Reading Time: 3 minutes The world was once a scattering of small communities that through hunting and gathering, and later farming, were often self-sufficient. As systems of trade were built, dependent largely on the sea, goods and services had value and started to leave or be exported from these community hubs. In many cases, this brought an infusion of […] Read more
As we rethink globalization, we need to think about communities
In many parts of the world, the current system is broken and doesn’t serve consumers or farmers
There is a Canadian advantage when it comes to producing food
Clean air and water and productive soils give us an edge — but they must be used wisely
Reading Time: 3 minutes I was visiting my friends who are new to Canada on a rainy autumn afternoon. As often happens when we get together, the discussion weaves its way toward food and in particular the nutrient richness in Canadian food. “It is the soil, the air and the water that make such a difference,” my friend said. […] Read more
Spare a thought for those who process our food
The business, economics, and practices of the food-processing sector shouldn’t be hidden out of sight
Reading Time: 3 minutes I have been on slaughter and food-processing floors all over the world — vegetables, beef, pork, poultry, lamb, bison, elk, fruit, bake floors and many things in between. Usually women work in these food plants, silent and relentlessly focused while working on raised catwalks as their male supervisors stand behind them. This is not only […] Read more
Food culture runs deep and has many different facets
A food system isn’t just something that comes from seed, sun, water and soil — it’s also very personal
Reading Time: 3 minutes Learning the different perspectives of people is interesting. In the arguments over food security in the future, there often is an element of truth in even the most unusual idea. I felt challenged, however, during a public forum when the concept of ‘seed bombing’ a city was put forward in an attempt to return it […] Read more
With a federal election looming, spare a thought for trade
Trade is a complex issue but needs to be a priority for our export-dependent farm sector
Reading Time: 3 minutes A Canadian election is around the corner and trade is an important issue to consider, particularly for agriculture. Agri-food accounts for 12 per cent of all of Canada’s exports. One-half of all Canadian agricultural production is exported. One in two jobs in grains and oilseeds is export dependent and one in four jobs in food […] Read more
There are many inspirational people — and they live all around us
They are not defined by gender, wealth or their career, but by what they give to the world
Reading Time: 3 minutes Sometimes the inspiration we need is right in our own neighbourhood. And when I think of those who have inspired me, I only have to blink and their faces and stories come to my heart. China was hit by a drunk driver as a child. Paralyzed on one side with slow speech and movement, one […] Read more
Schoepp: Seize, prepare for and appreciate the day
Reading Time: 3 minutes There is nothing quite like a harvest moon. It is made especially memorable when watched rising while having a tailgate supper, or when moving into the next pass without interruption of light or landscape. It is these moments we treasure at harvest time. Everyone on the team should have a moment to stop and enjoy […] Read more
Has the time come again for Canadian producers to go deep into sheep?
Sheep and goats are challenging beasts but they can offer a way into farming for new entrants
Reading Time: 3 minutes The revival of the small farm has created a new interest in sheep and goats. And although Canadians are not known to be big consumers of lamb, mutton or goat meat, there is a much greater demand than there is product. Canada only produces 40 per cent of the lamb needed for consumers. As the […] Read more
Who has benefited from the shift to heavier cattle?
The move to larger animals began decades ago but was driven by packers, not consumers and ranchers
Reading Time: 3 minutes I had given a century-old Stockman’s Manual to a young rancher as a gift. As we leafed through the pages, it was pretty evident how cattle, particularly British cattle, have changed over the years. Once mostly horned, short legged, deep in body, wide in loin and very haired up, they look very little like the […] Read more
Opinion: We need to welcome our new Canadian neighbours
To fill the tens of thousands of jobs in agriculture, we must make the sector more attractive to immigrants
Reading Time: 3 minutes As agriculture faces acute shortages of people at every level, it is a good time to talk about the value in immigration. The federal government has committed to increasing the number of immigrants to 350,000 annually by 2021. What does that mean for Canada? The majority of immigrants currently come from three countries: China, India […] Read more
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