Information sharing would help apple farmers target consumers Wednesday, November 20, 2013 by MATT MCINTOSH Using information and traceability systems more effectively will make Ontario apples more competitive and profitable, says a new report by the Value Chain Management Centre and the Norfolk Fruit Growers Association. The two organizations produced the "Collaborating to Increase the Profitability of Ontario Apple Producers" report, which identified opportunities to "capture greater value from the production, grading, packing, marketing, and retailing of Ontario apples." The report found that relaying consumer trends to producers, who can then try and grow more specific products, would make Ontario apples more attractive to consumers. "We have to start producing what people want, not what we want to sell," says Tom O'Neill, general manager for the Norfolk Fruit Growers Association. "We gather a lot of information on the packaging and marketing side. If we can tell our producers that apples of a larger size, for instance, are favoured by consumers, they can grow apples to target that category," he says. However, O'Neill also says the report's conclusions are not strict science. "It's just a general way to utilize the information we have; Mother Nature still likes to play tricks on us every year," he says. Relaying information like the size of apple preferred by consumers, says the report, would not require a capital investment, but should still be considered along with other methods designed to improve productivity and cost-cutting. The project generating the report was funded by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada through the Canadian Agricultural Adaptation Program. BF Video highlights problematic dairy cow disease Two winners for Egg Farmers' New Entrant program
New marketing board possible for Ont. agriculture Tuesday, December 2, 2025 Ontario’s dairy goat industry could have its own marketing board. If approved, the marketing board would focus on four pillars, said Lindsay Dykeman, general manager of the Ontario Dairy Goat Co-operative. “Those pillars are advocacy, business risk management, research and education,... Read this article online
Compassionate Online Support Hub for Coping with Pet Loss Tuesday, December 2, 2025 Losing a pet is an emotional experience for many families, and having access to supportive information can make the healing process easier. To help caregivers during these challenging moments, the Ontario Veterinary College (OVC) at the University of Guelph has launched a new online resource... Read this article online
Ontario harvest outlook: 2025 challenges and maybe a 2026 recovery Tuesday, December 2, 2025 It’s December 2025, and Ontario farmers are wrapping up one of the most challenging harvest seasons in recent memory. Extended drought conditions through August and September left a mark on corn yields, while soybeans and winter wheat fared better thanks to timely rains and favourable... Read this article online
Ontario and Quebec farmers named Canada’s Outstanding Young Farmers for 2025 Tuesday, December 2, 2025 Two farming families from Ontario and Québec have been named Canada’s Outstanding Young Farmers (OYF) for 2025. The announcement came during the national event held in Toronto from November 27–30, where six regional finalists were honoured for their contributions to Canadian... Read this article online
Help Guide Climate Ready Farm Practices Monday, December 1, 2025 A new intake for the On-Farm Climate Action Fund (OFCAF) will open in 2026for Ontario farmers, focusing on cost-share opportunities that support the adoption of innovative best management practices. Program organizers are requesting feedback from producers to better understand interest,... Read this article online