'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
Québec names Lori Anne Berthiaume and Steeve Nadeau as 2026 Outstanding Young Farmers Friday, January 30, 2026 Berthiaume’s leadership at Ferme Porc SB Inc. and her team-centred approach helped drive major productivity gains and earned recognition from Canada’s Outstanding Young Farmers. Québec’s Outstanding Young Farmers (OYF) program has named Lori Anne Berthiaume and Steeve Nadeau as the... Read this article online
Canada’s Ag Day Is Coming Soon – Here is why it matters! Thursday, January 29, 2026 Canada’s Ag Day is a national moment to recognize the people who grow, raise, make, and move our food. Ag Day will be on February 10th and it will be celebrating its 10th anniversary. But beneath the celebration lies something even more essential: our food system depends on... Read this article online
Red Tape Pushes 70% of Agri Businesses to Deter Next Generation from Farming Thursday, January 29, 2026 Canada’s food production system is under mounting pressure as agri-businesses warn that regulatory overload is discouraging the next generation from entering the industry. A new snapshot from the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) reveals that almost 70% of agri... Read this article online
Yield Energy debuts ag-focused DERMS to turn farm operations into grid assets Thursday, January 29, 2026 Yield Energy, the company formerly known as Polaris Energy Services, has launched a new distributed energy resource management system designed specifically for agriculture—a move that positions farms as a major source of flexible, utility-grade grid support. The new platform, ,... Read this article online
Canada Urges Action Against EU Grain Trade Barriers Wednesday, January 28, 2026 The Canada Grains Council has released a new white paper urging stronger Canadian leadership to address emerging trade barriers linked to agricultural innovation in the European Union. These barriers, the council warns, could reduce the competitiveness of Canada’s grain exports and limit... Read this article online