Ontario Pork town hall meeting to address PED and Seneca Valley virus Wednesday, February 17, 2016 by SUSAN MANNOntario Pork is hosting a telephone town hall meeting Monday to update producers and industry representatives on porcine epidemic diarrhea virus and Seneca Valley virus in the province.Mary Jane Quinn, communications and consumer marketing manager, says the speakers will be Amy Cronin, board chair, Mike DeGroot, Ontario Pork technical programs veterinarian, and pig veterinarian Doug MacDougald of South West Ontario Veterinary Services.The meeting will be held from noon to 1 p.m. and will include information on new PED cases, surveillance results and ways to mitigate PED risks along with key points to consider in PED elimination.The update on Seneca Valley virus will include information on marketing and processing pigs confirmed to have the virus.The virus made its first confirmed appearance in Canada in October on three farms in Ontario and Manitoba.Seneca Valley causes vesicular lesions on pigs’ snouts and feet, similar to foot-and-mouth disease. It is not, however, considered production limiting and poses no threat to human health. The virus can cause increased mortality in pigs less than seven days old and possibly diarrhea.Since January 2014 when PED was first confirmed in Ontario, there have been 90 cases. The most recent cases were confirmed Feb. 9 in a finishing barn in Middlesex County and in a finishing barn in Perth County. BF Plan underway to wipe PED from province Farmers must work together to restore public confidence
Essential Pre-Season Seeder Prep Every Farmer Should Do Tuesday, February 17, 2026 A successful planting season starts long before the tractor hits the field. Whether you run an air seeder, box drill, or precision planter, proper preseason maintenance ensures accurate seed placement, consistent emergence, and fewer costly breakdowns. Here is a guide to getting your... Read this article online
Ag in the House: Feb. 9 – 13 Tuesday, February 17, 2026 John Barlow, the Conservative agriculture critic, wanted answers about Canada’s dealings with China and how it pertains to canola farmers. On Feb. 12, and citing a Reuters report, Barlow asked for clarification about when Canadian canola farmers would see the tariff relief the prime... Read this article online
AWC Helps Women Navigate Hard Moments in Agriculture Tuesday, February 17, 2026 In these difficult economic times in agriculture, you may be needing to have a few hard conversations. When a conversation feels tough, it’s often because something meaningful is on the line — a relationship, a job, respect, expectations, or even your own boundaries. No wonder your nervous... Read this article online
Kelle Neufeld Appointed New General Manager of Ontario Fruit & Vegetable Convention Tuesday, February 17, 2026 The Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Convention (OFVC), whose annual convention is Feberuary 18 and19, has named Kelle Neufeld as its new General Manager, effective May 1, 2026. Neufeld brings more than 12 years of experience in the Canadian agriculture sector, with a career focused on... Read this article online
OPP Wrangle Runaway Horses Monday, February 16, 2026 Earlier this month, Lambton County residents saw a bit of unexpected horsepower trotting through Enniskillen Township—minus the engine. According to OPP West Region, officers were called out to rescue a loose horse that had taken itself on a brisk winter outing. Under the... Read this article online