Year In Review: A look back at this year in agriculture, with Ontario’s Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs

Jan 05, 2024

As we bid farewell to 2023 and embrace the challenges and opportunities of the coming year, Ontario’s Minister of Agriculture, Food, and Rural Affairs, Lisa Thompson, took a moment to look back on the past year and share insights into the province’s agricultural achievements and future goals.

Minister Thompson emphasized the crucial role of farmers in shaping the provincial strategy, looking to invest in Ontario’s food security in the coming years and beyond.

This partnership with the federal government will see $1.77 billion put into Ontario’s AgriFood industry – which contributes $47 billion to Ontario’s GDP.

A significant portion of this investment, $9 million, went towards enhancing soil health. Minister Thompson underscored the importance of understanding and improving soil health for sustainable agriculture.

The minister also discussed the AgriFood Technology Fund, a $25 million initiative aimed at supporting farmers and processors in adopting new technologies for increased efficiency and biosecurity. This fund reflects the commitment to innovation, a key aspect of the overarching Grow Ontario strategy.

Sustainability played a pivotal role in their efforts, with a focus on the Resilient Agricultural Landscape program—a $50 million investment.

Click here to see more...

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.