TECHNICAL UPDATES Beef Cow Winter Feed Utilization Urban Agriculture: Livestock and Poultry PROGRAMS and SERVICES Recognizing Agri-Food Innovation Excellence in Ontario 2014 Recipients Pollinator Health - Public Consultation Local Food Fund GF2 Application Deadlines Value-added Course to Help Producers Increase Profits with New Products or Services Changes to Farm Licence Plate Requriements Expanding Agricultural Production Insurance Helping Communities Commemorate 400 Years of Francophone Presence in Ontario Interested in Good Governance and Effective Meetings? Raw Leaf Tobacco Regulation Workshop Environmental Farm Plan Growing Your Farm Profits Grey Bruce Farmers' Week The Agri-Technology Commercialization Centre gets a new look! RESOURCES
Follow Us on Twitter Fact Sheets and Publications Electronic Bulletins and Newsletters Phone Lines and Websites Dateline Calendar of Events OMAFRA Advisors Next Issue: January 15, 2015 TECHNICAL UPDATES beefco Beef Cow Winter Feed Utilization Tom Hamilton, Beef Program Lead - Production Systems, OMAFRA
In Ontario, most beef cows are fed a significant amount of conserved forage during winter. While extending the grazing season with stockpiled grass and annual forage crops has reduced the length of the feeding season on many farms, there is still a lot of baling and chopping done in preparation for winter! Harvesting, storing and delivering the herd's winter rations are major expenses, up to 50% of the cost of keeping a cow. Even small improvements in the system can result in significant savings. After all of the effort and expense of creating the feed inventory, ensuring that it is being efficiently utilized by the animals is the critical last step.
Efficient feed utilization includes: Matching the quality of the forages to the right animal group Monitoring feed disappearance Minimizing feed wastage Comparing the amount of feed offered to what the cows should be consuming The better we understand how feed is being utilized, the more effectively we can manage the winter feeding program.
Feeds and Feed Terminology Nutritionists use a variety of terms when talking about feeds and feeding. It's important to have a working knowledge of them in order to be able to use the information presented in lab analysis reports and animal requirement tables, as well general feeding management.
To read the full article go to: http://ontario.ca/bze3
UrbanUrban Agriculture: Livestock and Poultry
Growing your own food can be very rewarding and many people are looking at the opportunities they have right in their own backyards.
Vegetable gardens and fruit trees are already part of the urban environment for many people, but others are looking for more ways to bring the farm to the city. Some, for example, want to raise chickens in their backyards. This brings its own unique set of challenges for municipalities.
Here are some of the issues municipalities should consider before developing bylaws around keeping livestock or poultry:
Animal Health and Public Health: Livestock and poultry can be sources of diseases that are passed to humans. These animals require health management and veterinary care, as well as basic biosecurity measures, to minimize the occurrence and spread of diseases.
Animal Care: Basic hygiene is essential when caring for animals, who also need proper shelter, food, water and adequate space to stay healthy. Manure must be disposed of in a safe and environmentally responsible manner. But even with the best care, some animals will die, which means there have to be plans for disposing of dead animals.
Predators: Livestock and poultry can attract predators such as coyotes, rats, skunks, raccoons, foxes and neighbourhood pets.
Food Safety: Municipal councils should also be aware of provincial and federal regulations regarding food safety. For example, regulations under the Food Safety and Quality Act, 2001 govern the sale of ungraded eggs.
While people are allowed to keep a limited number of chickens for egg production for their own consumption, producers can only sell their ungraded eggs for a consumer's own use (i.e. not a commercial activity). The eggs must be clean and not leaking and sold only from the producer's own premises. The sale of ungraded eggs is also subject to Section 19 of the Health Protection and Promotion Act which allows Public Health Inspectors to seize any food that constitutes a "health hazard".
