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Tag Archives University of Guelph — page 13

Ontario Sheep Farmers will use Dr. Debra Stark’s expertise as needed to help deal with industry issues.
News

Stark named independent advisor to Ontario Sheep Farmers

Organization says the unique position will build its capacity to deal with challenging issues

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Ontario Sheep Farmers is signing on an independent board advisor to serve as a sounding board, mediator and to help the organization deal with sector-wide issues. Dr. Deb Stark, a former deputy minister of OMAFRA who was also the province’s first chief veterinarian, has signed onto the position. Marc Carere, chair of the board of […] Read more
Red skin and flesh potatoes are popular due to antioxidant properties.
Crops, News

Emerging potato varieties aim to put more pop into potato market

Federal government overhauling national potato research program to make it more responsive to industry

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The latest potato varieties being evaluated for the Ontario market were on display at the University of Guelph’s Elora Research Station in late August for interested growers and industry representatives. The majority were from the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada potato breeding program in Fredericton, which annually provides cultivars with potential for Ontario’s climate and growing […] Read more
News

Guelph researchers seek farmer input on precision ag technology

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University of Guelph researchers want to hear from farmers about their use of precision agriculture technologies. A research team of University of Guelph graduate students in the Geography, Environment and Geomatics Department is conducting the survey. The lead researcher is master’s candidate Sarah Marquis and the lead academic advisory is Evan Fraser. Results will be […] Read more
Researcher Gail Carpenter looked at feeding switchgrass to dairy cattle.
Livestock, News

Switchgrass can replace straw in dairy rations

However, researchers caution against feeding too much to lactating cows or milk production could drop

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Switchgrass has potential as both dairy cow bedding and feed – especially for dry cows. One of its benefits is that it is low in potassium relative to the more commonly used wheat straw. High potassium levels can cause problems for dairy cattle, especially if they are calving during a dry season. Gail Carpenter, a […] Read more
These week-old chicks on a broiler farm reach maturity at about six weeks. Some consumers are looking for chicken reared over longer periods, despite the decreased efficiency and increased carbon footprint.
Livestock, News

‘Slow-growth’ chicken soon to be on the shelf

Canadian researchers are determining what breeds of chickens would be best for slower-growth market

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Glacier FarmMedia – The fresh chicken section, at the grocery store is easy to navigate. There is chicken breast and chicken thighs. Sometimes the bone is included, sometimes not. That simplicity may soon end. Before long, chicken meat with a “slow growth” label could appear at major grocers, because retailers and restaurant chains, like Whole […] Read more
Michael Kauzlaric works as a technology scout at Vineland Research and Innovation.
Crops

New tender fruit varieties are just peachy

Harvest window, flavour and climate hardiness among most sought-after characteristics

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An early ripening, yellow-flesh peach will be moving into first stage commercialization next year. It’s among several promising new tender fruit varieties from the University of Guelph and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) breeding programs that are emerging as potential winners in research under way at Vineland Research Innovation Centre (Vineland) in conjunction with Ontario […] Read more
Adzuki beans have done well for Ontario growers in recent years.
Crops, News

Adzuki beans showing growth in Ontario

Fleabane, SCN and new bacteria diseases are causing challenges in dry beans

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Adzuki beans are a growing crop in Ontario, jumping from 7,700 acres in 2017 to almost 20,000 acres in 2019. The beans, which are mostly sold to Japanese markets, have performed well for Ontario growers the past couple of years. “I’ve heard from growers that they’ve had success and strong yields,” says Meghan Moran, canola […] Read more
Opinion: The family farm is changing but not dying
News

Opinion: The family farm is changing but not dying

There are fewer smaller farms, but the numbers show that doesn’t mean fewer families running farms

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One of the greatest myths of Canadian agriculture is that the family farm is dying. If family farms could talk, they’d likely echo Mark Twain’s quote that “the reports of my death are greatly exaggerated.” I see frequent reports that the family farm is disappearing and “corporate farms” are taking over. It is true that […] Read more
Can sustainable agriculture practices offer a direct line to Europe?
News

Can sustainable agriculture practices offer a direct line to Europe?

Sustainability programs offer assurance to European buyers, but they can mean more work for producers

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Mention the word “certification” to farmers and all they hear is “more paperwork.” But Grain Farmers of Ontario says such programs really spell improved market access. In fact, they will be critical to reaching important markets, such as the European Union. The good news is sustainability programs have already been enjoying some success in Canada. […] Read more
The production system at back40growers employs towers to grow herbs.
News

Ontario’s first vertical farm produces local herbs

Herbs have proved more profitable for the company than growing salad greens

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An unobtrusive warehouse in a commercial-industrial area of Burlington houses Ontario’s first year-round supplier of locally grown herbs. Back40growers is also Ontario’s first vertical farm. Vertical farming is an emerging production system – plants are grown entirely indoors without sunlight and everything from temperature and humidity to light, irrigation and nutrients is precisely controlled. Why […] Read more

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