The federal government has announced $1.2 million for insurance against poultry disease outbreaks as Canada continues its battle with bird flu. Until earlier this month, no new cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza had been found in Canadian domestic birds since June 18. As of Aug. 1, Alberta and Quebec have reported positive flocks. Why […] Read more
Feds back poultry disease insurance planning
Three industry organizations have been earmarked for $1.2 million in funding
Mobile Soil Technology Suite hits the road to farm events
OSCIA offers use of unit and technicians to organizations
A pair of trailers packed with state-of-the-art soil science and audio-visual equipment had what was referred to by Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association (OSCIA) officials as a “kick-off” on July 13 in Bothwell. Based on the rave reviews received there and at later events in Elora and Rostock, they’re confident the Mobile Soil Technology […] Read more
Work on grocery code of conduct extended
Code intended to smooth relations between retailers and suppliers, but work has been contentious
A Canadian grocery industry code of conduct is still months away after the steering committee asked agricultural ministers for another extension to complete its work. The committee reported to the July annual meeting of the country’s agriculture ministers in Saskatoon that it had made progress, but key issues remained unresolved. Why it matters: The intent […] Read more
Wool producers rebel over clothing sustainability claims
International wool organizations fight to ensure consumers aren’t fleeced by false sustainability claims
Canadian wool organizations support an international campaign that challenges the European Council’s methods of calculating Product Environmental Footprint (PEF). “Europe has a lot of the big fashion labels; they’re the ones that set the trend,” said Jane Underhill from Campaign for Wool. “I think that their investment in Europe is significant and that influences decision-making […] Read more
Wool could find its future in carpets
Canada’s wool is of decent quality -- but the product needs to find a market focus like Germany has in carpets, industry proponents say
Canada is sitting on a golden fleece of opportunity to lead North America in wool transformation if it can get the infrastructure in place. Jane Underhill, Canada’s International Wool Trade Organization (IWTO) deputy head of delegation, said wool produced in Canada is on par with that of Germany, one of the world’s top producers of […] Read more
Dairy’s gap on the map to net-zero
The sector's net-zero plan banks on technology not yet available
Dairy Farmers of Canada (DFC) has a goal to reach net zero on carbon emissions but admits the plan to get there doesn’t exist. Not yet, at least. “It kind of reminds me of JFK saying, ‘by 1969, we’ll have a man on the moon’ and they hadn’t invented rockets yet,” said DFC director Korb […] Read more
Strip till a matter of helping the soil and lowering costs
Adoption rate is slow, but tools are available for growers to learn more
Twenty years ago, growers were less likely to adopt strip till on their farms, primarily because the practice lacked an immediate payback with higher yields. It didn’t help that early adopters had to develop their own systems if applying fertilizer while strip tilling. In theory, strip till should boost yields, based on “berming” the soil […] Read more
Making the case for low-pressure tires and waiting out the wet
Last fall’s harvest weather increased compaction risk
Signs of soil compaction are evident across Ontario this year due to persistently wet weather during the harvest and wheat planting seasons in fall 2021, crop consultant Peter Johnson told attendees of a Compaction Day on-farm demonstration in Rostock Aug. 5. Under soil conditions purposefully manipulated to mimic a wet spring, a recently harvested wheat […] Read more
How the Ice Age’s impact on subsoils guides topsoil management today
To reach the soil’s geology, you need to dig deep, but its impact on production is closer to the surface. For farmers, soil specialists or people in between, there was nothing more intriguing than the soil pit at the Harnessing the Power of Soil Health at the Grand River Raceway in July. Why it matters: […] Read more
New take on wheel rake displayed at Forage Expo
Design features twin sets of wheels to decrease ash uptake
An innovative take on the traditional wheel rake, designed in Italy and newly available in North America, was on display at the recent Ontario Forage Expo near St. Jacobs. Santo Aguanno, working on behalf of Repossi to promote the company in Canada, explained the unique “co-axial” technology — with the progression of overlapping single ground-driven […] Read more
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