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
Take a virtual reality tour of Ontario’s egg and sheep farms Saturday, December 21, 2024 Canadians now have the opportunity to explore new virtual farm tours on www.FarmFood360.ca, thanks to Farm & Food Care Ontario (FFCO), is a coalition of farmers, agriculture and food partners proactively working together to grow public trust and confidence in food and farming. The... Read this article online
Snow Begone: The RapidTrak Series Friday, December 20, 2024 BYLINE: Zahra Sadiq Winter is upon us, and with it comes thick layers of snow, making everything just a little more difficult. But it doesn’t have to be that way, thanks to the RapidTrak Snow Blowers by Ariens. This company’s story starts in 1933 when Henry Ariens took his sons... Read this article online
AEM partners with Euro counterpart to enhance global alignment on key ag manufacturer issues Friday, December 20, 2024 The Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) and the European Agricultural Machinery Association (CEMA) have signed a () to enhance advocacy efforts for the agricultural equipment industry. The agreement seeks to create a positive legislative and regulatory environment across... Read this article online
The 2024 Topigs Norsvin Canada Awards Banquet Thursday, December 19, 2024 Topigs Norsvin Canada Inc.—headquartered in Oak Bluff, Manitoba—is a global leader in swine genetics, and recently held its in Winnipeg, Manitoba, and Stratford, Ontario, via two events for its producers. The banquets blended recognition for outstanding production achievements and... Read this article online
Premier equipment strengthens reach with new acquisition Wednesday, December 18, 2024 Premier Equipment, a John Deere dealership in southwestern Ontario, has reached an agreement to acquire Hutchinson Farm Supply, effective January 31, 2025. Hutchinson, which has been in business for 60 years, has served agriculture and rural property owners in York and Durham... Read this article online