Greenhouse vegetable grower Jan VanderHout will serve another one-year term as chair of the Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Growers’ Association (OFVGA). He first assumed the role in 2017 and was re-elected at the OFVGA annual general meeting earlier this week. Grape grower Bill George was re-elected as vice chair. “It will be a busy year... Read More
Category: News
The rearrangement of administrative duties as Manitoba farm groups seek opportunities to collaborate continues, with Winter Cereals Manitoba announcing a management change on Thursday. The provincial winter cereals organization has contracted the Manitoba Wheat and Barley Growers Association (MWBGA) and the National Sunflower Association of Canada (NSAC) to lead day-to-day operations, research activities and communications.... Read More
The Ontario Agricultural Hall of Fame Association has named its five inductees for 2018. Combined, the influence of these five men spans 150 years. This year's inductees were chosen for the legacy each of their careers has left on the Ontario farm industry. The inductees are: William Harvey Beaty (1916-1994) Born in Halton Region, William... Read More
Similar to regulations introduced in Ontario in 2015, Quebec announced this week that farmers will require an agronomist's prescription before accessing any of the three neonicotinoid insecticides, chlorpyrifos (also an insecticide), and the herbicide atrazine. Isabelle Melançon, Quebec's Minister of Sustainable Development, Environment and the Fight Against Climate Change, cited the risk to pollinators as... Read More
One of two Canadians appointed to represent Ontario in the Senate of Canada on Thursday has a strong connection to the agriculture community. Robert (Rob) Black of Wellington County is a 4-H Canada past president, board member and staff member, having been involved in 4-H for over 40 years. He's also a board member for... Read More
Two years after the closure of its Medicine Hat distribution facility, PepsiCo has announced it will close the Spitz International Inc facility at Bow Island. PepsiCo first acquired the Alberta-based company ten years ago. The food and beverage giant sent this statement to RealAgriculture, February 16: "Yesterday we announced our difficult decision to close our... Read More
Protein Industries Canada was named today as one of the winning proponents under the federal Innovation Superclusters Program. The funding model is part of the federal government's Innovation and Skills Plan "to spark growth and help Canada realize its potential as a global leader in innovation" though creating large-scale industry partnerships. Protein Industries Canada, based... Read More
Simplot announced a $460 million expansion of its potato processing facility at Portage la Prairie, Man. on Wednesday. Manitoba Premier Brian Pallister and Agriculture Minister Ralph Eichler were on hand with J.R. Simplot CEO Bill Whitacre to announce the investment, an expansion that will add nearly 100 jobs to the facility. “Manitoba delivers in so... Read More
The Saskatchewan Flax Development Commission has hired its own agronomist to support flax growers in the province. Michelle Beaith joined SaskFlax as of Monday. “Having a flax agronomist will be hugely beneficial to our organization and to flax producers,” says Wayne Thompson, executive director for SaskFlax, in a statement. “Michelle will be able to help... Read More
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