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 Elora Resource Centre at 519-846-0941. Office hours: 8:30am to 5:00pm. For technical information, call the Agricultural Information Contact Centre at 1-877-424-1300 or visit the OMAFRA Website: www.omafra.gov.on.ca
CANADA’S ORGANIC REGULATIONS COMING INTO EFFECT
For the past 2 years, organic producers have been preparing for Canada’s new Organic Products Regulations. As of June 30, 2011, those regulations will be in full effect. At that time, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency will launch its standard compliance and enforcement activities.
These activities include:
· holding non-compliant products and/or removing them from store shelves
· correcting non-compliant labeling
· returning non-compliant imported products to the country of origin.
The regulations set out rigorous standards for certifying products as organic by accredited certification bodies. Products that meet the production requirements and contain at least 95 percent organic content may be labeled as “organic.” They may also feature the Canada Organic logo. To learn more click on the weblink at: http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/fssa/orgbio/20110310inde.shtml.
GOAT’S-BEARD
by John Benham, Weed Inspector
Weeds can be classified into four groups according to their growing habits. An annual is a plant, which completes its life cycle in one growing season. An example would be Velvetleaf. A biennial is a plant, which germinates in the spring, produces a rosette of leaves and remains vegetative during that first summer; over winters as a rosette; then sends up a flowering stalk during the second summer; sets seed; and dies at the end of the second season. An example would be Bull Thistle. A perennial is a plant that lives through three or more growing seasons. An example would be Colt’s-foot or Canada Thistle. The fourth type is the winter annual which is a plant that germinates in the fall, usually over winters in the rosette stage; flowers and sets seed the following spring and dies in the summer. An example would be Shepherd’s Purse.
Goat’s-Beard is a biennial reproducing only by seed. The flowering stems are from one to three feet tall, smooth, round, hollow, and topped by a yellow composite type (ox-eyed daisy) flower. The flower matures into a large, round seed-head like Dandelion or Colt’s-foot but much larger. Each seed has its own umbrella to permit it to travel on the wind often for great distances. It then establishes itself with a long taproot and grass like leaves. It is difficult to find in existing grass stands and usually is difficult to pull, especially when flowering. When the plant is injured it exudes a white juice. It flowers in June and July. It is a noxious weed under the Weed Act, so it must be destroyed.
ENVIRONMENTAL FARM PLAN
by John C. Benham
Keep in mind that you need a Third Edition EFP to qualify for financial assistance in 2012.
The next EFP workshop is planned for Wednesday, July 13 to be completed on Wednesday, July 20th in the Elora OMAFRA meeting room. No cost to you. Lunch and refreshments provided! Don’t put off signing up since several farmers are already on the list and space is limited.
To qualify for the cost share in 2012, you must have completed your EFP workbook well before Thursday, Sept. 15, the planned date of the Cost Share applications to be available.
For more information and to sign up, call John Benham at 519-846-3394.
COMING EVENTS:
June 21-22 – 38th Annual Ontario Pork Congress. Place – Stratford Agricultural and Recreational Complex. Website – http://www.porkcongress.on.ca/
June 25 Waterloo Children’s Farm Safety Day – hosted in Wellesley Township at the farm of Sue and Terry Lebold, 5801 Deborah Glaister Line. Children ages 4 to 13 that live on or visit a farm are asked to register at 9am. and dismissed at 1:30pm. Learn about hazards on the farm through interactive, informative safety stations taught by experienced community members. The cost per child is $5.00, pre-registration is mandatory and parent volunteers are welcome to stay for the event. For information or to register
June 26 Guelph Wellington Local Food Fest – celebration of local food with workshops, guided farm tours, children’s activities and more. Visit www.guelphwellingtonlocalfood.ca.
June 26 Raising Chicks Workshop; Raising poultry from day-old chicks requires special care. This workshop will explain all the needs of chicks, including brooder set up (bedding, temperature, nutrition, and ventilation), what to expect when the chicks arrive, and how to transition them to an outdoor coop. You’ll also observe and interact firsthand with our new arrivals as you discover what is needed to raise healthy and happy birds. Time: 1pm. to 4pm. Location: Everdale Farm, 5812 6th Line, Hillsburgh. Cost: $45, tax included. Visit the website: http://workshops.everdale.org/at-the-farm/backyard-chickens/raising-chicks/ to register.
July 6 and 7 SouthWest Crop Diagnostic Days – University of Guelph, Ridgetown Campus.
July 12 Canola Crop Tour: Variety, Nitrogen/Sulphur and Fungicide Trials, Stone Crushing Demo / Guest Speaker: Victor Aideyan, at Mike Schill’s Farm / 3km. north of Arthur on Highway 6, Fire # 8719; 10am. to 4pm Details at: www.ontariocanolagrowers.ca.
July 13 Ontario Forage Expo, Elora Research Station. Watch for details at http://www.ontarioforagecouncil.com/.
July 14 Farm$mart Expo, Elora Research Station. Details will be available at http://www.uoguelph.ca/farmsmart/index.html.
July 15 FarmSmart Expo 4H/Youth Day at the Elora Research Station. Check website for details http://www.uoguelph.ca/farmsmart/index.html.
Aug. 24 Herb Demonstration Day – OMAFRA Simcoe Research Station, Simcoe.
