Court denies stay of Ontario's neonicotinoid law Saturday, October 24, 2015 by BETTER FARMING STAFFThe Ontario Superior Court has denied Grain Farmers of Ontario’s request for a stay of a law that requires farmers to greatly restrict the use of neonicotinoid seed treatments next spring.In a written statement released late afternoon Friday, Mark Brock, Grain Farmers of Ontario’s chairman, expressed disappointment at the judge’s ruling which had been reserved following a hearing on an application made in court on Sept. 28. Brock, who farms near Staffa in Perth County, says the 28,000 member organization “has not conceded on this matter,” and is considering further legal options. Farmers are in a difficult situation as they order seed this fall for planting in the spring, Brock says. Arrangements must be made now with seed dealers to either treat or not treat the ordered seed which is delivered shortly before planting in the spring.The widespread use of neonicotinoid seed treatments in recent years has been blamed for high losses in hives in overwintering bees. Beekeepers have called for a ban on use of the seed treatments. The regulations that Grain Farmers is fighting came into effect on July 1. Better Farming was unable to reach the Ministry of Agriculture Food and Rural Affairs. The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change was not able to respond Friday.UPDATE: Oct. 24, 2015"We are pleased the court has ruled in favour of the government's actions to improve pollinator health," writes Kate Jordan, spokesperson for the Ontario Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, in an email. "The new requirements support the government of Ontario’s target to reduce the number of acres planted with neonicotinoid-treated corn and soybean seed by 80 per cent by 2017."These rules will be phased in to give farmers and seed vendors time to adapt. Government funded training is also available to farmers through to September 2016." BF World Health Organization slams meat consumption Maple leaf promoting U.S. canned corn sold in Ontario stores riles growers
Shell Rotella’s SuperTractors competition Friday, September 26, 2025 Farmers put in long hours and endless dedication to feed and support their communities, and Shell Rotella is proud to spotlight these farmers with the fifth annual competition. Coinciding with —Sunday, October 12, 2025—the virtual event invites farmers across North America to share... Read this article online
Save Time and Costs with the Portable MiniCombine Friday, September 26, 2025 MiniCombine Delivers Fast and Accurate Grain Sampling The MiniCombine is a portable, fully self-contained electric unit designed to simplify grain sampling with speed and precision. Suitable for a wide range of crops including wheat, barley, sorghum, oats, soybeans, peas, field beans,... Read this article online
Advanced aerial tools bring data driven farming solutions Friday, September 26, 2025 Modern agriculture is quickly embracing aerial technology to improve crop management and boost productivity. Terralynx (Formerly TerraNova UAV), a company once focused only on drones, now specializes in advanced data collection and analysis that supports farmers and researchers. The... Read this article online
What’s New at 2025 Advancing Women Conference--Movie Time on Sunday Night Friday, September 26, 2025 If you're one of the many loyal attendees of the, planning to join us in Niagara Falls this November, you are in for a special treat. This year, AWC EAST 2025 will feature a heartwarming and historically rich film screening that celebrates the resilience, courage, and contribution of young... Read this article online
IPM Plowing Match Winners Celebrated Friday, September 26, 2025 Congratulations to Robert Daniels, of Berwick, Nova Scotia on winning the IPM Champion Horse Plow Person Award with 459 points; Kim Hadwen, Belleville, was the reserve. Congratulation as well to Brian Davenport from Owen Soundwho is the winner of the IPM Champion Tractor Award with 570.5... Read this article online