New provincial agriculture, food and rural affairs minister announced Wednesday, June 25, 2014 by SUSAN MANN Peterborough MPP Jeff Leal is the new agriculture, food and rural affairs minister as the government announced Tuesday it is rejoining the two ministries. Previously Premier Kathleen Wynne was agriculture and food minister while Leal was rural affairs minister. The ministers were sworn in Tuesday at a ceremony at Queen’s Park after the Liberals won a majority in the June 12 election by capturing 58 of the 107 seats in the legislature. Ontario Federation of Agriculture president Mark Wales says Leal is already familiar with both the rural affairs and agricultural file “which will help” with their efforts to address important matters affecting farming in Ontario. Wales adds he didn’t think Wynne would do a major cabinet shuffle “but I see it looks like this is quite a major shuffle.” Some of the other ministries that affect the agriculture and food industries include economic development, employment and infrastructure where Scarborough Centre MPP Brad Duguid, former training, colleges and universities minister, has been named minister. The federation says in its June 24 press release it will be working with Duguid on the Liberal’s promise to expand natural gas infrastructure across rural Ontario. Meanwhile, Toronto Centre MPP Glen Murray moves from transportation to the renamed ministry of environment and climate change, while Vaughan MPP Steven Del Duca is the new transportation minister and Thunder Bay-Atikokan MPP Bill Mauro is minister of the newly named natural resources and forestry ministry. Richmond Hill MPP Reza Moridi is research and innovation minister and is also heading up the training, colleges and universities ministry while former agriculture minister Ted McMeekin, MPP for Ancaster-Dundas-Flamborough-Westdale, is the new municipal affairs and housing minister. The federation’s release says McMeekin will be leading reviews of the Greenbelt, Oak Ridges Moraine and Niagara Escarpment plans. The federation plans to be at the table during the reviews to ensure the “farming and food businesses remain sustainable within those land-use designated areas.” Staying on as finance minister is Mississauga South MPP Charles Sousa, while Bob Chiarelli, MPP for Ottawa West-Nepean, remains as energy minister and Oakville MPP Kevin Flynn stays on as labour minister. Wales says they know most of the ministers personally already “so that always helps.” BF BC considers making dairy cattle handling code of practice law Canada's seasonal ag worker program dodges most temporary worker reforms
Sunflower farming in Ontario Tuesday, August 19, 2025 While Manitoba dominates sunflower production in Canada—accounting for about 90 percent of the national output (https://oggardenonline.com/where-in-canada-are-sunflowers-grown.html)—Ontario is home to a growing number of sunflower farms. These farms are often smaller in scale and... Read this article online
2025 Livestock Tax Deferral Regions Announced Tuesday, August 19, 2025 Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) has published the initial list of prescribed regions eligible for the 2025 Livestock Tax Deferral provision, a key support measure for Canadian livestock producers grappling with the impacts of extreme weather. “As we continue to see the very... Read this article online
Winter wheat in Ontario: A resilient crop for a sustainable future Tuesday, August 19, 2025 Winter wheat has long been a staple in Ontario’s agricultural landscape, offering both economic and environmental benefits to farmers across the province. Grown primarily in southwestern Ontario, this crop plays a vital role in crop rotation systems, soil health, and food... Read this article online
Better Soil Health Improves Rain Absorption Monday, August 18, 2025 The OMAFA Fieldcropnews.com team recently held demonstrations regarding how soil management can greatly affect the amount of rainfall absorbed into the soil for crop use. This is especially important for corn, soybean, and wheat growers facing dry spells or intense summer storms. In early... Read this article online
Farm ponds and the trouble with algae Monday, August 18, 2025 Farm ponds are more than just tranquil features on rural landscapes—they’re essential tools for water management, livestock care, irrigation, and biodiversity—especially in North America. They are also considered to be a key agricultural asset outside North America, especially in... Read this article online