Ontario's agriculture minister outlines provincial goals for new ag policy Tuesday, September 18, 2012 by SUSAN MANNWater management, conservation and drought-resistant crop research are some of the ways Ontario Agriculture Minister Ted McMeekin would like to spend money set aside for innovation and market development in the new Growing Forward 2 agreement.We might think we’re a petroleum-based economy but there are lots of alternatives to petroleum, the minister notes. There is, however, “no alternative to water,” he says. “If we can get on top of water management, conservation, drought-resistant crops then I think we can position ourselves in the global economy very, very well.” He adds that soil enhancement work in the province should also continue. He made the comments Monday as he outlined his message to Ontario farmers about the new five-year Growing Forward policy framework agreement the federal, provincial and territorial agriculture ministers reached during their annual meeting last week in Whitehorse, Yukon. Set to begin next year after the current agreement expires March 31, 2013, the agreement contains investments of more than $3 billion over five years across Canada into innovation, competitiveness and market development. The agreement includes a 50 per cent increase in government cost share initiatives.The minister says he’d like to set up an agri-food sector innovation group to monitor what’s happening in Ontario and provide an opportunity for industry players to work together to establish some fresh thinking on strategic investments, innovation and market development. The group would include representatives from the entire value chain, including farm group leaders, academics, the provincial agriculture ministry and people interested in innovation.“You need to ensure the innovation and research that you’re doing is actually contributing to growing the economic sector and it’s not just stuff that’s going to be done and put on a shelf somewhere,” he notes.About the business risk management programs, McMeekin says the new agreement still contains an effective suite of programs. “We tried to find a balance between protecting those programs that farmers rely on and defending the integrity of operations in Ontario.” BF New food safety and veterinary chief officers at CFIA Bean board merger talks fail
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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
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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
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