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‘Radical’ watchdog assures she won’t be chasing Ontario’s farmers

New environment commissioner clarifies her farm agenda

By Joe Dales, Vice-President, Farms.com

Ontario’s new environment watchdog wants farmers to know she’s not the threat they might fear she is.

Dianne Saxe has taken heat from farm groups and media after a story ran in the National Post which contained some farming comments from the 40-year Toronto-based environmental lawyer.

The article, titled “Meet Ontario’s radical new environment commissioner,” quoted Saxe as saying she wants an end to cheap diesel fuel for farmers.

“We in Ontario, according to the provincial budget, subsidize diesel consumption by $190 million a year,” she said. “That’s not providing better outcomes, it’s not providing income support.”

Alarm bells went off in every county across the province.

OFA president Don McCabe explained the comments reflected a misunderstanding of Ontario agriculture. Grain Farmers chair Mark Brock wrote an open letter to the commissioner, saying he had been across the province “and farmers from all regions are alarmed by comments they have read in the media, about coloured diesel.”

And in a Jan. 15 Toronto Sun column, former MPP John Snobelen (who was a cabinet minister in Mike Harris’s government) wrote that “there are a lot of reasons to be concerned about Dianne Saxe,” beginning with her “shots at farming.”

However in a personal interview yesterday with Farms.com, Saxe assured Ontario’s farmers that, if there is concern she is planning to cause any financial hardship, that “nothing could be further from the truth.”

“I appreciate the opportunity to set the record straight,” said the keen canoeist, kayaker and cross-country skier. “I’m not interested in taking that $190 million away from farmers. That’s not on the table. But I’ve spoken with many people who simply are not convinced that $190 million is actually getting to our farmers in the most effective way.

“Are there better solutions? Are there better ways of supporting our farm families with that $190 million?

Here is the link to the original National Post Article referenced.

http://news.nationalpost.com/news/canada/david-reevely-meet-ontarios-radical-new-environment-commissioner

“Doesn’t it seem possible there might be a better way? Wouldn’t our Ontario farmers want me asking the question, on their behalf, to ensure we are using that money to help family farms, and not large companies and the better-off?”

Indeed, Saxe on Jan. 14 asked that blunt question quite openly on her Twitter account: “Fossil fuel subsidies: For the same money, can (Ontario) treat farmers more fairly and get cleaner air, less climate damage? It’s worth asking.”

Saxe, who says “a mad passion for the natural world” motivated her to become an environmental lawyer, is waiting for answers and input. And she’s heading out on the road to seek those thoughts.

“I am going to meet with the Grain Farmers, I’m going to the Soil and Crop dinner, I’m meeting with OMAFRA. And I will not be looking to take away money from our farmers, or to make it more financially challenging to run a successful farm here in Ontario.

“But I will keep asking the questions that need to be asked.”

FAMILY BACKGROUND: Saxe is the daughter of the late Dr. Morton Shulman, MPP from 1967 to 1975 and renowned Canadian businessman, broadcaster, columnist, coroner and physician. Saxe recalls her father’s crusade to demand use of seatbelts in vehicles when he was Ontario’s chief coroner in the early 1960s. “I’ve spent my whole life trying to live up to the remarkable example my father set.”

Reach Joe Dales at joe.dales@farms.com and 1-877-438-5729, x 5013.

Editors Note:  Here is a video interview with Dianne Saxe with TVO The Agenda With Steve Paikin.

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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.

 

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