Flatulent cow story is overblown Friday, April 4, 2014 In late January, news outlets were abuzz with the story of how 90 flatulent cows at a German dairy farm released enough methane gas to blow up their own barn. In fact, manure may have been the culprit. Reuters reported that the explosion was severe enough to damage the roof of the cow shed and injure one of the cows, that had to be treated for burns. Local police said high levels of methane had built up within the shed, then "a static electric charge caused the gas to explode with flashes of flame." Naturally, burping and farting cows were blamed. After all, cows can produce 250 to 500 litres of methane per day, according to the Journal of Animal Science. But Modern Farmer magazine says a follow-up report from German newspaper Hünfelder Zeitung points the finger at manure slurry, which can produce high levels of concentrated methane. BF In the works: an ambitious plan to bring High-Speed Internat to rural western Ontario Mounties investigate horse tail hackers
Ont. farmer Tony McQuail reflects on NDP leadership race Tuesday, March 31, 2026 Huron County farmer Tony McQuail is back at Meeting Place Organic Farm in Lucknow after vying to replace Jagmeet Singh as the leader of the federal NDP. “It was a very hopeful and positive experience for me,” he told Farms.com. “I was very pleased with what we were able to bring to the... Read this article online
Broadband Access is a Defining Issue for Rural Canada’s Future Monday, March 30, 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
Rural Canada Is an Economic Powerhouse that Policymakers Need to Build Upon Monday, March 30, 2026 Rural Canada is a far bigger driver of the national economy than many policymakers realize, and leaders say the time has come to place a rural lens at the centre of public policy decision-making. That message was front and centre during the Coalition for a Better Future’s Scorecard... Read this article online
Spring Swine Events Across Canada that are Not to be Missed Monday, March 30, 2026 It’s a sure sign of Spring, several swine events will be taking place over the next few months. Between April and June 2026, Manitoba, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Ontario will all host significant swine-focused events, ranging from producer AGMs and pork quality competitions to large-scale... Read this article online
Boosting Wheat Production with Better Nitrogen Use Monday, March 30, 2026 A University of Guelph research team is pioneering new ways to grow wheat more sustainably by improving nitrogen efficiency and supporting soil health. Dr. Kari Dunfield, professor in the School of Environmental Sciences at the Ontario Agricultural College, received $3.92 million from the... Read this article online