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: 8:30am to 5pm.
For technical information, call the Agricultural Information Contact Centre at 1-877-424-1300 or visit the OMAFRA website: www.ontario.ca/omafra.
2012 CUSTOM FARMWORK RATES REPORT
The Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs is preparing to complete the Custom Farmwork Report on rates charged in 2012. Participation would be much appreciated. Over 275 custom operators helped make the 2009 report a success
The Custom Farmwork Report Summary is used by farmers and custom operators alike as a reference in planning and operating their businesses. Each cooperator will be sent a copy of the 2012 Report Results Summary early in 2013.
If you participated in 2009 you will be sent a form to complete for your 2012 rates.
If you have not participated in the past and are interested please contact John Molenhuis at: john.molenhuis@ontario.ca or 613-475-9472 with your mailing address.
Report forms will be mailed out in early December.
PUBLICATIONS
Crop Protection Guide for Greenhouse Vegetables 2012-13, Publication 835. Cost, $15.
12-045: Controlled Atmosphere Storage Guidelines and Recommendations for Applies, Agdex 211/66.
Guide to Greenhouse Floriculture Production, Publication 370. Available on CD only (no print copy available). Cost, $10.
12-043: Vehicle Conversion to Natural Gas, Agdex 760.
On-Farm Energy: A Primer. This is a new booklet in the Best Management Practices series and is available free; Order # BMP27E (ServiceOntario order number 015875).
12-037: Sheep Reproduction Basics and Conception Rates, Agdex 433/30.
12-039: Biosecurity Recommendations for Small Flock Poultry Owners, Agdex 450/10, replaces 05-079.
12-041: Recommendations for Harvest and Storage of Pears, Agdex 215/50, New.
12-017: Nutrient Management Act, 2002, Determining Odour Categories of Non-Agricultural Source Materials (NASM’s); Agdex 720/538; New.
12-021: Choosing Breeds for Producing Profitable Market Lambs, Agdex 430/30; New.
12-023: Dairy Genomic Selection, Agdex 410/31; New.
12-025: Nutrient Management Act, 2002, On-Farm Liquid Nutrient Transfer Systems, Agdex 720/538; New.
12-027: Legislation and Farming Practices, Agdex 700; replaces 04-071.
12-029: Understanding and Reducing Noise Nuisance from Stationary from Equipment, Agdex 700, replaces 96-033.
12-033: Growing Medicinal Herbs in Ontario, Agdex 263; New.
12-035: Feeder Management in the Grower-Finisher Barn, Agdex 444/54; New.
12-031W: Understanding Lamb Mortality, Agdex 431/23. This is a web-only factsheet and is available at: http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/livestock/sheep/facts/12-031.htm.
For a complete listing of OMAFRA products, visit the online catalogue at: http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/products/index.html
To order OMAFRA factsheets and publications: visit any OMAFRA Resource Centre or Service Ontario location; visit Service Ontario at www.serviceontario.ca/publications or call 1-800-668-9938; or visit the OMAFRA website: www.ontario.ca/omafra or call the Agricultural Information Contact Centre: 1-877-424-1300.
AWARD FOR VOLUNTARISM
Consider nominating a group or individual for the June Callwood Outstanding Achievement Award for Voluntarism. This award recognizes individuals and groups for superlative volunteer contributions to their communities and the province of Ontario. The award is named after the late June Callwood, Canadian journalist, author and social activist. She committed her life to action on social justice issues, particularly related to women and children and founded, or co-founded over 50 Canadian social action organizations.
Deadline for nominations is Dec. 5. More information and nomination forms available at: http://www.citizenship.gov.on.ca/english/citizenship/honours/junecallwood.shtml.
COMING EVENTS
Nov. 27 – OMAFRA’s “Good Agriculture Practices” Webinar Series: Using Food Safety to Market Your Products, noon. Make food safety practices work for you in the marketplace. Understand how keeping your customers informed about food safety efforts you make can benefit your business.
Webinar details and registration online at: http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/food/foodsafety/producers/webinars.htm.
Nov. 27-28 – OMAFRA Sheep Infrastructure Workshop – Two-day course targeted toward people in the planning cycle for building large, commercial-scale infrastructure as part of an expansion plan in their sheep enterprise. The workshop includes stops at several commercial-sized operations that are using some of the concepts covered, which will allow participants make informed decisions on expansion. For more information, click: http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/livestock/sheep/20081211.htm.
