Jeffray begins third term at Ontario Pork with new challenges Friday, April 8, 2011 by BETTER FARMING STAFFExpanding its service to include Ontario’s weaner industry, putting the details to an industry-wide risk management plan and developing a financial protection plan are the major tasks ahead for 2011 says Ontario Pork’s chair.This week, Wilma Jeffray was acclaimed for her third term in the lead position on Ontario Pork’s board. Jeffray, who runs a family-owned diversified farming operation in the Grey Bruce region, says the board will work closely with the Ontario Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs’ office to round out the risk management plan. It’s “going to take a lot of work in a compressed period of time, so that’s an immediate priority,” she says. The Hog Industry Advisory Committee is taking the lead on developing the financial protection plan and Ontario Pork is also involved. That project will be “ongoing” this year, she says.Currently, only those with market hogs are paying into Ontario Pork’s universal services. “During 2011 that’s something that will be worked on and developed so that the weaner pig aspect of the industry will be incorporated and fees will be put in place there,” she says.During the newly-elected board’s first meeting on April 5, Huron County producer Amy Cronin was elected as vice chair. Of the seven other board members, five are returning from the previous board: Doug Ahrens, Beth Clark, Oliver Haan, Curtiss Littlejohn and Teresa Van Raay. Bill Wymenga and John de Bruyn are newcomers; Wymenga, however, has served on previous boards.Littlejohn and Wymenga will be the organization’s representatives on the Canadian Pork Council.Having such a knowledge bank and skill to take into the future on the board of the newly structured organization “is of benefit,” Jeffray says.She says the board will next meet at the end of April and will be looking at the organization’s strategic plan. Also on the table at that time is governance. BF Project aims to build swine nutrition awareness 'Healthy pork' worth $100,000
Alberta Crop Harvest Nears Completion with Gains Friday, October 3, 2025 According to the latest AFSC and Alberta Government Crop Reporting Survey, Alberta’s harvest is advancing quickly thanks to warm and dry conditions across much of the province. By September 23, 2025, 77 percent of major crops were harvested, an increase of 18 percent from the previous... Read this article online
Sowing Solutions--Guelph’s Agri-Food Research Gets Federal Spotlight Friday, October 3, 2025 The University of Guelph welcomed two prominent federal representatives for a day of engagement and discovery on Friday, October 3rd. Dominique O’Rourke, Member of Parliament for Guelph, hosted the Honourable Heath MacDonald, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, for a comprehensive tour... Read this article online
Downtown Diner Delivers a Taste of Canadian Farming to Ottawa Friday, October 3, 2025 This week, the heart of Canada’s capital was filled with the sights, sounds, and flavors of Canadian agriculture as Sparks Street played host to the Downtown Diner, a pop-up event celebrating Canadian food and the farmers who make it possible. At the center of the conversation was... Read this article online
Peavey Mart Reboot- New Ownership Group Targets 7–12 Stores Thursday, October 2, 2025 For many, Peavey Mart, is a name synonymous with rural retail in Western Canada. As previously reported by Farms.com (read the article Is Peavey Mart Making a Comeback?), the new ownership group that acquired the Peavey Mart name and intellectual property from the now-defunct Peavey... Read this article online
When Cattle Roam--Legal Risks and Road Safety for Rural Drivers Thursday, October 2, 2025 It’s late. A vehicle barrels down a rural highway. Suddenly—impact. A Black Angus steer, nearly invisible against the asphalt, has wandered into the road. The consequences are costly—and potentially litigious. According to attorney Kelsea Eckert, whose firm , PA, has handled numerous... Read this article online