Reading Time: < 1 minute Washington | Reuters — The United States on Friday signaled it would not bow to the European Union’s request to keep agriculture out of this year’s planned U.S.-EU trade talks, publishing negotiating objectives that seek comprehensive EU access for American farm products. The objectives, required by Congress under the “fast-track” trade negotiating authority law, seek […] Read more
U.S. to seek comprehensive ag access in EU trade talks
‘Super Keen’
Ag education is hot, and enrolment is booming from coast to coast
Reading Time: 8 minutes It’s inspiring for anyone in agriculture to talk to the principals and deans at ag-related academic institutions across the country. More than ever in history, young Canadians are pursuing careers in ag. In a nutshell, it’s because there are jobs in agriculture after school — good jobs that offer exciting and interesting career paths for […] Read more
20 years of Bt corn hybrids
Growers are armed with more powerful, more precise tools than ever in history — but the war on corn pests is far from over
Reading Time: 7 minutes In any discussion of agricultural biotechnology, Bt corn hybrids shine as a huge success. Launched in 1996 in the U.S. and Canada, their 20-plus years in eastern Canadian production are worth celebrating for their unparalleled control of European corn borer (ECB). The technology has performed precisely as designed — without the development of the resistance […] Read more
With drugs pipeline in focus, Bayer seen considering cuts
Reading Time: 3 minutes Frankfurt | Reuters — Bayer is considering job cuts and outsourcing as part of a wide-ranging review of drug research and development that will last until at least November, a person familiar with the company told Reuters. The prospect of “very tangible changes” contributed to a decision by key board members to extend the contract […] Read more
Guide Health: The cutting edge of biologicals
These newest types of drugs are manufactured by living organisms
Reading Time: 2 minutes Drugs are usually chemical molecules that block or enhance some activity within the body, and most drugs can easily be absorbed through your gastrointestinal tract in order to have their effect within the intended system. However, the newest types of drugs are termed biologicals because they are manufactured by living organisms such as bacteria using […] Read more
The benefits of GMO corn
There will always be differing viewpoints and opposing scientific studies, but looking at all of the peer reviewed studies offers a balanced consensus on the benefits and risks
Reading Time: 4 minutes It was in 1996 that genetically modified (GMO) crops were first grown commercially, yet the debate still rages over their safety and toxicology as well as over their environmental and agronomic impact. And it doesn’t seem to matter whether you’re a supporter or an opponent, you’ve got a stack of scientific studies you can point […] Read more
Extended-tolerance canola now on deck for 2019
Reading Time: 2 minutes Giving growers a wider window to spray in-crop weeds with glyphosate, the new platform for Monsanto’s future canola trait stacks is now booked to make its way into the Canadian market next year. The U.S. seed and chemical company’s Canadian arm announced last week it plans to commercialize TruFlex canola in 2019, following plot trials […] Read more
How the biotech conversation continues to evolve
As technology changes, activist voices are changing their focus
Reading Time: 3 minutes The debate over biotechnology is evolving as new voices enter the debate, technology changes and much of the innovation in the field is coming from outside of North America. That means that some of the scientists that have defended the use of genetically modified crops over the past decade have to deal less with activists […] Read more
VIDEO: Conversations on biotechnology: Kevin Folta
Reading Time: < 1 minute Dr. Kevin Folta talks about how new gene editing techniques and science communication lessons are changing the conversation around genetically engineered crops.
Pest Patrol: Have genetically engineered (GE) crops resulted in more herbicide-resistant weeds in Ontario?
#PestPatrol with Mike Cowbrough, OMAFRA
Reading Time: 2 minutes There is a belief that the increased acreage planted to genetically engineered (GE) crops has led to an increase in herbicide-resistant weeds. However, results from the University of Guelph’s herbicide-resistant weed-testing laboratory indicate otherwise. Table 1 (below) summarizes the number of species confirmed as resistant to common herbicides used in Ontario during the past 40 […] Read more
A message from April Stewart, Country Guide's Associate Editor
