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
ADVERSE WEATHER AND ONTARIO AGRICULTURE
OMAFRA has developed a list of resources for farmers concerned about the effect of the current dry weather and other adverse environmental conditions on their operations. Information on the OMAFRA website covers dry weather conditions as it relates to agricultural businesses, impact to crops and animal welfare. Please visit the website at: www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/crops/weather/adverseweather.html#dry.
Ministry staff in the Agricultural Information Contact Centre – are also available to answer any of your questions:
Phone: 1-877-424-1300 or email: ag.info.omafra@ontario.ca.
ENVIRONMENTAL FARM PLAN
by John C. Benham
As a result of several inquiries, the date of the next EFP workshop has been set for Thursday, September 20th to be completed Friday, September 28th in the Elora OMAFRA meeting room at 10am to 3pm. Lunch and refreshments are provided at no cost.
An Environmental Farm Plan completed now, will be accepted for the next 5 years. Several farmers have been disappointed when they applied for Cost Share and found their EFP was out of date.
To sign up electronically, go to www.ontariosoilcrop.org or contact John at 519-846-3394 or email: wellington@ontariosoilcrop.org if you have any questions.
AGRI-INVEST – MANAGING FARM RISK
Being proactive in understanding and managing a farm’s business risks is a key ingredient to achieve profitability. Producers across Canada are actively using Agri-Invest to manage small declines in farm income. Participating is easy and convenient, with farmers in control of their investments. In the coming weeks and months, producers who have applied for Agri-Invest in the 2011 program year can expect to see Deposit Notices arrive in their mailboxes. These notices provide important information on the amount farmers would need to deposit to qualify for matching government contributions. Participating in Agri-Invest is easy. Application forms are available on the Publications and Forms page at: www.agr.gc.ca/agriinvest, or by calling Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada toll free at 1-866-367-8506. The penalty-free deadline to file a 2011 application is September 30, 2012. Applications will be accepted until December 31 with a penalty. Agri-Invest is cost shared on a 60:40 basis between the federal and the provincial and territorial governments.
ON FARM FOOD SAFETY: YOUR BUSINESS ADVANTAGE
Training Workers on Proper Hand Washing
Hand washing is critical to food safety. This is especially true for horticultural producers who produce food which will be eaten fresh or uncooked. Workers could contaminate food either directly or indirectly if their hands are contaminated. To minimize food safety risks associated with contaminated hands, workers must be trained and practice proper hand washing. Here are the steps for proper hand washing:
• Wet hands with potable water
• Apply soap
• Scrub all hand surfaces, between fingers, under nails and wrists for 20 seconds
• Rinse hands thoroughly with potable water
• Dry hands with a clean paper towel
• Turn off the tap with the paper towel
Food safety practices keep agri-food businesses competitive, productive and sustainable. For more information, visit the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs website at: www.ontario.ca/goodagpractices or call us at 1-877-424-1300.
COMING EVENTS:
Sept. 14 to 6 Harriston-Minto Fair, Community Complex. For information, check the website: www.harristonmintofair.ca/.
Sept. *14-16 Fergus Fall Fair, Centre Wellington Sportsplex. Website: www.fergusfallfair.ca.
Sept. 16 Foodlink Waterloo’s 9th annual Culinary Showcase, taste local! taste fresh! takes place from 2 to 5pm at Riverside Meadows Park, St. Jacobs. 20 farmers and chefs are preparing local delights. Be sure to support the work of Foodlink Waterloo Region and take advantage of early bird tickets now. Visitors can sample the Region’s best from local farmers and chefs in a beautiful outdoor location. The event features one-of-a-kind pottery, Gypsy Jazz by Juneyt and a silent auction. For information/tickets, call 519-513-8998 or visit www.foodlink.ca.
Sept. 18 to 22 2012 International Plowing Match, Waterloo Region, “Cultivate Country Celebrate Community”. Check for regular updates at: www.ipm2012.ca/. For more information, call 519-631-1234 or 1-800-661-7569 or email: eventadmin@plowingmatch.org.
Sept. 19 Shakespeare Swine Seminar, Shakespeare Community Centre at 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Cost $25 pre-registered by Sept. 18th, $20 for additional people from the same farm and $30 at the door. Cheques payable to: Shakespeare Event – Ontario Pork”. For more information or to register, call the Agricultural Information Contact Centre: 1-877-424-1300.
