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.
CENTRAL ONTARIO AGRICULTURAL CONFERENCE
Jan. 3 and 4, 2013 – Georgian College, Barrie Campus
Central Ontario Agricultural Conference offers two days of educational programming and a trade show for farmers. New for this year – two workshops with a focus on building skills for success, targeted at the 15 to 25-year-old will be offered. The planning committee continues to present a top notch educational program and tradeshow. You can learn from international, provincial and local experts. There are topics and speakers that will be of interest to crop, maple syrup, farm fresh, organic, horse and livestock farmers. The Central Ontario Agricultural Conference provides the latest information needed to remain competitive and profitable. For a full list of speaker, program, exhibitors and sponsors on “Building a Better Farm Business” please check out the links on the website.
The trade show, with about 40 exhibitors, is an important aspect of the event. It provides farm suppliers and farmers with the opportunity to meet and learn about the latest information on inputs, equipment, programs and services. This is a chance to talk to industry experts one on one.
The program would not be possible without the significant contributions of sponsors and the work of volunteers.
Central Ontario Agricultural Conference can be very proud of its history of providing excellence in farm business management information to farmers in the region. This conference is formerly known as “Ag Info Days”. The steering committee is comprised of a dedicated group of volunteers representing farm commodity groups in the region. These volunteers and their subcommittees work to develop the program content, contact speakers and sponsors and provide overall coordination. Also, OMAFRA will be there in attendance.
Register online before Dec. 31 for only $30. Hot dinner, parking and HST included.
Registration also available at the door for $35 (includes hot dinner and parking or $25 for registration only.
2013 FORAGE VARIETY BROCHURE
The Ontario Forage Crop Variety Performance 2013 Brochure is now available.
The brochure is not available from Service Ontario.
Copies will be mailed directly to producers as inserts in the next dairy, beef and sheep magazines.
Individuals and agri-business can request hard copies from:
David Morris, Secretary, Ontario Forage Crops Committee, email: davidtmorris@rogers.com.
The PDF version of the Brochure can also be viewed and downloaded online at: www.GoForages.ca.
OMAFRA contact centres will have an inventory of brochures, if you require a hard copy.
ON FARM FOOD SAFETY: YOUR BUSINESS ADVANTAGE
Receiving Inputs – When inputs arrive on the farm, it is always a good food safety practice to check that items are not damaged or showing signs of tampering, and that the received items match your order. Mistakes can happen during shipping and using the wrong product or a damaged product can lead to a food safety risk.
After you have confirmed your order, sign and date the invoices, bill of lading or packing slips and keep them on file for future reference or a potential food safety audit.
Food safety practices contribute to competitive, productive and sustainable agri-food business. For more information, visit the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture Food and Rural Affairs website at:
www.ontario.ca/goodagpractices or call us at 1-877-424-1300.
ONTARIO HYBRID CORN TRIALS AVAILABLE ONLINE
The 2012 Ontario Hybrid Corn Performance Trials Report is now available at: www.gocorn.net. With yield data and production information from across the province, these trials are a valuable tool for farmers when selecting seed for the upcoming season.
Produced by the Ontario Corn Committee, the report is available in an easy-to-download version that can be printed at home or it can be viewed online in a spreadsheet format that allows users to sort the list according to their interests. Also available are graphs that illustrate the performance of hybrids relative to the average for their maturity.
Corn hybrids were planted at 21 locations across the province. The trials at Ottawa and Pakenham were discarded because the extremely dry weather introduced an unacceptable level of variability into the trials. Within the trial report, information on yield index, moisture, lodging and test weight are supplied providing farmers with information they need to choose the right seed.
The Ontario Corn Committee will not be publishing a printed report. If you are unable to access the trial results from the website, call Grain Farmers of Ontario at 1-800-265-0550 or OMAFRA’s Agricultural Information Contact Centre at 1-877-424-1300 or email: ag.info.omafra@ontario.ca and they will mail you a printed copy.
COMING EVENTS
Dec. 7 -Wellington County Soil & Crop Improvement Association Annual Meeting, Alma Bible Church, Alma – 9am to 3:10pm. Pre-registration required by Nov. 30.
Dec. 11 – OMAFRA’s “Good Agriculture Practices” Webinar Series: Manure, Compost and Compost Teas, 12:00 noon. Identify what is required to create or maintain a good growing base for your agri-needs. This workshop will outline Good Agricultural Practices when using manure and compost teas, demonstrating proper implementation for better soil, growing for tomorrow. Webinar details/registration online at: www.omafra.gov.on.ca.
Dec. 13 – 20th Annual Farmers’ Santa Claus Parade of Lights through the streets of Rockwood at 7pm. Everyone welcome.