All meat and poultry sold in Ontario must be inspected by a meat inspector. Urban producers may sell meat only if the animals or birds are slaughtered at a licensed abattoir. In such cases, producers would have to comply with federal animal transportation requirements.
Other Production Considerations: A person is allowed to raise up to 300 broiler (meat) chickens or less than 100 layers per year on their premises. Larger commercial poultry and egg operations are subject to quota requirements under the Farm Products Marketing Act.
Information on Backyard Poultry Flocks Additional information on backyard flocks can be found by visiting the websites of the following organizations.
Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs The Ministry's website has technical information on general production and management of small flocks, as well as general information on food safety, animal health, animal welfare and biosecurity. The site also provides links to relevant legislation, including the Food Safety and Quality Act, 2001, the Health Protection and Promotion Act, the Animal Health Act, 2009 and the Farm Products Marketing Act.
Keeping Your Birds Healthy - Biosecurity Basics for Small Flocks This initiative was developed by the University of Guelph, the Poultry Industry Council and the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) to provide information and expertise to improve bird health and welfare and on-farm biosecurity. The website includes fact sheets on a wide number of topics including bird health, flock management, production, etc. Hardcopies of all resources can be ordered through the website or by calling OMAFRA's toll free Agricultural Information Contact Centre at 1-877-424-1300.
Bird Health Basics The Canadian Food Inspection Agency includes information on their website on how to prevent and detect disease in backyard flocks and pet birds.
Codes of Practice The Canadian Food Inspection Agency and the Ontario Farm Animal Council have information on nationally developed guidelines for the care and handling of livestock and poultry on their websites.
Information on Urban Agriculture Two certificate programs related to urban agriculture, the Sustainable Urban Agriculture Certificate and the Sustainable Urban Horticulture Certificate have been developed by the University of Guelph. For more information visit: http://ontario.ca/bze3 PROGRAMS AND SERVICES Les programmes, les services et les ressources du ministère de l'Agriculture et de l'Alimentation de l'Ontario et du ministère des Affaires rurales sont également disponsibles en anglais.
The programs, services and resources of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food and the Ministry of Rural Affairs are also available in French.
RecognizingRecognizing Agri-Food Innovation Excellence in Ontario Ontario is celebrating innovators who are contributing to the success of the province's agri-food sector.
The Premier's Award for Agri-Food Innovation Excellence program encourages the development of our rural communities, farms, agri-food processors and agri-food organizations by adding value to existing products, creating jobs and driving economic growth.
The program recognizes up to 50 Provincial Award recipients across the province who receive a plaque, wordmark and a gate sign, as well as $5,000.
On November 27th the 2014 Premier's Award was presented to Kaley's Acres of Castleton for converting former tobacco fields into a successful kale production operation.
The Minister's Award was presented to A. Driedger Farms Inc. of Wheatley for developing a self-propelled tomato harvesting machine that speeds up harvesting by 19 per cent, while preserving the quality of the fruit.
Three Leaders in Innovation awards were also presented to: The Rheault Distillery of Hearst for its quadruple-distilled wheat-based alcohol made using northern Ontario grains, which are particularly well-suited to vodka production because of their higher sugar content. The Garlic Box of Hensall for bringing back Ontario's commercial garlic production. By developing a range of value-added products such as oils, salts, condiments and seasonings, all made with locally grown garlic, and by flash-freezing whole peeled cloves. The Garlic Box is providing customers with Ontario garlic year-round. Truly Green Farms of Dresden for running a 22.5-acre carbon neutral greenhouse, which uses the carbon dioxide that GreenField Ethanol emits. Not only does using the CO2 promote tomato growth, it ensures that 15,000 metric tonnes of planet-warming gases stay out of the atmosphere each year. To see other Premier's Award winners and for more information visit: ontario.ca/agrifoodinnovation
PollinatorPollinator Health - Public Consultation A Proposal For Enhancing Pollinator Health and Reducing the Use of Neonicotinoid Pesticides in Ontario
Ontario is taking action to strengthen pollinator health to ensure healthy ecosystems, a productive agricultural sector and a strong economy.
