'Sheep-eating plant' blooms in Britain Monday, August 5, 2013 According to The Huffington Post and other, perhaps more reliable, news sources such as the BBC, a so-called "sheep eating-plant" bloomed for the first time in June at the Royal Horticultural Society's Garden Wisley in the U.K. where it had been located for 15 years. Puya chilensis, a native of an arid area of Chile, uses razor-sharp hooked-shaped spines to protect its soft inner core from attack by birds and small animals. A press release from the horticultural society says those spines are also known to ensnare sheep. After they die and decompose, the animals nourish the plant by providing fertilizer. According to the society's press release, horticulturalist Cara Smith says, "We keep it well fed with liquid fertilizer as feeding it on its natural diet might prove a bit problematic." The society spokesperson adds that the plant is placed so that it doesn't ensnare children either. According to The Guardian Express, shepherds in Chile set fire to the plant in order to protect their flocks. Not hard to do in Chile's arid desert where it lives. The plant in the garden in Britain is 10 feet tall. BF Really local tries to dodge regulatory bullet Behind the Lines - August/September 2013
Award-Winning TerraTrap GS Provides Safe Pest Control Friday, March 27, 2026 The TerraTrap GS is a humane, non-toxic, multi-kill ground squirrel control system developed by experienced pest-control professionals in California. Designed specifically to manage both California Ground Squirrels and Richardson Ground Squirrels, the system has demonstrated... Read this article online
Fighting DON Mycotoxin Contamination and Tar Spot Friday, March 27, 2026 Ontario corn growers are set to receive improved support in managing two major threats to their crops: DON mycotoxin contamination and tar spot. A new five-year project will continue annual assessments of DON across corn hybrids through theGrain Farmers of Ontario’sOntario Corn Committee... Read this article online
Top Global Ranking for Guelph OVC Thursday, March 26, 2026 The University of Guelph has achieved global recognition after its Ontario Veterinary College (OVC) ranked fourth worldwide in the latest rankings by Quacquarelli Symonds, making OVC the top veterinary college in Canada. The QS rankings evaluated nearly 900 universities across... Read this article online
Canada Outstanding Young Farmers Appoints New Program Manager Thursday, March 26, 2026 Canada’s Outstanding Young Farmers (COYF) program will welcome a new Program Manager, Katrina Finke, on April 1, 2026. Katrina brings more than 20 years of experience as a strategic operations executive with a proven track record in leadership, governance, and operational excellence across... Read this article online
New Canadian Swine Research Targets Piglet Disease Monday, March 23, 2026 Swine InnovationPorc(SIP) is investing in new research to address Streptococcus suis, a harmful bacterial disease affecting post-weaned piglets led byDongyanXu Niu at the University of Calgary. This disease can cause serious health problems such as respiratory illness, meningitis, and sudden... Read this article online