Ontario Agriculture

The network for agriculture in Ontario, Canada

CFFO Blog's Blog – July 2012 Archive (3)

The CFFO Commentary: Farmers Hope for Rain to Improve Prospects for all of Agriculture

By Nathan Stevens

July 27, 2012

 

The weather has been dominating the concerns of farmers across Ontario. While conditions vary widely from region to region, there is no doubt that a great many farmers are very concerned about the conditions of their crops. The impact of heavy drought conditions impacts all of agriculture.

 

The most obvious group that is being impacted are grain and oil seeds farmers.…

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Added by CFFO Blog on July 27, 2012 at 8:53am — No Comments

The CFFO Commentary: Ontario Food Banks Need Farmer Support

By Nathan Stevens

July 20, 2012

 

In an increasingly competitive and cost-conscious agriculture and agri-business climate, sometimes there are unintended results for other organizations. Today, farmers and food processors are reconsidering the concept of waste and are seeking to turn all their raw materials into marketable or reusable items. The unintended result of this movement is that the Ontario Association of Food Banks is short…

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Added by CFFO Blog on July 20, 2012 at 3:33am — No Comments

The CFFO Commentary: Farmers can Still Influence Growing Forward 2

By Nathan Stevens

July 6, 2012

 

The future of farm programming in Growing Forward 2 remains unannounced, allowing more time for farmers and farm groups to influence the future. This summer is a vital opportunity for farmers and other stakeholders to provide their input on the safety net and strategic investments that support them in different ways.

 

Agriculture programming in Canada is driven by…

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Added by CFFO Blog on July 6, 2012 at 8:00am — No Comments

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

Team Alberta Crops Breakfast

As the new communications intern at Alberta Canola, the Team Alberta Crops breakfast was my first time at an agriculture policy event. I come from an urban background with limited exposure to farming. Insights from presenters Milt Poirier, from QGI Consulting, and Neil Blue, a provincial Crop Market Analyst with Alberta Agriculture and Irrigation, fundamentally changed my understanding of the agricultural industry.   I no longer see Canadian agriculture as simply the production of farm products. Instead, I now view farming in the context of globally interconnected systems. These systems encompass the inputs that farmers rely on, the production processes, and the networks of processing and logistics. All of these systems are further shaped by external forces, including national and provincial policies, international trade rules, climate patterns, and technological innovations.   Global Competition and Climate Challenge   From Neil Blue’s talk, I learned that agriculture is a competit

2025 Performance Variety Trial Results Now Available

The 2025 Performance Variety Trials (PVT) results are now available, delivering the latest, region-specific data to support informed crop variety decisions across Alberta and Western Canada. The annual PVT program evaluates cereal, oilseed, and pulse crop varieties, providing up-to-date information on yield performance, agronomic characteristics, and disease resistance. This data helps farmers, agronomists, and industry professionals select varieties best suited to their local growing conditions, environmental zones, and management practices. Variety trials for each crop are conducted and managed by multiple research organizations and industry partners across the region. Detailed results can be found in the crop-specific performance tables for each commodity. We extend sincere thanks to the researchers, technicians, and partner organizations whose contributions make this program possible.

STEP takes action to support Saskatchewan’s canola export sector

The Saskatchewan Trade and Export Partnership (STEP) is joining the effort to ensure market access into China for Canadian canola products in light of the latest round of Chinese tariffs. “Between the new 75% tariff on canola seed and the existing 100% tariff on oil and meal, the Chinese market is effectively closed for Saskatchewan canola products,” says incoming STEP CEO Chris Lane. “We are deeply concerned about the impact that could have on our members and the industry as a whole, not to mention producers who are starting harvest.” Beyond direct exporters, supporting industries such as transportation, logistics, agri-technology, and value-added services are feeling the ripple effects. These industries play an integral role in Saskatchewan’s economy, and many are now experiencing operational strain due to storage bottlenecks, contractual uncertainties, and reduced market confidence. STEP is encouraged by the Government of Saskatchewan’s efforts and advocacy on this issue, includi

Canada weighs approval of genetically engineered pigs

According to a recent USDA-FAS report, Canada is reviewing the potential commercial use of genetically engineered pigs, while pausing regulatory changes related to cloned swine. USDA-FAS reports that Environment and Climate Change Canada consulted with the public between June 20 and July 20, 2025, on four lines of genetically engineered pigs submitted under the New Substances program. The proposal would allow the pigs to be used in commercial breeding operations and pork production. A regulatory decision had not yet been released at the time of writing, and Health Canada had not published food safety assessments related to the pigs. Separately, Health Canada has indefinitely paused a proposed policy update that would have removed cattle and swine clones produced through somatic cell nuclear transfer, and their offspring, from Canada’s novel food regulations. The policy change was first proposed in spring 2024 but was halted in fall 2025 following consumer and industry feedback. Un

Pea, Lentil Outlooks Get More Burdensome

An already burdensome supply-demand picture for 2025-26 Canadian lentils and peas is now looking even worse. 

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