Joe Dales's Blog (72)

BASF brings Calovor herbicide to corn producers

The product includes a built-in safener for tank mixing with glyphosate

SNAPP – New equipment intake opens for Northern Ontario agri-food producers

Northern Ontario farms, food businesses, non-profits and Indigenous communities can apply beginning Monday for equipment support aimed at new products, higher productivity and cleaner production. The Sustainable New Agri-Food Products and Productivity program, known as SNAPP, lists its next intake as open from Nov. 9 through Jan. 8, 2027. Applicants must have at least one part of their operation in Northern Ontario, and the proposed project must take place in the region. The program is funded through FedNor and delivered through the Rural Agri-Innovation Network with the Northern Ontario Farm Innovation Alliance and Northwestern Ontario Innovation Centre. What the program can support The current program page lists processing, packaging and labelling equipment, precision-agriculture technology, hydroponic lighting, irrigation or rainwater-harvesting systems, minimal- or no-till equipment and passive-solar greenhouse systems as examples. Used equipment is eligible, and purchases must

Blenheim’s Drone Spray Canada wins Ontario’s top agriculture award

Drone Spray Canada of Blenheim has won the 2026 Minister’s Award at the Excellence in Agriculture Awards. The Ontario government presented the awards at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair. Founded in 2020, the company has become a leader in agricultural drone technology, the province says. It helps farmers improve efficiency, reduce crop damage and soil compaction, and manage difficult field conditions through training, on-farm demonstrations and industry advocacy. “Drone Spray Canada is incredibly honoured to receive this award for our involvement in bringing a new and innovative technology to agriculture. It has been many years working with countless stakeholders to ensure we can integrate drones into our agricultural practices. This allows growers to increase efficacy, decrease costs and ultimately generate better products. We are excited to continue to see this industry take-off,” the company said. The awards honour seven winners and six honourable mentions in seven categories:

Ontario announces winners of 2026 Excellence in Agriculture Awards

The Ontario government’s Excellence in Agriculture Awards recognize agriculture and food businesses, individuals and organizations that have raised the bar for excellence in the agriculture and food industry and demonstrated leadership in their field. Presented recently at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair in Toronto, the 2026 awards honour seven winners and six honourable mentions whose contributions are advancing Ontario’s nearly $53 billion agri-food sector and helping build a more secure, sovereign and self-reliant food supply. “The workers and innovators in Ontario’s agri-food sector are second to none, using world-class expertise and experience to bring fresh, nutritious and delicious food to tables across the province,” said Sam Oosterhoff, minister of agriculture, food and agribusiness. “These awards are a celebration of Ontario’s rich, multigenerational agricultural heritage being carried forward by the leaders of today, with a commitment to building a more secure and self-

U of G student traces lives of fallen WWI soldiers who 'walked the same halls'

There were 109 students from the Ontario Agriculture College who lost their lives in World War 1, and now a University of Guelph student is honouring them. Although the names of the 109 fallen soldiers are immortalized through a plaque at the U of G’s War Memorial Hall, Zane Ward wanted to know more about their lives and service. Ward is doing his masters in European studies at the U of G. During his undergraduate degree in 2024, he embarked on a task to find out who the 109 men were. “These men were here and they walked among these very halls,” said Ward. When the war ended, students had the idea for War Memorial Hall to be built to honour the fallen soldiers. It opened in June 1924. After the 100th anniversary of the opening was marked, Project Reunion started.