Crop Scene Investigation - 60 Solved: What made the soybeans so fragile and brittle? Tuesday, March 8, 2016 by BERNARD TOBINDeKalb agronomist Sean Cochrane is still puzzled by the brittle soybeans he observed last summer in Tweed. So are his colleagues.After sharing photos and descriptions with a number of industry colleagues and researchers, no definitive solution emerged. From visual appearance, the soybeans didn't exhibit classic stem canker symptoms, but that's the best explanation Cochrane could reasonably identify because it features brittle stems, by far the most distinguishable characteristic of the soybeans the agronomist observed."I've been in a lot of soybean fields and I have never seen anything that would snap off like that," says Cochrane. To everybody's surprise, the plants in the field stood long enough to see a combine and yielded 55 bushels per acre.Congratulations to Bryan Ward, Williamstown. His was the only correct answer we received by press time. BF We must reverse the decline in organic matter in our soils Crop Scene Investigation - 61: What took a bite out of Stan's Soybeans?
New Canadian Swine Research Targets Piglet Disease Monday, March 23, 2026 Swine Innovation Porc (SIP) is investing in new research to address Streptococcus suis, a harmful bacterial disease affecting post-weaned piglets led by Dongyan Xu Niu at the University of Calgary. This disease can cause serious health problems such as respiratory illness, meningitis, and sudden... Read this article online
Canada Packers Posts Strong Volume Growth and Profitability in First Year as Standalone Company Tuesday, March 17, 2026 Canada Packers Inc., recently split off from Maple Leaf Foods, reported its financial results earlier this month for the fiscal year ended December 27, 2025, highlighting increased hog volumes, steady sales growth and disciplined financial execution. In the fourth quarter of 2025,... Read this article online
Canada’s Real Seasons (According to Farmers Who Actually Live Here) Monday, March 16, 2026 According to a chart that’s been making the rounds on social media, courtesy of The Weather Network—the Canadian calendar has officially been updated. Apparently, we no longer live by the simple rhythm of winter, spring, summer, and fall. Instead, we now rotate through such crowd... Read this article online
Ontario Equine Industry Drives Rural Economy Monday, March 16, 2026 A new economic study has revealed the major contribution of Ontario’s equine agricultural sector to the province’s economy and rural communities. The Ontario Equine Agricultural Economic Impact Study Report provides the first comprehensive evaluation of the industry since 2010 and offers... Read this article online
Julia Montgomery Named OVC Dean Monday, March 16, 2026 The University of Guelph has announced the appointment of Dr. Julia Montgomery as the new dean of the Ontario Veterinary College (OVC).She will begin her five-year leadership term on June 15, 2026.The appointment marks an important step for one of Canada’s most respected veterinary... Read this article online