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.
GOVERNMENTS OF CANADA AND ONTARIO DELIVER AGRIRECOVERY ASSISTANCE TO AFFECTED ONTARIO LIVESTOCK PRODUCERS
OTTAWA – More government assistance is on the way for Ontario livestock producers facing severe forage shortages as a result of this summer’s dry growing conditions, announced federal Member of Parliament Cheryl Gallant (Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke) recently on behalf of federal Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz, and Member of Provincial Parliament Phil McNeely (Ottawa-Orléans) on behalf of Ontario Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, Ted McMeekin. The governments of Canada and Ontario will provide assistance through AgriRecovery to help livestock producers with transportation costs incurred in accessing feed for their breeding herds over winter.
“Forage shortages in Ontario have forced many livestock producers to find alternate sources of feed for their animals that must be transported from long distances at a significant cost,” said Gallant. “Our Government has delivered support through tax deferrals, Hay East and now through AgriRecovery to cover some of those extra costs producers will incur to transport feed or to move livestock to feed.”
“When I toured Ontario farms this summer, I saw first-hand the impact of the drought on crops and livestock,” said McMeekin. “We responded quickly this summer to support livestock producers through advanced insurance payments and support for Hay East 2012. Now AgriRecovery completes the response. We’re all in this together.”
Drought conditions during the summer significantly reduced forage yields and damaged pastures for livestock producers in parts of Ontario.
The Ontario Forage and Livestock Transportation Assistance Initiative will provide up to $2.4 million to help affected livestock producers in designated drought areas of eastern and southwest Ontario cover a portion of the extraordinary costs of transporting feed to their breeding herds, or breeding herds to areas with surplus feed.
The two components of the initiative are:
-Up to $0.14 per tonne, per kilometer to assist with the transportation of forage and feed, or
– Up to $0.075 per kilometer, per animal, to move animals to available feed
This initiative is being delivered under the AgriRecovery Framework, which allows governments to respond to unforeseen disasters that result in extraordinary recovery costs for producers. Producers are encouraged to make full use of existing government programs – AgriInsurance, AgriStability and AgriInvest – designed to help them mitigate income and production losses.
This initiative is in addition to the support governments have already provided through the HayEast initiative to help with the costs of transporting donated hay from Western Canada.
The federal government is also providing tax deferrals to eligible producers in designated drought areas on the sale of their breeding livestock.
The full list of designated areas for the 2012 Livestock Tax Deferral Provision can be found on AAFC’s Drought Watch site at: www.agr.gc.ca/drought.
Further information regarding details of this initiative and how to apply can be obtained from Agricorp at: www.agrcorp.com.
For more information, media may contact: Media Relations, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Ottawa, 613-773-7972; 1-866-345-7972 or Jeff English, Press Secretary, The Office of the Honourable Gerry Ritz,613-773-1059; jeffrey.english@agr.gc.ca or Amber Anderson, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs of Ontario.
2013 Southwest Agricultural Conference
It seems like only yesterday, but it has been 20 years since the Southwest Agricultural Conference steering committee embarked on this conference format version of a long tradition of producer education days in Ridgetown Ontario. For 75 years the first week of January has been locally known to many as “Farmer’s Week.”
We have come a long way since then and we are proud to present the 2013 Southwest Ag conference program, “The Future of Agriculture.”
The committee is extremely proud of the roster of speakers who have accepted the invitation to present to the 2013 conference, from celebrated Canadian humanitarian Stephen Lewis and renowned financial planning author David Chilton to the many leading minds in Agriculture across North America and around the world. This conference has grown to become the leading conference in agriculture education in North America. So much information in two days.
The welcome sign is out and we invite you to attend this, the 20th Anniversary edition of The Southwest Agricultural Conference on Jan. 3 and 4 at University of Guelph Ridgetown Campus to see “The Future of Agriculture”. Conference agenda and registration details are online at: www.southwestagconference.ca. Also, the OMAFRA staff will be there with an exhibit.
OMAFRA – Dairy Housing Design Seminars – Free Stall Housing – Feb. 26 and 27. Day 1 and 2 – 9:30am OMAFRA Resource Centre, 401 Lakeview Dr., Woodstock, ON.
This course is specifically intended for producers with plans to build or renovate their free stall, tie stall or calf barns in the next few years. The focus is on fundamentals of design. The course will provide practical information needed to build an economical, labour efficient facility that is comfortable for cattle. For more information or to Register please visit: http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/livestock/dairy/facts/info_freetiestall.htm or call the Agricultural Information Contact Centre at 1-877-424-1300
OMAFRA – Dairy Housing Design Seminars – Calf Housing – Feb. 28, 9:30 am – OMAFRA Resource Centre, 401 Lakeview Dr., Woodstock, Ontario. This course is specifically intended for producers with plans to build or renovate their free stall, tie stall or calf barns in the next few years. The focus is on fundamentals of design. The course will provide practical information needed to build an economical, labour efficient facility that is comfortable for cattle. For more information or to Register please visit: www.omafra.gov.on.ca or call the Agricultural Information Contact Centre at 1-877-424-1300.
GROWING YOUR FARM PROFITS
by John C. Benham
The Growing Your Farm Profits workshop and workbook help farmers identify where their farm is at, the areas that are doing well and the area where there could be improvement that would lead to greater financial success of the business. Topics that are discussed include production, marketing, financial management, the farm business structure, the business goals and each person’s responsibilities. The workbook is similar to the EFP workbook in that you rate yourself and develop an Action Plan. The information you put in the workbook is for your eyes only.
The next Growing Your Farm Profits workshop will be held on Jan. 25 in the Elora OMAFRA meeting room from 9:30am to 3pm and will be completed on Feb. 1. Lunch and refreshments are provided. No cost to you. Don’t miss this opportunity. Register online at: www.ontariosoilcrop.org or call Liz at 519-638-3268 or email: waterlooGYFP@ontariosoilcrop.org.
ENVIRONMENTAL FARM PLAN
by John C. Benham
To qualify for many of the Cost Share Programs, a completed up to date EFP is a requirement. Now would be a good time to get that completed and be in line for the Cost Share programs.
The next EFP workshop will be held on Jan. 30 in the Elora OMAFRA meeting room from 10am to 3pm and will be completed on Feb. 6. Lunch and refreshments are provided. No costs to you. Several farmers are signed up already. Register online at: www.ontariosoilcrop.org or call John at 519-846-3394 or email: wellington@ontariosoilcrop.org.
COMING EVENTS 2013:
Jan. 3 & 4 – Central Ontario Agricultural Conference 2013 – Georgian College, Barrie Campus: www.centralontarioagconference.ca.
Jan. 16 & 17- Herd Management Conference presented by CanWest DHI; January 16–Memorial Hall, Tavistock and Jan. 17–PMD Complex, Drayton. Check the website: www.canwestdhi.com.
Jan. 19 – Beef Symposium, in conjunction with the Farm$mart conference. Mark your calendar and watch for details at www.uoguelph.ca.
Jan. 31 to Feb. 3 – 32nd Annual Guelph Organic Conference and Expo; http://www.guelphorganicconf.ca.
Feb. 6 & 7- Canadian Dairy Xpo, Canada’s National Dairy Showcase, Stratford Rotary Complex, Stratford, Ontario. Check the website: www.dairyxpo.ca.
