Ontario Agcast

Ontario Pork Congress- Virtual Tradeshow Edition featuring Quincy Buis, Swine Nutritionist, Wallenstein Feed & Supply Ltd.

Tony Hall, Technical Service, Dairy, Lallemand, talks to Wendell Schumm about heat stress and milk production in dairy cows.

WFS Feeding Success Podcast featuring Mike Menzi, Manager, Business Development, Farm Credit Canada. Mike talks about FCC programs available to help farmers through the COVID-19 situation.

Mike Swidersky is a husband, father and a grazer of cattle and sheep in Melanchton, the high plains of Ontario. Listen to Mike as he talks about lessons learned through his work as a community pasture manager and farmer.

Cody Creelman, Disruptor Cow Vet on life changes, keeping up in the digital world and jumping in with both feet. https://codycreelman.com/

Jamie Waldron is passionate about the art of butchery. Jamie has worked at some of the top butcher shops in Canada, helped craft menus and meat programs for restaurant groups, consulted for butcher shops, and has worked with and for abattoirs in Ontario. In 2013, he wrote the Home Butchering Handbook. It covers all aspects of traditional meat cutting, from whole carcass to usable cuts.

Glenna Banda, recently hired Executive Director of AgScape (the voice of agriculture in Ontario classrooms) explains her path back to her rural roots, and some of the things she has in store for this crucial organization. https://agscape.ca/donate

This week on the Ontario AgCast- Antony John (AKA “The Manic Organic”) and his wife Tina own and operate Soiled Reputation, an organic farm near Stratford, Ontario. Soiled Reputation supplies high end Southwestern Ontario restaurants with fresh produce, including the best carrots you’ve ever tasted. Antony has long balanced artistic expression with farming, in fact, he’s even had his own Food Network cooking show, which aimed to bridge the gap between food and farming.

This week on the Ontario AgCast- Can we have a public conversation about agriculture that isn’t polarized, vitriolic and, ultimately, counterproductive? Maybe, just maybe. Here’s a place to start. Tamar Haspel is a journalist and Oyster Farmer, who’s been on the food and science beat for almost 20 years. She writes the James Beard award-winning Washington Post column, Unearthed, which covers food supply issues, and contributes to National Geographic, Discover, and Edible Cape Cod.

Gillian Greaves is a city girl, born and raised. But that didn’t stop her from joining 4H and pursuing her passion in agriculture. Gillian is now Research and Production Technician at Southwest Vets, Chair of the Ontario Junior Swine Show and Promotions Chair of the Ontario Pork Congress.

Some people bring baggage to a marriage, Sally Smith-Pelleboer brought a herd of beef cows. Sally talks about dairy and beef farming in the heart of Oxford County. Her love of farming, family and cows is infectious- listen now!

Deb Stark is a trailblazer. Deb has had a fascinating career, and continues to give back to Ontario agriculture by serving on several prominent boards, and mentoring the next generation of ag leaders. Deb was deputy minister in the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. She held several senior positions in government including chief veterinarian for Ontario and assistant deputy minister of environment.

Sally Van Straaten balances a busy life; family, work and making a contribution to Ontario agriculture. Sally, along with her husband Mike and their four children, is an egg and grain farmer from Stratford, Ontario. Listen as Sally talks about her important role on her family’s farm, and her decision to speak up on behalf of agriculture and the evolving role and recognition of women in ag.

Did you know that some of the world’s best Holstein cows come from Canada’s smallest province? Bloyce Thompson, owner of Eastside Holsteins in Prince Edward Island has a long list of accomplishments that are proof of this. We talk about breeding a million dollar cow, becoming a Master Breeder and how he, as a rookie politician defeated the sitting Premiere of PEI to become the newest Minister of Agriculture. Also, if you have never heard of a “cow glamour shot”, you are in for a treat.

Patricia Chuey is a food and nutrition communications expert and renowned Canadian dietitian. Originally from Saskatchewan, Patricia now resides on Vancouver island with her family, where she is actively involved in sports nutrition and promoting homecooked meals and the 80 / 20 rule for healthy eating. @patriciachuey

Stephanie Lee Stephenson has one of the most incredible stories you will ever hear. Stephanie has worked in the film industry, equipment sales and most recently with her husband on their dairy farm. Her journey into agriculture is one you want to hear about. Sidebar: Stephanie has met the Littlest Hobo

Gordon Stock, Senior Policy Advisor and Government Relations for the Ontario Fruit & Vegetable Growers’ Association Gordon, not Gord, talks about life after dairy farming and his exciting role in horticulture.

This week on the Ontario AgCast, Steve McCabe talks to us about his new role as Executive Director of the Agricultural Manufacturers of Canada, fly fishing and politics. Steve, craft beer and jeep aficionado, lends an interesting perspective on Canada’s role in agricultural technology and manufacturing- listen now!

Ryan Orr and his family operate The Log Farm, a working farm right in the middle of Ottawa. With almost 1,000 visitors a day during maple syrup season, they have their hands full doing tours of their pioneer homestead, providing sweet samples and answering questions about farming in the 1880’s and today. We debate our favorite tasty treats and even come up with some new ones to keep an eye out for. Twitter @TheLogFarm Facebook/thelogfarm www.Thelogfarm.com

Aaron Stevanus, Ontario Crop Farmer and Regional Manager for Pride Seeds, talks about his unique position in the middle of big ag, farmers markets and neighbouring urbanites. And why he’s the Greatest of All Time.