Russia’s invasion of Ukraine will have “very long-term impacts on global supplies” of some agricultural commodities, says the CEO of an Ontario company active in the agricultural seed sector in the eastern European nation. “Right now, (agricultural exporters) don’t have access to their ports,” explained Claire Cowan of North American Plant Genetics (NAPG). “And I […] Read more
Canadian company watches from afar as Ukrainian colleagues take shelter
‘Stacking’ of row-crop tillage shows promise
Three modes of action monitored in organic crop study
Using the same terminology employed by agrochemical manufacturers promoting the “stacking” of herbicide-resistant traits in seed, an organic-sector specialist from the University of Maine sees promise in multiple modes of mechanical weed control. Eric Gallandt spoke on integrated weed management at the Guelph Organic Conference. He is one of the co-originators, along with Iowa State […] Read more
Land spends half-century under expropriation shadow
Proposed Pickering airport lands have sat in limbo for 50 years
New generations of activists continue their vigil over farmland known as the Pickering airport lands, 50 years into the dispute, with decades more likely before a permanent decision is made. The original activists, a mix of environmentalists, farmland preservationists, free-love hippies and others that included then Toronto Mayor David Crombie, first took up their protest […] Read more
Research team aims to deliver antibody for pork E. coli through plants
AAFC and Western University scientists work with biotech start-up
Inspired by the success of a Belgian research team seeking a novel “immune therapy” approach to post-weaning diarrhea in pigs, a Canadian team is working to develop an antibody to prevent E. coli 0157:H7 that can be delivered to pigs through their feed. The work began more than five years ago after Agriculture and Agri-Food […] Read more
Federal government looks at climate impact of organic
AAFC officer says a coordinated approach is needed among governments
Organic agriculture is not mentioned specifically in the Canadian government’s Climate Action Plan but an officer with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) says she and her colleagues are working to understand how some countries have pinpointed organics as part of their response to climate change. “We have to change the way we’re measuring success,” said […] Read more
Eurasian Wild Boar captured north of Pickering
Natural resources ministry believes 14 animals escaped from farms
A sounder of Eurasian Wild Boar spotted numerous times in the Pickering Federal Lands and surrounding territory was captured and killed in early December, following a month-long pursuit by invasive species specialists from Ontario’s Ministry of Northern Development, Mines, Natural Resources and Forestry. “Our place was Operation Control Centre for (ministry staff) to finally get […] Read more
Formula refined to breed for dairy cow longevity
Advent of genomics lessens impact of ‘indirect herd health’
Lactanet has updated its indirect herd life evaluation formula, after adding metabolic disease resistance and fertility disorders to its bull proofs in Holstein, Jersey and Ayrshire. Indirect herd life was described in a recent Lactanet newsletter as “an early predictor of daughter survival (which) is calculated based on a formula that combines genetic evaluations for […] Read more
GEA software upgrades boost milking system’s cost effectiveness
Box time reduced by up to 26 seconds in new R9500 model
An upgraded version of German technology manufacturer GEA’s automated milking system, newly available in North America, allows producers to run up to four milking robots from one supply unit for power and water and decrease time-per-cow in the robot by up to 26 seconds. “We’re excited to help push farm efficiency even further,” said GEA […] Read more
Alfalfa autoxicity test would be useful tool
Not all factors behind autotoxicity are known but research is providing further answers
Research at Michigan State University (MSU) aims to develop a test to determine alfalfa autotoxicity in a field, similar to tests for detecting residual herbicide that could damage a crop. That same research could lead to breeding varieties with resistance to the condition. MSU Forage and Cover Crops Extension Specialist Kim Cassida covered the topic […] Read more
Forage management vital to achieve top-quality feed
Low-lignin alfalfa is a new tool that requires changes in harvest timing
Attendees at the recent 2021 Forage Focus webinars were reminded of knowledge gained from 1889 silage quality research and gained more contemporary insights from experts. Renato Schmidt discussed dry matter and quality losses during pre-ensiling and ensiling and Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs specialist Anita Heeg delivered a talk about understanding feed […] Read more
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