Ontario Agriculture

The network for agriculture in Ontario, Canada

The CFFO Commentary: Water, Water Everywhere ... But We Need to be Stewards

By Nathan Stevens
February 4, 2011

A recent Water Innovation Forum focused on the importance of water for agriculture and food. The people of Ontario are blessed with tremendous access to fresh water and this has instilled the belief that we live in an area of water abundance. The reality is that while there is a considerable amount of water available for use, wise stewardship of this resource is needed to ensure that we do not create a “Tragedy of the Commons” with our water resources.

Before delving into the issue of water, a brief explanation of the tragedy of the commons is in order. The commons is a situation where a resource is used freely by all. The tragedy is that this free access leads to overuse and degradation of the resource that was enjoyed by all. The common example is overgrazing of common ground by the herdsmen surrounding a rural town during the Middle Ages.

When we look at water as a possible tragedy of the commons we need to recognize that there are other competing interests for water in Ontario. Broadly speaking, industry, ranging from energy production to manufacturing of all types, is often water intensive. Our urban areas use a lot of water for various reasons. The natural areas of rural Ontario need fresh water for all types of flora and fauna to thrive.

The broad challenge moving ahead is ensuring that we are able to allocate our water resources in a way that meets the needs of 9 billion people around the world. The need to grow enough food is a key priority moving forward, and ensuring that agriculture’s importance is well known in the coming years is essential.

Furthermore, it needs to be stressed that the region surrounding the Great Lakes needs to be a key player. We live in a country that, by and large, does not have to deal with food scarcity. Food producers have become so competent at meeting our food security needs that it is easy to forget just how critical the business of producing food is today.

Moving forward, conscientious use of water is going to be critically important, even in areas of abundance like Ontario. Ensuring that all players in the game are aware of the need to be responsible in their water use is critical. Wise decision-making today can lead to long-term prosperity for many industries in Ontario, including agriculture.


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: 55

Comment

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

Join Ontario Agriculture

Comment by Joann on February 10, 2011 at 12:09pm

Mr. Stevens, you wrote: "The people of Ontario are blessed with tremendous access to fresh water and this has instilled the belief that we live in an area of water abundance. The reality is that while there is a considerable amount of water available for use, wise stewardship of this resource is needed to ensure that we do not create a “Tragedy of the Commons” with our water resources."

 

What a curious turn of phrase!  You have a truly insightful thought about our water resources in Ontario and yet your fail to follow through with your intuitiveness.

 

Farmers in Ontario have been truly "blessed" with the right to water.   That statement is undeniable and entrenched in our property rights.

 

But then your commentary goes sideways when you warn of a possible “Tragedy of the Commons”.

 

If one looks at the very first Act of Upper Canada, (Ontario), we see that property rights were entrenched.  The Crown awarded land grants to qualifying persons (farmers) under an ancient system call Free and Common Socage.  The land grants are Sovereign signed, Sealed (twice) contracts docketed by the Auditor General of the time.

 

The land grants commonly start with the phrase:

GEO.lll (or another presiding Crown at the time) By the grace of God......  it is this phrase that signifies the blessing of whatever rights held within the contract.

 

By the Grace of God means by Divine Gift.

 

Many of the land grants have special stipulated rights.  The one in front of me states in writing:  the said lands.... together with all Woods and Waters thereon lying and being under the reservations limitations and conditions here after Expressed.....  the expressed part relates to reservations claimed under Indian Treaties.

