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.
ENVIRONMENTAL FARM PLAN
by John C. Benham
If you are one of the farmers that do not have an up-to-date Environmental Farm Plan (EFP), now is the time to do it, before the busy season starts again.
Jan. 30 is the first day of the two-day EFP workshop. It will be completed one week later, on Feb. 6. It will be held in the Elora OMAFRA meeting room 10am to 3pm. Lunch and refreshments will be provided. No costs. Completing your plan will make you more aware of some environmental improvements you could make with generous financial assistance when the new Cost Share program is announced later this year. Sign up online at: www.ontariosoilcrop.org/workshops or call John at 519-846-3394 for more information.
GROWING YOUR FARM PROFITS
by John C. Benham
The Growing Your Farm Profits workshop and workbook will help the workshop attendees to realize where their farm business is at and the areas where they are doing well and the areas where improvements would put the farm business in a better financial position.
The workshop covers such things such as production, marketing, financial management, the structure of the business, succession planning and more detailed farm business goals. You will not be asked to provide any information that you do not know or do not wish to give.
The workshop and workbook provide a way for you to analyze your situation and set your goals down on paper so each person involved knows the details rather than relying on someone’s memory.
The next Growing Your Farm Profits workshop is to be held Jan. 25 and Feb. 1 in the Elora OMAFRA meeting room. Attendance is required at both sessions. Sessions run from 9:30am to 3pm. Lunch and refreshments will be provided. To sign up on the internet go to: www.ontariosoilcrop.org/workshops or phone Liz at 519-638-3268.
FARM MANAGEMENT CANADA – EXCELLENCE AWARD FOR AGRICULTURAL STUDENTS
The Farm Management Canada (FMC) Excellence Award for Agricultural Students is a scholarship competition that is designed to help students develop their communication skills by having the opportunity to voice their opinion on a subject related to farm business management. Submissions are collected from students across Canada and three winners are awarded a $1,000 cash prize to help further their education in agriculture. The award is a great way of connecting with the next generation of farm managers while challenging them to reflect on the important issues facing the industry. Students are asked to submit videos, responding to the following question: Why is innovation an important aspect of a farm’s success? How can farm business management be innovative? Please provide examples. Farm Management Canada must receive the completed online application form no later than Feb. 28. The names of the winners will be announced in March. Visit www.fmc-gac.com.
ON FARM FOOD SAFETY: YOUR BUSINESSADVANTAGE – Farm Buildings and Access, by Sandra Jones
Clothing, footwear and vehicles can carry pathogens between high risk and low risk areas potentially cross contaminating food, surfaces and equipment.
Whenever possible plan your “clean” activities first, followed by your “dirty” activities. This could be as easy as using the tractor to move the compost before using it to move raw manure.
If you can’t alter your schedule, take the extra minute to clean or change your equipment, clothing and footwear in between activities to prevent the spread of unwanted germs and residues.
Food safety practices keep agri-food businesses competitive, productive and sustainable. For more information, visit the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture Food and Rural Affairs website at: www.ontario.ca/goodagpractices or call us at 1-877-424-1300.
COMING EVENTS
Jan. 16 and 17: Herd Management Conference presented by CanWest DHI. Jan. 16 – Memorial Hall, Tavistock and Jan. 17 – PMD Complex, Drayton. Check the website: www.canwestdhi.com.
Jan. 18: Wellington County Cattlemen’s Association, annual general meeting at: Alma Bible Chapel. Trade show and social 5:30pm, dinner 6:30pm. Pre-register for the meal by Jan. 11 to: wellingtoncountycattlemens@gmail.com or phone: 519-338-2832.
Jan. 19: Beef Symposium, in conjunction with the Farm$mart Conference. Mark your calendar and watch for details at: http://www.uoguelph.ca/farmsmart/conference/program.html.
Jan. 25: Fergus Agricultural Society Annual Meeting to be held at Barrie Hill United Church. For further information or to RSVP, call Wendy Whittaker at 519-856-9621.
Jan.31-Feb.3 32nd Annual Guelph Organic Conference and Expo. Full details available at: http://www.guelphorganicconf.ca/.
Feb. 5-6 0SCIA Annual Meeting, Best Western Lamplighter Inn & Conference Centre, 591 Wellington Road South, London. Registration: Amber Van De Peer 1-800-265-9751 ext 63152 or email: amber.vandepeer@ontariosoilcrop.org or www.oscia.cloverpad.org.
Feb. 5-7 Canadian International Farm Show, Toronto. Check: http://www.canadianfarmshow.ca.
