|  There was good news in the provincial budget for farmers this week. The Ontario government announced new, permanent risk-management programs that farmers have long been asking for to help bring some much needed stability to notoriously fluctuating farm incomes.
Farm leaders have been making their case both federally and provincially about the need for this kind of support for a long time. A pilot program specifically for farmers who grow grains and oilseeds, like soybeans and canola, was announced four years ago and its success made it a model for other agricultural sectors also in need of long-term stability, like pork, beef, veal and fruits and vegetables. What makes farming so special that they need government-supported risk-management programs? Continue reading Long awaited support for local food and farming  For anyone writing or blogging about farming, here’s a great resource for you.
One of my biggest struggles is always trying to find current, accurate and available photos to go along with articles or blog posts. The Ontario agriculture photo library has a wide array of available photos depicting many of the different aspects of farming in our province. Continue reading Fabulous farming fotos If producers don’t survive, the rest of the industry won’t either. That’s the blunt message Canadian Pork Council president Clare Schlegel is hoping the government will hear loud and clear. The Canadian livestock industry has been battling an economic crisis since last summer, when Canada’s high-flying currency helped sink cattle and hog prices and drive up feed costs.
Continue reading Our producers must survive Commonly held beliefs about veal were shattered in Toronto last evening at a tasting and education event hosted for the food service industry. Jennifer Haley (shown here), Executive Director of the Ontario Veal (OVA) offered food service media, chefs and industry representatives a look behind the barn door as she gave an overview of Ontario’s veal industry. Veal [...] A new value chain strategy is being used by Ontario’s veal farmers to try to help them get more veal onto restaurant menus. Bill Dover and Geoff Wilson, food industry consultants working with the Ontario Veal Association (OVA), discussed the new approach which is seeing new products being developed in response to market needs at an [...] A gathering of chefs, media and food service industry distributors experienced the appeal of Ontario veal first hand at an education and tasting session in Toronto last night. Approximately 20 food service industry decision makers learned about veal: as an ideal healthy lifestyle choice – the meat is naturally lean, yet nutritious protein alternative – , as [...] | |
