Tribunal to tackle chicken quota allotment, proposed dairy plant Thursday, October 13, 2011 by SUSAN MANNChicken Farmers of Ontario and a group representing the province’s dairy processors will be involved in two separate hearings at the Ontario Agriculture Food and Rural Affairs Appeal Tribunal next month.Chicken farmer Max Burt of Gore Bay is appealing a decision by Chicken Farmers of Ontario denying his request for allotment of basic quota for chicken production and marketing based on historic chicken production by his father during the qualifying period. The hearing is scheduled for Nov. 1 in Sudbury.Burt couldn’t be reached for comment. Chicken Farmers communications coordinator Megan McCune says the board doesn’t make comments on anything that goes to the tribunal.The other hearing involves the Ontario Dairy Council, which is appealing a decision by the director of OMAFRA’s food industry branch who granted a permit to Esskay Dairy Ltd. to construct or alter a building intended for use as a plant. That hearing is scheduled for Nov. 8 in Guelph.Dairy council president Tom Kane couldn’t be reached for comment. In a Sept. 13 letter to the tribunal requesting the appeal, Kane says the director’s opinion is the plant is necessary but the council and dairy processing industry disagree.Due to the limitations of the milk supply management agreement, which OMAFRA is the provincial government signatory, there is only a limited volume of milk available to all industrial milk processors. The milk that will be delivered to the Esskay Dairy plant will be taken away from other existing cheese, butter, and powder plants in Ontario, Kane writes. Kane notes the director says Esskay Dairy will be providing products for a growing ethnic market but fails to mention that there are a number of processing plants that are already servicing that market. The director didn’t provide any evidence that granting this application will expand the total demand for milk. The fact that the application is for a small volume of milk is of no consequence, he says. BF Barn party crackdown Canadian Dairy Commission chair retires
Early Career Research Award supports two Guelph research initiatives Friday, July 4, 2025 The was presented to two University of Guelph researchers at the recently held Livestock Research Innovation Corporation (LRIC) symposium. Dr. Kelsey Spence received $40,000 towards her work in on-farm biosecurity research, and Dr. Sam Workenhe was awarded $60,000 to further his... Read this article online
Grape Growers 40th Annual Celebrity Luncheon has Dr. Hayley Wickenheiser Friday, July 4, 2025 The Grape Growers of Ontario’s marks the opening of the by showcasing Canadian personalities and celebrating the annual grape harvest. This year, in partnership with Meridian Credit Union, Ontario’s largest credit union and the third largest in Canada, the Grape Growers of Ontario... Read this article online
Ontario crops respond to summer heat Wednesday, July 2, 2025 According to the OMAFA Field Crop News team, Ontario field crops are showing rapid development as summer-like temperatures have dominated late June early July. The warm spell has accelerated growth and helped reduce the heat unit deficit from a cool spring. Corn fields have seen a burst... Read this article online
Canada’s Place in Global Food System Resilience Wednesday, July 2, 2025 Canada’s food system is facing serious pressure due to global supply chain issues, climate change, and rising food prices. According to a KPMG report, bold and united action is needed now to make Canada’s agriculture sector more resilient and self-reliant. With the global population... Read this article online
Calf Auction Raises Funds for Youth Monday, June 30, 2025 Wyatt Westman-Frijters from Milverton won a heifer calf named Ingrid through a World Milk Day promotion by Maplevue Farms and a local Perth, Ontario radio station. Instead of keeping the calf, 22-year-old Westman-Frijters chose to give back to the community. The calf was sent to the... Read this article online