Farms

Big pig problem: What to do after Yukon’s wild boar fiasco? – CBCNEWS

Animals, Canada, Farming, Farmland, Farms, Uncategorized, Wild Boar, Wildlife, Yukon

by Heather Avery – CBCNEWS

Don't underestimate the threat posed by wild boar, says a University of Saskatchewan professor. He took this photo in his home province.

© Ryan Brook Don’t underestimate the threat posed by wild boar, says a University of Saskatchewan professor. He took this photo in his home province

A Yukon group is calling for wild boars to be wiped from the territory, fenced or not, after a fiasco this summer.

Seven wild boar escaped from their enclosure into the wilderness, prompting fears the animals could reproduce and become an invasive species.

The Yukon Fish and Game Association, a wildlife advocacy group that draws its membership primarily from hunters and fishers, wants wild boar farming banned in the territory.

“We know with these particular animals that there is potential problems and big problems, so why would we take a chance on this?” said Gord Zealand, the association’s executive director.

Enforce regulations, says farmer

Dev Hurlburt farms wild boar outside of Whitehorse, not far from where the others escaped in June.

He uses a variety of fencing to keep them in and wants to see Yukon’s fencing standards enforced.

Read the full article here.

NAFTA negotiations ‘hang over heads’ of Canadian farmers, U.S. counterparts – CBCNEWS

Cows, Dairy, Farming, Farms, Grain, Livestock, NAFTA, Supply Management, Trade, Uncategorized

by Kaitie Fraser (via msn.com)

As the sun comes up on farmers across Essex County, Ont., it’s not their livestock or crops they check first thing in the morning — it’s the markets.

The tough talk between Canada and the U.S. around NAFTA negotiations is having real-life consequences for those working in the industry every day.

“You’re at everybody else’s whim and whatever they want,” said Henry Denotter, a grain and oilseed farmer in Kingsville, Ont.

Denotter’s farm covers nearly 610 hectares, where he grows everything from soybeans and corn to wheat and rye. But each morning, he looks to the U.S. to see what kind of profits he can expect.

“We can’t set the prices, we’re looking at Chicago everyday to see how grain is doing. And somebody starts a rumour — whether it’s [U.S. President] Donald Trump or China and the market goes down 30 cents, 10 cents, even a penny makes a difference in our end profits.”

Those profits are what keeps Denotter’s equipment running and business afloat, he said, as he has to make payments on machinery just like anyone would on a home or car.

As a grain farmer, Denotter said he is selling on a global stage, not part of Canada’s supply management system of quotas, which control how much its dairy, poultry and egg farmers are allowed to produce.

a cow standing next to a wire fence: While politicians discuss NAFTA, Essex County, Ont. farmers worry about fluctuating markets and the possible flood of foreign dairy, should supply management go the wayside.

© Provided by Canadian Broadcasting Corporation While politicians discuss NAFTA, Essex County, Ont. farmers worry about fluctuating markets and the possible flood of foreign dairy, should supply management go the wayside.

Read the full article from CBC News here.