$10.3 million for grains breeding Tuesday, September 10, 2013 by BETTER FARMING STAFF Pierre Lemieux, parliamentary secretary to the minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, visited the annual meeting of the Grain Farmers of Ontario (GFO) in Woodstock on Monday to announce $10.3 million in funding for a grains breeding project led by the Canadian Field Crop Research Alliance under Growing Forward II. Seven million comes from the government, the rest from industry. A GFO news release said the five-year initiative “will bring together researchers from the public and private sectors to enhance the genetics of grain corn, soybeans, oats and barley in order to produce high-yielding, low-input, disease-resistant varieties.” Lemieux said corn and soybean production brought a record $4.5 billion to the farm gate in Canada last year, generating nearly $2 billion in exports. He told GFO delegates that over the past century, corn yields have quadrupled. “Today the crops coming off Canadian grain fields go well beyond food,” he said. “They can be found in everything from the grain bin to the gas tank.” As an example of the use of crops beyond food, he said Ford is considering using soybeans in the manufacture of all its car seats. Lemieux credited leading-edge genetics coming out of the research community for the growth in crop uses. “Innovation is what is driving the competitiveness of our industry,” he said. Barry Senft, Grain Farmers’ CEO, said in a news release, “Any promising varieties that are developed as a result of this research are expected to be commercialized, ensuring our farmers will remain competitive.” BF Group organizes rallies critical of government research constraints Conference tackles animal welfare policy
Early Career Research Award supports two Guelph research initiatives Friday, July 4, 2025 The was presented to two University of Guelph researchers at the recently held Livestock Research Innovation Corporation (LRIC) symposium. Dr. Kelsey Spence received $40,000 towards her work in on-farm biosecurity research, and Dr. Sam Workenhe was awarded $60,000 to further his... Read this article online
Grape Growers 40th Annual Celebrity Luncheon has Dr. Hayley Wickenheiser Friday, July 4, 2025 The Grape Growers of Ontario’s marks the opening of the by showcasing Canadian personalities and celebrating the annual grape harvest. This year, in partnership with Meridian Credit Union, Ontario’s largest credit union and the third largest in Canada, the Grape Growers of Ontario... Read this article online
Ontario crops respond to summer heat Wednesday, July 2, 2025 According to the OMAFA Field Crop News team, Ontario field crops are showing rapid development as summer-like temperatures have dominated late June early July. The warm spell has accelerated growth and helped reduce the heat unit deficit from a cool spring. Corn fields have seen a burst... Read this article online
Canada’s Place in Global Food System Resilience Wednesday, July 2, 2025 Canada’s food system is facing serious pressure due to global supply chain issues, climate change, and rising food prices. According to a KPMG report, bold and united action is needed now to make Canada’s agriculture sector more resilient and self-reliant. With the global population... Read this article online
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