As farmers, we know that it’s the finite details that make all the difference. This could be closing the latch on a gate, applying the parking brake, or checking your blind spot when making a left-hand turn. Biosecurity includes a collection of those details to maintain safety standards and protect livestock and crops from potentially devastating disease outbreaks.

For the farming community, the tell-tale signs of spring trigger the countdown for this year’s growing season. Planting across the province has already commenced for frost tolerant crops like small grains, potatoes and sweet green peas. Throughout the winter months farmers have ordered inputs, maintained equipment and eagerly anticipated getting back into the fields. For many, planting requires travelling busy and potentially dangerous roads.

Ontario’s agriculture industry faces various challenges as our farmers work to create a stronger, more resilient sector that will sustain Ontario for generations to come. We depend on ongoing research, innovation and proactive initiatives to help find the solutions to meet these challenges.

The care, well-being and safety of livestock is of the utmost importance for farmers, especially in cases of transportation. Anyone involved in transporting animals, directly or indirectly, has the responsibility to ensure their livestock are ready for the journey. 

Whether it be direct or indirect, the entire population has a connection to agriculture and the ongoing challenges within the industry. Rural or urban, we all rely on food, fibre and fuel to sustain our everyday lives.

The importance of safety on the farm can never be understated. These are vital conversations that need to be prioritized every day of the year.

The days are becoming longer, brighter and as the snow melts a busy planting season looms ahead for Ontario’s farming community. Many of us have waited in anticipation for the warmer temperatures and spent the winter months planning our crops, ordering inputs and ensuring our equipment is ready for when spring’s favourable weather gives us the green light.

Farming is regularly influenced and impacted by adverse conditions and unique situations. A level of risk is also assumed within the agriculture industry, whether it’s the risk of extreme weather, supply chain interruptions or market volatility.

Today marks Canada’s Agriculture Day – an annual event that brings both consumers and farmers together to celebrate the local food we all love to enjoy and the hardworking contributors across the food value chain that nurture it from field-to-fork.

With Farm Business Registration (FBR) season in full swing, farmers across Ontario are faced with the important decision of where to allocate their hard-earned membership dollars. When selecting your general farm organization, we recognize the needs of your business, your community and the future of the industry should be taken into consideration.