cktimes.ca Archives for Agrilink
Agrilink
AS ONTARIO CORN HARVEST PROGRESSES, CROP INSURANCE CLAIMS RISE
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
From AgricorpA wet and cool growing season combined with an early frost is resulting in yields and quality (for example, mould or low-test weight) losses in some corn crops, especially in areas north of highway 7, such as Bruce, Simcoe, and Grey counties.
Agricorp is working closely with the industry and OMAFRA to stay current on the issue and to inform our communications strategy to keep customers up to date about what they need to do if they believe they are in a Production Insurance claim position.
If customers have damage to their crops, they should call Agricorp immediately at 1-888-247-4999 to open a damage report. Because every situation is different, an adjuster will work directly with each customer who reports damage to make sure their Production Insurance coverage protects them as much as possible.
The deadline to report yields, any remaining unharvested acres, and crop damage is December 15, 2009.
Growers with Production Insurance must look for every opportunity to harvest and market their corn crop to the best of their ability, the same way a grower without Production Insurance would do.
As long as customers open a damage report by December 15, 2009, their Production Insurance coverage will remain in effect until their crop is either harvested or proven to be unharvestable.
Some customers may choose to leave their crop in the field until a better harvest and market opportunity becomes available.
Growers with Production Insurance may qualify for a corn salvage benefit of $0.49 per bushel for their sample grade corn, up to their guaranteed production.
As of November 16, 2009, 858 customers have reported damage on 144,757 acres.
EIGHT RIDGETOWN CAMPUS STUDENTS HEADING TO BELIZE FOR STUDY TOUR
11/23/09
From a release - With a focus on industry and international development, eight students and two chaperones are preparing for a one week study trip to Belize, Central America where they will learn about agriculture, horticulture and international development.
“This is the first time a group of Ridgetown Campus students will have the opportunity to study abroad and earn an academic course credit. The trip will expose campus youth to Belize culture, industry, government, and development. It’s a great chance for students to broaden their understanding of the world. Many students are looking for this kind of learning experience when considering their post-secondary institution,” noted Liz Meidlinger, Manager, Communications.
The Ridgetown students will be guided by Les Frayne, a semi-retired farmer, who has previously taken University of Guelph, Guelph Campus students to Belize on study tours. Frayne is also a long-time volunteer with the SHARE Ag Foundation which has projects in Belize. The SHARE Agriculture Foundation provides funding, guidance, and expertise to community-based agricultural projects in developing countries around the world but with a particular focus on Central and South America.
Ridgetown students will see three SHARE development projects as well as citrus, banana and sugarcane production while travelling the small country.
RICHARDS NAMED AGRICULTURALISTS OF THE YEAR BY CHATHAM CHAMBER
11/23/09
Phil and Janet Richards of Dresden were named this year's recipients of the Agriculturalists of the Year award by the Chatham-Kent Chamber of Commerce.
The Richards are a successful farm couple involved in agriculture and organizations much of their adult lives.
Janet Richards has been associated with the Dresden Fair, 4-H and Farm Safety groups for numerous years. Phil Richards has participated in many roles with the Federation of Agriculture and the Vegetable Growers Marketing Board to name a few farm groups. He was also a graduate of the Ridgetown Campus and has been a key driver with development work at his alma mater.
Pays Tribute to another Agriculturalist
In making his acceptance speech, Phil Richards paid tribute to a former Ridgetown Campus professor and horticulturalist who recently passed away. Dr. Ron Pitblado (63) died November 11, 2009. Richards told the Chamber audience, "we're very fortunate to have Ridgetown College in our region; they offer world renowned scientists; and tonight I want to pay tribute to the loss of Dr. Ron Pitblado. His work for our industry was tremendous; particularly his efforts with the TOM-CAST program for tomato producers."
EXCELLENCE AWARD FOR AGRICULTURAL STUDENTS UP FOR GRABS
11/23/09
from the Canadian Farm Business Management Council
Are you (or do you know) a University or College student looking for the opportunity to enter a cash prize contest that will allow the participant to share their ideas? Send a video submission to the Excellence Award for Agricultural Students for your chance to earn $1000!
The Canadian Farm Business Management Council wants to help agricultural students develop their communication skills by providing them an opportunity to give an oral presentation on a subject related to farm management. The oral presentations will be submitted in form of a video blog sent in by email or regular mail. The email can contain the video itself or a link to the video on a site, such as YouTube.
Videos should include your name, year and field of study, program, and school attending. Your video should be 3-5 minutes in length and answer the question "How do changing consumer trends affect farm management responsibilities and styles?" The content should keep the attention of the audience while being informative and innovative.
The five winning videos will receive a $1,000 cash prize and will be posted on our Web site.
http://www.farmcentre.com/
For more information about this year's award go to this web address:
http://www.farmcentre.com/Features/TheNewFarmer.../apply.aspx
LIGHTS, CAMERA, TAKE FARM SAFETY ACTION
11/23/09
From a Release
4-H Ontario senior members set to produce farm safety “commercials”
The Canadian Agricultural Safety Association (CASA) recently granted $40,858.00 to 4-H Ontario for their project “Farm Safety – Through the Eyes of Youth”.
