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Agrilink
RIDGETOWN STUDY SAYS SUPPLY MANAGEMENT NOT A SIMPLE SOLUTION FOR ONTARIO PORK
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
From a ReleaseGuelph, – A recent study prepared by The University of Guelph, Ridgetown Campus, finds that implementing a supply management system for Ontario’s hog industry would be a challenge. Commissioned by Ontario Pork, the study suggests that the Ontario industry would need to shrink anywhere from 43 – 58% and overcome significant hurdles including international trade issues and development of a tariff system; reduction in production to meet domestic consumption; production allocation among provinces and whether a quota system would be used to set production volumes.
Supply management attempts to match domestic production with estimated domestic consumption. It would also have to be national in scope and have the support of all provinces with a stake in it. Author of the study, College Professor and Research Co-ordinator, Ken McEwan says “the movement to a supply management system would involve considerable downsizing of the existing Canadian swine herd. The implications of this downsizing to industry business partners would be far-reaching and in some cases could mean closure.”
“This topic has been brought up several times over the years,” said Chair Wilma Jeffray. “With pork producers looking for alternatives and options in this depressed market, Ontario Pork felt it was time to investigate the supply management concept and its feasibility. From the numbers presented I think there is clear evidence that Ontario’s hog sector would be severely impacted by adopting this system.”
The study can be found on the Ontario Pork website at ontariopork.on.ca
Ontario Pork represents the 2800 farmers who market hogs in the province in many areas, including hog marketing, research, government representation, environmental issues, consumer education and food quality assurance. The pork industry in Ontario accounts for 33,000 jobs, and it is estimated that total industry output from farm gate sales is worth $4.7 billion to the Ontario economy.
OFA OPPOSES SOLAR FARM INSTALLATIONS ON FARMLAND
09/25/09
From a Release - GUELPH – With such a small amount of good, productive land available to produce food in Ontario, the Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) is opposed to solar panel installations on Class 1, 2, 3, or 4 Farmland says Don McCabe, Vice-President of the OFA.
With 825 million square feet of corporate roof alone in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), he said that would be a much more appropriate place for solar panels. “We need the productive soils of Ontario for food and fiber production,” he says. “Farmers already have solar collectors at work on their farms with plant leaves soaking up the sun and growing – a natural process that enhances the productivity of the soil.”
“Solar panels installed to produce electricity do not sequester carbon like the plants in a farmers’ field. We need those plants to work effectively removing carbon from the atmosphere, reducing greenhouse gases, and still be filling the grocery stores with the lights on,” McCabe says.
As it is, McCabe says, “Ontario farmers have access to only 13 per cent of the private land in Ontario for production of food, fiber, and we don’t want to lose any of that to the installation of solar panels.”
Solar technology has its place. Currently, small scale solar is being actively used to pump water and other activities on Ontario farms. Solar technology can be properly placed on rooftops or less productive soils recognized by Class 5, 6, and 7 designations – these soils are less rewarding for agricultural production.
A balance of needs is what is being offered here by the OFA, McCabe says.
TILBURY SEED COMPANY LAUNCHES 25TH SEASON WITH AN ALL NEW LOOK
09/25/09
Maizex Seeds’ new branding initiative matches its sophisticated technology offering
From a Release
Tilbury, ON, - Maizex Seeds’ new brand identification comes after 25 years in the Canadian seed industry, reflecting the rapid and competitive growth of the company. The new image was unveiled to our sales force September 10th and to the general public at the Outdoor Farm Show September 15-17th.
“The new logo better matches the sophisticated technology offering and our progressive innovative nature”, explains Dave Baute, President Maizex Seeds.
The new campaign is focused on delivering a consistent message - Maizex has a passion for creating innovation, minimizing risk and maximizing potential to deliver, “Better yield in every field”. The new visual representation will be supported by advertisements, seed guides, tradeshow displays and all other branded promotional material. Maizex will now start transitioning the logo on products, facilities and marketing materials which is expected to take approximately 12 months.
