Organic consumption is falling in Europe even as governments mandate more production using that farming system. The European Commission is not paying attention to what people want, said Lode Ceyssens, president of the Belgian Farmers Union in Flanders. Why it matters: The EU’s Farm to Fork strategy emphasizes sustainable agriculture production, and organic production is […] Read more
Tag Archives organic
EU organic output out of step with consumption
European farmers say they are encouraged to produce organically amid waning consumer interest
Organic operators down, acreage up: new industry stats
Total organic sales in 2022 was $10.26, billion up from $9.35 billion in 2021
The number of Canadian organic producers and processors fell by nearly 300 in 2022 according to the latest industry stats. “There’s people coming in and there’s people going out,” said Tia Loftsgard, executive director of the Canadian Organic Trade Association (COTA).
Well-chosen tillage part of organic family’s innovative crop system
Adding alfalfa to the rotation inspired the moldboard plow's return
Brett Israel of Drayton-area 3-Gen Organics shared his family’s recent experiences on how reintroducing the moldboard plow can be a winner for both yield and soil health on heavier-textured land. 3-Gen Organics hosted a farm tour Aug. 30 to show how prudent tillage with cover crops is working on their farm. It was co-hosted by […] Read more
AAFC explores options for cover crops in organic rotation
Findings show some corn yields at Harrow plot were comparable with conventional
A recently completed study into organic cash crop rotations added support to those who believe the moldboard plow still has a place in southwestern Ontario agriculture. A team at Agriculture and Agri-food Canada’s Harrow research station will continue looking into alternative ways of terminating cover crops prior to corn. Why it matters: Many organic farmers […] Read more
Niche market specialists open new crop-cleaning complex
Felder family launched Field Farms Marketing in 2005
Updated July 13, 2023 Field Farms Marketing (FFM) celebrated the opening of a new HACCP-certified food-grade crop-cleaning and conditioning facility on Lasalle Line on June 22. David Felder, director of business development of the Petrolia-based non-GMO, organic and other niche crops marketing specialist, provided tours for guests during the grower open house. Felder’s parents started […] Read more
Finding a way with organic no-till soybeans
Weed management remains the biggest challenge
Organic production is never an easy prospect, and trying to do it without tillage presents additional challenges. But for Aaron Bowman, it’s been possible with a different kind of planning, monitoring and adjusting to conditions during a growing season. Bowman, who farms east of Oshawa, raises beef cattle as part of a 350-acre operation, including […] Read more
Gene-edited crops clear CFIA’s regulatory bar
Agency guidance puts gene editing on level of conventional breeding
Plants gene-edited for efficient use of water or nutrients or to better withstand pests or drought now won’t have to clear the same regulatory hurdles in Canada as any crops that are modified for herbicide tolerance or include foreign genes. Federal Agriculture Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau on Wednesday announced updated guidance from the Canadian Food Inspection […] Read more
Rotational grazing system earns BFO pasture award
Young farmer followed his dream, started beef operation on rented land
Tom Aikins is humble about receiving the 2023 Beef Farmers of Ontario Mapleseed Pasture Award. “They decided they wanted to give me this,” said the first-generation farmer from Ravenna, Grey County, during the BFO dinner following its annual meeting last month. “I don’t really know why. I’m not reinventing the wheel, but we’re raising cattle […] Read more
Controlling weeds in organic production a continual learning process
It’s about trial and error, and what works on your farm
Although their operations differ in size and geographic location, two organic growers agree that to get ahead of weeds before they rob yields, crop rotation and always keeping soil covered is key. Jamie Israel of 3Gen Organics in Mapleton Township and Rick Clark of Williamsport, Indiana, were featured speakers at a recent Guelph Organic Conference […] Read more
Federal government’s plan to approve gene editing slows down
Hold-up appears to be how to satisfy organic sector, which opposes biotech tool because of impact on sensitive markets
Glacier FarmMedia – Guidance on how gene editing will be used in Canadian plant breeding is still not available and that doesn’t sit well with the Conservative opposition. “This is important and we need this done,” said agriculture critic John Barlow in an interview. He raised the concern during a standing agriculture committee meeting on […] Read more
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