Dig Deep Archive

The continuing evolution of Environmental Farm Plans

Stakeholders updated P.E.I.’s environmental farm plan to better serve farmers who look to improve the sustainability of their operations

By Kate Ayers
Staff Writer
Better Farming

The Prince Edward Island Federation of Agriculture strives to help farmers create practical plans for their operations and ensure management decisions are environmentally sustainable, socially acceptable and economically viable.

Improving water quality in Ontario’s rivers and lakes

A contestant in an international competition helps farmers protect the environment

By Jim Algie
Better Farming

The 2018 Lake Simcoe phase of an international competition testing phosphorus removal technology led to the installation of new systems on three area farms, said Derek Davy, co-founder of Econse Water Purification Systems.

The new, electro-mechanical systems clean wash water from vegetables.

Farmers give back through international service work

Guelph PhD student is compiling valuable information to help wheat breeders in Nepal

By Jackie Clark
Staff Writer
Better Farming

Kamal KhadkaKamal Khadka, a PhD student in the department of plant agriculture at the University of Guelph, is devoting his research to helping improve opportunities for cereal farmers in his home country of Nepal.

Biologicals offer new opportunities to make plants and soils thrive

This U of Guelph researcher looks to wild relatives and ancient varieties of crops to identify biologicals from the plant microbiome that might help today’s agricultural systems

by Jackie Clark
Staff Writer
Better Farming

Dr. Manish Raizada and his team of graduate students and researchers in the plant agriculture department at the University of Guelph are studying endophytes to find potential biological growth promotors or biological pest controls.

Planting the seeds of ag literacy

Can your teen make turkey pasta puttanesca? How about a hard-boiled egg?

By Paula Schuck
Better Farming

If your teen was suddenly accepted to college or university tomorrow, would he or she be ready to care for him- or herself? Would his or her diet revolve around microwaved ramen noodles, hot dogs, and boxed macaroni and cheese? Or could your child shop for ingredients, and plan and prepare healthy meals for a week?

What if every teen began his or her post-secondary education knowing how to make at least six simple, nutritious, fresh meals?

Digging into our knowledge of the living soil

Soil testing for the microbiome is not yet standardized, but DNA sequencing has allowed for soil scientists to determine proxy measurements

By Jackie Clark
Staff Writer
Better Farming

Farmers and researchers are starting to develop a better understanding of the importance of a well-functioning cooperative community of micro-organisms, called the soil microbiome. To help improve their soils, producers must have an accessible way to evaluate the microbiological activity in their fields.

Is it turnaround time for Ontario’s abattoirs?

Staffing and regulations are key to meat processing sector success

by Peter Hohenadel
Better Farming

Many Ontario abattoirs have disappeared over the past decade, confirms Dr. Sylvain Charlebois.

He’s a professor in food distribution and policy at Dalhousie University in Halifax. He’s also a well-known commentator on agri-food matters.

The future of the World Trade Organization

The actions of American representatives handicap the functioning of the WTO

By Jim Algie
Better Farming

When their terms expired in May 2019, the fourth and fifth remaining members of the World Trade Organization’s (WTO’s) beleaguered, appellate body made fond-but-anxious farewell speeches to the organization’s ambassadors in Geneva.

Lobbying for reform of business risk management programs

As the federal, provincial and territorial governments consider program updates, these officials should consider farmers’ environmental contributions

By Jim Algie
Better Farming

Part of the solution to Canada’s current policy struggle over complex business risk management programs in the era of Donald Trump’s trade war should involve payments to farmers for environmental goods and services, says Dr. Don Buckingham.