Ontario farmers to receive extended reprieve from bobolink and eastern meadowlark habitat protection terms Thursday, September 24, 2015 by SUSAN MANNThe Ontario government is proposing to extend agriculture’s exemption to the Endangered Species Act’s habitat and species protection provisions for the bobolink and eastern meadowlark for 10 years.The current exemption expires on Dec. 31. The government passed regulations in 2011, 2012 and 2014 that “collectively provided an exemption from the Endangered Species Act’s species and habitat protection requirements (for the bobolink and eastern meadowlark) for specific agricultural activities,” says the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry proposal posted on the Environmental Registry.Comments are due by Oct. 21. The notice was posted on the registry on Sept. 21.Don McCabe, Ontario Federation of Agriculture president, says the 10-year extension “will do until we have a permanent resolution of this particular initiative.”Asked if the agricultural industry would prefer a permanent exemption, McCabe says, “Permanency in agricultural policy is always preferred.”The bobolink and eastern meadowlark are listed as threatened species on the Species at Risk in Ontario list, the proposal says. The two bird species nest in high densities in agricultural fields. The breeding period for both species is May to July, which coincides with farmers harvesting hay and pasturing livestock in their fields.The exemption enables normal farming activities, such as crop rotation, hay harvesting and livestock pasturing, to continue in the birds’ habitat areas.Agricultural activities have provided and will continue to provide habitat for bobolink and eastern meadowlark, the proposal says.The ministry has also issued a Government Response Statement for the bobolink and eastern meadowlark that’s focused on establishing a province-wide grassland stewardship initiative to protect and maintain grassland habitat across Ontario. BF Ontario's conservation authorities are under review New program for Ontario chicken farmers growing for niche markets
$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