The province is holding a consultation on a proposal to reduce the use of neonicotinoid -treated corn and soybean seed. If approved, new rules on the use of neonicotinoids would be in place by July 1, 2015, in time for the 2016 agricultural planting season.
For more information about the consultation and how to participate in consultation sessions and provide feedback please visit: http://ontario.ca/by2l
LocalFoodLocal Food Fund The Local Food Fund is a key component of the government's Local Food strategy and is designed to support innovative projects that celebrate local food and economic growth in Ontario.
To date, five intakes have been completed and 112 projects have been approved, representing a provincial commitment of more than $16.6 million.
Applications to this sixth intake must be submitted no later than 11:59 p.m. on January 16, 2015. The program application and guidebook are available on the Local Food Fund website at: http://ontario.ca/bzex
GF2Growing Forward 2 Application Deadlines Producers and Processors: The Implementation Application Intake for producers and processors closed on December 11, 2014.The next one will be announced in the new year. Please note that the Capacity application stream is still open.
Organizations and Collaborations: The 2015 deadlines will be available on the Agriculture and Agri-food Canada (AAC) website mid-December.
Before submitting an application to AAC, organizations and collaborations should first review the Capacity Building and Project Implementation program guides. Next, AAC encourages applicants to complete a pre-proposal and submit it to: info@adaptcouncil.org.
Full Growing Forward 2 applications are due on the deadline dates listed on the AAC website. Capacity building funding requests $20,000 and under are accepted on an ongoing basis and reviewed within 20 business days. For more information please go to http://bit.ly/1nzjbiX.
ValueValue-added course to help producers increase profits with new products or services Ever wondered about turning your fruit into jam? Ever dreamed about making gourmet ready-to-eat meals with your produce?
Take the free OMAFRA course, Exploring Value Added Opportunities, to learn whether adding value to your products and services is right for your business.
Course Description Participants will learn how to generate ideas for value-added opportunities, assess an idea's business potential, identify and manage risk and develop a plan to execute their idea.
Course Dates and Times The course is being delivered through three, one-hour interactive webinars. These sessions are taking place on February 24, March 3, and March 10 from 12-1pm. To participate in this free learning opportunity, you will need internet and phone access. Pre-registration is also required.
Course Testimonial "Sessions were dynamic and engaging. We were also very impressed with the sheer quantity of good information offered to us. Thank you!" A past course participant.
Learn more or register at: ontario.ca/e996 1-877-424-1300
ChangesChanges to Farm Licence Plate Requirements Starting January 1, 2015, vehicle owners wishing to purchase or attach farm plates to a new commercial vehicle over 3000 kg will need to provide documentation to demonstrate that they have a farm business. Only those clients purchasing or attaching new farm plates to a vehicle will be required to show proof of farm business as of January 1, 2015. The new requirements will not affect any current farm plate owners who are renewing their farm plates.
What documentation do I have to show to prove I have a farm business? Your Farm Business Registration (FBR) number is proof that you run a farm business. Any one of the following documents will prove that you have an FBR: A farm organization membership card; A Gross Farm Income Exemption Certificate; A letter from the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Appeal Tribunal indicating religious exemption; A letter from Agricorp with your FBR number; or A letter from the Indian Agriculture Program of Ontario confirming that the producer has met the FBR eligibility requirements. Why is the Ministry of Transportation making these changes? Ontario's Auditor General (OAG), in its 2012 annual report on the Drive Clean Program and the 2013 annual report on ServiceOntario, noted an increasing number of vehicles with farm plates and was concerned that no verification is required to obtain farm plates. In both audit reports, the OAG recommended the Ministry of Transportation (MTO) review the requirements for obtaining a farm plate, to ensure that no abuse of the system was taking place.
