Steve Toms, of Fortinos Hamilton took home the title of Ontario’s Finest Butcher (OFBC) in a competition hosted by Meat & Poultry Ontario. Toms, a two-year veteran of the competition, earned the honour after a fierce head-to-head meat cutting battle with finalists Dave Vander Velde of VG Meats, Stoney Creek and Frank DiGenova of Butcher […] Read more
Fortinos butcher wins provincial award
Home food grower numbers grow during pandemic
Half of respondents to a survey on home food growing say they grow at least some sort of food. Almost 20 per cent report starting growing food at home this year, which explains the run on seeds this spring that meant challenges to the usual supply of seeds for home garden use. The Agri-Food Analytics […] Read more
Environmental Farm Plan update process eased
The Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association (OSCIA) has made it easier for producers to update their Environmental Farm Plan (EFP). Farms with a third or fourth edition EFP are now eligible to renew through a new, one-day workshop. “Farmers requested an efficient way to update their EFP and take their best management practice learning […] Read more
Greenfield buys U.S. ethanol plant
The closed Minnesota plant is the first foray into the U.S. for the Canadian company
Canada’s largest fuel ethanol producer will acquire the 182 million litre per-year Corn Plus ethanol facility in Winnebago, Minnesota, marking Greenfield Global’s first plant in the U.S. The Corn Plus facility makes ethanol for the purpose of blending into gasoline and has been shuttered since September 2019. “This ushers in a new era of North […] Read more
Burnbrae solar farm wins Excellence in Agriculture award
Burnbrae Farms is one of the recipients of the Ontario government’s Excellence in Agriculture awards. The province made the announcement at the start of the recent Ontario Agriculture Week. Burnbrae Farms operates the largest solar-powered egg farm in Canada, operating off the electricity grid. Four barns use high-efficiency motors, lighting and ventilation systems to ensure […] Read more
Canada Brand gets update for digital world
The federal government will refresh the Canada Brand platform to ensure access to new graphics and tools optimized for today’s digital platforms. The refresh will also enable them to reach more consumers and enhance virtual connections with international buyers, and will include a modernized look, signature, messaging, and suite of digital-first marketing products for the […] Read more
AGCO appoints new CEO
AGCO’s long-time chief executive officer and chair of its board of directors is retiring and being replaced from within the company. Martin Richenhagen’s 16 years with the company have been a time of expansion and stability for AGCO and its main Massey Ferguson, Challenger and Fendt brands. Eric Hansotia, the company’s current senior vice president […] Read more
Box gala replaces Harvest Gala in COVID year
Farm & Food Care Ontario online gala box purchase deadline is Oct. 23
Farm & Food Care’s Harvest Gala is a gathering place for the agriculture sector, a celebration of the year. COVID-19 has cancelled that event, as it has most others, but the organization has created an alternative that aims to give people some social experience, the chance to help support the organization and some of the […] Read more
Kelly named new OMAFRA deputy minister
John Kelly is the new deputy minister of Agriculture Food and Rural Affairs for Ontario. Kelly is known for numerous roles he’s held in Ontario and Canadian agriculture over the past 25 years. He’s been involved in organizations such as the Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association, MaRS Landing and Bioenterprise. He also has had […] Read more
Ridgetown campus gets new director
Brett Shepherd comes to University of Guelph campus from WSIB
Brett Shepherd has been named director of the University of Guelph’s Ridgetown Campus. “Brett has the professional managerial skills that are required to lead the campus into a new era of innovation and growth,” said Rene Van Acker, dean of the Ontario Agricultural College (OAC). “He has demonstrated innovation and his ability to motivate people […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
