Urban bees use plastic to build hives Thursday, May 1, 2014 "Busy" may need to be changed to "resourceful." A recent study by scientists from the University of Guelph and York University shows that two Toronto bee species are using bits of plastic waste as construction material for their brood cells. Scott MacIvor and Andrew Moore published their findings in Ecosphere in December. By observing trap nests in Toronto, they discovered that the Megachile campanulae hives, traditionally made with plant and tree resins, had bits of polyurethane exterior house sealant incorporated into them. And the hives of Megachile rotundata (leafcutter bees), usually made with leaves, contained chewed-up pieces of plastic bags. The study shows that the use of plastics was "incidental" rather than accidental and not a result of a shortage of natural building materials. Larvae developed successfully from the trap nests. Plastic may have an advantage as it can physically impede parasites. BF Herbicide resistance a problem . . . for somebody else Behind the Lines - May 2014
Ag Minister Launches National Consultations to Shape the Next Agricultural Policy Framework Wednesday, January 28, 2026 As Canada begins charting its next decade of agricultural policy, the Honourable Heath MacDonald, Minister of Agriculture and Agri Food, officially launched national consultations on the development of the Next Policy Framework (NPF)—the federal, provincial, and territorial agreement that... Read this article online
OFA responds to time-of-use electricity pricing proposal Tuesday, January 27, 2026 The Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) provided an agricultural perspective on a proposed new electricity pricing plan. This new plan from the provincial government for Class B customers “would potentially establish a fixed (Global Adjustment) price for each period of the day (i.e.,... Read this article online
CLAAS earns two AE50 Awards for advancing forage harvesting technology Monday, January 26, 2026 CLAAS of America has been recognized with two from the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE), highlighting the company’s continued leadership in forage harvesting innovation. The awards honor the newly introduced series self-propelled forage harvesters... Read this article online
Québec names Lori Anne Berthiaume and Steeve Nadeau as 2026 Outstanding Young Farmers Monday, January 26, 2026 Berthiaume’s leadership at Ferme Porc SB Inc. and her team-centred approach helped drive major productivity gains and earned recognition from Canada’s Outstanding Young Farmers. Québec’s Outstanding Young Farmers (OYF) program has named Lori Anne Berthiaume and Steeve Nadeau as the... Read this article online
Wheat Growers Invited to Unlock Their Full Yield Potential Monday, January 26, 2026 Wheat producers looking to deepen their understanding of crop performance—and push their fields closer to full yield potential—are encouraged to register now for the 2026 Great Lakes Yield Enhancement Network (YEN). The upcoming season marks the sixth year of the binational program,... Read this article online