'Food shock' seen as result of climate change Friday, April 8, 2016 Rather than postulating that climate change will turn the Canadian Prairies into a new northern corn belt, scientists are growing concerned about a phenomenon they call "food shock," the increasing likelihood that climate-induced economic shocks will greatly affect the global food system, especially if they hit different breadbaskets at the same time. On the website of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, prior to its annual convention in February, Tim Benton of Global Food Security Program in the United Kingdom asked: "What if severe drought in the U.S. Midwest drives down the soy and maize harvest at the same time that a record-breaking heat wave in Europe bakes the continent's wheat crop? Or if agricultural reform in China leads to a decrease in rice production at the same time that Bangladesh has floods? How badly would world prices and availability be affected?" The conference was held in Washington, D.C. Canadians got a hint of the effects of droughts elsewhere when cauliflower prices skyrocketed in early January, a result of the extended drought in California. Less well known is that before the civil war in Syria, drought resulted in the death of about 70 per cent of the livestock there, a factor in decreased political stability. Some ideas suggested: ensuring that trade works by maintaining trade routes and logistics as well as international agreements to avoid export bans; and understanding how patterns of extreme weather are changing and adapting accordingly. And then there's reducing emissions from food production by changing diets. BF Vandalism and theft on the farm: Is it time for tougher penalties and enforcement? Cameras spot campylobacter in live chickens
Ontario Crops Progress with Cool Stress Monday, June 2, 2025 Ontario field crops are progressing despite challenging spring conditions, according to OMAFA's FieldCropNews.com. Winter wheat has reached the heading stage in the southwest, with T3 fungicide applications beginning. Fields in the north and east are at the flag leaf stage. This is a... Read this article online
Be ready for your next flat tire Friday, May 30, 2025 By Braxten Breen Farms.com Intern The Andersen Hitches Rapid Jack is a three-in-one tool - a tire jack -- that can also be used as a post block or a wheel chock. Its main purpose is to help change tires on trailers, and this cool tool is made in the USA. It is an innovative Tire Jack... Read this article online
An Ontario Foodbelt? Two MPPs want to see it happen Friday, May 30, 2025 Ontario has a Greenbelt and a Whitebelt, and if two MPPs are successful with a piece of legislation the province’s future will include a Foodbelt. Green Party of Ontario Leader Mike Schreiner (Guelph) and independent MPP Bobbi Ann Brady (Haldimand-Norfolk) tabled Bill 21, the Protect Our... Read this article online
Livestock Research Innovation Corporation welcomes new board members Thursday, May 29, 2025 Two new board directors have joined the leadership of Livestock Research Innovation Corporation (LRIC). Mohamad Yaghi with Farm Credit Canada (FCC) and Sonya Fiorini from Burnbrae Farms both fill appointed director positions on the LRIC board. Yaghi replaces Franco Naccarato from Meat and... Read this article online
Did you Know you can Experience IPM 2025 in the Comfort of Your RV? Thursday, May 29, 2025 The International Plowing Match and Rural Expo (IPM) is making a grand return to Niagara this fall for the first time in nearly a century. Visitors can now stay close to the excitement by booking a spot at the official IPM 2025 RV Park. Located just steps away from the main action, the... Read this article online