The seed corn marketing board has worked for producers and processors since 1940, says industry official
DRESDEN, Ont. — Jeff Wilson, past-chair of Seed Corn Growers of Ontario, sees no sign that the marketing board will meet the same fate as Ontario Processing Vegetable Growers. Both marketing boards are regulated under the Ontario Farm Products Marketing Act, which provides them with the authority to collectively negotiate contracts with their respected processors. […] Read moreStories by Jeffrey Carter
Anaerobics new tool against soil pathogens
‘If it’s stinking, it’s working,’ says researcher studying decomposing carbon sources as alternatives to fumigation
NIAGARA FALLS, Ont. — An alternative to soil fumigation is catching on in one of the world’s largest strawberry production regions. “Since the 1950s, fumigation has been the foundation of strawberry production in California,” according to Dr. Joji Muramoto, who spoke in Niagara Falls at the Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Convention in February. “Anaerobic soil […] Read more
New tool designed for late blight detection
NIAGARA FALLS, Ont. — A late blight spore detection system tested in Ontario last year could prove useful in other potato-producing provinces. Eugenia Banks, a consultant to the Ontario Potato Board, talked about the system at the Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Convention in Niagara Falls Feb. 22. “The presence of just one spore means the […] Read more
Potato diseases may lurk on imported tulip bulbs
NIAGARA FALLS, Ont. — It’s bad enough that the disease that causes blackleg in potatoes and carrots, Pectobacterium, is widespread in North America. Now two closely related anaerobic bacterial diseases, more virulent in nature, pose an added threat. Vikram Bisht, a plant pathologist with Manitoba Agriculture, said Dickeya dianthicola has already found its way to […] Read more
Initiative looks to boost organic quality, yields
GUELPH, Ont. — Canada’s organic grain sector needs to ex-pand production but it’s not just about bringing new growers on board. There’s also a need to im-prove the skills of those who are already part of the industry. Iris Vaisman with the Prairie Organic Grain Initiative and Katherine Stanley with the University of Manitoba made […] Read more
Pasture pigs bring home the bacon
GUELPH, Ont. — Ross Duffield’s farm-raised pragmatism led him to adopt confinement housing strategies in pastured-pig production systems at the Rodale Institute. Four years ago, Duffield was hired as farm manager at the Pennsylvania research farm. Two years ago, he led work to complete a 96-by-40-foot, fabric-covered housing facility surrounded by eight acres of pasture. […] Read more
Education dropping among young male farmers: study
LONDON, Ont. — The education level of young male farmers in southwestern Ontario has slipped, according to research published by the Alliance of Crop, Soil and Environmental Science Societies. “Why I think this is interesting is that there appears to be a correlation between the degree of education and environmental behaviour,” study co-author Silke Nebel […] Read more
Tomato processors seek changes to Ontario marketing board
Growers argue proposed changes to provincial farm products marketing act could render marketing boards toothless
LONDON, Ont. — Ontario’s marketing board for processing vegetables is under attack, according to its chair. Francis Dobbelaar said Ontario Processing Vegetable Growers has rejected the latest proposal from the Ontario Farm Products Marketing Commission that would open the door to direct contracts between processors and growers for tomatoes. “Their definition of direct contracts is […] Read more
Food producers find success in value-added
When facing marketing challenges, two Ontario companies revamped their businesses to provide consumers with new options
TORONTO — It took two crises for the owners of Canada’s largest duck producing operation to shift direction. “We went from being a farm family to being a farm family business,” said Debbi Conzelmann,chief executive officer of King Cole Duck. “We had to take another look at our business. Like many other farm businesses, it […] Read more
Tillage tactics take centre stage at Ontario event
RIDGETOWN, Ont. — Three Ontario agronomists described six tillage strategies at the Southwest Agricultural Conference here Jan. 4. Greg Stewart with Maizex Seeds and Alan McCallum with McCallum Agronomic Services were at the event. Peter Johnson with Real Agriculture was included in video presentations. Six farmers with six different pieces of equipment were introduced. First […] Read more
