Farm Energy Online extends information, resources and links on renewable energy and energy conservation to help Canadian farmers, agri-business and those who support them make sound and successful business decisions. A recent addition to the website is the Farm Energy Online Blog. "Implementing energy conservation strategies can help farms save 15 to 20% of their energy costs," says Harlow. Full Story 

Researchers at University of Guelph assess opportunities and risks of biomass crops. “The market for biomass crops is emerging and there are still some uncertainties for growers,” says Dr. Bill Deen. “However, over the next few months we will have some very good biomass crop production information available to help growers make decisions.” Full Story 

Improved varieties and recent agronomic research make winter wheat a good choice. Winter wheat is being touted as a good option for farmers struggling to deal with unseeded or flooded acres that resulted from excessive precipitation during the spring of 2010. Full Story 

New fusarium chemotype has higher DON levels. Cereal crop growers need to sharpen their Fusarium head blight (FHB) management skills because new grading requirements from the Canadian Grain Commission (CGC) mean tighter tolerances for Fusarium damaged kernels (FDK). Full Story 

Helga Halfinger emphasizes that herb and spice crops are smaller acreage, higher value production, and as with any high value crops, over production can easily flood the market and reduce revenue and opportunities for all growers. Therefore, potential markets must be carefully researched before venturing into new crops. Full Story 

Researchers develop mobile fast pyrolysis technology to convert biomass to bio-oil. “We would like to see this technology become a business and revenue opportunity for farmers,” says Dr. Franco Berruti. “This portable trailer unit could be moved from farm to farm during the harvesting season to convert the leftover organic materials.” Full Story 

Financial advantages accrue from lower processing costs and better yield potential than barley. A new innovative oat variety could change the way cattle feeders background their calves. Full Story 

Expanded market provides farmers with additional revenue A $1.12 million expansion of Schweitzer-Mauduit Canada’s (SMC) flax straw processing capabilities in Manitoba will give farmers an expanded market for their waste flax straw. Full Story 

Oilseed Works has invented a unique process for producing food, fuel and carbon credits from oilseed crops. What started as an industrial hemp venture more than 15 years ago, is now a major oilseed food and fuel production system for Oilseed Works Inc. of Barrie, Ontario. Full Story 

Natvik Design produces native trees and plants for agriculture buffers, erosion control, habitat restoration and more recently for living roofs. Native plants are ideal for farm shelterbelts, buffer strips and erosion control and are important to farmers implementing Environmental Farm Plans. Full Story 

Technology could improve marketability and help manage harvest risk. For consumers and growers, there is nothing more frustrating than to watch a nice, juicy strawberry or raspberry turn bad. There is a finite time between harvest and consumption, because all berry crops should be harvested as close to ripe as possible since eating quality does not improve after harvest. Full Story 

Powerless aeration uses ventilating tubes to condition grain and reduce risk. Gary Schreiner was inspired by an old wives’ tale to help save his damp and tough grain. The tale goes that farmers would put a cedar post in the middle of a grain pile to help transfer the heat up and out of the grain. While Schreiner didn’t use cedar posts, he did come up with his own unique way of ventilating grain, called GrainAir Tubes. Full Story 

CSA micro-finance model proves successful for Monforte Dairy A leading example of local entrepreneurship and innovation, Monforte Dairy, southwestern Ontario's premier artisanal cheese company will be opening its new doors in June. Owner and lead cheesemaker Ruth Klahsen, who is also a veteran chef, started Monforte Dairy in Stratford Ontario in 2004. Surprised by having her lease unexpectedly cancelled when it came up for renewal, Klahsen was forced to explore other options. Full Story 

Canadian Organic Growers publish handbook and offer training for growers. The demand for local organic food continues to expand across farmers’ markets, home delivery programs and restaurants. Although the demand continues to grow, local growers are challenged to keep up with supply. Full Story 

More than 270 quality controlled stations linked with ACIS website provides local weather data. Alberta’s network of weather stations will not make it rain, but the Alberta government’s AgroClimatic Information Service (ACIS) provides farmers and agrologists with better information and farm management planning tools. Full Story 

BCAFM launches MarketSafe program for farmers’ market vendors. The BC Association of Farmers’ Markets (BCAFM) recently launched a new program for farmers’ markets and other types of temporary food markets, including those who sell direct from the farm. BCAFM represents 93 farmers’ markets across BC, with over 3000 vendors. Full Story 

Vive Nano uses a novel, green-chemistry platform to produce nanoformulations for crop protection products. Full Story 

