Greenhouse waste water treatment research funded Tuesday, June 25, 2013 by BETTER FARMING STAFF Researchers at Queens University and Fleming College have received $602,496 from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC). The money, to be spent over three years, will be used to advance their research into the “optimization of water treatment technologies for the greenhouse industry.” The research dollars are part of an initiative by the federal government to support research partnerships between colleges, universities and businesses. In total, $18 million is being spent to support 20 such partnership-projects. Queens engineering professor Bruce Anderson and Fleming professor Brent Wootton will share the NSERC grant. Both researchers are temporarily out of the country but a Queens news release says their research involves the use of wetlands and salt-accumulating plants which could remove up to 25 per cent of salt in water discharged from greenhouses allowing the water to be recycled. The researchers are working with industry partner Aqua Treatment Technologies of Camden owned by Lloyd Rozema. He says they are already doing experimental work at three constructed wetland waste water treatment facilities Aqua has built for greenhouse operators. He says they are testing the efficiency of salt-accumulating plants and various root-bed media in which the plants grow. “We’re looking at treatment facilities and looking to enhance the performance,” Rozema says. BF Professorship will focus on winter wheat breeding Pesticide Act review generates few public comments
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