New corn strain has potential to improve eye health Tuesday, March 12, 2013 by DIANNE FETTERLYA new strain of corn developed by researchers at the University of Guelph could help in the fight against macular degeneration, an eye disease which can lead to blindness in older people.The new breed of corn has high levels of lutein and zeaxanthin, both antioxidants known to protect against the age-related disease. Older adults have low levels of the antioxidants, making them more susceptible to the illness. According to plant researcher Elizabeth Lee, the University of Guelph team began extracting genetic material from South American maize in 2000. That particular variety of corn can’t grow in Ontario but it was crossed with North American corn to create a new variety with higher levels of the beneficial antioxidants.“Corn naturally has low levels of (lutein and zeaxanthin), but this corn has higher levels than anything ever reported,” said Lee.But the crop scientist isn’t suggesting people eat the new corn strain. Instead, her team has fed the corn to laying hens, which in turn produced eggs with high levels of the antioxidants. Lee explained that a darker yellow colour in the egg yolk is the result of the high carotenoid corn.While doctors usually suggest a diet high in leafy greens to help in the fight against macular degeneration, the new findings could provide another source of the beneficial antioxidants.The Guelph researchers began growing the new corn strain in two, half-acre plots, and by the summer of 2010 had produced enough grain to begin feeding trials. They started the trials in January 2011 and continued the feeding regime for four to five months, collecting the eggs and testing them for levels of the antioxidants. Once tested, it was discovered that the eggs had lower levels of lutein than eggs produced by chickens fed marigold petals. However, the trial eggs also contained the zeaxanthin.“You can already buy eggs with high lutein, from chickens fed marigold petals. But zeaxanthin is also important, and in theory, feeding this corn to chickens can give us both,” Lee said.The finding could not only be beneficial to consumers and egg producers, but there could also be a potential market for corn producers, growing the speciality corn for chicken rations, she added.So why don’t researchers create a new strain of sweet corn with higher levels of lutein and zeaxanthin for consumers? “That’s something were thinking of trying,” Lee said. BF Ontario proposes new wash water discharge rules for greenhouse growers Farm groups give thumbs down to new proposed U.S. country of origin labelling
Gleaner T Series Combine Updates Wednesday, October 15, 2025 Gleaner continues to advance harvest technology with its new T Series combine, delivering major improvements in power, reliability, and ease of operation. Designed with the farmer in mind, the T Series focuses on performance, accessibility, and cutting-edge precision tools for... Read this article online
New MacDon FD2 Plus Draper Header Wednesday, October 15, 2025 Case IH continues to expand its innovative harvest equipment lineup with the launch of the MacDon FD2 Plus Draper Header, a new series designed to provide farmers with smoother, cleaner, and more efficient harvesting. Available in multiple widths — 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, and even 61... Read this article online
New Holland IntelliSense Tech Elevates Crop Efficiency Tuesday, October 14, 2025 The IntelliSense system features a forward-looking sensor mounted at the cab’s center line, allowing the sprayer to assess crop quality up to 50 feet ahead. It operates in two main modes: variable rate application and spot spraying. In variable rate mode, the system uses sunlight... Read this article online
Horror movies filmed in rural Ontario Tuesday, October 14, 2025 As picturesque as rural Ontario and its farm settings can be, the landscape can also create the perfect backdrop to send chills down a spine. With that at top of mind and in celebration of all things spooky and horror in October, here are some horror movies filmed around rural... Read this article online
Downtown Diner Delivers a Taste of Canadian Farming to Ottawa Monday, October 13, 2025 This week, the heart of Canada’s capital was filled with the sights, sounds, and flavors of Canadian agriculture as Sparks Street played host to the Downtown Diner, a pop-up event celebrating Canadian food and the farmers who make it possible. At the center of the conversation was... Read this article online