Lilian Schaer

Guelph

Agriculture Journalist and Writer at Freelance

Freelance writer, journalist, communications pro for hire: #farming #agriculture #agtech #innovation. 🇨🇦🇨🇭

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Articles

GoodLeaf Farms is on track to become first vertical farm worldwide with all facilities profitable

1 week ago | farmtario.com | Lilian Schaer

The Buy Local movement has long been popular in Canada, and it’s helping farmers and food businesses grow their markets. Since the beginning of the year, the trade war with the United States has unleashed a growing wave of Canadian patriotism. Why it matters: Vertical farms producing leafy greens and other types of produce can decrease Canada’s reliance on imports from the United States.
Exploring the possibilities from warming temperatures

3 weeks ago | farmtario.com | Lilian Schaer

Climate change brings new challenges to farmers in the form of extreme weather events, drought or excess moisture and new pests. But warming temperatures are also helping agriculture push new boundaries. In Europe, for example, farmers are experimenting with crops they weren’t able to grow in the past. Why it matters: Farmers are seeking new opportunities to grow crops closer to home due to global trade and supply chain uncertainties.
Biofungicide shows promise for protecting vegetable crops

1 month ago | farmtario.com | Lilian Schaer

A biofungicide for vegetable crops is being tested under real-farm conditions thanks to funding from Natural Product Canada after promising early trial results. Why it matters: Chemical controls are becoming limited, leaving growers with less options. Product resistance is also a growing problem. “If we want a resilient agriculture system in Canada, we need to get products that will help the plant, but also increase nutrition and prevent sickness,” said BioSun CEO Nicolas Ste-Marie.
Bugs to the rescue

1 month ago | farmtario.com | Lilian Schaer

Climate change isn’t just resulting in more unpredictable weather, it’s also making it easier for pests and diseases to move into new areas where they’ve previously been unable to thrive. That’s why fruit and vegetable growers in many of the world’s leading horticultural production areas are turning to innovation – specifically with insects – to combat this new threat.
SoilMate example of a simple innovation that can yield success

Jan 14, 2025 | farmtario.com | Lilian Schaer

As a farm writer covering innovation, I’m always interested in learning about the latest new thing – and rarely miss an opportunity to visit a farm show if the chance comes up. Read Also Agritourism set to grow with provincial funding, new law Agritourism operators in Ontario will now benefit from provincial government funding and have gained new legal protection to shield them from potential liability.
Challenge model a new way to fund, support innovation

Dec 6, 2024 | farmtario.com | Lilian Schaer

Five Ontario companies are among 13 semi-finalists selected in the federal government’s Agricultural Methane Reduction Challenge, which is seeking innovative ways to reduce methane emissions from dairy and beef cattle. Read Also EuroTier 2024 tech addresses major livestock challenges Technology at EuroTier 2024 in Hanover, Germany focused on major trends, including animal health and welfare, emissions reduction, and improved productivity in the face of labour challenges.
Reducing your farm`s cybersecurity risks

Nov 19, 2024 | m.farms.com | Lilian Schaer

By Lilian Schaer for Livestock Research Innovation Corporation High profile cyberattacks are increasingly making headlines in Canada as criminals target retailers, municipalities, health care providers and critical infrastructure. The agri-food sector is not immune from such attacks and its vulnerability is increasing the more it becomes digitized and increases its reliance on sensors, data collection and online connectivity.
From food waste to protein in six days

Nov 11, 2024 | farmtario.com | Lilian Schaer

New data shows Canada has an ongoing food waste challenge, and it’s expensive. Read Also Syngenta Canada introduces biostimulant YieldON Syngenta Canada Inc. is offering a new liquid foliar biostimulant, YieldON, to help improve crop productivity in cereals, corn, and… The problem requires some out-of-box thinking and Quebec start-up Entosystem has a solution that is attracting interest from the marketplace and investors.
New accelerator hub offers support to innovators

Oct 9, 2024 | farmtario.com | Lilian Schaer |Silas Le Blanc

A helping hand can go a long way in supporting someone starting out, whether in a new farming venture or launching a new product. Read AlsoWhat can make Ontario a livestock ag tech leader? Ontario already has most of the key elements needed to be a global livestock ag tech leader. For entrepreneurs and start-ups in the agri-tech innovation space, that helping hand is even more critical, but often hard to come by.
Engineering a Better Farm

Oct 9, 2024 | m.farms.com | Lilian Schaer

By Lilian Schaer for Livestock Research Innovation CorporationThere are many big issues facing the livestock industry, from climate change and emerging diseases to changing societal expectations and an evolving regulatory environment. It’s a topic that Livestock Research Innovation Corporation (LRIC) is working to tackle on behalf of Ontario’s livestock sector – and the answers require big ideas and new thinking, says Mike McMorris, who just recently retired as the organization’s CEO.