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Health Canada downplayed scientific concerns about risks of toxic pesticide that causes birth defects

Health Canada downplayed scientific concerns about risks of toxic pesticide that causes birth defects

Canada's pesticide regulator repeatedly ignored red flags raised by its own scientists about the health risks posed by the pesticide chlorpyrifos, stalling a review of the pesticide for close to 20 years, documents obtained by the environmental group Ecojustice reveal. All the while, health concerns raised here at home and worldwide about the pesticide were never publicly shared. Commonly used on crops like wheat, in greenhouses and to kill mosquitoes, chlorpyrifos harms the nervous system and can cause brain defects in children. People are typically exposed by consuming contaminated food residue or water. Canadian farmers used on average 360,000 kilograms of the pesticide each year between 2008 and 2016, and a 2017 federal Canadian health survey found traces of chlorpyrifos on 99 per cent of foods sampled.

As California faces droughts and floods together, farmers look to new water technologies

As California faces droughts and floods together, farmers look to new water technologies

The earth under Dennis Lebow's gumboots is saturated. He's in the Salinas Valley in California, about an hour south of San Jose. The valley is often referred to as the "salad bowl of the world" as it's one of the most productive agricultural areas in the U.S. Most of Canada's lettuce, strawberries and tomatoes are grown in its fertile soil, according to California's Department of Food and Agriculture. 

As California faces droughts and floods together, farmers look to new water technologies

As California faces droughts and floods together, farmers look to new water technologies

The earth under Dennis Lebow's gumboots is saturated. He's in the Salinas Valley in California, about an hour south of San Jose. The valley is often referred to as the "salad bowl of the world" as it's one of the most productive agricultural areas in the U.S. Most of Canada's lettuce, strawberries and tomatoes are grown in its fertile soil, according to California's Department of Food and Agriculture. 

It was the sixth driest year on record in 2022. For farmers, the impact was disastrous

It was the sixth driest year on record in 2022. For farmers, the impact was disastrous

Far away from Waterloo Region’s cities where worries of a global pandemic and skyrocketing inflation dominated the conversation around dinner tables in 2022, a different type of disaster threatened the families of one of the region’s oldest industries.

Paradise Gardens farmers face uncertain future due to fears of more spring flooding in southern N.W.T.

Paradise Gardens farmers face uncertain future due to fears of more spring flooding in southern N.W.T.

Devastating flooding last spring has many in the farming community around Hay River, N.W.T., contemplating their future. Andrew Cassidy and Helen Green, owners of Greenwood Gardens, are still deciding on their next move as they grapple with what's left of their home and business after floodwaters tore through the Paradise Gardens valley in May. "The flooding was really damaging, like it washed away soil, it washed away our raised beds," Cassidy said.

One year after flooding disaster, recovery continues for Fraser Valley farmers

One year after flooding disaster, recovery continues for Fraser Valley farmers

Farmer Richard Bosma points to an armpit-level felt pen mark on the wall of his milking barn to show how high the water rose during the catastrophic flooding on his Fraser Valley dairy farm almost a year ago. "So there were about 54 inches of water here at its peak," he said. In another barn, Bosma introduces assembled media and politicians to Miracle, a black-and-white, hay-munching calf that earned its name by arriving in the world immediately after its mother was rescued from the rising water.

Why volunteers scoop thousands of fish out of Alberta irrigation canals each year

Why volunteers scoop thousands of fish out of Alberta irrigation canals each year

Throughout the warmer months, Alberta's irrigation networks play a crucial role in the province. They transfer water from rivers and reservoirs, delivering it to rural communities, to farmers and to recreational areas, supporting some wildlife along the way. But along with the water comes the fish. And in the fall, when the irrigation networks shut down, thousands of them become stranded. "It's absolutely a recurring problem," said Lesley Peterson, a Calgary biologist with Trout Unlimited Canada.

Some farmers in B.C. able to extend harvesting while others struggle with drought

Some farmers in B.C. able to extend harvesting while others struggle with drought

The unusual stretch of warm weather and summer-like heat is allowing some farmers in B.C. to extend their fall harvest season as crops continue to grow and yield quality produce, while others, especially in water-restricted areas, are struggling with the lack of rain. Sean Smukler, the chair of agriculture and environment at the University of British Columbia, says farmers experienced a cold and wet start to spring that delayed the growth of their crops by about three weeks, but some have been able to make up for lost time in the latter half of the season. "The crops that are well established and just need a little bit of water in this late season are probably able to take advantage of the sunny warm weather," Smukler told CBC News.

‘Bone dry or soaking wet,’ water study faces extremes

‘Bone dry or soaking wet,’ water study faces extremes

Farmers learned a lot from the real-world whiplashing experiment you could call “Farming in 2021-22.” “Make sure your dugouts are deep enough,” said Ridgeville, Man., farmer Neil Claringbould, when asked what he learned from the brutal drought of 2021, as he showed other farmers and researchers one of his new water retention dams on a stream on his land. How about 2022? “We weren’t short of grass.”

Chilliwack on target for the driest September in more than a century of weather records

Chilliwack on target for the driest September in more than a century of weather records

Friday is looking like it will mark a milestone of 51 days of drought in sun-drenched Chilliwack. However it it rains, as forecast earlier in the week by Environment Canada, it means the longest ever dry spell on record for Chilliwack, 51 days set in 1951, will be broken on Sept. 23. If it doesn’t rain, it means the stage 4 drought level, that the Lower Mainland entered on Sept. 15, will continue.

