Ontario soybean yields proof of crop resilience

Ontario soybean yields proof of crop resilience

Despite a difficult spring and early summer, the crop could set a new provincial record for average yield

After struggling though tough early-season conditions, Ontario’s 2024 soybean crop delivered a surprisingly good average yield, perhaps edging into record territory.



Study ties hay/pasture conversion to biodiversity loss

Study ties hay/pasture conversion to biodiversity loss

Study draws on census data, AAFC land-cover analysis overlaid with avian population estimates

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.




The BRICS group, which comprises major wheat exporters and importers, wants to create a new international grain exchange.

‘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

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.