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.
DAIRY HOUSING DESIGN SEMINARS
Calf Housing – Feb. 28, – Woodstock OMAFRA office
Free Stall Housing – Feb. 26 & 27, 2013 – Woodstock OMAFRA office
Tie Stall Housing – Jan. 31 – Milverton Recreation Complex
To register by phone or for more information, call the Agricultural Information Contact Centre at 1-877-424-1300 or 519-826-4047 or e-mail: ag.info.omafra@ontario.ca.
STUDENTS SPEAK OUT!
Farm Management Canada Excellence Award for Agricultural Students
The Farm Management Canada (FMC) Excellence Award for Agricultural Students is a scholarship competition that is designed to help students develop their communication skills by having the opportunity to voice their opinion on a subject related to farm business management. Submissions are collected from students across Canada and three winners are awarded a $1,000 cash prize to help further their education in agriculture.
The award is a great way of connecting with the next generation of farm managers while challenging them to reflect on the important issues facing the industry.
Students are asked to submit videos, responding to the following question:
Why is innovation an important aspect of a farm’s success? How can farm business management be innovative? Please provide examples.
Farm Management Canada must receive the completed online application form no later than Feb. 28. The names of the winners will be announced in March. Visit: www.fmc-gac.com.
2012 AGRICULTURE IN ACTION RESOURCE GUIDE IS NOW ONLINE!
Agriculture Development Branch supports Ontario’s thriving and growing agricultural sector by providing business and organizations tools, knowledge and information needed for the future. We understand the challenges faced by agriculture and produce resources and programming to provide solutions to improve innovation and competitiveness. Through collaboration with agriculture industry and academia, we promote high quality agriculture production through technology/knowledge transfer including our Agriculture in Action 2011-12 resource guide.
The 2011-12 summary projects are categorized in four themes:
• Farm Business Development
• Production Innovation
• Plant Health
• Animal Health
Just take 10 minutes and learn about the activities and initiatives.
COMING EVENTS
Jan. 19 Farm$mart Agricultural Conference, Rozanski Hall, University of Guelph.
Jan. 19 Beef Symposium, in conjunction with the Farm$mart Conference. Check for details at: www.uoguelph.ca
Jan. 22 OMAFRA’s “Good Agriculture Practices” Webinar Series: Getting Started in Food Safety, 12:00 noon. Learn how to identify the role food safety plays in farming operations; analyze the associated risks and what good agricultural practices are and how they apply. This module will also explain the resources OMAFRA has to offer to help reduce your risks. Webinar details/ registration at: www.omafra.gov.on.ca
Jan. 25 & Feb. 1 Growing Your Farm Profits at Elora OMAFRA meeting room at 9:30am to 3pm To sign up, go online: www.ontariosoilcrop.org/workshops or phone Liz at 519-638-3268.
Jan. 30 Grower Pesticide Safety Course in Elmira, 8:45 a.m. To register, phone Farmers Plus at 519-669-5475.
Jan. 30 & Feb. 6 Environmental Farm Plan at Elora OMAFRA meeting room, 10am to 3pm. Call John at 519-846-3394 for more information.
Jan. 31 – Feb. 3 32nd Annual Guelph Organic Conference and Expo. Full details available at: www.guelphorganicconf.ca/.
Feb. 1 Grower Pesticide Safety Exam, Guelph at 10am. To register, phone Woodrill Farms at 519-821-1018.
Feb. 5-6 0SCIA Annual Meeting, Best Western Lamplighter Inn & Conference Centre, 591 Wellington Road South, London. Registration: Amber Van De Peer 1-800-265-9751, ext 63152 or email: amber.vandepeer@ontariosoilcrop.org or www.oscia.cloverpad.org.
Feb. 5-7 Canadian International Farm Show, Toronto. Check: www.canadianfarmshow.ca.
Feb. 6 & 7 Canadian Dairy Xpo, Canada’s National Dairy Showcase, Stratford Rotary Complex, Stratford, Ontario. Check the website: www.dairyxpo.ca.
Feb. 13 Grower Pesticide Safety Course at 9:00 a.m. and Separate Exam 2:45 p.m., Harriston. To register, phone Cargill at 519-338-2015.
Feb. 20 Grower Pesticide Safety Course at 8:45am and Separate Exam at 3pm, at Elora OMAFRA boardroom. To register, phone the Ontario Pesticide Education Program at 1-800-652-8573.
