Glacier FarmMedia – There are a surprising number of purple foods. There are purple potatoes, eggplants, grapes, cabbages, carrots, saskatoons and blackberries, though the latter may be more black than purple. Next year, another food can be added to the list — purple tomatoes. In early September, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) said a […] Read more
U.S. gives green light to purple tomatoes
Purple tomato varieties already exist, but antioxidant levels are low because the colour is only in the skin of the fruit
‘Sticks’ needed to improve soil health, Senate told
Committee begins hearings as it launches first soil study since senator Herb Sparrow released Soil at Risk report in 1984
Glacier FarmMedia – If the federal government and Canada’s agriculture industry want to get serious about soil preservation and soil health, rules and regulations may be necessary, said two speakers who addressed the Senate committee for agriculture and forestry Sept. 22. Cedric MacLeod, executive director of the Canadian Forage and Grassland Association, along with Don […] Read more
Farmer surveys may cease in 2026
Statistics Canada says surveys may be replaced by technology
Glacier FarmMedia – By 2026, Statistics Canada (StatsCan) may stop asking producers about their planting intentions, how many people they employ and other questions about their on-farm activities. StatsCan will continue to publish data on crops, livestock and adoption of new technology, so the agriculture industry knows what’s happening on Canadian farms. But the agency […] Read more
University of Guelph scientist slams fertilizer emissions plan
Financial incentives and more cost-effective testing for researchers and farmers is needed, he says
Glacier FarmMedia – A scientist from the University of Guelph says the federal government is rushing its plan to cut greenhouse gas emissions from nitrogen fertilizer. Other scientists are concerned the plan could contribute to the urban/rural divide where city dwellers view farmers as bad guys who are trying to destroy the planet. Why it […] Read more
Regenerative agriculture reaches a crossroads
The jury is still out on whether the production philosophy will become a niche brand or a mainstream practice
Glacier FarmMedia – In early August, Prince Charles gave his stamp of approval to regenerative agriculture. While addressing an international soil conference held in Glasgow, the Prince of Wales said regenerative farming is the future of food production. “We have to be proactive in encouraging regenerative agriculture, with a diversity of plants and of grazing […] Read more
Winnipeg lab designated for African swine fever
World Organization for Animal Health designates CFIA facility as a reference laboratory to deal with the disease if it appears
Glacier FarmMedia – Canada now has a laboratory officially recognized as a world leader in African swine fever (ASF). The World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) said last month that the National Centre for Foreign Animal Disease in Winnipeg will be a reference laboratory to deal with ASF. “(Reference laboratories) are internationally recognized centres of […] Read more
Scientists urged to help fight misinformation
Agricultural researchers say there is a risk extremists can take over the debate if they don’t participate in the public arena
Glacier FarmMedia – Chris Clark has told the story more than once. The associate dean at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine in Saskatoon frequently spoke to the media in the early 2000s, when BSE was a national issue in Canada. One day, a reporter from B.C. called him, wanting to check facts about Canada’s […] Read more
Comment: Funding won’t stop climate change
Glacier FarmMedia – On Canada’s Agriculture Day (Feb. 22), the federal government made a major funding announcement to help farmers fight climate change. Agriculture minister Marie-Claude Bibeau said the feds would provide $182.7 million in “direct support to farmers” to encourage the adoption of cover crops, rotational grazing and improving management of nitrogen. These farm practices, […] Read more
Red meat trade with EU remains nearly one-way street
Canadian livestock producers not seeing benefit from CETA
Glacier FarmMedia – The red meat trade between Canada and the European Union was tilted significantly in favour of Europe in 2021, based on Agriculture Canada data for the first 10 months of that year. From January to October, European companies shipped $257 million worth of pork and beef to Canada. Most of that was […] Read more
Federal gene editing policy expected soon
Those opposing the technology have delayed policy development
Glacier FarmMedia – Health Canada is expected to soon publish guidance on how gene-edited crops will be regulated. It appears the department will treat gene-edited crops differently from genetically modified (transgenic) crops, which means the oversight of gene-edited crops could be closer to conventionally bred crops. Gene editing is often described as removing or altering […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