Saskatchewan alleges federal employees illegally taking water samples from farmers

Saskatchewan alleges federal employees illegally taking water samples from farmers

The Saskatchewan Party government says it wants an explanation from Ottawa after federal employees allegedly took water samples from farmers’ lands without permission. Jeremy Cockrill, the minister responsible for the province’s Water Security Agency, said three landowners in southern Saskatchewan had recent unannounced visits from federal employees. He said during each separate instance, the employees, who arrived in black Government of Canada vehicles, took samples from dugouts without the landowners’ permission.

Spaghetti Sauce Is Under Threat as Water Crisis Slams Tomatoes

Spaghetti Sauce Is Under Threat as Water Crisis Slams Tomatoes

California leads the world in production of processing tomatoes — the variety that gets canned and used in commercial kitchens to make some of the most popular foods. The problem is the worst drought in 1,200 years is forcing farmers to grapple with a water crisis that’s undermining the crop, threatening to further push up prices from salsa to spaghetti sauce.

Hamilton-area corn producers optimistic despite dry July

Hamilton-area corn producers optimistic despite dry July

Local corn has arrived in stores and farmers markets throughout the Hamilton area. And while growing conditions have been less than ideal, producers remain optimistic for another strong season, thanks to some much-needed rain and extra irrigation. Through July 26, Hamilton had received just 56.3 mm of precipitation for the month, compared to 99.1 mm in July 2021.

Living lab will see First Nations and farmers collaborate to do work in range of areas

Living lab will see First Nations and farmers collaborate to do work in range of areas

Saskatchewan will be home to the first Indigenous led living lab in Canada. In a media release sent out out Friday the establishment of the Bridge to Land Water Sky was announced. The prject will be led by Mistawasis Nêhiyawak and will also include Muskeg Lake Cree Nation, Saskatchewan Aboriginal Land Technicians, North Saskatchewan River Basin Council, Redberry Lake Biosphere Region, the University of Saskatchewan and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.

Slow spring melt means Milk River farmers may avoid another summer of water shortages

Slow spring melt means Milk River farmers may avoid another summer of water shortages

Just under two months ago, Elise Walker was sure her farm near the Milk River would experience another summer of drought conditions. But with a cool, rainy spring now in the rearview, things are looking much different. The native prairie has a nice green tinge, she said, and the rain keeps coming. "It makes a huge difference, considering how dry we've been the past 12 months," she told the Calgary Eyeopener Monday.

As water sources dry up, towns in southern Quebec sound the alarm

As water sources dry up, towns in southern Quebec sound the alarm

During an unrelenting stretch of dry, hot weather last August, Rachel Mahannah and her husband spent two hours a day hauling water from their other farm a kilometre and a half away, to make sure their dairy cows didn't get dehydrated. The well on the dairy farm, 70 metres deep, had almost run dry. "That was the first kind of red flag that came up for us," said Mahannah, who co-owns Mahvhays dairy farm in Brigham, Que., about 75 kilometres southeast of Montreal.

$6M available for P.E.I. farms to help cut carbon

$6M available for P.E.I. farms to help cut carbon

The P.E.I. Federation of Agriculture is now receiving applications for a federal program granting money to farmers for projects that will cut carbon emissions. The federation will be distributing $6 million in federal funding to Island farmers as part of a $182-million national program announced earlier this year. The projects can range from anything from winter cover cropping, to nitrogen management and advanced grazing management.

Organic farmers 'cautiously optimistic' about new P.E.I. irrigation strategy

Organic farmers 'cautiously optimistic' about new P.E.I. irrigation strategy

There is mixed reaction in the farming community to a new Prince Edward Island irrigation strategy. Last week, the province ended its 20-year moratorium on high-capacity wells for agriculture. The high-capacity wells can draw as much as 500 gallons of water per minute, and concern was raised about the effect they have on the Island's groundwater levels. Starting June 11, farmers can apply to the provincial government for a licence to drill a high-capacity well to water their crops.

End of moratorium on high-capacity irrigation wells brings 'model of fairness'

End of moratorium on high-capacity irrigation wells brings 'model of fairness'

Starting June 11, farmers on P.E.I. will be able to apply to the provincial government for a licence to drill a high-capacity well to water their crops. A moratorium on high-capacity wells for agriculture has been in place since 2002. Other industries — such as golf courses and food processors — have been free to apply and drill wells. "There's a model of fairness built into this that farmers can finally apply for water, because they were the only ones who couldn't," said Environment Minister Steven Myers

Province extends deadline for flood-recovery help for farmers

Province extends deadline for flood-recovery help for farmers

B.C. farmers whose farms were damaged by floods in November 2021 can now apply to the Canada-BC Flood Recovery for Food Security Program until Aug. 31, 2022. The program helps farmers return to production by reimbursing them for uninsured expenses they incurred on activities such as: cleanup, repair and restoration of land, barns and animal shelters, and water and waste systems; returning flood-affected land and buildings to a safe state for agricultural production; repairing uninsurable essential farm infrastructure; repairing structures such as livestock-containment fences; renting temporary production facilities; installing drainage ditches and land-stabilization materials; animal welfare activities such as replacing feed, transporting livestock, veterinary care and mortality disposal; and replacing perennial plants not grown for sale.

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