Ontario Agriculture

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Vineland Research: To deliver commercialization opportunities to the horticulture sector: Any Ideas for them?

I wondered what feedback people had on this announcement? Thanks, Joe



GOVERNMENTS PARTNER TO BUILD NEW MARKETS FOR HORTICULTURE PRODUCERS
AgCanada News Release

VINELAND, Ontario, October 16, 2009 – Faster access to new plant varieties and processes will help horticulture producers remain innovative and competitive. The Governments of Canada and Ontario will invest $15.6 million in the Vineland Research and Innovation Centre (VRIC) to coordinate and deliver commercialization opportunities to the horticulture sector.



"Research and innovation are the keys to the competitiveness and profitability of our growers,” said Parliamentary Secretary Pierre Lemieux, on behalf of Federal Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz. “This investment will translate into new advances which will in turn translate into more economic opportunity for the horticulture sector.”



“Industry-driven research and a focus on commercialization will result in more jobs, a more competitive horticulture industry and a stronger economy,” said Leona Dombrowsky, Ontario Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.



VRIC will work with the agricultural industry, colleges, universities and other research institutions, including Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, to develop the capacity of horticultural producers to grow new, high-value crop varieties, to use more efficient production processes and to find ways to increase the year-round supply of products.



“Horticulture producers in this region and across Canada are true leaders in providing the highest quality and innovative food and plants to consumers,” said Member of Parliament Dean Allison (Niagara-West-Glanbrook), who made the announcement with Mr. Lemieux in Vineland, Ontario today. “The Government of Canada supports these efforts through investments in world-class research institutes like Vineland.”



“On behalf of the Board of Directors and staff of Vineland Research and Innovation Centre, I thank the federal and provincial governments for their contribution to developing the Centre's science capabilities,” said VRIC CEO Jim Brandle. “We are committed to horticultural research and innovation that strengthens the competitiveness of Canadian farmers and agri-business through leading edge science and business development. Today's announcement is another important milestone to reaching that goal.”



This investment in VRIC is one of Ontario’s innovation and science initiatives under Growing Forward, a federal-provincial-territorial agricultural policy that supports the development of a profitable and innovative sector. For more information about Growing Forward, visit www.agr.gc.ca/growingforward or www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/about/growingforward/index.htm.



The VRIC was created in 2007 as an industry-led, not-for-profit organization specializing in horticultural research and commercialization. For more information about VRIC, visit www.vinelandresearch.com.

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

*Webinars* Strategies for Reducing Calf Losses: Veterinary Insights from Across Canada

Are calf losses cutting into your beef operation’s productivity and profitability? You are not alone! The BCRC is hosting two 90-minute webinars featuring veterinarians from across Canada who work directly with cow-calf operations like yours. A March 18 webinar will feature veterinarians who work with Eastern Canadian cow-calf operations, sharing insights on practical prevention strategies to implement before, during and after calving to increase calf survivability. During the March 25 webinar, Western Canadian veterinarians will outline regionally relevant approaches for reducing calf losses, highlighting essential pre-calving strategies and practical management techniques to use during calving to help ensure healthier outcomes for both cows and calves.   Both webinars will include an extended Q&A session, giving you plenty of time to ask questions. Each webinar will also be available for?one continuing education (CE) credit for veterinarians and registered veterinary technologists

China halts tariffs on some Canadian ag

Some Canadian ag products will have tariff-free access to China as of March 1

Farmers Face Harsh Truths While Refusing to Abandon Their Way of Life

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This is Agriculture: Producer, advocate, industry leader

Jill Verwey lives and breathes agriculture. Her roots growing up on a mixed grain and cattle operation in rural Manitoba lend themselves well to her current roles – the office manager for Verwey Farms Ltd., president of Keystone Agricultural Producers (KAP), and first vice president of the Canadian Federation of Agriculture (CFA). Jill’s pride in Canadian agriculture is unmistakable. Learn more about her career and advocacy journey below. Describe your job or product in one sentence. My role includes managing the day-to-day administration and financial operations of our family farm, overseeing food and animal safety and human resources, and representing agricultural producers provincially and nationally through leadership roles with KAP, CFA, and various boards and advisory groups. Where did you grow up? Was it an agriculture or urban environment? I grew up in rural Manitoba on a mixed grain and cattle operation. I have been married for 32 years, and my husband and I are involved in

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