A genomics-based research project at the University of Guelph is moving the establishment of an Ontario hazelnut industry one step closer to reality. Hazelnut development work has been underway in the province for about a decade, driven by farmers seeking new crops to grow and a large confectionary company keen to source their key ingredient […] Read more
News — page 360
Genomics research moving Ontario hazelnuts closer to production
Researchers continue to learn how to adapt hazelnuts to Ontario’s climate
Farmtario writer wins award
The Canadian Farm Writers Federation held its annual awards ceremony recently, but like most events this year, it was held virtu- ally instead of the gala event usually coinciding with the organization’s national conference. Congratulations to Farmtario contributor Matt McIntosh whose story “Bee-based disease prevention” from May, 2019 won a silver in the weekly press […] Read more
Request for Ontario farm names withdrawn
Freedom of Information request had drawn significant farmer concern
The agriculture community is celebrating a win after a Freedom of Information (FOI) request for all Farm Business Registrants was withdrawn. “Together, our farm organizations strongly opposed the release of this information as it has the potential to greatly impact the health, safety and security of our farm operations,” said Keith Currie, Ontario Federation of […] Read more
Bioenterprise sets up northern agri-food technology hub
Bioenterprise is setting up a northern Ontario agri-food technology hub with funding from the federal government’s Fednor agency. The $588,744 will allow Bioenterprise Corporation to target investment in agri-food in Northern Ontario. The program will provide more than 40 businesses with access to tools and resources to start up, scale up and commercialize new products. […] Read more
Anti-trade sentiment grips the United States
U.S. is undermining the World Trade Organization amid domestic pressure to lower trade
Glacier FarmMedia – Blake Hurst senses shifting trade winds in the United States, and he doesn’t like the direction they are blowing. “Agriculture faces some real dangers from a change in our opinion and our approach to trade,” said the president of the Missouri Farm Bureau. Why it matters: Changing global trade patterns render markets […] Read more
Artificial intelligence plays critical role behind the scenes in precision farming
Developing technology alongside farmers can mean a higher adoption rate
Artificial intelligence applications in agriculture continue to grow, driven by the increased demands of precision farming. This growth is due to increasing demand for agriculture produce, real-time livestock monitoring, and the need for enhanced decision making to optimize farm management. Other factors contributing to the rising interest in precision farming solutions are growing food demand […] Read more
U.S. senators ask EPA not to boost refinery biofuel obligations in 2021
Reuters – A group of U.S. Republican senators asked the Environmental Protection Agency to consider a general waiver that would prevent an increase in biofuel blending obligations next year for oil refiners hit by a collapse in fuel demand because of the coronavirus pandemic. Senators including Shelley Moore Capito of West Virginia and Ted Cruz […] Read more
Canada, U.K. trade deal progress in doubt
The U.K. will be out of the CETA agreement by the end of the year and status of talks is unknown
Glacier FarmMedia – As prospects of a trade deal between the United Kingdom and the European Union collapse, there is growing doubt a post-Brexit pact involving Canada can be completed by the end of the year. Why it matters: Trade between Canada and the U.K. has been governed by EU trade rules, and if no […] Read more
Opinion: Labour crisis is about farm security, not food security
Food continues to be abundant, but some farms are under financial pressure due to labour shortages
The COVID pandemic has highlighted and exacerbated long standing issues with respect to labour in the food system – both on farms and in food processing. This is often presented in the context of a threat to food security but in reality the issue is more critical for farm security than food security. That is, […] Read more
Trade moves influenced by COVID-19 around world
The WTO found more changes were made by G20 countries to facilitate than restrict trade
Glacier FarmMedia – The impact of COVID-19’s second wave is continuing to cause uncertainty in global trade markets, but more markets are opening than closing. According to the World Trade Organization, between October 2019 and May 2020, G20 economies implemented 154 new trade or related measures, finding 95 to be trade-facilitating and 59 as trade-restrictive. […] Read more
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