Consumers took a more active role in sourcing locally produce protein when COVID-19 exposed challenges in the food supply chain. Why it matters: The pandemic has accelerated the interest in local food, creating opportunities for farmers. Mike Dougherty, along with his mom Suzy and brother Doug had been steadily growing their 50-acre grass-fed and finished […] Read more
News — page 345
COVID-19 spurs direct marketing growth
Consumer desire to source local food a cash-cow for on-farm direct marketing businesses
Artificial ingredients could reach dairy market first
The dairy sector will have challenges coming soon, especially as they relate to artificially created dairy proteins. Evan Fraser, director of the Arrell Food Institute at the University of Guelph, told the recent Dairy Farmers of Ontario annual meeting that there will be several issues for dairy farmers and regulators to grapple with. A San […] Read more
Feed additive in development to reduce food safety risks
Plant-based vaccine could be less expensive to produce to control E. coli
Technology that can produce vaccines and antibodies in plant leaves is being put to work in the livestock industry in hopes of preventing the development of a pathogen that causes food-borne illness in people. PlantForm Corporation has launched a new research project with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) and Western University in London to target […] Read more
New class of antibiotics found to fight antimicrobial resistance
Science Notes: WHO has declared AMR as one of the top 10 global public health threats
Wistar Institute scientists have discovered a new class of compounds that uniquely combine direct antibiotic killing of pan drug-resistant bacterial pathogens with a simultaneous rapid immune response for combatting antimicrobial resistance (AMR). These findings were published in December in Nature. The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared AMR as one of the top 10 global […] Read more
City eyes Welland farmer’s land for expropriation, future industrial use
Urban dwellers come to Marsha Rempel’s defense
A family-owned farm within the City of Welland is fighting back after it was threatened with a third round of expropriation. This time, the entire farm could be taken, after two portions were lost to railways in the last century. Why it matters: All three general farm organizations in Ontario have identified the loss of […] Read more
Seven to be inducted into the Ontario Agricultural Hall of Fame
The inductees cover areas of agriculture including beef, food, government, crops and veterinary
In 2021, seven agricultural leaders will be inducted into Ontario Agricultural Hall of Fame. Their influences range from general farm organization, beef industry and industry tribunal leadership to agricultural extension, agricultural law and improvements to animal welfare, horticultural and agronomy. Stan Eby, Roger George, Herbert Norry, Delbert O’Brien, the late Terry O’Connor, Dr. Peter Sikkema […] Read more
Protesting farmers key to edible oil growth in India
Billions of dollars of oilseeds are imported, but there aren’t subsidies for domestic crops
Indian farmer Shingara Singh has grown grain for 35 years and is one of thousands of protesters against agricultural reforms who have the power to help slash a huge annual bill of US$10 billion for imports of vegetable oils. But Singh, 55, says he will only switch to growing oilseeds, such as rapeseed and sunflower, […] Read more
Data, today’s hottest commodity
Collecting information today can be useful for reasons that have not yet even been considered
It seems like the agriculture sector produces more data than commodities these days. Realizing the full potential of that data, however, requires more robust programming. In other words, growers need better tools to manage more aspects of crop production, while simultaneously knowing which ones require more focus. Why it matters: More refined computing could remedy […] Read more
Opinion: Farmers and food prices an uneasy fit
Blaming the price of grain for rising food costs raises the ire of farmers
The quickest way to get farmers riled is to suggest that the price of food is going up because grain prices are higher. Say it once, and watch the rosy burn creeping up their cheeks. Say it twice and look out. Within days after the 2021 version of Canada’s Food Price Report forecasted a three- […] Read more
Introspective estate planning for your farm
Focus on the people involved in farm succession, not just assets
Estate planning means knowing where financial and material assets will go after you die, but according to veteran financial strategist Chris Delaney, forgetting to prepare people to receive those assets can actually destroy long-accumulated wealth. Not accounting for one’s fears, and failing to reconcile emotion with rational action, can make things even worse. Why it […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
