Ontario rejoins Grain Farmers of Canada

 

Six years after it left, Grain Farmers of Ontario is rejoining Grain Farmers of Canada.

It has not said whether its concerns about governance and personality conflicts have been resolved. When it left it said it felt it did not have adequate representation, but also said the national organization is needed to deal with a host of issues such as trade and transportation.

Now in its statement about rejoining, Scott Hepworth, chairman of Grain Farmers of Canada,said “for decades, grain farmers have been dealing with the fallout of long-standing issues that have been left unresolved.

“Global market instability is exposing cracks across the system, and Grain Farmers of Ontario joining Grain Growers of Canada reflects just how broad these pressures are and why a unified national voice, representing every major grain-producing region, is critical now.”

When it left in February of 2020, Grain Farmers of Ontario said it was “unable to overlook issues with the structure of the organization and personality conflicts” and was, “concerned with governance and regulation compliance.”

PED outbreak in Oxford County

 

Swine Health Ontario reported an outbreak of porcine epidemic diarrhea virus in Oxford County on Jan. 6.

Wilmot land assembly is stalled

 

Waterloo Region has been frustrated in its plan to assemble 770 acres in Wilmot Township for industrial development.

So far it has bought only one 155-acre farm and several residences. It claims to have the rights to 550 acres.

But there are staunch holdouts, such as dairy farmer Stewart Snider who said he objects to the way the land assembly has been launched.

He also told Waterloo Region Record reporter Terry Pender that he doubts the region has legal authority to expropriate the land it seeks because it does not have a buyer or specific development proposal. 

His opinion is shared by two groups opposed to the land assembly.

Snider said the economic climate has changed since the project was launched in the fall of 2024. 

United States President Donald Trump’s tariffs have changed things, he said, a point conceded by Tony La Mantia, chief executive officer of the Waterloo Region Economic Development Corporation. 

But La Mantia said that could change as soon as the mid-term elections in the United States in November.

The region’s threat to use expropriation to acquire the 770 acres expires in February so holdouts such as Snider will be able to block the full extent of the land assembly.

The Region failed to respond to a request from Ontario Farmer to say how many properties and acres are under purchase agreements.

OMAFRA drafting rules on animal research

 

The Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness is drafting rules to govern the use of animals in research.

It mentioned dogs and cats, but said the rules will govern all animals used in research.

Premier Doug Ford promised to take action after recent news articles featured people criticizing the use of pet animals for research.

PED outbreak in Perth County

 

Swine Health Ontario reported an outbreak of porcine epidemic diarrhea virus at a finisher barn in Perth County.

Lambton cattlemen improve a pasture

Lambton Cattlemen’s Association is seeding and improving 200 acres owned by St. Clair Region Conservation Authority.

The project could eventually expand to 600 acres of community pasture.

The association is establishing a separate organization to manage the pasture leased from the conservation authority.

It has three priorities for the pasture: to support the beef industry by grazing breeding females, to grant priority leases to farmers under 38 years old and to be a demonstration site to educate people about grazing management.

They also hope to develop a demonstration component to educate people about grazing management techniques.

"The land is south of Brigden, near Wallaceburg and is part of a 600 acre property that was taken by the Darcy McKeough floodway.

The land that the conservation authority picked is sensitive and best suited for grazing. It's really nice to see the conservation authority acknowledge that it's the best use for the land," said cattlemen’s association president Chad Anderson.

Anderson said the land will be properly seeded in grass and fences installed this year so cattle grazing can begin next year.

Nine rabid bats in Ontario

 

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency reported nine cases of rabies in bats in Ontario during December, bringing the annual totals to 114 bats and six red foxes.

Nationally there were 281 rabies cases.