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 5pm. For technical information, call the Agricultural Information Contact Centre at 1-877-424-1300 or visit the OMAFRA Website: www.ontario.ca/omafra
ADVANTAGE ON-FARM FOOD SAFETY WEBINARS
The Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) will be hosting webinar sessions on Good Agriculture Practices for your farm, available at no cost.
1) Food Safety on Multi-Commodity Farms – Identify the risks associated with a multi-commodity farm, the good agricultural practices which address those risks and how they apply to your farm. Webinar – Aug. 28 from 12 to 12:40pm.
2) Hygiene and Sanitation – Learn how to develop and implement a worker hygiene program for both the pack house and field as well as a building and equipment sanitation program. Webinar – Sept. 25 from 12 to 12:50pm.
3) Preparing for an On-Farm Food Safety Audit – Interpret what to expect from an audit, the general requirements of a food safety program, and applying the tools needed for a successful audit. Webinar – Oct. 23 at 12 to 1pm.
4) Using Food Safety to Market Your Products – Make your food safety practices work for you in the marketplace. Understand how keeping your customers informed about the food safety efforts you have made can benefit your business. Webinar – Nov. 27 from 12 to 12:40pm.
5) Manure, Compost and Compost Teas – Identify what is required to create or maintain a good growing base for your agri-needs. This workshop will outline Good Agricultural Practices when using manure and compost teas, demonstrating proper implementation for better soil, growing for tomorrow. Webinar – Dec. 11 from 12 to 12:45pm.
6) Getting Started in Food Safety – Learn how to identify the role food safety plays in farming operations; analyze the associated risks and what good agricultural practices are and how they apply. This module will also explain the resources OMAFRA has to offer to help reduce your risks. Webinar – Jan. 22 from 12 to 12:45pm.
7) 3-2-1 Assessment of Your Farm Operation for Food Safety – Asses your present farm practices for food safety and develop an action plan to ensure your operation is meeting the best practices. This module is interactive and uses computer resources to assess your risks. Webinar – Feb. 28 from 12 to 12:45pm.
Register today! Register online at: http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/food/foodsafety/producers/webinars.htm.
Registration closes the day before each workshop. A confirmation email will be sent following registration with the workshop teleconference/webinar details.
REMINDER!! GROWING YOUR FARM PROFITS
by John C. Benham
The next Growing Your Farm Profits two-day workshop is planned for Monday, Aug. 20 and Monday, Aug. 27 at Everdale Farms, 5812 6th Line Erin from 9:30am to 3pm Lunch and refreshments will be provided at no cost..
Don’t miss out on this opportunity to look at your farm business management and come up with a plan to make improvements with financial assistance from the Cost Share program.
For more information, call Liz at 519-638-3268 or sign up electronically at: www.ontariosoilcrop.org/workshops/.
ON FARM FOOD SAFETY: YOUR BUSINESS ADVANTAGE – WATER QUALITY
Water quality varies depending on the water source. While a best practice is to always test your water, it is especially important to test your irrigation water if you are sourcing from a pond or other open water source. The most accurate way to take a sample is directly from the irrigation system. Allow the system to run for a few minutes then collect the sample from the end of the drip line or emitter using a sterile container provided by a laboratory accredited to perform microbial water testing. Refrigerate the sample and have it tested within 24 hours. Make sure the lab knows that your sample is irrigation water and not drinking water because there are different standards/guidelines for each.
Food safety practices contribute to competitive, productive and sustainable agri-food business. For more information on this fact sheet visit the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs website: www.ontario.ca/goodagpractices, click “factsheets/infosheet”, or call us at 1-877-424-1300.
COMING EVENTS
Aug. 21 and 24 – Open Farm Days for the whole family at Ignatius Jesuit Centre, 5420 Hwy. 6 North from 3:30- 6:30pm.Visit: http://ignatiusguelph.ca for details.
Aug. 22 – OCC Corn Research Update Day, Ridgetown Campus, Pioneer Room RDC Building Agenda, 8:45 Refreshments; 9:00 Welcome; 9:10 Dr. Luc Bourgeois, Bayer CropScience Seed Treatments and Bees; 9:50 Ian Nichols, Weather Innovations Incorporated Corn Yield Trends: How Much Credit Should the Weather Get?; 10:30 Break; 10:50 Dr. Liz Lee, University of Guelph, Sorting Out the Genetics Behind Plant Density Response; 11:30 Crosby Devitt, Grain Farmers of Ontario Corn Research: Where do we go from here?; 12:15 Barbeque Lunch at Picnic Shelter; 1:15 Ridgetown Campus Plot Tour, Dr. Peter Sikkema Weed Control, Dr. Dave Hooker Corn Agronomy; 3:30 Conclude. (Note: There is no charge for the day, but please register your intention to attend by emailing: davidtmorris@rogers.com).
Aug. 22 and 23- Hasting County Plowing Match and Farm Show, Donnandale Farms, 10620 Hwy. 62 N., Centre Hastings. Check the website: http://www.hastingsfarmshow.com/.
