Panelists at a recent conference said regulations and mandatory food labelling are necessary for food safety and nutrition but may discourage new entrants in the sector who don’t understand the reasons.  |  File photo

Knowledge can fix regulation

Glacier FarmMedia – Public disconnect from agriculture and misunderstanding of agricultural processes may be causes for regulatory concern, attendees of a recent Protein Industries Canada conference heard. Canada is a world leader in agricultural innovation and has set the standard for gene editing and plant breeding regulations, said speakers on one panel about regulatory reform. […] Read more

A spray drone used water to demonstrate the potential of the technology during a Manitoba crop tour this summer.  |  Don Norman photo

Legal drone spraying takes step closer to reality

CFIA says the work that is ongoing to satisfy federal regulatory authorities is moving faster than previously anticipated

The ray of hope might be dim right now, but farmers wanting to legally spray pesticides on their crops using drones may be seeing the first hint of light at the end of the tunnel. Ross Breckels, a senior scientific evaluator with Health Canada’s Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA), said the process of getting common […] Read more



Catalera is a new entity in the world of biologicals, a generic term to describe crop protection and fertility products that are derived from bacteria, fungi, plant extracts and other natural organisms. | Catalera photo

Biologicals business receives funding boost

WINNIPEG — A Vancouver company with ambitions of making biologicals “the future” of crop protection and pest solutions has secured investment from a major player in Canada’s agricultural industry. On Tuesday morning, Catalera BioSolutions announced the initial close of its Series A funding round. S2G Ventures, a venture capital firm in Chicago, is leading the […] Read more

A biostimulant that reduces heat blast and preserves yields is one of the many products on the market that are piquing producers’ interest.  |  File photo

Farmer interest grows in plant biostimulants

Companies that make these products say more education is needed as producers continue to explore products’ potential

LANGHAM, Sask. — At 2 p.m. on July 17, Ryan Bonnett and many other people at the Ag In Motion farm show near Langham were seeking a place in the shade. The temperature was around 30 C and the word “hot” came up in most conversations at the show. The afternoon temperature was also on […] Read more


What is ginkgo biloba and what does it do? Is it better than beta carotene? The world of biological products in agriculture is similar. With hundreds on the market, growers may not understand how Product A is different from Product K.  | Getty Images

Biological certification program planned

WINNIPEG — There are dozens of choices in the vitamin and supplement aisles at grocery and drug stores, to the point where consumers can be overwhelmed by the options. What is ginkgo biloba and what does it do? Is it better than beta carotene? The world of biological products in agriculture is similar. With hundreds […] Read more

Canada's Pest Management Review Agency has approved Garlon XRT herbicide, the first industrial vegetation product with drone application on the label. |  Getty Images

Herbicide approved for industrial use by drone

The door to spraying herbicides with drones opened a crack with the Canadian approval of a herbicide by drone for industrial application. Canada’s Pest Management Regulatory Agency approved Garlon XRT herbicide, the first industrial vegetation product with drone application on the label. “We are the first company to have a pesticide registered with PMRA for […] Read more

Andrea Faubert of Corteva Agriscience and Brian Innes, executive director of Soy Canada, say farmers need to make friends, form alliances and tell their stories in order to help urban residents better understand why government decisions must take into account the impact on agriculture.  |  Ed White photo

Farmer advocacy starts with building bridges

Two lobbyists say urban residents’ distance from the reality of farming can affect how governments respond to ag issues

This is part of a series of stories that reporter Ed White will file this summer about the different approaches that can be taken when advocating for agriculture. DAUPHIN, Man. — Finding friends and building bridges will be key to keeping farmers from slipping off the public radar, two experienced Ottawa lobbyists say. “The more people […] Read more


Field testing of a new high-protein canola hybrid shows that it still has desirable traits but contains less fibre than other canola hybrids.  |  File photo

Researchers work to narrow canola’s protein gap

A new high-protein canola hybrid developed by Corteva is being tested in feeding trials on poultry, hogs and fish

WINNIPEG — The North American market for swine feed is worth US$17 to $27 billion, or possibly more. There are dozens of reports that estimate the size of the market, so it’s hard to nail down the exact number. Regardless, it’s big. Corteva Agriscience is planning to tap into that market with a new type […] Read more