Several of Canada’s largest farm organizations are united in calling for a comprehensive review of the government’s business risk management (BRM) programs for farmers. In government lingo, the BRM acronym refers to AgriStability, AgriInvest, AgriRecovery and AgriInsurance (which includes crop insurance) — all programs that are intended to help farmers manage against volatile weather and… Read more »
Tag: Grain Farmers of Ontario
Trump Administration Not Capable of Renegotiating NAFTA: David Frum
Will Canadians see a renegotiated North American Free Trade Agreement any time soon? Don’t bet on it, says political commentator David Frum. Earlier this week, the editor of The Atlantic and former speech writer for George W. Bush, shared his thoughts on the Donald Trump presidency and possible NAFTA renegotiation at the Grain Farmers of Ontario… Read more »
A Map to the (Grain Farmer) Stars
Grain Farmers of Ontario recently launched a new, virtual “meet your farmer” through its Good in Every Grain initiative. Building off of last year’s start on farmer profiles, 2017 marks a year-long foray into meet and greets with 52 Weeks of Your Farmers:www.GoodinEveryGrain.ca/YourFarmers. Each week, a new Ontario grain farmer is profiled on the site. The profiles include… Read more »
Talking Dirt: New Soil Health Centre Backs Intuition With Science
Soil preservation is gaining seatbelt and sugarless gum status in our society. It’s simply no longer optional. Some soil advocates are now calling for every agricultural grant application to have a tick box explaining how the proposed project exercises best soil management practices. No doubt, pressure is mounting to acknowledge the unparalleled role those first… Read more »
Farm Groups Try New Leadership Approach for Public Support
When your back’s against the wall, and talking and reasoning isn’t working, sometimes a 1-2 punch seems like the only forward. For example, in recent times, some Ontario farm groups — grain farmers, in particular — have used what appeared to be a pretty tough approach in dealing with pressure over neonicotinoid pesticides. People in… Read more »
New Grains Lab Helps Market Ontario Wheat Crop
A new grains analytical testing laboratory will provide value for farmers, plant breeders and the end users of Ontario cereal crops, says Grain Farmers of Ontario (GFO). The lab, a joint venture between GFO and SGS Canada, was officially opened during a ceremony this week at its Guelph location. Grain Farmers CEO Barry Senft says… Read more »
Should GFO Keep Fighting For Neonic Use?
After losing an Ontario Court of Appeal decision on the province’s new seed treatment regulations, what strategy should Grain Farmers of Ontario (GFO) now pursue on the neonic issue? We put the question to GFO chair Mark Brock. We’re also interested in your opinion. It appears the farm organization has three strategic options. Let us… Read more »
GFO Denied Appeal in Court Case Against Seed Treatment Regulations
The Ontario Court of Appeal has denied Grain Farmers of Ontario an appeal on the dismissal of the farm group’s case against the provincial government’s seed treatment regulations. “We’re pretty disheartened by the whole situation. We felt we had a good case before the courts, so we’re disappointed, but the one highlight is that the Court… Read more »
SciBabe: People Need to Hear from Farmers
When it comes to busting food myths, the SciBabe has a simple message for farmers: “Don’t let people without the facts control the conversation.” Yvette d’Entremont, known to many as the SciBabe, has emerged as a leading crusader against unproven food claims and pseudoscience in the media. Over the last two years, d’Entremont, who earned… Read more »
Judges Reserve Decision in GFO’s Appeal Over Seed Treatment Regulations
About 200 farmers filled a Toronto courthouse Wednesday to show their support for Grain Farmers of Ontario’s case against the provincial government’s seed treatment regulations. The panel of judges reserved their decision on GFO’s request for appeal on the dismissal of the case. On Oct. 23, 2015, the Ontario Superior Court denied GFO’s request for a stay… Read more »
Will New Reports Turn the Tide in the Neonic Debate?
It’s been a good news week for Grain Farmers of Ontario chair Mark Brock. But he’s unsure how positive reports on the impacts neonicotinoid seed treatments have on pollinators will affect provincial grain farmers. Earlier this week, reports from Health Canada and the Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) delivered a one-two punch supporting the embattled… Read more »
GFO Partnering With SGS to Build Ontario Grains Lab
Grain Farmers of Ontario has signed a joint venture agreement with inspection and testing company SGS Canada to create a full analytical cereal crop testing facility in southern Ontario. The Ontario Grains Laboratory will be located in Guelph and will conduct a full suite of grain quality and milling tests. “This lab will be the… Read more »
Standing on Principle, Neonic Court Battle Will Continue, says GFO Chair
Ontario Grain Farmers lost the first round of its court battle to contest the province’s new seed treatment regulations, but the fight will continue. “At the end of the day this has always been a fight on principle,” says GFO Chair Mark Brock. “I don’t think we want to tuck tail and run because we got… Read more »
GFO Appealing Court Decision on Seed Treatment Regulations
Grain Farmers of Ontario has decided to appeal the Ontario Superior Court decision denying its request for a stay of the province’s new seed treatment regulations, which limit the use of neonicotinoid-treated corn and soybean seed. GFO submitted a motion to the Ontario Divisional Court on November 3 to have the request reviewed. The organization… Read more »
Grain Farmers of Ontario’s Request of Stay Regarding Neonic Regs Gets Court Date
The Grain Farmers of Ontario have received a court date regarding its case requesting a stay of the Ontario government’s new regulations limiting access to neonicotinoid-treated corn and soybean seed. The regulations came into force as of July 1, 2015. The case will be heard September 28th, 2015, says GFO. If a stay is granted,… Read more »