Researchers explore green roof plant options Friday, June 3, 2011 by SUSAN MANNScientists in Ontario and Nova Scotia are studying the suitability of 22 different plant species and how they will survive for use in green roof habitats.The researchers are from the Vineland Research and Innovation Centre and Nova Scotia Agricultural College. The Canadian Ornamental Horticulture Alliance and the federal government are sponsoring the project.Dr. Rumen Conev, Vineland’s ornamental plant breeding scientist, says they’re looking to move away from more common green roof plants dominated by Sedum species to a broader selection of native plants that demonstrate sun, wind, cold and drought tolerance.They’ve finished the construction portion of the project and have started planting. “The most important part of our research will be plant performance,” he explains.The project will take three years to complete. When its done researchers will make recommendations on which plants performed the best and had the best survivability. Conev says Dr. Norman Goodyear is also working on the project in Nova Scotia where one of the two test sites is located. The other site is at Vineland.The research will help both homeowners wanting to install green roofs and companies that build them, Conev says.In a Vineland Centre press release, it says green roofs contribute to a significant reduction in a building’s heating and cooling costs. They also help with storm water runoff management and natural habitat creation. But lack of research in planting options and managing green roof health in Canadian climatic conditions has been a barrier to their uptake. BF Pig genetics company partners with Russians Waterlogged fields a season long challenge: OMAFRA specialist
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
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