Going green in California Monday, January 2, 2012 California is the first American state to try to regulate greenhouse gas emissions and the nation is watching. California's dairy operators have a chance to make money and get an exemption from greenhouse gas emission limits by limiting the amount of methane they produce. Trouble is, they likely can't afford to do it. A system to capture methane costs about US$8 million, according to The Fresno Bee. Fewer than 20 of 1,600 large dairy operations have such systems. They capture biogas and turn it into electricity or use the gas to run converted tractors. One farmer who built such a system in 2005 says it would cost five times as much now. The major expense, ironically, is from environmental regulations. The only way that it would be economical is to legislate that utilities buy biogas-derived power from farm digesters at a fixed rate. Doesn't that sound like a page out of Ontario's Green Energy Act? BF More recession fallout for Pilgrim's Pride Don't try to feed the world
Ontario Agri-Food Discovery Centre designs revealed Thursday, April 9, 2026 Attendees of the Ontario Agri-Food Discovery Centre’s (OAFDC) AGM last month received a first look at building design concepts. The planned 34,000-square-foot science centre in Listowel, Ont., designed by Moriyama Teshima Architects, the same firm responsible for the looks of buildings... Read this article online
Proposed USDA budget cuts could shift the North American ag landscape Thursday, April 9, 2026 Image by Konyvesotto from Pixabay 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... Read this article online
Corn and Soy Products Cleared for Global Market Access Thursday, April 9, 2026 The Market Access Committee for corn and soybeans has completed its 2026 review of new crop protection products, confirming no export concerns for four corn products and six soybean products. Approved corn products includeCovintroCorn,TelaroneDC,ZiduaSC Herbicide, and Storen Herbicide.... Read this article online
What Distributed Energy Resources Mean for Canadian Producers Tuesday, April 7, 2026 As energy costs rise, many Canadian farms are looking for ways to take greater control of their electricity use. One term that farmers are hearing more often is distributed energy resources, often shortened to DERs. While the phrase may sound technical, the concept is highly practical, and... Read this article online
Agricultural Educator and Industry Leader Dr Tom Funk Remembered for Lasting Influence Tuesday, April 7, 2026 The agricultural education community is mourning the passing of Dr Tom Funk, a highly respected Professor Emeritus at the University of Guelph whose influence spanned more than three decades of teaching, leadership, and mentorship. Dr Funk dedicated over 35 years to teaching... Read this article online