GPS Ontario showcases Canada’s first level five autonomous tractor, the Sabanto Steward, installed on a Kubota tractor along with BX992 Trimble antenna at Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show.

Autonomous tractor retrofit arrives in Canada

A Kubota tractor outfitted with the Sabanto system is being demonstrated in Ontario

Reading Time: 2 minutes Glacier FarmMedia – This tractor has a lot of firsts to it,” said Jordan Wallace, as he motioned to Deacon, the Sabanto Steward-equipped Kubota M5 111. In the sea of tractors and implements displayed at Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show last month, one might not immediately notice the technology draping the orange tractor at the GPS […] Read more

North Dakota crop advisor Lee Briese speaks to producers at a 2019 meeting about cover crops.

Assessing strength, building on foundation key to soil health

Crop advisor says soil health options will vary by farm and by economics

Reading Time: 4 minutes Lee Briese’s soil health principles build upon five pillars: soil armour, minimizing disturbance, diversity, continuous living roots, and livestock integration. “I don’t find these to be laws, commandments or requirements for soil health management,” the North Dakota crop advisor said. “These are nice guidelines to help guide some of the practices,” Briese said. “I’ve learned […] Read more


Although protesters aren’t willingly jeopardizing farm biosecurity, they don’t understand protocols and how proactive measures protect against potential animal pandemics, MP John Barlow says.

Federal bill aims to tighten biosecurity and trespass protections

Bill C-275, with adds fines for organizations that encourage trespassing in livestock zones, is making its way through the House of Commons

Reading Time: 3 minutes Second time lucky is the hope for a federal private member’s bill that would strengthen biosecurity on farms through the Health of Animals Act. Bill C-275 would make it an offence to enter a place where animals are kept, without lawful authority or excuse, if doing so could result in a biosecurity risk. “Simply put, […] Read more

Measuring digestible protein is important when judging the environmental impact of food systems.

The meat of the matter: Another way to look at environmental metrics

Protein density and ecosystem impacts make meat competitive with grains, says researchers

Reading Time: 4 minutes Glacier FarmMedia – When attempting to get an accurate gauge of global food security and protein sufficiency, metrics matter. The food sufficiency metric must reflect what each type of food production supplies, including environmental benefits, social structures or sustainability credentials, said Vaughn Holder, ruminant research director with Kentucky-based nutrition company Alltech. “The metrics are important […] Read more


The federal government recently announced a two-year extension to the Agri-Food Immigration Pilot program that aims to allow Temporary Foreign Workers to achieve permanent residency.

Feds extend Agri-Food Immigration Pilot program

Pathway to permanent residency program for TFWs given two more years

Reading Time: 3 minutes Applicants residing in Canada can either meet the job offer requirement, including the median wage, or the education requirement, including verification of credentials.

“Canada produces the safest, most sustainable, highest-quality beef in the world.” – Jeremy Fitzpatrick.

Program sets a floor price for certified sustainable beef farms

BeefUp Sustainability aims to ensure certified farms get their funding, no matter where they are in the beef chain

Reading Time: 3 minutes Glacier FarmMedia – A new pilot program will ensure producers will receive at least $400 annually if they are certified under the Canadian Roundtable for Sustainable Beef program. Previously, if cattle moved through a non-certified player in the value chain, (for example, the cow-calf and feedlot operators were certified but not the backgrounder) they couldn’t […] Read more