(Dave Bedard photo)

AAFC lowers canola ending stocks forecast

MarketsFarm — Canadian canola ending stocks will be much tighter than earlier thought, according to updated supply/demand tables which were released late Thursday by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and account for the latest production numbers from Statistics Canada. AAFC’s projected canola ending stocks for 2019-20 were lowered to 3.5 million tonnes, which compares with the […] Read more

(Dave Bedard photo)

Corn exports expected down in AAFC’s October outlook

MarketsFarm — Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) on Friday issued its October outlook for principal field crops, with some revisions compared to the September report. One of the most notable numbers from AAFC was the drop in 2019-20 corn exports, which were estimated to be about 1.5 million tonnes, over 20 per cent less compared […] Read more

(Dave Bedard photo)

AAFC raises 2019-20 canola, wheat ending stocks

MarketsFarm — Canadian ending stocks of canola and wheat will be larger than earlier thought, according to updated supply/demand tables Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada released late Friday. AAFC raised its canola ending stocks estimate for 2019-20 to a record 4.5 million tonnes, up from the August estimate of 3.775 million and the upwardly-revised 2018-19 level […] Read more

Red skin and flesh potatoes are popular due to antioxidant properties.

Emerging potato varieties aim to put more pop into potato market

Federal government overhauling national potato research program to make it more responsive to industry

The latest potato varieties being evaluated for the Ontario market were on display at the University of Guelph’s Elora Research Station in late August for interested growers and industry representatives. The majority were from the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada potato breeding program in Fredericton, which annually provides cultivars with potential for Ontario’s climate and growing […] Read more

Vineland has developed products such as this automated cucumber sorter.

Federal funds to support agricultural innovation

Funding intended to accelerate automation and digitization in agriculture sector

The federal government continues to fund large agriculture organization networks with the aim to improve automation in the sector. Why it matters: Tech-adoption on the farm is increasingly identified as an opportunity to make Canadian agriculture more competitive. Governments and industry are devoting resources to support this direction. Up to $49.5 million has been pledged, […] Read more


(Elenaphotos/iStock/Getty Images)

Canada boosts 2019-20 wheat production estimate

MarketsFarm — Canadian wheat production in 2019-20 is forecast to come in at 500,000 tonnes above an earlier forecast, according to updated supply/demand tables released Wednesday from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. Wheat ending stocks were also raised in the report, while adjustments to the canola tables led a slight reduction to the still record-large carryout […] Read more

Roselyne Labbé applies Artemia to pepper plants. Applications made during the project’s duration were carefully measured, and done using a small hand applicator.

Supporting beneficial insects during lean times

Researchers find ways to perpetuate beneficial insect populations in greenhouses

At one time a citizen militia made up the core of Canada’s armed land forces. Effective as it was fighting our more southerly neighbour, though, it was eventually replaced by a more professional standing army. In the war against pests, researchers are trying to help greenhouse growers do the same. That is, introduce pest-fighting beneficial […] Read more

Agriculture organizations had more of a partnership with the AAC than they expect with OMAFRA administration of funding.

Agriculture best understands its own program needs

Letter to the editor: Moving CAP funding for organizations from agri-food to the bureaucracy makes little sense

Dear Editor, In the end, who understands the issues of farming, agriculture and agri-food better than the industry itself? Recently, the province launched a program, called “Place to Grow: Agri-food Innovation Initiative, – a program which will help drive innovation, reduce red-tape, and address industry priorities”. From their media release, “under the Canadian Agriculture Partnership (CAP), this initiative […] Read more


Mervin Traverse provides full-time elder support to Agriculture Canada.

Agriculture Canada enlists indigenous elder

The indigenous elder had worked for the CFIA for most of his career

Agriculture Canada is the first federal department to employ a departmental elder to help the institution navigate relationships with indigenous peoples. In 2017, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada created the indigenous support and awareness office to increase the department’s ability to work with indigenous people, and hired elder Mervin Traverse to provide full-time elder support to […] Read more

The Environmental Farm Plan was created in Ontario and has been expanded across the country.

Environmental Farm Plan can now be renewed online

The change means that farmers won’t always have to travel to attend in-person workshops

Farmers in Ontario can now access a website to update their Environmental Farm Plans. The enhanced system will make it easier for many to continue using this tool, which guides Ontario farmers to voluntarily adopt more environmentally sustainable practices. Why it matters: The Environmental Farm Plan is a long-time program that has helped fund and […] Read more