Canada's seed potatoes nematode free: again Thursday, February 17, 2011 by BETTER FARMING STAFFFor the third year in a row the Canadian Food Inspection Agency found no sign of potato cyst nematodes in its survey of the country’s seed potato production fields.Brian Rex, acting national manager of the agency’s potato cyst nematode section, says that means seed potatoes produced in the surveyed areas will receive a green light for export. Survey results “facilitate market access for exports of Canadian seed potatoes” going to countries requiring assurance that the seed potatoes are free of the pest, he explains. The nematode does not pose a risk to human health but is recognized internationally as a quarantined plant pest. If left unmanaged it can reduce yields in potatoes and related crops such as tomato and eggplant.The potato cyst nematodes are microscopic wormlike organisms. Infestations are usually localize. Signs include yellowing, wilting or death of foliage and small potato tubers. In heavy infestations the cyst nematodes will be clearly visible on the plant’s roots.The agency analyzed 43,200 soil samples and tested about 80 per cent of the Canadian seed potato production area. Seed potatoes produced on fields that haven’t been surveyed can’t be exported, Rex says.Rex says some nematodes were found in Quebec and Alberta in 2006. Alberta, Prince Edward Island and New Brunswick are Canada’s main potato seed producing provinces. In 2010, Ontario had 270 hectares of the country’s top 50 registered seed potatoes. PEI had 5,467 hectares, the most in the country. BF No appeal in alfalfa case CFIA outsources soybean seed crop inspection
Stinger Spade Bits kit from Spyder Friday, September 20, 2024 By Braxteen Breen, Whether you are constructing/repairing fencing and other structures around the farm, you can get those tasks completed on the farm quickly with the Stinger Spade Bits kit from Spyder. The Spade Bits kit provides an economical solution for someone who wants to make... Read this article online
$18.4M Boost for Canadian Cereal Grain Innovation Thursday, September 19, 2024 Gate Project Receives Major Funding for Research Canada's position as a pioneer in cereal grain research is set to strengthen with the Gate Capital Campaign raising $18.4 million. This funding will support the Global Agriculture Technology Exchange (Gate) initiative, a project... Read this article online
BASF introduces Surtain herbicide for field corn growers Tuesday, September 17, 2024 Field corn growers in eastern Canada have a new crop protection product available to them. After about 10 years of research and trials, BASF has introduced Surtain, a residual herbicide for corn that combines PPO inhibitor saflufenacil (Group 14) and pyroxasulfone (Group 15) in a premix... Read this article online
We Didn’t Start the Fire! Impacts of Wildfire Smoke on Corn Monday, September 16, 2024 Assistant Professor of Corn Production at Purdue University’s College of Agriculture, Daniel Quinn, PhD. recently provided fascinating insights into the impacts of fire on major corn producing areas, many of which have been impacted by smoke from wildfires. Quinn was the keynote... Read this article online
New home for the Christian Farmers Federation of Ontario Saturday, September 14, 2024 The Christian Farmers Federation of Ontario (CFFO) has announced it has moved into its new office building in Ingersoll. Located at 274620 27th Line in Ingersoll, the new office will serve as the hub for CFFO’s ongoing efforts to advocate for and support Ontario’s Christian farmers.... Read this article online