Review of risk management programs underway Friday, July 18, 2008 by BETTER FARMING STAFFOn July 11, the federal and provincial ministers of agriculture announced that they had reached an agreement on the non-business risk portion of the Growing Forward agricultural policy framework. The five-year policy framework will replace the Agricultural Policy Framework that came into effect in 2003. Ontario’s minister of agriculture, Leona Dombrowsky, says the agreement signed involves programs that support environmental responsibilities, such as the environmental farm plan, as well as those that promote food safety and food traceability.The agreement is backed by a $1.3 billion financial commitment with the federal government shouldering two thirds of that amount and provinces the remaining third.In Ontario, the total amount allocated for the programs will be $300 million with Ontario’s share being $120 million and the federal government’s $180 million.Dombrowsky says a key point of the new agreement is its flexibility that will allow provinces to obtain federal cost shares in programs custom developed to meet their farm sector’s needs.Will such flexibility apply to the new policy framework’s business risk management programs?Dombrowsky says it’s too soon to comment.“What I can say certainly what was talked about at the federal/provincial table was the need to review the risk management program because provinces continue to be concerned that it is not adequately addressing or meeting the needs of our producers.”Consequently, a strategic review is underway.“Ontario has made it very clear that we are eager to play a role in that review,” Dombrowsky says, noting that flexibility of how funds allocated to these programs will be a “key part” of that discussion. BF Groups warm to labelling proposal Wheat harvest delayed
Lots of news from the Ontario Pork Congress Monday, October 27, 2025 The Ontario Pork Congress (OPC) took place on October 20, 2020, at the Arden Park Hotel in Stratford, Ontario, with over 50 attendees. At the event, Arnold Drung, President of Conestoga Meats, was honoured with the . Drung has been a dedicated supporter of the OPC for over 23... Read this article online
Free Tools to Power Up Your Farm’s Digital Life in Canada Wednesday, October 22, 2025 For many Canadian farm families, the internet has become as vital as a tractor or combine. It is how producers manage precision planting, monitor commodity prices, check weather forecasts, pay bills and stay connected with suppliers and customers. However, fast and reliable broadband remains out... Read this article online
Precision Harvesting with HeadSight and TrueSight Tuesday, October 21, 2025 Modern harvesting relies heavily on precision and smart technology, and new systems for head height control and steering are making sure you are not leaving bushels in the field. These innovations ensure efficient crop collection, protect equipment, and reduce operator fatigue during... Read this article online
Remembering Ralph Winfield: Beloved Better Farming Columnist Tuesday, October 21, 2025 Ontario's farming community is mourning the loss of longtime agricultural writerRalph Gordon Winfieldof Glanworth, who passed away peacefully at St. Thomas-Elgin General Hospital on Oct. 17, 2025, at the age of 85. Ralph’s name has been closely tied to Better Farming since 1999. His... Read this article online
Case IH FieldOps Brings Smart Connectivity to Modern Farming Friday, October 17, 2025 Lance Meyer, region precision manager at Case IH, told Farms.com that FieldOps operates on desktops through a web interface and on mobile devices through an app compatible with iPhone, Android, or iPad. This flexibility allows farmers to access critical machine and field information anytime,... Read this article online