Potatoes are protected from early and late blight by applications of Mancozeb.

Mancozeb fungicide approved for continued use

There was concern the fungicide’s registration would be cancelled

Mancozeb, a group M fungicide, has been approved for continued use under the the Pest Control Products Act. The pesticide re-evaluation was completed by the Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) and the announcement was made Nov. 19. Why it matters: The elimination of Mancozeb would have been costly for farmers. The product has been used […] Read more

Onions are sold at a market at Dharavi, one of Asia’s largest slums, in Mumbai, India on April 7, 2020. (File photo: Reuters/Francis Mascarenhas)

High food prices hurting India’s poor

Inflation pain expected to persist for months yet

New Delhi | Reuters — India’s retail inflation may stay elevated for at least three more months after hitting a six-year high in October, as excess rain has damaged standing crops and seedlings, while edible oils that the country imports have become expensive. The high prices are a particular cause of concern for India’s hundreds […] Read more

(File photo by Greg Berg)

Newfoundland farmers may shoot problem moose at night

Province to provide permits to qualified farmers

Moose causing crop damage on farms in Newfoundland and Labrador may now be shot by farmers at night under a new special permit system. Farmers dealing with “problem moose” can now apply for permits for night shooting, via provincial agriculture development officers in their areas, the provincial fisheries and land resources department said Thursday. The […] Read more

Fruit and vegetable growers say that better procedures are needed for temporary workers who move from farm to farm.

OFVGA recommending on-farm COVID-19 testing

Farmer group concerned about temporary workers moving among farms

The Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Growers’ Association (OFVGA) is recommending that all essential agri-food employees on Ontario farms get tested for COVID-19, as the virus continues to stubbornly spread on some farms. Testing workers on farm can help limit the spread of the disease, says the OFVGA. Why it matters: Recent outbreaks of COVID-19 on […] Read more

Growers who use hoop houses can use the CO2 GRO technology even though they don’t have an entirely closed environment.

Plant growth boosted with water-based carbon dioxide

The Canadian system allows hoop-structure growers to use carbon dioxide as a growth enhancer

An Ontario company has patented technology to dissolve carbon dioxide into water and apply it to plants to make them grow faster while also reducing disease problems. Toronto-based CO2 GRO launched early in 2018 and has sold systems to growers of crops like lettuce, peppers, tomatoes, cannabis and microgreens. Although many greenhouse growers are already […] Read more


Downy mildew is more challenging to manage with few control measures.

Resistance management is of utmost importance for cucurbit downy mildew

Changes in fungicide regulations have reduced the available treatments

Management of cucurbit downy mildew (CDM) requires more diligence with limited fungicide options. Recent changes in fungicide regulations leaves fewer options for farmers to control CDM, economically the most important disease for cucumbers. Why it matters: Re-evaluation of chlorothalonil has reduced the number of applications for cucurbit growers from seven to two. CDM has become […] Read more

Abbey Garden’s containerized Growcer system will allow the food hub to extend its growing season year-round.

Canadian container farming system aims to grow markets

Growing indoors can help extend the production season for produce farmers

Updated Jan. 6, 2020 A container farming start-up from Ottawa launched into the Canadian market several years ago by bringing year-round fresh produce production to northern communities. And although that continues to be a successful venture for The Growcer, the company is now finding its business shifting to customers from more southern regions. That includes […] Read more

Watermelons head to market in California.

Managing water for farming on a large scale

California’s most recent drought has pushed farmers to become more water-use efficient

The drought may be over but water continues to be a top-of-mind issue in California — particularly for its US$50 billion a year agriculture sector. Most of the state’s rainfall happens in the north and most consumption in the agricultural and urbanized south, which has created a complex water distribution network anchored by two main […] Read more


The Ontario Food Terminal is the main hub for produce marketing in the province.

Ontario Food Terminal pushed to find more revenue, modernize

Food terminal review aims to find ways to improve its operations

The province has provided guidance to the Ontario Food Terminal after a review of its operations found it is missing some business opportunities and that its location limits its ability to expand and supply the rest of the province. The review was conducted by consulting firm MNP. Ernie Hardeman, the minister of Agriculture, Food and […] Read more

(SerresLefort.ca)

Major Quebec hothouse grower seeks creditor protection

One of Quebec’s best known greenhouse propagators, who in recent years launched an aggressive expansion into organic vegetables, is seeking creditor protection. Les Serres Lefort, which operates almost 50 acres of greenhouse facilities at Sainte-Clotilde in Quebec’s Monteregie, announced Sept. 10 it had filed a notice of intention on Sept. 6 to file a proposal […] Read more