Ontario cattle feeders will be able to take out larger loans to buy livestock under an expansion of the provincial feeder cattle loan guarantee program. The program guarantees 25 per cent of a financial institution’s loan to one of Ontario’s 18 feeder cattle co-operatives, which then allows the co-op’s members a “more competitive” interest rate […] Read more
Ontario doubles down on feeder cattle loans
Neonic rules ‘unworkable’ for Ont. corn, soy growers
Ontario’s planned regulation to limit the use of neonicotinoid seed treatments might as well be a ban from where the organization sits representing the province’s corn and soy producers. After reviewing the draft regulation, which provincial officials posted March 23 for public comment until May 7, Grain Farmers of Ontario said Thursday it “strongly opposes […] Read more
Taiwan, Japan ban Ont. poultry over avian flu
Winnipeg | Reuters — Japan and Taiwan have imposed trade restrictions on poultry and poultry products from Ontario, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency said Tuesday, a day after avian flu was confirmed in the province. The government agency said a turkey farm near Woodstock, Ont. was under quarantine after the presence of H5 avian influenza […] Read more
Ontario’s neonic limits tabled for public comment
Proposed new controls on the use and sale of corn and soybean seed treated with neonicotinoid pesticides in Ontario are up for public comment between now and early May. The provincial government made its move Monday — three days ahead of a scheduled meeting between Agriculture Minister Jeff Leal and Grain Farmers of Ontario chairman […] Read more
Ont. oat, barley growers approve GFO entry
Ontario’s barley and oat growers have voted just over three-quarters in favour of representation by the province’s wheat, corn and soybean growers’ organization. Grain Farmers of Ontario (GFO) confirmed Monday that eligible growers voted 77 per cent in favour of the move in a November vote conducted by the Ontario Farm Products Marketing Commission. GFO […] Read more
Ontario proposes deep cuts to farmers’ neonic use by 2017
Ontario’s new goal to ban most use of neonicotinoid pesticides in corn and soybean crops by 2017 has yielded bouquets from the province’s beekeepers — but left crop growers feeling stung. Following up on Premier Kathleen Wynne’s orders to her agriculture and environment ministers in their mandate letters in September, the province on Tuesday announced it will consult on […] Read more
Ontario eyes expanding production insurance
Ontario’s government plans to give itself more latitude to expand its farm production insurance offerings. The province said Wednesday it’s proposing to amend its Crop Insurance Act and grant itself authority to expand production insurance beyond just crops. That authority already is available to every other provincial government in Canada, the province noted. “Giving more […] Read more
Lessons to learn from Quebec’s agriculture and agri-food industry
Canada is about food and Quebec is about processing — employing 475,189 in 2,100 facilities, most co-operatively owned
Reading Time: 3 minutes I spend a lot of time in Quebec and find the culture and the history of the province fascinating. It is in many regards, Canada’s little bit of Europe and the feel in the country is cosy. What most folks don’t see as they travel the countryside past long narrow tracks of land, vineyards and […] Read more
PED pops back up in southwestern Ontario
A farrow-to-finish hog operation in southwestern Ontario is home to the province’s 64th on-farm case of porcine epidemic diarrhea (PED), its first such case in almost four months. The farm, in Middlesex County, reported “clinical signs” of the PED virus (PEDv) and submitted samples for testing Monday. Laboratory confirmation was received Tuesday, Ontario Pork said […] Read more
Ont. barley, oat growers set to vote on GFO membership
Ontario’s Farm Products Marketing Commission will run a vote for the province’s oats and barley growers starting Friday, to decide whether Grain Farmers of Ontario (GFO) will be the growers’ voice going forward. The commission will conduct a mail-in vote from Friday (Oct. 31) to Nov. 17 to see whether oat and barley growers wish […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
