Agriculture is emerging as a key sector for generating carbon offsets that will help companies and countries meet their net-zero targets. Carbon markets are also a pathway to incentivize farmers to adopt practices that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and enhance carbon storage in soils and vegetation. In Canada, Alberta farmers were the first to gain […] Read more
How the private sector can boost agriculture’s role in carbon markets
Increasing soil health on farms
OSCIA launches pilot project in three counties
The Ontario Soil & Crop Improvement Association (OSCIA) is inviting farmers in three counties to up their soil health game through a pilot project available this summer. Producers in Lambton County, Renfrew County and Simcoe County will have the opportunity to apply for cost-share funding to implement soil health practices including cover cropping and soil […] Read more
AgScape reach increases with digital resources
Teachers looking for online programming have increased use of digital options
It was a farm tour that would boggle the mind in real life. But luckily for Cassi Brunsveld, the 18,000 students and 990 teachers who had signed up for the YouTube live stream weren’t going to arrive on her dairy farm in person. Brunsveld, program and resource assistant with AgScape, and a dairy farmer, took […] Read more
Wild boar ban included in draft invasive species changes
Ontario ministries aim to avoid damage experienced in U.S. and Prairies
The possession and trade of the Eurasian Wild Boar will be phased out over two years, pending the approval of changes to Ontario’s Invasive Species Act, which are up for public comment until June 7. A draft plan and proposed new rules for pigs under the Invasive Species Act were uploaded recently to the Environmental […] Read more
Guelph students win at 2021 North American Dairy Challenge
A team of University of Guelph agriculture students won the North American Intercollegiate Dairy Challenge (NAIDC), held remotely this past month. Rebecca Barr, Brooke Boonstoppel, Clayton McWilliams and Tyrone Wagler competed against three other schools to present the best dairy farm management recommendations. For this year’s competition, students were given data and a series of […] Read more
Opinion: U.S., Canada have same challenge selling green policies
Like Canada, emissions from American farm operations continue to move in the wrong direction
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and United States President Joe Biden are fighting the same fight in trying to get farmers on board with ambitious climate plans. Industry groups in both countries say efforts are already being made to reduce emissions. That is true in many instances, but as was pointed out in a recent Canadian […] Read more
COVID-19 underscores the labour shortage impact
Study shows sector vulnerability to labour shocks like a pandemic
COVID-19 has pushed the already-dire labour shortage in agriculture into sharp relief, and the numbers aren’t promising for the future. The Canadian Agricultural Human Resource Council’s (CAHRC) recent survey, Understanding the Effects of COVID-19 on Canada’s Agriculture Workforce, took the pulse of how COVID-19 has impacted agriculture. Why it matters: The pandemic has accelerated the […] Read more
NDP introduces soil health bill
Bill C-290 proposes to rebuild soil capacity
A bill being introduced by the NDP vows to help fight food insecurity and support farmers. MP and NDP agriculture critic Alistair MacGregor introduced a private member’s bill to create a National Soil Health Strategy for Canada. Why it matters: A bill to promote soil conservation could help rebuild soils by giving farmers new tools, […] Read more
Letters: Airline subsidies make no sense if serious about the environment
An open letter to the minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada: Dear Minister Bibeau, The $6.9 billion in support announced for Air Canada is assisting the industry most guilty of polluting the environment, while at the same time the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister are severely discriminating against the farmers of Canada by imposing […] Read more
Federal budget brings few farm tax changes
Main points include wage subsidies, closing loopholes, and front-loading equipment write-offs
The 2021 federal budget included provisions designed to garner more revenues from high-level sources such as digital media companies and absentee homeowners. On the farm side, however, analysts say tax changes appear light by comparison. Why it matters: Some anticipated tax increases for small business were not included in the 2021 federal budget. What wasn’t […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
