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.


Apple Growers to study evolving consumer preferences

Saturday, February 23, 2013

by SUSAN MANN

The Ontario Apple Growers is one of three horticultural groups to receive federal government funding this week for projects designed to tackle what growers have identified as obstacles to higher productivity.

Three groups -- Ontario Apple Growers, Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association and Seeds of Diversity Canada --  in total received more than $500,000 from the Canadian Agricultural Adaptation program. St. Catharines MP Rick Dykstra, on behalf of federal Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz, made the announcement at the Ontario Fruit and Vegetable convention in Niagara Falls on Thursday.

The money for the apple growers, $137,000, will be used to fund a study to better understand evolving consumer preferences so farmers can market their produce more effectively.

Apple Growers chair Brian Gilroy says they see “this as an important step to expand provincial acreage, diversity production and improve our reaction time in meeting the demands for delicious locally grown varieties.”

Gilroy adds that “it’s certainly not a silver bullet but it’s an important thing to be looking at because we have some fairly unique climatic regions in Southern Ontario.”

The fruit and vegetable growers association received $308,000 to fund crop genetic technology work. Seeds of Diversity received $133,000 to help farmers control seed-borne diseases on tomato farms through ultra-violet radiation, replacing treatments that have been either too expensive or result in enormous seed losses.

The Canadian Agricultural Adaptation program is a five-year, $163 million program, from 2009 to 2014, that helps the Canadian farming sector adapt and remain competitive. BF

Current Issue

June/July 2025

Better Farming Magazine

Farms.com Breaking News

Health Canada sets rules for drone spraying

Monday, June 16, 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

Grey Bruce Farmers’ Week veterinary prize awarded

Saturday, June 14, 2025

has been a mainstay for the agricultural industry in Grey and Bruce Counties since 1966. While things have evolved over the years, the mandate to provide information to producers and agribusiness has remained firm. Seventeen years ago, the event committee created an annual $1,000 ... Read this article online

Canada Grows Hope Abroad

Friday, June 13, 2025

Toronto-based indoor farming company transforms food access in Moldova with first-of-its-kind humanitarian hydroponic project A new Canadian-led indoor farming project is changing lives in Moldova. Built by Just Vertical in partnership with GlobalMedic, the hydroponic farm is the first... 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