Trumpeter swans protected but problematic for farmers Monday, April 6, 2015 Trumpeter swans are posing a problem for farmers in B.C.'s Cowichan Valley.Bob Crawford, president of the Cowichan Valley Agricultural Society, told the CBC that flocks of trumpeter swans are causing problems – including flooding and soil damage – for local farms. "Every time these birds get in on a field that's grazed, it delays the cutting of crops by seven days," he said. Despite this, farmers are not allowed to kill the birds, as they are a protected species.According to the CBC, farmers have resorted to using noisy propane cannons to try to scare the swans. But non-farming households in the area have complained about the noise, and one frightened swan managed to cause a blackout at the home of a non-farmer after hitting a power line. Crawford told the CBC, "You have moved to the farmland now. You're going to have noises, and farms farm 24 hours a day." BF Swede midges 'last straw' for northern canola growers A Geiger counter for your kitchen?
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