Has the bacterium that causes fire blight become resistant to product used to control the disease? Study aims to find out Friday, July 3, 2015 by SUSAN MANNAgriculture and Agri-Food Canada researchers are planning to study pear and apple tree samples to determine if the bacterium causing a destructive disease in those crops is resistant to a control product farmers use.The researchers have started to collect pear and apple tree samples and will also be collecting them next year, says Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada researcher scientist Antonet Svircev. “The project goes for three years.”She is in charge of the project for Ontario, while other scientists across Canada will be collecting samples from other areas and studying them. Svircev is stationed at the federal government’s Vineland Research Station.Researchers will be studying the samples to see if the bacterium, called erwinia amylovora, that causes fire blight carries a gene making it resistant to streptomycin, a product used to control fire blight in Ontario’s commercial orchards since the 1960s.“There are certain genes within the bacterium that tell us there may be resistance,” Svircev says. “We’re looking for these certain genes for resistance in the bacterium. But just because we find the gene doesn’t mean that there really is resistance so we have to do tests in the lab. We have to confirm it.”Fire blight is one of the most destructive apple and pear tree diseases. It kills the shoots of the trees and makes them look like they’ve been scorched by fire. BF New seed branch launched Ontario's corn plantings are up
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
Canadian Ag Youth Council Welcomes new Members Saturday, September 14, 2024 Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada has announced the latest members to join the Canadian Agricultural Youth Council (CAYC). This update introduces nine fresh members alongside thirteen returning youths, marking a significant step towards involving young voices in agricultural... Read this article online
New CEO for Livestock Research Innovation Corporation Friday, September 13, 2024 Livestock Research Innovation Corporation (LRIC) is promoting from within with the appointment of the organization’s newest Chief Executive Officer. Industry Services Manager Kelly Somerville has been tapped to assume the role as of September 3, replacing retiring CEO Mike McMorris.... Read this article online