The Grain Farmers of Ontario has submitted to the government its 10-point, four-year "pollinator health blueprint," which includes a focus on increasing pollinator habitat, increasing grower education and decreasing neonicotinoid use. The Blueprint identifies five key areas to "enhance the health" of pollinators in Ontario: Habitat and nutrition; Pesticide exposure; Diseases and parasites; Communication between... Read More
Category: News
Soybeans have cleared another hurdle in the crop's quest for more acres in Western Canada as Alberta's Agriculture Financial Services Corporation has decided to start offering crop insurance coverage for soybeans this year. Both dryland and irrigated soybeans will be insurable in certain areas under an AFSC program called the "New Crops Insurance Initiative." "The... Read More
*Update on Monday, March 9th: The USDA on March 9th confirmed a second case of H5N2 avian influenza in the Mississippi flyway on a turkey farm in Missouri. Another turkey facility in Missouri has also been quarantined after preliminary tests came back positive for the virus. The first finding of the highly pathogenic H5N2 avian... Read More
The Canola Council of Canada has new chair. Brian Conn, vice-president of oilseeds with Louis Dreyfus Commodities Canada Ltd. succeeds Nipawin, Saskatchewan farmer Terry Youzwa, who finished his two-year term as chair. “On behalf of the board, I would like to thank Terry for his service as Chairman,” said Conn in a CCC news release.... Read More
If you’re looking to catch up on what’s been happening in the world of Canadian agriculture, this week’s podcast runs the gamut — from seed companies collecting end point royalties to why some weeds are more prone to herbicide resistance to why McDonald’s is looking to Canada for “sustainable beef.” Here’s “This Week on Real... Read More
The Canadian government’s decision to implement UPOV ’91 standards for plant breeders’ rights is driving new investment in crop breeding, say seed industry officials. Bill C-18 — the federal legislation amending the Plant Breeders’ Rights Act — became law last week. Representatives from the seed trade and the crop sector value chain celebrated its passage... Read More
Case IH and New Holland are the latest ag equipment brands to come out with Certified Pre-Owned programs that offer farmers additional warranty and financing options on used tractors and combines. “This program will offer used equipment customers the reliability, warranty, special financing offers and peace of mind typically found only with new equipment purchases,”... Read More
The federal agriculture minister, seed industry officials and representatives from various crop sector and farmer organizations celebrated the passage of Bill C-18 — the Agricultural Growth Act — at the head office of Canterra Seeds in Winnipeg on Friday. The legislation, which includes the implementation of the UPOV ’91 standard for plant breeders’ rights and... Read More
The recent case of a BSE-positive cow found in Alberta has been traced back to a birth farm that produced another positive BSE case in 2010. In the case of that cow, the 17th detected in Canada, the animal was born in 2004, three years before the enhanced feed ban came into effect. The Canadian... Read More
From the Agricultural Growth Act receiving Royal Assent to new questions surrounding the strange case of missing quarantined heritage sheep in Ontario, there's plenty to discuss in this week's ag news recap. Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz, meteorologist Drew Lerner, McGill University's Joe Schwarcz, Dave Solverson of the Canadian Cattlemen's Association and others make it into... Read More