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: 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
REMINDER – DUFFERIN SOIL AND CROPS ASSOCIATION – ANNUAL SEED AND FEED SHOW AND ANNUAL MEETING
The Annual Seed and Feed Show and Annual Meeting is being held on Feb. 11, at the Amaranth Township Hall, County Road 10 and Line 6 Laurel (374028 6th Line Amaranth).
Call to order begins at 9:30am and concludes at 3:15pm with the Closing Remarks. The Annual Meeting will be held at 2:15pm.
Come and listen to the following speakers: Lois Sinclair, Regional Program Lead, Ontario Soil and Crop; Steve Kell, Market Development Manager, Parish and Heimbecker; Panel Discussion featuring: Terry Philips CCA (Certified Crop Advisor), Agronomist Co-Operative Regionale De Nipissing Sudbury Ltd., Ben Schapelhouman CCA, Private Agronomist, Temiskaming Region, Kevin Runnalls CCA, Grain Farmers of Ontario Director, New Liskeard Area; Forage Master Presentation; Les Nicols, Regional Director; Peter Johnson, Cereal Specialist, OMAF and MRA; Jonathon Watchurst; Alan Lyons and Seed Show Winners.
You will be able to browse around the Supplier Showcase.
Lunch and membership is included in the $25 admission. Lunch provided by Community of Christ Church.
The Dufferin Federation of Agriculture and Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association sponsors the Annual Seed and Feed Show. For more information please contact Jim Irvine at 1-800-265-2284.
FREE STALL DAIRY HOUSING DESIGN SEMINAR
A two-day seminar is being held in Woodstock at the OMAF and MRA Office Boardroom on Feb. 11 and 12.
The course is specifically intended for producers with plans to build or renovate their free stall in the next few years. The focus is on fundamentals of design.
This course also provides practical information needed to build an economical, labour efficient facility that is comfortable for cattle.
To register please call the Agricultural Information Contact Centre at 1-877-424-1300 or 519-826-4047.
THE NEXT LEVEL OF HERBICIDE RESISTANCE – CROSS RESISTANCE Kristen Obeid, Weed Management Program Lead (Horticulture), OMAF and MRA
Herbicide resistant weed populations are now found throughout Ontario.
The number of resistant species and areas affected by resistance continues to increase. Herbicides are the most heavily relied upon weed control method for many growers because they are both cost effective and simple, which has resulted in high selection pressure for herbicide resistance in populations of weed species.
It is often thought that weeds change or mutate to become resistant. However, weed scientists believe that weeds do not change at all.
Instead, populations change. The resistant weeds have always been present in low populations. When a particular herbicide is used, it controls the normal-susceptible types. This makes room for the population of the resistant weeds to increase. Consequently, when growers say that their “weeds have become resistant,” they really mean that the population of their resistant weeds has increased greatly and the population of their susceptible weeds has decreased.
As we learn about herbicide resistance, an unfortunate side effect is that some herbicide failures result from bad weather, weeds that are too large or improper applications are considered herbicide-resistance problems.
For more information, visit: http://bit.ly/1dq15tJ.
STEP UP MENTORSHIP PROGRAM
Step Up Mentorship Program is an on-farm learning placement.
This program matches those who are considering a farming career with an experienced farm manager.
This is a chance to learn farm business management skills in a hands-on setting. Anyone who is an experienced farm manager interested in taking the time to pass on the best of his or her farm business management knowledge can be a mentor.
Mentors received a $2,000 honorarium for participating. Anyone who is interested in agriculture and is at least 18 years old can be a mentee. This is a national program so you can choose a placement close to home or in another province.
The deadline to submit your application is Feb. 14, 2014.
For more information, go to:www.fmc-gac.com/step-up or contact Jennifer Hardy-Parr, by phone at 1-888-232-3262, or by email at stepup@fmc-gac.com.
COMING EVENTS:
Feb. 13 – Grower Pesticide Course, OMAF and MRA Boardroom, Elora. To register, call the Ontario Pesticide Education Program at 1-800-652-8573 or visit www.opep.ca or email opep@opep.ca.
