Hedgerows have been a critical part of the landscape in Devon, England, for a very long time. They act as shelter for livestock, buffers against inclement weather, refuge and corridors for wildlife and a connection to the area’s historical human story. In some ways, however, modern production demands and government response to environmental problems have […] Read more
A bustle in the hedgerow
Managing hedgerows in Devon, U.K. under pressure
Lakeshore-area farmers receive conservation award
Couple awarded for their efforts to preserve soil and water
Lakeshore-area farm couple Clayton Armstrong and Susan Iatonna are recipients of the latest Essex Region Conservation Authority Conservation Farm Award. Armstrong and Iatonna were lauded for a number of actions in pursuit of greener production. The award is given to farmers who display a range of environmentally minded farming practices. The award was presented at […] Read more
Where are public sector gene editing projects?
Regulatory differences and lack of funding constrain gene editing in academic research
In 2022, Health Canada and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada announced that crop varieties developed with gene editing technology will not be subject to the same regulatory requirements as genetically modified organisms. Though many within the agriculture industry praised the decision as a win for crop breeders, and Canadians more generally, some academic researchers question whether […] Read more
Ukrainians in Canadian Agriculture: Terry Youzwa
Saskatchewan farmer and volunteer shares his heritage and culture
Terry Youzwa’s family has been farming in Saskatchewan for generations and they’ve been sharing their Ukrainian history and culture the entire time. Youzwa is the third generation of his family to farm on the Canadian Prairies. His son Zak is the fourth and grandson Andriy a potential fifth. Now growing canola, wheat, oats, peas, faba […] Read more
Canadians trust farmers despite high food costs — for now
How farmers have maintained, and could risk, public trust
Rising food prices have been drawing the ire of the Canadian public, but the bulk of that frustration and anger is not directed at farmers. Not yet, at least. Food retailers are viewed unfavourably, but farmers remain one of the most trusted demographics in the food system. That trust is at risk. Why it matters: […] Read more
Opinion: Recognizing our mixed environmental record
Cancelation of Chatham-Kent’s woodlot-removal moratorium should spur reflection, not victory cheers
The Municipality of Chatham-Kent recently removed a bylaw prohibiting farmers from clear cutting areas of tree cover above a quarter acre in size. Many in the area’s agriculture community have expressed support for the bylaw’s removal. Some pursued its cancellation with the argument that farmers have historically been good stewards of the land. That argument […] Read more
Needed: a long-term vision for Canadian agriculture
Greater collaboration, consultation, and issue ownership required to manage major disruption, says report
What does Canada’s agriculture and food sector need to do to insulate itself from major disruptions? According to the latest Canadian Agri-Food Policy Institute (CAPI) report “A Toolbox for Managing Crises,” farmers, federal policy makers, and everyone in between needs to stop working in isolation to extinguish individual fires, and adopt a more dynamic approach […] Read more
Ukrainians in Canadian agriculture: Yevgen Mykhaylichenko
This professor lends his technology integration skills to Olds College students
Yevgen Mykhaylichenko is trying to bring more autonomous systems to Canadian agriculture, and he’s using knowledge acquired abroad to do it. Splitting his time between academia and the Ukrainian front line, the Ukrainian professor and Olds College technology integration specialist works with a wide range of digital technologies and hardware. On frequent visits to Ukraine, […] Read more
Maintaining first-responder numbers a challenge for rural communities
But some fire and health service providers have found opportunities despite challenges
Rural first responders face a difficult task trying to cover large portions of the province with little staff, growing recruitment challenges, and in some places, growing populations. It’s not all doom and gloom, though. Some fire and paramedic services have found opportunity and success amid challenges and pressure on emergency response systems. Why it matters: […] Read more
White mould troubling for some regions
Mixed impact on soybean crop, but greater damage on dry beans
Wet and warm summer weather brings two things to southwestern Ontario: mosquitoes and disease pressure. Both were abundant during an early September Pioneer soybean plot tour in Essex County. For Emma Epp, certified crop advisor, co-owner of Epp Ag Solutions near Leamington, and host of the plot tour, the main enemy in 2023 has been […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
