A new funding program is available for landowners looking to introduce or expand agricultural best management practices (BMPs) on their properties. The Thames River Phosphorus Reduction Program promotes the adoption of a variety of BMPs that are proven to reduce losses of phosphorus from agricultural lands. These practices not only improve the water quality of […] Read more
Tag Archives lake erie
New phosphorus reduction program receives $17.41 million from Canada Water Agency
Seaway workers serve strike notice
Waterway would be 'closed to all traffic' in event of strike
Five Unifor locals representing 361 workers with the St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corp. (SLSMC) have served their 72 hours’ notice of a strike that could shut the waterway to grain and all other traffic just after midnight Sunday at the earliest. Unifor members represented by Locals 4211, 4212 and 4323 in Ontario and Locals 4319 […] Read more
Nutrient strategies must reflect Erie watershed’s diversity
Local research and best management practices important to reducing phosphorus movement
When making decisions about best management practices (BMPs) to minimize phosphorus loss to Lake Erie, farmers should consider the variability of the region’s climate and topography as well as the drainage and land-use realities on their own farm. Why it matters: Nutrient overload can cause problems in nearby water bodies, affecting the environment and farmers’ […] Read more
Living Lab project to energize knowledge transfer
AAFC initiative pushes for greater validation and faster adoption of environmental farm practices
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada is pushing to increase the adoption of environmentally friendly growing practices by farmers in Ontario’s Lake Erie region. Adding to similar initiatives in the eastern Prairies, Quebec and the Atlantic provinces, the $4.2 million Living Lab — Ontario initiative intends to bring the sector together to develop, test and share innovative […] Read more
Grower of Zing peppers under new ownership
A major greenhouse vegetable grower in southernmost southern Ontario is expanding its reach in the region. Mucci Farms, based at Kingsville, just west of Leamington, announced Wednesday it has bought a controlling stake in Leamington-based Orangeline Farms, the grower of Zing Healthy Foods greenhouse peppers. Financial details weren’t disclosed in Mucci’s release Wednesday, but CBC […] Read more
Projects identified to address Lake Erie algae
Funding awarded for testing phosphorus reduction technology
Five projects have been selected to develop and test technologies that remove phosphorus from agriculture runoff. Why it matters: Finding ways to reduce phosphorus runoff will benefit all waterway users and the environment. The Thames River Phosphorus Reduction Collaborative (PRC) was formed to find solutions to reduce harmful algal blooms in the Thames River and […] Read more
Ceres lands tenant for Niagara-area grain elevator
A former Robin Hood flour mill repurposed as an export grain elevator in the Niagara region will devote the bulk of its capacity to a new tenant starting next summer. Minneapolis-based Ceres Global Ag Corp. announced Tuesday it has a new long-term storage and handling agreement in place with London Agricultural Commodities (LAC). The agreement […] Read more
Filtering phosphorus from drainage water
New phosphorus-runoff reduction initiative focused on finding tech solutions that work at the farm level
Every farm is different and what technology works on one may not suit the other. According to representatives from farm groups, environmental groups and municipal governments, understanding this truism is critical to finding solutions to Lake Erie’s algal bloom troubles. Why it matters: Investigating phosphorus filtration technologies for drainage systems and ones that work at […] Read more
The details on CAP
Details are now available for the first intake of the new federal-provincial program, which closes May 8
With maximum funding ranging between $25,000 and $35,000 per project, aspects of manure and nutrient management and livestock handling and housing represent key areas of focus for government support in the recently-released Canadian Agricultural Partnership (CAP) suite of programs. Also on offer is a maximum of $75,000 for either livestock or food crop producers for […] Read more
Ontario watershed study shows overapplication of phosphorus
Farmers in one Huron County, Ont. watershed are applying almost exactly the nitrogen needed by their crops, but more than 30 per cent more phosphorus than is needed. University of Guelph researchers reached the conclusions by analyzing multiple years of data collected by the Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority during in-person interviews with farmers in the […] Read more
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