Pigeons no circovirus threat Friday, June 20, 2008 © AgMedia Inc. by BETTER FARMING STAFF The provincial veterinarian, based in Fergus, says to his knowledge pigeons do not carry circovirus inside their intestinal systems and do not excrete it in their waste. University of Guelph-based virologist Suzy Carman adds that birds have their own circovirus but it is "host specific" and not transmissible to pigs. Pigeons have become a concern of poultry producers and some pork producers since the announcement this week of the failure of Waterloo-based Pigeon King International. The company sold pigeon pairs to breeders and contracted to buy offspring back; there appears to be no other buyer. In a letter to holding barn operators and some contract holders, PKI's founder, Arlan Galbraith suggested releasing pigeons into the wild to fend for themselves as an alternative to euthanizing them. Many pigeon barns are located in Waterloo, Perth, Oxford and Wellington Counties, also major pork producing areas. Poultry producers remain concerned that released pigeons may spread disease and the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs is urging producers to euthanize birds rather than release them. BF Pigeon King breeders turn to squab markets Agricorp audit reaches final stage
Ontario farmers get boost for energy upgrades Friday, July 11, 2025 The governments of Canada and Ontario are investing up to $3 million in the third round of the Agricultural Stewardship Initiative (ASI). This funding will help farmers improve the energy efficiency of their operations and support the long-term sustainability of the agriculture... Read this article online
Swede midge and cabbageworm found in Ontario canola Thursday, July 10, 2025 As reported on the OMAFA website fieldcropnews.com, Ontario canola crops are at various growth stages, ranging from seedling to full bloom depending on planting time and region. Winter canola is now fully podded, and harvest is expected to begin soon in Essex and other southern... Read this article online
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