cktimes.ca Archives for Agrilink
Agrilink
SUCCESSFUL RISK MANAGEMENT PROGRAM NEEDS VOTE OF CONFIDENCE FROM PROVINCIAL AND FEDERAL GOVERNMENTS
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
From a release - GUELPH – Ontario Grains & Oilseeds appreciates the leadership shown by Ontario’s McGuinty government in 2007 when the pilot Risk Management Program (RMP) was launched. But with the three-year pilot period about to expire this year, it is time for the provincial government to continue its leadership role in protecting the viability of the family farm and make RMP permanent. It is also time for the federal government to come to the table in support of provincial business risk management programs.RMP is a price support program for grain and oilseed producers to offset losses caused by low commodity prices created by global subsidies, and volatility in world markets and currency rates. Payments are triggered when prices for grains and oilseeds fall below a specific support level based on a cost-of-production formula.
RMP is currently a partnership between the province and producers and similar to an insurance program, with both partners contributing to the program. “After eight years of depressed world prices prior to 2007, RMP has fulfilled its mandate of providing an element of long-term stability and the ability to plan for the future,” says Leo Guilbeault, Chair of Ontario Grains & Oilseeds.
The RMP pre-harvest payments are scheduled to be mailed beginning November 23 for the 2009 forward-contract period. Producers will receive a payment on corn this year of $0.144 per bushel at the 100 per cent coverage level (adjusted for the 40 per cent provincial contribution from $0.36).
Producers are currently working to bring the federal government on board as partners in RMP at the federal rate of 60 per cent.
RMP is a critical pillar in supporting a multi-billion dollar industry that feeds Ontario cities and keeps our rural communities thriving.
“Ontario’s grains and oilseeds producers strongly encourage the province to make the program permanent and for the federal government to come to the table as partners, as we do not want to go back to a system where we stumble from crisis to crisis with emergency aid announcements that cost the government more in the end,” Mr. Guilbeault said.
Ontario Grains & Oilseeds represents over 25,000 farm families growing soybeans, wheat, corn, canola and edible beans from Ottawa to Windsor. Our labour and innovation brings in nearly $3 Billion a year in food and biofuel products, the backbone of rural communities throughout Ontario. The spin-off industries bring in over $10 Billion per year. There has even been some speculation that Agriculture could once again become the number one industry in Ontario with the downsizing of the auto sector.
TWO NEW MANAGERS APPOINTED AT GRAIN FARMERS OF ONTARIO
11/09/09
From a Release
The Grain Farmers of Ontario (GFO) is pleased to announce the appointment of Todd Austin as Marketing Manager and Erin Fletcher as Manager, Public Affairs and Communications.
As Marketing Manager, Todd Austin will play an important role within GFO to maintain existing wheat marketing and pooling programs and grain policies. He will also develop and coordinate the implementation of new programs and manage the promotion of Ontario grains both domestically and internationally. Austin will utilize his experience in trading and selling of crop commodities and risk management in this new role that will target consistently high returns to producers while adhering to best business practices.
In the position of Manager, Public Affairs and Communications Erin Fletcher will develop and lead a proactive public affairs program to communicate to members, government and the general public about the ongoing work at the GFO. Fletcher’s experience with market development, government relations and publishing will be essential to the role to ensure all stakeholders are engaged in the process of creating and maintaining a successful organization.
ONTARIO PORK BOARD APPOINTS OVINGTON AS GENERAL MANAGER
11/04/09
From a Release - Guelph – The Ontario Pork Board of Directors are pleased to announce the appointment of Ken Ovington as the General Manager for the organization effective November 4, 2009.
“This will be a significant year in our history as the organization continues to work on the challenges facing our sector. The Board is dedicated to lead our industry forward and with the appointment of Mr. Ovington as General Manager, we are well situated to accomplish that objective, says Wilma Jeffray, Chair. “Ken has been involved in every facet of Ontario Pork’s business operations, giving him an unparalleled ability to work with producers and industry stakeholders.
For over 10 years Mr. Ovington has been focused on business development, strategic planning, production expertise, and business operations which have prepared him well for this challenging role. He has served on various provincial and national committees, executing numerous projects and initiatives.
