Look for MOU vote this summer Tuesday, April 8, 2008 by SUSAN MANN The heads of the three producer groups signed an updated memorandum of understanding April 2 reaffirming their commitment to bring plans for a single organization to a producer vote. No date for the vote has been set yet but “if the timelines go as planned we’re probably looking at a late summer vote,” says Ontario Soybean Growers chair Leo Guilbeault. “There’s an awful lot of work that has to get done yet.” Part of that work includes developing a business plan and ensuring that all the information is accurate and precise so when growers get their information packages as part of the voting process “they’ll have all the information at hand that they’ll need to make a decision.” Guilbeault says soybean growers want to ensure the strategic plans of the three organizations continue even if there’s one organization representing them. “It’s still dealing with three specific commodities. If you look at the markets for those three commodities a distinct strategic plan for each one would still have to go forward.” In addition they want to ensure “the financials are good so that the organization starts on a solid foundation,” he adds, noting they also want to ensure there’s a proper business plan. It’s good the plans to develop one grains group are continuing to be developed, Guilbeault says. “One way or another there’s going to be a producer vote and we’ll let the producers decide.” Work on developing one organization began in 2004 when representatives from the three organizations signed an original agreement to come up with a proposal. The process was suspended last November after the Ontario Soybean Growers pulled out. But during county and annual meetings for all three organizations this winter and spring producers urged their elected representatives to get the plans for developing one organization and holding a producer vote back on track. “We were directed by farmers to get it back moving again,” says David Whaley, chair of the Ontario Wheat Producers’ Marketing Board. Farmers spoke loud and clear at the county annual meetings and told their directors they wanted to be able to vote, notes Dale Mountjoy, president of the Ontario Corn Producers’ Association. “Corn producers always wanted to let farmers have a vote,” he says. A working group made up of the chairs and general managers from the three organizations will be working with the Ontario Farm Products Marketing Commission to ensure all requirements needed for the vote are met. It’s the Commission that will be conducting the vote. Mountjoy estimates the number of farmers eligible to vote to be 20,000. BF Commission supports mandatory fee for floriculture growers Ontario beef producers at a 'disadvantage' says OCA's president
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