Reuters – Bayer has lost a third appeal against U.S. court verdicts that awarded damages to customers blaming their cancers on use of its glyphosate-based weedkillers, leaving the German drugs and pesticides group to pin hopes for legal relief on the U.S. Supreme Court. On Aug. 9, a California appeals court upheld an $86 million verdict that […] Read more
Bayer loses third appeals case over glyphosate weedkiller
Brazil’s JBS imports 30 shiploads of corn from Argentina
Reuters – The world’s largest meatpacker JBS SA has imported 30 ship loads of corn into Brazil from Argentina after a drought and an ill-timed frost caused crop failure in its home market, according to a statement sent to Reuters. JBS, which did not provide an exact figure for total imported corn, noted purchases from suppliers outside […] Read more
An enviable problem
Direct-to-consumer farm marketers learn to manage businesses that have grown much quicker than they expected
Farmtario talked to Amy Kitchen and Emma Butler early in the pandemic. We went back to see how they are managing the rapid growth in their direct-to-market farm businesses a year later. Nestled in the colourfully chaotic flower garden encompassing Sideroad Farm, Amy Kitchen’s sun-browned face flits between appreciation and concern. Sixteen months past the […] Read more
Editorial: Time for another Hay West?
Ontario farmers have many reasons to be thankful
People look at me strangely sometimes when I make the case that Ontario is one of the best places in the world to farm. There are always struggles in farming and when you deal with your package of farming challenges it feels tough. Ontario has its issues — urban encroachment, expensive land and a unique […] Read more
Wheat yield is good, but only 50 per cent could make milling grade
A lot of Ontario wheat was flattened by rains and much of that sprouted
The Ontario growing region has received more than 150 per cent of normal precipitation over the past 30 days, while temperatures have been two to three degrees above average. The Ontario winter wheat harvest was approximately 60 to 70 per cent complete as of July 25. There is downgrading in wheat due to sprouting and […] Read more
Dairy groups call for provinces to oversee grocery code of conduct
Retailer demands are raising costs for consumers and making some suppliers uncompetitive
Canada’s dairy industry is asking for provinces to oversee a code of practice for grocery retailers. In a letter to federal ministers, leaders from dairy groups say the “best solution” to “arbitrary fees and deductions” would be through “the development of provincial codes that are legislated, mandatory and enforceable.” Why it matters: Fees charged to […] Read more
Demand strong for drainage tile
High land values, commodity prices and assistance programs drive investments in tile drainage
From the far north to the deep south, landowners across Ontario continue to invest in tile drainage despite ever-increasing acreage costs. They’re doing so partially because of high land values. Why it matters: Farmers and other land investors install drainage tile to increase land values beyond existing per-acre purchase prices. Jesse Tait, board member for […] Read more
Taking the guess work out of estimating apple yield
Machine uses spectral imaging to collect data and provide early detection of pests, diseases, and more
An Ontario start-up is working on a vision system technology its founders say will ultimately help apple growers produce more food. Vivid Machines is developing the Vivid X system that will automate predicting and managing apple yield and quality, and eventually provide early detection of pests, diseases, and nutrient deficiencies. Why it matters: Precisely monitoring […] Read more
The challenge of rural impermeable surfaces
Rain runoff from hard surfaces can have effect on tile systems
From Houston to Toronto, a common theme has been flooding caused by the increase in impermeable surfaces. In June 2017, part of Southwestern Ontario was hit with a one in 100 year storm event, and some areas received 6.7 inches (170 mm) of rain in seven hours. In August, 2018, Toronto received 2.95 inches (75 […] Read more
Genetic trigger for faba bean reaction found
Science Notes: Fabas have the highest seed protein content of the starch-containing legume
Faba beans are an excellent source of food protein, but about four per cent of the world’s population are afflicted by favism, which renders them sensitive to the faba bean anti-nutrients vicine and convicine. Now, an international research team has identified the VC1 gene as responsible for the production of these compounds. Faba beans have […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
