Government funds for Hay East campaign Saturday, November 3, 2012 by SUSAN MANN The farming industry’s Hay East program got a boost today after the Ontario and federal governments announced $500,000 in funding to help pay for transporting hay to provincial farms from the west. The two levels of government will also provide an additional monetary contribution by matching public Hay East donations up to $2.5 million. Both amounts are being cost-shared with the federal government paying 60 per cent and the province paying 40 per cent. Ontario Federation of Agriculture president Mark Wales says “this will really help get the process moving.” But it would have been nicer if the governments just put the whole $3 million on the table immediately, he adds. “This is going to challenge the organizers to get matching donations,” he notes, adding he assumes any money raised from the Hay East fundraising event at the Almonte Civitan Club (in Lanark County) tonight will count to receive the matching government funding. Mennonite Disaster Service and farm groups in both Western and Eastern Canada are organizing the Hay East campaign. It is similar to the Hay West program in 2002 where thousands of Eastern Canadian farmers donated hay to western producers who were facing drought. Ontario livestock farmers have requested more than 60,000 bales of hay through the Hay East program, it says in the joint Ontario and Canadian government press release today announcing the funding. Wales says hay from Western farmers has already arrived in Ontario but he didn’t know how much so far “because it keeps changing every day. There’s some coming every week.” The need is across Ontario “as well as the Pontiac region of Quebec (located across the river from Ontario’s Renfrew County). They need about 10,000 or so bales.” There was record-low rainfall in many parts of Ontario this summer and livestock farmers had to begin feeding the hay they had stored for winter months earlier than usual leaving them short of hay. Pastures were also affected by lack of moisture. Monetary donations can be made at any Scotiabank branch. BF Behind the Lines - November 2012 Federal food safety bill reaches final stages
BASF introduces Surtain herbicide for field corn growers Tuesday, September 17, 2024 Field corn growers in eastern Canada have a new crop protection product available to them. After about 10 years of research and trials, BASF has introduced Surtain, a residual herbicide for corn that combines PPO inhibitor saflufenacil (Group 14) and pyroxasulfone (Group 15) in a premix... Read this article online
We Didn’t Start the Fire! Impacts of Wildfire Smoke on Corn Monday, September 16, 2024 Assistant Professor of Corn Production at Purdue University’s College of Agriculture, Daniel Quinn, PhD. recently provided fascinating insights into the impacts of fire on major corn producing areas, many of which have been impacted by smoke from wildfires. Quinn was the keynote... Read this article online
New home for the Christian Farmers Federation of Ontario Saturday, September 14, 2024 The Christian Farmers Federation of Ontario (CFFO) has announced it has moved into its new office building in Ingersoll. Located at 274620 27th Line in Ingersoll, the new office will serve as the hub for CFFO’s ongoing efforts to advocate for and support Ontario’s Christian farmers.... Read this article online
Canadian Ag Youth Council Welcomes new Members Saturday, September 14, 2024 Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada has announced the latest members to join the Canadian Agricultural Youth Council (CAYC). This update introduces nine fresh members alongside thirteen returning youths, marking a significant step towards involving young voices in agricultural... Read this article online
New CEO for Livestock Research Innovation Corporation Friday, September 13, 2024 Livestock Research Innovation Corporation (LRIC) is promoting from within with the appointment of the organization’s newest Chief Executive Officer. Industry Services Manager Kelly Somerville has been tapped to assume the role as of September 3, replacing retiring CEO Mike McMorris.... Read this article online