Nova Scotians can now enjoy exhibitions, races and other events at the newly renovated and newly named Dr. Richard (Dick) Huggard Grandstand at the Nova Scotia Provincial Exhibition grounds in Bible Hill. “Many Nova Scotians grew up enjoying an up-close look at agriculture and livestock at the provincial exhibition grounds in Bible Hill. The newly renovated, accessible building means even more Nova Scotians will be welcome for generations to come,” said Agriculture Minister Greg Morrow. “The Dr. Richard (Dick) Huggard Grandstand is a tribute to a Nova Scotian who dedicated his life to agriculture in this province. We are proud to name the grandstand after Dr. Huggard to show our appreciation for his work and his life-long commitment to the agricultural sector and the people in it.” The honouree graduated from the Nova Scotia Agricultural College in 1956. He worked at the Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture, serving farmers and the public for more than three decades, and ended his c
Food dyes might make food look more appealing, but their safety has long been controversial. New research from the University of Guelph reveals an unexpected way these compounds may be harming health: by disrupting the microbial communities in the gut. In two new recently published papers, researchers from the College of Biological Science found that commonly used food dyes can break down in the gut to create potentially toxic byproducts. Our gut microbiomes contain bacteria, fungi and other microbes that help break down food and stimulate our immune systems. Imbalances between good and bad microbes have been shown to result in several health issues, says Dr. Emma Allen-Vercoe, professor in the Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology (MCB). “I don’t think that anyone realizes how fragile the gut microbiome is,” says Allen-Vercoe, Canada Research Chair in Human Gut Microbiome Function and Host Interactions. “Why are so many of us missing certain microbes, and how did we l
Recent data from Statistics Canada and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada paints an encouraging picture of Canadian farming's evolution towards greater sustainability. Since the 1980s, there have been substantial improvements in both soil health and land management, fostering a more sustainable agricultural landscape across the country. As of 2021, Canada's agroecosystems span nearly 57 million hectares, with a noticeable decrease in total area compared to previous decades. This reduction, primarily in annual croplands and semi-natural pastures, alongside an increase in sown pastures and forage areas, reflects a strategic shift towards more sustainable land use practices. The report indicates a significant decrease in the risk of soil erosion across 86% of Canada’s ecoprovinces, a vital achievement given soil's critical role in agriculture. In case you were wondering what an ecoprovince is? According to Wikipedia “An ecoprovince is a biogeographic unit smaller than an ecozone that
At Canada's Farm Show, young entrepreneurs showcased their talent and innovative spirit by developing and pitching new agricultural solutions within a rapid 24-hour timeline. This event, known as the 24-Hour Startup | AGTECH, challenged participants to create and present viable products that could potentially revolutionize farming practices. Five teams, formed just a day before, worked tirelessly to address real-world agricultural problems. They engaged directly with ag producers at the show, conducted market research, and built their prototypes, all leading up to their final pitches on stage. Kai Nim, leader of the FeedFlow team, described the experience as incredibly exhilarating. Unlike other hackathons focused mainly on ideation, this event required teams to construct a tangible product and prepare it for immediate presentation. FeedFlow, the first-place winner, developed a software solution that aggregates, interprets, and visualizes crucial feed data for agricultural producer
In Canada, we are getting better at growing our own fruits and vegetables, even though our winters make it tough to grow food all year round. Thanks to new farming technologies like greenhouses and vertical farming, along with traditional farming, we're not as dependent on importing fruits and vegetables as we used to be. Canada has always been good at growing more food than we need, so we usually send a lot out to other countries. But there’s been talk about Canada not making enough of its own processed foods, like turning wheat into bread right here at home. When we look at how much food we import compared to what we grow, there’s a special number called the trade dependence ratio. If this number is negative, it means we buy more from other countries than we grow. For many fruits and vegetables, Canada has been buying more from other countries than we grow ourselves. However, things are getting better. For example, we’ve been growing more nectarines and buying fewer from abroad.
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