The province is starting a framework to help Ontario grain farmers cope with record levels of DON in corn.
According to Grain Farmers of Ontario, Ernie Hardman, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, is initiating the ask for federal government support through the AgriRecovery program.
AgriRecovery is a disaster relief framework where all levels of government work together to respond to natural disasters affecting farmers when need is not addressed by current programs.
“Grain Farmers of Ontario appreciates the Ontario government's acknowledgement of the DON crisis in Ontario as a form of disaster and looks to the federal government to also be part of the solution,” said Markus Haerle, Chair, Grain Farmers of Ontario. “Our organization is committed to providing support to the Ontario government to ensure that the federal government understands the need of Ontario's grain farmers, and to ensure the risk management programs, including AgriRecovery, are effective for our members.”
The intake deadline for merit-based, cost-share funding to support projects has also been extended provincially, which officials say will help the corn value chain address challenges caused by DON.
Funding for this targeted initiative is being provided through the Canadian Agricultural Partnership's funding assistance for Ontario's organizations and collaborations.
The new deadline is February 28, 2019.
