A weekly report prepared by the staff of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA). If you require further information, regarding this report, call the Elora Resource Centre at 519-846-0941. Office hours: 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
For technical information, call the Agricultural Information Contact Centre at 1-877-424-1300 or visit the OMAFRA Website: www.omafra.gov.on.ca
2011 PREMIER’S AWARD FOR AGRI-FOOD INNOVATION EXCELLENCE PROGRAM NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS
Have you developed and implemented an innovative product or process within your agriculture or food business? If so, you could be eligible to receive one of the following awards from the Premier’s Award for Agri-Food Innovation Excellence Program:
– Premier’s Award (one award valued at $75,000)
– Minister’s Award (one award valued at $50,000)
– Leaders in Innovation Awards (three awards valued at $25,000 each)
– Provincial Awards (45 awards valued at $5,000 each)
Eligible applicants include primary producers / farmers, processors and agri-food organizations. Unlike previous years, applications will be accepted direct from processors and agri-food organizations.
A copy of the Program Guidebook and Application Form, as well as information on previous award recipients is available at ontario.ca/agrifoodinnovation or by calling 1-877-424-1300.
Applications will be accepted until 5:00 p.m., Monday, November 14th.
SHEEP SEMINARS…
Improve Conception to Increase Consumption – Improving Conception Rates and Prospects for Profit
Tuesday, November 15th – Atwood – Elma Memorial Community Centre – from 8:45 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and
Thursday, November 17th – Napanee – Napanee Lions Community Hall – from 8:45 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Program Highlights…
1) Top repro scientist; 2) Do you have a problem? 3) Understanding conception; 4) Improving ram performance; 5) Nutrition for conception; 6) Producer panel and 7) Light control in Quebec.
Early Registration: (up to Nov. 8th) $45.20 (includes 13% HST, lunch and proceedings). Late Registration: (after Nov. 8) $62.15. Make cheques payable to: Ontario Sheep Marketing Agency and mail to: Agricultural Information Contact Centre, OMAFRA, 1 Stone Road, W., 4th Floor, Guelph, ON N1G 4Y2 or fax: 519-826-3442.
Call 1-877-424-1300 for more information, or email: ag.info.omafra@ontario.ca or check the website: www.ontario.ca/livestock.
ENVIRONMENTAL FARM PLAN
by John C. Benham
This is the last call for the Wednesday, November 9th EFP workshop to be completed Wednesday, November 16th to be held in the Elora OMAFRA meeting room at 10:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Lunch and refreshments are sponsored by the Wellington Federation of Agriculture. Keep in mind a completed Third Edition EFP is required for most Cost Share programs. So many farmers have told me that they are now much more aware of the environment on their farm because of the EFP. They now realize that by doing some things differently their farm is a much more healthy location for their family. Email: wellington@ontariosoilcrop.org or telephone 519-846-3354 to sign up or to ask questions.
SPECIES AT RISK
– by John C. Benham
The Cost Share money in this program has now been completely assigned. Hopefully you didn’t miss out on this great opportunity!
BALE WRAP RECYCLING
John C. Benham
As I have mentioned previously, there is a facility in Cambridge in desperate need of plastic bale wrap, silo tubes, boat wrap and plastic mulch to meet their orders for new products made from plastic film. They are able to handle plastic film that is black on the back of white. Call Don Nott at 519-482-7439 or dnott@tcc.on.ca and he will supply bags to store the plastic and will arrange to pick it up at no charge. In separate bags they can process bale netting and bale string. Don’t miss out on this opportunity!
COMING EVENTS:
Nov. 4-13 Royal Agricultural Winter Fair, Exhibition Place, Toronto. Visit: http://www.royalfair.org/.
Nov. 5 Elora Farmers’ Market (until March 17th, 2012) – winter location at Grand River Raceway; 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Check the website for more information: www.elorafarmersmarket.ca.
Nov. 13 Exploring Your New Farm Dream Course. Time: 6:30 p.m. Place – London Training Centre, 317 Adelaide Street South, Unit #110, London. Website – http://www.farmstart.ca/explorer/up-coming-courses/.
Nov. 20-21 Ontario Young Farmers Forum 2011 “From Farm to Fork”, Doubletree by Hilton, Toronto Airport. Fee $160 (received by Nov. 11). Prices include all OYFF & OFA sessions, meals from dinner Sunday to dinner Monday. Information visit: http://www.jfao.on.ca/what-we-offer/oyff/ontario-young-farmers-forum.
Nov. 30 Forage Focus Seminar, Shakespeare Centre, Shakespeare. Key note speaker: Michael C. Rankin of the Univ. of Winsconsin. To register: phone 1-877-892-8663 (payment by Visa or Mastercard).
Dec. 6 Wellington Federation of Agriculture, monthly board meeting at OMAFRA Boardroom, 6484 Wellington Rd., #7, Elora. For information, contact Lisa Hern at 519-848-3774, or email: jplh@golden.net.
