Ontario Agriculture

The network for agriculture in Ontario, Canada

The CFFO Commentary: New Agricultural Opportunities in Bio-Products

By Nathan Stevens

There are some industry leaders that would argue that one of the greatest opportunities for farmers in the next 20 years will be the development of the bio-products sector. At a recent information session held by the Wellington district of the CFFO, Gord Surgeoner of Ontario Agri-food Technologies shared some his insights into the tremendous opportunities that Ontario agriculture has the potential to seize in the very near future.

Before delving into the new opportunities for farmers, Surgeoner assessed the current situation in the food industry. The food industry in North America is growing at the very slow rate of one per cent per year. Moreover, growth in one area of agriculture related to food usually comes at the expense of another type of commodity production. For example, if more chicken is consumed, it may mean that less pork or beef is consumed. In essence, one commodity cannot grow substantially without cannibalizing another part of the industry.

Surgeoner argued that the key for future growth in demand for agricultural products is in developing bio-products in an era of rising fuel costs. When confronted with the assertion by some that we are running out of oil, he adds “at what price?” Canadians can see this most clearly with the development of the Alberta oil sands and offshore drilling in Atlantic Canada, projects that would have been deemed way too costly 50 years ago.

At the right price for oil, the viability of bio-based plastics as a replacement for petroleum based projects becomes very favourable. The possibilities are phenomenal. Just a few examples include foam seating and roof panels for cars, and containers of all shapes and sizes for storing materials and supplies.

This is not to say that developing these industries and technologies isn’t without potential stumbling blocks or unanswered questions. For example, does a soy-based foam cushion smell funny in 40 degree heat? If it doesn’t, then that is great. If it does, then time and energy needs to be poured into finding a solution to the issue.

A whole new world of opportunities is opening up for farmers in this province. There is an opportunity for Ontario farmers to supply renewable bio-products to North America and the world. With the right leadership in place and the right support at the right time, Ontario can be a leader in this emerging industry.

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. It can be heard weekly on CKNX Wingham and CFCO Chatham, Ontario and is archived on the CFFO website: www.christianfarmers.org. The CFFO is supported by 4,200 farm families across Ontario

Views: 61

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

Online AGM for Farm and Food Care Saskatchewan on January 8th

Farm and Food Care Saskatchewan’s annual general meeting or AGM is on January 8th. It is an online AGM both recapping the 2024 year as well as looking ahead to the 2025 growing year. Anyone interested is invited to join and learn about the inner workings of Farm and Food Care Saskatchewan and will be introduced to a new organization created in partnership called Canadian Food Focus. Clinton Monchuk, program director with Farm and Food Care Saskatchewan, is excited for this new organization to help bring food awareness to more urban centers.  "This brand has been going on for probably a little over 5 years now called Canadian Food Focus and we've been having a lot of traction I guess you could say in the  urban communities bringing some of that knowledge and the understanding of food and food products to a lot of the individuals that just don't have an opportunity to see agriculture like we do here in the province of Saskatchewan.”  While most producers or those involved within the ag

Alberta drought conditions expected to improve heading into 2025

A little more than a year ago, Alberta's environment minister wrote to municipalities, asking them to find ways to use less water in light of a looming drought.  The year that followed brought extremely low reservoir levels, what the province called the largest water-sharing agreements in its history, and a renewed conversation around the province's water supply. It was a roller-coaster of a season for farmers like Alison Davie of North Paddock Farms, one that started with dryness and anxiety and closed with the relief of ample rain. "We really weren't sure what we were going to be facing," Davie said. "In the end, it turned out a lot better than we expected it to be in March." Now, heading into 2025, the biggest wild card is — as it always is — Mother Nature. "Next year again, we're hoping that we get ample snow in the mountains, and it continues to fill the reservoirs, and then we're hoping for a full water allocation come next spring," Davie said. "Then, continue to grow the b

Q&A: Agriculture minister says tariffs and water main focus for upcoming year

The past year saw ups and downs for the province's agriculture sector, from a dwindling beef herd to narrowly avoiding the worst impacts of drought, to concerns sparked by incoming U.S. president Donald Trump's tariff threats.  In December, CBC News spoke with Agriculture and Irrigation Minister RJ Sigurdson about how some of these issues played out, and what his office is focused on for the future.  Here is some of that conversation, edited for length and clarity.  Well first and foremost, I think it's been pretty clear the position of president-elect Trump and vice-president-elect JD Vance, their concern is border security. That's why I've called on the federal government to come to the table and work with what will be the new administration in the U.S. to address these issues so that we don't end up with retaliatory tariffs on agriculture or oil and gas, knowing how it will affect our economy.… But I've been pretty clear in stating, too, as well, president-elect Trump ran on a pl

Chicago Close: Corn, Soys Up on First Trading Day of 2025

Corn and wheat futures closed slightly higher on the first day of trading in the New Year on Thursday, while wheat was lower. Soybeans traded to both sides of unchanged during the day amid light volumes, with most of the support coming from drier weather in Argentina. Much of Argentina is expected to be mainly dry over the next couple of weeks, with crop stress rising as soil moisture declines. Areas of southern Brazil are drying down as well. March soybeans were up 1 ½ cents at $10.12, and new-crop November gained 2 ¾ cents to $10.28. There was little fresh news and light volume to move the corn market, which also traded to both sides of unchanged during the day. The developing dryness in Argentina and southern Brazil offered support to corn. March gained a penny to $4.59 ½, and December 2025 was up 2 ¾ cents at $4.46 ½. Wheat was undermined by chart selling and strength in the American dollar, especially as the currency of Russia – the world’s top wheat exporter – weakens, maki

Environmental Stewardship recognized at Pork Conference

A central Saskatchewan hog operation was honoured for its the responsible use and protection of the natural environment to improve the well-being of humans and ecosystems. Saskatchewan Pork Development Board presented its 2024 Awards of Distinction at its recent symposium and Sunnydale Colony, northwest of Saskatoon, Sask. along with Peter Gross, was given the Environmental Stewardship Award for their work on using new technology for manure injection in the field as fertilizer. Sask Pork Communications and Marketing Co-ordinator Steve Seto said Sunnydale is an example of how the province’s pork producers are committed to raising a safe, sustainable, affordable, and socially responsible product. “It just goes to show that the pork community is very close knit and, when it comes to people doing good work, people within our industry want to show that off and give them their recognition,” Seto said. “Using that technology in order to advance everyday life for themselves in being profita

© 2025   Created by Darren Marsland.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service