Scientist says new alfalfa could succeed Sunday, October 16, 2016 A scientist with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada says a new variety of alfalfa developed in the Maritimes could help producers grow more for their cattle. Geneticist Yousef Papadopolous began looking for better alfalfa in 1988. After nearly 30 years of work and 2,000 plants, the variety known as CRS 1001 could be a huge help for farmers. "I think it has tremendous potential," Papadopolous told CBC. "I know it can tolerate our diverse environments across Canada. It’s got an advantage. It will have a market here (the Maritimes) and it will have a market elsewhere.” It’s developed with rhizomes, which produce creeping root stocks and can improve plant survival in the Maritimes where farmers are impacted by excessive moisture and poor soil quality. Farms in Saskatchewan, Ontario and Quebec have grown the new variety, and other field tests have been conducted in Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island. Beginning in February, seed companies will bid for the right to produce CRS 1001. Papadopolous said the companies should ensure Maritime farmers aren’t left out of the conversation. “We want to make sure the farmers who have been supporting us have access,” he told CBC. “Those farmers have been helping us in the real world.” View CBC News story: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/alfalfa-tremendous-potential-maritimes-agriculture-scientist-1.3805850 Better Farming's annual sewage and bypass report Oxford County on its way to the goal of 100% Renewal Energy
Canada Faces Below-Average Hurricane Season, Will Farmers be Safe? Wednesday, May 27, 2026 As the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season begins, Canadian farmers and rural communities are being reminded that preparation remains critical, even with forecasts calling for fewer storms. Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) says modern forecasting systems are ready to deliver... Read this article online
Ontario Invests $7M in Agri-Food Innovation Tuesday, May 26, 2026 The Ontario government is committing up to $7 million to support 34 new research projects aimed at transforming innovative ideas into practical, market-ready solutions for farmers and food processors across the province. Delivered through the Ontario Agri-Food Innovation Alliance, the... Read this article online
Sunrise Farms invests over $100 million to build advanced poultry plant in Woodstock Monday, May 25, 2026 Ontario’s agri-food sector is set for another major boost as Sunrise Farms announced an investment of more than $100 million to build a state-of-the-art poultry processing facility in Woodstock. The expansion—described as the largest greenfield project in the company’s history—will... Read this article online
Falling Behind on Direct Alcohol Shipping Deadline Monday, May 25, 2026 Canada’s small alcohol producers are growing increasingly frustrated as a promised timeline for direct-to-consumer (DTC) alcohol shipping reforms approaches with little visible progress. The Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) is calling out federal and provincial... Read this article online
Saskatchewan Startup Unveils Portable Device to Detect Crop Diseases in the Field Monday, May 25, 2026 With global crop losses from pests and diseases reaching as high as 40 percent annually, a Saskatchewan-based startup is working to equip farmers with faster, more practical tools to protect their yields. PathoScan Technologies, founded in Saskatoon, has developed a portable... Read this article online