Feds change tobacco license eligibility requirements Thursday, May 14, 2009 © AgMedia Inc.by SUSAN MANNAgriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s changes to some of the eligibility requirements for tobacco licenses means children or other family members of growers who took the federal buyout can now try their hand in the industry.And those people still have time to get their licenses as the application deadline was extended to May 22 from May 15. But potential growers are also facing a tight deadline to prepare land for planting.Linda Vandendriessche, chair of the Ontario Flue-Cured Tobacco Growers’ Marketing Board, says “fumigants have to go on the soil at a particular time of year and it’s getting very, very late.”Former West Lorne-area tobacco farmer Harry Vergeer says extending the deadline for license applications “allows for the crop size to be a bit larger than it would have been if the extension hadn’t been put in place.”Vergeer and his brothers have grown tobacco for 42 years and have now switched to corn, soybeans and wheat. He’s taken the federal tobacco buyout but his son, Mark, is looking to enter the industry.“He will be the owner of the (tobacco) crop and we will be helping him,” Vergeer says.This is “about transition from one generation to the next,” he adds. “That was the principle of the program – to help tobacco farmers leave the industry and reposition the industry in moving forward.”Vandendriessche says the board changed the deadline for the license applications after the federal government lifted restrictions May 7 prohibiting family members of farmers participating in the Tobacco Transition program from growing tobacco on their family’s land.But the family member getting the license must rent the land and equipment from their family. “It has to be a business deal, at arm’s length and all documented according to government guidelines,” she says.The board challenged the previous prohibition on family members from being able to obtain a license. “The Tobacco Transition program recipient gave up his right to grow,” she says. “He did not give up his right to manage his farm.”So far, about 70 people have received licenses. This year’s crop size won’t be known until after the May 22 license application deadline.License applications are available at the board office in Tillsonburg. The fee is $100 for the license plus a one-cent-a-pound assessment that goes to the tobacco board for its operations. The $100 is deducted off of the assessment, Vandendriessche says. The license has to be renewed annually.If a grower can’t find a company willing to buy his or her product, they can’t grow that year. “This is tobacco and there is still legislation and regulations that have to be followed for growing the crop,” she says.More information about the license applications is available from the board office at (519) 842-3661. BF Ag Minister nixes fruit wines for now Beating a dead pigeon
Ontario farmers get boost for energy upgrades Friday, July 11, 2025 The governments of Canada and Ontario are investing up to $3 million in the third round of the Agricultural Stewardship Initiative (ASI). This funding will help farmers improve the energy efficiency of their operations and support the long-term sustainability of the agriculture... Read this article online
Swede midge and cabbageworm found in Ontario canola Thursday, July 10, 2025 As reported on the OMAFA website fieldcropnews.com, Ontario canola crops are at various growth stages, ranging from seedling to full bloom depending on planting time and region. Winter canola is now fully podded, and harvest is expected to begin soon in Essex and other southern... Read this article online
Early Career Research Award supports two Guelph research initiatives Friday, July 4, 2025 The was presented to two University of Guelph researchers at the recently held Livestock Research Innovation Corporation (LRIC) symposium. Dr. Kelsey Spence received $40,000 towards her work in on-farm biosecurity research, and Dr. Sam Workenhe was awarded $60,000 to further his... Read this article online
Grape Growers 40th Annual Celebrity Luncheon has Dr. Hayley Wickenheiser Friday, July 4, 2025 The Grape Growers of Ontario’s marks the opening of the by showcasing Canadian personalities and celebrating the annual grape harvest. This year, in partnership with Meridian Credit Union, Ontario’s largest credit union and the third largest in Canada, the Grape Growers of Ontario... Read this article online
Ontario crops respond to summer heat Wednesday, July 2, 2025 According to the OMAFA Field Crop News team, Ontario field crops are showing rapid development as summer-like temperatures have dominated late June early July. The warm spell has accelerated growth and helped reduce the heat unit deficit from a cool spring. Corn fields have seen a burst... Read this article online