Earlier this week Heath MacDonald, Canada’s Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food and Mexico’s Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development, Julio Berdegué, met to discuss bilateral relations and strengthen cooperation and trade ties between the two countries.
Canada, Mexico look beyond U.S. as agri-food trade pact expands
Lasers and artificial intelligence: welcome to high-tech weed control
Energy-based weed killing technology is emerging in a landscape where herbicide resistant weeds have become a persistant and growing problem for Canadian farmers.
Energy-based weed killing farm equipment is emerging in a landscape where herbicide resistant weeds have become a growing problem for Canadian farmers.
Rene Van Acker appointed University of Guelph’s 10th president
Noted academic got his start at the University of Manitoba’s agriculture faculty
The University of Guelph’s board of governors unanimously approved the appointment of world-renowned scholar and leader, Dr. Rene Van Acker, as its 10th president and vice-chancellor beginning July 2, 2025.
Smart deworming for sheep starts with individual fecal egg counts
Fecal egg count tests are one step Canadian sheep farmers can do to manage growing dewormer resistance and manage parasites
Fecal egg count tests are one step to managing dewormer resistance and managing sheep parasites on Canadian sheep farms to maintain flock health.
Ontario ag-gag appeal concludes, court ruling pending
Animal advocates argue law violates free expression; province defends focus on trespass, not speech
Animal rights advocates challenge the constitutionality of Ontario’s Security from Trespass Act, arguing it stifles undercover exposés and infringes on Charter freedoms; government defends the law as targeting trespass, not speech.
Push-pull system focus of Colorado Potato Beetle control research
Using natural compounds, like cannabis mulch, can help repel the beetles from potato fields
New ways to control Colorado Potato Beetle are marrying pheromones, volatiles and potentially natural repellants.
Researchers look for genetic key to cold sweetening
Being able to turn off the problem would open up more potato varieties for commercial use
Being able to turn off the genetic predisposition for cold sweetening would open up more potato varieties for commercial use.
Producers break late blight threat with proactive measures
Tracking has helped target fungicides and other controls across the country
Preemptive strategies helped keep fungal diseases like late blight at bay in potatoes in most of Canada in 2024.
Data use is big to grow sheep farm profit
Embracing incremental change and increased measurement can increase sheep production profit, says expert
Measurement and data analysis in sheep production are critical tools for deciphering the per-pound production costs and increasing efficiency and profit.
Financial protection for Canada’s fruit and vegetable growers near reality
Bill C-280 receives third reading in Senate, awaits Royal Assent
Long-awaited legislation that will provide financial protection to fresh fruit and vegetable producers is close to fruition. Scot Davidson’s private member’s Bill C-280, otherwise known as the Financial Protection for Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Farmers Act, received its third reading Dec. 10 and awaits royal assent. Why it matters: Establishment of a trust will help
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
