Advancing Ontario’s hazelnut production

Mar 27, 2018

The province’s hazelnut association celebrates nine years and counting

The Ontario Hazelnut Association is holding its ninth annual Hazelnut Symposium in London today.

Over 135 attendees are participating in the full-day conference at the Four Points Sheraton in London, Ont. The group is learning and sharing information about the production of hazelnuts in Ontario.

Speakers at the symposium include staff from OMAFRA, the Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association, and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. In addition, industry speakers include Growers Mineral Solutions, Grimo Nursey and Ferrero. The topics covered include soil health, agronomic information, food safety issues and marketing. At the end of the day, a grower panel is designed to provide first-hand insights into production.

“The Association is very pleased with the fantastic turnout of today. We are equally thrilled with the strong line-up of speakers and participants. We expect another excellent Symposium this year,” Linda Grimo, chair of the Ontario Hazelnut Association said.

The industry in Ontario has been growing through the establishment of new orchards as well as the expansion of existing ones. Anchored by the large Ferrero processing plant in Brantford, the potential for hazelnuts in the province is substantial.

Video: Dicamba Returns for Georgia Farmers: What the New EPA Ruling Means for Cotton Growers

After being unavailable in 2024 due to registration issues, dicamba products are returning for Georgia farmers this growing season — but under strict new conditions.

In this report from Tifton, Extension Weed Specialist Stanley Culpepper explains the updated EPA ruling, including new application limits, mandatory training requirements, and the need for a restricted use pesticide license. Among the key changes: a cap of two ½-pound applications per year and the required use of an approved volatility reduction agent with every application.

For Georgia cotton producers, the ruling is significant. According to Taylor Sills with the Georgia Cotton Commission, the vast majority of cotton planted in the state carries the dicamba-tolerant trait — meaning farmers had been paying for technology they couldn’t use.

While environmental groups have expressed concerns over spray drift, Georgia growers have reduced off-target pesticide movement by more than 91% over the past decade. Still, this two-year registration period will come with increased scrutiny, making stewardship and compliance more important than ever.