EI BENEFITS FOR SELF-EMPLOYED
11/04/09
From a Release - GUELPH – The Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) applauds the intent of the recent federal announcement to enable farmers to become eligible for employment insurance benefits. But the OFA wants to ensure this announcement meets agriculture’s needs.
The Federal Government announced intentions November 3, 2009, to implement some Employment Insurance benefits for self-employed Canadians, a category that covers farmers. The OFA warns farmers based on the details provided in the government announcement; they will need to do the math to see if it is in fact a benefit. Will farmers pay excessive premiums into the EI system for comparatively little benefit?
“We need to see the numbers on premiums and benefits at various age ranges before we could recommend this to our members,” says Bette Jean Crews, OFA President.
“The farming community has lobbied for more than a decade for benefits the rest of society has enjoyed, we must be sure that what’s being offered is truly a benefit to the farming community.”
Although consistent with policy the OFA has been asking for, the program warrants caution. “The requirement to pay premiums for their entire farming career may be a costly venture for farmers who may make a small claim once in their lifetime,” she explained.
Farmers, as self-employed workers, will be able to claim maternity, parental and sick leave with EI benefits based on income. “Will the benefits warrant a lifetime of premiums, especially considering farmers typically retire much later than salaried employees?”
CONSERVATIVES DEFEAT MOTION TO DEFEND THE WHEAT BOARD AT WTO
11/04/09
From a Release - Ottawa – At the International Trade Committee yesterday Conservative MPs blocked a New Democrat motion that would have instructed Canadian negotiators to defend the Wheat Board and supply management up upcoming World Trade Organization (WTO) talks.
“The Conservative government trumpets its support of supply management in Canada, but its actions and omissions at the WTO talks take us in the opposite direction. The fact that the Conservatives are opposing the New Democrat motion clearly illustrates why they cannot be trusted.” said International Trade Critic Peter Julian (NDP Burnaby-New Westminster).
The motion called for Canada to reject a report by the WTO committee on agriculture that would weaken Canada’s supply management and state trading enterprises system. The motion was presented by Julian.
The International Trade Committee had finalized its ongoing hearings on Canada’s supply management and is in the process of producing a report with recommendations to the federal government when the New Democrat motion was presented as a recommendation.
“The motion would have provided clear instructions to Canada’s negotiators to correct a fault contained in the current text of the WTO report. As it stands, the report undermines Canada’s supply management system and weakens the single desk selling authority of the Canadian Wheat Board. These are the facts, pure and simple” said Julian.
COMMENTARY-OFA'S PLANS FOR AGRICULTURE’S FUTURE
11/06/09
This week's commentary comes from Bette Jean Crews, President, Ontario Federation of Agriculture
Canadian farm leaders and farm business owners have become increasingly frustrated at the federal and provincial levels of government with the lack of coordinated and functional agricultural policies that adequately serve the needs of constituents.
It is perceived generally as a laissez-faire attitude on the part of governments – seeming to believe that farming and food production will always be in Ontario and across Canada and therefore needs little attention.
This attitude may prevail due to the reduction of the political strength of the shrinking number of farmers and/or the strong desire of governments to divert fiscal resources elsewhere. The two options are not unrelated.
The apathy and overall ignorance of our consumers about food production and food issues feeds this political malaise. The apathy is borne from grocery store shelves brimming with abundance and disposable income sufficient to purchase the low cost products from around the world. Why would consumers perceive any potential problems? The grocery stores produce more than enough food to feed all of us!
The result of inattention to food production issues is a series of agricultural policies that may or may not be serving the best interests of current farming business, but which, at worst, simply offer no future direction to the industry. There is no particular objective, no vision and no stated intention of the programs other than to maybe provide for immediate (but not necessarily predictable) income stabilization or environmental stewardship, to name two issues.
In short, Canada has no comprehensive strategy for agriculture and food production now nor into the future. This has farms floundering and trying, as individual businesses, to make decisions in a vacuum based exclusively on short-term priorities and personal reading of political winds.
The situation is intolerable from a business perspective. More so, it is simply incomprehensible, in this age of global instability, climate change and political uncertainty, that a nation would not have a strategy to ensure its citizens will have food tomorrow and beyond.
The strategy needs to be developed by farm organizations in collaboration with government, consumers, food processors and distributors.
