U.S. report downplays pesticides as colony collapse cause Thursday, June 6, 2013 Pesticides are commonly blamed for bee colony collapse. But they are way down the list of causes cited by a multi-department U.S. government report released in early May. The study cites the parasitic mite Varroa destructor as the primary underlying cause. Also named are "multiple virus species," bacterial disease European foulbrood, nutrition, and gut microbes that "play key roles in enhancement of nutrition, detoxification of chemicals and protection against diseases." The solutions include: greater genetic diversity among honeybee colonies with breeding to emphasize traits such as hygienic behaviour that would improve disease resistance. And there is the issue of nutrition. Row crops aren't good for bees. Forage crops are. Supplemental feeding doesn't make up the difference. A press release says the role of pesticides needs more study. The report is from a stakeholder conference organized in Alexandria Va. last October. BF Raw milk cheeses scrutinized in U.S. Survey says organic label 'an excuse to charge more'
Hensall Co-op Awards $17,500 to Seven Ontario Students Tuesday, November 10, 2026 Seven post-secondary students are receiving financial support from Hensall Co-op as they pursue education connected to agriculture and the future of rural communities. The Ontario farmer-owned co-operative has announced the 2026 recipients of its Bright Futures Scholarships, with each... Read this article online
Ag organizations call for immediate pause to Alto project Tuesday, November 10, 2026 Three Canadian farm groups are asking the federal government to suspend the Alto rail project. The presidents of the Canadian Federation of Agriculture (CFA), Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA), and Union des producteurs agricoles (UPA) in Quebec wrote to Transport Minister Steven... Read this article online
Half of Ontario’s Potatoes Go to Chips, Research Could Boost Supply Tuesday, November 10, 2026 Keeping Ontario-grown potatoes suitable for potato chip production throughout the winter could become easier thanks to research underway at the University of Guelph. Researchers are investigating how different potato varieties respond to cold storage, with the goal of identifying... Read this article online
Ontario Celebrates Farmers and Ag Innovators Making a Difference Monday, November 9, 2026 Drone Spray Canada earned the 2026 Minister’s Award as farmers, businesses and organizations are recognized for excellence across Ontario agriculture. Ontario recognized farmers, agricultural businesses and organizations that are helping move the province’s food and farming sector... Read this article online
Canadian Meat Council Sets New Plan to Strengthen Red Meat Competitiveness Monday, November 9, 2026 Canada’s red meat processing sector has a new three-year strategy aimed at strengthening its competitiveness as meat companies navigate changing trade relationships, regulatory pressures and an increasingly complicated global marketplace. The Canadian Meat Council (CMC) has released... Read this article online