Glacier FarmMedia – Agriculture and Agri-food Canada scientists have historically spent their time on things like improving yields, fighting crop diseases and increasing livestock feed efficiency — mostly agriculture production and risks to production. Now, their top priorities should be sustainable agriculture and climate change, says the department’s Strategic Plan for Science, a document released […] Read more
Tag Archives sustainability — page 7
Canadian agri-food scientists urged to switch tracks
A new federal strategy asks scientists to focus on sustainability and climate change rather than production
Building brand equity key to Ontario beef sector growth
The Ontario beef industry has seen its share of challenges over the last two-and-a-half decades, but today it’s well positioned to take advantage of market growth potential. That was the message to attendees of the 25th anniversary celebration from the Ontario Cattle Feeders Association (OCFA) during its annual convention in London Jan.13. “In the next […] Read more
How to expand production and slash emissions
A recent report concludes that carbon sequestration is the key to producing more crops while reducing greenhouse gases
Glacier FarmMedia – Canadian farmers can play an even greater role in the global food powerhouse while reducing overall greenhouse gas emissions, a team of economists and analysts argues in a new report. From today’s 93 million megatonnes of annual emissions, Canadian agricultural emissions will grow to 137 million by 2050 if current farm production […] Read more
Feds open up consultations for sustainable ag strategy
Producer groups to have reps on advisory committee
The federal government has enlisted farm groups on the ground floor of consultations toward development of a long-term strategy to “amplify” the adoption and use of sustainable practices in agriculture over the next year. Agriculture Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau on Dec. 12 announced the launch of public consultations on strategy development, running from now through March […] Read more
Low cost, real-time soil carbon quantification could be a game changer
Two start-ups combine forces to provide farmers with better decision making on soil carbon
A new partnership between two companies with technologies rooted in artificial intelligence is making carbon quantification more accessible, profitable and scalable for farmers and landowners. Quebec-based ChrysaLabs is an agtech startup that uses cloud computing, artificial intelligence and machine learning for precision soil sampling in real time. It has teamed up with EarthOptics, a soil […] Read more
Dairy industry makes strides in sustainability and GHG mitigation
Advances and adoption of new technologies show positive impact, according to new report
North American dairy production is reducing its impact on the climate while maximizing production through genetics, technology and data-driven decisions. That’s the conclusion of a recent report, ‘The Environmental Benefits of Modern Dairy, Hay, and Forage Production Technologies’, which was unveiled at the World Dairy Expo in Madison, Wisconsin, during an industry expert panel discussion […] Read more
Study highlights economic impact and funding shortfall of RMP/SDRM programs
Study results come at an important time as farm sectors struggle with inflation
The Ontario Agriculture Sustainability Coalition (OASC) has released results of a new study examining the economic impact that Ontario’s Risk Management Program (RMP) and Self-Directed Risk Management Program (SDRM) have on Ontario farms, farm production and the broader Ontario economy. Highlights of the study include: Every dollar spent on RMP/SDRM leads to $2.01 – $3.60 […] Read more
Editorial: Sustainability shouldn’t be an optical illusion
Over the Thanksgiving weekend, one our freelance writers, Rebecca Hannam, brought to my attention an interesting press release from the University of Guelph on how its on-campus child care centre has reduced its carbon footprint by switching to only feeding a plant-based diet. She asked in her email to me “why is no one talking […] Read more
Dairy sustainability lead has high hopes for 2050 emission goals
New DFC recruit previously worked with Canadian Cattle Association
Fawn Jackson recalls a message she heard from forestry and fishery stakeholders when she moved into her previous role as executive director of the Canadian Roundtable for Sustainable Beef. “Get ahead of it, or else you’ll end up struggling to catch up from behind.” Why it matters: On-farm practices developed to meet DFC’s goals may […] Read more
U.N.-backed investors set fresh targets in sustainable food shift
Reuters – A U.N.-backed group of global financial institutions including Dutch lender Rabobank on Thursday set out a series of company specific environmental and social targets aimed at helping drive a shift to a more sustainable food system. Set by a group of 11 firms in the Good Food Finance Network, including Nuveen Natural Capital […] Read more
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