Grain Farmers gets late September court date Wednesday, August 19, 2015 by SUSAN MANNGrain Farmers of Ontario will be heading into Superior Court Sept. 28 asking for a temporary halt to the Ontario government’s implementation of new regulations governing the sales and use of neonicotinoid-treated seeds.Chair Mark Brock says the board is disappointed it’s taking so long to get the stay (the request for a temporary suspension of the regulations) heard in court. At the same time “we’re happy our case will be heard on the 28th (of September),” he notes.When it launched the court challenge earlier this summer of the new rules that came into effect July 1, GFO was hoping to get into court either in July or early this month. In a June 29 press release, farmers were advised to monitor the case “as it is hoped relief from the regulations will come in the month of July prior to seed orders for 2016.”GFO will be asking for the court to temporarily suspend the regulations until May 2016 or until its court case reviewing whether the regulations are workable can be heard.Grain farmers and the industry have serious concerns about the whether the regulations are workable and “we believe it is critical that the regulations be thoroughly reviewed by the court,” Brock says in a June 29 press release.In the meantime, the regulations are “law and farmers need to educate themselves on compliance,” GFO’s Aug. 18 release says.“We’re encouraging our members to be informed and from our standpoint we have to abide by the law,” Brock notes.The Ontario government is phasing in regulations on the sales and use of neonicotinoid-treated corn and soybean seeds over two years. Its goal is to cut the acreage where the treated seeds are used to 20 per cent by 2017.The Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change says on its website neonicotinoid-treated seeds are used on almost all of the corn and 60 per cent of the soybean acreage in Ontario. The ministry says the neonicotinoid insecticide is impacting pollinators and other organisms.Questions about the regulations can be directed to the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs or the environment ministry. BF Farmers contribute to pension plan - for now Organic Meadow 'brand' gets new life
$18.4M Boost for Canadian Cereal Grain Innovation Thursday, September 19, 2024 Gate Project Receives Major Funding for Research Canada's position as a pioneer in cereal grain research is set to strengthen with the Gate Capital Campaign raising $18.4 million. This funding will support the Global Agriculture Technology Exchange (Gate) initiative, a project... Read this article online
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