Huron-Bruce MPP promoted to ag minister Sunday, January 17, 2010 © AgMedia Inc.by BETTER FARMING STAFFHuron-Bruce MPP Carol Mitchell was named minister of agriculture, food and rural affairs when Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty shuffled his cabinet today.Bette Jean Crews, president of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture, views Mitchell’s appointment positively and expects a smooth changeover from former Ag Minister Leona Dombrowsky, who becomes the province’s minister of education. Crews says the Federation is familiar with Mitchell from her time serving as parliamentary assistant to Steve Peters when he was agriculture minister. Mitchell, from agriculturally rich Huron County, is well known to farmers there, Crews says.Wayne Black, president of the Huron County Federation of Agriculture, says it’s fitting that an MPP from an agriculturally rich area is the minister. “She is no rookie to politics either,” Black says. “She should know how to handle herself.”Since first elected in 2003, Mitchell has spent time as parliamentary assistant to the minister of health and long term care, and most recently has been parliamentary assistant to the minister of municipal affairs and housing, with a concentration on municipal affairs. Mitchell was elected as new chair of the Ontario Liberal Caucus in December, 2007.According to a release from the Premier’s office, Minister Mitchell “will continue the government's efforts to help our farmers build a thriving rural Ontario through our high-tech agriculture and food sectors.” BF Farmer challenges farm plate restrictions Avian flu insurance delayed
Ag community wanted for cover crop survey Wednesday, January 14, 2026 Researchers from Manitoba and Ontario are looking for members of ag communities from Alberta to Ontario to participate in a questionnaire about cover crops. The confidential survey is open to any farm type and size whether the operation has ever grown cover crops. “We don’t just want... Read this article online
Loveland launches AQUA FORCE to boost water efficiency in pivot-irrigated fields Tuesday, January 13, 2026 Loveland Products, Inc. has introduced , a new water‑use‑efficiency product built specifically for center pivot irrigation systems and designed to help farmers get more value from every inch of applied water. Unlike traditional surfactants or wetting agents, is formulated to move... Read this article online
New program supports Canadian farmers with succession planning Tuesday, January 13, 2026 A new program is available to help Canadian farm families on their succession plan journeys. Groundworks is a collaborative effort between the Canadian Centre for Agricultural Wellbeing, AgriRisk Managers, and Loft32, along with support from AAFC. The program supports farmers with... Read this article online
Ontario Prairies Cover Crop Survey Launch Tuesday, January 13, 2026 As cover crop use continues to expand across Ontario and the Prairie provinces, a new survey has been launched to better understand how these practices arechanging onfarms. The survey aims to collect valuable information about how cover crops are being used, what benefits they provide, and... Read this article online
Cost-Share Intake Opens for Biological Inoculant and Biochar Testing Monday, January 12, 2026 Are you testing or interested in testing biological inoculants or biochar? If so, Ontario farmers have an exciting opportunity to access cost-share funding through the Ontario On-Farm Climate Action Fund (OFCAF). A new intake will open in late January to support producers in the... Read this article online