Farmers will pay for new clean air agenda Tuesday, November 29, 2011 by SUSAN MANNAir quality regulations for industry will eventually result in higher input costs for farmers, says Don McCabe, Ontario Federation of Agriculture vice-president.McCabe made the comment in response to the federal government’s announcement Monday that it’s providing $600.8 million over five years to renew the Clean Air Regulatory Agenda, the framework since 2006 for government to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve air quality.Once regulations are imposed on farmers’ input suppliers, those companies will face higher costs to do business and they’ll pass them on to customers. McCabe says farmers can expect to see higher fees for electricity, chemicals, concrete, steel and “a good portion of the inputs agriculture uses.” Environment Minister Peter Kent and Veterans Affairs Minister Steven Blaney announced the government plans to use the funding to:• align greenhouse gas regulations with the United States where appropriate;• finalize and implement a national air quality management system;• strengthen commitments to reduce trans boundary air pollution under the Canada-U.S. air quality agreement;• improve indoor air quality; and• implement the nation-wide Air Quality Health Index to help Canadians make informed decisions to protect their health.The government says in its press release the renewed funding will allow standards to be set that will define what clean air means, regulate good emissions performance by industry and introduce a comprehensive national approach to air emissions reductions.McCabe says farmers aren’t opposed to measures for environmental improvement because they are the original stewards of the land, air and water. But along with regulations the government’s framework to reduce greenhouse gas emissions must also include opportunities for companies being regulated to participate in an offset system. “That’s where agriculture can illustrate its true potential.”Farmers through their soil management are able to put carbon back into the ground annually. Foresters can do this too “but they do it in a much longer timeframe,” he explains. “It’s only farmers and foresters who are actually going to solve this problem. Regulation won’t do it.” BF Behind the Lines - December 2011 Imported seeds to get advanced clearance
Potato industry on PEI to save up to $7 million because of cuts to bridge tolls Tuesday, July 29, 2025 Effective August 1, 2025, tolls on the Confederation Bridge will drop dramatically, with personal vehicle tolls falling from $50.25 to $20. Commercial vehicles will also benefit from these reductions. In addition, ferry tolls in Newfoundland and Labrador and other regions will see... Read this article online
Soil Compaction Challenges Tuesday, July 29, 2025 Ontario’s spring planting faced challenges from soil compaction, impacting crops like corn, soybeans, and wheat. Despite some areas experiencing rapid planting under ideal conditions, other regions, even those with lighter soils, struggled due to excessive rainfall. The team at OMAFA –on... Read this article online
2026 Grains Innovation Fund is now open Tuesday, July 29, 2025 Grain Farmers of Ontario (GFO), the province’s largest commodity organization representing Ontario’s 28,000 barley, corn, oat, soybean, and wheat farmers, is now accepting applications for its . “This year marks another exciting chapter for the Grains Innovation Fund,” stated Paul... Read this article online
Applications Open for Grains Innovation Fund 2026 Monday, July 28, 2025 Grain Farmers of Ontario (GFO), the province’s largest commodity organization representing 28,000 farmers, is now accepting applications for the 2026 Grains Innovation Fund. The fund offers grants up to $75,000 to support innovative projects that promote the use of Ontario’s grains such as... Read this article online
Sowing the Seeds of the Future -- A Fresh Look at Farm Succession in Canada Monday, July 28, 2025 “You’ve worked the land for decades—through changing seasons, shifting markets, and long days that begin before sunrise," says Jason Castellan, Co-Founder & Chief Executive Officer, Skyline when he spoke with Farms.com. “You know every acre, every decision, every responsibility that... Read this article online