Ontario Farmers “Significantly” Impacted by Hydro Increases

Oct 15, 2012

Ontario PC Survey Indicates 60.7% of Farmers Reported Hydro Cost Hurting Business

The Ontario PC Party Critic for Agriculture, Ernie Hardeman MPP for Oxford announced today the results of a survey conducted to gain feedback from farmers to indicate some of the biggest challenges facing their farm businesses and 67.7% of Ontario farmers indicated that the increasing costs of hydro posed a “significant” impact on their farming operation.

“97% of farmers said they have been impacted by increased hydro costs and 60.7% of those said the impact has been significant,” said Hardeman “Farmers are working hard to make ends meet and grow their businesses but they are struggling with the impact of government policies like spiraling hydro rates.”

It has been forecasted that the cost of hydro is going to increase by 47% over the next five years, which has been attributed to green energy subsides for wind and solar projects in addition to the recently discovered costs of relocating two power plants that left taxpayers on the hook for $900 million.

The survey was part of an initiative by the Ontario PC caucus in order to identify some of the key challenges that farmers are facing so that the PC’s could assist with advocating for farmer’s needs. While 60.7% of farmers listed the rising cost of hydro as a significant impact, a total of 97% of farmers said that they have been impacted by hydro costs.

Video: How Swine Nutrition Can Revolutionize Biogas Production - Dr. Felipe Hickmann

In this episode of The Swine it Podcast Show Canada, Dr. Felipe Hickmann from Laval University explores how nutritional strategies and manure management impact biogas production in pig farming. He breaks down the science behind anaerobic digestion at low temperatures and explains how dietary adjustments affect methane production and environmental sustainability. Learn how producers can reduce emissions and improve resource efficiency. Listen now on all major platforms!

"Lowering crude protein can reduce nitrogen in manure, but only if animal intake doesn’t compensate by increasing feed consumption."

Meet the guest: Dr. Felipe Hickmann / felipe-hickmann-963853a6 is a PhD research assistant at Laval University, specializing in swine and poultry sustainability. With extensive experience in manure management, nutritional strategies, and precision livestock technologies, he contributes to improving environmental outcomes in animal agriculture.