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
Ontario Marks Local Food Week 2026 Tuesday, June 2, 2026 LocalFoodWeekbegan on Monday,June 1and runs untilJune 7, 2026--celebrating theimportant roleof farmers, food processors, and agribusinessesin Ontario,providingsafe, healthy, and high-quality food for families while supporting the province’s economy. The governmentishighlighting... Read this article online
Ontario Pork Congress 2026 Set to Showcase Innovation and Growth in Canada’s Swine Sector Tuesday, June 2, 2026 The Ontario pork sector will take centre stage this summer as the 2026 Ontario Pork Congress (OPC) returns to Stratford, Ontario, on June 17–18, bringing together producers, suppliers, and industry stakeholders for one of Canada’s premier livestock events. Held annually at the... Read this article online
Bayer De Ruiter® Advances Tomato Innovation Monday, June 1, 2026 I mid-May,BayerDe Ruiter®hosted its Spring Demo Day in Leamington, Ontario, bringing together growers and industry partners. The event gave attendees a close look at the latest developments in greenhouse tomatoes and specialty crop production. The event was held in one of North America’s... Read this article online
Wet Spring Delays Ontario Field Crop Progress Sunday, May 31, 2026 Persistent rainfall across Ontario through late May temporarily stalled fieldwork, but improving weather conditions are now helping farmers regain momentum, according to the latest Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness (OMAFA) Field Crop News report released May... Read this article online
Sunrise Farms Expanding National Footprint in Ontario Sunday, May 31, 2026 British Columbia-based poultry producer Sunrise Farms is building a new $100 million processing plant in Woodstock, Ontario, the development be for a 155,000-square-foot facility. Sunrise Farms is a large Canadian poultry processor based in British Columbia that acquired Sargent Farms... Read this article online