Feds zoned out on West Hawk Lake livestock monitoring station Tuesday, May 5, 2009 AgMedia Inc.by BETTER FARMING STAFFA program that would enable Canada to apply border-like controls over east-west domestic livestock shipments remains stalled because funding ran out.The program involves introducing a livestock monitoring point at West Hawk Lake, on the border of Manitoba and Ontario. The location is a “choke point” of rail and highway corridors between Eastern and Western Canada, and a monitor station there can track, trace or even limit shipments between the two parts of the country, allowing producers in one section to continue their business if a disease outbreak affects the other.Financed with $3.5 million from the federal government and the country’s livestock industry, the program operated as a pilot for two years until money ran out in February. “Unfortunately, government has chosen . . . not to fund the full activation” of the program, says Curtiss Littlejohn, former chair of Ontario Pork and a member of the committee that developed the program. Because the flu outbreak was an isolated instance in Alberta he doubts the program would have played a role in protecting animal health — this time around. “There are no market hogs that move east-west (to Ontario from Alberta); the cost is prohibitive,” he explains.But the current situation shows the advantages of maintaining zones, he says. BF Wellington North reconsiders controversial development charges Three acquittals and an absolute discharge in Landowner mischief case
Lactalis closing beverage plant in Sudbury Tuesday, July 22, 2025 Lactalis is closing its plant-based beverage processing plant in Sudbury. The company, which includes brands like Balderson, Astro, and Beatrice, reopened the plant in June 2024 after closing it in 2022 to convert it to a facility focusing on plant-based beverages like those in its Enjoy!... Read this article online
Fusarium And Sprouting Alert for Wheat Tuesday, July 22, 2025 As reported on the OMAFRA website fieldcropnews.com, Ontario wheat farmers face growing concerns over fusarium head blight (FHB) and harvest timing this season. Frequent rains in many areas – with more to come - are increasing fusarium risk, threatening yield and grain quality. FHB... Read this article online
Provincial Ministers Discuss Farm Support and Trade Monday, July 21, 2025 When the federal, provincial, and territorial (FPT) Ministers of Agriculture met virtually on August 18 to discuss plans for building a stronger, more competitive agriculture sector in Canada, a major topic was business risk management (BRM) programs. Recognizing the pressures from... Read this article online
Ontario Pork Offers Free Tasting Events to Build Brand Monday, July 21, 2025 Ontario Pork has teamed up with Fortinos Supermarkets to bring a special treat for customers across Ontario this BBQ season. Shoppers visiting any of the 24 Fortinos stores in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) can enjoy free samples of delicious Ontario-raised pork every weekend until August... Read this article online
Grape Growers 40th Annual Celebrity Luncheon has Dr. Hayley Wickenheiser Thursday, July 17, 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