A chemical-free way of reducing pests Sunday, November 8, 2015 A California-based company has created a chemical-free way to reduce pests and increase yields.According to Wine Industry Network, AgroThermal Systems' thermal plant treatment system, called Thermaculture, was originally designed for insect and fungal control. However after early trials the company found that the procedure had several other benefits, including increased fruit set. Results from recent tests done at the Chateau Reynon vineyard near Bordeaux, France, found that Thermaculture helped to increase the fruit set by 20 per cent while also increasing bunch weight by 25 per cent, a press release reports.While it is currently used primarily in viticulture, AgroThermal Systems founder and CEO Marty Fischer said in a press release that "while we are most experienced with wine grapes, Thermaculture will provide benefits to other crops including orchards, berries [and] kiwifruit."A video explaining the procedure can be seen at www.youtube.com/watch?v=O_8C-sNogIw BF Lake Erie agreement confronts Ontario farmers with stiff phosphorus reduction targets Now you can buy animal welfare bonds
March 8 is International Women’s Day Friday, March 13, 2026 Across the United States and Canada, women are taking on increasingly visible roles in agriculture—managing farms, leading ag-tech startups, advancing research, and strengthening the rural economies that feed both nations. Their work reflects a shift in an industry once defined... Read this article online
Middle East conflict pushes fertilizer costs higher, forcing Ontario growers to rethink corn acres Friday, March 13, 2026 Ontario farmers are bracing for a turbulent spring as fertilizer and fuel prices surge in response to the escalating conflict involving Iran, a development that analysts say could reshape planting decisions across North America. The spike in nitrogen costs—the most critical and... Read this article online
Sask Farmer Say he Knows Why Fertilizer Companies Come Out Ahead When Markets are Disrupted Friday, March 13, 2026 As farmers continue to grapple with volatile input costs (Read: Fertilizer Prices Rise as Gulf Supply Tightens, one Saskatchewan farmer has offered a blunt assessment of why he believes fertilizer companies often appear to come out ahead during wars, sanctions, and global supply... Read this article online
PEI introduces one of Canada’s strictest honey bee import protocols for 2026 Friday, March 13, 2026 Prince Edward Island has released its updated 2026 protocol regarding the importation of honey bees, establishing some of the most stringent movement rules in the country. The protocol outlines new inspection, disease control, and transport requirements for any beekeeper or broker moving... Read this article online
Ontario Young Farmer Award Finalists 2026 Friday, March 13, 2026 The Ontario Outstanding Young Farmer (OOYF) Program will announce the province’s top young farmer during the 2026 awards banquet on April 8 at Cellar 52 in St. Jacobs, Ontario. The event will recognize young agricultural leaders whodemonstratestrong farming skills, innovation, and community... Read this article online