Glacier FarmMedia – Canada is in the midst of a “once-in-a-generation” review of its seed industry regulations. But the Seed Regulatory Modernization (SRM) process is also revealing fractures within the country’s seed sector. Animosity appears to be lingering over the Seed Synergy process that led to the formation and launch of Seeds Canada in February […] Read more
Seed regulatory review reveals industry split
CSGA and Seeds Canada differences affect government review process, the first in decades
Lowering livestock methane through heritable microbes
Breeding programs based on microbial DNA could help meet climate targets faster
Methane-reducing feed ingredients and emissions-focused breeding programs have the potential to significantly reduce the amount of greenhouse gas emitted by livestock. For the latter, however, new research from Scotland’s Rural College highlights opportunities for breeders to focus on the DNA of an animal’s gut bacteria, not just DNA and methane production levels of the animal […] Read more
Livestock producers seek deadstock collection options
Producer groups hold meeting to start dialogue on finding solutions
Recent discussion around the dilemma of deadstock disposal didn’t create solutions, but it did open dialogue. Approximately 300 producers from Beef Farmers of Ontario, Dairy Farmers of Ontario, Veal Farmers of Ontario, Ontario Pork and Ontario Sheep farmers attended the BFO virtual information session Oct. 21 in hopes solutions would be presented. Why it matters: […] Read more
Comment: Agriculture, climate change shouldn’t be exclusive
Food and airline travel should not be equally compared when it comes to climate change, says the writer
Any time food and farming are spoken of with distain or blamed for something, farmers take it personally. It’s an attack not necessarily on the product grown, but on our character. It’s why I believe it’s hard for many in agriculture and food to digest the latest news, media reports and research that discusses agriculture […] Read more
Stoltz Sales & Service and Hub International merge to form Equipment Ontario
Case IH equipment dealers Stoltz Sales & Service and Hub International are merging their two organizations to form Equipment Ontario, effective Dec. 1, 2021. Together they will service more than 16 counties with dealership locations in Elmira, Lindsay, Listowel, Mildmay, and Port Perry. A future location in Simcoe County is planned. In a press release, […] Read more
Editorial: Inflation pressure not a surprise
There’s not much doubt that we’re into inflationary times with recently reported annual inflation of 4.4 per cent. That means additional risk for farmers to manage along with the supply chain challenges currently roiling the world and the usual headwinds that come with running a farm. The latest indicator that there’s inflation beyond what many […] Read more
Funding available to address labour shortage
$1.5 million in CAP funds earmarked for research on how to address the problem
$1.5 million funding investment for labour shortage studies may reveal solutions for the agriculture and agri-food sector. “Labour challenges continue to be one of the leading bottlenecks to growth in our agriculture sector,” said Marie-Claude Bibeau, federal Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food. “At the same time, there are countless quality and dynamic job opportunities for […] Read more
Slow harvest pace results in stronger domestic basis levels
Corn, soy markets supported by strong energy prices, tight supplies
To say Ontario fields are saturated is an understatement. During the last half of October, the region southwest of Toronto received 60 to 90 millimetres of precipitation; farmers north of Toronto received 30 to 90 mm of rain while the Ottawa region also received 60 to 90 mm. The slower than expected harvest pace in […] Read more
Measuring the economic value of feed efficiency
How Lactanet plans to incorporate feed efficiency into Pro$ and LPI
Dairy farmers in Canada finally have a genetic index for feed efficiency after it was added to Lactanet’s genetic evaluations for Holstein cattle in April. With feed costs rising, and feed accounting for more than half of on-farm production costs, the farmer-run organization is taking a closer look at adding feed efficiency to the Lifetime […] Read more
Bill Gates’ green tech fund bets on farming robots
As some parts of North America struggle under a crippling drought, a California startup that believes robots can grow produce more sustainably has raised US$50 million in a funding round led by Bill Gates’ Breakthrough Energy Ventures. Iron Ox uses robots that are integrated with a hydroponic system consuming 90 per cent less water than […] Read more
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