'Food shock' seen as result of climate change Friday, April 8, 2016 Rather than postulating that climate change will turn the Canadian Prairies into a new northern corn belt, scientists are growing concerned about a phenomenon they call "food shock," the increasing likelihood that climate-induced economic shocks will greatly affect the global food system, especially if they hit different breadbaskets at the same time. On the website of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, prior to its annual convention in February, Tim Benton of Global Food Security Program in the United Kingdom asked: "What if severe drought in the U.S. Midwest drives down the soy and maize harvest at the same time that a record-breaking heat wave in Europe bakes the continent's wheat crop? Or if agricultural reform in China leads to a decrease in rice production at the same time that Bangladesh has floods? How badly would world prices and availability be affected?" The conference was held in Washington, D.C. Canadians got a hint of the effects of droughts elsewhere when cauliflower prices skyrocketed in early January, a result of the extended drought in California. Less well known is that before the civil war in Syria, drought resulted in the death of about 70 per cent of the livestock there, a factor in decreased political stability. Some ideas suggested: ensuring that trade works by maintaining trade routes and logistics as well as international agreements to avoid export bans; and understanding how patterns of extreme weather are changing and adapting accordingly. And then there's reducing emissions from food production by changing diets. BF Vandalism and theft on the farm: Is it time for tougher penalties and enforcement? Cameras spot campylobacter in live chickens
Wheat Output Decline Projected for 2025 Wednesday, September 10, 2025 Statistics Canada’s latest modelled estimates suggest that wheat production in Canada will decline slightly in 2025, driven primarily by weaker yields across several regions. National output is expected to edge down 1.1% to 35.5 million tonnes, with yields forecast to fall 1.2% to 49.6... Read this article online
Research Projects and Companies Supported Through OAFRI Tuesday, September 9, 2025 The governments of Canada and Ontario have announced an investment of up to $4.77 million to strengthen the province’s agri-food sector. This funding, delivered through the Ontario Agri-Food Research Initiative (OAFRI) under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable... Read this article online
Two-pass Weed Control Critical in Managing Herbicide-Resistant Waterhemp in Ontario Monday, September 8, 2025 Dr. Peter Sikkema of the University of Guelph recently shared insights into the growing challenge of multiple herbicide-resistant water hemp at the 2025 Great Ontario Yield Tour final event in Woodstock Ontario. Dr. Sikkema research highlights both the biology of the weed and practical... Read this article online
First Northern Cohort Joins Ontario Vet Program Thursday, September 4, 2025 This September, the Ontario Veterinary College (OVC) at the University of Guelph welcomed its inaugural Northern Cohort of 20 students through the Collaborative Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Program (CDVMP). This initiative, created in partnership with Lakehead University, marks a milestone... Read this article online
Manitoba Farmers Defend Their Whisky Roots Amid Ontario Backlash Thursday, September 4, 2025 As most reader will know by now, on August 28, beverage alcohol giant Diageo announced it will be closing its Amherstburg, Ontario bottling plant. Located just 25 kilometres from the nearest U.S. border crossing, the company says the decision is part of a strategy to streamline its supply... Read this article online