Parchment offers clues to old-time sheep breeding Sunday, March 8, 2015 Archeologists with the University of York and Trinity College Dublin are using parchment to learn about the history of sheep breeding in Britain, Modern Farmer reports.According to GenomeWeb, parchment – made from animal skin – was the material of choice for legal documents prior to the mass production of paper. Archeologists used genetic sequencing on documents from the late 17th and early 18th centuries, then compared those genomes with modern breeds to see how sheep breeding changed in Britain. According to Modern Farmer the archeologists found that the late 17th century sample was from an unimproved sheep, similar to the black-faced breeds found in northern Britain. The early 18th century sample was from an improved sheep more alike to breeds now common in southern Britain and the Midlands.According to Headlines & Global News, York archaeologist Prof. Matthew Collins said "we want to understand the history of agriculture in these islands over the last 1,000 years and, with this breath-taking resource, we can." BF An Ontario Phosphorus Reduction Strategy Cleaning up oil spills with milkweed
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