Farms.com Home   Ag Industry News

Sandhill cranes creating issues for Ontario farmers

Birds will eat seedlings

By Diego Flammini
Assistant Editor, North American Content
Farms.com

An aerial nuisance is causing some Ontario farmers to think about what can be done to protect their crops.

Sandhill cranes are landing in fields, eating grain and corn seedlings, and causing general headaches for farmers.

“In spring, they can go through a field like a combine,” Jack Tindall, who farms near Desbarats, Ontario, told the Sault Star.

Sometimes it’s the sheer numbers of the birds, with farmers saying they’ve lost acres and have even decided to stop planting corn as a result; sometimes it’s the size and personality of the birds that’s the problem.

Sandhill cranes

“It’s their big feet,” Matt Seabrook told the Sault Star. “They trample everything then the geese can get in. Geese don’t land in standing crops. They can’t see. The cranes also don’t scare like they used to. Even when I am combining cranes just fly to the other side of the field. They are not nervous.”

In terms of how to deal with the birds, a sandhill crane hunt has been discussed.

The Ontario Soil and Crop Association passed a resolution requesting a sandhill crane hunt similar to ones found in Saskatchewan, Manitoba and 10 American states; in 2015, they passed a provision allowing permit holders to harvest any sandhill cranes killed while protecting crops.

Some farmers said it may be necessary to control the population and others said they didn’t enjoy shooting something nobody else can hunt.


Trending Video

Dr. David Rosero: Fat Quality in Swine Diets

Video: Dr. David Rosero: Fat Quality in Swine Diets

In this episode of The Swine Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast, Dr. David Rosero from Iowa State University explores the critical aspects of fat quality and oxidation in swine diets. He discusses how different types of lipids affect pig performance and provides actionable insights on managing lipid oxidation in feed mills. Don’t miss this episode—available on all major platforms.

Highlight quote: "Increasing levels of oxidized fats in swine diets reduced the efficiency of feed utilization, increased mortality, and led to more pigs being classified as culls, reducing the number of full-value pigs entering the finishing barns."

Meet the guest: Dr. David Rosero / davidrosero is an assistant professor of animal science at Iowa State University. His research program focuses on conducting applied research on swine nutrition and the practical application of smart farming. He previously served as the technical officer for The Hanor Company, overseeing nutrition, research, and innovation efforts.