Chickening out on organic rules Tuesday, March 3, 2009 The seemingly worldwide recession has caused a crisis for organic producers. Sales are down and they can't sell their stuff as consumers tighten their belts and try to make the green stuff in their wallets go further. British newspapers report that organic food sales slumped by 10 per cent in September, October and November, while overall food sales increased six per cent. Organic certification organizations asked the Rural Affairs Secretary to relax stringent rules on animal feed for an indefinite period. They wanted to be able to feed their organic animals conventional feed at half the cost per tonne of organic grains. Standards on stocking densities, antibiotic and fertilizer use would remain in place.Growers are concerned that economic conditions will be even worse in the coming year. The Organic Research Centre condemns the move, fearing that even more consumers will move away from organic food if standards aren't maintained. BF Name your cow and get more milk Clouds over Solar in East Hawkesbury
Canada's Productivity Mega Deduction Could Fuel New Farm and Ag-Tech Investment Tuesday, October 6, 2026 Canada's agriculture sector, food processors, equipment manufacturers, and ag-tech companies could soon benefit from a major new federal tax incentive designed to accelerate investment and economic growth. During a visit to Allan Equipment Manufacturing Ltd. in Charlottetown, Prince... Read this article online
MS Schippers unveils autonomous barn-cleaning robot Tuesday, October 6, 2026 The MS Smart Cleaning Robot (see photo montage above) offers three phases on one device for barn cleaning: combining high-pressure washing, chemical foam soaking, and disinfection in a single autonomous pass. A Dutch agricultural technology company is introducing an automated cleaning system... Read this article online
How One Ontario Pumpkin Farm Turned 10% of Production Into Half Its Revenue Tuesday, October 6, 2026 For one Ontario farm that was looking beyond traditional commodity production to strengthen their businesses,the answer has come from an unlikely source: ornamental pumpkins and gourds. Located east of St. Thomas, Ontario, Butters Farms has built a successful niche around seasonal... Read this article online
Canadian Food System Trust Holds Steady, but Uncertainty and Misinformation Are Rising Tuesday, October 6, 2026 Canadians largely maintain a positive view of the nation's food system, but rising concerns about affordability, misinformation, and the growing influence of artificial intelligence are creating a more complex environment for maintaining public trust. That was among the key findings... Read this article online
Canadian Agri-Businesses Face Insurance Crunch as Premiums Rise and Coverage Options Shrink Tuesday, October 6, 2026 Small agricultural businesses across Canada are facing a mounting insurance challenge as premiums climb and coverage options become harder to find, according to research from the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB). The report highlights a growing concern among farmers,... Read this article online