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Grape Growers of Ontario is the official organization that represents over 500 grape growers in southern and southwestern Ontario, Canada who produce world class cool climate grapes for processing.
First organized in 1947, The Ontario Grape Growers' Marketing Board was established to serve the needs and represent the interests of grape growers in their dealings with processors. For the first time, growers were ensured of a unified, minimum price for grapes, and also gained a voice in the grape and wine processing industry.
Grape Growers of Ontario are an independent, self-governing farming organization operating under the Ontario Farm Products Marketing Act, and are funded entirely by grape growers. These funds are used to support the grape-growing system, and help promote the grape and wine industry in the province.
Grape Growers of Ontario provides many benefits and services for their grower-members to help them produce the best quality grapes, protect their investments in land and plantings, and achieve profitability in the marketplace. They also support wineries by lobbying on their behalf and providing moral and financial support as they strive to increase their market exposure and improve sales.
Ontario's wine appellations are classified as "cool climate viticulture regions" because they are located in one of the most northerly grape-growing regions in the world and are the furthest inland of any grape-producing area. However, the proximity of the Great Lakes (specifically Lake Ontario and Lake Erie) has a moderating influence, allowing for the production of high-quality grapes. They experience relatively mild winters (although annual deep freeze in late December or early January gives the opportunity to produce world-renowned Icewine) and hot summers, giving growers consistent annual production and excellent vintages.
Today, there are 17,000 acres of vineyards in Ontario, about the same as 50 years ago, however the variety of grapes grown is dramatically different than it was, and the industry has evolved and achieved its status as an internationally acclaimed grape and wine region. Ontario Icewines, in particular, have become popular in many places around the world, and serve as an excellent introduction to the rest of our fine wines.
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Ten Provincial Directors, elected by a district committee, represent 875 Processing Vegetable Growers in three districts across Ontario. They are responsible for the annual negotiation of prices and terms and conditions of sale for thirteen processing vegetable crops on the growers' behalf. Processors then contract their requirements directly with the individual growers of their choice. Growers have committed approximately 1% of their annual gross returns, which generates approximately 1 million dollars annually. This is used primarily for the purpose of sourcing market data and industry information, as well as sponsoring various research projects. The processing crops managed by OPVG include: Tomatoes, Cucumbers, Sweet Corn, Green Peas, Green & Wax Beans, Carrots, Cauliflower, Cabbage, Beets, Peppers, Pumpkin, Squash and Lima Beans.
Weather Innovations Incorporated produces several programs for the processing tomato group within the OPVG. TomCast is the most widely known of these programs. This program is delivered as a web based map to all growers with the support of the OPVG. Some additional site specific products are available to processing tomato growers including field specific DSV, ET and irrigation scheduling.
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Sugar beets have been grown in the Chatham-Kent and Lambton area for Michigan processors since 1996, and the growers have secured their market by becoming members of a growers' cooperative which now runs the plant.
The Ontario Sugarbeet Growers' Association, Michigan Sugar Canada Limited and Lambton Beet Harvesting Inc. have co-sponsored an application to the Ontario Small Town and Rural Development Initiative (OSTAR). The project, titled "Dig It" (Diversify, Invest, Grow, Innovate & Trade), will help secure the long-term future of the sugar beet industry in Ontario.
The proposed project includes:
- The expansion of the piling yard in Dover Township to handle the increased tonnage of sugar beets with new piling equipment commensurate with the need for increased volumes.
- The piling of beets in the fields in Lambton County, with subsequent loading for transfer to the Michigan processing plant (this would follow European practices, eliminating the need for another central piling yard and allowing for an increase in contract acres in Lambton).
- The improvement of the information systems for the management of Ontario Sugarbeet production, including BeetCast weather information, GIS field imaging for accurate acreage measurement, better assessments of disease conditions and drainage, and electronic weigh scales, all integrated on delivery for efficient data collection and sharing.
- Assessment of use of field platforms to allow trucks to be loaded in fields rather than on concession roads.
- Applied research to identify optimal parameters for sugarbeet piling, storage and handling as new techniques are introduced.
With the Government of Ontario investing $752,000 in the project, the balance of the funding for the $1.5 million project will be provided by project partners: Ontario Sugarbeet Growers' Association, Michigan Sugar Canada Limited, and Lambton Beet Harvesting Inc.
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The Ontario Wheat Producers' Marketing Board began sponsoring the Fusarium risk program with the Ontario Weather Network, and now continues that sponsorship with Weather Innovations. WIN has increased the number of stations that this crop model is driven from. The program now covers both western and eastern Ontario, and runs from the beginning of winter wheat heading in Essex County until the end of spring wheat heading in the Ottawa Valley. Weather Innovations is pleased to provide ongoing service to the wheat producers in Ontario.
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The Seed Corn Growers of Ontario (SCGO) represents the province's 500 seed corn growers. For more than 60 years, the SCGO have been dedicated to enhancing the efficiency, quality and competitiveness of seed corn production in Ontario. The principal mandate of the organization is to work with individual seed companies to negotiate production contracts that not only make the growers competitive, but also provide incentives to produce excellent seed. The SCGO works to ensure that their growers are provided with the best information and programs to maintain and broaden their seed corn production skills.
Ontario's seed corn production region is exclusively contained in the southwest of the province. The area's excellent soil and mild climate, combined with skilled and experienced seed corn growers, makes Ontario a world-class producer of seed corn.
For more information on Ontario seed corn production contact the SCGO at info@seedcorngrowers.on.ca or 519.352.6710.
Weather Innovations is currently working with the SCGO on two projects. With the support of industry partners we are investigating the economic impact of irrigation for seed corn production, and conducting irrigation field trials.
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