Glacier FarmMedia – Moisture is one of the most significant controllable variables for grain producers. It matters when growing, harvesting, buying, selling, processing, preparing and shipping. Moisture impacts profitability at every stage. The latest grain moisture measuring technology available to farmers is near-infrared, or NIR. It offers significant benefits compared to traditional methods such as […] Read more
Near infrared grain moisture monitoring goes portable
Taking NIR from the lab to the field and now to portability puts producers in control of their products
Common waterhemp: An adaptable and potent foe
Problem weed continues to spread in Ontario while diversifying its herbicide resistance capability
Waterhemp with resistance to multiple herbicide groups continues to spread across the province, in part because of its similarity to other pigweed species. First detected in Lambton County in 2002, the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) describes common waterhemp as “extremely difficult” to identify. Grain Farmers of Ontario (GFO) also describes […] Read more
Corn genetic heritage the strongest driver of chemical defenses against insect munchers
Science Notes: The plant, microbes and soil all play an important role
Plants release chemical distress signals when under attack from chewing insects. These “911 calls,” as entomologist Esther Ngumbi calls them, alert other bugs that dinner or a nice place to lay their eggs is available nearby. If predatory or parasitic insects detect the right signal, they swoop in to make a meal out of – […] Read more
Why is Ontario a hub for ag tech development?
Diversity of industry, prolific expertise and other factors help propel innovation
Robotics and autonomous equipment are taking the agriculture sector by storm, or at least appear poised to do so in some areas. For technology developers in Ontario, a diverse economic environment and comparatively large pool of expertise have helped make the province one of many artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics development hubs. Daniel Bath, research […] Read more
Waste not: Adding value on horticultural waste
A recent study maps out how the horticulture sector can gain value from waste
Nearly three-quarters (74 per cent) of Canadian fruit and vegetable waste occurs before it reaches consumers, according to a recent study by the Vineland Research and Innovation Centre (Vineland). One-third of that is landfilled and is considered unavoidable due to current processing and grading standards. To help the horticulture sector improve its environmental sustainability, Vineland […] Read more
What’s next for the EFP?
Core funding, more staff and incorporation with government and private sector goals possible for Environmental Farm Plan
Changes could be coming to the Environmental Farm Plan (EFP) under the next agricultural policy framework. Although changes have yet to be formalized, users say the focus should be on delivery flexibility and improving farm businesses. The Canadian Agri-Food Policy Institute (CAPI) hosted a presentation on May 5 detailing how the EFP could change. Researchers […] Read more
Home Grown marks one-year anniversary
OFA's campaign champions the protection of agricultural land
The Home Grown campaign underscores one unalienable truth – you cannot farm without farmland, said Peggy Brekveld. The Ontario Federation of Agriculture’s (OFA) advocacy and awareness campaign is now one year old, and is beginning to gain traction around responsible land planning policies that acknowledge the importance of preserving farmland to support the production of […] Read more
Agco markets new windrowers
Hesston by Massey Ferguson brand introduces the new WR series
As Agco celebrates 75 years of the Hesston brand, which under that company’s ownership is now known by the “Hesston by Massey Ferguson” moniker, it is marking the occasion with the introduction of an updated line of windrowers. Hesston has been a well-known name in the hay and forage business for a long time, and […] Read more
New large-scale distillery an opportunity for grain growers
Crown Royal parent company announces plans for distillery near Sarnia
More than 60 years after the most recent large-scale construction of an alcoholic beverage distillery in Canada, Britain-based Diageo is set to break ground this summer near Sarnia on a facility to dramatically boost production of its flagship Crown Royal Canadian whisky. It will, according to Spirits Canada CEO Jan Westcott, “be a very sizeable […] Read more
Consumer relations could shape the future of agriculture and food
What is the biggest challenge facing Canadian agriculture? Will the sector play a role in creating the future or be forced to react to one that’s built by others? What will food of the future look like? These are the big-picture questions that Christina Crowley-Arklie believes agricultural groups should discuss. She thinks the Canadian agriculture […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
