Greenhouse-grown brassica microgreens under increased amber-blue lights and decreased red light to promote carotenoid production.

Vertical farm research shows increased nutrient density with amber LED exposure

Impact of amber LED could be a game changer for northern Ontario food production

The impact of amber LEDs (light emitting diodes) on Brassica microgreens highlights the potential for year-round nutrient-dense vertical greenhouse growth in food security-challenged areas.  “By increasing amber-blue LED lights while decreasing red, microgreens showed increased production of antioxidants, particularly the carotenoid nutrient,” said Dr. Xiuming Hao, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) research scientist. Why it […] Read more

(Dave Bedard photo)

AAFC raises wheat, canola production estimates

Ending stocks outlook mixed

MarketsFarm — Canadian wheat and canola production are both expected to come in above earlier expectations in updated supply/demand projections from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, released Thursday. However, while wheat stocks are also expected to rise, the canola carryout was revised lower due to expected increases in exports and domestic usage. The government agency raised […] Read more

(Dave Bedard photo)

AAFC warns of uncertainty in latest crop outlook

MarketsFarm — The supply/demand balance sheets for Canada’s major crops were largely left unchanged in the latest outlook Friday from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. While the March report only saw minor revisions, the government agency cautioned that “the economic outlook, for the world and Canadian grain markets, is particularly uncertain due to the Russian invasion […] Read more

(Dave Bedard photo)

Adjustments minor in latest AAFC crop balance sheets

MarketsFarm — Only minor adjustments to the old- and new-crop balance sheets were reported by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada in their February supply/demand report, released Friday. New-crop production estimates were left unchanged for all of the major grains, oilseeds and pulses, with a return to average yields across the Prairies expected to lead to increased […] Read more

Some soybean research is heading in the direction of climate smart agriculture.

Soybeans have a role in climate smart agriculture

Research priorities will focus on increasing yields and reducing climate impact

Soybean production could play a significant role in meeting not only economic, but also environmental sustainability goals. Soybean researchers are already pivoting to try to meet the language set out by federal, provincial and territorial (FPT) Ministers of Agriculture last November, including greater focus on carbon impacts. Why it matters: Industry stakeholders are looking to […] Read more


Researchers want to develop a treatment to address E. coli in pigs.

Research team aims to deliver antibody for pork E. coli through plants

AAFC and Western University scientists work with biotech start-up

Inspired by the success of a Belgian research team seeking a novel “immune therapy” approach to post-weaning diarrhea in pigs, a Canadian team is working to develop an antibody to prevent E. coli 0157:H7 that can be delivered to pigs through their feed. The work began more than five years ago after Agriculture and Agri-Food […] Read more


(Dave Bedard photo)

AAFC adjusts grain, oilseed balance sheets slightly

MarketsFarm –– Updated supply and demand tables from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC), released late Friday, included only minor adjustments to balance sheets for the country’s major crops. The department’s projected ending stocks for wheat and canola were left unchanged from the previous month. Factoring in the official estimates from Statistics Canada, released Dec. 3, […] Read more


(Dave Bedard photo)

AAFC lowers canola export forecast

Domestic canola usage raised; other crops largely unchanged

MarketsFarm — Canadian canola exports during the 2021-22 marketing year are forecast to be smaller than earlier projections, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) reported late Friday. Domestic usage, however, was raised in the report, keeping ending stocks of the crop steady with the October forecast. Total Canadian canola exports in 2021-22 are now forecast at […] Read more

(Dave Bedard photo)

Ag department lowers crop production, export estimates

Expectations knocked down for most major Prairie crops

MarketsFarm — Canadian crop production will be down significantly in the 2021-22 marketing year, cutting into exports for all of the country’s major grains, oilseeds and pulse crops. That’s the estimation from the latest supply/demand estimates from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC), released Thursday. Total field crop production for all crops is forecast to decrease […] Read more