OMAFRA has increased its monitoring of overpayments as part of its response to a 2017 Auditor General’s report that criticized farm support programs. Interim payments – faster flowing payments to […] Read more
How OMAFRA methods changed after critical report
An Auditor General’s report in 2017 looked for changes in disaster funding and interim payment
Supply chains held during COVID stress, but showed vulnerability in some sectors
Dutch research finds that people have reduced their food waste during COVID restrictions
Agriculture and food supply chains bent and held during the early COVID-19 pandemic, but it depends on your point of view whether that means change is needed, especially to encourage […] Read more
Editorial: When good policy is foiled by bad additions
Biodiversity provisions are unworkable in clean fuel standards
The increase in demand for biofuels coming from the federal government’s Clean Fuel Standard should be a cause for celebration for farmers, but there’s concerning fine print in the regulations. […] Read more
Farm worker protections get more funding
Program means double the previous limit that can be claimed by farms
The Canadian and Ontario governments are investing more in protections for farm workers. The additional $11.6 million aims to help support Ontario producers to stop the spread of COVID-19 on […] Read more
Can Canadian dairy outgrow trade deal effects?
At current rates of growth, yes, but it could take six years
Dairy farmers will continue to watch the effects of three trade deals roll out over the next six or more years and the future growth of the sector will depend […] Read more
Dairy weathers unexpected price drop, trade deal implications
There are signs that the dairy market is recovering and butter stocks are low which could support prices
Dairy farms in Canada are likely to return to profitability in 2021, after absorbing a hit to profits from the impact of COVID-19. Sebastien Pouliot, principal agricultural economist at Farm […] Read more
Driving down ag tech costs and building connectivity
Microsoft has a significant agriculture research side dedicated to reducing barriers for farmers
Microsoft has put significant resources into agriculture, with the aim of reducing costs of sensor technology and finding inexpensive ways to increase data connections in fields. Why it matters: Non-agriculture […] Read more
Editorial: Empathy can be a superpower
There was a discussion in mid-August on Twitter among people in the agriculture sector about empathy. It was fascinating and instructive and shows that agriculture, as I’ve often argued, is […] Read more
Great Lakes Grain tour calls for big soy and corn yields
Earlier planting and heat and rain when needed have boosted potential harvest
[UPDATED: Sept. 22, 2020] The results of the Great Lakes Grain Yield Tour say that Ontario could have record soybean yields. The 11th edition of the tour, which looks at […] Read more
Editorial: Living in 2020’s tornado alley
We didn’t know we would be in one of Ontario’s tornado alleys when we moved a short 10-minute drive south of our previous home more than a decade ago. But […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
