Agriculture

Farming and related issues

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Twilight meet focuses on futuristic robots running a dairy farm in Northumberland

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Matt and Shannon McComb

The show:

The full interview with bonus material:

A dairy farm run by robots. It is not some futuristic dream but a reality in Northumberland County. Matt McComb has transformed his operation in Cramahe Township into a fully automated business. And he got to show it off at the recent Twilight Meeting of the Northumberland Holstein Club. Reporter Marc Cowin talked to McComb and others about his dairy farm, plus a few others about the Twilight Meeting. Continue Reading →

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Filed under: Consider This Northumberland, Agriculture, Community

The importance of preserving agricultural lands from a county farmer’s perspective

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Soil map Northumberland County

The show:

The full interview with bonus material:

If you have ever spoken with a farmer, some don’t waste words. But what they do say is often on point. This is the case with former Northumberland Federation of Agriculture Sid Atkinson. Here is his response to agricultural mapping in the county after attending a public meeting in Campbellford earlier this week. Originally broadcast: July 1, 2022 Continue Reading →

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Filed under: Consider This Northumberland, Agriculture, Community, Politics

County seeks public input on saving farmland, says manager of planning

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The show:

The full interview with bonus material:

Ontario is losing 319 acres of farmland per day to urban sprawl. In 2021, the total amount saw a five per cent plunge. Northumberland County is trying to do something about this. County planner Dwayne Campbell will talk about efforts to preserve prime agricultural land. Plus, he will describe what can be done with some of the other lands that are not so great for farming. Continue Reading →

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Filed under: Consider This Northumberland, Agriculture, Community, Politics

Northumberland farmers brace for increased costs as food prices rise for consumers

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FArmer spreading nitrogen fertilizer

The show:

The full interview with bonus material:

Most people will pay nearly $1,000 more for their groceries in 2022. That is according to a recent study from Guelph University. That means an extra $20 per week. While it may not sound like much for some, many people feel it. It can be huge for those on a fixed income or low wages. Continue Reading →

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Filed under: Consider This Northumberland, Agriculture, Community, Politics

Farmers cannot ignore mental health as local harvest continues, says Northumberland Federation of Agriculture reps

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Farmers harvest

The show:

For those who may not realize, farmers face a great deal of uncertainty every day. The changing weather, commodity prices, pests, and diseases are only a few of the pressures. They also rarely get a day off: livestock must be tended, crops planted or harvested or monitored, equipment to fix. The list is long. It can be a very stressful life. Continue Reading →

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Filed under: Consider This Northumberland, Agriculture, Community, Health, mental health

Burnham Family Market transitions during pandemic, as legacy farm moves to next generation

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The show:

Take a drive out into rural Northumberland. You will see all kinds of farms. It is easy to assume most of those are family farms. Yet, the family farm is on the decline in Canada. Well over 90 percent of farms are family-owned and operated. Barely half the farms are sole proprietorships. The rest are either partnerships or corporations, according to Statistics Canada in 2016. Continue Reading →

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Filed under: Consider This Northumberland, Hyperlocal News, Local News, Agriculture, Community, Economy

Farmers face new struggles and mental health pressures as spring planting underway

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Farm near Campbellford

The show:

The full interview with bonus material:

Farmers are busy preparing to put crops into the grounds. This time around, they have a year of the pandemic under their belts. A lot has changed. Then again, not a lot has changed. The supply chain issues have settled. Continue Reading →

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Filed under: Consider This Northumberland, Hyperlocal News, Local News, Agriculture, Community, Economy, Politics

Drought hits crops hard, but food supply secure says Northumberland farmers

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Full interview with bonus material below:

Six months ago, I spoke with this same group of farmers from the Northumberland Federation of Agriculture. The lockdown had just started. Some grocery store shelves were empty. Everyone was buying toilet paper. You could not find yeast to save your soul because people started bake bread at home. Continue Reading →

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Filed under: Consider This Northumberland, Agriculture, Community, Politics

Tractor parade allows local farmers to pay tribute to hospital staff

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It is one thing to slow down to go around a tractor on a backroad. But it is certainly another when you get 70 tractors, trucks, sprayers and other vehicles lined up. That is what happened recently. It was a tractor parade to pay tribute to frontline workers at Northumberland Hills Hospital and the Golden Plough Lodge. It was organized by the Northumberland Federation of Agriculture. Continue Reading →

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Filed under: Consider This Northumberland, Take a Moment to Consider This, Agriculture

New rules for migrant workers and local farmers mean big changes, says activist

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Close to 100,000 migrant workers from the Caribbean, Mexico and Central America come to Canada each year to work in the agri-food industry. Hundreds come to Northumberland to help, especially on the fruit and vegetable farms. Many apple growers will tell you, it is an essential part of their business. But with travel bans and concerns over the spread of COVID-19, there were big questions marks about what was going to happen this spring. Farmers lobbied hard and got exemptions, along with a financial aid package. So, these workers were given a choice to stay home with their families or come and earn money working on farms. For some, it is not really a choice since this money is more than they would ever make at home. Continue Reading →

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Filed under: Consider This Northumberland, Agriculture