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
Sunflower farming in Ontario Tuesday, August 19, 2025 While Manitoba dominates sunflower production in Canada—accounting for about 90 percent of the national output (https://oggardenonline.com/where-in-canada-are-sunflowers-grown.html)—Ontario is home to a growing number of sunflower farms. These farms are often smaller in scale and... Read this article online
2025 Livestock Tax Deferral Regions Announced Tuesday, August 19, 2025 Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) has published the initial list of prescribed regions eligible for the 2025 Livestock Tax Deferral provision, a key support measure for Canadian livestock producers grappling with the impacts of extreme weather. “As we continue to see the very... Read this article online
Winter wheat in Ontario: A resilient crop for a sustainable future Tuesday, August 19, 2025 Winter wheat has long been a staple in Ontario’s agricultural landscape, offering both economic and environmental benefits to farmers across the province. Grown primarily in southwestern Ontario, this crop plays a vital role in crop rotation systems, soil health, and food... Read this article online
Better Soil Health Improves Rain Absorption Monday, August 18, 2025 The OMAFA Fieldcropnews.com team recently held demonstrations regarding how soil management can greatly affect the amount of rainfall absorbed into the soil for crop use. This is especially important for corn, soybean, and wheat growers facing dry spells or intense summer storms. In early... Read this article online
Farm ponds and the trouble with algae Monday, August 18, 2025 Farm ponds are more than just tranquil features on rural landscapes—they’re essential tools for water management, livestock care, irrigation, and biodiversity—especially in North America. They are also considered to be a key agricultural asset outside North America, especially in... Read this article online