The London location of the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada research station.

From bugs to vaccines, genomics to biopesticides

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s London research station touches farms from crops to livestock

Tucked away in a quiet residential neighbourhood in London, Ont., is a building where researchers delve into some of agriculture’s most pressing issues. The Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) London […] Read more

It is important to know what key traits exist and the relationship between negative and positive traits when making changes to a cow herd.

Beef genomic selection finds its stride

Research is ongoing to find new traits and figure out genetic correlations to make the best breeding choice

Picking the best herd sire or selecting replacement heifers is getting easier for producers who use genomically enhanced expected progeny differences. The predictions of valuable traits like carcass merit, longevity […] Read more


Canadian researchers could be at a disadvantage if gene edited crops and livestock are more quickly approved in other countries.

How will gene-editing reach the farm?

Biotech advocates say regulatory clarity is critical, but not available in Canada

Biotechnology experts and supporters from the agriculture and medical sectors met in Toronto recently to discuss how Canada’s regulatory system could better enable the safe commercialization of gene-edited plants and […] Read more


Wheat has lagged in speed of development compared to other crops. That could change now that the genome has been sequenced.

Wheat’s bigger future

New genetic tools are emerging after the sequencing of the wheat genome

The sequencing of the wheat genome means researchers will finally have access to genetic tools to help with wheat development — an advantage other crops have had for years. It […] Read more



Knowing the genetic potential of dairy heifers long before they start producing milk has meant an acceleration of genetic improvement in dairy cattle.  Photo: John Greig

The end of the dairy breeder

Genomic testing has ushered in vast changes in how dairy genetics are developed in Canada

At the Lehoux dairy farm at Saint-Elizéar, Que., the family once had a market for bulls sold to dairy genetics companies. They still sell heifers and cows to other farmers, […] Read more