Hensall Co-op has surpassed $1 billion in annual sales for the first time in its 85-year history. It also celebrated another milestone, marking the first full year of operation for its new chilled ready meals line. The achievements were announced at the co-op’s annual meeting Nov. 30. Why it matters: The farmer-owned co-op has more […] Read more
Hensall Co-op tops $1 billion in sales for first time
First full year of operation for ready-made meals division helps tip the scale
Guelph Organic Conference returns to in-person sessions
New organizers offer more sessions for farms and market gardens, virtual content also offered
After two years of virtual-only programming and two years of gradual transition into full hosting and organizing duties, the Organic Council of Ontario will welcome Canada’s organic sector to the 42nd annual Guelph Organic Conference Jan. 23-29. “Last year, we took over the virtual programming,” said executive director Carolyn Young, noting the annual event was […] Read more
Silage growers urged to protect feed supply from Bt-resistant corn rootworm
Pest has caused significant yield loss in both Canada and the U.S.
Some livestock producers in the U.S. corn belt have had to make a difficult and costly decision. They’ve harvested their silage corn for grain to salvage some financial return. Now a provincial entomologist says Ontario producers may face the same decision if resistance to the Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) trait in corn continues to grow. Bt-resistant […] Read more
Targeting improvements in calf health, welfare, antibiotic use
University of Guelph research shows Canadian dairy producers doing well but there is room for improvement
Calves can represent the future of the herd or provide an additional income stream for dairy farms, so it’s important that health challenges are kept to a minimum. Based on recent research at the University of Guelph, dairy farmers in Canada can take pride in the way they manage, house and care for replacement and […] Read more
Non-supply-managed poultry sector gets avian influenza support
Newly announced CAP program offers help for biosecurity enhancements
Poultry producers outside of Ontario’s supply-managed poultry sector can now apply for funding to fend off the risk of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). On Nov. 24, the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs announced up to $1.5 million in cost-share funding through the federal-provincial Canadian Agricultural Partnership “to help non-supply-managed poultry operations […] Read more
Bulk tank testing confirms leukosis prevalence on Ontario dairy farms
Second round of sampling expected this fall
A project aims to provide producers with an accurate assessment of leukosis risk on their farm and provide assurance that the industry can respond quickly to a major disease outbreak. University of Guelph professor David Kelton provided an update on the ongoing program, which is funded by Dairy Farmers of Ontario. The $460,000 initiative, launched […] Read more
Researchers target robot-specific effects on health, milk quality
Automated milking systems focus of numerous University of Guelph studies
Researchers at the University of Guelph are focusing on milking robots as they dive into ongoing studies of milk quality and dairy cow health. Results of several studies on the effects of automated milking systems were presented at the Dairy at Guelph showcase held Nov. 2 at the university’s arboretum. Why it matters: As automated […] Read more
Transgenic corn touted for dairy feed efficiency
Originally developed for the U.S. ethanol industry, Syngenta’s Enogen could benefit dairy producers
A transgenic corn variety originally developed for the United States ethanol industry is being officially launched by Syngenta in Canada in 2023 for cattle feed. The Enogen line of hybrids contains a bacteria-derived transgene that produces alpha amylase, a naturally occurring enzyme that speeds the breakdown of starch. Since its introduction in the U.S. in […] Read more
Canadian pork producers have voice at U.S. Supreme Court
Joint submission filed in appeal of California’s Proposition 12
The voice of pork producers across Canada was heard Oct. 11 as the United States Supreme Court began hearing arguments against California’s controversial Proposition 12. The law, initially approved by the state’s voters in 2018, governs the management and housing of any farm livestock – within California’s boundaries and beyond – that are sold as […] Read more
COFS co-founder Doug Wagner retires
Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show president was also instrumental in launching western Canada’s Ag in Motion
It may have seemed like a conventional progression as Doug Wagner worked his way through a career in promoting agricultural innovation but, as he prepared to retire on Oct. 31, he was struck by comments from one colleague who pointed out how unconventional it actually is. After moving from a post-University of Guelph job with […] Read more
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