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
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