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 OM
DAIRY EXPANSION
INTEREST REMAINS STRONG
Interest in new dairy barn construction and herd expansion is stronger than it has been in recent years, according to Jack Rodenburg, OMAFRA Dairy Production Systems Program Lead. Declining quota prices, extra quota days and open borders are all reasons for optimism. But according to Rodenburg, it is not only the dairy economy that is strong and with a tight job market and high labour costs, dairy producers need to continue to seek ways to increase their productivity and labour efficiency. New facilities that eliminate bottle necks, improve cow health through better comfort, and allow for implementation of new labour saving technology are all factors driving the many expansion and renovation projects planned for next summer. OMAFRA staff Jack Rodenburg, Harold House and Dr. Neil Anderson have organized free stall design seminars around the province each winter for the last 14 years and enrolments are expected to be high across the province for this years courses. Free stall seminars are planned for: Woodstock – January 30 and 31; Listowel – February 6 and 7 and Kemptville – February 27 and 28. Single day tie stall seminars will be held at the same locations the day prior to the start of the free stall programs.
The courses are intended for dairy producers with plans to do major construction or renovation projects in the next 2 or 3 years and also for the contractors, engineers and equipment suppliers who work with them. For more information or to register for one of these programs, call 1-877-424-1300.
DATES ANNOUNCED FOR
FARM SUCCESSION PLANNING COURSES
Guelph—The Centre for Rural Leadership and the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs’ Business Management Unit are pleased to announce a number of Farm Succession Planning courses are being held across Ontario in January and February 2008. These one and two day practical courses are targeted at producers, farm business advisors, accountants and lawyers and offer the opportunity for participants to get hands on experience at moving forward with farm succession planning.
The following courses are being offered:
Introduction to Farm Succession Planning (Farm Advisor focus)
January 10, 2008; 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. – Marden Community Centre, Marden, Ontario – $140.00
Introduction to Farm Succession Planning (Producer focus)
February 1, 2008; 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. – OMAFRA Boardroom, Clinton, Ontario – $110.00
Introduction to Farm Succession Planning (Producer focus)
February 6, 2008; 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. – OMAFRA Boardroom, Fergus, Ontario – $110.00
Advanced Succession Planning for Advisors
January 16 (evening) & January 17, 2008 (day) – Marden Community Centre, Marden, Ontario – $495.00
The introductory courses will help producers, farm business advisors and consultants to: identify the five steps in developing a farm succession plan; prepare essential documents for farm succession; engage farm families with succession planning tools & approaches and coach farm clients to better assess their current situation; help resolve conflict; and generate options and make decisions related to farm succession planning.
The advanced level course will see participants increase their knowledge and learn more about a variety of tools to assist with succession planning, deal with conflict, promote open and honest communication and assess family readiness for change.
Course instructors Peter Coughler, Succession Planning & Business Agreements Program Lead with the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs in Brighton and Blake Bexon of Bexon Consulting in Ailsa Craig bring an extensive background of skills and understanding to the courses. Participants will appreciate their straight forward approach to learning and instruction.
Workshop registration includes lunch & refreshments. The registration deadline is one week ahead of the workshop date.
For more information or to register, please contact The Centre for Rural Leadership at (519) 826-4204 or register online at www.aalp.on.ca.
In addition to these workshops, other leadership, board director and personal development workshops and seminars are being offered by The Centre for Rural Leadership during the winter and spring of 2008. Check out the website at www.aalp.on.ca for more details.
REMINDER! THE WELLINGTON COUNTY
CATTLEMEN’S ASSOCIATION GENERAL MEETING
The Wellington County Cattlemen’s Association Annual General Meeting will be held Tuesday, January 15, 2008 at the Alma Bible Chapel, 59 Peel Street, East, Alma. Roast beef dinner served at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $15.00.
Guest speaker is Neil McGavin of Walton Farm Equipment, with his musings “Smile and the World Smiles with You” followed by the meeting. To reserve your dinner tickets please call Carol Anne Pinkney at 519-846-9557 by January 9th, 2008.
COMING EVENTS: 2008
Jan. 4 Dairy Day at Grey-Bruce Farmers’ Week, Elmwood Community Centre. Please call 519-986-3756.
Jan. 5 Sheep Day and Goat Afternoon at Grey-Bruce Farmers’ Week, Elmwood Community Centre. Please call 519-986-3756 or www.greyagservices.ca for details.
Jan. 6 Horse Day (Adult and Youth) at Grey-Bruce Farmers’ Week, Elmwood Community Centre. Please call 519-986-3756.
Jan. 7 Beef Day and Ecological Evening at Grey-Bruce Farmers’ Week, Elmwood Community Centre. Please call 519-986-3756 or www.greyagservices.ca for details. Please call 519-986-3756 or www.greyagservices.ca for details.
Jan. 8 Crops Day at Grey-Bruce Farmers’ Week, Elmwood Community Centre. Please call 519-986-3756 or www.greyagservices.ca for details.
Jan. 19 Farm$mart Conference, University of Guelph. For more details, please check website at: www.uoguelph.ca/farmsmart
Jan. 23 Ag Day in Canada from 1:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Italian Canadian Club, 135 Ferguson Street, Guelph. For more information on Ag Day in Canada please check the website: AgCanadianCanada.ca or contact your local FCC office at 1-800-387-3232.
