Fruit tree census underway Sunday, December 21, 2008 © Copyright AgMedia Incby SUSAN MANNOnce a census of tender fruit trees is completed early next year, marketing board and government officials will have an accurate snapshot of what’s being grown in Ontario.The last tree fruit census, done in 1999, is out of date. Ten years of normal annual changes coupled with tree removals and replanting due to Plum Pox virus and the closure of CanGro means “we really don’t know what we’ve got anymore,” says Len Troup, chairman of the Ontario Tender Fruit Producers’ Marketing Board.The board needs accurate information to help it market the overall crop, he adds. “Not only will we know what our marketers have to offer to the retailers, but we also will be able to have an overview of what is in the ground, what is here now, and what is coming. We hope to give some advice to our growers on what they should be planting so we balance out our supply of fruit going to market.”Information from the census can also be used to advise nurseries on what they should be propagating for the future.Collaborating on the census are: the marketing board, OMAFRA and the Vineland Research Innovation Centre.Ken Slingerland, OMAFRA’s tender fruit and grape specialist, says farmers have already been sent forms. They have to list all their tender fruit varieties, plus tree numbers and ages. “It’s kind of like an inventory of the industry.”Officials are aiming for a survey return rate of 90 per cent. They’re confident they’ll get that number because they’ve reached it in the past. So far, 40 per cent of the completed surveys have been returned. Usually the census is done every five years but it didn’t make sense to do it when the industry was going through so much transition during the past six to seven years. Plum Pox virus seems to be getting under control, he says. “We feel confident a tree survey at this time will be a great value to the industry.”The goal is to finish the census by early March with results being published by the beginning of April. BF No fee increase and some new directions Quota exemption for Ontario's small chicken farmers
Ontario Plans New Law to Protect Farmland Friday, April 24, 2026 Ontario is taking new steps to protect its farmland and strengthen the agri-food sector. The provincial government plans to introduce legislation that would limit the foreign acquisition of Ontario farmland. The goal is to keep farms in domestic hands and protect local food production for... Read this article online
Fuel Tax Suspension Offers Timely Relief for Canadian Farmers Ahead of Peak Growing Season Friday, April 24, 2026 Canadianare set to see short-term relief at the fuel pump following a major federal policy announcement that directly affects on-farm operating costs. On April 14, Prime Minister Mark Carney announced that the federal government will temporarily suspend the Fuel Excise Tax on gasoline,... Read this article online
Soybean Cyst Nematode Is in almost every soybean producing state and province Thursday, April 23, 2026 Understanding Detection, Prevention, and Management of Soybeans’ Most Costly Pest Soybean cyst nematode (SCN), , remains the most damaging pathogen affecting soybeans in North America, costing U.S. farmers more than one billion dollars in lost yield annually. Updated national surveys... Read this article online
Ontario Exempts Farmlands from Stormwater Fees Thursday, April 23, 2026 The Ontario government has takenan important stepto support farmers by exempting eligible agricultural lands from municipal stormwater fees. This decision is expected to bring meaningful financial relief to farmers across the province and strengthen the agricultural sector. Stormwater... Read this article online
Discover Elanco’s system for effective fly control Wednesday, April 22, 2026 Effective fly control is essential for all livestock operations. Beyond just being an irritation, flies can spread disease, reduce animal comfort and negatively impact overall performance. That's why Elanco’s experts recommend a control system that defends your operation. Building a... Read this article online