Search
Better Farming OntarioBetter PorkBetter Farming Prairies

Better Farming Ontario Featured Articles

Better Farming Ontario magazine is published 11 times per year. After each edition is published, we share featured articles online.


Alberta rancher to bring wind message to Ontario

Thursday, June 21, 2012

by BETTER FARMING STAFF

The Pembina Institute is introducing a new voice to the wind energy debate in Ontario. Alberta horse rancher Heidi Eijgel has lived next to a large wind development in Pincher Creek, Alta. for 10 years and institute respresentatives thought it might be educational for her to share her experiences with people in Ontario. Representatives of the not-for-profit sustainable energy think tank are also interested to hear what people here think about wind development.

Tim Weis, director of renewable energy and efficiency policy at the institute, says Eijgel will speak from the perspective of someone “who has had real experience” living with wind.

“She’s had a good experience with wind,” Weis says, “but it’s not meant to be necessarily just one side or the other. She will say, ‘Here’s what my experience has been and here are the questions I asked and here is how to avoid bad situations.'”

Weis says Albertans are generally favourable toward wind. “The story in Ontario seems to be quite a bit different than the story here in Alberta,” he says. “When it comes to wind energy development in particular, we are actually working with groups in Alberta who are campaigning and looking for ways to bring wind energy to their communities.” He also says Alberta farms are larger and farmers are used to seeing oil and gas developments on their land, all of which makes wind more attractive.

Weis, an engineer, says a recent institute study showed renewable energy is more expensive than energy from natural gas over the short term, but in the longer term, about 15 years, it is less expensive. It is also cheaper than building new nuclear plants.

Eijgel will be speaking Monday at the Alhambra Hall in Grand Bend, Tuesday at the Aeolian Hall in London and Wednesday at the Sunset Lounge in Chatham. All events start at 7 p.m.

The sessions are being paid for by the institute through grants from independent foundations. There is no industry sponsorship, Weis says.

The Pembina Institute’s mission, according to its website, is “to advance sustainable energy solutions through innovative research, education, consulting and advocacy.”  It has offices in B.C., Alberta and Ontario. BF

Current Issue

June/July 2025

Better Farming Magazine

Farms.com Breaking News

Calf Auction Raises Funds for Youth

Monday, June 30, 2025

Wyatt Westman-Frijters from Milverton won a heifer calf named Ingrid through a World Milk Day promotion by Maplevue Farms and a local Perth, Ontario radio station. Instead of keeping the calf, 22-year-old Westman-Frijters chose to give back to the community. The calf was sent to the... Read this article online

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

BF logo

It's farming. And it's better.

 

a Farms.com Company

Subscriptions

Subscriber inquiries, change of address, or USA and international orders, please email: subscriptions@betterfarming.com or call 888-248-4893 x 281.


Article Ideas & Media Releases

Have a story idea or media release? If you want coverage of an ag issue, trend, or company news, please email us.

Follow us on Social Media

 

Sign up to a Farms.com Newsletter

 

DisclaimerPrivacy Policy2025 ©AgMedia Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Back To Top