Commodity prices expected to remain steady for several years, even with predictions of escalating demand from developing countries
TORONTO — Farmers need to temper their market expectations for at least another decade, according to a senior economist with the World Bank. “We do not expect much of a recovery in agricultural prices in real terms from what we’re seeing today,” John Baffes said, speaking during lunch at the Canadian Food and Drink Conference […] Read moreStories by Jeffrey Carter
Citizens vow to stop Ontario landfill
Plans call for the dumping of waste from across the province into a limestone quarry in Zorra Township
ZORRA, Ont. — Despite massive opposition and an approval process that could last for years, plans for a 17 million tonne landfill in southwestern Ontario are moving forward. Currently, a limestone quarry of almost 200 acres is the preferred site for Walker Environmental. It is located in Zorra Township, about two kilometers from the township […] Read more
Stray current issue unresolved
THAMESVILLE, Ont. — Many of the stray current issues affecting Ontario farmers remain unresolved, but the MPP for Chatham-Kent-Essex maintains a glimmer of hope. “I’ve determined to allow Hydro One to proceed, and I’m waiting to hear back with their findings,” Nicholls said. Nichol’s optimism is linked to Hydro One’s formation of the Farm Rapid […] Read more
Ontario food retail co-ops gain momentum
Co-operatives give small meat and vegetable producers in Sudbury and Dryden area new marketing options
DRESDEN, Ont. — A new choice for consumers has emerged in northern Ontario — food retail co-operatives. There are only two, but they’re having a significant impact, say Jen Springett of the Cloverleaf Food Co-operative in Dryden and Peggy Baillie, executive director of the Local Organic Foods Co-ops Network. “What we’re doing is trying to […] Read more
Plans for Ontario cellulosic plant move forward
Farmers are asked to contribute $200 per acre to supply the processing facility with feedstock to produce dextrose
FOREST, Ont. — Ontario farmers have been told they can expect payback in little more than three years from a $200-per-acre investment in a new co-operative. Proponents of the Cellulosic Sugar Producers Co-operative (CSPC) talked about the opportunity at a Nov. 8 field day here, which also featured equipment demonstrations for corn stover harvesting. “We […] Read more
Ont. crops rebound, but climate change weighs on minds
CHATHAM, Ont. — Farmers in the Great Lakes Basin may no longer be able count on stable weather patterns, according to an agronomist with AGRIS Cooperative. “We used to try to predict the future from the past and now our future is looking to be nothing like the past. We’re working on a blank piece […] Read more
Biomass co-op seeks investment, crop residue commitment
SARNIA, Ont. — Plans are moving forward to build a dextrose plant in Sarnia that would take as much as 75,000 tonnes of corn stover and wheat. According to a joint release from the Cellulosic Sugar Producers Co-operative, Comet Biorefining and Bioindustrial Innovation Canada, crop residues from 55,000 acres of farmland within 100 kilometres of […] Read more
Ontario seeks to expand sugar beet acreage to meet processing plant needs
SARNIA, Ont. — Ontario farmers will need to quadruple the province’s sugar beet acreage if plans for a new processing plant at Sarnia move forward. The chair of the Ontario Sugarbeet Growers’ Association said the newly formed Ontario Sugarbeet Processors’ Cooperative will require new growers as well as expansion from existing growers. “We’re looking to […] Read more
Rural Ontario: the place for food and drink
BLYTH, Ont. — Expect red tape. Access expertise. Take the time to research and plan. Tell your story. Love what you do. These were among the comments from five Ontario business owners who are part of the province’s burgeoning food and drink industry. They spoke at the Rural Talks to Rural Conference held earlier this […] Read more
Immigration programs target rural Canada
BLYTH, Ont. — Manitoba is having success attracting more immigrants to its rural communities, says Naomi Finseth of Brandon University’s Rural Development Institute. “We have been able to get 20 percent of newcomers arriving to Manitoba to settle in rural areas — that’s everywhere outside of Winnipeg,” she told the recent Rural Talks to Rural […] Read more
