A weekly press release prepared by the staff of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. If you require further information, regarding this press release, please call the Fergus Resource Centre at 519-846-0941. Office hours: 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. For technical information, call the Agricultural Information Contact Centre at 1-877-424-1300 or visit the OMAFRA Website:www.ontario.ca/omafra
REMINDER!! NEED HELP TO ANALYZE
YOUR BUSINESS IN THIS NEW REALITY?
MAKING TOUGH DECISIONS IN TOUGH TIMES
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
at the London Convention Centre, 300 York St., London, ON.
Aimed at the pork, beef and veal sectors, this conference is intended to provide real time information to help producers and agribusiness make sound business decisions in this changed business environment.
Topics will include: effects of the dollar, competitiveness, things to consider when transitioning your business, risk management, among others. Pre-register by February 8th and Save!
Payment and registration information must be received by February 8th to receive reduced rates.
If you are a registered producer with OCA, Ontario Veal, Ontario Pork or are an OPIC member you can
Pre-register for $30.00. If you are not a producer or OPIC member, you can pre-register for $40. Registrations will be accepted at the door at a cost of $50 for the day.
Speakers include: David Irvine – Irvine and Associates; Maurizio (Moe) – Agostino Farms; Dr. Vincent Amanor-Boadu – Kansas State University; Kevin Grier – George Morris Centre; and Dr. Gary Smith – Colorado State University. See website for details on topics, speaker bios and to register at: www.toughdecisions.ca
ENVIRONMENTAL FARM PLAN – by John C. Benham, EFP Rep, Wellington County
If you wish to participate in the EFP Cost Share Programs after April 1, 2008 a deemed appropriate Third Edition EFP Workbook will be required.
The next two-day EFP Workshop is planned for Monday, February 11 and Thursday, February 21, 2008 in the Aboyne Hall at Wellington Place, Fergus. Lunch will be provided along with the usual refreshments.
Now is a good time to get the workshop completed before the busy season begins!
The thing we know about the next program is that receipts dated after April 1, 2008 only will be accepted.
Also, if you are planning a manure storage the Rural Water Quality Program requires your information before March 1, 2008.
If you have any questions, or you wish to sign up for this upcoming workshop please call 519-846-0941.
UPCOMING GROWER PESTICIDE COURSES:
Over 27,000 Ontario Farmers are trained in pesticide application and safety through the Grower Pesticide Safety Course!
Certified Growers are trained to buy or use the more hazardous pesticides (Schedule 1, 2 or 5) on the land they farm. Every farm business that uses Schedule 1, 2 or 5 pesticides must have at least one Certified Grower. Grower Pesticide Safety Course certificates are valid for five years. Certified Growers cannot spray as a business or sell pesticides.
To become a Certified Grower for the first time, you must:
• attend the Grower Pesticide Safety Course (GPSC) and pass the GPSC exam.
To renew a GPSC certificate, there are two options. You may:
• attend the Grower Pesticide Safety Course and pass the exam, or • study at home, and then pass the exam at a specified exam-writing time and location. NOTE: You must have previously held a valid certificate to qualify for this option.
Upcoming Pesticide Courses:
Wellington County:
Wednesday, February 13, 2008 – Harriston – Course – 9:00 a.m. – Cargill – 519-338-2015
Friday, February 15, 2008 – Mount Forest – Course – 9:00 a.m. – North Wellington Co-op – 519-323-1271
Wednesday, February 20, 2008 – Fergus – Course – 8:45 a.m. – OPEP – 1-800-652-8573 – Fergus – Separate Exam – 3:00 p.m. – OPEP – 1-800-652-8573
Wednesday February 27, 2008 – Harriston – Course – 9:00 a.m. – North Wellington Co-op 1-800-667-3056
Thursday, March 6, 2008 – Guelph – Exam – 6:30 p.m. – Woodrill Farms – 519-821-1018
Saturday, March 29, 2008 – Rockwood – Course – 8:45 a.m. – OPEP – 1-800-652-8573 – Rockwood – Separate Exam – 3:00 p.m. – OPEP – 1-800-652-8573 Waterloo County:
Monday, February 25, 2008 – Elmira – Exam – 1:00 p.m. – F.S. Elmira – 519-669-5475
Friday, February 29, 2008 – Elmira – Course – 8:45 a.m. – F.S. Elmira – 519-669-5475
Wednesday, March 19, 2008 – Elmira – Course – 8:45 a.m. – F.S. Elmira – 519-669-5475
Monday, March 31, 2008 – Wellesley – Course – 8:45 a.m. – OPEP – 1-800-652-8573 – Wellesley – Separate Exam – 3:00 p.m. – 1-800-652-8573
Dufferin County:
Tuesday, February 19, 2008 – Shelburne – Exam – 12:45 p.m. – OPEP – 1-800-652-8573
Tuesday, March 18, 2008 – Orangeville – Course – 8:45 a.m. – OPEP – 1-800-652-8573 – Orangeville – Separate Exam – 3:30 p.m. – OPEP – 1-800-652-8573
Saturday, April 5, 2008 – Orangeville – Course – 8:45 a.m. – OPEP – 1-800-652-8573 – Orangeville – Separate Exam – 3:30 p.m. – OPEP – 1-800-652-8573
Halton & Peel Counties:
Saturday, February 16, 2008 – Brampton – Course – 8:45 a.m. – OPEP – 1-800-652-8573 – Brampton – Separate Exam – 3:30 p.m. – OPEP – 1-800-652-8573
Saturday, March 28, 2008 – Brampton – Course – 8:45 a.m. – OPEP – 1-800-652-857
COMING EVENTS:
February 11 Wellington Dairy Producer Committee Annual Meeting, Drayton PMD, 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Contact Debbie Brander 519-856-9957 or Ken DeVries 519-638-7799 for tickets.
February 22 – 24 4-H Conference and Annual Meeting, Waterloo Inn, Kitchener, www.4-hontario.ca.
March 19 Dufferin County Soil and Crop Improvement Association Annual Meeting and Feed and Seed Show will be held at the Grand Valley & District Community Centre, 9:45 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. For further information please contact: Jim Irvine at 519-928-2100 or Allan Lyons at 1-705-435-9202.