The Ontario Federation of Agriculture recognizes Ontario and Canadian agriculture is at a crossroad. It is critical that we establish sound and forward looking strategies for food production that will assure Ontario farms continue to feed Ontarians and ignite our Ontario economy.
Therefore, the OFA is initiating this process through its Policy Advisory Council. At regionally based meetings in January, OFA members will open the debate on what a National Food Strategy should look like – what principles should our strategy embrace? Do we want to ensure food security? How can we delicately balance our needs for food, fibre and fuel? What will the farm and farm business of the future look like?
This is a tall order and a particularly difficult debate but it is one that is necessary. We invite all Ontario farmers to start considering the key issues that need to be addressed in an overall strategy – what should agriculture look like in our future and in our children’s future?
Only by going through this difficult assignment will we be assured that there is opportunity for our children to farm and for Ontarians to continue to enjoy healthy and nutritious food.
YOUNG FARMERS DRIVING TO SUCCESS IN TORONTO
11/04/09
From a Release
More than 50 young and future farmers are expected at the 2009 Ontario Young Farmers' Forum taking place November 23rd and 24th at the Doubletree by Hilton in Toronto this year.
Hosted by Junior Farmers’ Association of Ontario, Ontario Federation of Agriculture, and the Canadian Young Farmers’ Forum, the one and a half day forum will build on last year’s program by focusing business planning and farm succession planning for participants age 18-40 from all areas of Ontario. The theme of this year’s conference is “Driving to Success”.
This year's program has been finalized with keynote speaker Betty Hansen C.A., President of Crossroads Planning Group is set to highlight Sunday afternoon's session. Her address will focus on the importance of communication in Succession Planning.
Monday's program will feature Moe Agostino of Farms.com who will provide an overview of successful commodity marketing programs. The afternoon will feature a panel discussion with innovative farmers and a discussion on programs which assist with farm transitions whether it is taking over the family farm or taking the farm they own now to the next level.
The forum is an excellent opportunity for young and future Ontario farmers looking for new ideas and advice to develop their operations amidst changing economics and an increasingly challenging industry. Many delegates are receiving individual sponsorship of their participation costs from local federations of agriculture and industry groups, a list of which is being compiled on the OYFF website at www.oyff.ca . Participants are encouraged to contact their local groups for support, as developing strong future agricultural leaders is the primary goal of the OYFF.
More information on the 2009 Ontario Young Farmers’ Forum is available from the OYFF website www.oyff.ca or the JFAO Office at 519-780-5326, local Federations of Agriculture, and OFA Member Service Representatives. Anyone still interested in participating is encouraged to e-mail info@oyff.ca or contact the JFAO office as soon as possible.
Funding for the 2009 OYFF keynote speakers is being provided in part by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada through the Agricultural Adaptation Council's CanAdvance Program, and by the Canadian Farm Business Management Council. The vision of OYFF is to create an opportunity where young farmers can learn, network and lead, with a mission of providing an educational and leadership development opportunity for young and future farmers of Ontario.
NOMINATIONS OPEN FOR ONTARIO’S OUTSTANDING YOUNG FARMER – 2010
11/09/09
From a Release - Guelph - Nominations are now open for the 2010 Ontario’s Outstanding Young Farmers’ Program. Nominees may be individuals or couples who derive a minimum of two-thirds of their gross revenue from farming and are under the age of 40 as of January 1 in the year of competition.
Nomination forms can be downloaded from the OOYF website at www.oyfontario.ca and must be received by December 15, 2009.
Celebrating its 30th year, Canada’s Outstanding Young Farmers’ program is an annual competition to recognize young farmers who exemplify excellence in their profession and promote the tremendous contribution of agriculture, and rural Canada. Demonstrating leadership in the agricultural industry, nominees are judged according to the following criteria:
-Progress made in their agriculture career
-Environmental and safety practices
-Crop and livestock production history
-Financial and management practices
-Contributions to the well-being of their community, province, nation
The 2010 winner will be selected at the Ontario regional event being held at the Ramada Inn in Belleville from April 2-4. They will then represent Ontario at the National Awards Program, to be held in Victoria in December, 2010.
