Glacier FarmMedia – Metos Canada offers remote monitoring of crop pests with a lineup of IOT (internet of things)-based devices, called iScout. Why it matters: Crop monitoring tools can help farmers protect fields and avoid yield-damaging pest incursions. The devices are built by Austrian technology firm Pessl Instruments, which sells a roster of wireless sensors […] Read more
Solar-powered trap hunts what bugs crops
Insects pose for mugshots and get identified in a digital lineup before the scouting call gets made to the farmer
When to buy new farm equipment
Costs compared to revenue should guide equipment decisions
Intuition and personal experience have a role to play when considering major equipment purchases, but farms should strive to have a machinery investment strategy based on quantifiable metrics. That was the advice of Travis Jansen on March 22, as he hosted a session for Agri-food Management Excellence (AME). Why it matters: Machinery purchases can represent […] Read more
Plant drought tolerance relates to pore openings
Science Notes: Molecule associated with relaxation controls the size of pores and water loss
A team of Australian and German researchers has discovered a novel pathway that plants can use to save water and improve their drought tolerance. The research published recently in Nature Communications shows that the molecule GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid), most commonly associated with relaxation in animals, can control the size of the pores on plant leaves […] Read more
China to crack down on use of leanness enhancers in livestock
China’s agriculture ministry has said it will crack down on the use of leanness-enhancing agents in farm animals to guarantee the quality and safety of livestock products. The three-month drive will focus on the use of the banned substance clenbuterol in cattle and sheep, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs said in a statement, […] Read more
Canada, U.S. agree on plan if African swine fever infects wild pigs
Zoning would keep other parts of the North American hog market functioning
Glacier FarmMedia – Wild pigs are a worry in Canada and the United States for reasons beyond the damage they do to farms, pasture land and ecosystems. They could be an uncontrollable factor if ever infected with African swine fever. Why it matters: African swine fever has devastating effects on swine herds, as shown in […] Read more
First responder livestock training goes virtual
Containment and material sourcing emphasized in response to transportation crises
Getting livestock out of a downed truck can be tricky, but keeping them calm and together afterwards can be even tougher. Farm and Food Care Ontario is tackling the problem in an online series of livestock emergency training workshops. Why it matters: First responders require expertise in animal rescue and handling — as well as […] Read more
Health Canada declares gene editing safe
The ruling is expected to give Canadian producers access to the same types of plant breeding available in other countries
Glacier FarmMedia – Canadian farmers may soon be growing gene-edited crops. That’s because Health Canada has declared that gene-editing technology is safe. Health Canada recently proposed new rules to oversee plant breeding innovation, including gene editing. Why it matters: Canada has lagged other countries in its regulations surrounding gene editing, which could have put Canadian […] Read more
Treatment could manage chipping potato size
Gibberellic Acid could be a solution to using potato varieties too large for chipping
Potato growers know that size, consistency and uniformity matter to the bottom line and non-marketable potatoes at harvest can chip away at profitability. Take the Waneta potato; a good chipper variety appreciated by growers but panned by some processors due to its larger size. In 2020, Mark VanOostrum, supply manager at WD Potato Limited, along […] Read more
Two forest stewardship organizations to merge
OWA and EOMF already share Kemptville headquarters
With two top staff members set to depart from the Eastern Ontario Model Forest (EOMF) to focus more on their own businesses, the organization will come under the wing of the Ontario Woodlot Association (OWA) – with which it already shares an administrative office and resource person in Kemptville. OWA executive director John Pineau is […] Read more
Students learn about farming through art
Good in Every Grain and CAFM are delivering art-inspired agriculture activities that incorporate key concepts in the Grade 1 to Grade 4 Ontario curriculum. “Students are more interested than ever in the connection between food, the environment and nutrition,” said Victoria Berry, manager of communications at Grain Farmers of Ontario. As part of the program, […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
