Research combines water, agriculture Tuesday, May 17, 2011 by PAT CURRIEThe Ontario government announced Wednesday that it is investing $300,000 in new research aimed at protecting and conserving water while strengthening agri-food industries. The water-related research is part of almost $1.3 million provided under the New Directions research program. The program also includes projects aimed at the emerging organic and ethnic markets, the ornamental horticulture (flowers and plants) sector and food processing.The Centre for Agricultural Renewable Energy and Sustainability in Ridgetown has commissioned a research biodiesel facility to investigate technological, economic and environmental aspects of biodiesel production. Researchers will investigate how the wastewater can be used to purify crude glycerol (useful as an animal feed ingredient) and help compost waste from poultry farms. Benefits could include reducing costs, improving water use and quality, and improving air quality from poultry operations.Researchers will also compare water use in 20 dairy systems on several farms. The findings will be will then be shared with other dairy farmers. Researchers will measure how much water is used for such things as cleaning cows before milking and washing dairy equipment and milking parlours.Researchers will also probe water use at greenhouses producing vegetables, plants and flowers. Five innovative treatment technologies will be evaluated under field conditions for their effectiveness in providing high-quality water for re-use. The best technologies will then be shared with the horticulture industry. BF GFO study seeks to explain price spikes RMP on track
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
Health Canada sets rules for drone spraying Wednesday, June 25, 2025 Health Canada has approved the use of drones, also called Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS), for pesticide application under the Pest Control Products Act (PCPA). Drones are considered aircraft by Transport Canada, but Health Canada treats them differently due to their unique... Read this article online
Twelve Ontario Agri-Businesses Receive Funding Support Wednesday, June 25, 2025 Bioenterprise Canada has announced the successful recipients of the second call for proposals under the Ontario Agri-Food Research Initiative (OAFRI) Commercialization Stream. Twelve organizations across Ontario will receive support to bring innovative agri-food solutions to the... Read this article online
Early Career Research Award supports two Guelph research initiatives Tuesday, June 24, 2025 The 2025 Early Career Research Award was presented to two University of Guelph researchers at the recently held Livestock Research Innovation Corporation (LRIC) symposium. Dr. Kelsey Spence received $40,000 towards her work in on-farm biosecurity research, and Dr. Sam Workenhe was awarded... Read this article online