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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

CCGA Selected a Manitoba Top Employer

Canadian Canola Growers Association (CCGA) has been recognized as one of Manitoba’s Top Employers, a competition organized by the editors of Canada’s Top Employers, now celebrating 20 years of exceptional workplaces in the province. Earlier today, the results of the 2026 competition were announced online at Eluta.ca and in a special feature in the Winnipeg Free Press. “Being named one of Manitoba’s Top Employers for 2026 is a proud achievement for CCGA,” says Rick White, President & CEO at CCGA. “This honour reflects the dedication and passion of our amazing team and their commitment to our vision of Helping Farmers Succeed and advancing agriculture within the province and across the country.” To achieve recognition through Manitoba’s Top Employers, CCGA was assessed on eight criteria, including 1) workplace, 2) work atmosphere, 3) benefits, 4) vacation and time off, 5) employee communications, 6) performance management, 7) training and development, and 8) community involvement.

Farmers’ Markets Ontario names new executive director

Farmers’ Markets Ontario (FMO) has announced that Melanie Anderson, Ottawa, will assume the role of executive director, effective April 1, 2026. FMO is the only official provincially recognized organization representing more than180 farmers’ markets across the province.

Farmers again caught in geopolitical crossfire

A week ago, things were looking up for Prairie farmers. Canola prices were rising on news China would follow through on its promise to reduce its 75.9 per cent anti-dumping tariff on canola seed after Canada eased steep tariffs on imported EVs. Those canola tariffs have now dropped to 5.9 per cent, plus the nine per cent standard import tariff already in place. While not zero, tariffs of just under 15 per cent make it possible to restore trade flows and maintain China as Canada’s second-largest canola customer. As well, Canada’s prime minister was in India on another diplomatic defrosting mission with positive implications for agricultural exports. Any time the world’s largest exporter of pulse crops such as peas, lentils and chickpeas can make inroads into the world’s biggest market for those commodities, the sun shines a little brighter. While more sales to India weren’t on the agenda, the talks between Mark Carney and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi still shouted progress.

Pulse Market Insight #293

StatsCan Pulse Acreage Numbers (Mostly) Not Surprising The first official forecasts of 2026 seeded area were recently issued by StatsCan, with some “interesting” estimates for a few crops. For pulse crops though, most of the acreage numbers weren’t really out of line with expectations. It’s important to note that even though StatsCan’s estimates were issued in early March, they were based on a farmer survey that occurred between mid-December and mid-January. Since that survey, there have been sizable market developments that could influence acreage decisions. That said, crop rotations are largely fixed and a portion of the acreage was already decided back in December. But there is still room for some late tweaking around the margins. The most noteworthy event was the announcement by the Chinese government to scale back or eliminate import tariffs on canola seed, canola meal and peas, which injected more optimism into those markets. This development added some support for prices whic

Mustard Breakthrough Brings Yield Gains — But GM Concerns Echo Flax Triffid Crisis

Committee chair says a nearly 10% yield jump in mustard is encouraging for growers, but warns GM mustard contamination and federal research cuts could create long-term challenges for Prairie oilseeds. Big yield gains, high-stakes market risks and mounting concerns over federal research cuts dominated flax and mustard discussions at last week’s Prairie Grain Development Committee (PGDC) meetings in Banff, Alta. “We’re seeing a real leap forward in mustard,” said Ken Jackle, chair of the Prairie Recommending Committee for Oilseeds (PRCO), pointing to a new condiment mustard line expected to go forward this year. “It’s quite a yield bump. It’ll have quite a yield advantage over the existing checks.” How big a jump? Almost 10%, he said. For mustard growers, that kind of jump matters. Yield improvements in recent years have been steady, and Jackle credited Dr. Bifang Cheng’s breeding program at AAFC Saskatoon for keeping progress moving. “It’s good to see these increases in their yield

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