Apple growers ponder fee hike Thursday, February 11, 2010 by SUSAN MANNOntario apple growers have until March 1 to vote on a proposed fee increase of $10 an acre over two years.The first $5-an-acre increase would be this year raising the annual fee to $25 from $20. There would be a further $5-an-acre increase for 2011 that would make the fee $30. About 235 members of Ontario Apple Growers have the opportunity cast their vote by mail. The vote is being conducted by the Apple Growers and not the Farm Products Marketing Commission.For an average farm of 72 acres, the increase would be $360 for this year and a further $360 for next year. All apple farmers with 10 acres or more must belong to the Apple Growers and pay the fee. Farmers with less than 10 acres can voluntarily join and their annual fee is $200 plus GST. The fee for voluntary members isn’t slated to increase as part of this proposal.Brian Gilroy, chair of the Ontario Apple Growers, says a majority of ‘yes’ votes are needed for the proposal to be approved. “But we’re hoping for a much greater vote in favour than just a simple majority and we’re anticipating that we will get support for it.”The current $20-an-acre fee has been in place since 2004 when the organization was established.Gilroy says the increase is needed partly to offset increased costs for research and promotion. There has also been a decrease in the acreage that can be used to fund the organization to 12,500 from 15,000 six years ago.Another reason the increase is needed is due to a change in the way governments now provide funding to organizations for promotion and research. Instead of government grants, there are now contribution agreements. Gilroy says they have to spend the money first before they can tap into government programs to help offset their costs.To be eligible to vote, farmers have to be members in good standing with Ontario Apple Growers.Results will be reported by around the middle of March through a newsletter and a posting on the Apple Growers web site. BF Environmental Protection Agency rules ethanol is green Survey tackles ag labour needs
Farmland Demand Strong in Alberta, Not so for the Rest of Canada Wednesday, October 7, 2026 Canadian farmland values continued their upward trend during the first half of 2026, although growth has moderated compared to the rapid gains seen in recent years. According to Farm Credit Canada's (FCC) mid-year farmland values review, cultivated farmland increased by an average of... Read this article online
Calculating Corn Drydown Before Harvest Wednesday, October 7, 2026 As corn reaches physiological maturity, growers face a familiar but important decision: allow the crop to continue drying naturally or begin harvest and remove the remaining moisture mechanically. The answer depends partly on how quickly grain moisture is declining. Although general... Read this article online
Canadian Ethanol Industry Pushes Ottawa to Act as U.S. Imports Gain Market Share Wednesday, October 7, 2026 Canada's ethanol industry is renewing pressure on the federal government to finalize long-promised changes to the Clean Fuel Regulations (CFR), arguing that delays are allowing imported U.S. ethanol to capture a growing share of Canada's expanding market. The call comes from the Farms... Read this article online
Ontario Meat Awards Crown Top Processors Wednesday, October 7, 2026 Ontario’s meat processing industry celebrated its top performers at the 2026 Ontario’s Finest Meat Competition Awards Gala. Organized by Meat & Poultry Ontario (MPO), the event recognized outstanding products, skilled craftsmanship, and innovation across the province’s meat sector. The... Read this article online
Ontario breaks ground on poultry research centre Wednesday, October 7, 2026 Construction is underway on the new Ontario Poultry Research Centre in Elora, a project designed to strengthen research capacity and support the long-term competitiveness of Ontario’s poultry industry. The provincial government has committed more than $24 million to the facility through... Read this article online