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Harper Government Invests in Biocontrol Research for Canada's Greenhouse Sector

Vineland Station, Ontario – Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC)

Member of Parliament Dean Allison, on behalf of Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz, announced today an investment of $143,260 to the Vineland Research and Innovation Centre to conduct research into improving the use of biological controls for pest and disease management for the Canadian greenhouse sector.

This investment will enable the Vineland Research and Innovation Centre to deliver effective new and existing biocontrol products such as biopesticide treatments, demonstrate efficient spraying and trapping techniques, and develop a framework for growers to adopt more biological pest management practices.

The goal is to enhance the sustainability of the Canadian greenhouse industry, delivering economic benefits and growth opportunities along the value chain while enabling the development of more effective and cost-efficient biocontrol products and practices.

Quick Facts

  • The Vineland Research and Innovation Centre Inc. (Vineland) is a not-for-profit organization incorporated by the province of Ontario in 2007 for the purpose of advancing horticultural research and innovation to support the production of healthy foods in an environmentally sustainable way.
  • Canada has 23 million square metres of production greenhouses which supply both domestic and export markets, employ thousands and are a significant contributor to the Canadian economy.
  • This investment is being made through Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada's AgriInnovation Program, a five-year, up to $698 million initiative under Growing Forward 2.

Source: AAFC


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It's summertime in Minnesota as a yellow Air Tractor agricultural application aircraft -- a crop duster -- responds to the control inputs of its pilot in a low-altitude dance just above the tops of the cornstalks. Enjoy! And we found a Bell 206 Long Ranger spray helicopter perched on a support truck at the edge of the cornfields, and launching from there. In our video, you can occasionally hear the rotor sounds of the crop-dusting helicopter as we see the yellow Air Tractor in a nearby field.