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
JUNE FARM ADVISOR CONFERENCE LOOKS AT SKYROCKETING LAND VALUES
On June 7th if you are a farm advisor, consultant or have a stake in the business of farming you want to be attending an event at the Quality Inn & Suites in Woodstock.
Hosted by the Canadian Association of Farm Advisors (CAFA) Inc. June 7th is CAFA’s 8th Annual Ontario Conference. Titled “Current & Connected” – it is one of the most informative events and possibly one of the best networking opportunities for farm advisors and consultants in the province.
The one day conference capitalizes on providing timely information that professionals need to know and an atmosphere conducive to building business — it is no surprise that registrants return year after year.
The presentations this year include:
Market volatility — friend or foe?
Agricultural land values-A global economic outlook and the implications for agriculture.
The new faces of farming – A look at three outstanding farm businesses and their owners. That is just the presentations!
Plus, there is plenty of opportunity for networking and connecting with the other attendees giving you access to a vast wealth of knowledge.
Everyone there shares your passion for farming! It is an incredible value for a conference of this high caliber and a worthwhile investment in your professional development.
More information can be found on the CAFA website, www.cafanet.com including a registration form or by
an email to CAFA at: info@cafanet.com.
CANADIAN NUFFIELD FARMING SCHOLARSHIP
The Canadian Nuffield Farming Scholarship Trust is accepting applications for their 2013 program. Applications are due by April 30, 2012 and forms can be downloaded from the Nuffield Canada website at: http://www.nuffield.ca. Three scholarships of $15,000 each are available for 2013.
Nuffield Farming Scholarships are awarded to enthusiastic individuals, with a passion for agriculture and a desire to expand your knowledge, pursue new ideas and to share your findings with others. Applicants should be in mid-career, be between the ages of 30 and 45 (although exceptions are made) and must have a minimum of five years agricultural business or farming experience plus the management ability to step away from their current duties. The Scholar must travel for a minimum of ten weeks, with a minimum leg of six consecutive weeks. Scholarships are not for those involved in full-time studies or for the purpose of furthering research projects.
A key part of the scholarship is the opportunity for winners to study a topic of interest to themselves throughout their travels. Scholars must complete their project within two years of winning the award and are expected to produce a written report and present their findings at the Nuffield annual general meeting as well as to others in their industries.
Canadian Nuffield Scholars are also required to participate in the Contemporary Scholars Conference (CSC) where they will meet with scholars from other countries including the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand and France to exchange ideas and experiences, and join a network of people who are at the cutting edge of primary industry.
REMINDER! GROWING YOUR FARM PROFITS
by John C. Benham
The Growing Your Farm Profits workshop and workbook will help the workshop attendees to realize where their farm business is at and the areas where they are doing well and the area where improvements would put the farm business in a better financial position.
The workshop covers such things as production, marketing, financial management, the structure of the business, succession planning and more detailed farm business goals. You will not be asked to provide any information that you do not know or do not wish to give.
The workshop and workbook provide a way for you to analyze your situation and set your goals down on paper so each person involved knows the details rather than relying on someone’s memory.
The next Growing Your Farm Profits workshop is planned to be held Tuesday, June 5th and Tuesday, June 12th in the Elora OMAFRA meeting room. Attendance is required at both sessions. Sessions run from 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Lunch and refreshments will be provided. To sign up on the internet go to: www.ontariosoilcrop.org/workshops or phone Liz at 519-638-3268.
COMING EVENTS
April 24: The Eramosa 4-H Dairy Calf Club will be holding their first meeting on at 7:30 p.m. The host farm will be Walkerbrae Farms at 7041 Wellington Road #30, Guelph. We look forward to see all returning members and invite all new members that are between the ages of 9 and 21 as of January 1st, 2012. For more information, contact Jason French at 519-843-1383.
April 24: Wellington County Farm Safety regular meeting is at Husky Farm Equipment, Alma at 8:00 p.m. sharp. For more information, call Walter Grose at 519-846-5329.
May 2: National Farmers Union Waterloo-Wellington Local, monthly board meeting at 7:15 p.m. at the Husky Farm Equipment, Alma. (They meet every first Wednesday of the month).
May 26: Wellington Rural Romp – a day in the countryside at over a dozen farms in Wellington County with gardening and baby farm animals on display. Visit: www.guelphwellintonlocalfood.ca for more details.
