Growers' study recommends national food policy Thursday, September 1, 2011 by BETTER FARMING STAFFCanada should have a national food policy that promotes locally grown food and regional food infrastructure, according to a study commissioned by the Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Growers' Association.“Canada is the only G-20 country without a national food policy, “ says Brian Gilroy, chair of the association. Provincially, the study recommends Ontario should reduce and streamline its regulations to make it less burdensome for farmers to be in compliance, or failing that, establish a support program that would assist farmers with compliance. The provincial government should also expand the definition of primary agriculture for property taxation purposes to include on-farm value-retention activities, and identify specialty crop areas that would protect fruit and vegetable production lands.The report recommends that municipalities improve their planning processes to avoid or reduce fragmentation of farmland and to consider the long-term impact of development decisions on agricultural areas. BF Cairns Group trying to break WTO impasse this week BC pullet producers oppose supply management
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
Cattle Stress Tool May Boost Fertility Friday, June 27, 2025 Kansas State University researchers have developed a cool tool that may help reduce cattle stress and improve artificial insemination (AI) results. The idea came from animal science experts Nicholas Wege Dias and Sandy Johnson, who observed that cattle accustomed to their environment... Read this article online
Ontario pasture lands get $5M boost Friday, June 27, 2025 The governments of Canada and Ontario are investing up to $5 million to strengthen shared community grazing pastures. This funding supports the province’s plan to protect Ontario’s agriculture sector and help cattle farmers improve pasture quality, ensuring long-term sustainability and... Read this article online
Health Canada sets rules for drone spraying Wednesday, June 25, 2025 Health Canada has approved the use of drones, also called Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS), for pesticide application under the Pest Control Products Act (PCPA). Drones are considered aircraft by Transport Canada, but Health Canada treats them differently due to their unique... Read this article online
Twelve Ontario Agri-Businesses Receive Funding Support Wednesday, June 25, 2025 Bioenterprise Canada has announced the successful recipients of the second call for proposals under the Ontario Agri-Food Research Initiative (OAFRI) Commercialization Stream. Twelve organizations across Ontario will receive support to bring innovative agri-food solutions to the... Read this article online