Farmers will pay for new clean air agenda Tuesday, November 29, 2011 by SUSAN MANNAir quality regulations for industry will eventually result in higher input costs for farmers, says Don McCabe, Ontario Federation of Agriculture vice-president.McCabe made the comment in response to the federal government’s announcement Monday that it’s providing $600.8 million over five years to renew the Clean Air Regulatory Agenda, the framework since 2006 for government to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve air quality.Once regulations are imposed on farmers’ input suppliers, those companies will face higher costs to do business and they’ll pass them on to customers. McCabe says farmers can expect to see higher fees for electricity, chemicals, concrete, steel and “a good portion of the inputs agriculture uses.” Environment Minister Peter Kent and Veterans Affairs Minister Steven Blaney announced the government plans to use the funding to:• align greenhouse gas regulations with the United States where appropriate;• finalize and implement a national air quality management system;• strengthen commitments to reduce trans boundary air pollution under the Canada-U.S. air quality agreement;• improve indoor air quality; and• implement the nation-wide Air Quality Health Index to help Canadians make informed decisions to protect their health.The government says in its press release the renewed funding will allow standards to be set that will define what clean air means, regulate good emissions performance by industry and introduce a comprehensive national approach to air emissions reductions.McCabe says farmers aren’t opposed to measures for environmental improvement because they are the original stewards of the land, air and water. But along with regulations the government’s framework to reduce greenhouse gas emissions must also include opportunities for companies being regulated to participate in an offset system. “That’s where agriculture can illustrate its true potential.”Farmers through their soil management are able to put carbon back into the ground annually. Foresters can do this too “but they do it in a much longer timeframe,” he explains. “It’s only farmers and foresters who are actually going to solve this problem. Regulation won’t do it.” BF Behind the Lines - December 2011 Imported seeds to get advanced clearance
The Ontario region names its provincial Outstanding Young Farmers of 2024 Friday, August 30, 2024 Image supplied by Outstanding Young Farmers Partners DJ Wassenaar and Matt Bergman of Haybury Farms Inc., located at Jarvis, were named for 2024 at their regional event held near Guelph on August 22, 2024. Matt Bergman grew up on a dairy farm and started farming for himself at the... Read this article online
Easy and Convenient Organization – Wherever You Go Friday, August 30, 2024 Byline: Nevan Hagarty and Braxten Breen It’s hard enough to maintain good organization on the farm, but when it comes to your tool bench, that’s where the real challenge begins. Not knowing where tools are, misplacing small fasteners and fittings, and forgetting that one specific... Read this article online
Agri-Tech innovation gets $22.6M boost in Ontario Friday, August 30, 2024 Investments in everything from electric sprayer for its field nursery crops to reverse osmosis equipment Ontario and Canada have jointly invested up to $22.6 million to support businesses in adopting innovative technologies and practices. The investments are to enhance the efficiency and... Read this article online
Ecorobotix appoints CEO for Swiss company’s NA division Thursday, August 29, 2024 Image supplied by Ecorobotix Inc. Ecorobotix Inc., the North American division of the Swiss ag tech and AI company, Ecorobotix SA, has appointed Cameron Holbrook as its new Chief Executive Officer. Ecorobotix Inc., established in 2023 and based in Salinas, California, brings the... Read this article online
OFA asking farmers to take Cultivating Local survey Thursday, August 29, 2024 The Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) is asking farmers to complete a survey about local selling opportunities. The organization is giving producers until Sept. 16 to fill out the Cultivating Local survey. “We’re looking to better understand farmers that are already or who want... Read this article online