When Health Canada updated Canada’s Food Guide in January 2019, it was markedly different than previous guides. Unlike previous editions that focused on food ‘groups’ such as dairy, meat, grains, fat, vegetables and fruit, it categorizes food into nutritional categories such as ‘protein’ and ‘fibre’. Rather than dictating how many servings a citizen should consume […] Read more
News
Editorial: Despite good intentions, FOP labels could do more harm than good
Opinion: Stepping ever closer to world hunger
While Ukraine can export a lot of grain, it’s not being allowed to do so
A month ago, a photo of a peasant household in one of the villages of northern Ukraine, liberated from Russian troops, was spread around social networks. It showed the occupiers had deliberately scattered grain over dirt so that it could not be used. I have already talked about the huge losses suffered by Ukrainian farmers […] Read more
Lisa Thompson returns as Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs
Lisa Thompson was visibly emotional while swearing her oath to the 2022 Ontario Cabinet on June 24. During her short 12 months as Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, the Huron-Bruce MPP dealt with several sector challenges, including drought conditions in northwestern Ontario, agri-food labour shortage challenges and processing capacity issues. Why it matters: […] Read more
Bringing dairy data together in new ways
Researchers hope to establish Canada-wide network to collect and store records
Milk quality and heat detection are the top-of-mind benefits for dairy producers from the data that’s available when upgrading milking equipment to include sensors. But dairy geneticists can also benefit from on-farm sensor data to develop new tools for producers that can fine-tune breeding programs and make milk production more sustainable. Why it matters: The […] Read more
Insect issues appear for Ontario growers
OMAFRA Field Crop Report for the week of June 20
Cereal leaf beetle (CLB) populations have reached threshold in some spring cereal fields this week. CLB larvae and adults feed on the tissue between leaf veins, leaving long scratch marks that can make plants appear silver or frosted from a distance. Before boot stage, the threshold is an average of three larvae per tiller. One CLB […] Read more
Producers want recognition for climate efforts
MPs were told farmers should be part of solution, not penalized for emissions
Glacier FarmMedia – Canada’s grain farmers want to be acknowledged for their contributions to climate solutions rather than vilified for emissions, the standing committee on agriculture heard during recent testimony. Susie Miller, executive director of the Canadian Roundtable for Sustainable Crops, said more than 600 farmers with whom the organization consulted said they want recognition […] Read more
Network supports agricultural automation innovation
CAAIN funds ‘plant to pint’ traceability project
The first “plant to pint” commercial traceability system using blockchain technology was recently unveiled in Canada. Grain Discovery can capture every input, movement, process and touchpoint from multiple sources into a shared digital ledger that follows the barley plant from the field to its eventual appearance as beer in a pint glass. The innovative Ontario […] Read more
Weather forecaster uses many sources
New system gathers information from sensors, national forecasters and machine learning to localize forecasts
Glacier FarmMedia – California-based Benchmark Labs uses Internet of Things weather sensors, information from national forecasters and machine learning to improve local weather forecasts for farmers. Carlos Gaitan, chief executive officer of Benchmark Labs, said the new system was designed with growers of specialty crops in mind so they can adjust quickly to imminent weather […] Read more
PAWS regulations updated for dogs
New standards of care for outdoor dogs come into effect July 1
Owners of outdoor and Livestock Guardian Dogs (LGDs) have more to keep track of this summer. The Provincial Animal Welfare Services Act (PAWS) has updated standards of care for outdoor dogs and they come into effect July 1. They may require some producers to adjust their animals’ housing and care regime. Why it matters: The […] Read more
New CRISPR-Combo boosts genome editing power in plants
Science Notes: Ability to edit, change multiple genes at once explored
CRISPR-CAS9 technology made it possible for scientists to change the genetic code of living organisms. Although revolutionary, the tool has its limitations. Like the first cell phones that could only perform one function, the original CRISPR method can perform one function: removing or replacing genes in a genetic sequence. Later iterations of CRISPR were developed […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
