Decision in animal seizure case expected by summer Sunday, April 5, 2009 © AgMedia Inc.by BETTER FARMING STAFFA decision is expected by the summer in the case of an Elgin County father and son sued for the cost of caring for animals the Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals seized in 2006.The trial of Steve and John Straub, heard by Ontario Superior Court Justice William Jenkins, began March 30 in St. Thomas and wrapped up the next day. It was expected to last a week.The Society’s statement of claim ascribes a cost of $168,746.86 to the seizing and caring of 87 animals found on the Straub property. The Straubs’ statement of defense described the Society’s claim as “excessive, remote and not recoverable at law.”The statement asked for a dismissal, citing the seizure as “unnecessary and not carried out in accordance with the Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act.” Contacted by telephone today, Steve Straub said he could not comment on the trial until he received the ruling. BF Tribunal rules in favour of former dairy farmers Cover Story - Solar Power: The growing debate about using prime agricultural land for power generation
Ontario Farm Leaders Drew and Heather Spoelstra Named 2026 Outstanding Young Farmers Friday, April 10, 2026 Canada’s Outstanding Young Farmers (COYF) Program has announced Drew and Heather Spoelstra of Binbrook, Ontario, as the Ontario regional winners for 2026. The announcement was made following the Ontario regional competition held April 7 through 9 in St. Jacobs, Ontario. As provincial... Read this article online
Ontario Agri-Food Discovery Centre designs revealed Thursday, April 9, 2026 Attendees of the Ontario Agri-Food Discovery Centre’s (OAFDC) AGM last month received a first look at building design concepts. The planned 34,000-square-foot science centre in Listowel, Ont., designed by Moriyama Teshima Architects, the same firm responsible for the looks of buildings... Read this article online
Proposed USDA budget cuts could shift the North American ag landscape Thursday, April 9, 2026 Image by Konyvesotto from Pixabay The US administration’s latest budget proposal includes a significant reduction to the US Department of Agriculture’s discretionary spending, a move that could have ripple effects across North American agriculture. According to Farms.com reporting... Read this article online
Corn and Soy Products Cleared for Global Market Access Thursday, April 9, 2026 The Market Access Committee for corn and soybeans has completed its 2026 review of new crop protection products, confirming no export concerns for four corn products and six soybean products. Approved corn products includeCovintroCorn,TelaroneDC,ZiduaSC Herbicide, and Storen Herbicide.... Read this article online
What Distributed Energy Resources Mean for Canadian Producers Tuesday, April 7, 2026 As energy costs rise, many Canadian farms are looking for ways to take greater control of their electricity use. One term that farmers are hearing more often is distributed energy resources, often shortened to DERs. While the phrase may sound technical, the concept is highly practical, and... Read this article online