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.
ON TO A GOOD START: COLOSTRUM MANAGEMENT
Mario S. Mongeon, Livestock Specialist, OMAF and MRA
Calving is a stressful period for the cow as well as the newborn calf. A difficult calving can result in lost production, infection and poor fertility on the part of the dam. The newborn calf may be weak and suffer from bovine respiratory disease or diarrhea as a result of its experience and may even not survive.
Mortalities in the first three weeks of life have been attributed to Failure of Passive Transfer of immunity from the dam to the newborn calf. The only way a calf receives immunity after birth is through colostrum.
Antibodies, also called immunoglobulins or Ig, are present in the colostrum from the mother and passed on to the calf.
For a short period of time after birth, those immunoglobulins will be absorbed intact through the small intestine membrane into the blood stream. These immunoglobulins will help the calf fight against disease during the first few weeks of life. This is why it is so important to have excellent colostrum management.
For more information, visit: http://bit.ly/JVgjdQ.
MANAGING WASHWATER TO PROTECT YOUR FARM STREAM
Deanna Németh, Nutrient Management Program Lead (Horticulture) OMAF and MRA
Fruit and vegetable producers have been looking for low cost methods to manage washwater.
When you are washing fruit and vegetables, the physical characteristics of the washwater varies depending on your operation. Characteristics can range from potable water used to rinse fruit and vegetables prior to packaging, to washwater high in soil sediments from rinsing soil from root vegetables, or peel from scrubbing vegetables before packaging and marketing.
Both the liquid and solid waste streams must be managed to protect water quality in and around the farm.
For further reading, please visit: http://bit.ly/1iI4NyD.
2014 PREMIER’S AWARD FOR AGRI-FOOD INNOVATION EXCELLENCE PROGRAM ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS
Have you developed and implemented an innovative product or process within your agriculture or food business?
If so, you could be eligible to receive one of the following awards from the Premier’s Award for Agri-Food Innovation Excellence Program:
– Premier’s Award (one award valued at $75,000);
– Minister’s Award (one award valued at $50,000);
– Leaders in Innovation Awards (three awards valued at $25,000 each); and
– Provincial Awards (45 awards valued at $5,000 each).
Eligible applicants include primary producers/farmers, processors and agri-food organizations.
A copy of the Program Guidebook and Application Form, as well as information on previous award recipients is available at www.ontario.ca/agrifoodinnovation or by calling 1-877-424-1300.
Applications will be accepted until 5pm, on Feb. 28.
COMING EVENTS:
March 5 – 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.
