Laura Van Eerd shows the difference between corn grown on cover-cropped soil versus non-cover-cropped soil in this composite photo.

Long-term Ontario studies show value of cover crops

Boosting organic matter in soils proved to boost profit margins and reduce yield variation year to year

A series of long-term studies in southern Ontario are showing the value of cover crops and boosting soil organic matter. When combining data across experiments and research stations, University of Guelph soil scientist Laura Van Eerd said researchers consistently saw higher corn and soybean yields correlate to higher soil organic matter. Van Eerd spoke during […] Read more

A Manitoba start-up says blockchain is the future of the food supply chain.

Blockchain basics

A Manitoba start-up aims to bring blockchain to the agriculture sector

Glacier FarmMedia – The word “blockchain” may more readily conjure the image of cryptocurrency than of oats and pulses, but experts say blockchain’s future in food transparency and other ag application is a given. “I think we’re going to see some form of blockchain or digital ledger underpin food systems in the future,” said Chris […] Read more



A zoning agreement could allow pigs from an area of the country that isn’t affected by disease to continue exporting.

Canada, EU agree to zoning rules on African swine fever

Zoning principles were already in place through CETA, and what will change is unclear

Glacier FarmMedia – Canada and Europe have agreed to new zoning arrangements in case African swine fever is discovered in Canada, but it’s not clear what will actually change. Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Marie-Claude Bibeau made the announcement in early July. The agreement would allow for safe trade of swine products from disease-free zones […] Read more

A macrophage (immune response) cell in early stages of infection with African swine fever virus, magnified about 1,000x. (Keith Weller photo courtesy ARS/USDA)

Canada, EU agree to swine fever zoning rules

Canada and Europe have agreed to new zoning arrangements in a case of African swine fever outbreak, but it’s not clear what will actually change. The agreement, which Agriculture Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau announced Wednesday. would allow for safe trade of swine products from disease-free zones if a case of ASF is found. Zoning principles applying […] Read more