Food and Farming Canada

Sustainability, stewardship at heart of fifth generation family farm

Lilian — Thu, 07 Mar 2013 21:05:23 +0000

The Tyler farm family includes (from left) Sam, Jean, Joanie and Godfrey Tyler

(Haliburton Highlands) – If you take care of the land, the land will take care of you. That’s the philosophy of Godfrey and Jean Tyler who farm their family’s fifth generation century farm in the rocky Haliburton Highlands.

With no off-farm income, the Tylers [...]

Ultrasound helps beef farmers make better marketing decisions

Lilian — Thu, 17 Jan 2013 13:54:42 +0000

Using ultrasound on cattle to identify carcass characteristics is helping beef farmers maximize their profitability.

A project led by Beef Improvement Opportunities (BIO) has shown that ultrasound technology can accurately predict specific carcass characteristics, such as weight, back fat and marbling, which directly affect how much a producer is paid for an animal.

“Historically, beef cattle have been [...]

Keeping birds away from wine grapes

Lilian — Mon, 14 Jan 2013 14:00:52 +0000

Automating the acoustical devices that keep birds away from grape crops in Ontario’s vineyards could improve the effectiveness and efficiency of these tools.

Better management options for the devices – also known as bird bangers – can reduce crop losses and improve relations with non-farm neighbours put off by the noise, according to a recently completed Ontario [...]

Producing wine and cranberries in cottage country

Lilian — Fri, 11 Jan 2013 14:00:33 +0000

Winemaking and farming aren’t two things most people associate with Muskoka.

Yet fruit wines and an iconic fall holiday berry are helping farmer Murray Johnston and his wife Wendy Hogarth put their family business on the map.

The couple, with help from their four sons, run Johnston’s Cranberry Marsh and Muskoka Lakes Winery near Bala, where they grow [...]

Locally grown exotic plant opens new markets, creates jobs

Lilian — Wed, 09 Jan 2013 14:11:34 +0000

An exotic houseplant with pink flowers is turning heads across North America and creating jobs in the Niagara region.

The plant, named Medinilla Magnifica, is helping to expand operations and open up new markets for Ted Oorsprong’s Northend Gardens.

Thanks to some support from Ontario Agri-Food Technologies, Oorsprong is selling the plant in chain stores and garden centres [...]

New label makes soybutter safe solution for peanut-free schools

Lilian — Mon, 10 Dec 2012 13:45:06 +0000

A new approach to labelling a locally produced soybutter is making it easier to use in Ontario’s peanut-free schools.

The toasted soy spread looks and tastes so much like peanut butter that some schools weren’t allowing it, says Scott Mahon, President of WOWBUTTER Foods, a family-owned business in the Stratford area.

To address this challenge, the company has [...]

“Green” lubricant alternative now available in Canada

Lilian — Tue, 09 Oct 2012 13:16:20 +0000

A new vegetable oil-based multi-purpose lubricant is now available for sale in Canada – with the potential to open up significant new markets for Canadian grain and oilseed farmers.

Smart Earth Corporation’s new Ecolube product was developed in Canada by Linneaus Plant Sciences Inc. as an environmentally friendly substitute for popular lubricant and penetrant products currently on [...]

Tobacco plants may save lives

Lilian — Thu, 04 Oct 2012 19:07:32 +0000

I get to learn about some pretty neat things in my life as someone who writes about food and farming. The following story, which was released by the Agri-Technology Commercialization Centre a few weeks ago, ranks high on my list of all-time favourites.

PlantForm Corporation, a University of Guelph spin-off company, is using tobacco plants to manufacture [...]

New campaign to boost soy food awareness

Lilian — Thu, 20 Sep 2012 12:54:06 +0000

A recently established Canadian marketing council, led by Soy 20/20, hopes to raise awareness of Canadian soy food products with several new initiatives.

These include a new website, outreach efforts to dietitians and food industry professionals, and a market research study to gauge existing awareness and attitudes towards soy foods among Canadian dietitians.

The Canadian Soy Food Marketing [...]

Growing plants for energy

Lilian — Wed, 19 Sep 2012 10:35:56 +0000

Biomass is a promising emerging market in Ontario and farmers can learn more about growing and making money from these purpose-grown crops on a series of upcoming regional car tours. The Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association (OSCIA) also showcased miscanthus (seen in the image at left) and switchgrass test plots at Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show [...]