Ontario's Tory agriculture critic calls for reconsideration of province's neonic regulations Monday, January 11, 2016 by SUSAN MANNToby Barrett, Progressive Conservative agriculture critic, is calling on the Ontario government to reconsider its regulations governing the sales and use of neonicotinoid-treated seeds in the wake of a federal government’s report released last week.The preliminary report by Health Canada’s Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) found there was little risk to pollinators from farmers using the type of neonicotinoid chemical called imidacloprid. Furthermore, the potential risks from foliar applications of imidacloprid are minimized by current label restrictions.The other two types of neonicotinoids are clothianidin and thiamethoxam. PMRA preliminary reports on those types are due out in December.In Ontario, imidacloprid is used as a seed treatment for vegetables and as foliar applications for vegetables and fruits. It’s not really used for corn and soybean production.Barrett says, “we’ve known that the scientific research (on neonicotinoids’ effects on pollinators) has been inconclusive and it remains inconclusive. Even this most recent (PMRA) report is just a continued roll out of knowledge as it becomes available.”Since the scientific evidence on the chemicals’ effects on pollinators is currently inconclusive, the government should focus its efforts on continuing to monitor and evaluate the situation, he says.However, by introducing regulations in Ontario July 1, 2015 to restrict the sale and use of neonicotinoid-treated seeds, it’s almost as if the Ontario government “pulled the trigger before they took aim,” he says. “They jumped in with not all the facts.” BF Ontario's goat industry 'a bright spot' says CEO Tribunal dismisses egg leasing pool quota appeal
Stinger Spade Bits kit from Spyder Friday, September 20, 2024 By Braxteen Breen, Whether you are constructing/repairing fencing and other structures around the farm, you can get those tasks completed on the farm quickly with the Stinger Spade Bits kit from Spyder. The Spade Bits kit provides an economical solution for someone who wants to make... Read this article online
$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