Farmer’s medical condition doesn’t exempt him from controversial quota assessment policy, appeal tribunal decides

INSIGHT — There is an old school yard game that was called “piggy in the middle” where two people try to keep the ball away from a third person.

It still gets played across the rural countryside on many farms today, but with a twist: the person in the middle, in most cases, is Mother.

Farm mothers frequently find themselves trapped “in the middle” as the go-between for family members who cannot communicate rationally with each other.

INSIGHT — Monsanto has just announced changes to its Bt refuge rules. Specifically if you do not follow the refuge as laid out by Monsanto you will not have access to their Bt genetics.
   
They plan to monitor growers. Growers who are not following the refuge rules will be sent a letter. Growers not in compliance will be monitored again next year. If in the second year you are found not to be in compliance then you will not be allowed to buy Monsanto Bt genetics.   

Changes will affect participants in a new entrant assistance program

Minister overlooks farmers in today’s budget speech

photo: Jim Flaherty

Producers will consider whether to dissolve their organization at their annual meeting next week

“A lot of it is not new, but it’s not a bad thing to have it put in one package,” says Ontario Tender Fruit Producers Marketing Board chair

Crack open a hazelnut and you’ll find a solid business opportunity but expect a long wait for it to be realized. Researchers involved in developing the crop in Ontario estimate it could take up to 10 years to break even and commercialization is in the early stages

photo: Adam Dale

Mary Baxter has won two North American Agricultural Journalists’ awards

photo: Mary Baxter