P.E.I. farmers were well positioned to put forward their top issues when the P.E.I. Federation of Agriculture hosted an all-party debate for the four provincial leaders. The provincial election takes place April 23, 2019.

Ontario ag minister Ernie Hardeman has called for direct contracting between processors and tomato growers in advance of 2020 crop negotiations. That means new regulations would have to be in place by the end of the 2019 calendar year. 

The new chair of Agricorp's board of directors is fourth-generation carrot and onion farmer Jason Verkaik. He’s a past chair of the Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Growers’ Association.

Ontario’s agriculture, food and rural affairs ministry will lose millions in 2019-2020 funding, as part of the provincial government’s efforts to balance the books. For the first time in recent years, the budget is less than a billion dollars.

Health Canada will be cancelling some uses and restricting others of three neonicotinoid pesticides. Changes are ahead for crops ranging from tree fruits to berries to cucurbit vegetables. All uses for orchard trees, for example, have been cancelled.