Let's Talk Farm Animals

Do goats really eat tin cans?

Farm and Food Care — Wed, 16 May 2012 19:31:02 +0000

By Patricia Grotenhuis Many storybooks show goats eating everything around them, including tin cans. It’s a common myth. When I was 9, I bought my first goat, and had my own herd for 14 years. I did see the goats eat a number of things over those years, but they had a very definite eating [...]

When environmentalism and science face off

FFC — Mon, 14 May 2012 12:56:13 +0000

By Lisa McLean, Agricultural writer Destruction of GMO crops (also called genetically modified organisms) is a common form of protest, particularly in the EU where public acceptance of biotechnology is low. Activists dress in their best white garb and face masks to make the most of a photo opportunity while they wade into fields and [...]

Meet Mr. May in the 2012 Faces of Farming calendar

Farm and Food Care — Wed, 09 May 2012 14:44:12 +0000

by Patricia Grotenhuis The world of horse racing beckoned for a 10-year period for Darryl Drain, but eventually he found his way back to the family egg farm. Drain’s role as an Ontario egg farmer and an advocate for the egg industry has earned him a spot as the face of May in the [...]

Bad, bad big city press

FFC — Mon, 07 May 2012 13:19:45 +0000

Guest Blog by Steve Kopperund, Ag issues consultant I’ve decided the general media are pretty much amateurs or hacks when it comes to accurately covering issues in food and agriculture. In no other area of our lives – including the arcane world of high finance – does a single profession get it wrong so [...]

What in the world is a “classifier”?

Farm and Food Care — Wed, 02 May 2012 15:27:28 +0000

By Patricia Grotenhuis A love for cows can lead someone to many different jobs and places. For Abbie Medwell, it led to a career of travelling around Canada going from one dairy farm to another. Medwell works for Holstein Canada as a “classifier”. She has had the job for 10 years now, and loves the [...]