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
Tag Archives Vegetables — page 6
OFVGA recommending on-farm COVID-19 testing
Farmer group concerned about temporary workers moving among farms
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
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
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
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
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
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
Are vertical farms ready for prime time?
Indoor farm companies say they’re scaling up, but many question their business model
Reuters – Leafy salad greens grown under banks of LED lights, with mist or drips of water are having their day in the sun. Several top U.S. indoor farms say they are boosting production to a level where they can now supply hundreds of grocery stores. Plenty, Bowery, Aerofarms and 80 Acres Farms are among young companies […] Read more
Robbins named new processing vegetable growers manager
The new GM will join the organization at a time of change in marketing
Keith Robbins is the new general manager of the Ontario Processing Vegetable Growers (OPVG). Robbins, who comes from the Poultry Industry Council to the OPVG, is an experienced employee and manager of agriculture industry associations. Robbins starts his new role Sept. 17 and takes over from Cathy Lennon who is the new general manager of […] Read more
New sweet potato variety sees slow uptake
New, shorter season variety expected to displace imports over the long term, but this year’s launch was disappointing for its developer
Glacier FarmMedia – This year was scheduled to be the launch of a new sweet potato variety in Canada. The launch didn’t turn out quite as expected, as only a dozen acres were planted in 2019. The variety, called Radiance, is a short-season sweet potato that matures in 118 to 122 days, making it suitable […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
