Reinstated program helps Ontario apple and tender fruit growers deal with tough weather Thursday, October 15, 2015 by SUSAN MANNApple and tender fruit growers can get government funding to help pay for weather mitigation equipment as part of a reinstated government program announced this week.Funding for the program comes from Growing Forward 2, the national federal/provincial/territorial agricultural framework. Ontario Apple Growers general manager Kelly Ciceran says the apple and tender fruit growers’ organizations asked for the governments to reinstate the weather mitigation program in Growing Forward 2 after funding for it was removed in April. The program was part of Growing Forward 2 since the national framework came into effect in 2013.“We’ve been working with the government to have it (the weather mitigation program) reinstated,” she says. “We’re thrilled they (the governments) have responded so positively.”The governments will pay up to 35 per cent of the costs for mitigation equipment, such as portable or fixed wind machines, heating and air movement devices, overhead irrigation systems and crop covers. Growers pay the remaining costs.The maximum amount of funding per project is $31,500, according to an Ontario government Oct. 13 press release. The first intake is Oct. 22 to Nov. 5. There will be other opportunities during the next two years to submit applications, the release says.The Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association is administering the program and farmers can apply through that organization. Ciceran says there’s a large interest among apple growers in weather mitigation technology. Some growers already have wind machines in their orchards. “Certainly, we need more machines to protect the crop as is evident by the 50 per cent crop loss this year.”In a Sept. 30 Ontario Apple Growers press release, the organization notes a frost May 22 to 23 affected “many of the province’s apple growing regions” and is responsible for the decline in this year’s crop. Ciceran says the organization doesn’t know how many growers will apply for the program but “we hope as many (farmers) as possible take advantage of it.” BF World conditions affect milk prices for Ontario's dairy producers Meeting organic market demand drives establishment of new entrant program for chicken processors
Scouting and Managing Resistant Weeds in Ontario Monday, September 1, 2025 As the growing season winds down, now is an ideal time for Ontario farmers to assess the effectiveness of their weed control strategies and prepare for the next growing year. Dr. Holly Byker, Agronomy Manager at the Ontario Crop Research Centre in Winchester, emphasizes the importance... Read this article online
Tips for first year university students Friday, August 29, 2025 The final weekend of summer is here, and students across Ontario will be returning to class next week. That includes at the University of Guelph’s Ridgetown Campus, where staff, faculty, and volunteers are preparing to welcome a new crop of first year students. “There’s definitely a... Read this article online
Sterling buckle marks 170 years at Spencerville Fair Friday, August 29, 2025 For its 170th anniversary, the Spencerville Fair is presenting a distinctive piece of Canadian silverwork that reflects nearly two centuries of agricultural tradition. The 170th Anniversary Spencerville Fair Sterling Silver Buckle was designed and handcrafted by Alex Dordevic of TRIBE, a... Read this article online
Corn and Soybean Crops Fall Short in 2025 Predicts Great Ontario Yield Tour Thursday, August 28, 2025 Ontario’s 2025 corn and soybean harvest is shaping up to be one of the most challenging in recent memory, as persistent drought and heat have pushed yields below the Agricorp 10-year average say experts and master scouts Moe Agostino and Henry Prinzen of the 2025 Great Ontario Yield Tour.... Read this article online
Global grain trade gets a shake-up: What it means for Canadian farmers Thursday, August 28, 2025 The global grain and oilseed trading industry is undergoing a major transformation—and Canadian farmers should take note. A recently published study in the September 2025 issue of discussed how the traditional dominance of a few multinational giants is giving way to a more competitive,... Read this article online