Extension granted for quarry comments Monday, May 16, 2011 by PAT CURRIEThe Grand River Conservation Authority and Guelph have joined a number of municipalities and agencies seeking an extension on the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources’ deadline to file resolutions and comments opposing the establishment of a megaquarry near Melancthon, about six kilometres northwest of Shelburne in Dufferin County.Mayor Bill Hill of Melancthon Township appeared at a GCRA board committee meeting April 14 asking for, and receiving the authority’s endorsement of his township’s request that the original April 26 deadline be extended. The Highland Companies have applied to operate a large quarry in the township on a 2,300-hectare site immediately east of the boundary between the Grand River and Nottawasaga Valley watersheds.Although the quarry proposed lies outside the Grand River watershed, the conservation authority said it wanted more time to study its impact on the headwaters of the Grand River. Other opponents have cited dangers to the headwaters of the Nottawasaga, Saugeen and Mad rivers which all rise in the same area.Conservation Authority staff submitted comments to the applicant and the ministry on the April 26 deadline but asked for more time to review the submission and seek additional information from Highland.On May 5, Guelph added its voice to the chorus opposing the April 26 deadline, partly on grounds that it fell too close to Easter weekend (April 22-25).Anti-quarry activist Carl Cosack, a Dufferin farmer, described the deadline as "totally unrealistic." The ministry has since extended the deadline to July 11. BF How did you beat the weather to plant your crops - or did you? Egg Farmers spending on research
Wildfire Smoke Over Ontario--What Farmers Need to Know Thursday, July 16, 2026 Ontario farmers are becoming increasingly familiar with hazy skies as wildfire smoke drifts across the province. While much of the public focus remains on human health and visibility, the agricultural impacts are also drawing attention as smoke affects crop development, livestock... Read this article online
EMILI Celebrates 10 Years of Connecting Farmers, Innovators, and Industry Partners Thursday, July 16, 2026 The Enterprise Machine Intelligence and Learning Initiative (EMILI) has received $3.5 million in funding from the Government of Canada to strengthen agricultural innovation and technology adoption in Manitoba. The announcement was made earlier this week during EMILI’s Field Day event... Read this article online
Table Beet Harvest has Begun Wednesday, July 15, 2026 July marks the beginning of Ontario's fresh beet harvest season, with growers across the province supplying one of Canada's most popular root vegetables to grocery stores, farmers' markets, food processors, and wholesale distributors, and fellow farmers. Known for their versatility,... Read this article online
Massive Norfolk County Barn Fire Kills 20,000 Hogs, Shuts Down Highway 3 in Southwestern Ontario Wednesday, July 15, 2026 A devastating barn fire in Norfolk County has left one of Ontario's largest hog facilities destroyed and an estimated 20,000 hogs dead, drawing attention across the agricultural sector and raising new questions about emergency preparedness, livestock protection, and farm infrastructure... Read this article online
Canadian Grain Commission Updates Grain Grading Rules for 2026-27 Crop Year Tuesday, July 14, 2026 The Canadian Grain Commission (CGC) is introducing several important changes to grain grading procedures for the 2026-27 crop year, including updates affecting Canada Western Amber Durum, wheat and red lentils. The revisions, which take effect August 1, were developed following... Read this article online