Research conducted by the Canadian Wildlife Federation, aimed at highlighting the “threatened” status of the Eastern Meadowlark on Ontario’s Species at Risk list, draws on Census of Agriculture data and land-cover analysis from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, overlaid with avian population estimates from the Ontario Breeding Bird Atlas organization.
Crops — page 28
Study ties hay/pasture conversion to biodiversity loss
Study draws on census data, AAFC land-cover analysis overlaid with avian population estimates
Only small changes in latest AAFC estimates
There were only small changes to the updated supply/demand estimates from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) released Nov. 19. All of the other data in the AAFC report were carried over from its October report.
Canadian agriculture minister visits China
MacAulay in China week of Nov. 11
The Canadian government confirmed on Nov. 19 that Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Lawrence MacAulay met with Chinese officials to discuss the canola trade between the two countries. This came about a week after rumours in the media began swirling about the trip.
‘Wheat OPEC’ idea faces uphill battle
Analysts say proposed BRICS grain exchange is doomed to fail; compare it to similar initiatives attempted in the past
Russia’s proposal to create a new international grain exchange was recently approved by the BRICS group of countries at a summit in Russia. BRICS is an intergovernmental organization comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia and the United Arab Emirates. It includes some of the world’s biggest crop importers and exporters.
Soil’s secret language
Researchers decode plant-to-fungi communication
University of Toronto researchers have cracked the code of plant-to-fungi communication in a new study using baker’s yeast. The researchers discovered that the plant hormone strigolactone activates fungal genes and proteins associated with phosphate metabolism, a system that is key to plant growth.
Cash-strapped US farmers switch to generic crop chemicals, in blow to big manufacturers
U.S. farmers struggling with slumping incomes and depressed grain prices have been switching to cheaper generic pesticides and fungicides as they plan for spring planting next year, which market analysts said could hit the bottom lines of agrichemical companies like Bayer.
New phosphorus reduction program receives $17.41 million from Canada Water Agency
A new funding program is available for landowners looking to introduce or expand agricultural best management practices (BMPs) on their properties. The Thames River Phosphorus Reduction Program promotes the adoption of a variety of BMPs that are proven to reduce losses of phosphorus from agricultural lands. These practices not only improve the water quality of […] Read more
Matt Hooyer joins SeCan
Matt Hooyer has been appointed SeCan’s Product Development Lead for eastern Canada. Matt joins SeCan after working in product development and soybean breeding with Syngenta the past 13 years. There, he worked on both food-grade and traited soybeans. In his new role at SeCan, he will be responsible for product development and providing support to […] Read more
From food waste to protein in six days
Entosystem’s insect rearing technology turns food waste into animal protein and frass fertilizer
Entosystem’s plant in Drummondville can process 90,000 tonnes of organic matter a year, turning it into 5,000 tonnes of high quality protein meal suitable for aquaculture and poultry feed. The company also sells whole black soldier fly larvae as chicken treats for backyard flocks.
USDA lowers U.S. soybean/corn yield estimates
There were a few tweaks to the latest monthly report from the United States Department of Agriculture released on Nov. 8. The World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates not only lowered yields for U.S. corn and soybeans, the department reduced the ending stocks for both.
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
