International computer systems company IBM is moving further into the agriculture industry. It recently announced the global expansion of Watson Decision Platform for Agriculture in May in an effort to make weather a more predictable business consideration. IBM is combining predictive technology from The Weather Company, which it acquired in 2016 and Internet of Things […] Read more
IBM expands artificial intelligence platform into agriculture
Growers, food companies and agribusiness can boost production with better availability of weather data
Unseeded acreage benefits available for farmers with unfit land
Wet and cool soil conditions left many fields unplanted this spring season
[UPDATED: June 27, 2019] Farmers with unseeded acreage will have serious decisions to make by July 5, Agricorp’s unseeded acreage deadline. Agricorp’s unseeded acreage benefit (USAB) was made for years like this, but it luckily has rarely been needed. Why it matters: Many fields in Ontario are not yet planted. Unseeded acreage due to problematic […] Read more
Small ruminant market prices remain high
Greater Toronto Area has high demand, but there’s little growing supply to meet it
Market prices for small ruminants have been steadily high for the past few years. The demand is there but the supply is not. Dirk Boogerd, producer and Ontario Goat chair milks 500 goats east of Embro and he’s noticed the usual post-Easter price drop has been slower than previous years. He says many producers are […] Read more
Western Bean Cutworm trapping network expands
Western Bean Cutworm Trap Network includes more pests, larger geographic coverage and new name
The growing success of the Western Bean Cutworm Trap Network, and issues with other corn pests across Eastern Canada, led to the expansion and renaming of the network, now known as the Great Lakes and Maritimes Pest Monitoring Network. Why it matters: The trap network enables OMAFRA and participants to monitor peak flight timing of […] Read more
Waterhemp difficult to distinguish from pigweed
Using herbicide programs effective on pigweed, should cover waterhemp too, so far
Waterhemp and pigweed species are difficult to differentiate, until they become larger – often past the ideal stage to control the waterhemp species. Mike Cowbrough, weed specialist with OMAFRA, says the herbicide programs identified by the University of Guelph Ridgetown campus, which are effective on waterhemp are equally effective on pigweed and other species. “There […] Read more
Senate committee hears that soils need new priority
Soil experts testify that the federal government should take a greater role in soil research and data management
The Senate committee on Agriculture and Forestry recently heard that agricultural soil is declining, and the issue needs more attention from the federal government. Five presenters, including several from Ontario, told the committee that trends to less tillage have declined as crop prices have generally been strong and farms have grown larger. Why it matters: […] Read more
Researcher looks at turkey management and bird health
Changed management practices should aid in turkey welfare
Emily Leishman, a PhD candidate with the University of Guelph hopes to understand housing and management practices on turkey farms as part of her doctoral research. She is investigating the association between housing and management, and footpad dermatitis and aggressive pecking. Why it matters: There are no studies outlining the severity of footpad dermatitis (FPD) […] Read more
The DON year and dairy feed
Dairy farmers have had to manage higher mycotoxin levels in feed after last harvest. Here’s how they did it
Dairy farmers faced challenges dealing with mould in corn in 2018, as crop farmers dealt with the widespread DON outbreak. Dairy animals can manage mould levels in small doses but once levels reach a certain point, the feed becomes toxic. Why it matters: Mouldy feeds can typically cause performance losses of five to 10 per […] Read more
Local anesthetic and pain control show greatest calf comfort
University of Guelph study looked at reducing animal stress
A University of Guelph study has found that using a combined local anesthetic and pain reliever when dehorning young calves will reduce the animals’ stress. The study involved use of caustic paste for dehorning, a method that is becoming more common for disbudding dairy calves. However, there is little available research into controlling the animals’ […] Read more
Canadian Pork Excellence launched after five-year review
After some backlash from producers and a pilot test period, the program is better adapted for pork producers across Canada
In December of 2014 the Canadian Pork Council decided to update and review the Canadian Quality Assurance (CQA) program to continue supplying foreign markets with high quality Canadian pork. Five years and an extensive process later, on April 1, Canadian Pork Excellence (CPE) was launched. It is a national platform demonstrating Canadian pork producers’ commitment […] Read more
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