Greenhouse sales up Thursday, May 5, 2011 by BETTER FARMING STAFFWith Statistics Canada reporting that sales of greenhouse products in Canada rose three per cent to nearly $2.5 billion in 2010, Ontario Greenhouse Vegetable Growers (OGVG) are cautiously optimistic the upward trend will continue.George Gilvesy, OGVG general manager, said caution is due to concerns about the high Canadian dollar - more than 70 per cent of Ontario greenhouse produce is exported to the US. - and energy costs. “We’ve traditionally been used to having a sub-par dollar and now we’re at parity or above and that does have an impact,” he said. ”Things are looking good but there are some cost pressures. We’ve had some reprieve on natural gas the last couple of years but the big question is where is it going. Fundamental oil prices are extremely high so how long is natural gas going to stay as competitive for our members as it currently is?”Canada had 3,285 greenhouse operations in 2010, down from 3,335 in 2009. However, total greenhouse area increased from about 22.4 million square metres to nearly 22.9 million square metres. Most of this expansion was in greenhouse vegetable production.Greenhouse vegetable producers, who are less sensitive to weather conditions than field vegetable producers, continued their expansion. For a fourth consecutive year, the value of greenhouse vegetable sales exceeded sales of field vegetables (including potatoes).Growers in Ontario, British Columbia and Quebec accounted for 95.4 per cent of greenhouse vegetable and fruit sales in 2010. Ontario alone represented 60.9 per cent.Sales of tomatoes, the most valuable crop, rose 10.9 per cent to $509 million. Sales of peppers increased 14.9 per cent to $270 million, while sales of cucumbers were up 3.1 per cent to $254 million.OGVG represents more than 220 members who grow greenhouse tomato, cucumber and sweet pepper crops in Ontario. BF Province mum on settlement details Farm business planning increases growth
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
Canada’s Place in Global Food System Resilience Wednesday, July 2, 2025 Canada’s food system is facing serious pressure due to global supply chain issues, climate change, and rising food prices. According to a KPMG report, bold and united action is needed now to make Canada’s agriculture sector more resilient and self-reliant. With the global population... Read this article online
Calf Auction Raises Funds for Youth Monday, June 30, 2025 Wyatt Westman-Frijters from Milverton won a heifer calf named Ingrid through a World Milk Day promotion by Maplevue Farms and a local Perth, Ontario radio station. Instead of keeping the calf, 22-year-old Westman-Frijters chose to give back to the community. The calf was sent to the... Read this article online