Guelph scientists figuring out how to grow crops in space Saturday, January 9, 2016 Scientists in Guelph are setting the groundwork for extraterrestrial farming, the Hamilton News reports.Sponsored by both the Canadian and European Space Agencies, scientists at the University of Guelph's Controlled Environment Systems Research Facility (CESRF) are discovering how people might grow crops in space. Using 14 hypobaric chambers CESRF scientists are able to test how plants react to many factors – such as changes in atmospheric pressure, light and availability of carbon dioxide – that would be considerations in space. According to the CBC, CESRF's research can also be adapted for use on Earth, notably for farming in harsher climates like Kuwait or the Canadian North.Professor and CESRF director Mike Dixon thinks that farming on Mars is not that far off. According to the Hamilton News, in his talks to schools, "I tell them that the Canadian horticultural mission specialist on the first trip to Mars is in Grade 3 today." BF Chipotle's problems continue Behind the Lines - January 2016
Cattle Stress Tool May Boost Fertility Friday, June 27, 2025 Kansas State University researchers have developed a cool tool that may help reduce cattle stress and improve artificial insemination (AI) results. The idea came from animal science experts Nicholas Wege Dias and Sandy Johnson, who observed that cattle accustomed to their environment... Read this article online
Ontario pasture lands get $5M boost Friday, June 27, 2025 The governments of Canada and Ontario are investing up to $5 million to strengthen shared community grazing pastures. This funding supports the province’s plan to protect Ontario’s agriculture sector and help cattle farmers improve pasture quality, ensuring long-term sustainability and... Read this article online
Health Canada sets rules for drone spraying Wednesday, June 25, 2025 Health Canada has approved the use of drones, also called Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS), for pesticide application under the Pest Control Products Act (PCPA). Drones are considered aircraft by Transport Canada, but Health Canada treats them differently due to their unique... Read this article online
Twelve Ontario Agri-Businesses Receive Funding Support Wednesday, June 25, 2025 Bioenterprise Canada has announced the successful recipients of the second call for proposals under the Ontario Agri-Food Research Initiative (OAFRI) Commercialization Stream. Twelve organizations across Ontario will receive support to bring innovative agri-food solutions to the... Read this article online
Early Career Research Award supports two Guelph research initiatives Tuesday, June 24, 2025 The 2025 Early Career Research Award was presented to two University of Guelph researchers at the recently held Livestock Research Innovation Corporation (LRIC) symposium. Dr. Kelsey Spence received $40,000 towards her work in on-farm biosecurity research, and Dr. Sam Workenhe was awarded... Read this article online