2011's top ag story, top ag newsmaker Thursday, December 22, 2011 by BETTER FARMING STAFFAnd we thought 2010 was a busy year in Ontario agriculture. That’s before we experienced 2011’s two elections, a soggy spring and the introductions of a risk management plan to protect against market fluctuations as well as a proposal for a mega quarry in Dufferin County’s Melancthon township. Not to mention the federal decision to dismantle the Canadian Wheat Board. The decision didn’t directly affect Ontario farmers but did generate uncertainty about the federal Conservatives’ commitment to supply management. A November announcement that Canada wanted to join trans-Pacific trade talks created even more worry about supply management’s future. Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz subsequently alleviated these concerns by affirming his government’s commitment to supply management.Many other issues surfaced in 2011, including a building uneasiness about Ontario’s Green Energy Act’s impact on rural communities. Human health has been at the centre of concerns about wind power development. Meanwhile, Ontario’s small-scale solar power developers have struggled with changing promises and surprise hurdles over connecting to the grid. There have been events other than the dismantling of the Canadian Wheat Board that cast doubt on Ontario’s supply-managed commodities, such as three egg-industry cases before Ontario’s courts spurred on by material collected by Norm Bourdeau, a self-described industry whistleblower. And then there has been the ongoing debate about the safety of raw milk with Grey County raw milk advocate Michael Schmidt continuing to seek reform by filing for leave to appeal his September conviction of selling and distributing raw milk.Yet there have been many highpoints for the industry over the past twelve months too: solid crop yields despite all of the rainy weather, strong prices for grains and oilseeds as well as for most livestock and a World Trade Organization ruling that supports Canada’s claim that U.S. mandatory Country of Origin Labelling, universally known as COOL, is unfair.Now, as 2011 draws to a close, we’re asking you to weigh in on two questions: WHAT was this year’s top story in Ontario agriculture? And WHO was the top agriculture newsmaker in the province? BF Dairy Farmers of Ontario suspends new farmer quota applications Farmers embrace mobile technology
Festival of Guest Nations returns to Leamington Thursday, September 18, 2025 On Sunday, September 14, 2025, Seacliff Park in Leamington, Ontario, will come alive with music, food, and celebration as the Festival of Guest Nations returns to honour the migrant worker communities who play a vital role in Essex County’s agricultural economy. With more than 20 years... Read this article online
Ontario’s most problematic weed -- Canada Fleabane Cuts Corn and Soybean Yields Wednesday, September 17, 2025 At the , Dr. Peter Sikkema of the University of Guelph highlighted the persistent challenge of Canada fleabane, one of Ontario’s most problematic weeds. Once easily controlled with glyphosate, the weed has now developed resistance not only to glyphosate but also to multiple herbicide... Read this article online
Augusta Van Muyen selected as the 67th Grape King Wednesday, September 17, 2025 Grape Growers of Ontario and Farm Credit Canada have announced that Lincoln vineyard manager Augusta Van Muyen has been chosen by her peers as the . Currently, the vineyard manager at Tawse Winery, Van Muyen, followed a path to success that took her across Ontario and the world.... Read this article online
Grain Growers of Canada calls on Carney to Prioritize Upgrades to the Port of Vancouver Wednesday, September 17, 2025 Grain Growers of Canada (GGC) is calling on the federal government to urgently prioritize major upgrades to the Port of Vancouver and its connecting rail infrastructure. The organization warns that without these improvements, Canada’s economic growth and global trade reliability are at... Read this article online
Strategies to Optimize Market Returns in Ontario Monday, September 15, 2025 Berkley Fedorchuk, grain marketing specialist with Hensall Co-op in Southwestern Ontario, recently shared insights into the current corn market and strategies for forward marketing during his presentation at the . With a focus on the Ontario and Eastern Canadian grain sectors,... Read this article online