Internet searches preceded announcement of outbreak Monday, May 4, 2009 According to the Calgary Herald, the listeriosis outbreak at Maple Leaf Foods might have been predicted in advance by noticing the number of Internet searches regarding the disease.An article published in March in the Canadian Medical Association Journal says that the Internet is revolutionizing how intelligence about new and ongoing outbreaks of infectious diseased is gathered.Researchers from the University of Ottawa and the Harvard Medical School found that searches for the term "listeriosis" spiked nearly a month before the public declaration of the outbreak and media reports about the disease.An outbreak linked to contamination at a Maple Leaf processing plant in Toronto led to the largest food recall in Canadian history last summer. As many as 20 people died before officials announced the outbreak.Unfortunately, the number of website "hits" isn't an indication of where the outbreak is taking place. BF Badgers not welcome on all farms What makes cornbelt yields grow?
Green Care Farms celebrates five years of dementia care Monday, September 28, 2026 What a wonderful event! As communities recognize World Alzheimer's Day 2026, Green Care Farms marked a major milestone: five seasons operating Canada's first care farm designed specifically for people living with dementia. The celebration took place on September 19, 2026, at Andrews... Read this article online
Harvest Weather Alert: Midwest Rain Risks Rise as Super El Nino Strengthens Monday, September 28, 2026 As summer gives way to autumn, farmers across the U.S. Midwest and parts of Canada are watching a weather pattern that appears poised to become increasingly active during the heart of harvest season. According to Nutrien Ag Solutions meteorologist Eric Snodgrass, recent atmospheric... Read this article online
International Plowing Match Wraps Up with Champions, Parades and Rural Pride Monday, September 28, 2026 The 107th International Plowing Match and Rural Expo (IPM) concluded Saturday, September 26, after a week that celebrated Ontario agriculture through competition, community spirit and a series of crowd-pleasing parades. Held in Bruce County from September 22 to 26, the event attracted... Read this article online
Canada’s Investment Boom Must Reach Beyond Big Cities, Says Rural Prosperity Group Monday, September 28, 2026 Canada’s first-ever Investment Summit generated headlines for the sheer size of the commitments announced. Federal officials said the event attracted investment commitments approaching $500 billion, with projects spanning critical minerals, artificial intelligence, energy,... Read this article online
Harvest Window Emerges Despite Heavy Rain Threat Across Key Crop Regions Monday, September 28, 2026 Farmers across North America are facing another week of weather extremes as the remnants of Hurricane Polo spread moisture across major agricultural regions, even as forecasters continue to point toward a valuable harvest window developing in early October. According to the latest... Read this article online