“The brand image is a reflection of the quality and integrity of our dealers and the knowledge and dedication of our staff. It is the face of a satisfied customer, it is our product”, adds Baute.
Maizex is proud of the multiple sources of trait and genetic offerings available which speak to its independence, providing the best choice the industry has to offer. The pace of change will only quicken in agriculture and this is one of many steps Maizex has taken to be at the forefront of that change.
Maizex Seeds Inc. established in 1985 is a fully integrated hybrid seed corn company that develops, produces and markets over 60 grain and silage hybrids. The corporation is privately owned and operates from its facility North East of Tilbury, Ontario where production, research and administration are located. Maizex has a novel research and breeding program and has been recognized for its agricultural innovations. The new hybrid testing system, GETT is a reflection of its commitment to agriculture.
CHINA MAINTAINS PORK RESTRICTIONS
09/25/09
From the Wall Street Journal
BEIJING -- China stuck to its position of imposing new requirements on pork imports from several European countries Wednesday, following a meeting between the European Union's health chief and Chinese food safety officials in the Chinese capital.
Last week, China announced new measures on imports of pork from four EU states -- Denmark, France, Italy and Spain -- as well as Canada, requiring certification that the animals used for the meat were free of the H1N1 influenza virus. Pork imports from Northern Ireland were earlier subject to restrictions.
The EU opposes the measures because they impose additional costs on exporters, and it says its pork products are safe.
FARM PRODUCT PRICE INDEX IN DECLINE
09/25/09
From StasCan - Prices farmers received for their commodities fell 12.2% in July from the same month a year earlier, as both the crops index and the livestock and animal products index declined.
The prices producers received for crops in July were 18.7% lower compared with July 2008. The decline in the crops index was due to decreases recorded by all commodities except potatoes. Potato prices in July were 14.8% above those of July 2008 as North American production was down last fall.
The prices producers received for livestock and animal products fell 3.3% in July compared with July 2008. Decreases were recorded for all commodities except poultry and dairy.
On a month-to-month basis, the total index (1997=100) decreased from 115.1 in June to 112.8 in July.
The total crops index fell 2.1% in July compared with the June index, as prices for all commodities except specialty crops and potatoes declined.
In July, the overall livestock and animal products index stood at 104.0, down from the June level of 105.2. Decreases were recorded in the prices of all commodities except poultry and eggs.
The hogs index fell 0.7% in July, the fourth month-to-month decrease this year. Hog producers continue to be faced with the US Country of Origin Labeling legislation, concerns about the H1N1 flu virus and lower demand driven by the economic crisis.
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To view these articles online, please visit us on the web at
http://www.ridgetownc.com/agrilink/agrilink..._scoops.cfm
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TekTalk
FIRST DETECTION OF KUDZU IN ONTARIO. WHAT IS THE IMPLICATION FOR SOYBEAN RUST?
09/25/09
From Crop Pest Ontario - A botanical monster has been detected in Leamington and it has certainly got the attention of those in soybean disease research. Albert Tenuta, OMAFRA's Field Crop Plant Pathologist at Ridgetown reports Kudzu this far north may not be an economic threat to soybeans. He says Kudzu is often referred to "as the vine that ate the south" due to its notorious rapid growth rate (it has the ability to grow a foot a day under favourable conditions). This is a significant confirmation although it shouldn't come as a surprise considering Kudzu has been found in the bordering Great Lake States of Pennsylvania, New York, Ohio and Michigan. However, the distribution has been very localized in these States as it is here in Ontario.
Will this increase our risk to Soybean Rust? Probably not at this time since the soybean rust fungus requires a living host to survive. It will not produce spores on dead plant material whether that be soybeans or Kudzu. Fortunately for us, Kudzu is sensitive to below freezing temperatures and just about the time we bring out the winter coat, Kudzu will drop its leaves (defoliate). However, based on the size of the vine at the Leamington site, the newly discovered Kudzu appears to have over-wintered in Leamington. But again, without leaves and our very cold winter temperatures, it is very unlikely any soybean rust spores could survive and pose a threat the following year. Samples have already been collected and are now being tested for soybean rust infection.
