Drayton area farmer Simon Signer was named Ontario Forage Master for 2014 at a recognition event at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair on Nov. 12.
Signer and wife Kristina operate Sigview Farms Limited. He credits high quality forage as the foundation for their 47-head Brown Swiss milking herd.
The competition is an annual event sponsored by Pickseed Canada Inc., SGS Agri-Food Laboratories, the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair and the Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association (OSCIA).
There were over 200 entries this year, representing 24 different counties and districts. Local winners are declared based on field judging of forage quality.
From there, winners have the opportunity to move to the public speaking portion of the competition, staged at the provincial level. Participants present how forages are selected, grown, harvested, stored and utilized for top production on their farms.
“All of our four finalists in this year’s Ontario Forage Masters competition were dairy producers that had no difficulty expressing their views on the role of forages in their cropping and feeding programs,” says Allan Mol, OSCIA president.
“That made the judges’ decision difficult, but Simon Signer’s presentation had just a little extra polish that made him this year’s winner.”
SGS AgriFood Laboratories spokesman Nelmy Narvaez said Signer was “an excellent speaker providing a clear and organized presentation with techniques easily applicable and transferable.
“He demonstrated that the real value of forages is given by farming practices focusing on producing quality forage with proper management.”
Signer took over management of the dairy farm from his parents in 2011.
“We aim for top quality forage without sacrificing yield or plant health,” said Signer. “Quality never lets you down.”
Signer now qualifies to compete in the 2015 American Forage and Grassland Council’s Forage Spokesperson Competition to be held in January in St. Louis, Missouri.
The OSCIA is committed to responsible economic management of soil, water, air and crops through innovative farming practices.
