The emergence of a new canola gall midge in Ontario in 2021 has prompted researchers to re-assess swede midge data. The canola flower midge (CFM) was first noted in Western Canada in 2016. Researchers saw a significant number of midges bypass pheromone lures but also saw distinct canola gall injury. It was not the damage […] Read more
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Ontario confirms canola flower midge populations
New midge species could be native to North America
Food systems must transform: COP27
Climate change meeting emphasized the need to look at specific production systems
Glacier FarmMedia – Feeding eight billion people requires transformation of food systems, delegates to COP27 heard. Four initiatives to do that were announced at the most recent climate change conference held in Egypt. The conference noted the past year has been challenging. Thirty-seven million people face starvation in Africa after four consecutive droughts. Floods in […] Read more
Out of the box thinking required to evolve food system
Vertical farming, gene editing and cellular agriculture innovation can address consumer needs
Agricultural innovation and exponential growth will be necessary to meet environmental and consumer-driven market needs, according to Nourish Marketing Network’s 2023 Trends Report. In the past year, climate change came to the forefront, food inflation reached historic heights and consumers demanded action from brands, said Jo-Ann McArthur, Nourish Food Marketing president and lead author of […] Read more
Ontario farmers gather once again post-pandemic
OFA annual meeting held in new host city and offered grassroots discussions
Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) president and Thunder Bay-area dairy farmer Peggy Brekveld was re-elected to a third one-year term at the organization’s recent annual meeting. The meeting, held for the first time in London, was the OFA’s first in person in three years. Of the 26 resolutions brought forward to the OFA board from […] Read more
Editorial: Smoke and mirrors
Do more with less” is without a doubt the overarching theme for Canadian agriculture in 2022. Although that exact phrase may not always be used, its sentiment has been consistent. Farmers and those working in the agriculture industry have been bombarded with information and commentary about how the climate is in crisis, and that they […] Read more
U.S. threatens legal steps over Mexico’s planned GMO corn ban
Planned ban would see imports of yellow corn cut in half
Glacier FarmMedia – The United States threatened legal action Nov. 28 against Mexico’s plan to ban imports of genetically modified corn in 2024, saying it would cause huge economic losses and significantly impact bilateral trade. The countries are already in dispute resolution talks over Mexican energy policies, which the United States argues violates the U.S.-Mexico-Canada […] Read more
Drainage company issues challenge to flood food banks with donations
A pipeline for food donation is being laid by Bluewater Pipe, its drainage contractors, clients, and food producers. Tony Kime, Bluewater Pipe president, has set aside a five-figure amount to match donations from contributors but is also inviting his two competitors to join in the giving. “That would mean three of us were putting money […] Read more
Student scholarships available
The Kemptville College Alumni Association is offering two $1,000 scholarships to post-secondary students studying agriculture and food. One $1,000 scholarship will be awarded to a student in their second year of study in an agriculture-related program at an accredited post-secondary institution. One $1,000 scholarship with be awarded to a student in their second year of […] Read more
How mixing farms with forests can help nations reach net zero
Planting trees on working farms can curb emissions, boost income but money and time are barriers
Thomson Reuters Foundation – Stephen Briggs popped open his pocket knife, carved a wedge from a small pink and green apple and took a bite. “Those are ready,” he said, looking at a nearby apple tree, one of 4,500 planted in neat rows through wheat fields on his farm near Peterborough, in eastern England. The […] Read more
Opinion: Farmers can play a role in staving off political stupidity
Glacier FarmMedia – When democracy works, politicians of all stripes have lots of opportunities to stave off stupidity. This is the sort of policy stupidity they might commit when in power if they weren’t clued in to the nightmarish consequences of their actions. To help with that, farm and other organizations work hard to provide […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
