Ontario Agriculture

The network for agriculture in Ontario, Canada

The CFFO Commentary: Farmers Need to Enroll in Ontario Risk Management Program

By Nathan Stevens
July 8, 2011
 
Last week’s formal announcement of a Risk Management Program is arguably one of the most significant accomplishments for Ontario’s agricultural groups in a long time. From the perspective of agricultural leaders, this is a program that has been fought for over an extended time period that seeks to address needs for Ontario’s farmers in a global environment. The next step is to see whether the average farmer agrees with this assessment and chooses to support the new program by enrolling in it.
 
The purpose of the Risk Management Program is to provide price insurance for farmers. It differs from the national Agristability program in the type of issues it covers. Agristability provides support for commodities that fluctuate over the short-term. It is not designed to help with long-term decline or extended periods of low prices, even if crisis related. The Risk Management Program seeks to deal with both of those issues and more.
 
From the perspective of the leadership, this program is a great new tool for farmers to use in the management of their farms. There is still work to be done and some issues to be addressed. Resolving a fair registration and payment method to be enrolled in both Agristability and Risk Management is an issue. Securing federal support is an on-going issue. For the Christian Farmers, ensuring that there are reasonable caps on potential payments is essential to ensuring this is a risk mitigation tool, not a lever to expand an operation.
 
At the same time, this is an opportunity for farmers to vote with their feet on the new program. Strong enrollment in the program, even if prices are looking strong in the immediate future, is a strong endorsement of the value of having this program in place for a rainy day, especially when it isn’t raining today. On the other hand, if a majority of farmers choose not to enrol then that also sends a clear message to leadership and government about the value of Risk Management and other safety net programming.
 
The adoption of the Risk Management Program is a potentially tremendous step forward for Ontario’s farmers. It improves the protection farmers have from the vagaries of the marketplace, and is strongly supported by the farming leadership. The CFFO hopes and encourages everyday farmers to decide that the Risk Management Program makes sense for them as well.
 
Nathan Stevens is the Research and Policy Advisor for the Christian Farmers Federation of Ontario. The CFFO Commentary represents the opinions of the writer and does not necessarily represent CFFO policy. The CFFO Commentary is heard weekly on CFCO Chatham, CKNX Wingham, and UCB Canada radio stations in Chatham, Belleville, Bancroft, Brockville and Kingston. It is also archived on the CFFO website: www.christianfarmers.org. CFFO is supported by 4,200 family farmers across Ontario.

Views: 69

Comment

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

Join Ontario Agriculture

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

Bayer introduces Vyconic soybeans in Canada

Vyconic soybeans is a new trait technology providing growers with tolerance to multiple herbicide active ingredients

Syngenta Canada celebrates International Women’s Day 2025

???????Syngenta Canada is celebrating International Women’s Day (IWD) on March 8 by reflecting upon our progress towards gender equality and by honouring some outstanding individuals. “We have a strong commitment to advancing women’s interests within the organization and the broader agricultural sector,” says Stacey Redford, Head of Human Resources. “Progressive initiatives and policies are in place to support women along their career journey, including a recent internal survey to identify career challenges and uncover growth opportunities.” Since 2019, the Canadian team has achieved significant progress, increasing female representation from 40% to 51% of its workforce, with women now comprising 45% of its Crop Protection Leadership Team, and 40% of the customer-facing teams. In honour of IWD 2025, the Syngenta Canada Women and Allies Network (SCWAN) nominated six individuals for their leadership, resilience, and inspiration. Congratulations to:

Ottawa Sets Aside Funding in Case of ASF Outbreak

The federal government has earmarked more than $567 million to aid domestic pork producers in the event of an outbreak of African Swine Fever. A statement Friday said the money will go toward supporting hog producers should there be a closure of key export markets for Canadian pork products and live pigs due to an ASF outbreak in either Canada or the US. While Canada remains free of ASF, a single detection of the disease in Canada would close export markets due to international trade regulations and import restrictions imposed by trading partners, the statement said. Canada is heavily dependent on pork and live pig exports, and the closure of key export markets would be devastating to the pork sector. It would also cause hog producers to incur extraordinary costs and force them to make difficult decisions about depopulating their herds, it added. “With this funding commitment, we’re making sure we support hog producers in the event of an outbreak, while we work to contain the vir

Map: February Brings Little Drought Relief for Ontario

Heavy snow in parts of Ontario in February has apparently done little to shrink current dryness and drought in the province. According to the latest monthly update of the Canadian drought monitor, 56% of the agricultural lands within the central region – which includes both Ontario and Quebec - were being impacted by abnormal dryness or drought as of the end of last month. That’s little changed from 55% at the end of January and 58% in December but remains well down from 87% in November. Precipitation during February varied significantly, with southern Ontario and southern Quebec receiving 60–150% of normal. Southern Ontario saw multiple storm systems bringing above normal precipitation, which contributed to some of the highest recorded snowpacks in Hamilton and Toronto, helping ease drought severity, the monitor said. Abnormally dry to moderate drought conditions were reduced across much of southern Ontario. However, pockets of moderate and severe drought remained, particularly

Canada expands air transport agreement with Senegal

Expanding Canada's international air transport agreements allows airlines to introduce more flight options, providing passengers and shippers with greater choice and convenience, while creating new opportunities for Canadian businesses. Today, the Minister of Transport and Internal Trade, the Honourable Anita Anand, announced that Canada has recently expanded the Canada-Senegal Air Transport Agreement. The expanded agreement with Senegal includes: The right for airlines of either country to operate direct flights to any destination in the other country's territory. A capacity allowance of 14 weekly passenger flights and 10 weekly all-cargo flights for the airlines of each country. Significant operating flexibility for all-cargo services. Airlines can begin offering services under this new agreement immediately. Quotes "By allowing direct flights between our two countries, this agreement will significantly strengthen our bilateral relations with Senegal. It paves the way to new oppor

© 2025   Created by Darren Marsland.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service