Wynn defends proposed Local Food Act Thursday, April 18, 2013 by SUSAN MANN The reintroduced Local Food Act is currently in second reading at Queen’s Park and continues to face criticism from the Progressive Conservatives. Oxford MPP Ernie Hardeman says in an April 19 press release Bill 36, the Local Food Act, misses many opportunities to address challenges in local food production, distribution and education. He’s also concerned the bill, which includes a local food week that starts the Monday before Thanksgiving, will replace Ontario Agriculture Week with Local Food Week. The week before Thanksgiving has been earmarked as Ontario Agriculture Week since 1998 to recognize farmers. But in a prepared statement, Premier and Agriculture Minister Kathleen Wynne says Agriculture Week has been a great vehicle for recognizing Ontario farmers. “The addition of Local Food Week does not replace this recognition but adds to it.” She also says “this important piece of legislation is designed to increase awareness of, and access to, local food. We know that when consumers choose to buy the good things that grow in Ontario, we’re supporting made-in-Ontario jobs and a healthy population.” Bill 36 aims to make more local food available in the province’s markets, grocery stores and institutions. Wynne reintroduced the bill in March after a previous one died last year when the Ontario legislature was temporarily suspended in October by Dalton McGuinty, former premier. BF Agriculture's net worth increased from 2003 to 2011 says bank analyst Ontario cheese takes top spot
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
Cattle Stress Tool May Boost Fertility Friday, June 27, 2025 Kansas State University researchers have developed a cool tool that may help reduce cattle stress and improve artificial insemination (AI) results. The idea came from animal science experts Nicholas Wege Dias and Sandy Johnson, who observed that cattle accustomed to their environment... Read this article online
Ontario pasture lands get $5M boost Friday, June 27, 2025 The governments of Canada and Ontario are investing up to $5 million to strengthen shared community grazing pastures. This funding supports the province’s plan to protect Ontario’s agriculture sector and help cattle farmers improve pasture quality, ensuring long-term sustainability and... Read this article online
Health Canada sets rules for drone spraying Wednesday, June 25, 2025 Health Canada has approved the use of drones, also called Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS), for pesticide application under the Pest Control Products Act (PCPA). Drones are considered aircraft by Transport Canada, but Health Canada treats them differently due to their unique... Read this article online
Twelve Ontario Agri-Businesses Receive Funding Support Wednesday, June 25, 2025 Bioenterprise Canada has announced the successful recipients of the second call for proposals under the Ontario Agri-Food Research Initiative (OAFRI) Commercialization Stream. Twelve organizations across Ontario will receive support to bring innovative agri-food solutions to the... Read this article online