Province one step closer to delivering natural gas to rural Ontario Thursday, February 26, 2015 by SUSAN MANNThe province took another step towards delivering natural gas to rural Ontario when the Ontario Energy Board issued a letter last week asking interested companies to propose plans for gas distribution.The Feb. 18 letter from the province’s regulator of electricity and natural gas sectors invited parties “with appropriate financial and technical expertise” to propose one or more plans for natural gas distribution.”Gas expansion was a hot discussion topic on Monday at the combined annual meeting of the Rural Ontario Municipal Association/Ontario Good Roads Association, says Don McCabe, Ontario Federation of Agriculture president. The meeting ran until the end of day today.The federation and many municipal leaders made it very clear to the government that they want gas expansion sooner rather than later, he notes.From a farm perspective, natural gas expansion is progressing slower “than what we’d like because, bottom line, it’s a very necessary piece of infrastructure,” McCabe says.The federation has been asking the province to expand natural gas delivery to rural communities and McCabe says federation members are pleased with the Energy Board’s latest step.But there are still a number of steps to go before construction of any infrastructure projects can begin, he cautions.The energy board says in its letter the Ontario Ministry of Economic Development, Employment and Infrastructure will use $200 million of its $230 million budget for Natural Gas Access loans over two years to help communities partner with utilities to extend access to natural gas. The remainder will be used to fund Natural Gas Economic Development grants “to accelerate projects with clear economic development potential,” the letter says.But first the ministry must establish policy on how the grant and loan money can be used and what the program criteria will be, McCabe says.As well, the energy board has regulations on expansion “that need to be considered.” And that means “we’re still a ways off in getting the money totally out the door and getting the process started.”Construction of the infrastructure to extend natural gas to rural Ontario will likely begin later this year or next year, McCabe says. BF Food hub survey Oxford County dairy farmers earn top score
Be ready for your next flat tire Friday, May 30, 2025 By Braxten Breen Farms.com Intern The Andersen Hitches Rapid Jack is a three-in-one tool - a tire jack -- that can also be used as a post block or a wheel chock. Its main purpose is to help change tires on trailers, and this cool tool is made in the USA. It is an innovative Tire Jack... Read this article online
An Ontario Foodbelt? Two MPPs want to see it happen Friday, May 30, 2025 Ontario has a Greenbelt and a Whitebelt, and if two MPPs are successful with a piece of legislation the province’s future will include a Foodbelt. Green Party of Ontario Leader Mike Schreiner (Guelph) and independent MPP Bobbi Ann Brady (Haldimand-Norfolk) tabled Bill 21, the Protect Our... Read this article online
Livestock Research Innovation Corporation welcomes new board members Thursday, May 29, 2025 Two new board directors have joined the leadership of Livestock Research Innovation Corporation (LRIC). Mohamad Yaghi with Farm Credit Canada (FCC) and Sonya Fiorini from Burnbrae Farms both fill appointed director positions on the LRIC board. Yaghi replaces Franco Naccarato from Meat and... Read this article online
Canadian Farm Income Sees Sharp Decline Thursday, May 29, 2025 In 2024, Canadian farmers experienced a significant financial setback, with realized net income dropping by $3.3 billion, or 25.9%, to $9.4 billion according to Statistics Canada. This marks the steepest percentage decrease since 2018. When cannabis is excluded, the drop stands at... Read this article online
Did you Know you can Experience IPM 2025 in the Comfort of Your RV? Thursday, May 29, 2025 The International Plowing Match and Rural Expo (IPM) is making a grand return to Niagara this fall for the first time in nearly a century. Visitors can now stay close to the excitement by booking a spot at the official IPM 2025 RV Park. Located just steps away from the main action, the... Read this article online