Reading Time: 3 minutes Canada’s food guide encourages putting fruits and vegetables at the centre of the plate. But to do this the nation is heavily dependent on imports, particularly from California. In 2019, Canada imported US$4.3 billion of vegetables, fruits and nuts from California. In total, Canada imports nearly US$6 billion in fruits and US$4 billion in vegetables […] Read more
Schoepp: Technology can be used to create new opportunities in Canadian agriculture
We can not only grow more veggies and fruits here, but also create new value-added sectors
Schoepp: Failing to deliver on its promise sparked the backlash against globalization
The huge amount of food waste because of inadequate infrastructure is a big part of the problem
Reading Time: 3 minutes In 2014 the world economy stalled and for the first time the rapid pace of globalization slowed. The consequences were felt immediately in a measurable drop in GDP and in food insecurity. Undernourishment rose in 2015 and is now at levels not seen since 2010. Economists were quick to blame the slippage in globalized trade […] Read more
Opinion: Are the changes to ag research really being led by farmers?
The changes being made will have a major impact, but the issue isn’t attracting much attention
Reading Time: 3 minutes In February of 2016, I experienced something I will never forget. I witnessed farmers and ranchers unite across the province in passionate protest against the newly introduced Bill 6, the occupational health and safety legislation. We saw France-style farmer protests including tractor demonstrations and big crowds of angry folks. It reminded me of images I’ve […] Read more
Schoepp: Climate change policies — how will they impact your farm?
One of the newest initiatives is called rewilding and it illustrates the gulf between farmers and the public
Reading Time: 3 minutes Will changes in climate policy impact land use on your farm? We don’t know yet in Canada but here are some considerations and examples from around the world. Agriculture, and in particular animal agriculture, has long been proclaimed by special interest groups as climate culprits and has been accused of a litany of woes, stemming […] Read more
Opinion: It’s time to finally address the lack of diversity in agriculture
Overcoming sexism and racism can’t be something we just talk about — bold action is needed
Reading Time: 3 minutes Agriculture can no longer afford — literally — to be a non-inclusive industry. As we look bravely to 2021, hopefully burgeoned by plentiful crops and improved grain prices, it seems fitting to assess where our sector is at when it comes to our most important resource — people — and where we intend to go. […] Read more
Schoepp: Who will win the battle for the plates of consumers?
The rise of meat created from plants or in a lab is a fascinating, and multi-faceted, affair
Reading Time: 3 minutes Who will win the plate on the battlefield of food animal versus plant- or cell-based meats? I have often wondered about the outcome of this raging war for the shelf, especially after I first noticed food animal companies investing in plant-based technologies. There is mounting evidence for the use of food animal over alternate meats […] Read more
Opinion: Pandemic stress and exhaustion are taking a toll on our farms
Everyone is feeling worn down but on farms, that ups the risk of an accident occurring
Reading Time: 3 minutes January is a weird month. It’s an optimistic time, with a new year bringing resolutions and a sincere hope for life to be better and brighter. But it’s also a dark and slow month on the Canadian Prairies — especially in the rural areas, on the often quieter farms so many of us call home. […] Read more
Schoepp: The plight of the banana has implications for all of agriculture
Overreliance on chemical control has brought this hugely important global crop to a crisis point
Reading Time: 3 minutes Regardless of the season there are some foods that are always available and one of them is the banana. It’s an interesting fruit because of the dominance it has in terms of trade and its unique characteristic of being a non-seed-bearing clone. Most bananas come from Ecuador, Philippines, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Colombia and another 125 […] Read more
Schoepp: A tedious task offers up some lessons on life
Those who came before us have given us a gift and we must preserve it for future generations
Reading Time: 3 minutes Surrounding my new rural house is a rock garden that stretches 30 metres long and is 10 metres deep. It’s steep and rugged and has not been tended to for several years. The task of pulling established grasses, invasive ground cover and weeds from this huge space seemed a monumental task. I began the process […] Read more
Does the wall need to be repaired before being repainted?
There’s a case for fixing mistakes but also one for brightening things up to give us a fresh start
Reading Time: 3 minutes The person I was walking with on a soft and warm island night was speaking of her career as a commercial painter. From a previous conversation, I knew that in her work she was a victim of harassment, exposure to extreme language, lack of privacy and the frustrating absence of washroom facilities. She was small […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
