New hay co-operative sees potential in export markets Thursday, December 3, 2015 by SUSAN MANNA newly-formed Ontario hay co-operative is looking for members.Fritz Trauttmansdorff, chair of the Ontario Hay and Forage Co-operative Inc., says so far they have 15 members and they’re on a membership drive to recruit more. There’s no fixed number for the amount of members they’re aiming to get.“The number ultimately will depend on how much hay each member wants to produce,” he says.The membership fee is $1,000, plus members will have to buy shares based on the amount of hay they want to deliver to the co-op. The share prices haven’t been determined yet.The co-op’s goal is to increase the value of producers’ hay and forages by on-farm drying. The hay will then be compacted by the co-op for sales to export markets such as Asia, the Middle East and Europe wanting high-quality hay.The co-op is planning to study the feasibility of setting up a double-compaction hay facility in Southern Ontario, likely in the Guelph/Kitchener area. The proposed facility would handle up to 100,000 tonnes of hay annually and cost $10 million to $15 million to build.The proposed location provides good access along Highway 401 for hay producers, and it’s within an hour’s drive of the container yard in Brampton where the overseas shipping containers are located, he says.Trauttmansdorff says double compaction “is intended to fill shipping containers to the maximum weight.” The hay would then be transported to export markets by ships.The study hasn’t started yet. “We are in the process of conducting our membership drive and then the feasibility study will get started.” The co-op plans to ask the federal government for funding to do the study.Trauttmansdorff didn’t have a figure on how much it will cost to do the study. The co-op plans to have it done by the spring.A number of recent developments have made the venture possible. One development is big bale hay-drying equipment is more reliable and affordable now. The technology has evolved to the point “where they can be used quite successfully on the farms and that will allow us to have a consistent supply of good quality hay,” he says.Another development is the widening of the Panama Canal in Central America will allow large container ships destined for Asia to go through. This development puts Eastern North American hay producers “on a more even footing with Western producers to access those Asian markets,” he explains.The website of the Panama Canal expansion says as of Oct. 31 the project was 95 per cent completed.Trauttmansdorff says he doesn’t have an exact number for how many farmers grow hay in Ontario but the Ontario Forage Council has about 3,000 members. About two million acres of forages are grown in Ontario. BF Ontario losing its share of Canada's soybean acres Ontario crop advisor organization to offer NM planning specialist certification in 2016
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
Canada’s Place in Global Food System Resilience Wednesday, July 2, 2025 Canada’s food system is facing serious pressure due to global supply chain issues, climate change, and rising food prices. According to a KPMG report, bold and united action is needed now to make Canada’s agriculture sector more resilient and self-reliant. With the global population... Read this article online
Calf Auction Raises Funds for Youth Monday, June 30, 2025 Wyatt Westman-Frijters from Milverton won a heifer calf named Ingrid through a World Milk Day promotion by Maplevue Farms and a local Perth, Ontario radio station. Instead of keeping the calf, 22-year-old Westman-Frijters chose to give back to the community. The calf was sent to the... Read this article online