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.
GROWING YOUR FARM PROFITS
by John C. Benham
Completing the Growing Your Farm Profits workshop and plan now will qualify you for the Cost Share incentives when they are announced and avoid the rush for the funds at a busier time.
You will not be asked to provide any personal or business information to the group in the workshop. You will rate yourself and come up with an action plan to make improvements similar to the EFP process.
The next Growing Your Farm Profits workshop will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 19 in the Elora OMAFRA meeting room from 9:30am to 3pm and will be completed on Tuesday, Feb. 26 Lunch and refreshments are provided. No cost to you. Don’t miss this opportunity. Register online at: www.ontariosoilcrop.org or call Liz at 519-638-3268 or email: waterlooGYFP@ontariosoilcrop.org.
UPDATED PROGRAMS AND SERVICES FACTSHEET NOW AVAILABLE
The factsheet is a summary of programs and services currently available to Ontario farmers that are funded by the Ontario and/or Canadian governments.
Programs and Services for Ontario Farmers: http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/busdev/facts/progserv.pdf
All Ontario publications can be ordered through ServiceOntario, online at: www.publications.serviceontario.ca; telephone the ServiceOntario Contact Centre Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 5pm – phone: 416-326-5300 or 1-800-668-9938 or in person at ServiceOntario Centres throughout the province.
PROFITABLE PASTURES 2013
The Ontario Forage Council is proud to announce our upcoming annual Profitable Pastures 2013 Conference and Trade Show, this years’ theme is: “Each Pastured Acre Must Generate a Profit”. The conference will be held in Napanee on Monday, March 4 at the Strathacona Paper Centre, and in Drumbo on Tuesday, March 5 at the Drumbo Agricultural Hall. Presentations are CEU accredited.
This years’ keynote speaker is Dr. Darrell Emmick, University of Vermont Extension. Emmick is the USDA-NRCS Grazing Land Management Specialist, New York State, holds a B.S. degree in Wildlife Biology and Management, a M.S. degree in Resource Management and Ecology, and a Ph.D. in Range Science from Utah State University.
Emmick has worked for over 30 years researching, promoting, and helping farmers implement grazing-based livestock production systems in the Northeast region of the U.S., with special emphasis on grass-based dairy production. His primary research interests include understanding the foraging behaviour of livestock, the use and management of species diverse naturalized pastures, evaluations of grazing management methods, matching livestock type to forage management strategy, evaluations of various forage species for use as pasture.
We are also building an excellent slate of local presenters to compliment the key note speaker that will provide a beneficial pasture management experience to a broad cross section of our producers.
The cost of this years’ conference is $40, and includes a hot roast beef lunch. Books of 10 tickets are available at a reduced rate to treat customers, or staff. Registration deadline is Feb. 25, registrations will be accepted at the door, but may not include the hot roast beef lunch. Please call the Ontario Forage Council to register, Visa and Mastercard accepted by phone. Please make cheques payable to the Ontario Forage Council.
Tradeshow and sponsorship opportunities are still available for both days of this conference. Spaces will fill quickly, so please don’t hesitate. Profitable Pastures is an excellent opportunity to advertise your business.
For more information on sponsorship/tradeshow opportunities, or to register, please contact:
Ontario Forage Council, Ray Robertson, Manager or Patricia Ellingwood, Executive Assistant, phone: 519-986-1484 or 1-877-892-8663 or e-mail: support@ontarioforagecouncil.com.
ON-LINE RESOURCE FOR BEEF AND FORAGE PRODUCERS
On this web site you’ll find a wide array of information relating to both current Canadian agricultural issues and technical information on forage and beef production: http://www.foragebeef.ca/app33/foragebeef/index_body.jsp.
COMING EVENTS
Feb. 20 Grower Pesticide Safety Course at 8:45am and separate Exam at 3pm, at Elora OMAFRA. To register, phone the Ontario Pesticide Education Program at 1-800-652-8573.
Feb. 21 South Western Ontario Dairy Symposium, Woodstock Fairgrounds, 875 Nellis Street, Woodstock. For information, check the website: www.dairysymposium.com or email: jrodenburg@xplornet.com.
Feb. 26 & 27 Dairy Housing Design Seminar – Free Stall Housing – Woodstock OMAFRA. To register by phone, call the Agricultural Information Contact Centre at 1-877-424-1300 or 519-826-4047.
Feb. 27 Grain Drying and Storage Workshop, Grey Ag Services, 206 Toronto St. S., Markdale; 9am-4pm. Register early: $30.00 (lunch included). To register, call Ag Business Centre, Univ. of Guelph, Ridgetown at: 1-866-222-9682.
Feb. 28 Dairy Housing Design Seminar – Calf Housing – Woodstock OMAFRA. To register by phone, call the Agricultural Information Contact Centre at 1-877-424-1300 or 519-826-4047.
Mar. 25-27 Progressive Dairy Operators Triennial Dairy Symposium, DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel, Toronto. For information visit: pdo-ontario.ca or contact Carol Anne Pinkney at 519-846-8756 or email: capinkney@sentex.ca.
