Court denies stay of Ontario's neonicotinoid law Saturday, October 24, 2015 by BETTER FARMING STAFFThe Ontario Superior Court has denied Grain Farmers of Ontario’s request for a stay of a law that requires farmers to greatly restrict the use of neonicotinoid seed treatments next spring.In a written statement released late afternoon Friday, Mark Brock, Grain Farmers of Ontario’s chairman, expressed disappointment at the judge’s ruling which had been reserved following a hearing on an application made in court on Sept. 28. Brock, who farms near Staffa in Perth County, says the 28,000 member organization “has not conceded on this matter,” and is considering further legal options. Farmers are in a difficult situation as they order seed this fall for planting in the spring, Brock says. Arrangements must be made now with seed dealers to either treat or not treat the ordered seed which is delivered shortly before planting in the spring.The widespread use of neonicotinoid seed treatments in recent years has been blamed for high losses in hives in overwintering bees. Beekeepers have called for a ban on use of the seed treatments. The regulations that Grain Farmers is fighting came into effect on July 1. Better Farming was unable to reach the Ministry of Agriculture Food and Rural Affairs. The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change was not able to respond Friday.UPDATE: Oct. 24, 2015"We are pleased the court has ruled in favour of the government's actions to improve pollinator health," writes Kate Jordan, spokesperson for the Ontario Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, in an email. "The new requirements support the government of Ontario’s target to reduce the number of acres planted with neonicotinoid-treated corn and soybean seed by 80 per cent by 2017."These rules will be phased in to give farmers and seed vendors time to adapt. Government funded training is also available to farmers through to September 2016." BF World Health Organization slams meat consumption Maple leaf promoting U.S. canned corn sold in Ontario stores riles growers
Farmland Demand Strong in Alberta, Not so for the Rest of Canada Wednesday, October 7, 2026 Canadian farmland values continued their upward trend during the first half of 2026, although growth has moderated compared to the rapid gains seen in recent years. According to Farm Credit Canada's (FCC) mid-year farmland values review, cultivated farmland increased by an average of... Read this article online
Calculating Corn Drydown Before Harvest Wednesday, October 7, 2026 As corn reaches physiological maturity, growers face a familiar but important decision: allow the crop to continue drying naturally or begin harvest and remove the remaining moisture mechanically. The answer depends partly on how quickly grain moisture is declining. Although general... Read this article online
Canadian Ethanol Industry Pushes Ottawa to Act as U.S. Imports Gain Market Share Wednesday, October 7, 2026 Canada's ethanol industry is renewing pressure on the federal government to finalize long-promised changes to the Clean Fuel Regulations (CFR), arguing that delays are allowing imported U.S. ethanol to capture a growing share of Canada's expanding market. The call comes from the Farms... Read this article online
Ontario Meat Awards Crown Top Processors Wednesday, October 7, 2026 Ontario’s meat processing industry celebrated its top performers at the 2026 Ontario’s Finest Meat Competition Awards Gala. Organized by Meat & Poultry Ontario (MPO), the event recognized outstanding products, skilled craftsmanship, and innovation across the province’s meat sector. The... Read this article online
Ontario breaks ground on poultry research centre Wednesday, October 7, 2026 Construction is underway on the new Ontario Poultry Research Centre in Elora, a project designed to strengthen research capacity and support the long-term competitiveness of Ontario’s poultry industry. The provincial government has committed more than $24 million to the facility through... Read this article online