Insect-based pancake mix, anyone? Tuesday, August 5, 2014 Next Millennium Farms in Norwood, Ont., is betting on a future where eating insects is no big deal. Jarrod Goldin, who runs the operation with his two brothers, told the Toronto Star that "we want Next Millennium Farms to be the first company on the stock market that is a wholesaler of insect protein." The company, which was founded in the fall of 2013, is one of a very small number of farms in North America that breed, raise and process insects for human consumption. Their website lists products such as meal worm flour, insect-based pancake mix and flavoured roasted crickets. They also sell insects as animal feed. A 2013 UN report entitled "Edible Insects: Future Prospects for Food and Feed Security" points out that many nations around the world already include insects in their diet. And for those that don't? Well, when the world's population reaches nine billion by 2050, they might have to. Insects, the paper argues, are an excellent source of protein with a very low environmental impact. Crickets can produce the same amount of protein as cattle with 12 times less feed. They also require much less water, and take up a whole lot less space. Joining the Goldin brothers in the race for insect-snack dominance is Big Cricket Farms in Youngstown, Ohio. They have partnered with insect-food startup Six Foods from Boston to make "chirps" – tortilla chips made from ground-up crickets. BF Kashi products are no longer 'natural' Behind the Lines - August/September 2014
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