Royal Dutch Shell blends cellulosic ethanol with gasoline. "We continue to demonstrate that low GHG cellulosic ethanol can be produced in significant quantities at our Ottawa demonstration facility, and that it performs well in all vehicles and uses whether that involves race cars or regular vehicles and everyday driving," says Mandy Chepeka. Full Story 

PICO helps accelerate tree fruit commercialization in BC and nationally. "It is increasingly more difficult in the world to access new tree fruit varieties from other breeding programs," says John Kingsmill. "PICO has a Canada First Policy to give Canadian growers preferential access to the commercialization of new varieties." Full Story 

Eliminating random wheel compaction can increase yields. "Much of the CTF research and adoption is occurring in Australia," says Peter Gamache. "The Alberta project is an opportunity to begin testing the Australian experience in Alberta conditions and to look at the equipment issues. It is an opportunity to evaluate the agronomic and economic implications of CTF." Full Story 

EcoSynthetix Inc. has developed a proprietary biobased alternatives to petrochemical products. "Dedicated specialty crops for biomaterials are going to be something really big in the future," says van Leeuwen. "This industry will continue to grow and the interplay between the industry and the farming community will be even more important." Full Story 

ARECA’s 72-page manual is the first Western Canadian guide that covers the many areas of precision farming. “To have precision farming technology is fine, but what do you do with all the information?” asks Ty Faechner. Full Story 

First commercial vineyard and winery in Saskatchewan finds success. “Wine is something people associate with the good life,” says Marie Bohnet. “Therefore, a winery business means you have to do everything very professionally and make it a quality experience for your visitors.” Full Story 

Alternative Land Use Services program puts a value on farmers conserving and restoring natural capital. “ALUS recognizes that farmers produce more than goods and services. They also produce ecological goods and services with a value to society. This is a way to provide a financial incentive for those ecological services,” says Jim Fisher. Full Story 

Honibe develops the world’s first pure non-sticky Honey Drop™. “Honey is the best natural unrefined sweetener and we have discovered a way to make it easy and less messy to use,” says John Rowe. “Our process has enabled consumers and manufacturers to use honey as a sweetener in their products often for the first time.” Full Story 

Investing in renewable energy sources is made easier with a new loan from Farm Credit Canada. “We are definitely seeing an increase in the number of people across the country that are interested in renewable energy sources to reduce costs and demand on the energy grid,” said FCC’s President and Chief Executive Officer Greg Stewart. Full Story 

McCain focuses on improving energy efficiency and wastewater treatment at its Carberry plant. “McCain’s energy efficiency strategies and upgraded wastewater treatment at the Carberry Plant are a great example of a win-win,” says Justin C. Walsh. “These types of programs are good for the environment and good for business.” Full Story 

Natural Pastures Cheese Company adds value to dairy farm. “Our largest challenge is to fill the demand for our cheese. We still want to keep our artisan hands-on approach to cheese making and keep the quality that gave us our award-winning reputation,” says Edgar Smith. Full Story 

Pilot project leads to new composting business model. “In the past, farmers have not been adequately paid for their efforts, so these types of programs almost always failed. Our business model works at building long term relationships so that all parties benefit,” says Michel Dufour. Full Story 

The Ottawa Valley Food Co-operative develops successful local food system. “Although it is hard work to build a local food system, it is very rewarding,” says Christina Anderman. “A local system also helps to get more money directly into the farmers’ pockets.” Full Story 

“The pilot project is designed to simulate normal operating conditions throughout the year,” says Cameron Zimmer. The Saskatchewan Research Council is leading a biodiesel pilot project. Full Story 

“My goal has always been to get more biocontrol products into the hands of growers,” says Deborah Henderson. Kwantlen Polytechnic University’s Institute of Sustainable Horticulture opens Canada’s first incubator for biocontrol products. Full Story 

“Our systems can add value to food processing systems at points where inspection, quality control, sorting, packing or conversion and optimization of products occurs,” says Michael Boudreau. Robotics, 3D vision sensors and automation technology reduces costs and improves product quality for food processors. Full Story 

Canadian study shows dramatic GHG reduction from ethanol and biodiesel. The renewable fuel industry in Canada is breathing a little easier with the release of a new study that looked at the impact of biofuels on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions – and the rest of us can also breathe easier. Full Story 

Researchers develop mobile fast pyrolysis technology to convert biomass to bio-oil. “We would like to see this technology become a business and revenue opportunity for farmers,” says Dr. Franco Berruti. “This portable trailer unit could be moved from farm to farm during the harvesting season to convert the leftover organic materials.” Full Story 

Researchers develop mobile fast pyrolysis technology to convert biomass to bio-oil. At the University of Western Ontario, researchers have developed a fast pyrolysis technology that converts waste biomass materials into bio-oil and other valuable products. Full Story