OFA wants to see debt retirement charge removed from Ontario farm bills too Thursday, April 24, 2014 by SUSAN MANN Ontario farms must continue paying the debt retirement charge on their hydro bills until 2018 just like business and industrial hydro users, even though the Ontario government is nixing the fee from residential bills effective Jan. 1, 2016. Mark Wales, Ontario Federation of Agriculture president, says if there is only one meter on the farm, and it also applied to the farm residence, “then the debt retirement charge gets removed.” But if a farmer has other meters on their operation, such as for a grain dryer or a poultry barn or a greenhouse, the debt retirement charge stays on the bills covering usage for those meters and continues until the end of 2018. “This is the unfairness of it,” he says. “We’re saying it (the debt retirement charge) should be off farms too.” Ontario Energy Minister Bob Chiarelli announced April 23 the government is eliminating the debt retirement charge for residential users. At the same time it’s removing that fee, the government is also ending the Ontario Clean Energy Benefit, which takes 10 per cent off hydro bills. The government says in an April 23 press release, the debt retirement charge has been on electricity bills since May 1, 2002. The money has been used to pay down the debt and liabilities of the old Ontario Hydro after it was broken into smaller entities. Wales says the federation has been pushing for some time for a farm and industrial rate for hydro, which would have been a much better solution. “We were suggesting a lower rate but I don’t think they’ve settled on a number.” The government’s debt retirement charge announcement “is good for the farm house but it’s not good for the farm,” he says. In an April 25 press release, Wales says energy costs are one of the greatest expenses for farmers. The Ontario government doesn’t appear to realize the problem the electricity system is causing farmers and the province’s food system, he adds in the release. Ontario’s rising hydro rates are increasing farmers’ costs of doing business and putting them at a competitive disadvantage compared to growers in other provinces, the United States and internationally. BF Farm writer complies with bench warrant in sheep case Ontario SPCA and Ontario Sheep Marketing Agency join forces to prevent animal abuse
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