Calendar
September 2010

 

March 16th – Dairy Housing Design and Renovation Workshop

10:30 am – 3:30 pm

Grand Boulevard Restaurant, Earlton

Join OMAFRA’s Harold House and Dr. Neil Anderson for an informative day on dairy cow housing. Topics include layout options and housing alternatives, building environment and ventilation and feed and water manger design

Lunch is 10.00$ and payable at the door.

For more information and to register, contact Barry Potter at 1-800-461-6132 or barry.potter@ontario.ca

 

March 17th – West Nipissing Power Breakfast “Workplace Coaching – Where True Potential Lies” with Helen Antebi

7:30 am – 9:00 am

Comfort Inn, Hwy 17, Sturgeon Falls

Call 705-753-6904 or rbeauparlant@westnipissing.ca

Visit:www.westnipissingouest.ca

 

March 17th – Springer Animal Hospital Dairy and Beef Spring Meeting

10:00 am – 3:00 pm: dairy sector

7:00 pm: beef sector

Knights of Columbus Hall, Hwy 64, Verner

The meeting will focus around reproduction and vaccination, as well as what buyers are looking for in beef calves.

For more information contact Springer Animal Hospital at 705-753-0324

 

March - Grower Pesticide Safety Courses for Nipissing, Parry Sound & Sudbury Districts

March 23rd, Powassan

March 31st, Verner (French)

Course starts at 8:45 am, Exam starts @ 3:00 pm

Register by calling Ontario Pesticide Education Program @ 1-800-652-8573.

Visit:  http://www.ridgetownc.uoguelph.ca/opep/GrowerTraining/courses.cfm

Course Manuals are available at the Northern Ontario Regional Office in Verner.

Remember to bring a calculator and your course manual.

 

April 7th – Nipissing West Soil & Crop Seed & Hay Fair

10:00 am - 3:00 pm

Verner Arena, Verner

For more information, contact Normand Delorme at 705-594-2324

 

April 9th & 10th: North Eastern Ontario Ag Conference & Farm Show

Friday April 9th: 12:00 noon - 9:00 pm

Saturday April 10th: 9:00 am - 3:00 pm

Earlton Arena, Earlton.

Topics include a forage panel and a biomass panel, plus a variety of exhibits ranging from financial planning to agricultural parts & accessories.

For more information, contact Kelly Bird, NEOSCIA intern at 705-647-2089.

Mario Mongeon, Livestock Specialist, OMAFRA and Ian McDonald, Applied Research Coordinator, Field Crop Unit,OMAFRA will be participating at the Conference. If you are a producer that would benefit in having Mario or Ian visit you on your farm during the week of April 6th to 9th, contact Pierrette Desrochers at 1-800-461-6132 before April 1st. Arrangements will be made on first come, first serve basis.

 

April 24th - Northern PowerPac Sale

2:00 pm

Temiskaming Livestock Exchange, New Liskeard

Evaluated Bulls & Heifers from Angus (Black & Red), Charolais, Gelbvieh, Hereford, Limousin, and Cross-breds

For a sale catalogue with complete performance information or if you are unable to attend our sale please contact: Bruce Aitchison at 705-563-8999 or abcacres@ntl.sympatico.ca

 

May – Northern Cattle Sales Network 2010 Spring Sales

May 1st – Thessalon – Sponsored by Algoma Co-operative Livestock Sales

                        10:00 am (200 Head)

                        Call Dennis Kirby: 705-842-5534

                        Sale Week Call: 705-842-2249

May 11th – South River – Sponsored by Parry Sound District Livestock Co-operative Association

                        11:00 am (300 head)

                        Call Gord Learn: 705-729-5621

Visit www.northerncattlesales.com for information on schedules, locations and prices. Call 1-888-461-9622 for sale expectations & prices.

Contact Gord Mitchell, Promotions Manager 705-789-2062 or mitchg@vianet.on.ca

 

Week of June 14th - NEOSCIA is hosting a crop caravan throughout north eastern Ontario

Specific farm locations will be announced at a closer date.

Mike Cowbrough, Weed Management Program Lead - Field Crops/OMAFRA will be the keynote speaker on this tour. 

Provincial Events

 

March 23rd and 25th- The Canadian Farm Business Management Council (CFBMC) and the Ontario Farm Fresh Marketing Association (OFFMA) Marketing Caravans

March 23rd: Guelph

March 25th: Kingston 

Topics to include customer service, value adding, media relations etc.  Details, agenda and registration can be found at:

http://ontariofarmfresh.com/newsite/wp-content/marketing-caravan/2010-MC-Agenda.doc

http://ontariofarmfresh.com/newsite/wp-content/marketing-caravan/2010MarketingCaravan-RegForm.doc

 

March 25th – Ontario Agri-Food Education Inc. Annual General Meeting

Country Heritage Park, Milton

For details and registration visit: www.oafe.org

 

March 26th & 27th –Holistic Management Course:  Planned Grazing, Improving Sustainability

Ignatius College, Guelph. 

