After two years of virtual-only programming and two years of gradual transition into full hosting and organizing duties, the Organic Council of Ontario will welcome Canada’s organic sector to the 42nd annual Guelph Organic Conference Jan. 23-29. “Last year, we took over the virtual programming,” said executive director Carolyn Young, noting the annual event was […] Read more
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Guelph Organic Conference returns to in-person sessions
New organizers offer more sessions for farms and market gardens, virtual content also offered
Study released on organic cost of production
There has been little information on cost of production for organic farmers
New cost of production analysis for organic crops and livestock should help farmers benchmark their operations against others in the sector. The Organic Council of Ontario (OCO) in late April published cost of production (COP) analyses for dairy, salad greens, field crops and pastured poultry, in a project funded through the federal/provincial Canadian Agricultural Partnership. […] Read more
Replacing U.S. imports of organic soybeans unlikely
The rapid growth of U.S. organic livestock production has resulted in massive imports of soymeal
American organic soybean imports, especially as meal, continue to dwarf import of other organic crops. In fact, if American farmers tried to grow that many soybeans to make into meal, it could disrupt the whole organic system, says Ryan Koory, senior analyst with Mercaris, an American organic market intelligence company. Why it matters: Organic production […] Read more
Traceability making its mark on food systems
From “fingerprinting” beef to blockchain technology that expose organic fraud, traceability systems are becoming more common in the food supply chain
You could call it traceability with a capital T. It’s taking various forms, but the notion of tracking ingredients from field to fork is sweeping through the food system thanks to a combination of new technology and marketplace pressures. The effects are rippling all the way back to the farm helping producers capture value through […] Read more
Ontario organic bill again introduced in legislature
Survey shows barriers exist to small-producer certification
The creation of organic regulations for Ontario is getting a third chance. A private members bill to create organic regulations was tabled Nov. 12 in the Ontario legislature by Progressive Conservative Jim McDonell, MPP for Stormont-Dundas-South Glengarry. Why it matters: There are national organic standards that apply to products sold across provincial borders, but no […] Read more
Ontario organic grain buyer Homestead closing
One of the province’s leading organic retailers and buyers of organic grains will shut its doors Friday. Homestead Organics, founded and still run by organic driving force Tom Manley, will be sold off, likely in parts. The company said its Shakespeare, Ont. mill is in the process of being sold and will continue as an […] Read more
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