Ontario farm groups finalize long-term vision for agriculture Wednesday, July 3, 2013 by SUSAN MANN Ontario farm and processor leaders are finalizing a document outlining their long-term vision for agriculture. The Ontario food strategy document sketches out where the agricultural industry “feels it needs to go to make sure that we are economically viable and prosperous going forward,” says Keith Currie, Ontario Federation of Agriculture executive member and zone director for Simcoe, York and Peel counties. He represents the federation on the presidents’ council, which is developing the document along with David Sparling, chair of Agri-Food Innovation and Regulation at the Western University’s Richard Ivey School of Business. The strategy covers 25 to 30 years “and what we feel we need, at least at this point in time, to maintain agriculture’s viability in Ontario,” Currie says. The document has so far been circulated to members of the presidents’ council. It will come up again at the council meeting in September for refinement. The document will eventually be released publicly. The presidents’ council, a group of presidents (or their representatives) from commodity groups and processors, has been developing the document for about two years. Lorne Small, president of the Christian Farmers Federation of Ontario, says Premier and Agriculture Minister Kathleen Wynne is very focused on industries getting their long term targets in place and then working towards them and “that’s given the whole process a bit of a push.” On June 27, a small group of council members met with Premier Wynne and Ontario agriculture ministry officials to discuss the strategy. Small says the document “is really an attempt to try and focus people’s vision on the longer term.” The industry needs to concentrate on where it’s going 20 years from now “and head towards that target,” he says. Ontario needs a food strategy document because “if you’re going to provide some leadership in the agricultural industry you have to have a vision as to where you want to go,” Small explains. Currie says the Canadian Federation of Agriculture has a national food strategy, to which the OFA contributed. While the provincial food strategy was being developed, Currie says he was trying to keep the two strategies aligned. “My emphasis in particular was to make sure that as much as we need the processors and retailers to be on board, we still need to make sure we look after the people behind the farm gate too. That was captured.” The document also delves into the economics of agriculture and how key the industry is to Ontario, he says. “As people focus on how Ontario agriculture is driving the economy here, how do we enhance that going forward?” BF Researcher urges cautious approach to local food policy development Producers call pig code 'unrealistic'
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