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.
WHAT DO YOU THINK IS NEEDED FOR A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE FOR FARMING IN ONTARIO?
Ontario farmers and agri-business partners – we’re looking for your insights and ideas.
Attend one or both days of “Cultivating a Sustainable Future” hosted by Farm & Food Care to hear some innovative and challenging speakers. This is your opportunity to provide some valuable input into future directions for Farm & Food Care’s Animal Care and Environment Councils on what issues and opportunities you think should be priorities for agriculture in Ontario.
Feb. 12 – Focus on Farm Animal Welfare- 9am-4:30pm (both days); attend one day or both.
Euthanasia – Talk about a Tough Topic – Dr. Jan Shearer, Iowa State University Unfortunately animals have to be euthanized every day for a variety of reasons. Come and listen to a different perspective on how to talk about a tough topic. Learn about some new options for the future and try some out for yourself in a ‘hands on’ demonstration.
Feb. 13 – Focus on Environment – Environmental Stewardship, a shared responsibility – from your farm to ‘Big Food’ – Yves LeClerc, McCain Foods (Canada)
LeClerc was key in coordinating potato industry efforts to meet rising stewardship expectations among the major quick service restaurant chains. Find out how Environmental Farm Plans play a key role in value chain partnerships.
• Begin with the End in Mind – What do Canadians really think about food, farmers and farming?
Colin Siren, Vice President, Ipsos Agriculture & Animal Health
Come find out what your customers think about food, farmers and farming featuring results from a Farm & Food Care study from the fall of 2012.
• What’s happening on Ontario farms and what do producers think about the environment and farm animal welfare in 2013?
Release of Farm & Food Care’s recent producer survey results benchmarking environmental and animal care practices, attitudes and information sources. Tell us what you think. Active discussion groups and feedback opportunities to provide input on future directions.
Registration: $40 for one day / $75 for two days. Register online at: farmfoodcare.wildapricot.org
Registration is non-refundable but is transferable.
Location: Delta Guelph Hotel and Conference Centre, Guelph, Ontario. www.deltaguelph.ca
To book accommodations call 1-800-268-1133 and quote group code: FAR013113
DUFFERIN SOIL AND CROPS ASSOCIATION ANNUAL SEED AND FEED SHOW & ANNUAL MEETING
Wednesday, Feb. 13 – Location: Amaranth Township Hall County Road 10 and Line 6 Laurel – 374028 6th Line Amaranth, Dufferin County.
9:30 am – Call to Order; 9:45am – Brian Hall, OMAFRA Canola Specialist; 10:30am – Nick Betts, Outreach Co-ordinator, Ontario Soil and Crop Association, Biomass Research Program; 11:15am – Ministry of Transportation – Road and Farm Vehicle Safety, Officers McKee and Welsh; 12 Noon – Forage Master Presentation; 12:05pm – Regional Director Les Nichols; 12:10pm – Joan McKinlay, President Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Assoc.; 12:15pm – Supplier Showcase; 12:30 pm – Lunch provided by Community of Christ Church; 1:15pm – Seed Show Winners – Judge-John Drumond, Floradale Feeds; 1:30pm – Don Kabbes, Market Development Manager, Great Lakes Grain; 2:15pm – Annual Meeting; 2:45pm – Jonathon Watchurst – Environmental Farm Plan Update; 3pm – Alan Lyons, Dufferin Major Project Presentation; 3:15pm – Closing – Chairman Ralph Baumlisberger.
Admission $25 includes Lunch/Membership. Exhibitor space available; Sponsored by Dufferin Federation of Agriculture / Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association. For information contact Jim Irvine: 1-800-265-2284.
HOG PRODUCTION AND MARKETING TOOLS WORKSHOPS
Add to Your Business Bottom Line.
Come join in the discussion! This is an opportunity to gain insight into production and marketing tools available to help manage your bottom line.
• Risk Management Tips & Tools – A discussion on tracking market hog prices and margins using the Ontario Market Hog Price Trend and Hog Margin Tracker reports.
• Putting the GDX to Work – Discover how OMAFRA’s Grading Data Explorer (GDX) program tracks your marketing grid performance to hit your production and marketing targets.
• Feeding Heavy Hogs – Open discussion on ways to minimize feed wastage, help reduce costs, maximize ADG and feed conversion.
Date/Location: Feb. 12 – Elora OMAFRA Office and Feb. 13 – Southwest Vet Clinic, Stratford. Time: 1pm to 4:30pm. Registration by: Feb. 4 with Linda Dillon: 519-482-3333; Email: linda.dillon@ontario.ca. Space limited to 20 people. Workshop Leaders: John Bancroft, Market Strategies Program Lead, Jaydee Smith, Swine Production Lead, Doug Richards, Swine Grower-Finisher Specialist. Workshops sponsor: Ontario Pork.
COMING EVENTS:
Feb. 5-6 OSCIA 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.
Feb. 19 & 26 Growing Your Farm Profits at Elora OMAFRA meeting room at 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. To sign up, go online: www.ontariosoilcrop.org/workshops or phone Liz at 519-638-3268.
