CHE Chatter

Meet Kaley Mackie - Beef Technician at New Liskeard Agricultural Research Station

Kaley moved north from Bruce county in 2016 to take on the role of Beef Technician of NLARS. She hasn't looked back.

Meet Dave Cockburn, a young farmer in Cochrane District

Meet Dave Cockburn, a young farmer who made the move to Northern Ontario, and provides insight on the challenges and opportunities along the way.

Making the Move North

by Jeanine Moyer

Paul DeJong can sum up the decision to move his farm to Northern Ontario in three reasons - herd expansion, reduced workload and financial freedoms. Read on to learn more about what influenced his decision.

Extending the Grazing Scene this Fall and Winter

Beef farming in Northern Ontario is highly dependent on pasture and forage systems. Here are a few tips and tricks for extending your grazing season in the north during the fall and winter.

Ontario Agriculture College Northern Ontario Ag Tour 2017

For the second year, a group of Ontario Agricultural College (OAC) students from the University of Guelph made the trip up north for the OAC Northern Ontario Ag Tour.

Meet Cassie Overholt, a young farmer from the Matheson area

Emily Potter, Beef North Project Assistant talks with Cassie Overholt, a young producer from Northern Ontario, to learn more about Cassie, her involvement with the beef industry and what she plans on doing in the future.

Northern Grazing Workshops, Part II

The month of August brought Emily to Manitoulin Island, Algoma, Sudbury and New Liskeard to host another series of grazing workshops with the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA).

New Liskeard Fall Fair Purebred Show

A tradition from the past returned to the New Liskeard Fall Fair this year: the open beef show.

"Steaking Out" Northern Ontario

In mid-August, BFO hosted those interested in the opportunities in Northeastern Ontario. Participants had the chance to meet both farmers, visit local communities, and learn about funding programs and services available to farmers.

First Nations "Introduction to Beef Cattle Farming" Course at Collège Boréal

Emily Potter, Project Assistant for Beef North and Jason Reid, Cow-Calf Director for Beef Farmers of Ontario travelled North recently to learn more about, and take part in the "Introduction to Beef Cattle Farming" Course offered at Collège Boréal for First Nations.

Northern Grazing Workshops

BFO has had the opportunity to partner with the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) to host twilight pasture tours throughout the north that are focused on beef and sheep grazing management.

Beef North Travels West

Spreading the Word about Beef North Across the Country

Emily Potter, Project Assistant for Beef North, travelled to Williams Lake, British Columbia to speak to local ranchers and students in the Applied Sustainable Ranching program at Thompson Rivers University about the Beef North project.

Meet Chris & Kyla Riach

Dairy farmers who just recently moved to the Matheson area to start a beef farm, Bear Path Farms

Chris and Kyla recently moved to the Matheson area with their youngest son to start a new venture as beef farmers. They have purchased 300 acres and are renting an additional 650 acres with plans to eventually raise 200 cow-calf pairs.

New Project Assistant for Beef North

Meet Emily Potter

BFO welcomes Emily Potter to the Beef North team as Project Assistant. Over the summer months she will be help to plan tours, assist in resource development, spread awareness of current projects, as well as provide a northern perspective on Beef North's social media channels. BFO interviewed Emily to provide readers with a little more information about herself and what she is looking forward to in her position this summer.

#Agsplore the North

At the end of September 2016 a bus load of University of Guelph, Ontario Agriculture College (OAC) students headed north from Guelph to tour Nipissing and Temiskaming farming districts. Here is a summary of their trip.

Meet Kim Jo Bliss

BFO's Northern Field Representative

Hello! My name is Kim Jo Bliss and I live in the far west corner of Ontario in the District of Rainy River. I am pleased to be working as a field representative with BFO and I would be happy to answer ANY questions you may have about northern life and farming in Northern Ontario. I am well prepared to chat with you about land prices, heat units, crop yields, social life, and access to care and education – you name it, I would be happy to help you find your answers!