Agriculture ministers' meeting takes place this month Wednesday, July 3, 2013 by SUSAN MANN Ontario’s Premier and Agriculture Minister Kathleen Wynne will be discussing the importance of local food, along with bee mortalities and other matters when she attends her first federal, provincial/territorial agriculture ministers’ meeting later this month. Wynne’s spokesperson, Gabrielle Gallant, says by email the agriculture minister is looking forward to attending the meeting. It’s being held in Halifax, Nova Scotia July 17 to 19. For its part, the federal government didn’t have too much to say about the upcoming meeting. Other than releasing the dates, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada spokesman Patrick Girard says by email “unfortunately there aren’t any other details available at this point.” On its website, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada says that since agriculture is a shared federal-provincial-territorial responsibility in Canada, agriculture ministers from across the country meet face-to-face a few times a year to talk about issues facing the farm and agri-food sectors and to make decisions about how to address the issues. The meetings include a one or two-day annual conference, usually held in the summer, and one or two other daylong meetings during the year. The meetings are held in different locations across Canada. BF CFIA invites comment on food safety action plan Researcher urges cautious approach to local food policy development
Sunflower farming in Ontario Tuesday, August 19, 2025 While Manitoba dominates sunflower production in Canada—accounting for about 90 percent of the national output (https://oggardenonline.com/where-in-canada-are-sunflowers-grown.html)—Ontario is home to a growing number of sunflower farms. These farms are often smaller in scale and... Read this article online
2025 Livestock Tax Deferral Regions Announced Tuesday, August 19, 2025 Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) has published the initial list of prescribed regions eligible for the 2025 Livestock Tax Deferral provision, a key support measure for Canadian livestock producers grappling with the impacts of extreme weather. “As we continue to see the very... Read this article online
Winter wheat in Ontario: A resilient crop for a sustainable future Tuesday, August 19, 2025 Winter wheat has long been a staple in Ontario’s agricultural landscape, offering both economic and environmental benefits to farmers across the province. Grown primarily in southwestern Ontario, this crop plays a vital role in crop rotation systems, soil health, and food... Read this article online
Better Soil Health Improves Rain Absorption Monday, August 18, 2025 The OMAFA Fieldcropnews.com team recently held demonstrations regarding how soil management can greatly affect the amount of rainfall absorbed into the soil for crop use. This is especially important for corn, soybean, and wheat growers facing dry spells or intense summer storms. In early... Read this article online
Farm ponds and the trouble with algae Monday, August 18, 2025 Farm ponds are more than just tranquil features on rural landscapes—they’re essential tools for water management, livestock care, irrigation, and biodiversity—especially in North America. They are also considered to be a key agricultural asset outside North America, especially in... Read this article online