Farms.com Home   Ag Industry News

OFVPA says 2017 could be a bad year if changes aren’t made

Organization says high hydro prices result in increased production costs

By Diego Flammini
Assistant Editor, North American Content
Farms.com

The Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Processors Association (OFVPA) says if immediate action isn’t taken to address current issues, the industry could be in some serious trouble.

According to OFVPA executive director Don Epp, (The Ontario Processing Vegetable Growers) is demanding exclusive monopoly prices for their products and Donald Trump’s administration continues to discuss changes to NAFTA and imposing a Value Added Tax to many imports.

Those issues, paired with Ontario’s high hydro rates and increased production costs, means fruit and vegetable producers could be in for a tough 2017.

“The perfect storm is shaping up that can have devastating affects to our industry," Epp said in a release.

OFVPA said it’s been trying to work out details on free and open negotiations between processors and growers. Without those negotiations, processors could look elsewhere for crops.

“Already 70,000 tons of tomatoes have been cancelled and a further 30,000 tons may not get picked up if the current system is in place,” said the release. “This 100,000 tons represents approximately $25 million in economic activity that will be lost in southwestern Ontario.”

OFVPA said it reached out to Ontario Minister of Agriculture Jeff Leal for support they would like to see sooner rather than later.

"Orders for seed and crop allocation need to be made before the end of the year,” Karl Evans, OFVPA president, said in the release. “If we cannot get commitments from the growers to move towards a more transparent market pricing system we will have to cancel investments in Ontario and divert these investments towards regions where true open partnerships exist."

In an email to Farms.com, Ontario's Ministry of Agriculture said it continues to work with marketing boards across the province.

"Ontario’s agri-food sector is strong when the entire value chain shares the responsibility to address current concerns of the industry that will work for everyone involved – including farmers, food processors and consumers," the ministry said in its email.

"(Minister Leal) has directed the (Ontario Farm Products Marketing Commission) to develop a plan for engagement and consultation with stakeholders concerning any proposed amendments to the regulatory framework for the vegetables for processing industry."


Trending Video

The FCDC and AgSmart Bring Plant Breeding to a Wider Audience

Video: The FCDC and AgSmart Bring Plant Breeding to a Wider Audience

In the vast prairies of Alberta, Olds College’s Field Crop Development Centre (FCDC) stands as a beacon of innovation and research in the agricultural world. The institution has become a key player in advancing agricultural technologies and practices. The FCDC’s commitment to applied research has driven them to seek effective means of disseminating their findings and creating a positive impact on the farming community.

One such avenue that aligns with their mission is AgSmart, an event dedicated to showcasing cutting-edge agricultural technologies. The coming together of the FCDC’s annual Field Day and Ag Smart has proved to be a natural fit, fostering a synergy that benefits both parties and propels the agriculture industry forward. The FCDC Field Day took part in conjunction with AgSmart for the first time this week on Aug. 1-2 in Olds, Alta. FCDC Program Director Kofi Agblor and Olds College VP of Development Todd Ormann sat down for an interview with Marc Zienkiewicz to discuss the significance of the two events taking part together and what the future holds.

The Intersection of Research and Technology The essence of the FCDC lies in its dedication to plant breeding and new seed varieties, particularly barley and triticale. While conducting research is essential, it becomes meaningful when its benefits are shared with the wider community. This is where AgSmart steps in, providing a key venue for the FCDC to showcase their research. This union between research and technology creates a holistic and enriching experience for farmers, ranchers, and industry professionals, the pair said.

Seeds as Technology For the FCDC, the partnership with AgSmart goes beyond mere event collaboration. It is about creating an environment that bridges the gap between seeds and smart technology, Ormann said. The college believes that for technology to truly revolutionize agriculture, it must begin with a strong foundation — high-quality seeds. As the saying goes, “it all starts with a seed.” To demonstrate this critical aspect, the collaboration aims to showcase the seed value chain as an integral part of the smartphone.

The Birth of a Powerful Alliance The idea of joining forces emerged when staff realized the potential synergy between AgSmart and the FCDC Field Day. With just a few days separating the two events, a proposal was put forward to merge them. The marketing and communications teams from both sides worked seamlessly to ensure the essence of both events remained intact, creating a powerful alliance that leverages the strengths of each, Agblor said.

Driving Advancements in Breeding For Agblor, the partnership with AgSmart has tremendous potential to drive advancements in breeding and other technology. With technologies like drones and imaging becoming integral to phenotyping, breeding is no longer confined to vast fields to assess thousands of plants manually. Instead, it benefits from the data-rich insights brought about by smart technologies. These advancements make breeding more efficient, precise, and instrumental in shaping the future of agriculture.

Overcoming Challenges Together While the partnership between Olds College and Ag Smart has been a resounding success, there are challenges on the horizon. Securing stable funding for long-term breeding initiatives is crucial to sustain progress. The college is committed to navigating these challenges and investing in agriculture’s future sustainably, Agblor said.

 

Comments


Your email address will not be published