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.
USING LIVESTOCK MANURE PROPERLY TO ENSURE FOOD SAFETY
Wayne Du, On-Farm Food Safety Specialist
Do you use soil amendments such as manure or composted manure? Are you aware of the food safety risks? Here are some helpful tips to protect your crop from potential contamination.
What Is The Difference Between Manure and Composted Manure?
– Manure is raw or untreated animal excrement with or without bedding; and
– Composted manure is the manure that has been treated or processed to eliminate or reduce harmful bacteria.
Tips for Using Composted Manure:
– Ensure manure is composted following proper compost procedures to ensure pathogens are reduced to an acceptable level. Factors affecting proper compost:
– Temperature – general rule: 55 o C for 3 days/turning interval for 15 days;
– Carbon Nitrogen ratio – ideal C:N ratio of 25:1 or 30:1;
– Aeration – accomplished by frequent turning of the pile;
– Moisture– ideal 50-60% water by weight;
– Clean and sanitize any equipment used to handle raw manure before handling finished compost and between uses; and
– If purchasing composted manure, request a certificate of analysis or documentation of treatment method from the supplier to ensure the composting process has been completed.
Tips for Using Manure:
– When possible, avoid using manure which poses a greater risk for microbial contamination than composted manure.
– Incorporate manure into the soil within 24 hours after application to minimize contamination to adjacent crops from wind drift or runoff;
– Establish 5-10 metre vegetated areas along water ways to reduce the potential for pathogens entering surface water;
– Do not apply manure on frozen soil or when it is raining;
– Take precautions when using manure to fertilize produce crops that can be consumed raw;
– Ensure a minimum of 4 months between manure application and harvest;
– Ensure manure does not come into contact with the edible part of the crop;
– Apply manure post-harvest; and
– Apply manure in non-fruiting years.
For more information on manure and composting, proper handling and application and storage requirements, refer to the Ontario Nutrient Management Act and OMAF/MRA’s Factsheets on manure composting.
Food safety is everyone’s responsibility. To attend our free online workshops on manure use and other important food safety topics, visit www.ontario.ca/foodsafety or call 1-877-424-1300.
Food safety practices keep agri-food businesses competitive, productive and sustainable.
TAKE THE WINTER FEEDING CHALLENGE
Christoph Wand, Beef Nutritionist, OMAF and MRA
The winter feeding strategies of beef cows are quite similar, with minor variations. You will find ten feeding strategies or ideas which cow-calf producers should consider (feedlot operations could take note of these as well).
Some of the strategies work well together, while some are very effective on their own. They are all intended to help reduce winter maintenance costs which, in the end, seems to be the real make or break part of the cow-calf production equation.
For more information, visit http://bit.ly/1dxpr1a.
HOST A “CASHING IN THROUGH GRAIN MARKETING WORKSHOP”
John Bancroft, Market Strategies Program, OMAF and MRA
Here is your chance to host a “Cashing in Through Grain Marketing” workshop for your members or clients.
The workshop is an opportunity for grain producers to generate confidence in developing and executing a grain marketing plan by exploring the basics of commodity grain marketing.
The workshop’s focus is on market fundamentals, cost of production, pros and cons of marketing tools to manage price risk and an introduction to hedging with futures and put options.
As a local host you make all the local arrangements for the meeting room, lunch, refreshments, promotion and handle the registration. You set the registration fee and retain the net proceeds realized from the workshop.
A minimum of 12 registrations are needed with a maximum of 25.
OMAF and MRA will lead the workshop and provide the workshop materials.
For more information and to arrange a local workshop, contact John Bancroft at 519-271-6974 or by email at john.bancroft@ontario.ca.
COMING EVENTS:
Jan. 30 to Feb. 2 – 33rd Annual Guelph Organic Conference & Expo – Catching the Wave, Guelph University Centre. For more information, visit www.guelphorganicconf.ca or call 519-824-4120 ext. 56311.
Jan. 31 – Fergus Agricultural Society Annual Meeting, Elora Legion, 8pm. For more information, contact Wendy Whitaker at 519-856-9621.
