Search
Better Farming OntarioBetter PorkBetter Farming Prairies

Better Farming Ontario Featured Articles

Better Farming Ontario magazine is published 11 times per year. After each edition is published, we share featured articles online.


'We can definitely talk louder'

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

by SUSAN MANN

If Canada’s agriculture minister isn’t hearing enough that Ontario farmers need market insurance programs to help farmers deal with market risks “we can definitely talk louder and be more visible,” says Bette Jean Crews, president of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture.

Crews’ comment comes on the heels of Gerry Ritz’s announcement last week that the federal government has no intention of fundamentally changing federal provincial agricultural business risk management programs in the short term. Ritz made the comments on Friday following the conclusion of the semi-annual meeting of federal, provincial and territorial agriculture ministers.

The federation is also a member of the Ontario Agriculture Sustainability Coalition, a group of provincial general farm, livestock and commodity organizations that is pushing for the adoption of market insurance programs for Ontario farmers.

Crews says she isn’t concerned by Ritz’s comments because the province’s farmers are asking for enhancements and not significant changes. The improvements the federal government made to current business risk management programs are good, she adds.

But will the province’s farmers have any real input into the design of the next round of programs to replace the current round which expire in 2013? That’s the concern of Henry Stevens, president of the Christian Farmers Federation of Agriculture, another member of the Sustainability Coalition.

Previously, consultations on the federal policy framework have involved inviting selected leaders to a meeting “and basically the government folks have already decided the way it’s going to be,” Stevens explains, adding farmers are there to offer their thoughts but they don’t change anything.

Stevens says the federal government needs to hear more from grass roots farmers, who must be given the opportunity to comment on new program designs, which Ritz has said are in the early stages.

Stevens says he’s not concerned that Ritz won’t commit to substantially changing the current round of business risk management programs.

It’s more important for the Ontario agricultural industry to “get what we need for 2013,” he says. “That’s where our focus needs to be.” 

Stevens says the next steps for the coalition is to meet with Ontario Agriculture Minister Carol Mitchell so she can update members and then “we’ll talk together about where we go from here.” But he doesn’t know when those meetings will be held. BF 

 

Current Issue

December 2024

Better Farming Magazine

Farms.com Breaking News

Alveo Technologies enters agreement with CDC

Thursday, November 14, 2024

Alveo Technologies, Inc.—a leader in molecular sensing and diagnostics with its proprietary IntelliSense molecular detection technology—has announced it received an agreement issued by the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on a competitive basis to develop a... Read this article online

University of Guelph looking for new OAC Dean

Tuesday, November 12, 2024

A position has opened at the University of Guelph’s Ontario Agricultural College (OAC). The OAC is looking for a new Dean to lead the school into the future. The ideal candidate is “a visionary leader who shares its commitment to excellence in teaching, research, and service, and who... Read this article online

Women Agriculture Leaders Embrace Innovation and Growth

Monday, November 11, 2024

The future of agriculture depends on diverse leadership that can drive innovation and address the sector's evolving challenges. Women are already at the forefront of this transformation, leading advancements in agtech, sustainable farming practices, and agribusiness. A recent article by Dr.... Read this article online

Lift heavy equipment with ease - TG Equipment Jack

Sunday, November 10, 2024

The TG Equipment Jack is a heavy-duty lifting device designed for large high clearance sprayers. This Cool Tools’ innovative design ensures secure and stable lifting of heavy equipment, making it an essential tool for repairs and tire changes. Key Features: Unwavering Stability: Built with... Read this article online

BF logo

It's farming. And it's better.

 

a Farms.com Company

Subscriptions

Subscriber inquiries, change of address, or USA and international orders, please email: subscriptions@betterfarming.com or call 888-248-4893 x 281.


Article Ideas & Media Releases

Have a story idea or media release? If you want coverage of an ag issue, trend, or company news, please email us.

Follow us on Social Media

 

Sign up to a Farms.com Newsletter

 

DisclaimerPrivacy Policy2024 ©AgMedia Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Back To Top