New president for OFA Wednesday, November 26, 2008 by BETTER FARMING STAFFCashcropper Don McCabe, Inwood, and garlic grower Mark Wales, Aylmer, were elected as vice-presidents in a run off beating out Debra Pretty-Straathof, Arnprior, Wendy Omvlee, Haldimand, and Joe Vermunt, Huron County.In her acceptance speech, Crews warned that farmers face some tough times. Some farmers have benefited from a trend to consuming locally produced food. Farmers will potentially be hurt as the economy slides towards recession or worse. Processors and consumers will be looking for deals, she said. “That always comes back to bite the farmer.”Crews pledged to work with the new governance structure at the federation. Immediately following the convention, a board of 18 that meets monthly and an advisory council that meets periodically replace an old board model with approximately 100 members representing counties and commodities. Crews said the new structure offered many opportunities to develop policy that doesn’t disadvantage any commodity or any sector.”Farm groups are likely to find it challenging to work with the provincial government in tough economic times. Speaking to the convention floor, Agriculture Minister Leona Dombrowsky said "we will have to find ways to support the industry without direct payments." BF Release of grains and oilseeds merger vote on hold Storing biosolids in manure pits tanked - for now
Hensall Co-op Awards $17,500 to Seven Ontario Students Tuesday, November 10, 2026 Seven post-secondary students are receiving financial support from Hensall Co-op as they pursue education connected to agriculture and the future of rural communities. The Ontario farmer-owned co-operative has announced the 2026 recipients of its Bright Futures Scholarships, with each... Read this article online
Ag organizations call for immediate pause to Alto project Tuesday, November 10, 2026 Three Canadian farm groups are asking the federal government to suspend the Alto rail project. The presidents of the Canadian Federation of Agriculture (CFA), Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA), and Union des producteurs agricoles (UPA) in Quebec wrote to Transport Minister Steven... Read this article online
Half of Ontario’s Potatoes Go to Chips, Research Could Boost Supply Tuesday, November 10, 2026 Keeping Ontario-grown potatoes suitable for potato chip production throughout the winter could become easier thanks to research underway at the University of Guelph. Researchers are investigating how different potato varieties respond to cold storage, with the goal of identifying... Read this article online
Ontario Celebrates Farmers and Ag Innovators Making a Difference Monday, November 9, 2026 Drone Spray Canada earned the 2026 Minister’s Award as farmers, businesses and organizations are recognized for excellence across Ontario agriculture. Ontario recognized farmers, agricultural businesses and organizations that are helping move the province’s food and farming sector... Read this article online
Canadian Meat Council Sets New Plan to Strengthen Red Meat Competitiveness Monday, November 9, 2026 Canada’s red meat processing sector has a new three-year strategy aimed at strengthening its competitiveness as meat companies navigate changing trade relationships, regulatory pressures and an increasingly complicated global marketplace. The Canadian Meat Council (CMC) has released... Read this article online