Glacier FarmMedia – Sept. 30 marks the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, a day meant to honour the children who never returned home and the survivors of residential schools, as well as their families and communities. Many people haven’t learned the history of residential schools because it wasn’t part of school curricula until recently […] Read more
News — page 258
Opinion: The path to reconciliation can start by reading some good books
There is some excellent fiction and non-fiction that opens the door to history — and understanding
Farmer surveys may cease in 2026
Statistics Canada says surveys may be replaced by technology
Glacier FarmMedia – By 2026, Statistics Canada (StatsCan) may stop asking producers about their planting intentions, how many people they employ and other questions about their on-farm activities. StatsCan will continue to publish data on crops, livestock and adoption of new technology, so the agriculture industry knows what’s happening on Canadian farms. But the agency […] Read more
Fish versus farms on the Faroes
How a North Atlantic community has remained self-sufficient in agriculture for 10 centuries
In Canada and indeed in most western countries, agriculture usually struggles to be heard and understood by a largely urban public that has little idea of where their food comes from. In the Faroe Islands, a collection of 18 islands located midway between Scotland, Iceland and Norway in the North Atlantic, the fight for agriculture […] Read more
Opinion: Is fake meat healthy? And what’s actually in it?
It can be more environmentally sustainable but not all effects are clear
The popularity of plant-based proteins, or “fake meat,” has increased in recent years as consumers look to eat fewer animal products. Many consumers believe these fake meats are better for their health, as well as better for the environment, but is that right? It may sound obvious, but the first thing to say is that […] Read more
Funding, quality industry programs play a big part in on-farm beef sector investments
Cow-calf producers say programs offer benefits, and encourage others to take part
Doug Shelswell loves a good farm program. Whether it improves his bottom line, increases consumer confidence or supports farm growth, he’s on it. “Programs? We’re basically on them all; RMP for grains and livestock, we’re in AgriInvest, but we’re not in AgriStability because we have enough things on the go with our losses spread out […] Read more
Innovative land-based shrimp farm built on circular economy
German company successful due to co-locating near sewage plant
In the years leading up to the start of the pandemic, land-based shrimp farming in Ontario was gaining attention as a potentially new and growing food production sector. However, high production costs, difficulties sourcing hatchlings, and production challenges eventually combined to dash the hopes of most budding shrimp farmers in Ontario and other parts of […] Read more
Pregnancy testing technology for sheep producers being examined
The ability to get results without veterinarians or specialized equipment coming to farms near no one
Glacier FarmMedia – Researchers are working to place some of the complex technology found in veterinary laboratories into handheld devices that will allow producers to more easily diagnose pregnancies in sheep. The project aims to create a device about the size of a facial tissue box that will take blood samples and test them to […] Read more
Soil freeze and thaw spike nitrous oxide emissions
Science Notes: Computer simulation aims to determine hotspots
Nitrous oxide (N2O) may be much less abundant in the atmosphere than carbon dioxide (CO2), but it is 300 times more potent. University of Illinois and University of Minnesota have documented an overlooked but crucial timeframe for nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions in U.S. Midwest agricultural systems: the non-growing season. “Nitrous oxide emissions from agricultural soils […] Read more
Made-in-Ontario fertilizer solutions to receive funding
The Ontario government announced it’s investing up to $2 million over two years in the Fertilizer Accelerating Solutions & Technology Challenge. This funding will support made-in-Ontario solutions to increase the availability of fertilizer options, alternatives and technology to farmers in the province. The goal of the challenge is to “incent agri-businesses and industry to research, […] Read more
Fertilizer emissions: it’s in the details
Technical discussion now begin on proposed emissions reductions plans for agriculture in Canada
Glacier FarmMedia – The federal Liberal government’s online consultation on its proposed 30 per cent reduction of nitrous oxide emissions closed Aug. 31 but the issue will continue to be examined during technical discussions beginning this month. The issue became politicized through the summer as Conservative MPs referred to it as an impending fertilizer ban […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
