Agriculture ignored in Ontario budget says NDP ag critic Monday, February 29, 2016 by SUSAN MANNThe agricultural industry was unjustly ignored in the provincial government’s 2016 budget brought down Feb. 25, says New Democratic Party agriculture critic John Vanthof.“Overall this government talks a lot bigger game about agriculture than they actually deliver,” says Vanthof, the MPP for Temiskaming-Cochrane.Vanthof questioned Premier Kathleen Wynne in the Legislature Monday about why the government didn’t raise the cap on the Ontario business risk management program as commodity groups have requested. The Ontario Agriculture Sustainability Coalition had asked the government to increase the $100 million annual cap by $25 million a year over three years starting with this year.The risk management program is the “one program that will directly ensure the growth of jobs in the agri-food sector in Ontario,” Vanthof says. The premier has challenged the agri-food industry to create 120,000 new jobs by 2020. “If you want to create jobs in agriculture, you need a solid base and farmers are that base,” he notes. “Farmers have consistently told us, and told the premier, to take the cap of the risk management program.”Vanthof says he’s also concerned about the cut to the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) budget. It’s being chopped by $27 million, or three per cent, to $916 million from $943 million.OMAFRA is running a “pretty bare bones ship,” he says. “There’s not a whole lot of fat out there. If you’re going to take $25-$30 million out of the budget, it’s going to hurt somewhere.”And he’s disappointed the government chose to not continue offering the Local Food Fund. The three-year, $30 million program designed to support innovative local food projects wrapped up this year.Vanthof says there were lots of press releases and photo opportunities when the Local Food Fund was announced three years ago. Usually governments will continue programs that are working and that have proven value, he notes. However, the Local Food Fund was discontinued because “the government is more interested in the show than in actually doing the work.”He also didn’t see any additional money in the budget to extend production insurance to commodities that currently aren’t eligible for insurance under the program. Vanthof says the NDP fully supported the government’s passing of the Agriculture Insurance Act last year.However, “to actually make this program have any benefit to farmers, there has to be some money put into it so you can actually insure other commodities,” he explains. BF Guelph company looks to help new agriculture and agri-food ventures Ontario budget leaves RMP program commitment as-is
CLAAS Expands with New Ontario Dealership Wednesday, October 29, 2025 CLAAS is expanding its reach across Canada with HJV’s new dealership in Winchester, Ontario. The regional dealer, already known for its strong service network, celebrated its grand opening on September 24, 2025, drawing more than 400 local farmers. The new Winchester dealership offers... Read this article online
Updates to Case IH RB566 Round Baler Wednesday, October 29, 2025 The Case IH RB566 round baler has been redesigned with a strong focus on serviceability, dependability, and efficiency, offering farmers a more advanced and reliable baling experience. According to Brian Williams, livestock product specialist with Case IH, the latest improvements... Read this article online
22 young leaders graduate from Rural Ontario Institute’s Change Makers Program Tuesday, October 28, 2025 The Rural Ontario Institute (ROI) has marked a milestone in rural leadership development with the graduation of 22 participants from its Rural Change Makers (RCM) program. The private ceremony, held this October, celebrated a year of learning, collaboration, and community impact. “We are... Read this article online
Demco-Welker Farms Collab Delivers Big Buddy Tuesday, October 28, 2025 Demco recently introduced the Big Buddy grain cart, a product of collaboration with Big Equipment, the makers of Big Bud tractors, Titan Tires, and the well-known Montana-based Welker Farms. The project began when the Welker family decided to rebuild and modify their iconic Big Bud... Read this article online
New MacDon FD2 Plus Draper Header Monday, October 27, 2025 Case IH continues to expand its innovative harvest equipment lineup with the launch of the MacDon FD2 Plus Draper Header, a new series designed to provide farmers with smoother, cleaner, and more efficient harvesting. Available in multiple widths — 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, and even 61... Read this article online