A weekly report prepared by the staff of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food (OMAF) and the Ministry of Rural Affairs (MRA).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 OMAF and MRA Website: www.ontario.ca/omafra
THE SOIL TESTS MADE SIMPLE WITH PETER JOHNSON
The Heartland Soil and Crop Improvement Association and Waterloo County Soil and Crop Improvement Association are sponsoring a Soil Test Clinic on March 15, from 1 – 4:30 pm at the St. Jacobs Community Centre. Bring your soil tests and your questions.
Learn how to read your soil test, and how to build, maintain or reduce the levels in your fields. Learn how to properly sample your fields. Learn what matters, and what doesn’t.
You could win a free soil or tissue sample kit courtesy of A&L Labs, Stratford Agri-Analysis and SGS Labs.
FREE FOR HEARTLAND SOIL AND CROP MEMBERS
$25 for non-members. Space is limited, so please pre-register!
The event is partially sponsored by Larry Bauman, CCA, sales rep for Pioneer Hi-Bred and Waterloo Crop Services. Refreshments sponsored by Cressman Seeds of New Hamburg.
You can register online at: www.oscia.cloverpad.org or contact Karen Jacobs by email at: heartlandrcc@ontariosoilcrop.org or call her at: 519-662-1505.
RURAL ONTARIO INSTITUTE LEADERSHIP WEBINAR SERIES
Leadership Webinar Series 2013 – “57 Minutes Can Transform Your Organization” – Don’t Miss it.
The Rural Ontario Institute is pleased to offer a new webinar series in 2013…Six webinars; 57 minutes in length; over six weeks; priced with nonprofits in mind – beginning February 28 The webinar titles include:
• Ten Practical Online Tools to Help Busy Nonprofit Leaders
• Mind the Gap! How to Lead Multi-Generational Staff &
Volunteers
• How Great Leaders Lead: Boost Energy, Creativity &
Productivity
• Collaboration & Partnerships: Steps any Nonprofit can Take
for Success
• Board Governance: Best practices in the Real World of
Nonprofit Boards
• Don’t Hold Another Meeting Before Hearing This!
Check the website, for more information: www.ruralontarioinstitute.ca.
MEASURING SOCIAL MEDIA AND SMARTPHONE USE IN ONTARIO AGRICULTURE
An Ontario and University of Guelph team worked with Ipsos Reid to survey people working and studying in agriculture about their social media and smartphone use. This was the first survey of its kind in the Ontario agricultural industry and will help agri-businesses and organizations plan communication and technology strategies.
A total of 439 people responded. Highlights include:
• 95% of respondents are online daily
• 62% expect their internet use for agriculture-related purposes will increase; 37% expect it to stay about the same
• 79% listed paper-based farm publications as a main source for new agricultural information; an equal number listed the internet
• 69% of respondents have a smartphone
• 65% of those with smartphones have a BlackBerry product, 23% have an Apple product, 8% are using Android
• 74% of smartphone users have downloaded at least one agricultural application
• 84% of respondents used social media in the past 12 months
• Twitter and YouTube are the most popular social media tools for agriculture-related purposes
• 68% of respondents used social media for sharing/capturing agriculture information
• 89% of respondents agreed that government should use social networking tools as part of their communication strategy
This project was funded by Agri-Food and Rural Link through the Ontario-University of Guelph partnership. Highlights of the survey results are found: http://onvegetables.files.wordpress.com/2012/07/highlights2.pdf.
ON FARM FOOD SAFETY: YOUR BUSINESS ADVANTAGE
Hand Washing – by Sandra Jones
Although not a substitute for soap and water, hand sanitizers can be used to reduce the risk of transferring germs through touch, when water is not available in the field. The majority of hand sanitizers contain alcohol as the active ingredient.
It is important to check the label as concentrations will vary. Hand sanitizers need to contain at least 60 per cent alcohol to work properly.
To use, first use a sanitizing wipe to remove the physical dirt, then place gel sanitizer on the palm of your hand and rub thoroughly over your entire hand – on both sides and in between fingers.
How much gel sanitizer is required? As a general rule, if hands feel dry after only 10 seconds more sanitizer is needed.
Food safety practices keep agri-food businesses competitive, productive and sustainable. For more information, visit the Ministry of Agriculture and Food and the Ministry of Rural Affairs website at: www.ontario.ca/goodagpractices or call us at 1-877-424-1300.
COMING EVENTS
Mar. 18 Grain Farmers of Ontario March Classic, 8:30 a.m. at London Convention Centre. Check the website for more information: www.gfo.ca/marchclassic.
Mar. 20 Grower Pesticide Safety Course, Elmira, 8:45 a.m. To register, Farmers Plus: 519-669-5475.
Mar. 21 Grower Pesticide Safety Course, Wellesley at 9:00 a.m. To register, Phone Good Crop Services at 519-656-3344.
