Provincial ag critics announced Thursday, October 27, 2011 by SUSAN MANNVeteran Oxford MPP Ernie Hardeman has been reappointed as the Ontario Progressive Conservative’s agriculture critic.He has served as the agriculture critic since 2008 and has held a number of Cabinet positions when the Conservatives formed the government and other critic positions since first being elected to the Legislature in June 1995.The number one concern in rural Ontario is the same as in urban areas, he says. “We need to deal with jobs and the economy.”For the agricultural industry, the Liberal government also has to ensure the business risk management program works for all farmers. Hardeman says he’s heard a lot of concern expressed particularly by livestock producers that the program doesn’t seem to work for them. The government has to stay focused on getting the outcome the program intended to deliver.Another concern farmers have is the need for government to reduce red tape. That’s a major priority for most small agri-businesses, he says. The Conservative’s deputy agriculture critic is newly elected Perth Wellington MPP Randy Pettapiece.For the New Democrats, dairy farmer John Vanthof, MPP for Timiskaming-Cochrane, is the agriculture critic. Vanthof, a former board member for Dairy Farmers of Ontario, has owned a dairy and crop farm with his wife, Ria, outside of Earlton, since 1984.He was first elected to the Ontario Legislature on Oct. 6.NDP Leader Andrea Horwath says in a statement on their website she’s assembled a shadow cabinet “that will bring energy and a wealth of expertise from inside and outside the Legislature.” BF Couple withdraws land severance application New court date set for Pigeon King
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
Fusarium And Sprouting Alert for Wheat Friday, July 25, 2025 As reported on the OMAFRA website fieldcropnews.com, Ontario wheat farmers face growing concerns over fusarium head blight (FHB) and harvest timing this season. Frequent rains in many areas – with more to come - are increasing fusarium risk, threatening yield and grain quality. FHB... Read this article online
Lactalis closing beverage plant in Sudbury Friday, July 25, 2025 Lactalis is closing its plant-based beverage processing plant in Sudbury. The company, which includes brands like Balderson, Astro, and Beatrice, reopened the plant in June 2024 after closing it in 2022 to convert it to a facility focusing on plant-based beverages like those in its Enjoy!... Read this article online
Applications Open for Grains Innovation Fund 2026 Thursday, July 24, 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