OOYF is proudly sponsored by Pioneer Hi-Bred Limited, TD Canada Trust, Syngenta, the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, Huron Tractor, GROWMARK, McFarlan Rowlands, The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair, and the Western Fair Farm Show.
The national competition is sponsored by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Bayer Crop Science, CIBC and John Deere.
PROF DEBUNKS ‘GREEN’ FOOD MYTHS
11/09/09
From Meatingplace, by Ann Bagel Storck
Although many consumers believe eating grass-fed meat or locally grown food are environmentally friendly decisions, that's not always the truth, according to a paper presented at the 71st Cornell Nutrition Conference.
Pasture- or grass-fed meat is perceived to be more eco-friendly than conventionally produced beef, said Jude Capper, an assistant professor of dairy sciences at Washington State University and one of the paper's authors. However, the time needed to grow an animal to slaughter weight is nearly double that of animals fed corn, she noted, which means that energy use and greenhouse gas emissions per pound of beef are increased three-fold in grass-fed beef cattle. In total, finishing the current U.S. population of 9.8 million fed-cattle on pasture would require an extra 60 million acres of land.
Another emerging trend among American consumers is the desire to purchase food grown locally.
"Often 'locally grown' food is thought to have a lower environmental impact than food transported over long distances due to carbon emissions from fuel," Capper said. "This simplistic approach fails to consider the productivity of the transportation system, which has tremendous impact on the energy expended per unit of food."
The desire to protect the environment and to do so, in part, by altering personal behaviors, is admirable, Capper said. However, she emphasized that those decisions must be based on logic rather than intuition.
"Consumers might think they are making the responsible, virtuous food choices, when, in truth, they are supporting production practices that consume more natural resources, cause greater pollution and create a larger carbon footprint than more efficient, technology-driven, conventional methods," she said.
MCDONALD'S AND CANADIAN CATTLE PRODUCERS DEBUNK PERSISTENT INTERNET HOAX
11/03/09
From the Canadian Press
LANIGAN, Sask. — McDonald's Canada and the president of the Canadian Cattlemen's Association are trying to counter what they say is false information being spread by an Internet hoax.
The hoax email purports to be from an Alberta cattle-feeding group and calls for a boycott of the fast-food chain because it says McDonald's has plans to buy most of its beef from South America.
Not true, association president Brad Wildeman said Monday.
He's been receiving the email in one form or another since 2003 and in the past, has tried personally emailing the sender to refute it.
Because the email has been so widely circulated, the association thought it was time to set the record straight, he said.
"We needed to take a more proactive stance and not only say it's not true and it's a hoax, but here's the real facts behind what's going on," Wildeman said.
McDonald's Canada buys as much home-grown beef as it can, and the company said in a news release that translates into using about 29 million kilograms each year to feed over two million Canadian customers.
The restaurant giant said it has bought small quantities of beef from New Zealand, Australia and the United States in the past but adds that the vast majority of its beef comes from Canadian producers.
"McDonald's Canada proudly supports the beef industry," said company senior vice-president Jeff Kroll in a news release.
SECRETS TO BIODIESEL UNVEILED AT RIDGETOWN
11/04/09
AgriLink
Leading edge biodiesel entrepreneurs are being welcomed to the Ridgetown Campus soon. The Canadian International Grains Institute (CIGI)is hosting two biodiesel workshops where students will learn how biodiesel is made and learn how to adapt various feedstocks.
According to a CIGI spokesperson, this hands-on workshop will provide the opportunity to expand grower's knowledge of biodiesel production and give them the tools to address the challenges of making their own fuel.
There are two course; a one day on November 17 and a two day beginning November 18 and concluding on the 19th. All programs are being conducted in the Engineering Centre at the Ridgetown Campus. For further information, call 204-983-2031 or go to www.cigi.ca
THE DAVID PERRIN MEMORIAL 4-H FARM SAFETY ENDOWMENT FUND
11/04/09
From a Release - Just over one year-ago, on October 4th, 14-year-old 4-H member David Perrin died tragically in a silo gas accident on his family’s farm.
Wanting to take action, the Perrin family and the Ontario 4-H Foundation created the David Perrin Memorial 4-H Farm Safety Endowment Fund and launched the initiative at the 2008 Royal Agricultural Winter Fair (RAWF), raising over $50,000 in memory of David.
