Alternative to neonicotinoids | Traits of beneficial bacteria are combined with chemicals from thyme
LONDON, Ont. — A scientist at Agriculture Canada’s Southern Crop Protection and Food Research Institute in London hopes to develop an alternative to neonicotinoid seed treatments. Ze-Chun Yuan also wants to use a bacteria-based seed coating to manage fungal diseases and reduce fertilizer costs. “We can convert from agricultural products like corn stalks or wheat […] Read moreStories by Jeffrey Carter
Dairy producers try new solar heating system
Hot water | Dairy producers using solar system find savings in less than seven years, says company official
WOODSTOCK, Ont. — Dairy farmers who heat hot water with electricity can pay for a solar system in less than seven years. That’s been the experience of John Rood and his sons, who operate Zolarayz, a solar thermal installation and maintenance business near Woodstock. Rood said the dairy side of his solar thermal business has […] Read moreScientist finds Roundup more toxic than glyphosate
Chemical study | Monsanto defends itself against new claims critical of the surfactant compounds added to Roundup
TORONTO — The French scientist who led the study questioning the safety of Roundup herbicide and genetically modified corn is adding new fuel to the debate. Gilles-Eric Séralini released a copy of his new paper examining the adjuvants used in Roundup formulations to The Western Producer after he spoke in Toronto Feb. 16 at the […] Read moreScientist questions adjuvants in Roundup formulations
TORONTO — The French scientist who led the study questioning the safety of Roundup herbicide and genetically modified corn is adding new fuel to the debate. Gilles-Eric Séralini released a copy of his new paper examining the adjuvants used in Roundup formulations to the Western Producer after he spoke in Toronto Feb. 16 at […] Read more
Back to basics: farm aims for sustainability
Permaculture principles | Members learn how to live in harmony with nature
GUELPH, Ont. — Wetland, woodland, farmland and suntrap gardens can all can be found at Whole Village Farm just 60 minutes from downtown Toronto. The scenario may seem fanciful and the community has yet to achieve the level of sustainability envisioned under its permaculture principles, but there have been successes. Brenda Dolling, one of the […] Read more
Cranberries: much more than simply sauce
BALA, Ont. — The full potential of one of Canada’s oldest cranberry farms has been realized only in the past 20 years. Wendy Hogarth, who runs Johnston’s Cranberry Marsh with her husband, Murray Johnston, said adding value has been a matter of necessity. Their 27 acres produce 300,000 to 500,000 pounds of cranberries annually. Bulk […] Read more
Fruit growers seek disaster money
LONDON, Ont. — Ontario fruit growers are one step closer to receiving AgriRecovery dollars. Brian Gilroy, chair of the Ontario Apple Producers, said provincial agriculture minister Ted McMeeken has announced that an AgriRecovery assessment will be conducted. “We’re confident an AgriRecovery file is being looked at thoroughly. We know that a disaster took place,” Gilroy […] Read more
New heavenly-tasting pear sweet, big and blight resistant
DRESDEN, Ont. — Harovin Sundown may be the crowning achievement of Agriculture Canada’s pear breeding program. The first commercial planting went into the ground in Ontario’s Niagara Peninsula this spring but has been tested in field trials for much longer. “I think Sundown is probably the best of the material we have available at the […] Read more
Weed seeds thrive in fields with high organic matter
DRESDEN, Ont. – The high regard organic farmers hold for soil biological activity is well founded, but it’s not going to reduce the bank of weed seeds. That’s a key finding in a study published in the March-April edition of Weed Science. John Teasdale, a physiologist with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, said smooth pigweed […] Read more
Ont. imposes quarantine after beetle outbreak
DRESDEN, Ont. – Ontario’s honey industry is getting serious about the arrival of the small hive beetle. Beekeepers are concerned about repercussions to the interprovincial movement of bees if the right steps are not taken to deal with the pest. Some of Ontario’s producers move hives west to Manitoba and east to Quebec and Atlantic […] Read more
