Chickening out on organic rules Tuesday, March 3, 2009 The seemingly worldwide recession has caused a crisis for organic producers. Sales are down and they can't sell their stuff as consumers tighten their belts and try to make the green stuff in their wallets go further. British newspapers report that organic food sales slumped by 10 per cent in September, October and November, while overall food sales increased six per cent. Organic certification organizations asked the Rural Affairs Secretary to relax stringent rules on animal feed for an indefinite period. They wanted to be able to feed their organic animals conventional feed at half the cost per tonne of organic grains. Standards on stocking densities, antibiotic and fertilizer use would remain in place.Growers are concerned that economic conditions will be even worse in the coming year. The Organic Research Centre condemns the move, fearing that even more consumers will move away from organic food if standards aren't maintained. BF Name your cow and get more milk Clouds over Solar in East Hawkesbury
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
Research Projects and Companies Supported Through OAFRI Tuesday, September 9, 2025 The governments of Canada and Ontario have announced an investment of up to $4.77 million to strengthen the province’s agri-food sector. This funding, delivered through the Ontario Agri-Food Research Initiative (OAFRI) under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable... Read this article online
Two-pass Weed Control Critical in Managing Herbicide-Resistant Waterhemp in Ontario Monday, September 8, 2025 Dr. Peter Sikkema of the University of Guelph recently shared insights into the growing challenge of multiple herbicide-resistant water hemp at the 2025 Great Ontario Yield Tour final event in Woodstock Ontario. Dr. Sikkema research highlights both the biology of the weed and practical... Read this article online
First Northern Cohort Joins Ontario Vet Program Thursday, September 4, 2025 This September, the Ontario Veterinary College (OVC) at the University of Guelph welcomed its inaugural Northern Cohort of 20 students through the Collaborative Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Program (CDVMP). This initiative, created in partnership with Lakehead University, marks a milestone... Read this article online
Manitoba Farmers Defend Their Whisky Roots Amid Ontario Backlash Thursday, September 4, 2025 As most reader will know by now, on August 28, beverage alcohol giant Diageo announced it will be closing its Amherstburg, Ontario bottling plant. Located just 25 kilometres from the nearest U.S. border crossing, the company says the decision is part of a strategy to streamline its supply... Read this article online