Merger proposal goes to provincial commission in July Tuesday, June 24, 2008 by SUSAN MANN“What they want to do is to establish a new organization under the Farm Products Marketing Act,” says David Hope, commission chair.The normal procedure for a group wanting to establish a new organization is to go to the commission. If the commission determines there’s significant support for the idea and the organizers are prepared to more forward, the commission can recommend to the Ontario agriculture minister that a farmer vote be held. At that point it would be a commission process, meaning the commission would organize and conduct the vote.“The decision on the vote hasn’t been made yet but commission staff are working with the proponents and we are in discussions about what needs to be done to more forward,” Hope says.This group’s proposal is a bit different from other groups that appear before the commission wanting to set up an organization representing farmers because groups already exist for corn, soybean and wheat producers.Hope says he can’t predict what the nine-member commission will decide at the July meeting. It could decide to okay the process to move toward a vote, request more information or turn the request down.The meeting will take place the week of July 20. Hope says an exact date hasn’t yet been set.The information being presented at the July meeting is intended to both help the commission understand what the new group is designed to do and “it forms the basis of the information that would be provided to the people who would be voting,” Hope notes, adding the commission requires that when there’s a vote it’s made clear what farmers are voting on.The working group’s information includes the goals of the new organization, financial projections, governing structure, such as how many districts there’ll be, the new board’s make up, communications and implementation plans and what is to be included in the package going to voters. “It’s their vote and they have to include a package of information so producers know what they’re voting on but we prepare that,” notes Larry Shapton, general manager of the Ontario Wheat Producers’ Marketing Board.The vote is the mechanism to determine what support there is for the new organization. “The vote in itself is not the objective,” Hope says. “The vote is a tool.”The objective is to have effective organizations, he adds. BF Conspiracy killed Pigeon King? Pigeon King breeders turn to squab markets
From Plows to Plates - The 2025 International Plowing Match Returns to Niagara Friday, September 12, 2025 For the first time since 1926, the International Plowing Match & Rural Expo (IPM) is returning to the Niagara Region Setpember 16 to 20. Set to take place in West Lincoln, the 106th edition of this iconic event will run under the theme “,” celebrating the deep roots and fresh flavours of... Read this article online
Festival of Guest Nations returns to Leamington Friday, September 12, 2025 On Sunday, September 14, 2025, Seacliff Park in Leamington, Ontario, will come alive with music, food, and celebration as the Festival of Guest Nations returns to honour the migrant worker communities who play a vital role in Essex County’s agricultural economy. With more than 20 years... Read this article online
York Region launching new Agri-Food Startup Program Thursday, September 11, 2025 A new program in York Region is designed to help entrepreneurs find their footing in the food space. The 14-week hybrid Agri-Food Start-up Program partners entrepreneurs with local organizations like the Foodpreneur Lab, Syzl, York Region Food Network, and the Chippewas of Georgina Island... Read this article online
Corn and Soybean Diseases Spread This Season Wednesday, September 10, 2025 As reported on the OMAFRA website fieldcropnews.com, as well as in previous articles by Farms.com, the 2025 growing season is nearing its end with corn and soybean farmers in Ontario and the U.S. Corn Belt facing disease challenges that reflect changing weather conditions. For corn, two... Read this article online
Wheat Output Decline Projected for 2025 Wednesday, September 10, 2025 Statistics Canada’s latest modelled estimates suggest that wheat production in Canada will decline slightly in 2025, driven primarily by weaker yields across several regions. National output is expected to edge down 1.1% to 35.5 million tonnes, with yields forecast to fall 1.2% to 49.6... Read this article online