Holland Marsh Farmland under Water, Town Declares State of Emergency

Jun 17, 2013

Holland Marsh Farmland under Water, Town Declares State of Emergency

The weather system that moved in over Father’s Day weekend hit Ontario’s vegetable growing region, flooding 190 acres of farmland in the Holland Marsh, in Bradford, Ontario north of Toronto.

The flooding occurred after a dyke in the area broke for the second time in two-weeks. Water levels are about 5 to 10 feet deep, leaving the once pristine farmers’ fields looking more like lakes. The newly planted crops, onions and carrots are now unsalvageable. Farmers in the area are calling it an indescribable loss.

While the bulk of the flooding surrounds just three farms, damages are estimated to be over $1-million. The town of Gwillimbury has declared a state of emergency and appealed to the Ministry of Agriculture and Food for help.

The Holland Marsh comprises of 8,500 hectares of farmland and is ideal for growing vegetable crops such as onions, greens, celery and carrots.

Video: Exploring Precision Data in Swine Production - Dr. Janice Siegford

In this episode of The Swine it Podcast Show, Dr. Janice Siegford from Michigan State University discusses how precision livestock farming data can support pig health, welfare, transparency, and decision making. She explains why data ownership, privacy, consumer perception, and cost sharing must be addressed as technology becomes more common on farms. Listen now on all major platforms.

“Precision livestock farming data can support producers, veterinarians, certifiers, and consumers by enabling improved monitoring, prediction, and decision-making across the entire production system.”

Meet the guest: Dr. Janice Siegford / janice-siegford-24318839 is a Professor and Associate Chair in the Department of Animal Science at Michigan State University. Her expertise in animal welfare, neuroscience, and zoology supports research on pig behavior, stress resilience, and precision livestock farming. Her work explores early weaning, genetics, and stakeholder perspectives on technology adoption to improve pig care, health, and productivity. Learn more from Dr. Janice Siegford on The Swine it Podcast Show, available on all major platforms.