Potatoes are protected from early and late blight by applications of Mancozeb.

Mancozeb fungicide approved for continued use

There was concern the fungicide’s registration would be cancelled

Mancozeb, a group M fungicide, has been approved for continued use under the the Pest Control Products Act. The pesticide re-evaluation was completed by the Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) and the announcement was made Nov. 19. Why it matters: The elimination of Mancozeb would have been costly for farmers. The product has been used […] Read more

File photo of Agriculture Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau speaking to media in Winnipeg in March 2019. (Dave Bedard photo)

Bibeau says government committed to federal plant breeding

Seed royalty consultations stalled

The Canadian government is committed to plant breeding, federal Agriculture Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau told members of the Canadian Farm Writers’ Federation on Tuesday. Some farmers and seed industry officials suspect Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s (AAFC) variety development work, along with many other programs, will be on the chopping block post-COVID-19 as the government tackles its […] Read more

Apples are one of the Ontario crops that rely on seasonal foreign workers for the harvest.

Return home stalled for some foreign workers

Seasonal foreign workers face uncertain timeline to return home due to pandemic-related border crossing restrictions

Seasonal foreign workers face uncertain timeline to return home due to pandemic-related border crossing restrictions

In the spring Ontario farmers were concerned COVID-19 border closures would stymie efforts to get the much-needed foreign workers into Ontario. Now it appears the pandemic might be hindering efforts to get those same workers back home to their families. Why it matters: Smooth operation of the seasonal foreign worker program is critical to the […] Read more

mechanic high clearance

Agriculture education evolves to fit modern needs

Colleges are offering shorter courses in regional settings to help fill the need for practical skills

Colleges are offering shorter courses in regional settings to help fill the need for practical skills

Post-secondary agriculture education in Ontario is diversifying to meet the labour and skill needs of the industry. Shorter, concentrated offerings are expected to help fill the need for more employees in agriculture. Why it matters: Agriculture education options for practical training have been limited, especially in the regions where potential farm workers live. Much has […] Read more

(Dave Bedard photo)

FCC identifies export, market opportunities for Canadian food

The ag lender's latest report highlights canola oil, pork, potato products, crab meat

Canada is already a major exporter of agricultural goods, food and beverages — but increasing food and beverage exports is still one of Canada’s biggest trade opportunities, Farm Credit Canada (FCC) says. And by diversifying exports, farmers will become less dependent on current major markets, reducing their financial risk. “When borders close for any number […] Read more


File photo of a Prince Edward Island potato field. (Onepony/iStock/Getty Images)

P.E.I. seed potato growers backed for lost sales, costs

Pandemic compensation plan to take applications until mid-January

Seed potato growers on Prince Edward Island who lost sales this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, or have had to store or throw out stock, can soon apply for provincial compensation. The provincial government on Monday announced $1.19 million for a new Seed Potato Recovery Program, for seed growers “who can demonstrate that they […] Read more

Trent Wotherspoon, shown here speaking in Regina in 2012, is the provincial NDP’s new critic for agriculture and Saskatchewan Crop Insurance. (TrentWotherspoon.com)

Saskatchewan gets new ag critic, returning ag minister

David Marit, Trent Wotherspoon to handle farm file

Saskatchewan’s New Democrats will have a new critic to debate the incumbent minister over the agriculture file. Provincial opposition leader Ryan Meili on Tuesday announced Trent Wotherspoon, the MLA for Regina Rosemont since 2007, as the NDP’s critic for agriculture as well as finance, SaskTel, Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corp. (SCIC) and the province’s Crown Investments […] Read more

National potato harvest declines

National potato harvest declines

Dry summers in Ontario, Quebec and Maritime cut into yield

Glacier FarmMedia – Canadian potato production will decline this year, possibly by six per cent or more. A hot and dry summer, especially in Ontario, Quebec and the Maritimes, cut into potato yields across the country. Why it matters: Potatoes are a high value crop for the areas across the country where they are produced. […] Read more


A wireworm in a potato in close-up. (MegaV0lt/iStock/Getty Images)

Wireworms a target for first Group 30 insecticide in Canada

BASF picks up registration for two broflanilide products

The list of insecticides cleared for use in Canadian crops now includes its first Group 30 chemistry, as BASF makes plans to launch it in new wireworm control products next year. BASF Canada Agricultural Solutions on Monday announced approval from Health Canada’s Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) for broflanilide, a GABA-gated chloride channel allosteric modulator. […] Read more

The United Nations’ General Assembly Hall in Manhattan. (BWZenith/iStock/Getty Images)

World Food Program seeking billions within six months to avert famine

Pandemic may double hunger worldwide, agency says

London | Reuters — The United Nations World Food Program (WFP) will need to raise US$6.8 billion over the next six months to avert famine amid the COVID-19 crisis, the agency said on Tuesday. The WFP, which was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize last week for its efforts to prevent the use of hunger as […] Read more