As mentioned earlier, this is important but we need to keep it in perspective. The risk for Ontario producers continues to be the over-wintering locations in the southern US. We will continue to monitor the overwintering situation and track the disease using sentinel plots, rainfall spore traps, computer prediction models and other information from around North American to manage and reduce producer risk to the disease.
Funding for the Ontario sentinel monitoring was provided in part by OMAFRA, AAFC through the Agricultural Adaptation Council CanAdvance Program and the Ontario Research Development (ORD) program, the Ontario Soybean Growers and the Ontario Soybean Rust Coalition.
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To view these articles online, please visit us on the web at
http://www.ridgetownc.com/agrilink/agrilink_...tektalk.cfm
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AgriLink Upcoming Events
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Event - Wallacetown Fair Date - October 2,2009 to October 4, 2009 Time - All Day Event Contact Name - 519-762-3635
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Event - Cover Crop Open House Date - October 7, 2009 Time - 9:00 PM Place - 10708 Northwood Rd between the Mull and Harwich Roads (east of Chatham) Contact Name - Prof. Laura Van Eerd at the Ridgetown Campus University of Guelph at 519 674-1644
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Event - District 1 Sheep meeting Date - October 8, 2009 Time - 8:00 PM Place - Barb Dickenson Farm on Brigden Sideroad, Lambton County Contact Name - Bill Duffield
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Event - Women’s Institute London Area Convention Date - October 15, 2009 Time - All Day Event Place - London
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Event - World Food Day Date - October 16, 2009 Time - All Day Event
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Event - CleanFARMSTM collection Date - October 20,2009 to October 22, 2009 Time - All Day Event Place - Tilbury: Cargill AgHorizons Contact Name - Lilian Schaer – 519-212-9559 Email - lschaer@agcare.org
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Event - District 1 Sheep Meeting Date - November 5, 2009 Time - 8:00 PM Place - Coldstream Community Centre Contact Name - Bill Duffield
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Event - Royal Winter Fair Date - November 6,2009 to November 15, 2009 Time - All Day Event Place - Toronto, Exhibition Grounds Website - www.royalfair.org
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Event - Bounty of the County Trade Show, 59th Annual Essex County Associated Growers Date - November 24,2009 to November 25, 2009 Time - All Day Event Place - Leamington Kinsmen Recreation Complex, 249 Sherk St. Contact Name - Associated Growers - 519-326-4481 Email - ecag@bellnet.ca Website - www.bountyofthecounty.ca
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Event - Ontario Sheep Marketing Agency 2009 Annual General Meeting Date - November 27,2009 to November 28, 2009 Time - All Day Event Place - Cambridge Holiday Inn - 200 Holiday Inn Drive, Cambridge ON Contact Name - Bill Duffield
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Event - Southwest Agricultural Conference Date - January 6,2010 to January 7, 2010 Time - All Day Event Place - Ridgetown Campus Contact Name - Ag Business Centre
519 674 1596
Website - www.southwestagconference.ca
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Event - 2010 CCA Conference Date - January 13,2010 to January 14, 2010 Time - All Day Event Place - London, Best Western Lamplighter Inn, Wellington Road
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Event - 2010 OSCIA Annual Meeting Date - February 2,2010 to February 3, 2010 Time - All Day Event Place - Sheraton Fallsview, Niagara Falls
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Event - South Western Ontario Pork Conference Date - February 17, 2010 Place - Ridgetown Campus Contact Name - Ag Business Centre 519 674 1596
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Event - 4th Annual Growing the Margins Conference Date - March 8,2010 to March 12, 2010 Time - All Day Event Place - London Convention Centre Contact Name - First Stage Enterprises; 416-426-7029 Website - www.gtmconference.ca
