Row of pea seedlings in soil with first seedling in focus

Soil report highlights shifting focus on core issues

Opinion: Turn and burn is the name of the game before sunny days turn wet again

“Soil is still at risk in Canada and around the world,” the report says. “The committee heard that while soil management has improved and crop yield has increased with enhanced plant genetics and cultural practices, these gains have also masked the effect of continued soil degradation and loss of agricultural land in every region of Canada.

Editorial: Local counts during election campaigns

Editorial: Local counts during election campaigns

An uninspiring election could be an opportunity for agriculture inroads

The federal election has been a bit of a snoozer so far, with no defining issues and little widespread attachment to any of the parties and leaders. Movement in the polls started in late August with a hint that in the absence of any defining reason to call an election, the electorate questioned the prime […] Read more

The world’s population relies mostly on the food from five plants, including corn.

Opinion: Big solutions recommended for Canada’s food system

The Canadian Agri-food Policy Institute (CAPI) recently hosted the Big Solutions Forum, an event where private industry, producers and government officials discuss Canada’s food system. A theme throughout the dialogue was that a systemic approach will be necessary to achieve any meaningful impact. This prompted me to try to further understand the purpose of a […] Read more


Canada is now the fifth-largest agricultural exporter in the world, aiming to become the second-largest by 2025.

Opinion: Growing Canada’s domestic market a vital strategy

Focusing less on exports and more on people could help Canada become a global super power

A street scene photographed back in Britain’s horse-and-buggy days is symbolic of how the world has traditionally looked upon Canada as a food exporter. “Canada: Britain’s granary” is boldly splayed across a decorative archway on a busy avenue. And it was a granary of sorts, just as it is today. As much as Canadians see […] Read more


Healthy donated groceries in boxes at food bank warehouse

Opinion: Food banks continue to report rising usage

Capital Letters with Kelsey Johnson of iPolitics

As the holiday season nears, the annual pleas for charity donations ring loud amid the merriment of the season. It’s the season of giving. A time to lend an extra helping hand to those who need it most. A new report from the Ontario Association of Food Banks shows the need for assistance is not […] Read more

Farmers Handshake

Opinion: Creating a base for trust isn’t easy

Capital Letters with Kelsey Johnson of iPolitics

Last week agriculture leaders, experts, government officials, farmers and academics gathered in Gatineau, Que., for a two-day conference to talk about public trust. It’s a hot topic, a reality quickly confirmed by the full house it attracted. But what does public trust actually mean? In broad terms, public trust is the idea that a person […] Read more

Opinion: Tractors on the road – a debate around the world

Capital Letters with Kelsey Johnson of iPolitics

While driving through parts of rural Scotland last month, a farm-related debate came on the BBC radio program my friend and I were listening to. Since I was suffering from agriculture-news related withdrawal (it was only day four of my vacation), I immediately cranked the volume. The question up for debate: should tractors be banned […] Read more


Tyson Innovation Lab launched its new brand, iYappah! with these protein snacks made from food trimmings that in the past were discarded.

Opinion: What’s for dinner? Re-imagining leftovers

Now we can all help the world’s second largest meat processor fight food waste

Sometimes deciding what to feed the family after a long, arduous day juggling daycare, jobs and traffic seems overwhelmingly complicated. If the May 31 news release from the U.S.-based Tyson Innovation Lab is any indication, deciding what we’re going to put into our mouths next is about to get more cluttered with new products, new […] Read more