This going to be another challenging year for agriculture here in Grey Bruce and Ontario.
The new President of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture Betty Jean Crews tells Bayshore Broadcasting news the economic downturn is going to hurt everybody, especially those involved in agriculture.
She says while some commodity prices went up last year, so too did their imput costs like fertilizer and fuel, and while fuel prices have retreated somewhat, other costs remain high.
Crews says that imbalance means it will still be difficult for farmers to get a good return on their investments over the next 12 months.
She says another challenge farmers will have to deal with this new year is the US Country of Origin Labeling which is having a huge impact on Ontario Pork and Beef producers.
Crews says even the packers in the US don’t like the COOL regulations because they are too complicated to interpret.
As a result they are very reluctant to important Canadian beef or pork.
Crews says she will continue the OFA’s battle with the Provincial Government for a sharing of costs for the Source Water protection plan.
She says there is still no indication from the Province that urban residents will help share the cost of protecting their drinking water.
Crews says when land it taken out of production to protect drinking water, then there has to be compensation for that.