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AgriLink Upcoming Events
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Event - Wallacetown Fair Date - October 2,2009 to October 4, 2009 Time - All Day Event Contact Name - 519-762-3635
-------------------------------------------------------
Event - Cover Crop Open House Date - October 7, 2009 Time - 9:00 PM Place - 10708 Northwood Rd between the Mull and Harwich Roads (east of Chatham) Contact Name - Prof. Laura Van Eerd at the Ridgetown Campus University of Guelph at 519 674-1644
-------------------------------------------------------
Event - District 1 Sheep meeting Date - October 8, 2009 Time - 8:00 PM Place - Barb Dickenson Farm on Brigden Sideroad, Lambton County Contact Name - Bill Duffield
-------------------------------------------------------
Event - Women’s Institute London Area Convention Date - October 15, 2009 Time - All Day Event Place - London
-------------------------------------------------------
Event - World Food Day Date - October 16, 2009 Time - All Day Event
-------------------------------------------------------
Event - CleanFARMSTM collection Date - October 20,2009 to October 22, 2009 Time - All Day Event Place - Tilbury: Cargill AgHorizons Contact Name - Lilian Schaer – 519-212-9559 Email - lschaer@agcare.org
-------------------------------------------------------
Event - District 1 Sheep Meeting Date - November 5, 2009 Time - 8:00 PM Place - Coldstream Community Centre Contact Name - Bill Duffield
-------------------------------------------------------
Event - Royal Winter Fair Date - November 6,2009 to November 15, 2009 Time - All Day Event Place - Toronto, Exhibition Grounds Website - www.royalfair.org
-------------------------------------------------------
Event - Bounty of the County Trade Show, 59th Annual Essex County Associated Growers Date - November 24,2009 to November 25, 2009 Time - All Day Event Place - Leamington Kinsmen Recreation Complex, 249 Sherk St. Contact Name - Associated Growers - 519-326-4481 Email - ecag@bellnet.ca Website - www.bountyofthecounty.ca
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Event - Ontario Sheep Marketing Agency 2009 Annual General Meeting Date - November 27,2009 to November 28, 2009 Time - All Day Event Place - Cambridge Holiday Inn - 200 Holiday Inn Drive, Cambridge ON Contact Name - Bill Duffield
-------------------------------------------------------
Event - Southwest Agricultural Conference Date - January 6,2010 to January 7, 2010 Time - All Day Event Place - Ridgetown Campus Contact Name - Ag Business Centre
519 674 1596
Website - www.southwestagconference.ca
-------------------------------------------------------
Event - 2010 CCA Conference Date - January 13,2010 to January 14, 2010 Time - All Day Event Place - London, Best Western Lamplighter Inn, Wellington Road
-------------------------------------------------------
Event - 2010 OSCIA Annual Meeting Date - February 2,2010 to February 3, 2010 Time - All Day Event Place - Sheraton Fallsview, Niagara Falls
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Event - South Western Ontario Pork Conference Date - February 17, 2010 Place - Ridgetown Campus Contact Name - Ag Business Centre 519 674 1596
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Event - 4th Annual Growing the Margins Conference Date - March 8,2010 to March 12, 2010 Time - All Day Event Place - London Convention Centre Contact Name - First Stage Enterprises; 416-426-7029 Website - www.gtmconference.ca
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To view these listings online, please visit us on the web at
http://www.ridgetownc.com/agrilink/agrilink..._events.cfm
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To view these listings online, please visit us on the web at
http://www.ridgetownc.com/agrilink/agrilink..._events.cfm
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John Jordan
Editor, AgriLink and Farm Market News
University of Guelph, Ridgetown Campus
Tel. 519-674-1577
Fax. 519-674-1530
E-mail: jjordan@ridgetownc.uoguelph.ca
AgriLink website : www.ridgetownc.com/agrilink
