A chemical-free way of reducing pests Sunday, November 8, 2015 A California-based company has created a chemical-free way to reduce pests and increase yields.According to Wine Industry Network, AgroThermal Systems' thermal plant treatment system, called Thermaculture, was originally designed for insect and fungal control. However after early trials the company found that the procedure had several other benefits, including increased fruit set. Results from recent tests done at the Chateau Reynon vineyard near Bordeaux, France, found that Thermaculture helped to increase the fruit set by 20 per cent while also increasing bunch weight by 25 per cent, a press release reports.While it is currently used primarily in viticulture, AgroThermal Systems founder and CEO Marty Fischer said in a press release that "while we are most experienced with wine grapes, Thermaculture will provide benefits to other crops including orchards, berries [and] kiwifruit."A video explaining the procedure can be seen at www.youtube.com/watch?v=O_8C-sNogIw BF Lake Erie agreement confronts Ontario farmers with stiff phosphorus reduction targets Now you can buy animal welfare bonds
Cattle Stress Tool May Boost Fertility Friday, June 27, 2025 Kansas State University researchers have developed a cool tool that may help reduce cattle stress and improve artificial insemination (AI) results. The idea came from animal science experts Nicholas Wege Dias and Sandy Johnson, who observed that cattle accustomed to their environment... Read this article online
Ontario pasture lands get $5M boost Friday, June 27, 2025 The governments of Canada and Ontario are investing up to $5 million to strengthen shared community grazing pastures. This funding supports the province’s plan to protect Ontario’s agriculture sector and help cattle farmers improve pasture quality, ensuring long-term sustainability and... Read this article online
Health Canada sets rules for drone spraying Wednesday, June 25, 2025 Health Canada has approved the use of drones, also called Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS), for pesticide application under the Pest Control Products Act (PCPA). Drones are considered aircraft by Transport Canada, but Health Canada treats them differently due to their unique... Read this article online
Twelve Ontario Agri-Businesses Receive Funding Support Wednesday, June 25, 2025 Bioenterprise Canada has announced the successful recipients of the second call for proposals under the Ontario Agri-Food Research Initiative (OAFRI) Commercialization Stream. Twelve organizations across Ontario will receive support to bring innovative agri-food solutions to the... Read this article online
Early Career Research Award supports two Guelph research initiatives Tuesday, June 24, 2025 The 2025 Early Career Research Award was presented to two University of Guelph researchers at the recently held Livestock Research Innovation Corporation (LRIC) symposium. Dr. Kelsey Spence received $40,000 towards her work in on-farm biosecurity research, and Dr. Sam Workenhe was awarded... Read this article online