 

The phrase Free and Common Socage are, in my

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

More Canadian Corn Acres in 2025; Fewer Soybeans

A Statistics Canada acreage report on Wednesday said Canadian producers intend to plant more corn and less soybeans in 2025. Nationwide corn plantings were estimated at 3.769 million acres, up 3.2% from a year earlier but still below the 3.824 million planted in 2023. On the other hand, soybean area was projected at 5.635 million acres, a 1.3% decline from 2024 but still above the 5.63 million acres planted in 2023. The report seems to confirm conventional opinion that corn will be the more profitable option, versus soybeans, for North American farmers this year. However, the report is based on a survey of 8,200 Canadian farmers between Dec. 13 and Jan. 27, long before US President Donald Trum launched trade action against China that has resulted in retaliatory measures, including 15% and 10% levies on US corn and soybeans, respectively. Trump has also threated 25% tariffs against most US imports of Canadian goods, including grains and grain products., which could take effect next

CCGA Implementing Interest-Free Change for 2025 Cash Advances

Late last week, the Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, announced the interest-free limit for the 2025 Advance Payments Program (APP) is increasing to $250,000. Canadian Canola Growers Association (CCGA) began accepting applications for the 2025 program in mid-February and is taking steps to deliver cash advances at this higher interest-free benefit. Previously, the interest-free limit was set at $100,000. “We’re focused on implementing the higher interest-free benefit quickly so that all farmers, including those who have already applied for a 2025 cash advance, can benefit equally,” says Dave Gallant, CCGA’s Vice-President, Finance & APP Operations. “CCGA will be notifying existing 2025 applicants about the program change and any actions required on their part. We hope to make the process seamless for all farmers.” For 2025, farmers can apply for up to $1 million in financing, with the interest-free component at $250,000 and the remaining at CCGA’s i

CCA Pleased to See Sustained Increase to Interest-Free Portion of Loans under Advance Payments Program

On Friday, March 7, the Hon. Lawrence MacAulay, Canada’s Minister of Agriculture and Agrifood,announced that for the fourth straight growing season the federal government would increase the interest-free portion of loans under the Advance Payments Program (APP) to $250,000 rather than the default of $100,000. CCA has been advocating for the limit to be kept at $350,000, but increasing it to $250,000 is positive for producers across Canada and will help keep the beef cattle sector economically competitive in an unsteady economic environment. Without the change, the interest-free portion of loans under APP would have reverted back to $100,000, which would not account for inflation and escalating input costs. The intent of APP is to help farmers, especially young farmers, meet cash flow needs and market their production flexibly. APP is also an important tool in helping producers meet escalating input costs, particularly that of raising capital to invest into the next crop. With ongoing

Research on the Farm – Barley Seeding Rate Trial Summary

Manitoba Crop Alliance’s (MCA) Research on the Farm (ROTF) program conducts scientific research with farmer members using replicated strip trials on commercial fields. Farmer co-operators use their own equipment and management practices to conduct this research. Research projects are developed to investigate current and pressing agronomic questions and provide site-specific answers. More information about the ROTF program and all trial results can be found here. Barley genetics for both malting and feed varieties have improved over the last decade. Evaluating current seeding rates for new barley varieties was necessary to understand if target plant stand densities are optimized for both grain yield and quality. The purpose of this trial was to investigate the economic and agronomic impact of farmers increasing and decreasing their target plant stands. This was done by having decreased and increased seeding rate treatments compared to the farmers’ normal. Over the past three years (20

U.S. tariffs hurt Manitoba farmers, economy

Today, Keystone Agricultural Producers (KAP) responded to the U.S. government implementing 25% tariffs on Canadian goods imported into the U.S. “Today’s imposition of tariffs on Canadian goods entering the U.S. will do nothing but harm farmers and consumers on both sides of the border,” said KAP President, Jill Verwey. “We oppose these trade actions that impede the free flow of goods between our two nations in the strongest of terms.” In 2024, Manitoba’s agri-food exports were $9.28 billion, with 46% of that going to the U.S. as our top agri-food trading partner. Some of the most exported farm products from Manitoba into the U.S. include canola, pork, potatoes, and oats. “Manitoba farmers produce world-class agricultural products and our trading partners in the U.S. know this, despite the actions their federal government are taking that will disrupt their ability to access Manitoba products at an affordable price,” said KAP General Manager, Colin Hornby. “These tariffs will not only

© 2025   Created by Darren Marsland.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service