Simcoe County Couple Wins 2011 Environmental Stewardship Award

The Ontario Cattlemen's Association (OCA) is pleased to announce that John and Rosemary Dunsmore of Shanty Bay are the winners of The Environmental Stewardship Award (TESAward) for 2011, sponsored by RBC Royal Bank. The Dunsmores operate a small cow-calf operation in Shanty Bay, Ontario on the edge of Lake Simcoe. The couple were nominated for the award by Madelaine Danby, Butternut Technician for the Ministry of Natural Resources, with support from Paul Marshal, a former Ward 3 Councilor in Oro-Medonte Township.

The Dunsmores' dedication to the environment is evident given their involvement in a number of stewardship initiatives. Together, John and Rosemary plant approximately 50 trees every year, providing soil stability, shade, water retention and carbon dioxide sequestration, and have also been heavily involved in the Butternut Tree Recovery Program through North Simcoe Stewardship and the Ministry of Natural Resources. In 2002, the Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority presented the Dunsmores with the Walter Conservation Award for their commitment to environmental stewardship and dedication to ecologically friendly farm practices.

"The installation of a wind turbine and solar panels to create energy for their farm demonstrates their initiative in new technologies to help decrease their ecological footprint," reports Danby. "They are currently looking to plant a buffer zone of trees to improve the health of the water flowing in their small seasonal creek that runs through their cattle pasture."

"Before incentives were provided to farmers, John and Rosemary took the initiative to control run-off from their barn yard by improving fencing and constructing a catchment pond to filter the water rather than allowing it to enter Lake Simcoe," says Paul Marshall. "During my six years on council in Oro-Medonte Township John and Rosemary were very active in a number of environmental activities in their community. They are prime examples of stewards who care deeply for the environment."

TESAward recognizes the outstanding environmental stewardship of an Ontario cattleman. Special consideration is given to producers who have taken innovative approaches to environmentally sustainable cattle production.

For further information:

John and Rosemary Dunsmore, TESA Winners: 705-728-2609
LeaAnne Hodgins, Ontario Cattlemen's Association: 519-824-0334

▶ Reply to This

Welcome to
Ontario Agriculture

Sign Up
or Sign In

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

Crop research a better long-term solution than BRM programs: USask Professor

Agricultural research requires investment, but it takes many years to develop a higher yielding crop variety or one with improved disease resistance. Recently announced funding and job cuts by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada are expected to impact the quantity and possibly the quality of new research in both the crop and livestock sectors. Richard Gray is a professor and grains policy chair at the University of Saskatchewan and was a key note speaker Thursday at the Top Crop Summit in Saskatoon. "I think the lack of a plan to how they were actually going to do some of the activities that were happening on those farms, that's a problem, and second, I don't think there was enough thought given to whether the sites that they were closing down were important for overall productivity of the researchers that remain." Gray said of the pending closures of research sites across Canada. The Indian Head research site represented about 35 per cent of the crop area in the province and was loca

Malta bee exporter blasts criticism from Canadian beekeepers

A European honeybee provider said they’re collateral damage to a dust-up in the Canadian honey sector over replacement bees. Ermanno De Chino, CEO of Melita Bees, a firm based on the Mediterranean island of Malta, said Italian and Maltese bee biosecurity and quality are the subject of unwarranted “smears” coming from a Canadian beekeeping contingent. He said they’re “pushing for the opening of the border with the United States,” a country he said is extremely vulnerable to the tropilaelaps (tropi) mite threat. “There’s little science and a lot of politics in all of this,” he wrote in a Feb. 10 email. In a separate email, De Chino described the risk of tropilaelaps entering the U.S. as “very high” due to the “enormous” number of cargo ships from Asia arriving at the ports of California, Texas, and Florida: three states with tropi mite-friendly weather conditions. “Swarms of Asian bees arriving in containers would have an easy time establishing themselves in these areas. The enormous

LDC commissions pea protein isolate production facility in Yorkton

Louis Dreyfus Company (LDC) has announced the start of commissioning for its new pea protein isolate (PPI) production facility in Yorkton. Alongside pea protein, LDC will also commercialize pea fiber and a proprietary pea starch produced at the new Yorkton facility, for the pet food, building materials and paper industries. Strategically located in one of the world’s largest pea-producing regions, at the site of LDC’s existing oilseeds processing complex, the new pea protein isolate plant is expected to employ some 60 people by the end of 2026, states a news release issued by LDC. The facility is currently in its commissioning phase, covering both wet and dry processing, which will be completed over the next couple of months, with commercial volumes expected to be available by mid-June, says LDC. The site will be among the largest pea processing facilities in North America, serving key segments of the plant-based market, including high-protein beverages and powder mixes, dairy alter

Groups call for mandatory labeling of genetically engineered pork products

No laws in Canada mandate specific labels for genetically engineered foods

Reinforcing Market Support at IAOM Latin America Conference

Engaging, learning, and networking were top of mind for attendees at the International Association of Operative Millers’ (IAOM) 49th Latin American Region Annual Conference and Expo, held in February in Guadalajara, Mexico. Lisa Nemeth, Cereals Canada director of market support and training, was among the presenters at the event, which attracted over 280 milling professionals from twenty-five countries. Nemeth presented on the quality of Canadian cereals, the Canadian quality assurance system, and the market support that Cereals Canada delivers to its customers. Nemeth shared that customers were happy to see Canadian cereals represented at the conference. On average, Canada exports 5.9 million tonnes of non-durum wheat to Latin America per year. Over the last five years, the largest markets in the region for Canadian cereals were Peru, Colombia, Ecuador, and Mexico. “Latin America loves Canadian cereals,” said Nemeth. “Mexico is an important market for Canada Western Red Spring (CWR

More…

Badges | Report an Issue | Terms of Service