Dairy quota policy hearing concludes this month Thursday, May 7, 2009 by SUSAN MANNA hearing to strike down Dairy Farmers of Ontario’s current quota policy including the controversial section on transfer assessments wraps up later this month at the Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Appeal Tribunal.The hearing concludes on May 29 with summations and closing comments. It was held Feb. 3-6 in Ottawa and April 27-May 1 in Guelph.The policy calls for a 15 per cent transfer assessment on all production quota sold on the provincial organization’s quota exchange effective Nov. 17, 2006. Several farmers successfully challenged having to pay the assessment and, in related decisions, the Tribunal has ordered DFO to refund a total of $918,246.32.DFO has declined to outline how it defended a decision to not rescind its three-year-old quota policy. Spokespeople for the Ontario Quota Rights Organization, which is appealing the Tribunal to reverse the provincial dairy organization’s decision, can’t be reached for comment. George MacNaughton, DFO production and regulatory compliance division director, says “our position was presented to the Tribunal and we’re not going to make it public.” He also declines to speculate on what the impact would be if the Tribunal orders the elimination of the quota policy.MacNaughton says DFO’s board declined a request to rescind the policy last year. “We put it in place for the sustainability and the long-term interests of the dairy industry,” he says. “Why would we rescind it?” On Aug. 1, DFO will introduce new quota policies as Ontario and the other four P5 provinces (Quebec, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island) introduce harmonized policies across all those provinces. The new policies will immediately eliminate transfer assessment, exemption of the last 10 kilograms from the assessment, and the pay-what-you-bid policies.Other polices would be phased in during this year and next. They include a quota price cap, new entrant quota assistance program, a change in the over-production credits and a requirement that future general quota increases applying to all farmers would be non-saleable. Information about the new policies is available on DFO’s website. BF Agriculture fingered as E. coli source in Lake Huron study Shortline equipment short on financing
Strategies to Optimize Market Returns in Ontario Monday, September 15, 2025 Berkley Fedorchuk, grain marketing specialist with Hensall Co-op in Southwestern Ontario, recently shared insights into the current corn market and strategies for forward marketing during his presentation at the . With a focus on the Ontario and Eastern Canadian grain sectors,... Read this article online
From Plows to Plates - The 2025 International Plowing Match Returns to Niagara Friday, September 12, 2025 For the first time since 1926, the International Plowing Match & Rural Expo (IPM) is returning to the Niagara Region Setpember 16 to 20. Set to take place in West Lincoln, the 106th edition of this iconic event will run under the theme “,” celebrating the deep roots and fresh flavours of... Read this article online
Festival of Guest Nations returns to Leamington Friday, September 12, 2025 On Sunday, September 14, 2025, Seacliff Park in Leamington, Ontario, will come alive with music, food, and celebration as the Festival of Guest Nations returns to honour the migrant worker communities who play a vital role in Essex County’s agricultural economy. With more than 20 years... Read this article online
York Region launching new Agri-Food Startup Program Thursday, September 11, 2025 A new program in York Region is designed to help entrepreneurs find their footing in the food space. The 14-week hybrid Agri-Food Start-up Program partners entrepreneurs with local organizations like the Foodpreneur Lab, Syzl, York Region Food Network, and the Chippewas of Georgina Island... Read this article online
Corn and Soybean Diseases Spread This Season Wednesday, September 10, 2025 As reported on the OMAFRA website fieldcropnews.com, as well as in previous articles by Farms.com, the 2025 growing season is nearing its end with corn and soybean farmers in Ontario and the U.S. Corn Belt facing disease challenges that reflect changing weather conditions. For corn, two... Read this article online