers brain damage in a car accident caused by searching for her cellphone. As a result, she has no feeling on her left side and only slight feeling on her right. The book tells of her struggle to be connected to […] Read more
Love, power, and money — the family succession plan
Reading Time: 4 minutes While in Australia I was involved in several farm family succession planning meetings. As a guest speaker, I talked about the empowerment of individuals around the table. This is important so the truth is known and heard from all the individuals involved. The meeting leader followed with key points. Love, power, and/or money can sum […] Read more
Another perspective on GE and conventional crop coexistence
straight from the hip An Australian Nuffield Scholar believes it’s important for different practices to be able to continue in the same region
Reading Time: 3 minutes Jemma Sadler is an exceptional grain farmer. She operates in partnership with her brother, growing wheat and canola in the Wongan Hills of West Australia. She is bright, detailed, progressive and successful. Jemma is also at the heart of one of agriculture’s greatest debates — the coexistence of conventional, organic and genetically engineered (GE) crops. […] Read moreNation of islands needs more farmers
straight from the hip Farming isn’t easy in the south Pacific nation, but there’s a growing realization that a strong agricultural sector is critical for prosperity
Reading Time: 3 minutes Fiji is a land of more than 300 islands, 25 per cent of which remain uninhabited. All of that unknown conjures up visions of tribal villages ruled by a powerful chief — and so it is. The small villages remain under chieftain rule and they are busy dealing with the same problems I have seen […] Read moreCyber-Savvy Farmer
