Sidebar 1: How solar panels work Thursday, April 2, 2009 The process of converting small particles of light into electricity is called the photovoltaic effect. Photovoltaic (PV) cells convert sunlight directly into electricity. PV cells are usually made of silicon. When sunlight hits the PV cell, the photons "knock" electrons loose from their atoms, creating a current. Cells have metal contacts on the top and bottom to draw off the current to be used as electricity. Since solar cells are not very efficient, much of the sunlight being either being reflected or absorbed by the cell (like heat). Typically, a cell has an efficiency of about 15 per cent. However, Steven Novack of the Idaho National Laboratories has come up with an inexpensive, foldable solar panel which may turn out to be up to 80 per cent efficient, when and if it comes to market.The key measures of electricity are: • Kilowatt: 1000 watts.• Kilowatt hour: A unit of energy equivalent to one kilowatt of power expended for one hour.• Megawatt: one million watts. BF Sidebar 2: OFA wants solar on buildings, not farmland Dairy farmers favour quota price cap
US-Canada tariff uncertainty continues to concern businesses and farmers Tuesday, August 25, 2026 As of late August 2026, trade relations between Canada and the United States remain under pressure as both countries work to finalize an agreement aimed at preventing a new round of tariffs from disrupting cross-border commerce. While a temporary reprieve has been secured, uncertainty... Read this article online
Alveo partners with AgriNerds on bird flu surveillance Tuesday, August 25, 2026 Poultry producers may soon have access to a new tool designed to improve how they monitor and respond to highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) threats. Alveo Technologies and AgriNerds have announced a partnership that will combine rapid on-farm molecular testing with real-time... Read this article online
OPA Secures Lambton County Site for 2027 International Plowing Match Monday, August 24, 2026 Lambton County is preparing to welcome one of Ontario agriculture’s biggest events after the Ontario Plowmen’s Association (OPA) announced it has secured a site for the 2027 International Plowing Match and Rural Expo (IPM). The event is scheduled for September 21 to 25, 2027, on... Read this article online
Grain Prices Rise as Crop Tours Raise Yield Concerns Monday, August 24, 2026 Grain markets ended the week on August 21, 2026, with a strong tone as traders assessed the latest Pro Farmer Crop Tour results, crop damage concerns across the U.S. Midwest, improving demand prospects and growing fund interest from speculative traders. During the August 21 Farms.com... Read this article online
AALP Dream Gala tops $110,000 for leadership programming Sunday, August 23, 2026 The () raised more than $110,000 to support leadership development within Ontario’s agri-food sector, according to the Rural Ontario Institute (ROI). Held at The GrandWay Events Centre in Elora, the biennial fundraising event was organized by participants and recent graduates of .... Read this article online