A weekly report prepared by the staff of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA). For more information call 519-846-0941 or 1-877-424-1300 or visit the OMAFRA website: www.ontario.ca/omafra. Office hours 8:30am to 4:30pm.
Dufferin soil and crop association annual seed and feed show and meeting
The Dufferin Soil and Crop Association annual seed and feed show and annual meeting will be held on Feb. 25 at the Amaranth Township Hall, County Road 10 and Line 6 Laurel, 374028 6th Line Amaranth.
Agenda:
– 9:30am, call to order;
– 9:45am, Lois Sinclair, regional program lead, Ontario soil and crop;
– 10am, Adam Hayes, cover crop specialist OMAFRA;
– 10:45am, Deb Campbell CCA, private agronomist, midwestern Ontario;
– 11:30am, grain market update, Jim Irvine, Great Lakes Grain;
– 12:10pm, regional update, Les Nichols;
– 12:15pm, supplier showcase;
– 12:30pm, lunch provided by Community of Christ Church;
– 1:15pm, seed show winners, judge, John Drummond Floradale Feeds;
– 1:30pm, Joan McKinlay, stroke prevention tips;
– 2pm, James Bryan, senior relationship manager, Farm Credit Canada;
– 2:45pm, annual meeting; and
– 3:15pm, closing remarks, Fred Brown.
Admission is $30 and includes lunch and membership. Exhibitor space is available.
The event is sponsored by the Dufferin Federation of Agriculture and Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association.
For more information, contact Jim Irvine at 1-800-265-2284.
Schedule of noxious weeds changes effective Jan. 1
Effective Jan. 1, the following nine weeds were added to the Schedule of Noxious Weeds (a regulation under the Weed Control Act):
– common crupina;
– jointed goatgrass;
– kudzu;
– serrated tussock;
– smooth bedstraw;
– tansy ragwort;
– wild chervil;
– wild parsnip; and
– woolly cupgrass.
The non-native weeds were added to minimize their interference to agriculture.
In addition, effective Jan. 1, the following nine weeds were removed from the schedule:
– black-seeded proso millet;
– goat’s beard spp;
– johnson grass;
– nodding thistle spp;
– Russian thistle;
– scotch thistle;
– tuberous vetchling;
– yellow rocket; and
– wild carrot.
The weeds are being removed because they are no longer considered significant threats to agriculture and can be managed through modern management practices. These changes will help support pollinators. The Schedule of Noxious Weeds identifies weeds that can seriously damage agricultural land, crops and livestock. If these weeds are growing in a location that negatively impacts agriculture or horticulture, then they must be destroyed. If you feel that your agricultural or horticultural land is being negatively impacted by noxious weeds, contact the Wellington County Weed Inspector, John Benham at: 519-846-3394. Learn more about the changes, the schedule and weed management options at www.Ontario.ca.
Traceability workshops
Producers are invited to attend Traceability Workshops on March 12 – Elora Resource Centre and March 24 – Markdale. This Traceability Workshop will focus on how to gain a competitive advantage and improve the bottom line with a traceability system. Real life examples and business profiles focused on traceability best practices will be examined throughout the workshop. Possible cost sharing opportunities will be discussed. Workshop supplies, refreshments and snacks will be available. Please bring your own lunch. For more information, please contact Ingrid Vanderschot at 519-852-0621.
Soil erosion control workshop
You are invited to a Soil Erosion Control Workshop on Feb. 10 from 1:30 to 4pm at the Linwood Community Centre, 5279 Ament Line, Linwood.
Come hear about: proper design and placement of erosion control structures; use of cover crops to improve soil health and grants available through the Rural Water Quality Program to address erosion issues.
For more information or to register, call Anne Loeffler, Conservation Specialist at: 519-621-2763 ext. 2242. RSVP by Feb. 6.
Workshop: Housing and feeding dairy calves for good health and growth
On Feb. 11, OMAFRA is holding a one-day workshop in Elora for dairy and veal producers. Presenters are Harold House, dairy housing engineer; Ann Godkin, disease prevention veterinarian; and Neil Anderson, disease prevention veterinarian.
Cost for the day is $50 including lunch. Those interested in attending should contact the OMAFRA office, 6484 Wellington Rd 7, Elora, at 519-846-0941. Pre-registration is required. For more information contact Ann at: ann.godkin@ontario.ca or 519-846-3409.
Coming events
– March 4 and 5: free stall dairy housing design seminar, boardroom, OMAFRA resource centre; 401 Lakeview Dr., Woodstock. To register, call the agricultural information contact centre at 1-877-424-1300 or 519-826-4047 or my email ag.info.omafra@ontario.ca.
