When you let your name stand as chair of an organization, you never know what challenges you’ll face. For Mark Brock, who stepped in as chair of Grain Farmers of Ontario in 2015, there was little time to adjust to the new leadership role. As he was nominated, the organization was facing one of its… Read more »
Tag: Mark Brock
Grain Farmers of Ontario names new chair
Grain Farmers of Ontario have named its 2018 executive, including Markus Haerle as its new board chair. Haerle replaces Mark Brock, who served as chair for the last three years. The province’s largest commodity organization, Grain Farmers of Ontario represents 28,000 barley, corn, oat, soybean, and wheat farmers. The balance of the 2018 executive committee… Read more »
GFO welcomes proposed increase to ethanol mandate in Ontario
Grain Farmers of Ontario (GFO) is welcoming the Ontario government’s proposal to increase its ethanol mandate in gasoline from 5 to 10 percent in 2020. The province’s environment ministry published draft amendments last week to update the renewable fuel regulations under the province’s Environmental Protection Act. “We are pleased to see the Ontario government committed… Read more »
Farm groups pushing for thorough review of business risk management programs
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 »
TWORA — From Earls to Costco, Neonics to Quinclorac — April 28
Seeding activity is beginning in more areas, Earls — the place you go (or went) for nice steak – has upset many in the ag community, there’s a herbicide controversy in the canola industry, and Ontario farmers are figuring out where to go with their case for having access to neonic seed treatments. The ag… 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 »
TWORA — Spring Weather Forecast, Planting Intentions & a Tory Victory — April 21
Dryness is becoming a serious concern on the western side of the Prairies, as seeding is getting underway. Meanwhile, cold and wet conditions have hampered progress in Ontario. Meteorologist Drew Lerner of World Weather Inc is one of the people we hear from on this week’s podcast. Also, Ontario farmers have lost their court case… 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 »
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 »
Neonic Battle Returns to Court March 9
Grain Farmers of Ontario is heading back to court to fight another round in its court battle to contest the province’s new seed treatment regulations. GFO will be in court on March 9th. “We are pleased that the Ontario Court of Appeal has agreed to hear our case and to move quickly on the issue,” GFO… 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 »
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 Asks Provincial Superior Court to Review Neonic Regs
Grain Farmers of Ontario today announced it has commenced legal proceedings against the Ontario Ministry of Environment and Climate Change. “Late last week, Grain Farmers of Ontario (GFO) filed a request to the Ontario Superior Court of Justice to provide an interpretation of the neonicotinoid treated seed regulations,” says Mark Brock, chair of Grain Farmers… Read more »
Ontario Farmers Rally at MPP Offices, Protest Handling of Neonic Regulation Process
Farmers from across southern Ontario rallied at two MPP offices today, May 29, to demonstrate their frustration over the Ontario government’s handling of impending regulations regarding the use of neonicotinoid treated corn and soybean seed. Grain Farmers of Ontario put the call out earlier this week for farmers to show up between 10 am and… Read more »