Insect-based pancake mix, anyone? Tuesday, August 5, 2014 Next Millennium Farms in Norwood, Ont., is betting on a future where eating insects is no big deal. Jarrod Goldin, who runs the operation with his two brothers, told the Toronto Star that "we want Next Millennium Farms to be the first company on the stock market that is a wholesaler of insect protein." The company, which was founded in the fall of 2013, is one of a very small number of farms in North America that breed, raise and process insects for human consumption. Their website lists products such as meal worm flour, insect-based pancake mix and flavoured roasted crickets. They also sell insects as animal feed. A 2013 UN report entitled "Edible Insects: Future Prospects for Food and Feed Security" points out that many nations around the world already include insects in their diet. And for those that don't? Well, when the world's population reaches nine billion by 2050, they might have to. Insects, the paper argues, are an excellent source of protein with a very low environmental impact. Crickets can produce the same amount of protein as cattle with 12 times less feed. They also require much less water, and take up a whole lot less space. Joining the Goldin brothers in the race for insect-snack dominance is Big Cricket Farms in Youngstown, Ohio. They have partnered with insect-food startup Six Foods from Boston to make "chirps" – tortilla chips made from ground-up crickets. BF Kashi products are no longer 'natural' Behind the Lines - August/September 2014
Ontario farmers get boost for energy upgrades Friday, July 11, 2025 The governments of Canada and Ontario are investing up to $3 million in the third round of the Agricultural Stewardship Initiative (ASI). This funding will help farmers improve the energy efficiency of their operations and support the long-term sustainability of the agriculture... Read this article online
Swede midge and cabbageworm found in Ontario canola Thursday, July 10, 2025 As reported on the OMAFA website fieldcropnews.com, Ontario canola crops are at various growth stages, ranging from seedling to full bloom depending on planting time and region. Winter canola is now fully podded, and harvest is expected to begin soon in Essex and other southern... Read this article online
Early Career Research Award supports two Guelph research initiatives Friday, July 4, 2025 The 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 $60,000 to further his... Read this article online
Grape Growers 40th Annual Celebrity Luncheon has Dr. Hayley Wickenheiser Friday, July 4, 2025 The Grape Growers of Ontario’s marks the opening of the by showcasing Canadian personalities and celebrating the annual grape harvest. This year, in partnership with Meridian Credit Union, Ontario’s largest credit union and the third largest in Canada, the Grape Growers of Ontario... Read this article online
Ontario crops respond to summer heat Wednesday, July 2, 2025 According to the OMAFA Field Crop News team, Ontario field crops are showing rapid development as summer-like temperatures have dominated late June early July. The warm spell has accelerated growth and helped reduce the heat unit deficit from a cool spring. Corn fields have seen a burst... Read this article online