Pork marketing appeal begins Thursday, November 26, 2009 by BETTER FARMING STAFFThe Farm Products Marketing Commission’s October 2008 decision to revoke Ontario Pork’s monopoly powers to market hogs suited “10 per cent” of producers, taking away from the other 90 per cent, Appin area pork producer Rein Minnema told the Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Appeal Tribunal in Guelph today.“We are losing everything we have in our collective marketing powers and we get nothing in return,” he testified in the opening day of the hearing scheduled to run until Dec. 4.Minnema initiated the appeal last winter and was joined by Huron Pork Producers Association and Districts 10, 11 and 12 in appealing the Oct. 6, 2008 decision of the Farm Products Marketing Commission to strip the Ontario Pork Producers Marketing Board of its monopoly powers to market hogs in Ontario. The hearing opened today in the same rooms in a Guelph hotel as the Commission held the hearings in July of 2008, and also where the Tribunal heard arguments that led to the hearing de novo that began today.Consultant Elbert Van Donkersgoed is representing Minnema in the hearing.Respondents include Ontario Pork, Zantingh Direct Inc., the Open Marketing Group, Quality Meat Packers, Synergy Swine, Paragon Farms, RFW Farms and the Progressive Pork Producers Cooperative.Interveners in the hearing include Dewetering Hill Farms, and Maple Leaf Consumer Foods.The hearings are scheduled to continue until Dec. 4 at the Best Western Royal Brock Hotel and Conference Centre on Gordon Street in Guelph.According to a provincial government website, the Tribunal provides an impartial appeal body available to any person who feels aggrieved by decisions of marketing boards, the Farm Products Marketing Commission or a director appointed under the Farm Products Marketing Act. BF Behind the Lines - December 2009 Hog market recovery still months away says economist
Indoor Berry Farming Without Bees Wednesday, February 18, 2026 Montel Inc, a Canadian manufacturerthat makeshigh-density mobile systems and vertical farming solutions, has announced a strategic partnership with Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) to advance indoor berry production without bees. The collaboration will focus on developing and testing... Read this article online
Ag in federal NDP leadership candidate plans Wednesday, February 18, 2026 The federal NDP will elect its next leader next month at the Winnipeg Convention. Before that, though, the five candidates vying for the leadership will participate in their final leadership debate in B.C. on Feb. 19. With that at top of mind, here’s how the leadership hopefuls and... Read this article online
Essential Pre-Season Seeder Prep Every Farmer Should Do Tuesday, February 17, 2026 A successful planting season starts long before the tractor hits the field. Whether you run an air seeder, box drill, or precision planter, proper preseason maintenance ensures accurate seed placement, consistent emergence, and fewer costly breakdowns. Here is a guide to getting your... Read this article online
Ag in the House: Feb. 9 – 13 Tuesday, February 17, 2026 John Barlow, the Conservative agriculture critic, wanted answers about Canada’s dealings with China and how it pertains to canola farmers. On Feb. 12, and citing a Reuters report, Barlow asked for clarification about when Canadian canola farmers would see the tariff relief the prime... Read this article online
AWC Helps Women Navigate Hard Moments in Agriculture Tuesday, February 17, 2026 In these difficult economic times in agriculture, you may be needing to have a few hard conversations. When a conversation feels tough, it’s often because something meaningful is on the line — a relationship, a job, respect, expectations, or even your own boundaries. No wonder your nervous... Read this article online