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. For technical information, call the Agricultural Information Contact Centre at 1-877-424-1300 or visit the OMAF and MRA Website: www.ontario.ca/omafra
DEADLINE EXTENSION FOR LIVESTOCK PRODUCERS DEALING WITH DROUGHT FALLOUT
Producers Have Until June 14 to Submit Forms to Agricorp
The governments of Canada and Ontario are working to ensure that the province’s livestock producers who faced feed shortages after last summer’s drought conditions have the time they need to purchase and ship hay for their animals.
Today, the provincial and federal governments announced that the deadline to transport forage under the Canada Ontario Forage Livestock Transportation Assistance Initiative has been extended by 11 weeks. Farmers will now have until June 1, 2013, to transport forage, and then until June 14, 2013, to submit their forms to Agricorp.
The initiative was announced on Dec.14, 2012, making almost $2.4 million available to help affected livestock producers in designated drought areas of eastern and southwest Ontario purchase feed for their breeding herds over winter.
Livestock producers are eligible for:
• Up to $0.14 per tonne, per kilometre to assist with the transportation of forage, or
• Up to $0.075 per kilometre, per animal, to move animals to available feed
For further information regarding details of this initiative and how to apply, please visit Agricorp at: www.agricorp.com.
NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR AALP CLASS 15!
Over the past few months Harry Cummings, of the University of Guelph, and his consultant team, have conducted a complete review and assessment of the Advanced Agricultural Leadership Program (AALP). Now, with the evaluation complete, the Rural Ontario Institute (ROI) is accepting applications for their fifteenth class which will begin in September 2013 and run through March 2015. Applications are due by April 30.
The dates for seminars, study tours and an all new component of the program, seven one-hour webinars, are now all set for AALP Class 15. The complete Curriculum Outline is included on the attached flyer. New, for the upcoming cohort, are two optional activity days, to be held in conjunction with the Toronto and Northern Ontario seminars.
For more information, please visit: http://www.aalp.on.ca/application.aspx.
GROWER PESTICIDE SAFETY COURSE OFFERED ONLINE
Learn and certify online. New this year! You can take the Grower Pesticide Safety course through the internet. Openings are available for the April 14-20 session. The course takes place over five days. You need to participate every day. You need to be competent in the use of a computer, have a high speed connection and be a self-directed learner. Call the Ontario Pesticide Education Program at 1-800-652-8573 or 519-674-2230 or visit: www.opep.ca.
FARM STUDENTS ELIGIBLE FOR SCHOLARSHIP
Grade 12 students living on their family farms could be eligible for a $1,500 scholarship from Monsanto Canada. Students who are entering their first year of post secondary education in an agricultural program can download an application form from Monsanto.ca. About 10 to 14 of the 60 Canada-wide scholarships will be available for Ontario. The deadline is May 24.
LEADERSHIP WEBINAR SERIES 2013 – “57 MINUTES CAN TRANSFORM YOUR ORGANIZATION”
The Rural Ontario Institute is offering a new webinar series. The titles include: Ten Practical Online Tools to Help Busy Nonprofit Leaders; Mind the Gap! How to Lead Multi-Generational Staff & Volunteers; How Great Leaders Lead: Boost Energy, Creativity & Productivity; Collaboration & Partnerships: Steps any Nonprofit can Take for Success; Board Governance: Best practices in the Real World of Nonprofit Boards. For more information or to register go to http://ruralontarioinstitute.ca/uploads/userfiles/files/2013-WebinarSeries%201-Flyer-FINAL.pdf
Information on upcoming webinars from this series is also available in Dateline (provincial calendar) at: http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/rural/edr/events-training.htm.
COMING EVENTS
Apr. 5-6 OIA Conference and AGM, Holiday Inn, Kitchener. Theme: Agrology: The Agricultural and Environmental Profession: http://www.oia.on.ca/.
Apr. 6 Elmira Maple Syrup Festival, check the website: www.elmiramaplesyrup.com or call 1-877-969-0094, for more information.
Apr. 6 Grower Pesticide Safety Course, Orangeville, 8:45 a.m. and Separate Exam: 2:45 p.m. To register, phone: Ontario Pesticide Education Program: 1-800-652-8573.
Apr. 6 Grower Pesticide Safety Course, Rockwood, 8:45 a.m. and Separate Exam: 3:00 p.m. To register, phone: Ontario Pesticide Education Program: 1-800-652-8573.
Apr. 10–11 London Poultry Show “Nested in Innovation”, Western Fair District, London. The two-day show is a blend of trade show and professional development featuring networking opportunities, a wide array of products & services, guest presentations and informative seminars. With 57,000 square feet of exhibit space and more than 160 booths to visit, the London Poultry Show is recognized as a must-do event for anyone associated with this important agri-business. Watch for details at: http://www.westernfairdistrict.com/events/attend/2013Poultry_Show#.
Apr. 12 Grower Pesticide Safety Course, Elora, 8:45 a.m. and Separate Exam: 3:00 p.m. To register, phone: Ontario Pesticide Education Program: 1-800-652-8573.
