By Tom Collins
LAMBTON — The latest term for Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) president Don McCabe has begun a little easier than his rookie year last year.
One day after becoming president in 2014, the provincial government announced a ban on neonics. In the first few days after being acclaimed at the OFA AGM on Nov. 23 this year, nothing as earth-shattering happened, but McCabe still anticipates being busy in 2016.
Some of the priorities for this year include cheaper and better distribution for hydro and natural gas, a cap and trade program, and dealing with issues arising from mandate letters given to ministers of both provincial and federal governments.
“I think we’re going to see a great movement toward ideas that might not necessarily seem at first blush to fit with the Ontario farm, (such as climate change and greenhouse gas reduction),” he said.
Collingwood’s Keith Currie and Thunder Bay-area dairy farmer Peggy Brekveld were re-elected as vice-presidents.