Agricorp’s map of planting areas. (Agricorp.com)

Ontario extends corn, soy, bean planting deadlines

Waterlogged Ontario farmers still waiting on a window to plant corn, soybeans and coloured and white beans ahead of crop insurance deadlines now have at least a couple of extra days. Agricorp, the province’s production insurance and farm program delivery agency, announced extensions Friday for several of its planting deadlines. Corn growers in areas A, […] Read more

Jim Smolik, shown here in a 2014 photo, contravened two sections of the Conflict of Interest Act, Ethics Commissioner Mario Dion says in a report released May 30, 2019. (Manitoba Co-operator photo by Allan Dawson)

Former CGC assistant chief commissioner broke conflict rules

Jim Smolik, a former Canadian Grain Commission (CGC) assistant chief and acting chief commissioner, contravened post-employment obligations under the federal Conflict of Interest Act while working for Cargill Canada. That’s according to a 24-page report released May 30 by Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner Mario Dion. Dion ruled Smolik breached Sections 33 and 35(2) […] Read more

(CanopyGrowth.com)

Ontario chamber makes recommendations to boost cannabis sector

Reuters –The Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC) on Thursday made several recommendations that address issues affecting the province’s booming marijuana industry, including having a common excise stamp to help cannabis makers ship their products smoothly. The industry body also recommended bolstering Health Canada, the country’s health regulator, so that it can issue licenses to facilities […] Read more

(Thamyrissalgueiro/iStock/Getty Images)

Abrupt mid-March shift into spring predicted

Winter conditions are expected to remain the norm across the Canadian Prairies through the middle of March, when a sudden pattern change brings an abrupt start to spring, according to the latest seasonal forecast from The Weather Network. The quick move from cold to warm conditions raises the risk of flooding in areas with a […] Read more

The proposal to increase checkoff funding for Beef Farmers of Ontario passed with a significant majority this year. (John Greig photo)

Ontario beef checkoff to rise by $1.50

Ontario beef farmers have approved an increase of $1.50 in checkoff per animal to fund an ambitious industry-wide marketing effort for Ontario beef. Producers at the Beef Farmers of Ontario (BFO) annual meeting in Mississauga on Wednesday voted 87 per cent in favour of the plan. A similar plan was rejected at last year’s annual […] Read more


Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s final map of designated areas for the livestock tax deferral provision for the 2018 tax year, as of Jan. 30, 2019. (Agr.gc.ca)

Livestock tax deferral map expands again for 2018

Some northern and southwestern Ontario producers who had to sell breeding livestock due to drought in the 2018 tax year can now defer chunks of the income from those sales when filing their income taxes. The federal government on Wednesday rolled out its final list and map of designated regions for 2018 under its livestock […] Read more

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s map of deferral-designated areas for the 2018 tax year as of Oct. 25, 2018. (Agr.gc.ca)

Unusual third assessment run for livestock tax deferrals

In an unusual move, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada has undertaken a third assessment for the federal livestock tax deferral. “Federal officials are currently finalizing the analysis to identify whether any additional regions have met the criteria for the livestock tax deferral,” AAFC spokesperson James Watson said. Under the deferral plan, cattle producers affected by severe […] Read more

(Video screengrab via Aphria.ca)

Aphria says proposed hostile bid undervalues company

Reuters — Canadian cannabis producer Aphria said on Friday Green Growth Brands’ proposed $2.8 billion all-stock hostile bid “significantly” undervalued the company. Ohio-based cannabis retailer Green Growth, which merged with Xanthic Biopharma in November, said on Thursday it would offer 1.5714 shares for each Aphria share. The company said its valuation was based on a […] Read more


Corn has been discounted across much of Ontario because of high levels of DON. There are challenges in marketing especially high infection level corn. (John Greig photo)

How Ontario’s new DON testing cost-share program works

With vomitoxin (DON) levels so prevalent in this year’s corn crop, the Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association (OSCIA) says a new DON testing cost-sharing initiative will help producers strategically market their grain. Why it matters: OSCIA says cost-sharing will help farmers know how severe their deoxynivalenol (DON) issues are, and how to market their […] Read more

Fall rye flowering near Deerwood, Man. on June 7, 2018. (Allan Dawson photo)

Quebec rye production on the rise

CNS Canada — Rye production was up in Quebec in 2018, one reason being producers supplying hybrid rye for feed to the province’s hog industry. “Feed was coming from out west, but now we’re starting to produce the seed itself here,” said Andre Lussier, who farms near St. Hyacinthe, Que. and is a director with […] Read more