The impact of amber LEDs (light emitting diodes) on Brassica microgreens highlights the potential for year-round nutrient-dense vertical greenhouse growth in food security-challenged areas. “By increasing amber-blue LED lights while decreasing red, microgreens showed increased production of antioxidants, particularly the carotenoid nutrient,” said Dr. Xiuming Hao, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) research scientist. Why it […] Read more
Vertical farm research shows increased nutrient density with amber LED exposure
Impact of amber LED could be a game changer for northern Ontario food production
Agricultural societies diversify to support agriculture
Fair boards adopt new strategies to maintain stability and growth
Diversified revenue-generating activities are a trend among Ontario agricultural societies. Some were trying new strategies before the pandemic but lack of in-person events for nearly two years brought the trend to the forefront. “The pandemic prompted many societies to ask themselves what they can do besides hold a fair,” says Vince Brennan, general manager of […] Read more
Calculating soil health returns
Greenbelt report highlights costs and returns of soil-supporting management practices
Short term costs for long term gains – that’s what a Greenbelt Foundation report says farmers need to consider when it comes to building soil health. Released in early 2022, The Greenbelt’s Towards a business case for soil health report compiled and analyzed field research data from different production practices in different cropping and cow-calf […] Read more
OGVG hosts tomato brown rugose fruit virus (ToBRFV) symposium
The Ontario Greenhouse Vegetable Growers (OGVG) hosted a tomato brown rugrose fruit virus (ToBRFV) symposium on Aug. 22 in Toronto that brought together top researchers from countries across Europe, North America and Israel to share insights, experiences and learnings about the virus. Postponed from its original date in 2020, the anticipated event was the first […] Read more
Asian demand for beef to remain strong: JBS CEO
While per-capita consumption is still low, world’s largest meatpacker sees opportunity in region
Reuters – JBS SA, the world’s largest meatpacker, is bullish on the outlook for beef sales to Asian countries, mainly China, as per-capita beef consumption in the region remains low. Speaking on a conference call to discuss second-quarter results, CEO Gilberto Tomazoni said JBS, with its many export platforms, was in a good position to […] Read more
Great Lakes Grain tour points to average corn and soybean year
Summer drought considered main limiting factor for corn
Early results from the annual Great Lakes Grain Crop Assessment Tour, which began Aug. 29, indicate Ontario’s corn and soybean crops should meet average yield and quality measures. Data gathered during the tour comes from 500 sites ranging from Windsor to Barrie, the Ottawa Valley, and beyond. Participating farmers and industry partners – including AGRIS […] Read more
Opinion: Gorbachev’s Ontario farm walk that changed the world
Mikhail Gorbachev’s recent passing has prompted many retrospectives about his role as the last leader of the Soviet Union and the downfall of communism. Few, however, know of his connections to agriculture – and a walk in the fields of southern Ontario during his first trip to North America – that helped inform his views […] Read more
Does Ontario need a separate livestock welfare enforcement system?
Recent court cases have highlighted gaps, lack of transparency in current animal welfare policy
The establishment of a provincial animal welfare enforcement agency in 2019 was greeted with cautious optimism by some farm groups. Recent cases involving livestock, however, have highlighted problems with the framework, including a lack of due-process guarantees, insufficient training for inspection officers and a general lack of transparency. Why it matters: The Provincial Animal Welfare […] Read more
Corn, soybean prices likely to bottom out during harvest
Potential exists for interior prices to split from world values during this period
The Ontario growing region received normal precipitation during August and temperatures were also in line with the seasonal averages. Statistics Canada released its first model-based production estimate and Ontario yields were above average for corn, soybeans and wheat. The wheat market is expected to make a seasonal low in the latter half of September. Corn […] Read more
Climate change-severe weather link being studied
Western University launches five-year initiative to study hail and climate
Glacier FarmMedia – The discovery by scientists of a record-breaking hailstone in Alberta this summer is part of an initiative to better understand severe weather in Canada during an era of climate change, potentially improving forecasts that could help producers. “These are the questions that this project is trying to determine — essentially, is climate change causing […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
