Steady growth in demand for domestic organic food is set to accelerate in the post-COVID reality, according to those who participated in the recent virtual version of the Guelph Organic Conference. A new initiative of the Canadian Organic Growers (COG), funded through the federal government, aims to facilitate bringing additional Canadian acres under organic certification. […] Read more
News — page 337
Project aims to study organic value chains
Scale of operation and how it fits with organics is a key consideration
Investment aims to boost soybean processing
$27.3 million committed to capture larger share of global plant protein market.
Protein Industries Canada (PIC) and several collaborators have committed to developing domestic processing for made-in-Canada food-grade soybeans varieties. Plans for a Canadian soybean processing facility, and an accompanying soybean variety development initiative, were announced in a March 18 media presentation. PIC is contributing $7.3 million to the project, with an additional $20 million being committed […] Read more
Fertilizer stewardship program gains momentum
Industry hopes to have 15 million acres under 4R plan by 2025
Glacier FarmMedia – Fertilizer Canada is well on its way to achieving its goal of having 15 million acres under the 4R Nutrient Stewardship program by 2025. The voluntary program reported almost four million verified acres in 2020. That is out of a total of 87.8 million acres of Canadian cropland. Why it matters: The […] Read more
Is synthetic meat a friend or foe of livestock?
University of Guelph researchers looking for input from livestock farmers
Bill Gates’ latest book discussing ways to tackle climate change hit the shelves on Feb. 16. In it, he urges wealthy countries to give up beef and switch to 100 per cent synthetic alternatives – a concept that quickly got him trending on Twitter as people grappled with the idea. So what exactly is synthetic […] Read more
Cricket frass has bio-stimulant properties
A&L Biological Inc., a subsidiary of A&L Canada Laboratories Inc., is going to research and develop products from cricket frass. The Aspire Food Group is building a cricket production and processing facility in London. Frass contains a wide range of nutrients in readily-available form that are necessary for plant development and soil health, in addition […] Read more
Dissecting China’s hunger for corn
Surprising volumes of corn were bought by China in 2020, supporting prices
Analysts are debating whether China’s huge 2020-21 corn and wheat purchases are an anomaly. Dan Basse, president of AgResource Company, is firmly in the camp that they are not a one-off episode. Why it matters: Foundational shifts in global commodity demand can have long-term impacts on prices and uses of crops. “It looks like China […] Read more
New three-year partnership to help 4-H
4-H Canada and BASF Canada Agricultural Solutions (BASF) recently announced a renewed partnership, which is designed to help youth leaders make positive contributions to their communities and advocate for important issues. The renewed partnership is effective from 2021–2023. It will see BASF continue as the lead partner of 4-H Canada’s Community Engagement & Communications Pillar […] Read more
European innovations aim to capture waste from cows
There’s a lot of research on feed additives to reduce methane output, but collection devices are starting to show up
European inventors are coming up with what might seem outlandish ways to manage emissions from cattle — collecting the emissions and excretions from both ends. In late 2020, the United Kingdom-based Zero Emissions Livestock Project (ZELP) announced its efforts to equip cattle with halters harbouring a methane-converting fan and filter system. Why it matters: Consumer […] Read more
Gene-edited crops suffer in information war
Consumers continue to confuse gene editing with genetic modification
Glacier FarmMedia – Canadians don’t know much, or think much, about gene-edited crops. But when asked about the technology, one phrase pops up: genetically modified organisms. Last summer, CropLife Canada hired a polling firm to gauge public knowledge and perceptions about gene-edited crops. Why it matters: How gene-edited crops are regulated around the world will […] Read more
Butter expert group named
The group consists of nutrition, animal health and food science experts and will set its own scope
A working group of cross-Canadian experts has been named to look into the concerns about the use of palm fat and its effect on butter quality. The 13 members of the working group include experts in nutrition, both human and dairy cow, fatty acids and their composition, along with milk handling. Why it matters: Concern expressed […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
