Ontario's grape growers, wineries extend pricing agreement Thursday, February 2, 2012 by DAVE PINKThe Grape Growers of Ontario has reached a new two-year pricing framework agreement with the Winery and Grower Alliance and the Wine Council of Ontario, it was announced Friday. The new agreement, based on the plateau pricing model introduced to the industry two years ago, will optimize growing opportunities for the province's grape producers while guaranteeing supplies of varying grape qualities to Ontario's wineries, says Debbie Zimmerman, CEO of the Grape Growers of Ontario. "It ensures that growers can grow as much tonnage as they are able to at a flat price," she said. "It has helped take our industry from one where we had surplus production to one of stability." And, "it creates more opportunities for the wineries to buy grapes at various price points." Up until two years the province's growers often found that they were producing too many grapes, said Zimmerman, but the new pricing framework has changed that. A 2010 Grape Growers news release defines plateau pricing as setting a minimum price for grapes that are below an agreed level of sugar content and providing higher prices for grapes with higher sugar content. Actual prices for all varieties this year are still to be negotiated. The plateau pricing model will be applied to four grape varieties – chardonnay, riesling, cabernet franc and cabernet sauvignon. BF New website touts supply management's success Cargill workers to vote
Calf Auction Raises Funds for Youth Monday, June 30, 2025 Wyatt Westman-Frijters from Milverton won a heifer calf named Ingrid through a World Milk Day promotion by Maplevue Farms and a local Perth, Ontario radio station. Instead of keeping the calf, 22-year-old Westman-Frijters chose to give back to the community. The calf was sent to the... Read this article online
Cattle Stress Tool May Boost Fertility Friday, June 27, 2025 Kansas State University researchers have developed a cool tool that may help reduce cattle stress and improve artificial insemination (AI) results. The idea came from animal science experts Nicholas Wege Dias and Sandy Johnson, who observed that cattle accustomed to their environment... Read this article online
Ontario pasture lands get $5M boost Friday, June 27, 2025 The governments of Canada and Ontario are investing up to $5 million to strengthen shared community grazing pastures. This funding supports the province’s plan to protect Ontario’s agriculture sector and help cattle farmers improve pasture quality, ensuring long-term sustainability and... Read this article online
Health Canada sets rules for drone spraying Wednesday, June 25, 2025 Health Canada has approved the use of drones, also called Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS), for pesticide application under the Pest Control Products Act (PCPA). Drones are considered aircraft by Transport Canada, but Health Canada treats them differently due to their unique... Read this article online
Twelve Ontario Agri-Businesses Receive Funding Support Wednesday, June 25, 2025 Bioenterprise Canada has announced the successful recipients of the second call for proposals under the Ontario Agri-Food Research Initiative (OAFRI) Commercialization Stream. Twelve organizations across Ontario will receive support to bring innovative agri-food solutions to the... Read this article online