A chemical-free way of reducing pests Sunday, November 8, 2015 A California-based company has created a chemical-free way to reduce pests and increase yields.According to Wine Industry Network, AgroThermal Systems' thermal plant treatment system, called Thermaculture, was originally designed for insect and fungal control. However after early trials the company found that the procedure had several other benefits, including increased fruit set. Results from recent tests done at the Chateau Reynon vineyard near Bordeaux, France, found that Thermaculture helped to increase the fruit set by 20 per cent while also increasing bunch weight by 25 per cent, a press release reports.While it is currently used primarily in viticulture, AgroThermal Systems founder and CEO Marty Fischer said in a press release that "while we are most experienced with wine grapes, Thermaculture will provide benefits to other crops including orchards, berries [and] kiwifruit."A video explaining the procedure can be seen at www.youtube.com/watch?v=O_8C-sNogIw BF Lake Erie agreement confronts Ontario farmers with stiff phosphorus reduction targets Now you can buy animal welfare bonds
Ag Minister Launches National Consultations to Shape the Next Agricultural Policy Framework Wednesday, January 28, 2026 As Canada begins charting its next decade of agricultural policy, the Honourable Heath MacDonald, Minister of Agriculture and Agri Food, officially launched national consultations on the development of the Next Policy Framework (NPF)—the federal, provincial, and territorial agreement that... Read this article online
OFA responds to time-of-use electricity pricing proposal Tuesday, January 27, 2026 The Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) provided an agricultural perspective on a proposed new electricity pricing plan. This new plan from the provincial government for Class B customers “would potentially establish a fixed (Global Adjustment) price for each period of the day (i.e.,... Read this article online
CLAAS earns two AE50 Awards for advancing forage harvesting technology Monday, January 26, 2026 CLAAS of America has been recognized with two from the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE), highlighting the company’s continued leadership in forage harvesting innovation. The awards honor the newly introduced series self-propelled forage harvesters... Read this article online
Québec names Lori Anne Berthiaume and Steeve Nadeau as 2026 Outstanding Young Farmers Monday, January 26, 2026 Berthiaume’s leadership at Ferme Porc SB Inc. and her team-centred approach helped drive major productivity gains and earned recognition from Canada’s Outstanding Young Farmers. Québec’s Outstanding Young Farmers (OYF) program has named Lori Anne Berthiaume and Steeve Nadeau as the... Read this article online
Wheat Growers Invited to Unlock Their Full Yield Potential Monday, January 26, 2026 Wheat producers looking to deepen their understanding of crop performance—and push their fields closer to full yield potential—are encouraged to register now for the 2026 Great Lakes Yield Enhancement Network (YEN). The upcoming season marks the sixth year of the binational program,... Read this article online