Good news for solar project Thursday, March 3, 2011 by BETTER FARMING STAFFDave Fadden got some good news from Hydro One on Friday followed by more good news from the Ontario Ministry of Energy.Hydro One called to say they are sending him a package that includes an offer to connect. An Energy Ministry spokesperson later told him he would be allowed to hook up even though he has only 40 per cent Ontario content in his solar system, which was the 2010 requirement. The 2011 requirement is for 60 per cent.Fadden built a house on a farm property near Melbourne in 2010 and added a $50,000, 10 kilowatt solar array to his roof believing he would be able to start earning right away via the Ontario Government's 80.2 cent per kilowatt hour microFIT (micro feed-in tariff) program.Fadden, like many others who have come forward recently, later learned the Ontario Power Authority approval for the system was meaningless without an offer to connect from Hydro One. Because he didn't get that offer in 2010, he wasn't able to hook up by Dec. 31, the deadline for projects with 40 per cent Ontario content.Now, however, with an offer to connect in the mail and the content issue cleared up, Fadden should be ready to go after he fills out the Hydro One paperwork and pays for the connection.Mark Hogans, distribution generation coordinator for Hydro One Networks Inc., said Fadden is getting an offer to connect because Hydro One has found capacity on Fadden's line."Since this thing started," Hogans said, "we've been going through our records trying to find capacity." He said capacity is found when projects for which capacity was being held are not built or their permits expire. That capacity, which was being held, then becomes available for new projects.Fadden's reaction to all the good news: "I just hope others can be so lucky," he said. BF Anti-turbine activist stands firm Beef Improvement Ontario sells lab
Wheat Output Decline Projected for 2025 Wednesday, September 10, 2025 Statistics Canada’s latest modelled estimates suggest that wheat production in Canada will decline slightly in 2025, driven primarily by weaker yields across several regions. National output is expected to edge down 1.1% to 35.5 million tonnes, with yields forecast to fall 1.2% to 49.6... Read this article online
Research Projects and Companies Supported Through OAFRI Tuesday, September 9, 2025 The governments of Canada and Ontario have announced an investment of up to $4.77 million to strengthen the province’s agri-food sector. This funding, delivered through the Ontario Agri-Food Research Initiative (OAFRI) under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable... Read this article online
Two-pass Weed Control Critical in Managing Herbicide-Resistant Waterhemp in Ontario Monday, September 8, 2025 Dr. Peter Sikkema of the University of Guelph recently shared insights into the growing challenge of multiple herbicide-resistant water hemp at the 2025 Great Ontario Yield Tour final event in Woodstock Ontario. Dr. Sikkema research highlights both the biology of the weed and practical... Read this article online
First Northern Cohort Joins Ontario Vet Program Thursday, September 4, 2025 This September, the Ontario Veterinary College (OVC) at the University of Guelph welcomed its inaugural Northern Cohort of 20 students through the Collaborative Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Program (CDVMP). This initiative, created in partnership with Lakehead University, marks a milestone... Read this article online
Manitoba Farmers Defend Their Whisky Roots Amid Ontario Backlash Thursday, September 4, 2025 As most reader will know by now, on August 28, beverage alcohol giant Diageo announced it will be closing its Amherstburg, Ontario bottling plant. Located just 25 kilometres from the nearest U.S. border crossing, the company says the decision is part of a strategy to streamline its supply... Read this article online