Biodiesel rules a boost for farming Thursday, February 10, 2011 by BETTER FARMING STAFFThe Harper government announcement Feb. 10 that it is moving forward with the requirement for an average two per cent renewable content in diesel fuel and heating oil could be a boost for facilities like the biodiesel plant at the Ridgetown College Campus of the University of Guelph.Regulations that require an average of five per cent renewable content in gasoline also contained the provisions to require an average of two per cent renewable content in diesel fuel and heating oil.The proposed regulatory amendment will be published in the Canada Gazette, Part I in the coming weeks for a 60-day public comment period. The Government of Canada is proposing a coming into force date of July 1, 2011.Last spring was the launch of production from the Ridgetown facility which was designed to be a template for rural or farm-based biodiesel business producing biodiesel from recycled or new vegetable oils. It has the capacity to produce 800,000 to one million litres of biodiesel a year, although it produced just 60,000 in its first year, 2010, in keeping with demand at that time.Art Schaafsma, director of the Ridgetown Campus, describes their biodiesel facility as a “pilot facility to try and demonstrate a new opportunity for individual producers or a group of producers.” He said a farmer using an existing building could get into the biodiesel business on a scale similar to Ridgetown for about $100,000. For interested producers, the college is more than willing to share the experience it has gained.In a news release issued Friday, Don Kenny, Grain Farmers of Ontario chair, noted the new renewable fuel requirement should have a positive impact on soybean prices, given the impact of the ethanol industry on local corn prices. He estimated that local corn prices have increased $0.10 to $0.25 per bushel “depending on the year and location of the farm” because of ethanol production.The two-per cent mandate translates into a demand for 500 million litres per year of bio-diesel across the country and will also strengthen prices for canola farmers, the news release noted. BF Fort Erie slammed for unsigned report Bill's defeat brings grain farmers relief
Potato industry on PEI to save up to $7 million because of cuts to bridge tolls Tuesday, July 29, 2025 Effective August 1, 2025, tolls on the Confederation Bridge will drop dramatically, with personal vehicle tolls falling from $50.25 to $20. Commercial vehicles will also benefit from these reductions. In addition, ferry tolls in Newfoundland and Labrador and other regions will see... Read this article online
Soil Compaction Challenges Tuesday, July 29, 2025 Ontario’s spring planting faced challenges from soil compaction, impacting crops like corn, soybeans, and wheat. Despite some areas experiencing rapid planting under ideal conditions, other regions, even those with lighter soils, struggled due to excessive rainfall. The team at OMAFA –on... Read this article online
2026 Grains Innovation Fund is now open Tuesday, July 29, 2025 Grain Farmers of Ontario (GFO), the province’s largest commodity organization representing Ontario’s 28,000 barley, corn, oat, soybean, and wheat farmers, is now accepting applications for its . “This year marks another exciting chapter for the Grains Innovation Fund,” stated Paul... Read this article online
Applications Open for Grains Innovation Fund 2026 Monday, July 28, 2025 Grain Farmers of Ontario (GFO), the province’s largest commodity organization representing 28,000 farmers, is now accepting applications for the 2026 Grains Innovation Fund. The fund offers grants up to $75,000 to support innovative projects that promote the use of Ontario’s grains such as... Read this article online
Sowing the Seeds of the Future -- A Fresh Look at Farm Succession in Canada Monday, July 28, 2025 “You’ve worked the land for decades—through changing seasons, shifting markets, and long days that begin before sunrise," says Jason Castellan, Co-Founder & Chief Executive Officer, Skyline when he spoke with Farms.com. “You know every acre, every decision, every responsibility that... Read this article online