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
FARM PETS AND FOOD SAFETY
by Don Blakely, OMAFRA
Even though we have great affection for our farm pets, when it comes to food safety we have to realize they can be an issue. Both farm cats and dogs are carriers of pathogens and parasites and can pass those on when in contact with food products. For example, many farm cats eat rodents which can contaminate their feces with pathogens and parasites and their cleaning habits keep the cycle of pathogens moving through their bodies. If you produce ready to eat food products farm cats must be prevented from walking on such particularly when food products are in storage. Farm dogs can also present food safety issues as they can pick up pathogens when walking through the barn or from eating things like calf manure. Dogs that eliminate their waste in field production areas present a food safety risk as it can then contaminate produce it lands on or be stepped on by workers and tracked about the area further spreading the pathogens. So if you are concerned about marketing safe fresh farm produce, keep farm pets out of the areas where you grow, process, store and sell your produce.
ENVIRONMENTAL FARM PLAN
by John C. Benham
If you don’t have a completed Third Edition Environmental Farm Plan then here is your chance to make yourself eligible for the next Cost Share program. The next Environmental Farm Workshop is planned to be held in the OMAFRA meeting room on Monday, February 6th to be completed on Monday, February 13th from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. each day. Lunch and refreshments are provided. No costs to you! Several farmers are signed up already. Take advantage of this workshop in the less busy season to be ready for the new EFP to be announced this fall. Complete your EFP at this workshop – it will be recognized for 5 years even if a new book is introduced.
During my inspections to complete each claim form for the Cost Share, I see some great ideas. Recently while inspecting a new fuel storage, I learned this farmer had a hand wind timer in the electric line to shut off the electricity to his fuel pump. His source was in a locked shed. When he wanted gas he set the timer for a few minutes and it shut off automatically. Simple, but effective.
Give John a call at 519-846-3394 or sign up yourself online at: www.ontariosoilcrop.org/workshops/.
FACTSHEETS and PUBLICATIONS
11-045: TSSA Field Approval of Oil-Fired Maple Syrup Evaporators
11-043: An Overview of Organic Pork Production, Agdex, 440/10; replaces 07-027, which should be recycled.
11-005: Farm Pesticide Storage Facility, Agdex 748/607, replaces 07-059, which should be recycled.
2011 Performance Trials Reports Now Available:
The Ontario Forage Crop Variety Performance 2012 Brochure is now available. The PDF version of the Brochure can be viewed and downloaded online at: www.GoForages.ca.
2011 Soybean Variety Trials are available from the Ontario Oil and Protein Seed Crop Committee at: http://www.gosoy.ca/OSVT_2011_Report.pdf.
2011 Ontario Winter Wheat Performance Trials from the Ontario Cereal Crops Committee are available on-line at: http://www.gocereals.ca.
The 2011 Hybrid Corn Performance Trials Report, produced by the Ontario Corn Committee (OCC), is now available at: http://www.gocorn.net/v2006/CornReports/2011cornreport/2011performancetrials.html.
Growers who are unable to access the trial results from the website, may call OMAFRA’s Agricultural Information Contact Centre at 1-877-424-1300 or email: ag.info.omafra@ontario.ca.
To order OMAFRA factsheets and publications:
Visit any OMAFRA Resource Centre or Service Ontario location or visit the Service Ontario website at: www.serviceontario.ca/publications or call 1-800-668-9938.
COMING EVENTS:
Jan. 27- Fergus Agricultural Annual Meeting to be held at Barrie Hill United Church. For further information, please contact Wendy Whittaker, 519-856-9621.
Jan. 28 – 2nd Annual Ontario Organic Awards/Dinner from 7:00 to 11:00 p.m. at the River Run Centre, 35 Woolwich Street, Guelph. Cost: $45 general public, $40 students and OCO members. Contact: info@organiccouncil.ca or call 519-827-1221.
Jan. 31 – Wellington Farm and Home Safety Association Annual Meeting – Alma Optimist Beef Supper in Alma Community Hall at 7:00 p.m. Guest Speaker Eleanor Wood. Contact: Walter Grose, Secretary at 519-846-9788.
Feb. 7 & 8 – Ontario Soil & Crop Improvement Association Annual Meeting, Best Western Lamplighter Inn & Conference Centre in London. For details visit: www.ontariosoilcrop.org.
Feb. 7-9 – Canadian International Farm Show, International Centre Toronto from 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. For information or to pre-register, check the website at: www.canadianfarmshow.ca.
Feb. 8 – Grower Pesticide Safety Course and Separate Exam – 8:45 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Elora OMAFRA boardroom. To register, phone Ontario Pesticide Education Program at 1-800-652-8573.
Feb. 10 – Grower Pesticide Safety Course in Mount Forest at 8:45 a.m. To register, phone the North Wellington Co-op at 519-323-1271.
Feb. 14 – Free Online Advantage Food Safety Workshops for Producers – Pre / Post Harvest Water Use at 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Call 1-877-424-1300 or register online: http://omafra.webex.com.
Feb. 22 – Dufferin Feed and Seed Show and Annual Meeting – 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Amaranth Township Hall, 374028 6th Line Amaranth Township. Admission: $25.00 includes membership and lunch. Exhibitor space is available. For information, call Jim Irvine at 1-800-265-2284.
