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 Agri-Food Discovery Centre designs revealed Thursday, April 9, 2026 Attendees of the Ontario Agri-Food Discovery Centre’s (OAFDC) AGM last month received a first look at building design concepts. The planned 34,000-square-foot science centre in Listowel, Ont., designed by Moriyama Teshima Architects, the same firm responsible for the looks of buildings... Read this article online
Proposed USDA budget cuts could shift the North American ag landscape Thursday, April 9, 2026 Image by Konyvesotto from Pixabay The US administration’s latest budget proposal includes a significant reduction to the US Department of Agriculture’s discretionary spending, a move that could have ripple effects across North American agriculture. According to Farms.com reporting... Read this article online
Corn and Soy Products Cleared for Global Market Access Thursday, April 9, 2026 The Market Access Committee for corn and soybeans has completed its 2026 review of new crop protection products, confirming no export concerns for four corn products and six soybean products. Approved corn products includeCovintroCorn,TelaroneDC,ZiduaSC Herbicide, and Storen Herbicide.... Read this article online
What Distributed Energy Resources Mean for Canadian Producers Tuesday, April 7, 2026 As energy costs rise, many Canadian farms are looking for ways to take greater control of their electricity use. One term that farmers are hearing more often is distributed energy resources, often shortened to DERs. While the phrase may sound technical, the concept is highly practical, and... Read this article online
Agricultural Educator and Industry Leader Dr Tom Funk Remembered for Lasting Influence Tuesday, April 7, 2026 The agricultural education community is mourning the passing of Dr Tom Funk, a highly respected Professor Emeritus at the University of Guelph whose influence spanned more than three decades of teaching, leadership, and mentorship. Dr Funk dedicated over 35 years to teaching... Read this article online