Insurance may cover hive beetle damage Thursday, May 12, 2011 by PAT CURRIEAgricorp, the Ontario government agency that provides crop insurance, has announced that Ontario honey producers with production insurance or AgriStability coverage who have been affected by small hive beetle infestations (and associated quarantines) may be eligible for a claim or benefit.Production insurance customers with pest infestation damage should contact Agricorp as soon as it occurs, the agency said. Applications are due by June 30, 2011, and producers can contact Agricorp to request priority processing of their files. A native of sub-Saharan Africa, the small hive beetle larvae tunnel through honeycombs, spoiling honey with their excrement. The pest has spread to the United States (where it was first identified in 1998 and to Australia in 2002. It has been found in Alberta, Quebec and Manitoba and was found in Ontario in 2010. According to a fact sheet from the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, it is not known whether the pest will establish a resident population in the province.All infested apiaries are located in Essex County, close to the border with Michigan. A quarantine zone has been established by the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. The quarantine prohibits the movement of honey bees out of the area to protect bees in other parts of the province from becoming infested.The only registered treatment for small hive beetle in Canada is through the use of CheckMite+, a trademarked pesticide that is toxic to humans and bees, requires care in its use and may not completely eliminate an infestation, Agriculture Canada has warned. BF 'You can't cancel that' Agricorp appoints new directors
Provincial Ministers Discuss Farm Support and Trade Monday, July 21, 2025 When the federal, provincial, and territorial (FPT) Ministers of Agriculture met virtually on August 18 to discuss plans for building a stronger, more competitive agriculture sector in Canada, a major topic was business risk management (BRM) programs. Recognizing the pressures from... Read this article online
Ontario Pork Offers Free Tasting Events to Build Brand Monday, July 21, 2025 Ontario Pork has teamed up with Fortinos Supermarkets to bring a special treat for customers across Ontario this BBQ season. Shoppers visiting any of the 24 Fortinos stores in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) can enjoy free samples of delicious Ontario-raised pork every weekend until August... Read this article online
Grape Growers 40th Annual Celebrity Luncheon has Dr. Hayley Wickenheiser Thursday, July 17, 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 Funds 28 Agri Food Research Projects Thursday, July 17, 2025 Ontario has announced $5.4 million in funding for 28 innovative research projects at the University of Guelph, aiming to protect farmers, enhance the food supply chain, and foster environmental sustainability. This investment comes from the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness... Read this article online
Boost Crop Yields with Smart Fertilization Thursday, July 17, 2025 Soil testing is a valuable tool for managing crop nutrition, especially in Ontario where nutrient levels play a crucial role in crop yields. According to the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFA), fertilizer recommendations based on soil test results can vary depending on... Read this article online