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
ENVIRONMENTAL FARM PLAN
by John C. Benham
The following quote was in an email recently sent to me by a farmer. “The EFP is integral to your farm business plan which is the foundation of any business. It is a tool to strategically plan implementation of a proper farm infrastructure while offering an avenue for financial support”. I hope any farmer who has not attended an EFP workshop and completed the Third Edition workbook, will re-read and take notice to hear the above comment.
The next EFP workshop, to be held Monday, March 19th and completed Monday, March 26th at 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. in the Elora OMAFRA meeting room, is filling up quickly. Lunch and refreshments are provided. No costs! You are able to sign up at www.ontariosoilcrop.org/workshops. Call John at 519-846-3394 if you have questions.
GROWING YOUR FARM PROFITS
by John C. Benham
After completing the GYFP workshop, farmers are eligible for cost share to take marketing and production courses, computer courses, attend succession planning conferences, get training in worker safety, to get in compliance with the different acts that govern farm workers, take a workshop in project management, production related courses or seminars, how to work better with both family and farm workers. The list is endless in the ways farmers have used the skills part of the program to improve their farm management.
So don’t miss out attending the next GYFP workshop in the Elora OMAFRA meeting room at 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Friday, March 23 to be completed Friday, March 30th. Lunch and refreshments will be provided. No costs!
You are able to sign up online at www.ontariosoilcrop.org/workshops or contact Liz at 519-638-3268 or John at 519-846-3394.
NEW ONLINE TOOL FOR PORK PRODUCERS
Ontario Pork has launched a new online tool for producers, which will provide them with easy access to hog data, at the click of a button.
This tool provides producers a location on the Ontario Pork website to view their weekly hog shipment summary that has the data necessary for filling in the Risk Management Program (RMP) application form. If producers do not have an ID/password for this secure site, they can phone 1-877-ONT-PORK (1-877-668-7675) and ask for Member Services or email to memberservices@ontaripork.on.ca. Once on the site, producers can select the ‘Weekly Hog Shipment Summary’ to get a specified report.
“Ontario Pork hopes that this tool will make it more convenient and easy for producers to get their RMP sales data, which will help them fill out the RMP application form,” said Ontario Pork’s General Manager, Ken Ovington.
This tool can be used to complete their livestock sales information for the Risk Management Program and is accessible now by visiting the Ontario Pork website at: http://www.ontariopork.on.ca/MemberLogin.aspx.
COMING EVENTS:
Mar. 17 & 18 College Royal 2012, University of Guelph. Check the website for information: www.collegeroyalsociety.com or call 519-824-4120 x58366.
Mar. 19 Grower Pesticide Safety Course in Elmira at 8:45 a.m. To register, phone Farmers Plus at 519-669-5475 or check the website at: www.opep.ca/.
Mar. 19 & 20 Grain Farmers of Ontario March Classic, London Convention Centre, Hilton. For more information, watch the GFO website at: http://www.gfo.ca/.
Mar. 21 & 22 Dairy Housing Design Seminar – Free Stall Housing – OMAFRA Resource Centre, 401 Lakeview Drive, Woodstock at 9:30 a.m. Cost is $190 + 13% HST = $214.70. For more information, call the Agricultural Information Contact Centre at 1-877-424-1300.
Mar. 23 National Farmers Union – Annual Sustainable Farming Awards and Dinner, at the Elora Legion at 6:00 p.m.; social: 7:00 p.m. Dinner by the Food School and Speaker: Anita Stewart. Tickets are $20 each and to order, contact John Sutherland 519-855-4651.
Mar. 23 Grain Drying and Storage Workshop in Listowel from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Cost $30. Instructor Helmut Spieser, OMAFRA. To register, call Ridgetown College at 1-866-222-9682.
Mar. 23-25 4-H Ontario Conference and Annual Meeting, Waterloo Inn and Conference Hotel, Waterloo. Check details at: http://www.4-hontario.ca/volunteers/volunteer-opportunities/cam.aspx.
Mar. 24 Grower Pesticide Safety Course at 8:45 a.m. and Separate Exam at 3:00 p.m. at Rockwood. To register, phone Ontario Pesticide Education Program at 1-800-652-8573.
Mar. 27 Wellington County Farm Safety regular meeting at Husky Farm Equipment, Alma at 8:00 p.m. sharp. For more information, call Walter Grose at 519-846-5329.
Mar. 28 Grain Drying and Storage Workshop in Woodstock from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Cost $30. Instructor Helmut Spieser, OMAFRA. To register, call Ridgetown College at 1-866-222-9682.
Mar. 28 & 29 London Swine Conference – London Convention Centre. Contact – Linda Dillon at 519-482-3333, or Email – linda.dillon@ontario.ca or check the website – www.londonswineconference.ca.
Mar. 29 Grain Drying and Storage Workshop in Elmvale from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Cost $30. Instructor Helmut Spieser, OMAFRA. To register, call Ridgetown College at 1-866-222-9682.
Mar. 31 Elmira Maple Syrup Festival; the world’s largest one-day Maple Syrup Festival. For more information, phone 1-877-969-0094 or website: www.elmiramaplesyrup.com.
Apr. 4 & 5 Drayton Farm Show, PMD Arena Complex, Drayton. The website is: www.draytonkinsmen.ca.
Apr. 4 National Farmers Union Waterloo-Wellington Local, monthly board meeting at 7:15 p.m. at the Husky Farm Equipment, Alma. (They meet every first Wednesday of the month).
