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 4:30pm. For technical information, call the Agricultural Information Contact Centre at 1-877-424-1300 or visit the OMAFRA website: www.ontario.ca/omafra.
SPECIES AT RISK FARM INCENTIVE PROGRAM
The Species at Risk Farm Incentive Program (SARFIP) provides funding to agricultural landowners interested in completing habitat creation and protection Best Management Practices (BMPs) that support species at risk. Addressing risks identified through the Environmental Farm Plan (EFP) workbook, farmers can implement practices that are beneficial for species listed as at-risk in Ontario.
The range of possible activities applies to croplands, grasslands, stream banks, shorelines, wetlands and woodlands.Cost-share funding is available for beneficial practices that directly or indirectly benefit SAR.
The Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association (OSCIA) issues cost-share after projects have been completed and the required documentation is received. SARFIP is available to farmers across the province.
The program requires a 3rd or 4th Edition EFP workbook and Action Plan (must be verified complete) completed within the last five years for the property where the project is proposed.
A list of upcoming EFP workshops is available at ontariosoilcrop.org. SARFIP is funded by the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF) through the Species at Risk Stewardship Fund, and the Government of Canada through the federal Habitat Stewardship Program for Species at Risk.
The EFP is supported by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) and OMAFRA through Growing Forward 2 (GF2), a federal-provincial-territorial initiative. Local program delivery is carried out by OSCIA.
There’s a free two-day EFP workshops coming up in Elora on June 7 and 14. To view other workshops and to register, please visit website – ontariosoilcrop.org/oscia-programs/growing-forward-2.
CONTROLLING HOUSE FLIES IN YOUR POULTRY BARN
Got house flies in your poultry barn? Are you searching for control options?
Poultry barns provide an ideal environment for house fly populations to thrive if sufficient control methods are not in place. Controlling house fly populations is important for maintaining a healthy barn environment. Without control methods, large fly populations can:
– damage equipment and increase biosecurity risk;
– decrease poultry production; and
– affect relationships with neighbours.
Flies can also be carriers of food-borne diseases, carrying bacteria such as Salmonella and E. coli from one location to another.
Controlling flies involves the combined use of different methods:
– barn management;
– biological control;
– mechanical control; and
– chemical control.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs’ (OMAFRA) book, “House Fly Control in Poultry Barns,” describes integrated pest management practices and provides information on different control methods for effective house fly control. The book is a great resource that can help you tailor fly control strategies to match your unique farming situation.
Visit ontario.ca/cca2 to download a PDF version of the book. You can also order free copies from ServiceOntario at ontario.ca/publications or 1-800-668-9938.
Visit ontario.ca/livestock for links to poultry resources, such as nutrient management and biosecurity information, and ontario.ca/cbly for information about poultry housing. Contact 1-877-424-1300 or ag.info.omafra@ontario.ca for more information.
