Proposal to tax craft cider along the same lines as craft beer earns sweet accolades from Ontario apple growers Tuesday, November 10, 2015 by SUSAN MANNOntario apple growers are as juiced up as cider producers about a provincial government bill ensuring craft cider has the same tax treatment as craft beer.The bill, called growing Ontario’s craft cider industry, is making its way through the Ontario Legislature and received second reading Thursday. It was then referred to a standing committee for review.Ontario’s apple growers are very optimistic about the opportunities the craft cider industry has in using provincially grown apples, says Kelly Ciceran, general manager of the Ontario Apple Growers. The government’s bill will “help incubate the cider industry and help grow the Ontario industry. Ontario craft cider makers are committed to using 100 per cent Ontario-grown apples in their products.”According to an economic impact study commissioned by the apple growers and the Ontario Craft Cider Association, cider producers are poised to use 10 per cent of all apples grown in Ontario by 2018. That same year the craft cider industry is projected to hit $35 million in sales in Ontario. The study also notes there were 19 cideries in Ontario, as of last year, with more on the way.Thomas Wilson, craft cider association chair, says in a Nov. 6 press release the government’s craft cider bill will ensure the industry “receives the same incentives enjoyed by craft beer producers.” The bill ensures the tax or markup slapped on craft cider doesn’t exceed the tax or markup put on craft beer in Ontario.He adds that once the bill is fully implemented it will provide a level playing field for craft cider producers comparable to Ontario’s craft brewers and with that level playing field “the potential for expansion of this homegrown industry is immense.” The bill is an excellent first step to promoting rural and agricultural economics in Ontario, generating employment and business growth throughout the countryside, he says in the release. BF Alltech bid to buy Masterfeeds awaits Canadian regulatory approval Robotic milkers offer high throughput and precision recording
Ontario Farm Leaders Drew and Heather Spoelstra Named 2026 Outstanding Young Farmers Friday, April 10, 2026 Canada’s Outstanding Young Farmers (COYF) Program has announced Drew and Heather Spoelstra of Binbrook, Ontario, as the Ontario regional winners for 2026. The announcement was made following the Ontario regional competition held April 7 through 9 in St. Jacobs, Ontario. As provincial... Read this article online
Ontario Agri-Food Discovery Centre designs revealed Thursday, April 9, 2026 Attendees of the Ontario Agri-Food Discovery Centre’s (OAFDC) AGM last month received a first look at building design concepts. The planned 34,000-square-foot science centre in Listowel, Ont., designed by Moriyama Teshima Architects, the same firm responsible for the looks of buildings... Read this article online
Proposed USDA budget cuts could shift the North American ag landscape Thursday, April 9, 2026 Image by Konyvesotto from Pixabay The US administration’s latest budget proposal includes a significant reduction to the US Department of Agriculture’s discretionary spending, a move that could have ripple effects across North American agriculture. According to Farms.com reporting... Read this article online
Corn and Soy Products Cleared for Global Market Access Thursday, April 9, 2026 The Market Access Committee for corn and soybeans has completed its 2026 review of new crop protection products, confirming no export concerns for four corn products and six soybean products. Approved corn products includeCovintroCorn,TelaroneDC,ZiduaSC Herbicide, and Storen Herbicide.... Read this article online
What Distributed Energy Resources Mean for Canadian Producers Tuesday, April 7, 2026 As energy costs rise, many Canadian farms are looking for ways to take greater control of their electricity use. One term that farmers are hearing more often is distributed energy resources, often shortened to DERs. While the phrase may sound technical, the concept is highly practical, and... Read this article online