DRESDEN, Ont. — Raw milk is not an answer to lactose intolerance, according to a paper published in the March-April edition of Annals of Family Medicine. “Raw milk failed to reduce lactose malabsorption or lactose intolerance symptoms compared with pasteurized milk among adults positive for lactose malabsorption,” the paper’s authors concluded. “These results do not […] Read more
Stories by Jeffrey Carter
Court won’t stop raw milk business: dairy farmer
Cow-share arrangement a ‘marketing and distribution scheme,’ says court
DRESDEN, Ont. — A court decision last week hasn’t put an end to Michael Schmidt’s raw milk business. The Court of Appeal for Ontario upheld an Ontario Court of Justice ruling from three years ago that said Schmidt’s “cow-share” scheme was not a legitimate way to circumvent the province’s Health Protection and Promotion Act, which […] Read moreOntario’s Greenfield fine tunes cellulosic ethanol process
LONDON, Ont. — A technology developed by Greenfield Specialty Alcohols Inc. in Ontario could revolutionize cellulosic ethanol production. “We have validated this at pilot scale. Now we have to validate this on a larger scale, and we’re confident we’ll get there,” says Barry Wortzman, Greenfield’s vice-president of business development. “We’ve been at this for six […] Read more
Antibiotic reduction will address fear of resistance
RIDGETOWN, Ont. — There are two reasons Canadian pork producers should reduce their use of antibiotics, according to a speaker at the Southwestern Pork Conference Feb. 20. If it doesn’t happen, it’s likely to become a trade issue with the European Union, skewing expectations for increased pork exports under the Canada-EU trade agreement, said Ernest […] Read more
Hog disease threatens Europe
RIDGETOWN, Ont. — Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus has been a disaster for North American agriculture, but Europe faces an even greater threat. Two wild boars in Poland recently tested positive for African swine fever, said Ernest Sanford, a swine specialist with Boehringer Ingelheim, who spoke here Feb. 19. “This is moving to the European Union. […] Read more
Heinz plant closure nixed by sale
LEAMINGTON, Ont. — Jobs and tomato acres in southwestern Ontario have been salvaged with the announcement that a company has bought the H.J. Heinz Co. plant near Leamington. Heinz had announced its intention to close the plant last fall. Pradeep Sood, who represents the principals of the Highbury Canco Corp., couldn’t be reached last week, […] Read more
Ontario growers plan to boost spud’s image
National agency considered | New organization would raise funds to encourage increased potato consumption
CAMBRIDGE, Ont. — The Ontario Potato Board has a two-pronged strategy to put fresh potatoes back on the menu. The board, together with the Canadian Potato Committee and the Canadian Horticulture Council, is looking at the feasibility of a national agency, said board chair Bob Squirrell. Such an agency could raise $300,000 to $400,000 for […] Read more
Study links neonicotinoids to immunity suppression
Insecticide problems piling up | In a new study, two neonicotinoid insecticides are shown to increase vulnerability to deformed wing virus
DRESDEN, Ont. — Many beekeepers have accused neonicotinoids of killing their tiny charges, but evidence is now showing that the insecticides are linked to other bee health problems as well. Neonicotinoid clothianidin adversely affects insect immunity and promotes reproduction of a viral pathogen in honeybees, eight Italian scientists wrote in the October edition of the […] Read moreAvenue to citizenship may have advantages
DRESDEN, Ont. — Providing an avenue to citizenship for foreign agricultural workers is an option worth exploring, says a senior researcher with the George Morris Centre. “If we talk to people who have had workers to a large extent, they feel they’re excellent workers and if there was a way to bring them into Canada, […] Read more
Farmers blamed for Lake Erie water pollution issues
Phosphorus loading | Study says agriculture may be the primary source of the problem
DRESDEN, Ont. — Farmers near Lake Erie will have to do more to address the issue of phosphorus loading if the authors of a new study have their way. The study, which recommended changes to agricultural practices within the watershed, said phosphorus loading has led to an increase of algae blooms in the lake’s western […] Read more
