Canadian canola goes to California Sunday, January 4, 2009 The U.S. Department of Agriculture is getting excited about using Canadian-developed canola as a multi-tasking crop on a farm in a drought-prone part of California. At a return of a scant $300 an acre, canola is no competition for almond orchards worth 20 times that. But, planted where nothing else will grow anyway, canola may solve some environmental problems.According to Associated Press, John Diener irrigates once-fallow fields with water that had been contaminated with excess selenium which kills waterfowl in nearby sanctuaries. The fields grow canola, which Diener crushes for biodiesel, feeding the meal to dairy cows in an experiment sponsored by the federal department of agriculture.There is urgency in this because of an ongoing drought. Runoff from irrigation percolates through the ground, and collects excessive amount of selenium. Growing canola has the potential to clean up that contaminated water. Diener is a grower, not a dairy farmer, and the canola meal is being fed to an experimental herd. But the San Joaquin Valley is a huge dairying area and the agriculture department hopes to get other farmers to follow suit. BF Genetic diversity takes a beating Local food promoter hit by 'absurd' regulation
Broadband Access is a Defining Issue for Rural Canada’s Future Thursday, April 2, 2026 Broadband connectivity took centre stage during the on March 26, as speakers emphasized that reliable, high-speed internet is now foundational to rural economic growth, community well-being, and Canada’s broader ambitions in technology and resource development. The Coalition’s latest... Read this article online
Agricultural Educator and Industry Leader Dr Tom Funk Remembered for Lasting Influence Thursday, April 2, 2026 The agricultural education community is mourning the passing of Dr Tom Funk, a highly respected Professor Emeritus at the University of Guelph whose influence spanned more than three decades of teaching, leadership, and mentorship. Dr Funk dedicated over 35 years to teaching... Read this article online
What Distributed Energy Resources Mean for Canadian Producers Thursday, April 2, 2026 As energy costs rise, many Canadian farms are looking for ways to take greater control of their electricity use. One term that farmers are hearing more often is distributed energy resources, often shortened to DERs. While the phrase may sound technical, the concept is highly practical, and... Read this article online
Western Fair District Wins Agribusiness Award 2026 Thursday, April 2, 2026 Western Fair District has been named the winner of the 2026 Business Achievement Award in Agribusiness by the London Chamber of Commerce. This award recognizes the organization’s strong efforts in supporting agriculture, innovation, and community development. A key part of this... Read this article online
Government Extends Interest Free Farm Loan Support Thursday, April 2, 2026 The Government of Canada has announced that it will extend the $250,000 interest-free limit under the Advance Payments Program (APP) for the 2026 program year. The decision has been welcomed by farm groups as an important step to support farmers during uncertain times. “This is a... Read this article online