Agricultural operations using boilers and pressure vessels have until March 1, 2021 to register their equipment with the arms-length provincial government agency the Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA), following the lifting of an exemption on July 17. The equipment will also now require TSSA inspections. Why it matters: TSSA registration and inspection adds another […] Read more
News — page 373
Agricultural exemption dropped for boiler inspection
The change most affects greenhouse and mushroom growers and some syrup producers
Four join national ag hall of fame
Bradshaw, Halford, Harvey and Hedley tapped for 2020 induction
Glacier FarmMedia – A soil conservation champion, an agribusiness leader, a plant breeder and longtime public servant are the latest members of the Canadian Agricultural Hall of Fame. The 2020 inductees reflect the quality of people involved in the agriculture industry in Canada, according to CAHF president Trish Jordan. Agribusiness leader Jay Bradshaw began his […] Read more
Breakthrough could make hydrogen vehicles more feasible
Science Notes: Less platinum generates more promise for fuel cells' potential
Only a few of the roughly one billion cars and trucks on global roads run on hydrogen. This could change after a breakthrough achieved by researchers at the University of Copenhagen, a new catalyst that can be used to produce cheaper and far more sustainable hydrogen powered vehicles. Hydrogen has held potential as an alternative […] Read more
Crop Plot Tours: See what’s growing
Preview: Canada's Digital Farm Show, Sept. 15-18
Sevita International Sandy Hart, Business Manager, Sevita International A primary focus of any variety plot demonstration is to see “what’s new” in the line-up for a seed company. Yet as every farmer knows, there’s more to crop production these days than what’s in the bag. For the 2020 virtual plot demonstration at Canada’s Digital Farm […] Read more
Province-wide bulk tank samples to track disease prevalence
Research project could help with individual farm and provincial disease management
Ontario bulk tank samples will be screened for diseases in a broad look aimed at determining disease prevalence in Ontario herds. The provincial government recently announced financial support for the Dairy Farmers of Ontario (DF)-led effort to establish annual testing of bulk tank samples for a roster of infectious diseases. Why it matters: Some diseases […] Read more
Discovery Farm Woodstock to be established at COFS site
Canada's Outdoor Farm Show owner to purchase site, create farmer-led research centre
Glacier FarmMedia, parent company of Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show (COFS), is purchasing 100 acres, the current site of the show, from the province. The purchase will enable the company to establish Discovery Farm Woodstock, to provide COFS with a permanent home and create a centre for applied agriculture research. The land had been owned by […] Read more
Ontario rural employment almost back to pre-COVID levels
Rural employment in other provinces hasn’t been as strong as it has in Ontario
Rural Ontario’s employment levels are almost back to year ago level – almost making up the unemployment created by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Rural Ontario Institute (ROI) reports that Ontario unemployment is 0.6 per cent below levels in August 2019, according to Statistics Canada’s Labour Force Survey. Why it matters: Rising employment is critical to […] Read more
Reimagining what collaboration can mean
Preview: Canada's Digital Farm Show, Sept. 15-18
New for 2020, Canada’s Digital Farm Show is reimagining what collaboration can mean among farm groups, academics, researchers and industry partners across Canada. With so many field days across Ontario and Eastern Canada cancelled due to COVID-19, we’re offering a way to shrink geographic distances and give farmers access to timely field information from farmer-led […] Read more
New Poultry Xpo launch postponed to 2021
A new national poultry event due to launch in Stratford this fall won’t go ahead. Instead, the Canadian Poultry Xpo will launch in 2021. Organizers said that after discus- sion with the venue, the City of Stratford and the local medical officer of health, it was decided that restrictions around large gatherings meant that the […] Read more
Agriculture policy overhaul needed: report
COVID-19 has exposed significant challenges, needed changes
Glacier FarmMedia – Drastic changes to markets, labour conditions and public perceptions are driving a need for new agri-food policies, according to a report from industry experts. Agri-Food Economic Systems’ latest policy note identified 10 pressures on the industry, each one varying in “magnitude, significance, urgency and permanence.” The report cited massive losses in food […] Read more
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