Since that time 4-H Ontario has continued to pursue opportunities to create farm safety awareness across the province.
Recently the Canadian Agricultural Safety Association (CASA) approved a $40,000 grant to 4-H Ontario to produce three one-minute Public Safety Announcements (PSA’s) on farm safety. The project titled “Farm Safety – Through the Eyes of Youth” will involve senior 4-H members in the researching, writing, acting, directing and producing aspects. The goal of the project is to produce DVD’s that can be distributed across Ontario and to our fellow 4-H’ers across Canada.
Another initiative will be “Progressive Farm Safety Days”, funded by the Progressive Agricultural Foundation, that will be delivered across the province in 2010. Progressive Farm Safety Days are one-day events designed to reach children age 8 – 13 and teach them safety lessons that can keep them and those around them safe at home, or on a farm or ranch.
At last year’s RAWF David’s brother Michael spoke on behalf of the family to raise the call to action for “everyone to do what they could to avoid this from happening to anyone else.” Since then, Michael continues to raise money for charities, and helps get the message out there by talking to other young people about the importance of farm safety.
If you would like to make a donation to the David Perrin Memorial 4-H Farm Safety Endowment Fund drop in to see us at the Dairy Farmers of Ontario 4-H milk booth in the food court at the 2009 Royal Agricultural Winter Fair, or visit www.4-hontario.ca and click the donate now button.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
To view these articles online, please visit us on the web at
http://www.ridgetownc.com/agrilink/agrilink..._scoops.cfm
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
TekTalk
AN INEXPENSIVE 'DIPSTICK' TEST FOR PESTICIDES IN FOODS
11/09/09
From the American Chemical Society
Scientists in Canada are reporting the development of a fast, inexpensive "dipstick" test to identify small amounts of pesticides that may exist in foods and beverages. Their paper-strip test is more practical than conventional pesticide tests, producing results in minutes rather than hours by means of an easy-to-read color-change, they say.
The study is in the November 1 issue of ACS'
Analytical Chemistry, a semi-monthly journal. John Brennan and colleagues note in the new study that conventional tests for detecting pesticides tend to use expensive and complex equipment and in some cases can take several hours to produce results.
They cite a growing need for cheaper, more convenient, and more eco-friendly tests for pesticides, particularly in the food industry.
The scientists describe the development of a new paper-based test strip that changes color shades depending on the amount of pesticide present. In laboratory studies using food and beverage samples intentionally contaminated with common pesticides, the test strips accurately identified minute amounts of pesticides. The test strips, which produced results in less than 5 minutes, could be particularly useful in developing countries or remote areas that may lack access to expensive testing equipment and electricity, they note.
EPA PROPOSES NEW PESTICIDE LABELING TO CONTROL SPRAY DRIFT AND PROTECT HUMAN HEALTH
11/09/09
From the US EPA
WASHINGTON -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has rolled out proposed guidance for new pesticide labeling to reduce off-target spray and dust drift. The new instructions, when implemented, will improve the clarity and consistency of pesticide labels and help prevent harm from spray drift. The agency is also requesting comment on a petition to evaluate children’s exposure to pesticide drift.
"The new label statements will help reduce problems from pesticide drift,” said Steve Owens, the assistant administrator for EPA’s Office of Prevention, Pesticides and Toxic Substances.
“The new labels will carry more uniform and specific directions on restricting spray drift while giving pesticide applicators clear and workable instructions.” The new instructions will prohibit drift that could cause adverse health or environmental effects.
Also, on a pesticide-by-pesticide basis, EPA will evaluate scientific information on risk and exposure based on individual product use patterns. These assessments will help the agency determine whether no-spray buffer zones or other measures – such as restrictions on droplet or particle size, nozzle height, or weather conditions – are needed to protect people, wildlife, water resources, schools and other sensitive sites from potential harm. ??In addition to the draft notice on pesticide-drift labeling, EPA is also seeking comment on a draft pesticide drift labeling interpretation document that provides guidance to state and tribal enforcement officials.
A second document provides background information on pesticide drift, a description of current and planned EPA actions, a reader’s guide explaining key terms and concepts, and specific questions on which EPA is seeking input.
