Avian flu insurance delayed Thursday, January 14, 2010 © AgMedia Inc.by SUSAN MANNOntario’s chicken producers will have to wait until March to obtain Avian Influenza insurance.Chicken Farmers of Ontario told producers at regional meetings last fall that the program would be available this month. But a few matters still have to be worked out, including the premium cost and the licensing enabling the Poultry Insurance Exchange Reciprocal of Canada to sell the Avian Influenza insurance, says Chicken Farmers spokesperson Mary Fearon.The insurance will pay the difference between Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s compensation for euthanizing birds in cases of outbreaks and the bird’s actual market value. It will also cover cleaning and barn disinfecting as well as vet and diagnostic fees.“The idea behind it is to help the industry rebound more quickly,” Fearon notes, adding the insurance will be mandatory for all 1,100 chicken farmers. “It’s about covering losses and making sure that everybody gets back into production.”Other provincial poultry boards are also considering offering the insurance but they’re not as advanced as Chicken Farmers in the process. Each board will set its own premiums and coverage levels for its farmers.Bob Guy, general manager of the Ontario Broiler Hatching Egg and Chick Commission, says it’s up to the farmers to recommend the program; the board would decide if it should be implemented. “We don’t have a target date for that decision,” he says. Harry Pelissero, general manager of Egg Farmers of Ontario, says they’ll likely have a program for their farmers in four to six months. The federal government says it will look at the compensation paid for laying hens under the Health of Animals Act.“That might have an impact on the amount of premium a program may end up costing,” he says.A representative of Turkey Farmers of Ontario could not be reached for comment. BF Huron-Bruce MPP promoted to ag minister Pigeon King to face creditors this month
New Holland IntelliSense Tech Elevates Crop Efficiency Wednesday, October 8, 2025 The IntelliSense system features a forward-looking sensor mounted at the cab’s center line, allowing the sprayer to assess crop quality up to 50 feet ahead. It operates in two main modes: variable rate application and spot spraying. In variable rate mode, the system uses sunlight... Read this article online
Sowing Solutions--Guelph’s Agri-Food Research Gets Federal Spotlight Friday, October 3, 2025 The University of Guelph welcomed two prominent federal representatives for a day of engagement and discovery on Friday, October 3rd. Dominique O’Rourke, Member of Parliament for Guelph, hosted the Honourable Heath MacDonald, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, for a comprehensive tour... Read this article online
Downtown Diner Delivers a Taste of Canadian Farming to Ottawa Friday, October 3, 2025 This week, the heart of Canada’s capital was filled with the sights, sounds, and flavors of Canadian agriculture as Sparks Street played host to the Downtown Diner, a pop-up event celebrating Canadian food and the farmers who make it possible. At the center of the conversation was... Read this article online
Poll Reveals Mixed Public Sentiment on BC Ostrich Cull Decision Thursday, October 2, 2025 Farms.com poll shows divided opinions among Canadian farmers on the Supreme Court’s decision to halt the ostrich cull. A recent poll conducted on Farms.com's X account @OntAg aimed to capture Canadian farmers' views on the Supreme Court’s decision to halt the ostrich cull in British... Read this article online
Effective Strategies for Corn Soybean and Wheat Thursday, October 2, 2025 As reported on the OMAFRA website fieldcropnews.com, effective crop residue management in corn, soybean, and wheat fields is key to profitability and long-term soil health. It begins at harvest, with combines and headers set correctly to size and spread residue evenly across the... Read this article online