GRCA raises concerns

 

The directors of the Grand River Conservation Authority are telling the provincial government they have many concerns with the proposal to merge eight conservation authorities into one stretching from Windsor to Arthur.

It’s one part of a bigger proposal to merge about 36 conservation authorities into seven.

They said the proposals mean that municipalities will be required to provide most of the money but will have little say because the new authority will be governed by 22 people appointed by the province.

The governance of the current authorities is by municipal councillors and mayors.

They said municipalities depend on information and advice from their local conservation authorities when they undertake planning and zoning and are considering development proposals and they feel the new organization will be too large to effectively respond to them.

Directors also raised concerns about timely emergency responses to flooding.

The Grand River Conservation Authority concerns are an echo of similar concerns raised by other regions who face mergers.

Researchers make nitrogen-fixing wheat

Plant breeders have developed wheat plants capable of creating their own nitrogen fertilizer.

Researchers at the University of California used gene editing technology to increase a naturally-occurring chemicals that allow wheat to fix nitrogen .

 

“For decades, scientists have been trying to develop cereal crops that produce active root nodules, or trying to colonize cereals with nitrogen-fixing bacteria, without much success. We used a different approach,” said Eduardo Blumwald in a report in ScienceDaily publication.

Researchers, led by Blumwald, examined 2,800 chemicals that plants make naturally and identified 20 that could encourage nitrogen-fixing bacteria to form biofilms, the report said.

The university has applied for a patent and Bayer Crop Science has provided some money for the research.

Blumwald said that based on an estimate of wheat acreage, plants that can fix there own nitrogen would be worth $1 billion a year.

It could be even more important for poor farmers, such as many in Africa, who can’t afford nitrogen fertilizer, he said.

Lindsay Dykeman wins awar

Lindsay Dykeman, general manager of the Ontario Dairy Goat Co-operative, has won the first annual Peter Hannam award.

She was chosen by the Ontario Federation of Agriculture for the award named for a former federation president, successful farmer and entrepreneur.

Dykeman is also a director of the Bruce County Federation of Agriculture and of the Kincardine Agricultural Society and is secretary-treasurer of Bruce Countu Community Pasture.

She is now studying under Advanced Agricultural Leadership program.

                           

Broccoli under recall

 

Some Market Fresh brand broccoli florets are under recall.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency discovered salmonella and triggered the recall in all provinces from Ontario east.

The agency said there have been no reports of consumers sickened by the broccoli.

Dietrich to head Holstein Canada

 

Greg Dietrich of Mildmay has been chosen executive director of Holstein Canada.

He began his career with Holstein Canada, was its national registrar and classifier.

The post has been vacant since Sartaj Sarkaria left in May.

Linda Markle and Chris Bartels filled the gap as co-chief operating officers.

Dietrich has also worked for Semex Canada, for Progenesis and at the family farm, Character Dairy Genetics.

                           

OFA leadership re-elected

 

Drew Spoelstra has been re-elected president of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture and Sara Wood and Ethan Wallace as first and second vice-presidents.

It is Spoelstra’s third term as president.

“Over the course of the past year, we’ve seen a huge emphasis on taking a team approach to achieve the best results – from buy Canadian promotions to political leaders working together to tackle issues like tariffs and interprovincial trade barriers and more,” said Spoelstra, in a release. “The work at OFA is also a team approach, from county federations to partners across the sector and beyond, and I appreciate the opportunity to serve as the OFA’s president for another year.”

Beef farmers support food bank

Beef farmers from Grey and Bruce counties have donated almost $4,000 to Grey Bruce Food Share food bank.

“As beef farmers, it’s our mission to help feed our community with good, nutritious food,” said Calvin Anstett, president of the Bruce County Beef Farmers. 

“And at Christmas—when so many families are feeling the strain—that mission feels even more important. We’re grateful to be able to support our neighbours in ameaningful way.”

Matt McKinnon of the Grey County Beef Farmers Association said “giving back to our community is at the heart of what we do.

"The Beef Farmers of Ontario has long been a strong advocate for grassroots donations to local food banks, and we’re proud to continue that tradition here in Grey and Bruce.”

            
Grey County Beef Farmers Association president Matt McKinnon and Bruce County

Beef Farmers president Calvin Anstett (right) hand their donations to help purchase

beef to Volunteer Pat McDonough