Government ag critics weigh in on new premier juggling agriculture role Tuesday, February 12, 2013 by BETTER FARMING STAFF In an open letter to Premier Kathleen Wynne, Oxford MPP Ernie Hardeman argues that the dual role of premier and agriculture minister “will result in agriculture and rural Ontario being shortchanged.” Hardeman, who has been the PC ag critic for “six or seven years,” calls Wynne the “part-time” minister of agriculture. He said Wednesday Wynne had not yet responded to the letter he sent two days earlier, adding, “I just don’t imagine the agricultural issues are going to be that high on the agenda in the premier’s office.” However, NDP ag critic John Vanthof, MPP for Timiskaming-Cochrane, thinks having the premier wear two hats could be a good thing. “The test is in what actually happens,” Vanthof says. “If she just announces it (her appointment as ag minister) and kind of ignores it, then it’s going to be a disaster. If she actually takes the time and puts things in place that she can try and make it work, I think maybe we could get some things done.” He says his past experience – he has been ag critic for 18 months – is that when you try to work with the ministry of agriculture they might say they want to accomplish something but argue they are being blocked in the premier’s office. “Well,” Vanthof says, “if they are the same person, maybe we can remove a couple of roadblocks.” BF Raw milk cheese consumption risks higher according to Canada/US draft assessment Provincial federation applauds new Ontario premier's commitment to agriculture
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