Cleaning up oil spills with milkweed Sunday, March 8, 2015 Using the crop from the world's only industrial milkweed farm, Quebec-based Protec-Style has found an ingenious new way to clean up oil spills, the CBC reports.Protec-Style president François Simard says milkweed fibre is perfectly suited for cleaning oil spills as the fibre is hollow, waxy and naturally repels water. Simard told Vermont Public Radio that milkweed fibre "can do five times better a job than polypropylene (the petroleum-based material currently used to clean spills) because it can absorb up to 50 litres per kilogram of fibre." Furthermore, as milkweed is also the habitat and food source of the endangered monarch butterfly, Protec-Style's milkweed farms have an added benefit for the environment.According to the CBC, Protec-Style currently has 325 hectares of milkweed farm in Quebec and has entered into a $186,651 contract with Parks Canada to supply 50 national parks with the absorbent kits. BF Parchment offers clues to old-time sheep breeding Milk regulations that don't make sense
From Plows to Plates - The 2025 International Plowing Match Returns to Niagara Friday, September 12, 2025 For the first time since 1926, the International Plowing Match & Rural Expo (IPM) is returning to the Niagara Region Setpember 16 to 20. Set to take place in West Lincoln, the 106th edition of this iconic event will run under the theme “,” celebrating the deep roots and fresh flavours of... Read this article online
Festival of Guest Nations returns to Leamington Friday, September 12, 2025 On Sunday, September 14, 2025, Seacliff Park in Leamington, Ontario, will come alive with music, food, and celebration as the Festival of Guest Nations returns to honour the migrant worker communities who play a vital role in Essex County’s agricultural economy. With more than 20 years... Read this article online
York Region launching new Agri-Food Startup Program Thursday, September 11, 2025 A new program in York Region is designed to help entrepreneurs find their footing in the food space. The 14-week hybrid Agri-Food Start-up Program partners entrepreneurs with local organizations like the Foodpreneur Lab, Syzl, York Region Food Network, and the Chippewas of Georgina Island... Read this article online
Corn and Soybean Diseases Spread This Season Wednesday, September 10, 2025 As reported on the OMAFRA website fieldcropnews.com, as well as in previous articles by Farms.com, the 2025 growing season is nearing its end with corn and soybean farmers in Ontario and the U.S. Corn Belt facing disease challenges that reflect changing weather conditions. For corn, two... Read this article online
Wheat Output Decline Projected for 2025 Wednesday, September 10, 2025 Statistics Canada’s latest modelled estimates suggest that wheat production in Canada will decline slightly in 2025, driven primarily by weaker yields across several regions. National output is expected to edge down 1.1% to 35.5 million tonnes, with yields forecast to fall 1.2% to 49.6... Read this article online