Photo: Thinkstock

Greig: Dairy sector gets funds for technology, less import control than hoped

Over 17,000 tonnes of European cheese to be allowed tariff free under CETA

The Canadian dairy sector got good and bad news yesterday. The federal government announced the long-awaited details of its promised investment program for the dairy sector after it gave up a portion of domestic cheese market in free trade negotiations with Europe. Dairy farms in Canada will be eligible for up to $250,000 per farm […] Read more

(Dave Bedard photo)

Organic groups call for Ontario regulations

A look at organic regulation across the country by the Canadian Organic Trade Association (COTA) shows a hodge-podge of support, despite national standards in existence for eight years. In a report released Monday, COTA called out Ontario, the largest market by far for organic products, for having no organic regulations. Five other provinces, including some […] Read more


This barn will remain, but most of the rest of the facilities will be demolished at the University of Guelph’s Elora Beef Research Station to make way for new beef research buildings. (John Greig photo)

Guelph gets new beef research facility

The federal and provincial governments and the Beef Farmers of Ontario have all announced funding for buildings and programs at the University of Guelph’s renewed beef research station this week. The funds announced are to help create a completely new cow-calf and heifer research facility next to the current beef research station, and a new […] Read more

(Staff photo)

National dairy group loses executive director

Caroline Emond has resigned as executive director of Dairy Farmers of Canada (DFC) after two and half years in the position. Emond will be stepping down effective July 4, DFC announced Wednesday. Emond has dealt with some significant files and changes to dairy marketing since she replaced long-time retiring executive director Richard Doyle. She has […] Read more


Eric Schwindt says demand is helping to keep up North American hog prices. (John Greig photo)

Ontario hog farmers to get new options with Michigan plant

A combination of hog prices remaining high despite good supplies and a new processing plant in nearby Michigan have Ontario hog farmers optimistic about the near future. “It’s unambiguously good news to have more processing capacity close to Ontario,” said Patrick O’Neil, Ontario Pork’s marketing division manager, at the Ontario Pork Congress. The Clemens Food […] Read more

(Thinkstock photo)

Eastern dairy farmers get big quota increase

The eastern Canadian provinces have approved a five per cent dairy quota increase — their largest one-time quota increase since the daily quota system was implemented in 1998. It will also be implemented quickly, on July 1. The five provinces — Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Quebec and Ontario — create quota policy […] Read more


The challenge with Ontario calves

Calves from Ontario generally continue to miss the quality mark for larger feedlots in the province which continue to rely on cattle from Western Canada for the uniform lots of vaccinated cattle they need.“We need 200, 300, 400 head together because that’s our pen size,” says Steve Eby, who runs a feedlot near Kincardine. They […] Read more

Eby’s barn provides a great environment for cattle and workers.

Three stops at Ontario feedlots

Carl Frook’s biogas digester has had far-reaching effects on his business, while reducing his environmental footprint. Frook feeds cattle at his feedlot near Elmwood, Ont., for McCall Livestock, but the real interest for farmers visiting on a recent beef tour was his biogas digester, one of the only ones operating on a beef farm in […] Read more


Bob Gordanier, shown here speaking at Queen’s Park in 2015 in his role as OASC chair, is now a provincial Liberal candidate. (OASC.ca)

Former BFO president turns to provincial politics

A former president of the Beef Farmers of Ontario will be running for the Liberals in the next provincial election. Bob Gordanier was nominated Monday as the Liberal candidate for the southwestern Ontario riding of Dufferin-Caledon, which has been held by Progressive Conservative MPP Sylvia Jones since 2007. During his farm organization service Gordanier served […] Read more

(Screengrab from Lake Huron Centre for Coastal Conservation video via YouTube)

Ontario watershed study shows overapplication of phosphorus

Farmers in one Huron County, Ont. watershed are applying almost exactly the nitrogen needed by their crops, but more than 30 per cent more phosphorus than is needed. University of Guelph researchers reached the conclusions by analyzing multiple years of data collected by the Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority during in-person interviews with farmers in the […] Read more