A view of the roller-crimped rye crop.

Cover cropping poses unique challenges to organic growers

Weed control and weather effect are two major issues that need to be managed

Organic farmers considering soil-preserving cover crops need to understand all ins-and-outs of the strategy and be prepared to manage challenges unique to their production system. Why it matters: Tracking the financial costs of introducing cover crops may seem basic if you consider only the cost of seed, planting and termination, but adding in the cost […] Read more


“In my experience, some of the more established (organic) growers just don’t bother (using crop insurance) at all.”

Organic Council hopes report leads to enhanced data accuracy

Inadequacy of organic crop insurance yield numbers cited

In an era when cropping decisions are increasingly informed by up-to-the-minute data, authors of the just-released Organic Corn and Wheat Value Chain Report for Ontario found the availability of data specific to organic crops is sorely inadequate. Why it matters: The Organic Council of Ontario hopes to use report recommendations to lobby government for funds […] Read more

About three-quarters of Ontario’s organic wheat is soft red winter, most of it food grade.

Organic wheat, corn growers face vulnerabilities

New report aims to enhance resiliency of Ontario’s organic grain sector

Premiums paid for organic crops can enhance the revenue stream for small-scale farmers, but they need to know those premiums will be sustained long-term to justify a transition to organic production. Why it matters: A new report presents the most comprehensive review of the organic grains sector in Ontario to date. A new report on […] Read more


 Photo: Getty Images

Feds fund organic development groups

MacAulay pledged up to nearly $$1,175,841 for the Canadian Organic Trade Association (COTA) over three years via the AgriMarketing program and up to $985,985 over three years to the Prairie Organic Development Fund via the AgriCompetativeness program.  

Organic growers push for recognition in federal agriculture strategy

Organic growers push for recognition in federal agriculture strategy

The Canadian Organic Growers are pushing the federal government to recognize their sector in the federal Sustainable Agriculture Strategy, set to be published later this year. "The [Sustainable Agriculture Strategy] is and can be a big opportunity, and organic and regenerative have a lot to offer," said Katie Fettes, COG's director of policy and research, in an online presentation yesterday.



Photo: Stephen Waycott/iStock/Getty Images

Organic sector tables petition in Parliament

Groups call for recognition, incentives; supportive policy and programming

A petition calling for greater federal support of the organic sector was presented in Parliament this Tuesday. “The petitioners are calling upon the Government of Canada to give Canadians better and more affordable access to the foods they want by establishing bold policies and programs that would encourage growth in the domestic supply of organic,” said B.C. MP Alistair MacGregor, who tabled the petition.

Photo: ThamKC/iPhoto/Getty Images Plus

Organic group send petition to federal government

Feds asked to establish policies and programs to help organic producers meet consumer demand, create sustainable food systems

The petition says that Canadian consumers are driving strong demand for organic food, and asks the federal government to establish policies and programs to “encourage growth in the domestic supply of organic to meet the market opportunity,” and to “meaningfully recognize and incentivize sustainable resilient food systems, such as organic, across all departments that relate to Canadian food policy.”