Food and Farming Canada » Agr. Adaptation Council

Car, furniture production cheaper, greener with soy

Lilian — Wed, 22 Sep 2010 12:59:34 +0000

Soybeans are helping to make industrial epoxy resins used in construction, automotive and furniture production hardier, greener and less expensive.

Researchers at the University of Guelph are working on a new soy-oil based bio-resin that, when mixed with soy stalks and soybean meal, can create new biodegradable “green composites”. Traditional epoxy resins used in composite products are [...]

Survey says: consumers seek lean, tender, flavourful meat options

Lilian — Tue, 18 May 2010 23:08:14 +0000

When it comes to meat, Ontario consumers want protein that is lean and low in saturated fat – yet is still tender and flavourful.

This was the finding of a market research survey conducted recently by the Ontario Veal Association (OVA) to determine consumer perceptions and knowledge of veal and its health benefits.

The study also showed that [...]

Research needed to meet local food demand

Lilian — Wed, 12 May 2010 03:36:15 +0000

There is a growing demand for Ontario rabbit meat, which means opportunity for Ontario farmers to fill a local food niche.

But there is very little research to help farmers improve and increase their production, according to a literature review commissioned by Ontario Rabbit. In fact, there are North America-wide gaps in meat rabbit research and [...]

New markets for Ontario ginseng

Lilian — Sun, 02 May 2010 00:29:19 +0000

An innovative residue extraction process for Ontario ginseng is poised to open up new market opportunities for the high value crop.

The new method allows for the removal of crop protection residues without affecting the structure and quality of the ginseng, a pilot project has shown.“Crop protection residues have been one of the main trade barrier [...]

Longer shelf life for Ontario berries

Lilian — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 12:27:43 +0000

As a lover of fresh, local berries, this following piece is music to my ears….

New research by the Ontario Berry Growers’ Association (OBGA) shows that a different on-farm storage method can extend the shelf life of strawberries and raspberries, allowing consumers to enjoy fresher fruit longer.“Farmers are picking berries six or seven days a week in [...]

Loblaws chief: global trends will impact food

Lilian — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 13:48:20 +0000

A series of global trends will change everything about the way we eat, says the head of Canada’s largest grocery chain. And that means both adjustment and opportunity for those involved in food, Galen Weston of Loblaw Companies Limited told attendees at the Agricultural Adaptation Council’s annual meeting in Guelph recently.

“We’ve been in the business [...]

Hello chefs-to-be, meet your food

Lilian — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 15:39:32 +0000

We’ve got another farm tour coming up this week with young culinary students, this time from Sir Sanford Fleming College in Peterborough. The focus this time will be on chicken production and apple farming.

This tour is the last in a series that AGCare and the Ontario Farm Animal Council (OFAC) have been running for the past [...]

Talking tomatoes

Lilian — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 12:20:10 +0000

A tomato is a tomato, right? Well, yes, but also definitely no says a Leamington area greenhouse grower. Dean Tiessen of Pyramid Farms introduced a group of budding chefs to the breadth and depth of tomatoes on a recent tour of his farm by St. Clair College culinary students.Pyramid Farms grows a variety of crops, including [...]

Tips for success

Lilian — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 13:57:00 +0000

Dr. Vincent Amanour-Boadu shared the following tips on how to position yourself for success in the global marketplace with participants at the Making Tough Decisions in Tough Times conference:

Increase and sustain industry share of plate and market. Consumers are not loyal and will buy from wherever they think their needs are being met. Find a way [...]

Meeting finicky consumers’ demands

Lilian — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 13:24:57 +0000

Meeting the needs of a finicky consumer is hard – but essential for success in the evolving global marketplace. And it’s something farmers need to start committing to, according to a popular agricultural economist from Kansas State University.

“We need to understand consumer needs and how ungrateful they are,” said Dr. Vincent Amanour-Boadu as he addressed [...]