Huron County man charged in cattle case Tuesday, July 24, 2012 by SUSAN MANN A 39-year-old Howick Township man is facing 16 charges involving fraudulent business transactions related to cattle sales and other agricultural services, Huron County Ontario Provincial Police say. The man was charged after the Huron County OPP crime unit along with the OPP’s Rural Agricultural Crime Team completed a six-month investigation on July 18. The rural frauds took place within the county over a two-year period. They include “a large number” of fraudulent business transactions, impersonation of creditors and uttering false documents since January 2010, it says in an OPP press release. Many of the victims were individual farmers and in some cases local businesses. LeaAnne Hodgins, Ontario Cattlemen’s Association communications manager, says they don’t have any details on the case. The Ontario Beef Cattle Financial Protection program is in place to cover the bulk of transactions involving cattle sales in the province. “That program protects cattle sellers when a licensed dealer defaults on payment,” she says. Ontario Cattlemen’s encourages producers to make sure they understand how the program works and how to make a claim, Hodgins says. Ontario agriculture ministry spokesperson Susan Murray says by email the program doesn’t cover cattle sales to dealers who aren’t licensed. The man involved in this case isn’t a licensed cattle dealer in Ontario nor, “to our knowledge has he ever been a licensed dealer in Ontario.” There aren’t any claims to the program against him, she adds. When selling cattle, Murray says farmers can do a few things to protect their interests. Always deal with a licensed dealer. When in doubt ask to see their license or check the ministry’s website for a current list of dealers. Don’t extend credit to a dealer. This means you shouldn’t ship another load of cattle once payment for a previous load is overdue. Notify the ministry if you don’t receive payment on time. File a claim with the Livestock Financial Protection Board no later than 30 days after the day of sale. Brian Merkley is scheduled to appear in Goderich court on Sept. 10. BF 'We will contact the federal government again if needed' Chicken farmers push Animal Care Program
Minnesota Wildfires Threaten Agriculture as Governor Walz Mobilizes National Guard Friday, July 17, 2026 Farmers across Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Ontario and Manitoba are closely monitoring a growing wildfire situation in northern Minnesota after Governor Tim Walz declared a peacetime emergency and mobilized the Minnesota National Guard to assist firefighting efforts. The decision... Read this article online
Woodland Mills Expands Portable Sawmill Capacity Friday, July 17, 2026 Woodland Mills has introduced the HM126MAX Portable Sawmill, a new machine designed to provide greater cutting capacity and improved lumber production for customers. The latest model builds on the success of a long-standing portable sawmill platform while offering enhanced performance and... Read this article online
Asian Vegetables Like Bok Choy Grown Right Here in Ontario Friday, July 17, 2026 When you think of vegetables grown in Ontario, do you think of ethic vegetables? Also known as pak choy or Chinese cabbage, bok choy has become an increasingly important crop for Ontario's vegetable industry, driven by growing consumer demand for fresh, locally produced ethnic... Read this article online
Survey aims to amplify voices of rural Ontarians Friday, July 17, 2026 New surveys for rural Ontarians are helping people in these communities paint a comprehensive picture of what life is like. “For too long, rural communities have lacked access to reliable, credible and reflective data,” Leith Deacon, a professor at University of Guelph’s School of... Read this article online
Wildfire Smoke Over Ontario--What Farmers Need to Know Thursday, July 16, 2026 Ontario farmers are becoming increasingly familiar with hazy skies as wildfire smoke drifts across the province. While much of the public focus remains on human health and visibility, the agricultural impacts are also drawing attention as smoke affects crop development, livestock... Read this article online