For further information or to register, please contact Fran or Tony McQuail, 519-258-2493 or mcqufarm@hurontel.on.ca

 

March 30th - Strawberry School

The Ontario Berry Growers Association and OMAFRA are teaming up to provide a 1 day workshop on strawberry production.

Newtonville Town Hall, east of Bowmanville

This program will give growers up to date information on strawberry production and marketing. It is well suited to new growers as well as those who would like an update.  Space is limited. 

To pre-register, please contact the Ontario Berry Growers Association at 613-258-4587 or by email at info@ontarioberries.com

 

March & April - Grain Drying and Storage Workshop 2010

9:00 am – 4:00 pm

These workshops are for you if you want a better understanding of grain drying and storage principles, if you are planning a new system, if you are expanding your system, or are considering modifications to your grain handling system. Come and get your questions answered.

Instructors:    Helmut Spieser, Engineer, OMAFRA

Ralph Winfield, Engineer, Glanworth

March 25th - SIMCOE: OMAFRA, 1283 Blueline Road @ Hwy # 3

March 26th - CHATHAM: Country View Golf Course, 25393 St. Clair Rd, Hwy 40

April 6th - ELORA: Elora Curling Club, 60 David Street West

Spaces are limited, so register early $55.00 (lunch included)

To Register Call Ag Business Centre, University of Guelph, Ridgetown Campus

1-866-222-9682 or 519-674-1592

 

March - Profitable Pastures

March 29th: Elmwood; Elmwood Community Centre

March 30th: Elmvale; Elmvale Community Centre

March 31st: Cobden; Cobden Agricultural Hall
Key Speakers:

  • Duane McCartney recently retired from Agriculture Canada in Saskatchewan and Alberta  
  • Bill Gallagher from Gallagher Animal Management Systems

Call 1-877-892-8663 to register by March 26th, $35 includes a hot roast beef dinner (Visa or Mastercard) Pre-registration is necessary to ensure dinner.
Visit:  www.ontarioforagecouncil.com CEU Accredited

 

March 31st - Transforming Northern Health: Innovations Making a Difference

8:30 am - 4:30 pm

Algoma University, Sault Ste Marie

Forum Fee: $65 and Youth/Student Rate: $25

Continental Breakfast & Lunch Included

For Program Updates, Details & Registration: www.torc.on.ca or call 519-826-4128

 

Other

1. On-line Survey to Analyze West Nipissing's Labour Market Needs 

The West Nipissing Labour Market Study has prepared an on-line survey to facilitate the input from farmers. The purpose of the study is to identify the current and future workforce needs in the Municipality of West Nipissing. We invite you to complete the short survey to ensure that the labour needs of farmers be well represented in the final report. The questionnaire can be easily accessed at www.idnor.ca/AGRI_LMI_WestNip_English.html. 

Five minutes of your time is all that is required to ensure that your labour needs are included in this local labour market initiative. The final report is expected to be completed in January 2010.

2. The Farms.com Yield Data Center is back for 2010! 

Go to www.yielddata.farms.com <http://www.elabs7.com/c.html?rtr=on&s=auke,iw9u,nhz,imvs,31lo,3hc0,6e5l > and see plot data from your area. 
Despite the long, slow harvest, we now have a wealth of valuable on-farm canola yield data from Bayer CropScience, BrettYoung Seeds, CANTERRA Seeds, Pioneer Hi-Bred, and VICTORY. Simply click on your province and view the yield results available from each sponsor. Some sponsors have provided additional information for each plot - click on highlighted text, audio or video icons at each plot to get more information for that specific plot. 

More data is yet to come, so be sure to bookmark the site and return each week to see the latest results. 

3. IMPROVING ONTARIO'S RESPONSE TO LIVESTOCK AND POULTRY DISEASES 

Ontario is moving to protect animal and human health, and the economic viability of the livestock and poultry sector, by reducing the impact of animal diseases. 

The proposed Animal Health Act, 2009 was introduced in the Ontario legislature. 

The legislation, if passed, would: 

* provide measures to assist in the prevention, detection, response to and control of animal diseases and other hazards to protect the livestock and poultry sector 

* require the reporting of specific animal diseases to the Chief Veterinarian for Ontario 

* enable the use of quarantine orders, surveillance zones and animal health control area orders to help control the spread of any detected disease or hazard 

* support a future traceability framework for the quick identification and control of disease and food safety hazards. Read about the proposed Animal Health Act, 2009 at www.ontario.ca/omafra.

4. NEW REGUALTORY REQUIREMENTS FOR SEWAGE BIOSOLIDS AND OTHER NON-AGRICULTURAL SOURCE MATERIALS 

On September 18, 2009, the Ministry of the Environment and the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs jointly announced new rules and guidelines for applying non-agricultural source materials (NASM) to farmland. Changes to the management of non-agricultural source materials are designed to strengthen the rules and remove overlapping approval processes for farmers and generators of NASM. 

