Ontario Agriculture

The network for agriculture in Ontario, Canada

It has been a very busy couple of weeks.  Making headway on rebuilding my grain header, want to get that out of the way so I can start on the tractors and tillage equipment.  So although I was beginning to feel like I was making progress, in steps OMAFRA.  My farm doesn't qualify for the farm tax rate.  In the past, my father had recieved an exemption from the FBR system for religious reasons.  Having taken the decision to join the system rather than appose/avoid it, i opened up a can of worms that will only cost me.  I didn't think much about government bureaucracy before, but now i just plain hate it.  

Our freedoms are being removed.  Why does it matter if someone registers with the government to be recognized as a farmer?  Shouldn't caring for the soil and harvesting crops be enough?  People were once judged by there abilities and endevours.  Now its by what license you hold, or permit you have.  It saddens me a great deal to see the results of past efforts.  Not my efforts, but those who build this system.  I am sure there was no ill intents when regulation was introduced, but the results are not a better more efficient society, but rather a society that spends its efforts in regulations and litigations.  

I guess I shouldn't be surprised to hear that children can no longer have skating events at school, because not all kids have a helmet.  Why a helmet?  Just in case someone falls down, the school needs to avoid the insurance lawsuit.  

The youth in the world have been rebelling against the old systems, specifically in the middle east.  The occupy movements are attempting the same thing over here.  They are not successful, because we have too much to loose, where in the third world they have nothing left to loose they can only gain.   I had not ever supported these protests, but I think I can now attest to the understanding that our system is stale, and something new is required.  I don't expect to see any changes soon, it will take a revolution and that won't happen until this society has been reduced to the nothing left to loose category.  I do hope it never comes to that, but sadly that means it would never be renewed.  

It makes for quite the dilemma, and I get the joy of being stuck in the middle of it.  It would have been nice to have had the support of the bureaucracy as I start to farm, but alas it becomes my enemy.  Although mother nature may not always favour me I consider that my ally.  I hope my experience is limited and other new farmers have a better experience.  But in my book OMAFRA is.....can't find a polite way to it.

Views: 832

Comment

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

Join Ontario Agriculture

Comment by Allan Mervin Spicer on February 23, 2012 at 8:14pm

Gus. Couldn't agree with you less. In order to be truly free, we , as a collective community give ups some reasons to be truly free. I lost a friend to a brain injury from a motor cycle acciden prior to he helmet law. Go Occupy Wall Street.
a.s.

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

Alberta Milk launches “Farm to Table” campaign to celebrate local dairy and the people behind it

Alberta Milk is proud to announce the launch of its latest campaign, Farm to Table: a celebration of Alberta’s local food culture and the hardworking dairy farmers who help nourish our province. Amidst a global backdrop of economic uncertainty and shifting trade priorities, Albertans are more focused than ever on supporting local. Farm to Table was created in response to this growing pride in locally produced food, and the people behind it. At the heart of the campaign is a short film following Alberta dairy farmer Jason Crozier and Blair Lebsack, Chef and owner of Edmonton-based restaurant RGE RD. Together, they explore the journey from farm to table, touring Crozier’s farm and connecting over their shared commitment to high-quality, locally sourced ingredients. As they explore the farm , they also enjoy a variety of dishes featuring homegrown ingredients including, of course, local dairy. The spot highlights the pride, care, and community that go into every glass of milk produced i

Major Crop Emergence Ahead of Average in Alberta but Dryness Increasing

With seeding finishing ahead of the average pace, major crop emergence in Alberta is also running ahead despite eroding soil moisture. Friday’s weekly crop report showed that 95% of all major crops had emerged across the province as of Tuesday (spring wheat, oats, barley, canola, peas). That is well ahead of the five-year average of 84% and the 10-year average of 86%. Provincial dry pea emergence and spring wheat emergence are virtually complete compared to a five-year average of 92% and 90%, respectively. Barley emergence, at 96%, is nearing completion, ahead of the 5-year average of 84%. For later seeded crops, canola emergence is at 89%, which leads the 5-year average of 78%, while oat crop emergence is at 85%, ahead of the 5-year average of 71%. Rapid emergence of the 2025 crop has been followed by advanced development of the crop as well. However, the report said that despite the favourable emergence rates and crop development progress, limited soil moisture “is not suppo

OPMA Appoints New Board Chair and New Directors at Annual General Meeting 2025

Toronto, ON - The Ontario Produce Marketing Association (OPMA) announced the appointment of its new Board Chair and two new Directors at its Annual General Meeting (AGM) held on June 10, 2024 in Toronto. The newly elected Board Chair will serve a one-year term as Chair and the new Directors will each serve threeyear terms from 2025 to 2028.

Emergency use of Allegro 500F registered for field

The Pest Management Regulatory Agency has just approved the Emergency Use registration request for use of Allegro 500F fungicide, effective June 2, 2025, to June 1, 2026, in Ontario, British Columbia, Alberta,Québec, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia and Newfoundland and Labrador.

SPG Lowers Pulse Crop Levy Rate

Saskatchewan Pulse Growers will reduce the crop levy rate from 0.67% to 0.60% starting August 1, 2025, helping growers save more amid stable revenue and strong markets.

© 2025   Created by Darren Marsland.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service