OFA appreciates swift action of provincial government to support northwestern Ontario farmers

Jul 27, 2021

GUELPH, ON – Relief is on the way for farmers in northwestern Ontario impacted by severe drought conditions. The Ontario government has announced a $2 million investment through the Northwestern Livestock Emergency Assistance Initiative to support farmers in the region to ensure they have the resources they need to maintain their livelihoods.

The Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) is grateful for the prompt financial assistance to ensure farmers in Rainy River, Kenora and Dryden have access to water and feed to sustain their herds. It will also ensure the continued viability of the farming and food sector in northern Ontario.

The investment, which was jointly announced by Hon. Lisa Thompson, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs and Hon. Greg Rickford, Minister of Northern Development, Mines, Natural Resources and Forestry and MPP for Kenora-Rainy River, designated $1.2 million for water and fencing infrastructure and up to $800,000 to Beef Farmers of Ontario (BFO) to handle the delivery, distribution, and sourcing feed for livestock.

Agricorp will be tasked with facilitating this initiative. The financial assistance for water and fencing infrastructure will be available to livestock farmers for eligible costs incurred as a result of the dry weather retroactive to June 14, 2021.

“We sincerely appreciate and respect the swift action of the Ontario government to respond to the request of the region and provide necessary support to farmers in crisis,” said Peggy Brekveld, OFA President. “This is a relief for farmers in the area, not only for their businesses, but for their mental health too, giving them peace of mind that help is on the way.”

The situation in northwestern Ontario has reached a crisis level due to above seasonal temperatures through May, June and into July, combined with a lack of rainfall. It has severely impacted hay, grain crops, pasture conditions and access to water.

Farmers expressed serious concerns and illustrated the severity of the crisis during an industry roundtable last week hosted by OFA, BFO and Grain Farmers of Ontario. It evolved into an emergency situation caused by crops burning off, pastures drying out, and in some cases, minimal access to water resulting in immediate sell-off of livestock.

OFA was pleased to hear Minister Rickford confirm that farmers facing similar circumstances in nearby regions may be considered for support. We will continue working together with the provincial government and industry partners to address the needs of our northern farmers.

Source : OFA

Video: Dicamba Returns for Georgia Farmers: What the New EPA Ruling Means for Cotton Growers

After being unavailable in 2024 due to registration issues, dicamba products are returning for Georgia farmers this growing season — but under strict new conditions.

In this report from Tifton, Extension Weed Specialist Stanley Culpepper explains the updated EPA ruling, including new application limits, mandatory training requirements, and the need for a restricted use pesticide license. Among the key changes: a cap of two ½-pound applications per year and the required use of an approved volatility reduction agent with every application.

For Georgia cotton producers, the ruling is significant. According to Taylor Sills with the Georgia Cotton Commission, the vast majority of cotton planted in the state carries the dicamba-tolerant trait — meaning farmers had been paying for technology they couldn’t use.

While environmental groups have expressed concerns over spray drift, Georgia growers have reduced off-target pesticide movement by more than 91% over the past decade. Still, this two-year registration period will come with increased scrutiny, making stewardship and compliance more important than ever.