Ontario's newest marketing board comes into effect Wednesday, April 1, 2015 by SUSAN MANNVeal farmers began paying their $4 per head checkoff fee yesterday to the newly formed Veal Farmers of Ontario organization.But veal farmers will now be exempt from paying the checkoff fee to Beef Farmers of Ontario under the Beef Cattle Marketing Act. At the same time regulations were implemented to establish the new veal board, exemptions for veal cattle were installed in the Beef Act, a Veal Farmers of Ontario press release says. The organization, Ontario’s newest marketing board, came into being on April 1 through regulations under the Ontario Farm Products Marketing Act. The first board of directors, made up of eight people, was appointed by the Ontario Farm Products Marketing Commission for the first year of the organization’s operations.Brian Keunen of Palmerston was elected as chair at the organization’s first board meeting Wednesday, while Chris Vervoort of Arthur was elected vice chair. Other members of the board are: Pascal Bouilly of Cambridge, Judy Dirksen of Harriston and past president of the Ontario Veal Association, Randy Drenth of Clifford, Joyce Feenstra of Belwood, Tom Kroesbergen of Ailsa Craig and Tom Oudshoorn of Auburn.Executive director Jennifer Haley says in an April 2 press release the formation of Veal Farmers of Ontario has occurred almost 25 years after its predecessor organization, the Ontario Veal Association, was formed. That organization was incorporated in 1990, Haley says. She couldn’t be reached for comment.At the 2014 annual meeting, veal producer delegates voted unanimously to formally dissolve the association and transfer all assets to Veal Farmers of Ontario.Farmers voted in favour of creating Veal Farmers of Ontario during a mail-in producer vote in March 2013 conducted by the farm products marketing commission. BF Farm builder helms Ontario's construction industry group Cucumber buyer slashes commitments for Ontario's 2015 crop
Applications Open for Grains Innovation Fund 2026 Monday, July 28, 2025 Grain Farmers of Ontario (GFO), the province’s largest commodity organization representing 28,000 farmers, is now accepting applications for the 2026 Grains Innovation Fund. The fund offers grants up to $75,000 to support innovative projects that promote the use of Ontario’s grains such as... Read this article online
Sowing the Seeds of the Future -- A Fresh Look at Farm Succession in Canada Monday, July 28, 2025 “You’ve worked the land for decades—through changing seasons, shifting markets, and long days that begin before sunrise," says Jason Castellan, Co-Founder & Chief Executive Officer, Skyline when he spoke with Farms.com. “You know every acre, every decision, every responsibility that... Read this article online
Documentary Sheds Light on Farmerettes who Helped Feed a Nation Monday, July 28, 2025 During World War II, food shortages became a serious issue for Canada and its allies. With many men away at war, the government formed the Ontario Farm Service Force, sending 40,000 teenage girls from Ontario and Quebec —known as the Farmerettes—to help farms in Southwestern... Read this article online
Join the John Deere Antique Tractor Show in Palmerston Friday, July 25, 2025 The Upper Canada Two Cylinder Club is thrilled to announce that its annual John Deere Show will be held this weekend from July 25 to 27, 2025, in Palmerston, Ontario. The festivities kicked off with a John Deere Tractor Parade on the evening of Thursday, July 24, winding through... Read this article online
Premier Equipment Acquires Green Tractors Dealers Friday, July 25, 2025 Southwestern Ontario’s Premier Equipment has reached an agreement to acquire neighbouring dealer Green Tractors Inc. This acquisition marks Premier’s fourth and largest acquisition in 2025, solidifying its growth trajectory. Earlier this year, Premier added new locations in... Read this article online