The new rules establish consistent standards and requirements across the province which focuses on the quality of the material being land-applied, ensuring it meets strict criteria and is beneficial to the soil. The revised regulations will cover all Ontario farms where non-agricultural source material will be applied. 

For more information on compliance and enforcement, please visit the MOE website at www.ontario.ca/nasm-moe. 

If you have questions about the new NASM regulations, you can access the information posted on this website, e-mail or call the Agricultural Information Contact Centre ag.info.omafra@ontario.ca at 1-877-424-1300.

5.Transition to Harmonized Sales Tax (HST): Information for Businesses

 

Information seminars are held across the region in various towns for updates on HST. Visit: http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/vnts/hrmnztn/on to find out where and when they are coming close to you.

Registration is required as seating is limited.

Here is a short list of some sessions coming up.

Sudbury: March 15, 29 and April 12, 26 and May 10 all from 6:00 to 8:00 pm

North Bay: March 25th from 1:00 to 3:30 pm and 6:30 to 9:00 pm

Sturgeon Falls: April 7th 1:00 to 3:30 pm and 6:30 to 9:00 pm

 

6. Agricultural Management Institute Champions Business Management Strategies

 

Ontario producers are encouraged to “take a new approach” to farm business management as a result of the governments’ investment in the Agricultural Management Institute (AMI).

AMI works with agricultural industry associations to develop resources on innovative business management practices to help Ontario producers remain competitive. 

AMI is being funded through Growing Forward to encourage the development and adoption of business management strategies for farm businesses. Their “Take A New Approach” campaign encourages producers to adopt new ways of thinking about farm business planning. 

For more information, visit: http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/infores/releases/2010/030510a-bg.htm

And Agricultural Management Institute

 

7. Canada-Ontario Farm Stewardship Program (COFSP) Year Two (2010-2011)

 

All cost-share funds for program year two (2010-11) of the Canada-Ontario Farm Stewardship Program (COFSP)under the Growing Forward Environment and Climate Change initiative have now been fully committed. The next round of cost-share funding for new projects in COFSP will be available in Growing Forward program year three (2011-2012).  New PPA forms for 2011 will be available from OSCIA Program Representatives beginning September 15, 2010.  The eligible invoice date for program year three projects is September 15, 2010 and beyond.  Costs invested and invoices dated prior to this date will not be eligible for cost-share in program year three.   Applicants are encouraged to review the COFSP Project Eligibility Policy and Procedures document and program brochures before submitting their completed PPA form to the Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association for projects proposed for 2011.

Call Claire Venne, your local Program Representative at 705-594-9194 for more information and to complete the Third Edition of the Environmental Farm Plan.

 

8.Food Safety and Traceability Initiative Year two (2010-2011)

 

Cost share funds for year two (2010-2011) of the Food Safety and Traceability Initiative (FSTI)have been fully subscribed.  As a result, FSTI is no longer able to accept applications for 2010-11 funding.

Under the FSTI, program funds are allocated annually on a first come, first served basis. Once the annual program funds are fully committed, applications for cost-share funding for that fiscal year can no longer be accepted. All applications are currently under review and applicants will be notified of the status of their applications within eight weeks.  Applicants whose applications were not accepted for the 2010-11 intake are encouraged to re-apply next year.

               

9. Summer Jobs Service Program

 

The Provincial Government is investing in student employment in Northern Ontario through the Summer Jobs Service program delivered by the Ministry of Northern Development, Mines and Forestry.  The Summer Jobs Service can help you by providing a $2.00 per hour hiring incentive to hire young people. You can receive funding of up to a maximum of 560 hours per position.  Subsidized placements must not begin before April 1, 2010 and must not extend past September 30, 2010.  There is no minimum number of weeks.  Students must be between the ages of 15 and 30 upon commencement of employment. We invite you to participate in the Summer Jobs Service initiative.  Application forms can be found on the MNDMF website at: www.mndm.gov.on.ca/nordev/summer_jobs_e.asp

 

10. Rural Summer Job Service

 

The 2010 Rural Summer Jobs Service program will begin accepting applications on February 24 and will continue until April 16, 2010. 

Each eligible applicant has an equal opportunity regardless of when the application is submitted so long as it is received before the deadline. 

The online application form can be completed in 10 minutes and we will acknowledge your online application via email.

Paper applications can be obtained upon request by calling 1-888-588-4111 or visit www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/rural/rsj/rjs_index.htm.

 

11. Canadian Nuffield Farming Scholarship Trust

 

The program is presently accepting applications for their 2011 program. Applications are due by April 30, 2010 and forms can be downloaded from the Nuffield Canada website at http://www.nuffield.ca.

A key part of the scholarship is the opportunity for winners to study a topic of interest to themselves through out their travels. Scholars must complete their project within two years of the award and are required to travel and study for a minimum of two months in total. On return from their study tour, Scholars are expected to produce a written report and present their findings at the annual general meeting as well as to others in their industries.