Project to foster beef industry leadership Friday, September 23, 2011 by BETTER FARMING STAFFThe Ontario Cattlemen’s Association (OCA) will begin a pilot project late this year for 40 Ontario beef producers to help them gain skills in governance, meeting management, leadership styles and organization assessment and planning.The project, in collaboration with the Rural Ontario Institute, is designed to recruit and retain leaders capable of moving the Ontario beef industry forward.LeaAnne Hodgins, OCA communications manager, said the pilot would likely begin in December. She said they are targeting younger beef producers. However, there are no age restrictions. Initially, she said, they will contact the 49 Cattlemen’s Associations across the province and ask them to recommend producers who might want to participate.“We are trying to foster leadership skills in those people that might be up and coming,” she said. “The plan is to have 40 participants in our first round and then we will be able to build on that. Long term, we could have hopefully hundreds of people who have been through the program that understand issues the beef industry faces as well as governance, meeting structure, public speaking, dealing with the media, those sorts of things.”She said the pilot is still in development and the rollout strategy is not complete. At this point, she said, they expect the program will be free to participants. BF NDP pledge to buy Ontario-grown Farm product index reveals July price jump
Broadband Access is a Defining Issue for Rural Canada’s Future Thursday, April 2, 2026 Broadband connectivity took centre stage during the on March 26, as speakers emphasized that reliable, high-speed internet is now foundational to rural economic growth, community well-being, and Canada’s broader ambitions in technology and resource development. The Coalition’s latest... Read this article online
Agricultural Educator and Industry Leader Dr Tom Funk Remembered for Lasting Influence Thursday, April 2, 2026 The agricultural education community is mourning the passing of Dr Tom Funk, a highly respected Professor Emeritus at the University of Guelph whose influence spanned more than three decades of teaching, leadership, and mentorship. Dr Funk dedicated over 35 years to teaching... Read this article online
What Distributed Energy Resources Mean for Canadian Producers Thursday, April 2, 2026 As energy costs rise, many Canadian farms are looking for ways to take greater control of their electricity use. One term that farmers are hearing more often is distributed energy resources, often shortened to DERs. While the phrase may sound technical, the concept is highly practical, and... Read this article online
Western Fair District Wins Agribusiness Award 2026 Thursday, April 2, 2026 Western Fair District has been named the winner of the 2026 Business Achievement Award in Agribusiness by the London Chamber of Commerce. This award recognizes the organization’s strong efforts in supporting agriculture, innovation, and community development. A key part of this... Read this article online
Government Extends Interest Free Farm Loan Support Thursday, April 2, 2026 The Government of Canada has announced that it will extend the $250,000 interest-free limit under the Advance Payments Program (APP) for the 2026 program year. The decision has been welcomed by farm groups as an important step to support farmers during uncertain times. “This is a... Read this article online