Friday, August 1, 2025

Beekeepers get help

The federal and Ontario governments have granted more than $1.7 million to fund 334 projects managed by 206 beekeepers.

“Healthy bee populations are vital to the diverse crops that grow right across Ontario,” said the federal Agriculture Minister Heath MacDonald, federal Minister of Agriculture.

“I’m pleased that our support through the Honey Bee Health Initiative is helping beekeepers protect their colonies and improve their resiliency for years to come.”


Horse ill from mosquito bite

Wellington-Dufferin counties health unit said a horse has been infected by Eastern Equine Encephalitis virus (EEEV), likely as a result of a mosquito bite.

The virus is present locally because the horse has stayed home, the health unit said.

It is the first confirmation of EEEV in a horse in Wellington-Dufferin-Guelp, and no human cases have ever been reported in the region.

EEEV is a rare but potentially serious mosquito-borne virus.

 While it mainly affects horses and poses low risk to humans, severe cases can be life-threatening.


Deere responds to right-to-repair lawsuit

Deere has released an updated digital service tool to enable equipment owners to maintain, diagnose, repair and protect farm equipment.

The new Operations Center PRO Service tool is available now in John Deere’s Operation Center app to equipment owners in the U.S. and Canada at a cost of $195 per machine.

It appears to be Deere’s response to a lawsuit demanding the right to repair its machines.

The company has not revealed how it will price the tool for independent service providers.

The new service tool replaces John Deere’s previous digital service known as Customer Service ADVISOR. John Deere representatives confirm ADVISOR will be phased out over the next year.


Trump hikes tariffs on Canada to 35 per cent

United States President Donald Trump hiked his 25 per cent tariffs on Canadian goods to 35 per cent, citing fentanyl smuggling from Canada as the reason,

Yet for Mexico, which is responsible for 99 times as much fentanyl smuggling as Canada, he left its tariffs unchanged for 90 days.

Negotiations continue to reach a new trade deal between Canada and the U.S.


CNH sales and profits decline

CNH second-quarter sales declined by 14 per cent to $4.1 billion.

Profits were $217 million compared with $404 million.

“While we continued to face challenging market conditions this quarter, the CNH team's resilience and dedication allowed us to navigate through them effectively and in line with our targets, said chief executive officer Gerrit Marx.

In North America, industry volume was down seven per cent for tractors under 140 horsepower and was down 37 per cent for tractors over 140; combine sales were down by 23 per cent..