Scientist says new alfalfa could succeed Sunday, October 16, 2016 A scientist with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada says a new variety of alfalfa developed in the Maritimes could help producers grow more for their cattle. Geneticist Yousef Papadopolous began looking for better alfalfa in 1988. After nearly 30 years of work and 2,000 plants, the variety known as CRS 1001 could be a huge help for farmers. "I think it has tremendous potential," Papadopolous told CBC. "I know it can tolerate our diverse environments across Canada. It’s got an advantage. It will have a market here (the Maritimes) and it will have a market elsewhere.” It’s developed with rhizomes, which produce creeping root stocks and can improve plant survival in the Maritimes where farmers are impacted by excessive moisture and poor soil quality. Farms in Saskatchewan, Ontario and Quebec have grown the new variety, and other field tests have been conducted in Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island. Beginning in February, seed companies will bid for the right to produce CRS 1001. Papadopolous said the companies should ensure Maritime farmers aren’t left out of the conversation. “We want to make sure the farmers who have been supporting us have access,” he told CBC. “Those farmers have been helping us in the real world.” View CBC News story: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/alfalfa-tremendous-potential-maritimes-agriculture-scientist-1.3805850 Better Farming's annual sewage and bypass report Oxford County on its way to the goal of 100% Renewal Energy
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