As a result, MTO is implementing new requirements for issuing or attaching farm plates to a commercial vehicle. This will ensure that only qualified farmers obtain farm plates and receive the benefits associated with having a farm plate. For more information:
About the Farm Business Registration program, please contact Agricorp. Their Contact Centre is open Monday to Friday, from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. and can be reached by calling 1-888-247-4999 or TTY: 1-877-275-1380. Their email address is: contact@agricorp.com.
About farm licence plates, visit a Service Ontario location near you or contact them at https://www.ontario.ca/serviceontario or by phone at 1-800-387-3445.
ExpandingExpanding Agricultural Production Insurance Ontario is proposing amendments to the Crop Insurance Act, 1996, that would, if passed, allow more types of agricultural products to be covered by production insurance. The proposed amendments passed first reading in November. Legislative consideration will continue in the Spring session of parliament.
Production insurance is part of a suite of business risk management programs designed to help farmers manage losses due to events like weather, pests and disease. The costs of these programs are predictable, stable and shared by producers and the provincial and federal governments.
Currently, production insurance is available for almost 90 commercially grown crops, including grains, oilseeds and certain fruits and vegetables. However, Ontario is the only province in Canada without the authority to expand production insurance beyond crops to the broader agricultural sector.
If passed, the proposed Agriculture Insurance Act would give Ontario the authority to expand insurance to support the agri-food industry in the event of unexpected loss of production for agriculture products.
Expanding the number of products eligible for production insurance and strengthening the agri-food industry is part of the government's economic plan for Ontario. The four-part plan is building Ontario up by investing in people's talents and skills, building new public infrastructure like roads and transit, creating a dynamic, supportive environment where business thrives and building a secure savings plan so everyone can afford to retire. For more information go to: http://bit.ly/1uNYHVo
NewGrantNew Grant Program Helping Communities Commemorate 400 Years of Francophone Presence in Ontario The program offers project-based funding to community organizations, municipalities and others to help plan local cultural and tourism events that commemorate the 400th anniversary of francophone presence in Ontario. The events will help boost tourism and create jobs, as visitors from across the province, Canada and the world join in the celebrations.
Local events marking the 400th anniversary will take place in communities throughout the summer and fall of 2015, including at the TORONTO 2015 Pan American and Parapan American Games.
Investing in local communities is part of the government's economic plan for Ontario. The four- part plan is building Ontario up by investing in people's talents and skills, building new public infrastructure like roads and transit, creating a dynamic, supportive environment where business thrives, and building a secure savings plan so everyone can afford to retire.
For more information please go to: http://ontario.ca/bzez
InterestedInterested in Good Governance and Effective Meetings? Rural Ontario Institute recently held a webinar on Board Basics: Good Governance and Effective Meetings. If you are interested in gaining a better understanding about a Board of Directors: Roles and responsibilities Legal and managerial duties Techniques for making board and committee meetings more effective Methods to positively impact meetings and create environments for healthy decision-making Read more about ROI at ruralontarioinstitute.ca/
RawLeafRaw Leaf Tobacco Regulation Workshop Description On January 1, 2015, Ministry of Finance regulation of raw leaf tobacco takes effect. Regulation of the raw leaf tobacco industry allows the Ministry of Finance to monitor the movement of raw leaf tobacco in Ontario. Anyone, excluding exemptions, who produces, processes, sells, buys, imports, exports or transports any variety of raw leaf tobacco will be required to hold a raw leaf tobacco registration certificate with the Ministry of Finance. To assist those impacted by the new regulation, the ministry is hosting an education session (approximately 2 hours) to review registration and reporting requirements. When December 18, 2014 at 9:30 a.m. Where German Canadian Club, 522 Talbot Street, Aylmer
For information on raw leaf tobacco registration and reporting, call the Ministry of Finance at 1-866-ONT-TAXS (1-866-668-8297) ext 16160. Read about raw leaf tobacco at ontario.ca/RawLeafTobacco The raw leaf tobacco regulation is available on the Ontario e-Laws website.
