Organization relieves Ontario's hot banana pepper growers from marketing constraints Wednesday, May 30, 2012 by SUSAN MANNThe Ontario Processing Vegetable Growers have set the province’s four hot banana pepper growers free of their processing contract obligations, enabling them to sell their crop wherever they want.The board decision to make an exemption to the organization’s marketing regulations follows Strubs Food Corp.’s abrupt announcement that it was discontinuing operations. The company was the main buyer of hot banana peppers in Ontario. It made the announcement just before the growing season.Al Krueger, executive assistant to the Ontario Processing Vegetable Growers, explains that the organization’s regulations stipulate farmers must sell their product to the Ontario processor who contracted their peppers. “They were not able to sell to anyone who would sell into the United States or to a pepper shipper.”The board did negotiate prices for hot banana peppers this year “because at that time Strubs was still around,” Krueger says. But now those negotiated prices don’t apply.Krueger says most pepper processors don’t use hot banana peppers. Instead they use sweet banana peppers and then add the heat, so the market for hot banana peppers is really limited. “By throwing it open, we thought it would give these guys a chance to market what they’re stuck with.”The exemption to the regulation is for this year but the board will review it at the end of the year to determine if it should be permanent. BF New dairy trade show planned for Stratford End to fertilizer effectiveness testing surprises agribusiness group
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