"Powered by Biodiesel" bumper sticker campaign
A bumper sticker campaign to show support for the federal government’s national biodiesel standard has been launched by the Canadian Renewable Fuels Association (CRFA) in partnership with Grain Farmers of Ontario, Koch Farms and Koch Logistics and FS Partners. 

“Farmers here and across the country are clearly enthusiastic about the increased production and promotion of biodiesel. This bumper sticker will let them proudly show their support,” said CRFA President Gordon Quaiattini in announcing the campaign at the Grain Farmers of Ontario March Classic. “The two percent renewable fuel standard for biodiesel is an investment in our future.  It is creating good jobs, helping farmers find new ways to prosper and is helping protect our planet for future generations.”

According to Don Kenny, Chair of Grain Farmers of Ontario, “biodiesel is a great potential growth industry for Ontario’s grain and oilseed farmers, but in order for our 28,000 members to see any benefit, we need to see a biodiesel plant built in Ontario and a two percent renewable diesel mandate passed.” 

Visit www.greenfuels.org to find out more. •

4-H Ontario running new Crop Sen$e conference
A new conference open to farmers between the ages of 17 and 25 has recently been announced. Crop Sen$e, managed by 4-H Ontario and supported by Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada, the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs and Agricultural Management Institute, is focused on the business management side of cropping.

Topics such as marketing, production, financial management, human resources, social responsibility, succession planning, business structure and business strategy will be covered. These topics will be addressed through a variety of guest speakers, farm tours and presentations.

Crop Sen$e is being held June 16 – 18, 2011, at the University of Guelph Ridgetown College Campus. Registration is limited, so sign up soon. For more information and registration forms, visit www.4-hontario.ca or email sense@4-hontario.ca..•

Bobolink considered a threatened species
Although bobolink are still quite common in parts of the province, they have recently been added as a threatened species under Ontario’s Endangered Species Act (ESA). The ESA aims to act sooner when there is evidence of a species under threat or in decline and the bobolink population has declined over 50 percent in the last 10 years.

This designation could potentially impact normal farming practices as the ESA prohibits killing or harming a threatened species, or damaging or destroying its habitat. Bobolink nest in hayfields and timing of haying coincides with peak nesting season. Several agricultural and conservation interest groups are involved in ongoing discussions to find workable solutions. These groups have recently developed a concept for protecting the bobolink habitat, as part of a larger grassland recovery effort. For more information contact the Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association. •