A good year for Ontario grape growers Wednesday, September 19, 2012 by BETTER FARMING STAFF While other fruit growers have had weather challenges this year, the Grape Growers of Ontario is reporting their growers have experienced a good season. “We harvested very early,” said Grape Growers CEO Debbie Zimmerman, adding, “We are at a great quality level.” Ontario grape growers are also enjoying success in the marketplace for which Zimmerman credits the Ontario government’s 2009 grape and wine strategy. “We used to have a content of 70 per cent imported and 30 per cent domestic (in a bottle of Cellared in Canada wine) prior to 2009,” Zimmerman says. “After 2009, they’ve gone to 25 per cent (domestic) in a bottle, but 40 per cent of their purchases must be domestic grapes.” That 40 per cent purchase requirement has made a dramatic difference. Wine grape purchases in Ontario have increased from 44,356 tonnes in 2009 to 62,028 tonnes in 2012. The requirement to buy 40 per cent when only 25 per cent is required in a cellared blend is balanced by wines that contain more than 40 per cent. VQA wines, for example, contain 100 per cent Ontario grapes. Grape Growers of Ontario, celebrating its 65th anniversary this year, represents more than 500 grape growers in the Niagara Region, Prince Edward County, Pelee Island, Lake Erie north shore and Norfolk County. BF New soybean virus found in Elgin, Kent New food safety and veterinary chief officers at CFIA
Rappa High-Speed Electric Fencing System Friday, June 12, 2026 Rappa has introduced its vehicle-mounted fencing solution, the Rappa Winder, to the U.S. market, offering a faster and more efficient way to install and retrieve electric fencing. The system reduces fencing time by up to 80 percent, allowing producers to deploy approximately 650... Read this article online
P&H and Picton Terminals officially open new Picton grain facility after months of early operations Wednesday, June 10, 2026 Parrish & Heimbecker, Limited (P&H) and Picton Terminals formally opened their new bulk agricultural marine terminal today, June 10, 2026—an event that marks the public debut of a facility that has already been operating for months. Construction wrapped up in February, with... Read this article online
Feds say Provinces Need to Act on Interprovincial Alcohol Sales Friday, June 5, 2026 Canada’s federal government is intensifying pressure on provinces and territories to complete negotiations and implement direct-to-consumer alcohol sales, a move expected to benefit agricultural producers, small businesses, and consumers across the country. The statement comes out... Read this article online
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