The time at home because of COVID-19 has laid bare the deficiency of rural internet. In a world where we all needed good connectivity, many didn’t have it. Those who had it found it slowed down, according to OpenMedia, an internet watch organization. Rural internet has slowed down since the pandemic hit, compared to urban […] Read more
News
Editorial: Internet access needs to be rural development priority
New killing mechanism discovered in ‘game-changing’ antibiotic
Science Notes: AMR is seen as a threat to human health and prosperity
Scientists at the University of Liverpool and University of Utrecht have taken another step forward on their quest to develop a viable drug based on teixobactin – a new class of potent natural antibiotic capable of killing superbugs. Research published in Nature Communications provides fundamental new insights into how teixobactins kill bacteria, including the discovery of a […] Read more
Wheat harvest begins, corn and soybeans see rapid growth
OMAFRA Field Crop Report for July 9
OMAFRA, UG, RealAgriculture, GFO and industry sponsors are offering an Ontario Virtual Crop Diagnostic Event since our summer events have been cancelled. Go to fieldcropnew.com for information on this series which begins Wednesday July 15th. While the management window for much of our field crops is closing, some late fertility, and insect monitoring, and control remains […] Read more
John Walker’s legacy stretches beyond well-known dairy sales
The dairy leader built export markets for Canadian genetics
Ontario’s dairy sector lost a giant on July 5, as Aylmer’s John Walker passed away at age 86. An inductee into both the Elgin County and Canadian Agricultural halls of fame, Walker is best known for his monthly dairy cattle sales starting in 1958 – first in the Aylmer sale barn, which he had bought […] Read more
Avoiding, preparing for and reacting to harvest fires
OMAFRA Field Crop News – Wheat harvest 2020 is right around the corner! The conditions are dry in those fields! Once the rush starts it will be “all hands on deck” But remember the slew of harvest/field fires that occurred in July 2016/17/18 under similar dry conditions. Harvest fires result in a financial, emotional and […] Read more
Letters: Farmland use would continue at Deep Geological Repository
Dear Editor, I would like to respond to a recent story from Farmtario.com entitled Farmland versus nuclear waste. We are grateful to the editor and readers for their time and the ongoing dialogue about the Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO) and Canada’s plan for the safe long-term management of used nuclear fuel. For more than […] Read more
Comment: Agriculture and food affected by racism too
Like many, I’ve spent the past few weeks trying to listen and learn as much as I can from the ongoing Black Lives Matter movement. After watching the video of George Floyd being murdered as he pleaded for breath, I realized with horror it was not the first time I had seen a Black man […] Read more
Survey shows growing public support for agriculture
Canadians rank agriculture as the top driver of the economy
A recent survey by Grassroots Public Affairs shows that nine out of 10 Canadians endorse government support for the agri-food sector. The communications consulting firm did the survey to analyze Canadian opinions on agriculture, hunger and food security. Why it matters: An industry’s reputation can greatly affect policy, drive funding to specific projects and affect […] Read more
COVID-19 leads to cancellation of Foodgrains Bank fundraising events
There’s hope for good harvests from the charity’s sites with decent weather this spring
The Canadian Foodgrains Bank is feeling the pressures of COVID-19. The organization is devoted to providing food in times of crisis to hungry people in the developing world, but has seen some of its fundraising decline without the ability to host its usual concerts and dinners, due to COVID-19. It’s finding, however, that individual donations […] Read more
Editorial: Bayer puts faith in science in lawsuit settlement
Legal systems can be strange and expensive, especially in the United States where it seems that it’s less expensive to pay massive sums to settle disputes, even if you expect you will be exonerated by scientific proof. Bayer CropScience announced recently it was paying more than $10 billion because of lawsuits relating to the use […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
