Canada's omnibus agriculture bill passes final reading and moves on to Senate for review Thursday, November 27, 2014 by SUSAN MANNCanada’s House of Commons passed legislation earlier this week aimed at modernizing the country’s agricultural industry and expanding markets.The Agricultural Growth Act (bill C-18) passed third reading Monday and was forwarded to the Senate for its review. Ron Bonnett, Canadian Federation of Agriculture president, says he doesn’t know yet if the Senate will hold hearings on it.Bonnett says once the Senate finally passes the Act they’ll be watching to ensure the regulations being developed reflect the intent of what’s in the Act.In its press release, the federal government says the Act will update and modernize existing legislation “to respond to the latest technology and international practices.” Under the Act, there are changes to a number of acts the Canadian Food Inspection Agency uses to regulate the sector, including ones dealing with seeds, feed, plant protection, fertilizer, animal health and monetary penalties. There are also changes to legislation under Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada - the Marketing Programs Act and the Farm Debt Mediation Act.One of the most controversial parts of the legislation has been the section on plant breeders’ rights. The government says the bill will “enshrine a farmer’s ability to save, store and clean their own seed of a protected variety” while at the same time enable Canada to adopt the 1991 International Convention for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants, commonly called UPOV 91. Bonnett says they’re confident the legislation protects farmers’ rights to save and reuse seeds.One of the really positive parts of the Act is the inclusion of streamlined application procedures under the Advance Payment Program, Bonnett says.All of the major farm groups have supported the Act, he notes. BF Farmer, Agricorp resolve decade-old crop insurance dispute Monitoring program found most food samples meet Health Canada standards
22 young leaders graduate from Rural Ontario Institute’s Change Makers Program Tuesday, October 28, 2025 The Rural Ontario Institute () has marked a milestone in rural leadership development with the graduation of 22 participants from its () program. The private ceremony, held this October, celebrated a year of learning, collaboration, and community impact. “We are excited to... Read this article online
Demco-Welker Farms Collab Delivers Big Buddy Tuesday, October 28, 2025 Demco recently introduced the Big Buddy grain cart, a product of collaboration with Big Equipment, the makers of Big Bud tractors, Titan Tires, and the well-known Montana-based Welker Farms. The project began when the Welker family decided to rebuild and modify their iconic Big Bud... Read this article online
New MacDon FD2 Plus Draper Header Monday, October 27, 2025 Case IH continues to expand its innovative harvest equipment lineup with the launch of the MacDon FD2 Plus Draper Header, a new series designed to provide farmers with smoother, cleaner, and more efficient harvesting. Available in multiple widths — 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, and even 61... Read this article online
Lots of news from the Ontario Pork Congress Monday, October 27, 2025 The Ontario Pork Congress (OPC) took place on October 20, 2020, at the Arden Park Hotel in Stratford, Ontario, with over 50 attendees. At the event, Arnold Drung, President of Conestoga Meats, was honoured with the . Drung has been a dedicated supporter of the OPC for over 23... Read this article online
Free Tools to Power Up Your Farm’s Digital Life in Canada Wednesday, October 22, 2025 For many Canadian farm families, the internet has become as vital as a tractor or combine. It is how producers manage precision planting, monitor commodity prices, check weather forecasts, pay bills and stay connected with suppliers and customers. However, fast and reliable broadband remains out... Read this article online