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
GREY BRUCE FARMERS’ WEEK: ELMWOOD COMMUNITY CENTRE (#38 QUEEN ST.W.), 8 KM NORTH OF HANOVER ON COUNTY ROAD #10
Grey Bruce Farmers’ Week (GBFW) 2012, celebrating its 46th year, will run from Wednesday January 4th to Tuesday January 10th, starting with Beef Day, and ending on Crops Day. The GBFW committee is excited to announce that they have expanded the Ecological program to a full day, so now it is a 7 day Agricultural Conference packed with a most impressive and informative line-up of speakers! The co-coordinators for this event, Grey County Ag Services in conjunction with agricultural commodity leaders from Grey and Bruce Counties, have attempted to feature at least one high profile speaker for each day, targeting the issues and challenges facing the farming community today.
As always, exciting Panels have been developed for 2012. These panels include:
• On Beef Day, learn more about the livestock handling systems that 3 producers utilize on their farms in Practical Set-ups for Handling: To Build, Buy or Modify.
• On Dairy Day, the panel will discuss Robotic Milking Systems: Look, No Hands! Three producers will share their perspective on the robotic systems that they use on their farms.
• Don’t miss this one! On Sheep Day the panel will focus on Tips and Tricks of Sheep Management from Seasoned Shepherds. Ever wanted to pick the brain of a producer whose family have been shepherds for generations? Here’s your chance.
• On Ecological Day, three local producers will discuss their first hand experiences with Pasture Grazing.
• On Crops Day sit back and be convinced that you need to Add Some Colour to Your Production, as two producers and Brian Hall, Bean & Canola Specialist, OMAFRA, talk about the merits of growing Canola.
• On Beef Day, the author of Steak: One Man’s Search for the World’s Tastiest Piece of Beef, Mark Schatzker, will deliver Raising the Steaks – How to Raise Tastier Beef and Sell It For Big Money
• Dairy Day has a stellar line-up including Jerry McDowell, Canada Business Manager, Zinpro Corporation, who will expand your thinking with Dairy Cattle Lameness (More Than Just Feet).
• On Sheep and Goat Days Woody Lane from Lane Livestock Services, Roseburg, Oregon will be on the agendas. He will deliver 2 presentations both days: Forages That Work: Filling the Feed Holes and The Big Decisions – Strategies for Managing Production Costs/High Input Costs.
• Horse Day has an incredible line-up of speakers including, Obrey and Angie Motowylo, Motowylo Racing Inc., from Bluffton Alberta who will speak twice: World Professional Chuckwagon Racing; and Our Equine Health Care and Nutrition Regime.
• The Equine Youth Program looks outstanding this year; it will once again consist of all interactive material. Thanks to a very generous donation from Cancord Inc., the older youth will each be making rope halters.
• Ecological Day will provide an abundance of practical tips. Dr. Robert Nurse, Weed Scientist, AAFC, will deliver Weed Management in Organic Crop Production Systems. Anne Verhallen, Soil Management Specialist from OMAFRA will share Pushing the Envelope With Cover Crops. Maurizio (Moe) Agostino, Managing Commodity Strategist, Farms.com Risk Management will participate in Crops Day to deliver 2012 Grain Outlook: Is $7.00 Corn the New Normal?
• Finally the last presenter of the conference will be an annual favourite, Peter Johnson, from OMAFRA. He will be back yet again to provide a witty and informative presentation, Bin Bustin’ Barley.
Registration price (at door) – Beef, Dairy, Goat, Sheep, Ecological, and Crops Days – $25 (includes roast beef dinner; Lamb is also served on Sheep day). Horse Day – $20 adults / $10 youth (includes hot beef on a bun lunch). For further information or interviews, please call Lorie Smith or Ray Robertson at 519-986-3756.
GROWING YOUR FARM PROFITS
by John C. Benham
The next Growing Your Farm Profits workshop is planned for Thursday, January 12th in the Elora OMAFRA meeting room to be completed on Thursday, January 19th at 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Lunch and refreshments will be provided. No cost to you. At the workshop you will be able to complete a workbook similar to the EFP workbook and come up with an Action Plan. By taking the workshop you will be able to review your current farm management practices. You will better understand how planning provides a framework for effective decision making. It will help you set goals and priorities for the future. It will identify resources to help you reach your goals. It will help you build on the strengths of your business and identify where you may wish to make changes for improved performance. For an established farm business up to $31,400 is available and up to $35,900 is available for a new farm business. These are the maximum cost share available to improve your farm business management. For more information and to sign up call John at 519-846-3394 or email: wellington@ontariosoilcrop.org. If you wish you may sign up electronically by going online at: www.ontariosoilcrop.org/workshops/.
COMING EVENTS 2012:
Jan. 4 – 5 – 19th Annual Southwest Agricultural Conference, University of Guelph, Ridgetown Campus. Watch for details at: http://www.southwestagconference.ca/.
Jan. 4 – 6 – Central Ontario Agricultural Conference – held at Georgian College, 1 Georgian Drive, Barrie (Duckworth & Bell Farm Road entrance). This is a 3 day series of educational programming for farmers. This conference is formerly known as “Ag Info Days”, and consists of a series of themed days for various farm commodities, accompanied with industry trade show booths & displays. Registration costs $25, or $30 including a hot lunch. For information see: http://www.centralontarioagconference.ca/ or contact Connie Brown: 519-726-9300 ext. 1224.
Jan. 21 – Farm$mart Agricultural Conference, Rozanski Hall, University of Guelph. Mark your calendar and watch for details at http://www.uoguelph.ca/farmsmart/.
