The establishment of a method to rapidly create elite crop varieties via selective breeding is a matter of urgency to maintain the food supply. In order to select such cultivars, […] Read more
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Crop breeding enhanced through machine learning
Science Notes: Artificial intelligence analyzes large numbers of seeds from a single image
Sensor technology could prevent foreign material contamination in processing plants
Contamination is detected from a distance away from the assembly line, avoiding extra cleaning and processes
A Calgary-based start-up is about to start trials on an innovation for food processing facilities it says can prevent foreign material contamination of food products. E.O.I Technologies is preparing to […] Read more
Grain farmer attack ads come with risk
Many of the frustrations of grain farmers are with issues outside of COVID-19 impact
The tone of a new advertising campaign created by Grain Farmers of Ontario has created division in the agriculture sector during the COVID-19 crisis. “You’ve already seen the empty shelves. […] Read more
Eastern Canada gets poor grades on soil
A report card compares soil management and health between Eastern and Western Canada
The Soil Conservation Council of Canada has released its first national soil health report card. The soil grades are based on farmer changes made over the past five to 10 […] Read more
Protein market shows rapid growth and many changes
Strong global growth should continue for both meat and plant proteins
Global markets for protein have been growing strongly around the world and that should bode well for livestock producers long term. However, COVID-19 has thrown into question known trends. David […] Read more
Hay market tight, but concerns with COVID-19-related demand
Significant market opportunities available in Canada and the U.S.
Demand for Ontario-grown hay remains strong in the immediate aftermath of the COVID-19 global pandemic, but longer-term effects are more difficult to judge. “It’s not anything near what other people […] Read more
Why there’s so much U.S. anxiety over corn
U.S. corn stocks-to-use ratio is expected to inflate to a bloated 29 per cent next crop year, shredding already low prices
Glacier FarmMedia – Corn prices are going to tank in 2020-21, according to a leading agricultural economist from the United States corn belt. Why it matters: The U.S. market sets […] Read more
Ravens a serious threat to Ontario sheep farmers
Study shows no significant control options, but there are ways to reduce risk
A 2019 study has found that there are limited ways to control ravens which prey on lambs. Jillian Craig, small ruminant specialist with OMAFRA, undertook the study last summer, to […] Read more
New report identifies challenges of COVID-19
Supply isn’t a concern, but processing and moving food have proved to be a challenge
Glacier FarmMedia – The Canadian Agri-Food Policy Institute has identified short- and long-term issues affecting the food system’s resilience. Why it matters: By identifying key obstacles affecting food production and […] Read more
Hay acreage increasing in Ontario
Extra acreage should help reduce costs for farmers who have to buy hay
Hay fields in southwestern Ontario appear in generally good shape following a challenging fall 2019 and winter 2020. But the same can’t be said in eastern portions of the province. […] Read more