Missouri grain dealer jailed in grain Ponzi Monday, April 5, 2010 Missouri grain dealer Cathy Gieseker promised some farmers too much for their grain and paid them off by selling the grain of other farmers. She led a high life, spending millions of dollars on properties, gifts to friends and buying and showing cattle.According to the St. Louis Business Journal Gieseker was sentenced to nine years in jail in February in connection with a $27 million Ponzi scheme, the largest grain brokerage failure in Missouri history. She pleaded guilty to one felony count of mail fraud and forfeited millions of dollars in personal property, but it won't be nearly enough to cover the losses of scores of farmers with no grain and no payment for their crop.Gieseker had told farmers she had a special deal with a major grain company and offered prices twice the spot market at harvest. As futures prices rose in 2008, she was forced to pay an ever greater rate of return, according to Feedstuffs magazine.The state is still pondering whether to file fraud charges. BF Brazilian beef company now Oz's largest lamb slaughterer Compostable bags for chips find special market
Ontario farmers get boost for energy upgrades Friday, July 11, 2025 The governments of Canada and Ontario are investing up to $3 million in the third round of the Agricultural Stewardship Initiative (ASI). This funding will help farmers improve the energy efficiency of their operations and support the long-term sustainability of the agriculture... Read this article online
Swede midge and cabbageworm found in Ontario canola Thursday, July 10, 2025 As reported on the OMAFA website fieldcropnews.com, Ontario canola crops are at various growth stages, ranging from seedling to full bloom depending on planting time and region. Winter canola is now fully podded, and harvest is expected to begin soon in Essex and other southern... Read this article online
Early Career Research Award supports two Guelph research initiatives Friday, July 4, 2025 The was presented to two University of Guelph researchers at the recently held Livestock Research Innovation Corporation (LRIC) symposium. Dr. Kelsey Spence received $40,000 towards her work in on-farm biosecurity research, and Dr. Sam Workenhe was awarded $60,000 to further his... Read this article online
Grape Growers 40th Annual Celebrity Luncheon has Dr. Hayley Wickenheiser Friday, July 4, 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 crops respond to summer heat Wednesday, July 2, 2025 According to the OMAFA Field Crop News team, Ontario field crops are showing rapid development as summer-like temperatures have dominated late June early July. The warm spell has accelerated growth and helped reduce the heat unit deficit from a cool spring. Corn fields have seen a burst... Read this article online