Raw milk cheeses scrutinized in U.S. Thursday, June 6, 2013 The federal government in the United States is rethinking a 60-year-old law that allows cheeses made with raw milk to be sold to consumers as long as they have aged for at least 60 days. Aging is supposed to kill dangerous bacteria that cheese carries, but a story in Scienceline, published by New York University's science health and environmental department, cites a University of Vermont study that found gouda and cheddar cheese aged for 100 days contained E. coli. Last fall, 22 people in 13 states were reported infected with listeria, allegedly after eating imported Italian raw milk cheeses which were subsequently recalled. Even with an extended aging time, it's not likely that raw milk cheeses will be made 100 per cent bacteria (and risk) free. The story says the Food and Drug Administration began its re-evaluation of the 60-day rule in 2009 and won't comment until its study is complete. BF The new superfoods: Big market potential but challenging to grow U.S. report downplays pesticides as colony collapse cause
Ontario crops respond to summer heat Wednesday, July 2, 2025 According to the OMAFA Field Crop News team, Ontario field crops are showing rapid development as summer-like temperatures have dominated late June early July. The warm spell has accelerated growth and helped reduce the heat unit deficit from a cool spring. Corn fields have seen a burst... Read this article online
Canada’s Place in Global Food System Resilience Wednesday, July 2, 2025 Canada’s food system is facing serious pressure due to global supply chain issues, climate change, and rising food prices. According to a KPMG report, bold and united action is needed now to make Canada’s agriculture sector more resilient and self-reliant. With the global population... Read this article online
Calf Auction Raises Funds for Youth Monday, June 30, 2025 Wyatt Westman-Frijters from Milverton won a heifer calf named Ingrid through a World Milk Day promotion by Maplevue Farms and a local Perth, Ontario radio station. Instead of keeping the calf, 22-year-old Westman-Frijters chose to give back to the community. The calf was sent to the... Read this article online
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