EFPEnvironmental Farm Plan Workshop - 2015 Free Environmental Farm Plan (EFP) fourth edition workshops are now being offered across Ontario. Farmers are invited to participate to create or update their EFP and learn more about cost-sharing opportunities available. Register Online at www.ontariosoilcrop.org
GrowingyourGrowing Your Farm Profits - 2015 Start the business planning process by attending this free two-day interactive workshop. You will : Assess business management practices, determine priorities and key goals, develop realistic action plans and learn about cost-share funding opportunities. Register Online at www.ontariosoilcrop.org
GreyBruceGrey Bruce Farmers' Week Grey Bruce Farmers' Week (GBFW) 2015, celebrating its 49th year, will run from Wednesday, January 7th to Tuesday, January 13th, starting with Beef Day, and ending on Crops Day. It is a 7 day Agricultural Conference packed with a most impressive and informative line-up of speakers! The coordinators for this event, Grey County Ag Services, in conjunction with agricultural commodity leaders from Grey and Bruce Counties, have attempted to feature at least one high profile speaker for each day, targeting the issues and challenges facing the farming community today. As always, exciting Panels have been developed for 2015. These panels include: On Beef Day, many of the presenters from the day's program will review How to Drive Profitability. On Dairy Day, three producers will share their perspective on Bedding Options. On Goat Day, one dairy goat producer, and one meat goat producer will share a Virtual Farm Tour. On Sheep Day, three sheep producers will discuss Pasture Management. On Ecological Day, three producers will give the highlights of their Organic/Ecological Farm Operations. On Crops Day there are two panels. Two producers and one agribusiness rep will review Precision Agriculture - Making it Pay. In the afternoon, three agronomists will duke it out during the Production Pundits Q & A Session. For more details on the speakers planned for each day, please refer to the Grey Bruce Farmers' Week pages on the Grey Ag website at www.greyagservices.ca.
AgriTechThe Agri-Technology Commercialization Centre gets a new look! Enabling greater access and utilization of the agricultural related resources co-located in the Centre.
The Agri-Technology Commercialization Centre (ATCC) has launched a new website and marketing brochures that reflect the continued commitment to innovating and commercializing agricultural research and technologies.
The new device-friendly website at http://www.agritechcentre.ca/en will act as a portal, promoting each of the companies within the ATCC and the services they provide to the agricultural community. The new marketing brochures can also be viewed and downloaded from the ATCC website. "The strategy for creating the brand was to become a recognizable entity and allow for greater awareness of the agricultural focused tools and services that are here to help entrepreneurs and companies in Ontario" Italo Cerra, General Manager, Agri-Technology Commercialization Centre.
In 2008, the founding organizations, Bioenterprise Corporation, Soy 20/20 and Ontario Agri-Food Technologies created the ATCC as a central location of specialized industry knowledge and market expertise. "Our objective is to provide an all-encompassing suite of services most critically needed by agri-based businesses", explains Dave Smardon, President and CEO, Bioenterprise Corporation.
Today the Centre's hub of resources also includes the Livestock Research Innovation Corporation and the Agri-Food Management Institute, expanding the breadth of expertise even further. Together, the ATCC's group of organizations has helped hundreds of agri-technology entrepreneurs and businesses succeed.
About the Agri-Technology Commercialization Centre The ATCC's cluster of agricultural innovation resources are dedicated to enhancing the research, development and commercialization of groundbreaking technologies, and create and attract profitable businesses that advance Canada's leadership position in global markets. The ATCC is supported through Growing Forward 2, a federal-provincial-territorial initiative.
For more information: Jennifer Kalanda, Marketing & Events Coordinator Agri-Technology Commercialization Centre 1.866.464.4524 jennifer.kalanda@bioenterprise.ca. RESOURCES FollowusFollow Us on Twitter
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