The CFFO Commentary: Farmers Working Together Brings Results

By Henry Stevens

April 1, 2011

The hard work of the Ontario Agricultural Sustainability Coalition has finally produced positive results. As many people know, the 2011 provincial budget was announced this week and farmers received the eagerly anticipated news that new types of Business Risk Management programming are coming for many Ontario Farmers.

Presenting solutions that will cover the programming gaps found in existing programs like Agri-Stability has been the ongoing work of OASC. The coalition, made up of a wide variety of agricultural organizations, including the CFFO, has been concerned about the resiliency of the provincial agricultural sector and has worked tirelessly towards solutions.

Our provincial government recognized that volatility in commodity markets is an issue for farmers in managing business risks. The 2011 Budget announced the extension of the current pilot Risk Management Program for grain and oilseed farmers. Furthermore, the government will also implement a new Risk Management Program for the cattle, hog, sheep and veal sectors. Fruit and vegetable growers will be getting a new Self-Directed Risk Management Program.

These new risk management programs represent an innovative approach in providing bankable, stable and predictable support for Ontario’s farmers while responding to market trends in the long-term.

However, the job for CFFO and OASC isn’t done yet. The federal government still isn’t on board with regionally flexible business risk management programming. Moving forward, the efforts of OASC will need to focus on convincing the federal government that regionally specific programming is a necessity due to the sheer diversity of agriculture across Canada,

The CFFO would like to thank Carol Mitchell, the Minister of Agriculture, and the staff at OMAFRA for their hard work and support in making these new programs a reality. It took courage and leadership on the part of our province to move ahead alone in supporting Ontario’s farmers.

Henry Stevens is the President of the Christian Farmers Federation of Ontario. The CFFO Commentary represents the opinions of the writer and does not necessarily represent CFFO policy. It can be heard weekly on CKNX Wingham and CFCO Chatham, Ontario and is archived on the CFFO website: www.christianfarmers.org. The CFFO is supported by 4,200 farm families across Ontario

Comment

You need to be a member of Ontario Agriculture to add comments!

Join Ontario Agriculture

Welcome to
Ontario Agriculture

Sign Up
or Sign In

Agriculture Headlines from Farms.com Canada East News - click on title for full story

Is This the Most Underrated Feed Crop in the West?

Low maintenance, high yield, cow-approved — triticale is quickly moving from niche to must-have on cattle operations. Triticale may once have been considered a niche crop, but its value in cattle production is becoming harder to ignore. “The cattle industry has really benefited from this type of crop,” says Len Solick of Solick Seeds. “It’s produced really well, and in drier conditions it’s been a huge bonus.” Part of triticale’s appeal is its versatility. Producers can swath graze it in winter, bale it for feed, or blend it with barley for silage. “We’ve got customers who will put in about two bushels an acre of triticale to one bushel of barley,” Solick says. “That mix goes into a silage pit, and it gives them the right moisture balance because triticale matures later than barley.” Among the varieties Solick Seeds offers, AB Stampeder is his newest. Developed at Western Crop Innovations’ research facility, Solick says the variety has a number of pros. “Palatability for the cow is

CBRC signs agreement with AAFC on barley breeding

The Canadian Barley Research Coalition (CBRC) has announced an investment of $1,148,900 over three years in a Core Barley Breeding Agreement with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC). The producer-funded investment is expected to support the development of new barley varieties with higher yields, stronger disease resistance, and improved agronomics to ensure the long-term competitiveness and sustainability of Canadian barley. A news release says the Core Barley Breeding Agreement ensures that farmers remain at the forefront of driving research priorities. It adds that by working with AAFC’s world-class researchers, CBRC is helping deliver practical solutions and improved genetics that respond to evolving market and environmental demands. The efforts are expected to support Canada’s position as a global leader in crop development where barley is a vital crop for Canada, supporting the malting, brewing, feed, and food sectors.

Canadian Museum for Human Rights announces new exhibits for 2026, extension for Love in a Dangerous Time

The Canadian Museum for Human Rights (CMHR) today announced the extension of its blockbuster exhibit, Love in a Dangerous Time: Canada’s LGBT Purge, until fall 2026, as well as several new exhibits that are coming soon as a result of the Museum’s plan to renew the content in its core galleries. New content in development for the core galleries for 2026 and beyond includes At the Knees of Our Ancestors, telling the history of Black Canadians from slavery until present day; Palestine Uprooted: Nakba Past and Present, recounting the personal experiences of Palestinian Canadians from the Nakba in 1948 until today; and Inclusion for All, a new exhibit about disability rights. “Last year we celebrated 10 years as the national museum for human rights. This year, we are kicking off our plans for our next decade focusing on new content and core gallery renewal,” CMHR CEO Isha Khan said at the Museum’s Annual Public Meeting (APM). “Our mandate is to promote dialogue and a better understand

Shared values, shared fields: Potatoes at the heart of humane and climate-smart farming

An exploration of how potato growers, Mercy For Animals’ Transfarmation project and other ethical farming initiatives are quietly aligning around a common set of values – reducing suffering, protecting the climate and defending the dignity of rural communities.

CCA Welcomes New Policy Manager

The Canadian Cattle Association is pleased to announce that Daniela Lombardo is rejoining the Ottawa staff team as Policy Manager leading on Food Policy and also working on Trade files with Chief Government and International Affairs Officer Jennifer Babcock.

More…

Badges | Report an Issue | Terms of Service