These documents and further information are available in docket EPA–HQ–OPP–2009–0628 at http://www.regulations.gov.??In a second Federal Register notice, EPA is also requesting comment on a petition filed recently by environmental and farm worker organizations. The petitioners ask EPA to evaluate children’s exposure to pesticide drift and to adopt, on an interim basis, requirements for “no-spray” buffer zones near homes, schools, day-care centers, and parks. EPA will evaluate this new petition and take whatever action may be appropriate after the evaluation is complete.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
To view these articles online, please visit us on the web at
http://www.ridgetownc.com/agrilink/agrilink_...tektalk.cfm
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
AgriLink Upcoming Events
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Event - Chatham Chapter CAFA Meeting Date - November 11, 2009 Time - 7:30 AM Place - Chatham, The Satellite Restaurant, 145 King St Email - ron.vandehogen@sunlife.com
-------------------------------------------------------
Event - Middlesex Federation of Agriculture Annual Meeting Date - November 16, 2009 Time - 6:00 PM Place - Coldstream Community Centre Contact Name - 519-457-8444 Email - mfa4h@bellnet.ca
-------------------------------------------------------
Event - Ridgetown Biodiesel Workshop (One Day) Date - November 17, 2009 Place - Engineering Shop, Ridgetown Campus Contact Name - Dr. Rex Newkirk, CIGI-204-983-2031 Website - www.cigi.ca
-------------------------------------------------------
Event - “HOW TO START A FOOD BUSINESS” SEMINAR Date - November 17, 2009 Time - 9:00 AM Place - 265 Front Street North, Sarnia Contact Name - Jeanny at 519-332-1820 Email - jeanny@sarnialambton.on.ca Website - http://www.sarnialambton.on.ca/documents/Food_b...1172009.pdf
-------------------------------------------------------
Event - Ridgetown Biodiesel Workshop (Two Day) Date - November 18,2009 to November 19, 2009 Time - All Day Event Place - Engineering Shop, Ridgetown Campus Contact Name - Dr. Rex Newkirk, CIGI-204-983-2031 Website - www.cigi.ca
-------------------------------------------------------
Event - CFFO Annual Convention, Date - November 18, 2009 Place - St. George Banquet Hall, Waterloo Website - http://www.christianfarmers.org/
-------------------------------------------------------
Event - 63rd Annual Chatham-Kent Chamber of Commerce Rural Urban Dinner Date - November 19, 2009 Time - 5:30 PM Place - Kinsmen Auditorium, Chatham Contact Name - (519) 352-7540 ext. 21 Email - info@chatham-kentchamber.ca
-------------------------------------------------------
Event - LAMBTON FEDERATION OF AGRICULTURE ANNUAL BANQUET AND MEETING Date - November 20, 2009 Time - 6:00 PM Place - Wyoming Fairgrounds Contact Name - LFA office at 519-828-5028
-------------------------------------------------------
Event - OFA Convention Date - November 23, 2009 Time - All Day Event Place - Doubletree by Hilton - Toronto Airport Website - http://www.ofa.on.ca
-------------------------------------------------------
Event - “AGRICULTURAL SOLUTIONS FOR ENERGY: BIOMASS” Date - November 24, 2009 Place - Ridgetown Campus Website - www.research2receptor.com
-------------------------------------------------------
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
-------------------------------------------------------
Event - Agricultural Solutions for Energy: Biomass Date - November 24, 2009 Time - 11:30 AM Place - Ridgetown Campus Website - http://www.research2receptor.com/ridgetown.html
-------------------------------------------------------
Event - Poultry Industry Council’s Producer Update Date - November 24, 2009 Time - 10:00 AM Place - Broadhagen Community Centre Contact Name - Poultry Industry Council, 519- 837-0284 Website - www.poultryindustrycouncil.ca
-------------------------------------------------------
Event - National Farmers Union Convention Date - November 26,2009 to November 28, 2009 Time - All Day Event Place - Ottawa Website - www.nfu.ca
-------------------------------------------------------
Event - Environmental Farm Plan Meeting for Kent, Day Two-Dec. 3 Date - November 26, 2009 Time - 9:30 AM Place - Ridgetown Contact Name - Ron Faubert 519-352-1285 Email - kent@ontariosoilcrop.org
-------------------------------------------------------
