A report from the University of Calgary says that the 14 per cent reduction in temporary farm workers in Canada this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic has hit farms the most. The first of two reports on the temporary foreign worker (TFW) situation from the university’s School of Public Policy, says that replacing foreign […] Read more
Foreign worker shortage hits farms hardest
Harness horse group joins OFA
The Ontario Harness Horse Association (OHHA) has joined the Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA). The OFA has been the voice of farmers in Ontario for over 80 years. OFA provides 51 localized County Federations of Agriculture for strong leadership and local representation. It includes 31 organizational members and affiliates representing a majority of Ontario’s commodities. […] Read more
Truck driver charged in protester death incident
Driver charged with careless driving causing death
Updated July 22 A North Perth truck driver has been charged after a truck struck and killed a protester at the Fearman’s Pork processing plant in Burlington June 19. The driver was charged with careless driving causing death under the Highway Traffic Act by Halton Regional Police Service. The police said in a statement that […] Read more
Ag tech accelerators form alliance
RH Acclerator and OAFT will share resources to support early-stage companies
RH Accelerator Inc. and OAFT, (Ontario Agri-Food Technologies) have formed a strategic alliance to help early stage companies in agriculture and food get ahead. Ontario Agri-Food Technologies has been in operation for 23 years, based in Guelph. RH Accelerator was created last year in London, Ont. and has brought together experts inside and outside of […] Read more
Large cricket farm coming to London
Aspire Food Group says it will be the largest of its kind in the world
The world’s largest food-grade cricket production facility will be built in London, Ont. Aspire Food Group says the new facility will be “one of the most technologically advanced and energy efficient protein production systems in the world”. It will employ 60 people. Construction is expected to start in August 2020 in London’s Innovation Park, where […] Read more
First Rural Change Makers cohort announced
Class members will learn how to have an impact on their communities
The Rural Ontario Institute has announced the cohort for the Rural Change Makers pilot project. Eighteen people aged 19 to 29 were selected from across the province to be part of the program. The goal of the program is to grow the capacity of young adults to serve as change makers and to strengthen rural […] Read more
Wingham abattoir destroyed by fire
Green's Meat Market has for years provided meat processing for farmers serving local markets
An abattoir serving northern Huron and southern Bruce counties has been destroyed by fire, leaving area farmers with fewer meat processing options. Green’s Meat Market and Abattoir, in Wingham, had about 70 carcasses hanging for processing at the time of the fire, according to Midwestern Newspapers. A passerby noticed flames coming from the building at […] Read more
The Royal cancelled for 2020
The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair had been scheduled for November
The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair has cancelled its 2020 event, only the second time the Royal has not been held in 100 years. The risk to the safety of exhibitors and attendees from COVID-19 eventually made the decision for the board of directors. “Over the past several months, we’ve all experienced an unprecedented disruption to […] Read more
Digital show to deliver Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show experience to farmers
Equipment, crop demonstrations and networking will continue, but will be delivered digitally
Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show has launched a new digital event to serve as a virtual meeting place for hundreds of agricultural companies and thousands of farmers. With dozens of Ontario agricultural events cancelled into the fall of 2020, Canada’s Digital Farm Show will serve as a meeting place for farmers and the sector. Why it matters: There […] Read more
Protester killed in accident near pork plant
A person was struck by a truck while attempted to feed a pig on board
Updated June 19 Halton Region Police are reporting that a pedestrian has been killed at Appleby Line and Harvester Road in Burlington, the site of the Fearman’s Pork plant. Reporters on the scene are saying that the person killed was a protester who attempted to feed a pig in a moving truck and was struck […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
