Agriculture-wildlife conflict strategy proposal posted for comments Wednesday, March 9, 2011 by BETTER FARMING STAFFFarmers have until April 11 to comment on the Ontario government’s proposed agriculture-wildlife conflict strategy. Peter Jeffery, a senior researcher in the Farm Policy Group of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture, said the OFA board “hasn’t taken a formal position on the discussion paper.” However, he said, they meet March 15 and 16 and a response could come out of that meeting. The proposed strategy is part of the implementation of the province’s Strategy for Preventing and Managing Human-Wildlife Conflicts in Ontario (2008) also incorporating initial feedback received through consultations held in 2010.Suggested revisions include:• increasing maximum compensation values for farmers;• expanding the compensation eligibility for livestock damage to beehives and related equipment to include skunks, raccoons and deer;• removing proposed requirements for repeat claimants to enroll in a mandatory workshop;• phasing in requirements for producers to have a valid premises ID;• and eliminating the requirement that producers file an affidavit with the municipality to file a claim.Money would be made available for groups to enhance or develop best management practices related to agriculture-wildlife conflicts. Funding for the overall program would be cost-shared between the Ontario and federal governments and no premiums or administrative fees would be charged to producers under the program. BF Funds for beef technology, research Beetle won't be easy to contain, beekeeper warns
Cattle Stress Tool May Boost Fertility Friday, June 27, 2025 Kansas State University researchers have developed a cool tool that may help reduce cattle stress and improve artificial insemination (AI) results. The idea came from animal science experts Nicholas Wege Dias and Sandy Johnson, who observed that cattle accustomed to their environment... Read this article online
Ontario pasture lands get $5M boost Friday, June 27, 2025 The governments of Canada and Ontario are investing up to $5 million to strengthen shared community grazing pastures. This funding supports the province’s plan to protect Ontario’s agriculture sector and help cattle farmers improve pasture quality, ensuring long-term sustainability and... Read this article online
Health Canada sets rules for drone spraying Wednesday, June 25, 2025 Health Canada has approved the use of drones, also called Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS), for pesticide application under the Pest Control Products Act (PCPA). Drones are considered aircraft by Transport Canada, but Health Canada treats them differently due to their unique... Read this article online
Twelve Ontario Agri-Businesses Receive Funding Support Wednesday, June 25, 2025 Bioenterprise Canada has announced the successful recipients of the second call for proposals under the Ontario Agri-Food Research Initiative (OAFRI) Commercialization Stream. Twelve organizations across Ontario will receive support to bring innovative agri-food solutions to the... Read this article online
Early Career Research Award supports two Guelph research initiatives Tuesday, June 24, 2025 The 2025 Early Career Research Award was presented to two University of Guelph researchers at the recently held Livestock Research Innovation Corporation (LRIC) symposium. Dr. Kelsey Spence received $40,000 towards her work in on-farm biosecurity research, and Dr. Sam Workenhe was awarded... Read this article online