CFIA approves E.coli vaccine Monday, October 27, 2008 by BETTER FARMING STAFFOn Monday, Belleville-based Bioniche Life Sciences Inc. announced it received full licensing approval for its vaccine to reduce the presence of E. coli 0157:H7 in cattle.The 0157 strain poses serious human health risks and was implicated in the May 2000 tainted water crisis in Walkerton. More recently it was the source of food poisoning outbreaks in North Bay, southwestern Ontario and the Niagara region.Called Econiche, the vaccine has been available for limited use in Canada for nearly a year. Producers obtained it through a veterinarian who had to file applications for its use with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. The vaccine also received licensing in the United States, on the condition that at least one step of the manufacturing process occurs there and the vaccine isn’t given a trademark name.In 2007 Bioniche, which specializes in animal and human health products, received provincial and federal funding to scale up production of the vaccine. Vaccine supply will be limited until during the scale up, said the company’s news release. BF No relief expected on crop input prices Provincial hold on spending hits new farmer program
Royal Canin Clarifies Groundwater Use With Amended Water Permit Near Guelph Thursday, April 16, 2026 Royal Canin Canada Company has received approval from Ontario’s Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP) to amend its Permit to Take Water (PTTW) for its pet food manufacturing facility near Guelph, Ontario, following weeks of public consultation and local... Read this article online
Proposed USDA budget cuts could shift the North American ag landscape Wednesday, April 15, 2026 The US administration’s latest budget proposal includes a significant reduction to the US Department of Agriculture’s discretionary spending, a move that could have ripple effects across North American agriculture. According to Farms.com reporting, the proposal outlines a... Read this article online
Study reveals key climate drivers of potato beetle outbreaks Tuesday, April 14, 2026 A long term research project from Michigan State University (MSU) and the University of Wisconsin is offering new insight into what drives Colorado potato beetle outbreaks, giving US potato growers a clearer picture of how weather patterns and environmental conditions shape one of the... Read this article online
Fuel Tax Suspension Offers Timely Relief for Canadian Farmers Ahead of Peak Growing Season Tuesday, April 14, 2026 Canadian farmers are set to see short-term relief at the fuel pump following a major federal policy announcement that directly affects on-farm operating costs. On April 14, Prime Minister Mark Carney announced that the federal government will temporarily suspend the Fuel Excise Tax on... Read this article online
Operating farm equipment in Ontario Tuesday, April 14, 2026 Farms.com continues to dive into farm equipment licensing and insurance requirements for Canadian producers with a look at the rules for Ontario. Do Ontarians need a license to drive a tractor? No license is required for a farm tractor or other self-propelled farm equipment whether on private... Read this article online