Provincial federation applauds new Ontario premier's commitment to agriculture Monday, February 11, 2013 by SUSAN MANN Ontario Federation of Agriculture president Mark Wales says Premier Kathleen Wynne’s move to also name herself agriculture minister enormously increases the profile of the province’s farming and food industry. “She said she wants to make it work,” he says. “She’s taken the portfolio and that shows a commitment and I’m willing to give it all the time and effort necessary.” Wales made the comments after Premier and Agriculture Minister Wynne, along with her 27-member cabinet, were sworn in at Queen’s Park Monday. Wales was invited by the new premier to attend the ceremony and that’s possibly the first time a federation president has received such an invitation. The cabinet includes some familiar faces along with several new people. Peterborough MPP Jeff Leal is the new minister of rural affairs as Wynne has divided up the agriculture and rural affairs portfolios. “The premier recognizes that she has to speak to everybody and she’s putting out the olive branch to the opposition to work together,” Wales says, noting the challenge will be having enough opportunities to get the changes rural Ontarians need. For farmers, Wynne needs to work with them and focus on fixing the Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and endangered species legislations and developing a definition of primary agriculture under the Assessment Act. There’s also work to do on green energy and hydro, he says. Some observers have said Wynne’s move to be agriculture minister is an attempt to get back voters the Liberals lost in the 2011 election. Wales says results will convince voters. “There’s lots of those things that can be fixed and getting them done is what rural voters will judge the premier and party on,” he says. Other MPPs that hold ministries farmers deal with include: St. Catharines MPP Jim Bradley – environment Sault Ste. Marie MPP David Orazietti – natural resources Ottawa Centre MPP Yasir Naqvi – labour Ottawa West-Nepean MPP Bob Chiarelli – energy minister Mississauga South MPP Charles Sousa – finance minister Toronto Centre MPP Glen Murray – infrastructure and transportation Brampton-Springdale MPP Linda Jeffrey – municipal affairs and housing Ottawa-Vanier MPP Madeleine Meilleur – community safety and correctional services (that covers the Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals). Previous agriculture minister Ted McMeekin moved to community and social services while London North Centre MPP Deb Matthews remains as health minister and is deputy premier. Wales says one thing he’s waiting to see is who the parliamentary assistants for the premier and agriculture ministry will be. Those people haven’t been named yet. BF Government ag critics weigh in on new premier juggling agriculture role USDA report mostly upbeat
$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