Keith Currie was acclaimed to a second term as OFA president at the organization’s annual meeting Nov. 20-21 in Toronto. (John Greig photo)

OFA pre-election policy targets broader economic development

Stable rural areas and thriving farms can help urbanites with some of their biggest challenges. That’s the message from the Ontario Federation of Agriculture going into next year’s provincial election. The OFA talked about how it is framing its election strategy at its annual meeting, which ran Monday and Tuesday in Toronto. “With the election

Apples are healthy foods and are at their best when you eat the whole fruit fresh.

Enjoy more apples this season

Prairie Fare: Apples are more than just tasty snacks, they’re good for your health

We didn’t get any apples on our apple tree this year,” my 19-year-old daughter lamented. “Not even one.” My neighbours cut down their aging apple tree last year, so that probably had something to do with our fruitless tree. According to NDSU Extension information written by our horticulture specialists, “many tree fruit cultivars cannot set


(Staff photo)

Taking aim at food waste, companies plan simplified expiration labels

New York | Thomson Reuters Foundation — Some of the world’s largest consumer goods companies, including Kellogg and Wal-Mart, said on Wednesday they will simplify food expiration labels in an effort to eliminate confusion that contributes to food waste. Standardized labeling will use a single expiration date on perishable items and a single quality indicator

Marcus Wiebe was in the final stages of getting a new apple press operational last week. The Winkler farmer expected to start pressing apples for new customers this week.

New apple press starts operations near Winkler

Burwalde Juice Co. owner expects business to be brisk

A new Manitoba farm-based company offering apple pressing for backyard growers expects to start operations this week. Burwalde Juice Co., located on a farm north of Winkler, is the newest apple press providing cold-pressing, pasteurizing and bottling services to those who drop off loads of apples to be made into cider. They purchased the press


(Dave Bedard photo)

Hourly employees in agriculture among lowest paid

CNS Canada –– Hourly-wage employees in agriculture and related production were among the lowest earners nationally, according to data from Statistics Canada. The agency on Thursday released data on wages paid to payroll employees in 2016. It reported the average hourly wage paid to full-time employees, excluding overtime pay, tips, incentives and performance pay arrangements,

(Dave Bedard photo)

Ontario minimum wage increases concern farmers

Changes to the way labour is regulated and paid for in Ontario will have detrimental effects on farm profitability, say farm organizations. Premier Kathleen Wynne and Labour Minister Kevin Flynn announced the changes this week, outlining the proposed legislation after a review of the acts that govern labour in Ontario was completed. The largest impact


B.C. Agriculture Minister Norm Letnick, shown here last October promoting the province’s income tax credit for farmers donating agricultural products to registered charities, held his Kelowna riding in the provincial election Tuesday night. (Gov.bc.ca)

B.C. ag minister, ag critic hang on in election

British Columbia’s incumbent agriculture minister and opposition agriculture critic have both held onto their seats in the legislature so far through the province’s harrowing election Tuesday. Complete results aren’t expected to be available until after the final count starting May 22, but preliminary results put the province’s governing Liberals in minority status with 43 of