Army worm poop deceives corn plants Monday, December 7, 2015 Chemical ecologists at Pennsylvania State University have determined that "frass," the defecations of herbivorous caterpillars that collects in the whorls of corn leaves, tricks plants into thinking they are being attacked by a fungus infection. The plants mount a defence against such, thereby reducing their defences against the actual creatures that are attacking them. They can't defend against both fungus and insects at the same time, says Dawn Luthe, professor of plant stress biology in a Penn State newsletter published in September.The newsletter notes that fall army worms "are voracious feeders on leaves in the confined whorls of corn plants."The study was published in the Journal of Chemical Ecology and may lead to the isolation of specific components of the frass that can be incorporated into a compound that can be spread on crops to increase resistance to fungal attacks. That would be an "ecologically sustainable" pesticide. An alternative is a genetic modification to incorporate proteins from the frass to boost a crop's "native resistance" to pathogens.Scientists are still trying to find a solution to dealing with those hungry army caterpillars. The faking frass is an ecological strategy "that has been perfected over thousands of years of evolution," says lead researcher Swayamjit Ray, a doctoral student at Penn State. The U.S. Department of Agriculture financed the research. BF Noise over GMO labelling in the United States Cotton underwear helps measure soil activity
Documentary Sheds Light on Farmerettes who Helped Feed a Nation Saturday, August 2, 2025 During World War II, food shortages became a serious issue for Canada and its allies. With many men away at war, the government formed the Ontario Farm Service Force, sending 40,000 teenage girls from Ontario and Quebec —known as the Farmerettes—to help farms in Southwestern... Read this article online
Sowing the Seeds of the Future -- A Fresh Look at Farm Succession in Canada Friday, August 1, 2025 “You’ve worked the land for decades—through changing seasons, shifting markets, and long days that begin before sunrise," says Jason Castellan, Co-Founder & Chief Executive Officer, Skyline when he spoke with Farms.com. “You know every acre, every decision, every responsibility that... Read this article online
Do you have a grain bin that needs repair? Friday, August 1, 2025 Maintaining grain bins in optimal condition is a constant challenge for farmers. However, with the cool tools InstaGRIP Tile and GlassSTEEL, this task becomes significantly easier and more efficient. These cutting-edge solutions offer quick and durable repairs, ensuring your grain bins... Read this article online
CN’s 2025-26 Grain Plan is now available Friday, August 1, 2025 CN (Canadian National Railway) has released its . It’s a plan that demonstrates CN’s ongoing commitment to delivering high-performance service through disciplined planning, targeted infrastructure investments, and proactive supply chain collaboration. For this past crop year,... Read this article online
Ontario’s AALP Class 21 Leaders Announced for 2025 Friday, August 1, 2025 The Rural Ontario Institute (ROI) is proud to announce the selection of 18 emerging leaders from across Ontario for Class 21 of the Advanced Agricultural Leadership Program (AALP). Set to begin their leadership journey in August 2025, these participants represent diverse sectors of Ontario’s... Read this article online