Canada's livestock industry monitors U.S. antimicrobial phase out proposal Monday, December 16, 2013 by MATT MCINTOSH The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced last week a new policy designed to help phase out the use of medically important antimicrobials in the production of food animals. But it’s too soon to determine how – or if – the policy, announced Dec. 11, will affect Canadian production. “We’re working with Health Canada on this issue,” says Jean Szkotnicki, president of the Canadian Animal Health Institute. “We need to look at it a bit closer before determining how this might affect Canadian producers.” Antimicrobial drugs refer to those that combat harmful bacteria, viruses, parasites, and fungi, and are very important to modern medicine. The FDA’s website says this decision comes in light of concerns over human health; that is, how the use of antimicrobial drugs in animal production can contribute to more medication-resistant bacteria and viruses. “Antimicrobials are sometimes used in feed and water to supplement animal growth or improve feed efficiency,” says Szkotnicki. “The organization is only focusing on drugs that are considered to be of critical importance to human health.” According to the FDA’s website, the new policy suggests drug companies voluntarily revise product labels to not encourage the use of antimicrobial drugs for animal production. It also calls on more veterinary oversight in the use of antimicrobial drugs, as well as other changes to the classification and regulation of certain over-the-counter drugs that are common in food animal production. BF Farmers must have licenses to hunt large game on their properties, MNR says New check-off fee for Ontario's goat milk producers
Minnesota Wildfires Threaten Agriculture as Governor Walz Mobilizes National Guard Friday, July 17, 2026 Farmers across Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Ontario and Manitoba are closely monitoring a growing wildfire situation in northern Minnesota after Governor Tim Walz declared a peacetime emergency and mobilized the Minnesota National Guard to assist firefighting efforts. The decision... Read this article online
Woodland Mills Expands Portable Sawmill Capacity Friday, July 17, 2026 Woodland Mills has introduced the HM126MAX Portable Sawmill, a new machine designed to provide greater cutting capacity and improved lumber production for customers. The latest model builds on the success of a long-standing portable sawmill platform while offering enhanced performance and... Read this article online
Asian Vegetables Like Bok Choy Grown Right Here in Ontario Friday, July 17, 2026 When you think of vegetables grown in Ontario, do you think of ethic vegetables? Also known as pak choy or Chinese cabbage, bok choy has become an increasingly important crop for Ontario's vegetable industry, driven by growing consumer demand for fresh, locally produced ethnic... Read this article online
Survey aims to amplify voices of rural Ontarians Friday, July 17, 2026 New surveys for rural Ontarians are helping people in these communities paint a comprehensive picture of what life is like. “For too long, rural communities have lacked access to reliable, credible and reflective data,” Leith Deacon, a professor at University of Guelph’s School of... Read this article online
Wildfire Smoke Over Ontario--What Farmers Need to Know Thursday, July 16, 2026 Ontario farmers are becoming increasingly familiar with hazy skies as wildfire smoke drifts across the province. While much of the public focus remains on human health and visibility, the agricultural impacts are also drawing attention as smoke affects crop development, livestock... Read this article online