Owen Roberts March 8th, 2010
Research from California about atrazine, a popular herbicide used extensively in corn in North America, drew headlines last week because of the chemical’s apparent effect on frogs — the researcher claimed that it changed the gender of many of the animals in his experiment. Critics were skeptical because the researcher has made claims against atrazine before, but no one has been able to substantiate them. I write about this controversy in my Urban Cowboy column (it’s a pdf…scroll down to the bottom of the page) in today’s Guelph Mercury, and I underline the need for research to try to replicate the California study. That way, the farm sector can either make adjustments to its crop protection program, or get on with feeding the world.
I’m also hoping the media will be as interested in the story if and when the California study is disproved, although I doubt that it will, because healthy frogs (or healthy anything, for that matter) make lousy headlines.
The photo below is the North American bullfrog, photographed in B.C. by Don MacKinnon/Sterling News.
Bullfrog
Owen Roberts March 1st, 2010
If they awarded medals for best supporting role by a Canadian province in agri-food research, Ontario would win the gold, hands down. Despite tough economic times, Ontario continues investing in the sector that feeds us, provides recreation opportunities, keeps the environment healthy, and garners as much respect as medical professionals and emergency response personnel. The biggest commitment — about $75 million a year — is to the University of Guelph, from the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. But other provincial ministries invest in agri-food research at Guelph, as well. I cover the latest investment in my Urban Cowboy column is today’s Guelph Mercury.
Speaking of gold medals, how about Sidney Crosby?
Owen Roberts February 22nd, 2010
With all the reasons to feel good about farm prospects — the emergence of agri-food as the leading economic driver, the food-health-environment connection, local food, etc. — a new poll by the Canadian Federation of Independent Business announcing gloomy feelings on the farm seemed contradictory to me. But according to the federation, Ontario farmers don’t feel stabilization policies are in place to give them a secure feeling about the future. They’ve formed a coalition to draw some attention to their plight, which is the subject of my Urban Cowboy column in today’s Guelph Mercury.
Even with pessimism in the agri-food sector, the federation’s business barometer (below) is looking positive as 2010 gets underway.
Owen Roberts February 16th, 2010
In all of Canada, only one national research network is dedicated to agri-food, the Advanced Foods and Materials Network. Its seven-year funding term is up for renewal, and based on its performance, I believe it deserves another seven years. I write about the network’s past and future in my Urban Cowboy column in today’s Guelph Mercury.
Below is the cover of the latest AFMNet publication, Advance, produced by my SPARK program at the University of Guelph.
Owen Roberts February 8th, 2010
All the individual and mechanical efforts to stop or control invasive species won’t amount to much unless they’re accompanied by a coordinated scientific effort. Intelligence can’t stop either the sudden or anticipated arrival of all invasive species, but it can certainly help prepare for some of them. My favourite example is the way Ontario joined other North American scientists and administrators to stem the effects of Asian soybean rust.
Now, the Ontario government has put resources into fighting mostly terrestrial invasive species, through support for a research chair at Algoma University’s terrestrial lab, specializing in invasive species. The chair holder, Pedro Antunes, is a former neighbour of mine from Guelph, who went to Germany to pursue his career. It’s great to have him and his family back in Canada, working on the challenges and opportunities that are an inevitable part of global agriculture and trade.
Pedro’s appointment, and what it means for agriculture, is the subject of my Urban Cowboy column today in the Guelph Mercury. Below is a photo of Pedro from a former webpage.
