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: 8:30 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
GROWING YOUR FARM PROFITS
by John C. Benham
On Thursday, January 12th the next two day Growing Your Farm Profits workshop is planned to be held in the OMAFRA meeting room at 9:30 a.m. Lunch and refreshments will be provided. The workshop will be completed on Thursday, January 19th.
At the workshop you will have the opportunity to complete a self assessment of your farm business financial status. Farmers can invest up to four days with a farm business advisor reviewing and analyzing their financial situation. The benefit is the establishment of a benchmark for 6 key financial ratios and a review of the farm’s viability.
The owner can review the cost of production analysis and financial goals. By understanding the farm’s present financial position and how to measure the financial strength of the farm business, farmers can make better informed and more, timely decisions.
If you as the owner of a farm business wish to stay in business on a sound financial basis you must know your cost of production of the major product you sell, could you, with confidence, tell me?
Don’t miss this opportunity. Call John Benham at 519-846-3394 or email wellington@ontariosoilcrop.org for more information and to sign up. If you wish to register for the workshop electronically go to the website at: www.ontariosoilcrop.org/workshops/.
ENVIRONMENTAL FARM PLAN
by John C. Benham
We have just completed another Environmental Farm Plan workshop with a good turnout. At the present time the next EFP workshop has not been scheduled, but I expect later in January. To sign up call John at 519-846-3394 or email: wellington@ontariosoilcrop.org or go online at: http://www.ontariosoilcrop.org/workshops/.
HARVEST AND WORKER HYGIENE
by Colleen Haskins, OMAFRA
We are nearing the time of harvest for many commodities, which undoubtedly is one of the most crucial times for adhering to safe food practices. During this time, it is imperative to ensure that all workers have been trained in safe food handling practices, and have a clear understanding of the food safety risks with improper personal hygiene. Although there are many areas of worker hygiene that need to be addressed during training, the most important practice is that of proper hand washing, especially when dealing with ready to eat (e.g., pome fruit) and high risk commodities (e.g., berries, tomatoes and leafy greens). Evidence of this training along with understanding and acknowledgement of this practice is imperative during an audit. There are step-wise procedures, posters and training resources (hand washing easels) available to you, free of charge, to assist in training your workers in proper practices. For these and other resources, call 1-877-424-1300, or visit our website www.ontario.ca/good-ag-practices. Food safety questions? Ask us. We can help.
ONTARIO BEEF CATTLE FINANCIAL PROTECTION PROGRAM
The Ontario Beef Cattle Financial Protection Program protects cattle sellers when a licensed dealer defaults on payment. Effective July 1, 2011, important changes have been made in the program to: enhance the protection for sellers and licensed dealers, and reflect modern banking practices. For information on changes, how the program works, making a claim and a licensed dealer list visit: www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/food/inspection/index_fpu_page.htm or call Jim Wideman, OMAFRA at 1-888-466-2372, ext 63886.
COMING EVENTS:
Dec. 2 Wellington Soil & Crop Improvement Association Education Day & AGM – Alma Bible Chapel. Come for lunch & a full day of speakers & displays on current cropping research & technology. For information & registration contact Linda McFadden at 519-846-5215, or email: linda.mcfadden@wightman.ca.
Dec. 6 Wellington Federation of Agriculture, monthly board meeting at OMAFRA Boardroom, 6484 Wellington Rd. #7, Elora. For information, contact Lisa Hern at 519-848-3774 or email: jplh@golden.net.
Dec. 8 19th Annual Farmers’ Santa Clause Parade of Lights through the streets of Rockwood at 7:00 p.m. Everyone welcome!
2012:
Jan. 4 & 5 19th Annual Southwest Agricultural Conference, University of Guelph, Ridgetown Campus. Watch for details at: http://www.southwestagconference.ca/.
Jan. 4 – 6 Central Ontario Agricultural Conference – held at Georgian College, 1 Georgian Drive, Barrie (Duckworth & Bell Farm Road entrance). This is a 3 day series of educational programming for farmers. This conference is formerly known as “Ag Info Days”, and consists of a series of themed days for various farm commodities, accompanied with industry trade show booths & displays. Registration costs $25, or $30 including a hot lunch. For information see: http://www.centralontarioagconference.ca/ or contact Connie Brown: 519-726-9300 ext. 1224.
Jan. 4-10 Grey Bruce Farmers Week – Themed education days for Beef, Dairy, Goat, Sheep, Horse, Youth, Ecological and Crop Farmers, all held with an industry Trade Show at the Elmwood Community Centre. For information see: http://www.greyagservices.ca/grey-bruce-farmers-week.html , or call Grey Agricultural Services at: 519-986-3756.
Jan. 21 Farm$mart Agricultural Conference, Rozanski Hall, University of Guelph. Mark your calendar and watch for details at http://www.uoguelph.ca/farmsmart/.