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 - Chatham Chapter CAFA Meeting Date - December 2, 2009 Time - 7:30 AM Place - Chatham, The Satellite Restaurant, 145 King St Email - ron.vandehogen@sunlife.com
-------------------------------------------------------
Event - District 1 Sheep Pot Luck Christmas Party Date - December 3, 2009 Time - 7:00 PM Place - Christian Reform Church, Wyoming Contact Name - Bill Duffield
-------------------------------------------------------
Event - Environmental Farm Plan Meeting-Essex-Day Two-Dec. 14 Date - December 7, 2009 Place - Essex Contact Name - Ernie Konrad, 519-825-4588 Email - essex@ontariosoilcrop.org
-------------------------------------------------------
Event - Great Lakes Fruit, Vegetable and Farm Market Expo Date - December 8,2009 to December 10, 2009 Time - All Day Event Place - Grand Rapids, Michigan Website - http://www.glexpo.com/index.php
-------------------------------------------------------
Event - Innovative Farmers Marketing Meeting with John Deputter Date - December 8, 2009 Time - 9:30 PM Place - Cambridge Hotel and Conference Centre, Hwy 401 & 24 Contact Name - 519-986-3560 Website - www.ifao.com
-------------------------------------------------------
Event - Elgin Federation of Agriculture Annual Meeting Date - December 10, 2009 Time - 8:00 PM Place - Elgin County Administration Building, 450 Sunset Drive, St. Thomas
-------------------------------------------------------
Event - 31ST FARM FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT AND TAX SEMINAR Date - December 14, 2009 Time - 9:30 AM Place - Brooke Alvinston Inwood Community Complex Alvinston, Ontario Contact Name - Telephone: (519) 336-9900 Fax: (519) 332-4828 Email - bmacintyre@bdo.ca
-------------------------------------------------------
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 - Certified Crop Advisors Annual Conference Date - January 13,2010 to January 14, 2010 Time - All Day Event Place - London, Best Western Lamplighter Inn, Wellington Road
-------------------------------------------------------
Event - Environmental Farm Plan Meeting-Lambton-Day Two-Feb. 9 Date - February 2, 2010 Time - 9:30 AM Place - Wyoming Legion Contact Name - OSCIA at 519-826-4214 Email - www.ontariosoilcrop.org/EFP/EFP.htm
-------------------------------------------------------
Event - 2010 OSCIA Annual Meeting Date - February 2,2010 to February 3, 2010 Time - All Day Event Place - Sheraton Fallsview, Niagara Falls
-------------------------------------------------------
Event - National Farm Machinery Show Date - February 10,2010 to February 13, 2010 Time - All Day Event Place - Louisville, KY Website - http://www.farmmachineryshow.org
-------------------------------------------------------
Event - Canadian International Farm Show Date - February 17,2010 to February 19, 2010 Time - All Day Event Place - International Centre, Toronto Website - http://www.canadianfarmshow.ca
-------------------------------------------------------
Event - South Western Ontario Pork Conference Date - February 17, 2010 Place - Ridgetown Campus Contact Name - Ag Business Centre 519 674 1596
-------------------------------------------------------
Event - Ontario Fruit & Vegetable Convention Date - February 24,2010 to February 25, 2010 Time - All Day Event Place - Brock University, St. Catharines Website - http://www.ofvc.ca/
-------------------------------------------------------
Event - New York Farm Show Date - February 25,2010 to February 27, 2010 Time - All Day Event Place - Syracuse, NY Website - http://www.newyorkfarmshow.com
-------------------------------------------------------
Event - Environmental Farm Plan Meeting-Lambton-Day Two-Mar. 9 Date - March 2, 2010 Time - 9:30 AM Place - Wyoming Legion Contact Name - OSCIA at 519-826-4214 Website - www.ontariosoilcrop.org/EFP/EFP.htm
-------------------------------------------------------
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
-------------------------------------------------------
Event - Western Fair Farm Show Date - March 10, 2010 Time - All Day Event Place - Western Fair Grounds, London Contact Name - (800) 619-4629 or (519) 438-7203 Website - http://www.westernfair.com/shows/farm.html
-------------------------------------------------------
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
To view these listings online, please visit us on the web at
http://www.ridgetownc.com/agrilink/agrilink..._events.cfm
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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
