Cotton rises again Sunday, April 3, 2011 Ethanol is one reason for the high price of corn. Another reason is pressure for farming acres from an old competitor, cotton.The Los Angeles Times reports that cotton-picking machines last fall chugged across fields that used to grow vegetables, vineyards or lay fallow. Growers were expected to plant 309,000 acres of upland and Pina cotton, up from 201,000 in 2010. Acreage is still far less than the one million planted in California in the 1990s. Acreage across the southern United States is expected to grow to 11.04 million acres, a 50 per cent jump in production.The benchmark cotton futures price bottomed at 37 cents a pound in November 2008 as the textile industry collapsed in the recession, and then stayed near the high of $1.57 this January. Poor weather resulted in short supplies in major growing areas around the world and demand is growing in – you guessed it – China and India. BF Smart phone usage by farmers expected to jump Behind the Lines - April 2011
New Canadian Swine Research Targets Piglet Disease Monday, March 23, 2026 Swine InnovationPorc(SIP) is investing in new research to address Streptococcus suis, a harmful bacterial disease affecting post-weaned piglets led byDongyanXu Niu at the University of Calgary. This disease can cause serious health problems such as respiratory illness, meningitis, and sudden... Read this article online
Canada Packers Posts Strong Volume Growth and Profitability in First Year as Standalone Company Tuesday, March 17, 2026 Canada Packers Inc., recently split off from Maple Leaf Foods, reported its financial results earlier this month for the fiscal year ended December 27, 2025, highlighting increased hog volumes, steady sales growth and disciplined financial execution. In the fourth quarter of 2025,... Read this article online
Canada’s Real Seasons (According to Farmers Who Actually Live Here) Monday, March 16, 2026 According to a chart that’s been making the rounds on social media, courtesy of The Weather Network—the Canadian calendar has officially been updated. Apparently, we no longer live by the simple rhythm of winter, spring, summer, and fall. Instead, we now rotate through such crowd... Read this article online
Ontario Equine Industry Drives Rural Economy Monday, March 16, 2026 A new economic study has revealed the major contribution of Ontario’s equine agricultural sector to the province’s economy and rural communities. The Ontario Equine Agricultural Economic Impact Study Report provides the first comprehensive evaluation of the industry since 2010 and offers... Read this article online
Julia Montgomery Named OVC Dean Monday, March 16, 2026 The University of Guelph has announced the appointment of Dr. Julia Montgomery as the new dean of the Ontario Veterinary College (OVC).She will begin her five-year leadership term on June 15, 2026.The appointment marksan important stepfor one of Canada’s most respected veterinary... Read this article online