According to recent University of Michigan research, the humble hot dog may rob you of 36 minutes of healthy life each time you eat one. Peanuts, however, could be redemptive because of their “good” fat quotient. So…peanut butter on a hot dog? Perhaps, a happy medium. Photo: delish.com

Anti-GMO sentiment seems to be waning in Europe, and the European Commission is stepping up approvals for farmers to grow genetically modified crops. At the same time, in North America, where GMO crops got their start, concerns have heightened about farmers’ overuse of the herbicides that control weeds in GMO fields. Photo: geneticliteracyproject.org

The numbers of Ontarians accessing food banks hasn’t declined in step with post-pandemic economic recovery. Feed Ontario, the province’s largest collective of hunger relief organizations, has released a report of recommendations aimed at resolving the root causes of hunger. It should be top drawer reading for all politicians.

Farmers in western Canada and northern Ontario, who have been suffering through a drought, received additional, last-minute funding to help them feed and water their livestock.
Kudos to federal agriculture minister Bibeau for managing to make it happen before the election was called. Photo: northernontariobusiness.com

A new study out of the University of Illinois says that the meatless meat industry’s success will depend primarily on two factors: cost to produce, and consumer acceptability.
Plant-based meat seems worthy of a try, but lab-cultured meat product? That might be a bit tougher to swallow. Image: Techcrunch.com

Food is a global commodity and changes in US agriculture usually impact Canadian farmers as well.   So it’s not surprising that pork producers here are concerned about pending California legislation requiring more floor space for breeding pigs, egg-laying chickens and veal calves – not just by the state’s own producers, but all jurisdictions that sell into the large California market. Photo: nbcnewscrunch.com

Parts of Northern Ontario are parched, while areas in the south have been deluged. Farmers, livestock and communities are stressed. The minister of agriculture’s funding for emergency feed, water and fencing for cattle is welcomed, but farmers say it’s a stop gap. They are desperate for a reliable program to help them handle weather extremes. Photo: BeefNorth

Farmers’ direct marketing efforts, such as roadside stands and farmers markets, do better in areas that already offer what the study called “natural” and “social” capital – specifically, farmland and cultural destinations for day tourists. Building a community with those attributes requires broad support. Photo: Fredrictonfarmersmarket.ca

US President Joe Biden is introducing legislation that will make it easier for American livestock producers to sue unscrupulous meat processors. The legislation is aimed at encouraging more competition in a sector that has grown increasingly powerful with consolidations. Next up on the President’s agriculture agenda: clearer country of origin labelling, which could have a huge impact on Canadian beef producers. Photo: cnbc.com

A recent Grassroots Public Affairs survey of Canadians found that consumers’ edginess towards federally approved products farmers use to protect their crops has slightly lessened. Perhaps scientists’ messages regarding product safety are finally being heard. Photo: bestfoodfacts.org

Lisa Thompson, MPP for the riding of Huron Bruce, has been appointed agriculture minister for Ontario. She’s been a strong agricultural education advocate and she’s well respected by the farming community…and now, she’s in a position to make a real difference for agriculture. Photo: omafra.ca