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: 8:30 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.omafra.gov.on.ca
PREDATION WORKSHOPS
The Ontario Sheep Marketing Agency (OSMA) District 7 is inviting Sheep, Cattle and Goat Producers to attend a series of workshops on Predation at 7:30 p.m., Aug. 24 and Sept. 21; OPS Community Center, Lindsay.
• Workshop 1, Aug. 24: Anita O’Brien, OMAFRA Sheep & Goat Specialist will speak on effective fencing options for coyote control and livestock guardian animals.
• Workshop 2, Sept. 21: Brent Patterson, Research Scientist – wolves and deer, Adjunct Professor, Trent University, Environmental and Life Sciences Graduate Program and President of the Ontario Chapter of The Wildlife Society, will help us better understand the natural history of coyotes which can help prevent depredation while informing on how to more effectively deal with coyote depredation when it does occur. The OMNR and Trent University have been studying wolves and coyotes for several years and this presentation will provide an update on findings from the research that are relevant to livestock depredation by coyotes in southern Ontario.
Jack Kyle, OMAFRA Grazier Specialist will speak on “Grazing Sheep with Minimum Risk”.
A producer Panel will discuss their views and experiences with predation.
This event is sponsored by the Ontario Sheep Marketing Agency and the Victoria Stewardship Council, Ministry of Natural Resources. Contact: Judy Dening, Provincial Director, District 7 Ontario Sheep, Board of Directors at email: theshepherdsgate@xplornet.com.
WARNING–GIANT HOGWEED CAN BE DANGEROUS – from AgriLink
Jim Founk writes in his recent E-Bulletin that there have been sightings of the Giant Hogweed in SW Ontario and that is can be dangerous to humans.
From time to time there are reports of sightings of Giant Hogweed in Ontario. This is a new invasive perennial weed that can cause significant injury to humans. The key is to avoid direct contact, especially with the sap.
Giant Hogweed is usually found on field margins, ditchbanks and the edges of woodlots or pasture areas. You or your workers may come across it while chopping down wild vegetation. So it’s very important to provide adequate training.
The first step is recognition. Giant Hogweed is known for its great height at maturity (up to 5 meters high), very large leaves and a broad multi-branched umbrella shaped flower head.
Take note: If you come in contact with this plant, you may experience severe inflammation / burns to your skin depending on sensitivity. Contact with eyes can cause temporary or permanent blindness. The remedy includes three things: get out of direct sunlight immediately, thoroughly wash exposed skin with soap and water, and finally seek medical attention if there is a skin reaction.
The OMAFRA website provides several infosheets (with pictures), training posters as well as a very good instructional video at http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/crops/insects/weeds.html. You can also visit www.ontarioweeds.com.
Take a few minutes to become familiar with the characteristics of Giant Hogweed and avoid an unfortunate injury.
GROWING YOUR FARM PROFITS
by John C. Benham
The next Growing Your Farm Profits (GYFP) Workshop will be held in the Town of Erin at Everdale Farms near Hillsburgh from 9:30am to 3pm on Aug. 22, to be completed on August 29. Lunch and refreshments provided at no cost.
On Sept. 9 the next GYFP Workshop will be held in the Elora OMAFRA Boardroom from 9:30am to 3pm and to be completed on Sept. 17.
Lunch and refreshment provided at no cost.
This is an opportunity for you to learn about available cost share funding for improved business management on your farm. For more information and to sign up, call 519-846-3394.
ENVIRONMENTAL FARM PLAN
by John C. Benham
If you are planning to do an EFP project in 2012, applications will be available on Thursday, Sept. 15 in the Elora OMAFRA Boardroom. It is expected that the Cost Share money will all be taken up in one day so you need to come that day with all the information and supplies you will need to complete your application.
If you have not completed a Program Enrolment Form please call 519-846-3394 or email me at wellington@ontariosoilcrop.org. I will forward one to you so you will complete it before September 15.
To complete your Application for Cost Share on September 15, you need the following:
If you have livestock, a Premises Identification Number Certificate from OnTrace must be sent with the application; Farm Business Registration Number (Farm Organization Membership Number); EFP Workbook; Lot, concession and township; Watershed; Soil type; and Project cost and description of project.
Please note: if you completed a Program Enrollment last year and there have been changes, a new one is required. For information or you have questions, call 519-846-3394 or email wellington@ontariosoilcrop.org.
COMING EVENTS:
Aug. 15 & 18 Waterloo Environmental Farm Plan Workshop at Linwood Community Centre, Linwood from 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Lunch on your own (bring it or buy it from the Corner Store in Linwood). Contact Franklin Kains, EFP Coordinator at 519-742-4591 to register.
Aug. 17 & 18 Ecological Farmers of Ontario Summer Crop and Livestock Tour. A chance to visit four innovative farms, in southwest Ontario and Michigan. See exciting examples of scaled-up ecological production, co-operative marketing & value-added processing – dairy, pork and field crops, Ridgetown, ON & Caro, MI. For details, go to www.efao.ca or call 1-877-822-8606.
Aug. 17&18 Hasting County Plowing Match and Farm Show – 2 Countryman Road, Tweed, ON. Free parking; $5 adults, children under 12 free from 9am – 5pm. Visit: http://www.hastingsfarmshow.com/; call 613-395-5177 or email jaciegunning@gmaill.com.
