Ontario Cereal Crop Committee 2019 Update

Unfortunately, due to the wet fall and spring and impact of winter or spring kill across the province this year, the Ontario Cereal Crop Committee (OCCC) winter wheat performance trial data will not be available for the 2019 season, with the exception of Area V (Emo and New Liskeard).  As a result, the OCCC will not be publishing a 2019 Winter Cereals Performance Trial Report.  Area V data will be posted to GoCereals.ca as soon as it is available.  Growers are advised to use information in the 2018 Winter Cereals Performance Report when making variety selection decisions for planting in the fall of 2019. 

 

When considering decisions, it is best to use multi year data. Select varieties that perform well in your area across a number of sites and years. Many factors should be considered when choosing a variety, including: the farm location, winter survival, insect and disease resistance, lodging potential and yield. All performance data can be found at www.GoCereals.ca.

Video: Finding a Balance of Innovation and Regulation - Dr. Peter Facchini

Regulations help markets and industry exist on level playing fields, keeping consumers safe and innovation from going too far. However, incredibly strict regulations can stunt innovation and cause entire industries to wither away. Dr. Peter James Facchini brings his perspective on how existing regulations have slowed the advancement of medical developments within Canada. Given the international concern of opium poppy’s illicit potential, Health Canada must abide by this global policy. But with modern technology pushing the development of many pharmaceuticals to being grown via fermentation, is it time to reconsider the rules?

Dr. Peter James Facchini leads research into the metabolic biochemistry in opium poppy at the University of Calgary. For more than 30 years, his work has contributed to the increased availability of benzylisoquinoline alkaloid biosynthetic genes to assist in the creation of morphine for pharmaceutical use. Dr. Facchini completed his B.Sc. and Ph.D. in Biological Sciences at the University of Toronto before completing Postdoctoral Fellowships in Biochemistry at the University of Kentucky in 1992 & Université de Montréal in 1995.