New price rates for green energy projects Thursday, March 19, 2009 © AgMedia Inc.by GEOFF DALEOntario’s recently announced proposed new electricity pricing for renewable energy projects is getting mixed reviews from the province’s agricultural community.Some say a greater concentration on solar power derived from technology installed on rooftops, instead of equipment on prime agricultural land is a step in the right direction. But in the same breath, they warn more details are still required about the actual cost of hooking up to the grid.Announced last week, the provincial government is touting the program as North America’s first guaranteed pricing structure for renewable energy producers. Ontario’s Minister of Energy and Infrastructure George Smitherman says in a Mar. 12 news release that the feed-in-tariff offers a “stable, competitive price combined with a long-term contract.”The program establishes prices for energy generated from renewable sources including wind, hydroelectric, solar, biogas, biomass and landfill gas. Rates range from 10.3 cents per kWh for landfill gas projects less than five megawatts to 80.2 cents per kWh for projects less than 10 kilowatts using rooftop solar technology.The price structure replaces the one offered under the former renewable energy offer program, which offered only two prices - 42 cents for solar projects and 11 cents for everything else.Ontario Federation of Agriculture general manager Neil Currie says provincial Minister of Energy and Infrastructure George Smitherman has listened to farmers concerns about using prime agricultural land, by adjusting his “rhetoric and now talking about putting solar on every rooftop.”“That makes more sense,” he adds. “Put the technology where the user is, because it makes no sense to use the land. This is an encouraging first step.”Now, he says it’s time for the government to clearly outline what costs are involved in producers hooking to the net.Middlesex County Federation of Agriculture president Ed Lee says offering 80 cents for solar power from rooftop is good news, noting at least two solar producers are planning to use prime farm land in the region for their complexes.But the cost for small producers to hook up to the grid remains a challenge, he says.“I heard it cost one producer about $30,000 just for the equipment,” he adds. “It’s fine to have those people lined up but if they can’t afford the cost of the charges and technology, what’s the point.” BF Dairy incentive days back on the books Dufferin group seeks ag special designation amid fears of a quarry
$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