Tribunal rules in favour of former dairy farmers Wednesday, April 8, 2009 © AgMedia Inc.by SUSAN MANNThe Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Appeal Tribunal is ordering Dairy Farmers of Ontario to repay John and Susanna Cayer $114,492.80 in quota sales income they lost due to the organization’s transfer assessment policy.The money must be repaid without interest and within 30 days of the March 31 Tribunal decision.The Cayers couldn’t be reached for comment.Bill Mitchell, a spokesman for DFO, says the organization’s board will review the decision at its regular meeting later this month.In its decision, the Tribunal gave three reasons for granting the former milk producers’ appeal:• Compassion because the Chesterville-area farmers experienced undue hardship due to John’s health problems. During the two-day hearing (Oct. 31, 2008 and Feb. 2, 2009), the Tribunal learned John’s chronic pain prevents him from working as a dairy farmer and causes problems with daily living;• The couple’s plans to leave the dairy industry because of John’s failing health were already in progress when DFO introduced a 15 per cent transfer assessment on all quota sold on the exchange effective Nov. 17, 2006. The Cayers sold their quota in January 2007. The assessment lowered their sales proceeds by $114,492.80. After DFO denied the Cayers’ request for an exemption, the couple appealed to the Tribunal.• DFO made errors and omissions during the exemption request procedure. The Tribunal recommends the marketing organization write a policy “allowing requests for exemptions from the effects of a DFO policy based on extraordinary circumstances.” It also recommends the organization develop a protocol for exemption requests and train staff and directors to follow it. BF Farm Products order leaves tobacco board in limbo Decision in animal seizure case expected by summer
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