Canada has an ‘invisible food network’ that provides $33 billion worth of food to its clients, effectively making it the nation’s second-largest grocery store. Canada’s Invisible Food Network is the name of a new report from food-rescue organization Second Harvest and Value Chain Management International that demonstrates the need for systemic change in how we […] Read more
Study shines light on need for poverty reduction solutions
There are four food charities or non-profits to one grocery store in Ontario
Opinion: Better framework for fertilizer discussion needed
Assuming a direct correlation between reduced product use and yields is overly simplistic
Fertilizer Canada, which represents companies that produce and sell fertilizer products, certainly got people’s attention late last month when it said proposed cuts to fertilizer use could cost Canadian farmers $48 billion. That’s a big number, albeit an estimate spread over the next decade or so. It’s based on tallying up the cost of lower […] Read more
Tar spot poses challenge for hybrid genetics
Weather a dominant factor in pathogen development, even in tolerant varieties
Tar spot tolerance is strong in some corn hybrids, according to recent research. There are no truly immune varieties, however, and as the amount of inoculum in the region grows, weather will remain the dominant factor in the pathogen’s development from year to year. Why it matters: Tar spot is expected to become endemic in […] Read more
Food processor survey highlights labour challenges
Sector must promote opportunities to job-seekers
A 2021 report from Food Processing Skills Canada (FPSC) pinpoints labour availability as the “the most critical business challenge” for the food processing sector and it has issued a call to action. Its recent survey report, entitled “Crossroads to Greatness: key insights and labour market research about Canada’s food and beverage manufacturing industry,” identified the […] Read more
Are greenhouse gas emission reduction goals too costly?
Reducing fertilizer use might be a tough target without cutting production and incomes, says industry
Glacier FarmMedia – A recent report prepared by accounting firm Meyers Norris Penny says Canadian farmers could lose $48 billion over the next eight years if the federal government moves ahead with plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from on-farm fertilizer use by 30 per cent. In its report entitled Implications of a Total Emissions […] Read more
Grain drying and energy efficiency: The basics
The type of dryer you use can have a large impact on energy use
An article published Oct. 4, 2021, Drying Tech Q&A with James Dyck, created some confusion around grain dryer energy efficiency and how to make improvements. I am indebted to an astute reader who brought this to my attention. This article has been written to provide clarity. Grain drying is a simple concept in theory, but […] Read more
Durham College launches centre focusing on urban agriculture
The Barrett Centre for Innovation in Sustainable Urban Agriculture will offer enhanced research and training
Durham College is expanding its field-to-fork educational opportunities with the addition of the Barrett Centre of Innovation in Sustainable Urban Agriculture (the Barrett Centre). The Barrett Centre will complement the college’s existing food, farming and horticulture programs. The vision for the centre, said the college in a release, is to “become an internationally recognized hub […] Read more
Hay North initiative delivers 5.8 million pounds of hay
Feed component of Northwestern Livestock Emergency Assistance Initiative has ended
The initiative providing much-needed forage to drought and forest fire-stricken farmers in Northern Ontario has wrapped up. “When we work together, we can accomplish great things,” said Rob Lipsett, Beef Farmers of Ontario president. “We sincerely appreciate the efforts of all of our partners and donors who played pivotal roles in providing an incredible amount […] Read more
Origins of the increase in food prices explored
Ontario’s agri-food industry can employ strategies to keep these in check
Inflation is a fact of life, but if you have been in a grocery store lately, you may have gotten the impression that it is hitting the food sector a bit harder than is typical. And you’d be correct. It started when the COVID-19 pandemic arrived in Canada. Added requirements to sanitize facilities and provide […] Read more
Ag and food processing sectors join forces on labour challenges
Two-year industry-led project aims to spur action and attract workers
In Canada’s agriculture sector, 16,500 jobs went unfilled in 2017 due to a labour shortage and recent estimates indicate the problem has worsened. In food and beverage manufacturing, 2020 surveys reveal approximately 30,000 positions were not filled. The 2017 cost in lost sales and decreased yield due to delayed harvest was estimated at $2.9 billion, […] Read more
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