A weekly press release prepared by the staff of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. If you require further information, regarding this press release, please call the Fergus Resource Centre at 519-846-0941. Office hours: 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. For technical information, call the Agricultural Information Contact Centre at 1-877-424-1300 or visit the OMAFRA Website: www.ontario.ca/omafra
ONE-DAY BIODIESEL DEMONSTRATION
OFFERED TO SOYBEAN GROWERS
Want to learn more about producing biodiesel? Join Ontario Soybean Growers (OSG) and the Canadian International Grains Institute (CIGI) for a one-day demonstration event. CIGI’s portable biodiesel trailer will be traveling across Ontario to show producers the production process from oilseed extraction right through to the final product, including a demonstration using the biodiesel produced on-site. This is a unique opportunity to show producers how they can maximize the value of their oilseed crops and grow a product suitable for the expanding biodiesel market. Pre-registration is required for the one-day event as space is limited.
The workshop will run 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., with a registration fee of $40 at the door and lunch will be provided.
The workshops in our area is on November 15 – University of Guelph, Elora Crop Research Station, Elora.
To pre-register for a one-day event please call the Ontario Soybean Growers at 519-767-4131.
Anyone with an interest in biodiesel is encouraged to come to one of the events to see the production process first-hand. The classroom on wheels has been created to make it as convenient as possible for people to come, ask questions, and learn more about biodiesel right in their own community.
LAST REMINDER!! MINTO FARM WOODLOT TOUR
by Larry Halyk, Wellington Stewardship Council
An educational bus tour will be held on Tuesday, November 13, 2007 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. to help farmers and other woodlot owners make decisions about thinning, harvesting and selling hardwoods. Forestry experts will explain and demonstrate how harvest strategy affects timber sale value, long-term economics and forest health. Woodlot owners will be on hand to share their experiences. The tour will also cover how trees grow in value over time, the best time to harvest particular trees, and the economic importance of improvement thinning in younger forests. There will be tour stops at both upland hardwood and soft maple swamp woodlots.
Tour participants will meet at Harkness Farm Equipment Ltd, located at 5808 Highway 9, between Harriston and Clifford. The bus will leave at 9:15 a.m. sharp rain or shine so dress for the weather. To register for this educational tour, contact Larry Halyk at 519-826-4936 or larry.halyk@ontario.ca. The cost for this event is $10.00, including lunch, if you contact Larry by November 9. The tour is hosted by the Wellington County Stewardship Council and the Waterloo-Wellington Chapter of the Ontario Woodlot Association.
REMINDER!!
MANAGING SHEEP FLOCK EXPANSION WORKSHOP
Managing Flock Expansion “the devil’s in the details” Workshop will be held on November 20th, 2007 at the Atwood Community Centre from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Early registration (up to Nov. 16) is $42.40 includes lunch and proceedings; late registration (after Nov. 16) is $58.30. Program highlights: simplifying artificial rearing of lambs; pest control – Do you need it; lighting and energy efficiencies; grain and commodity storage options; deadstock disposal options; shearing facility design and using the Environmental Farm Plan program for farmstead planning. Please call the Agricultural Information Contact Centre at 1-877-424-1300 to register.
LAST CALL!
ENVIRONMENTAL FARM PLAN WORKSHOP
by John C. Benham, EFP Program Rep
The next Environmental Farm Plan two-day workshop will be held on November 15th and 21st at Harkness Farm
Equipment, Harriston (Highway 9 just north of Harriston). Lunch will be provided. This is expected to be the last workshop until the program is renewed. Please call John Benham for information and to sign up 519-846-3394.
GRAZING MENTORSHIP PROGRAM
by Jack Kyle, Grazier Specialist, OMAFRA
The Sustainable Grazing Mentorship Program is a consulting/mentoring program being delivered through Ontario Cattlemen’s Association and funded by Greencover Canada. The Grazing Mentor program is open to beef producers in Ontario. The program helps connect experienced graziers (mentors) with novice producers to assist the less experienced in implementing Beneficial Management Practices in their grazing operation. A Grazing Mentor is a respected producer peer with extensive grazing management experience and knowledge. The Mentor can suggest grazing management options to help you improve your profits, your forage productivity and your land and water resources.
A Grazing Mentor from your area will come to your farm to discuss your grazing resources, opportunities and challenges. The Mentor can make suggestions about fencing, watering systems, grazing systems, plant growth, forage species, winter grazing options, or just about anything your have questions about!
The cost to the novice grazier is $100. The Mentor comes to the farm and assists the novice grazier with creating grazing plans, developing systems, and performing economic analysis of their enterprises.
The mentor puts in approximately 16 hours (2 days) with the novice producer. To find out more, or to request a Mentor contact Paul Stiles, Ontario Cattlemen’s Association 519-824-0334 or 1-866-370-2333.
COMING EVENTS:
Nov. 13 Minto Farm Woodlot Bus Tour hosted by the Wellington County Stewardship Council. Meet at 9 a.m. at Harkness Farm Equipment and return by 3 p.m. Cost is $10.00 person (includes lunch). To register, please call 519-826-4936.
Nov. 15 & 21 Wellington two-day Environmental Farm Plan Workshop at Harkness Farm Equipment, north of Harriston on highway 9, 9:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. For more information and to pre-register please call, John Benham at 519-846-3394.
Nov. 19 – 20 Ontario Federation of Agriculture Annual Convention. For further information e-mail perth@ofa.on.ca or visit www.ofa.on.ca.
Nov. 20 Managing Sheep Flock Expansion Workshop will be held at the Atwood Community Centre from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Early registration (up to Nov. 16) $42.40 includes lunch and proceedings; late registration (after Nov. 16) $58.30. To register call the Agricultural Information Contact Centre at 1-877-424-1300.
Nov. 28 Shakespeare Swine Seminar, Shakespeare, ON. Contact: Mary Van den Borre by: Phone: 519-846-3392; Fax: 519-846-8178; Email: mary.vandenborre@ontario.ca.
Nov. 30 Western Region Symposium and Ecological Farmers Association of Ontario Annual General Meeting, Gencor Building [site of Organic Meadow offices], Highway 6 North of Guelph. Speakers will include Wally Seccombe, Janet Duncan on rare breeds and slow food and will also include a renewable energy panel. For further details contact, EFAO, 5420 Highway 6 North, Guelph, Ontario, info@efao.ca.
