Drought spares grape growers Friday, August 10, 2012 by SUSAN MANNThis summer’s hot weather is contributing to what’s shaping up to be a ‘super’ vintage for the grape crop, says a spokesperson for Grape Growers of Ontario.The lack of rain hasn’t decimated grapes the way it has other crops in some parts of Ontario, including hay, corn, vegetables and fruit, says CEO Debbie Zimmerman. “The drought isn’t helpful to us either but it’s not critical at this point.”Some of the young vineyards in areas where irrigation isn’t available are facing challenges but as long as some rain arrives “we’ll be okay,” she says, also noting that harvest this year will begin very early.Everything looks great and it’s going to be a great crop, she says.Ontario farmers normally grow 50,000 to 60,000 tonnes of grapes for wine production annually. In 2011, the tonnage was 62,028 with a farm gate value of $77.4 million, according to the Winery & Grower Alliance of Ontario website. BF Fast track drought assessment farm group pleads Court upholds import permits for Greek yogurt maker
Calf Auction Raises Funds for Youth Monday, June 30, 2025 Wyatt Westman-Frijters from Milverton won a heifer calf named Ingrid through a World Milk Day promotion by Maplevue Farms and a local Perth, Ontario radio station. Instead of keeping the calf, 22-year-old Westman-Frijters chose to give back to the community. The calf was sent to the... Read this article online
Cattle Stress Tool May Boost Fertility Friday, June 27, 2025 Kansas State University researchers have developed a cool tool that may help reduce cattle stress and improve artificial insemination (AI) results. The idea came from animal science experts Nicholas Wege Dias and Sandy Johnson, who observed that cattle accustomed to their environment... Read this article online
Ontario pasture lands get $5M boost Friday, June 27, 2025 The governments of Canada and Ontario are investing up to $5 million to strengthen shared community grazing pastures. This funding supports the province’s plan to protect Ontario’s agriculture sector and help cattle farmers improve pasture quality, ensuring long-term sustainability and... Read this article online
Health Canada sets rules for drone spraying Wednesday, June 25, 2025 Health Canada has approved the use of drones, also called Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS), for pesticide application under the Pest Control Products Act (PCPA). Drones are considered aircraft by Transport Canada, but Health Canada treats them differently due to their unique... Read this article online
Twelve Ontario Agri-Businesses Receive Funding Support Wednesday, June 25, 2025 Bioenterprise Canada has announced the successful recipients of the second call for proposals under the Ontario Agri-Food Research Initiative (OAFRI) Commercialization Stream. Twelve organizations across Ontario will receive support to bring innovative agri-food solutions to the... Read this article online