The Bruce and Grey Federations of Agriculture put on their annual Politician’s Day meeting only this time it was virtual.
The concerns of farmers though, haven’t changed much.
Costs versus return on investment continues to be an issue facing farmers of all types.
Another is having enough help.
The president of the Bruce County Federation of Agriculture, Chris Cossitt puts it bluntly saying a lot of Canadians don’t like working in barns.
Cossitt, a pork producer, says he and others need to rely on workers from other countries to try to make things work.
He says the problem of finding workers has happened long before the pandemic hit.
Cossitt says they need to continue the various programs they have in place to assist in getting the help they need, particularly in the labour-intensive commodities such as fruit and vegetables.
Saugeen Shores Mayor Luke Charbonneau is part owner of Hi Berry Farm between Port Elgin and Southampton.who employs migrant workers from Mexico every year.
He says by working with public health in Grey Bruce, he’s had a positive outcome with his employees.
Charbonneau is getting ready to welcome his first contingent of workers early next month and yes, they will have to be quarantined before hitting the fields.