The project will allow select senior 4-H members from across Ontario to meet, research, write, star-in, direct and produce three (3) one minute Public Safety Announcements (PSA’s) on farm safety. The PSA’s will then be used to promote farm safety awareness at activities and events around the province, as well as within the 52 local 4-H Associations.
“Farm Safety – Through the Eyes of Youth” will involve the selected senior members in all aspects of the project, creating awareness and understanding – that they can then share with their networks – surrounding farm safety, bringing farm safety to the forefront through the eyes of youth.
The committee is slated to begin their first brainstorming weekend in early December, with the ultimate goal of launching and releasing DVD’s at the 4-H Ontario Conference and Annual Meeting in February 2010.
4-H Ontario believes when youth take action they make an impact. The impact created by these PSA’s will allow parents, siblings and friends to gain a better understanding of what farming safely actually means. By watching and learning from their own son/daughter, sibling or friend the message is sure to influence and inform them.
This project is funded in accordance with the Canadian Agricultural Safety Association and Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada‘s Federal Identity Program, Growing Forward framework.
FARM CASH RECEIPTS FOR 2009 ARE DOWN 4.2%
11/23/09
From StatsCan
Farm cash receipts for Canadian farmers totalled $32.8 billion between January and September, down 4.2% from the first nine months of 2008. Farm cash receipts include crop and livestock revenues plus program payments. All data are in current dollars.
Market receipts from the sale of crops and livestock amounted to $30.3 billion between January and September, down 2.0% from the first nine months of 2008. Livestock receipts fell 2.8% to $13.5 billion, while crop receipts declined 1.4% to $16.8 billion.
The decrease in crop receipts was due to a drop in grain and oilseed prices, as strong demand and production boosted sales. Grain and oilseed prices have continually slid since their recent peak in 2008. However, average prices for the period have remained at relatively high levels.
Potato receipts rose 24.8% for the first three quarters of 2009. Prices rose 30.7% with a drop in North American production in the fall of 2008.
Livestock receipts declined, as international exports fell for both cattle and hogs. Average cattle prices for the first three quarters of 2009 were 3.3% above the same period last year, while hog prices were 0.6% higher. This occurred despite declines in cattle and hog prices during the third quarter of 2009.
Canada's livestock sector has been affected by a strong Canadian dollar, concerns about the H1N1 flu virus, and US Country of Origin Labelling legislation, which has put downward pressure on US demand for live animals.
A 1.9% increase in receipts from the supply-managed sector moderated the decline in livestock receipts, due mainly to higher dairy and poultry prices. This sector accounts for more than 45% of total livestock receipts.
Program payments fell 24.5% to $2.4 billion during the first nine months of 2009. They declined in every province, except Quebec and British Columbia.
2008 FARM INCOME UP FOR SECOND STRAIGHT YEAR
11/23/09
From StatsCan
Realized net farm income (the difference between a farmer's cash receipts and operating expenses minus depreciation, plus income in kind) rose for a second consecutive year, reaching $3.6 billion in 2008. (All data are in current dollars.)
Realized net income was $1.6 billion higher (+79.2%) than it was in 2007. The impact of high grain and oilseed prices more than offset large increases in operating expenses.
Realized net income increased in Quebec, Ontario, Saskatchewan and Alberta. The remaining provinces all showed decreases over 2007 levels, as increases in expenses outpaced gains in receipts.
Market receipts (revenues from the sale of crops and livestock) increased 13.7% to $41.7 billion in 2008. Crop receipts increased 24.2% to $22.9 billion, while livestock receipts rose 3.1% to $18.8 billion.
On average, grain and oilseed prices remained well above 2007 levels, as strong demand and tight global supplies continued to fuel prices throughout the first half of 2008. However, prices fell from their summer-time highs as production increases in 2008 partially replenished global stocks.
Meanwhile, many livestock producers were adversely affected by higher feed costs and reduced prices resulting from the strong Canadian dollar vis-a-vis its American counterpart in the first part of 2008. There was also uncertainty over the Country of Origin Labelling law in the United States.
Revenue from hogs declined 2.8%, the fourth consecutive annual decrease, as both price and quantity sold fell from 2007 levels. Market receipts for cattle and calves increased 2.8% in 2008 as more cattle were exported into the United States; exports were up 13.2% over 2007.
Receipts for supply-managed commodities (dairy, poultry and eggs) rose 5.7% as increases in production costs pushed prices higher.
Overall, producers saw their operating costs increase 10.1% to $37.2 billion in 2008, the strongest annual rate of growth in expenses since 1981.
Prices for fertilizer, machinery fuel, and feed rose throughout much of the year, and as a result, expenses increased in every province. These three inputs accounted for more than two-thirds of the increase in operating expenses.
Total net income (realized net income plus the value of inventory change) amounted to $6.6 billion in 2008, up $5.6 billion from 2007, despite declines in six provinces. Net income increased in Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta.
An increase in the farmer-owned inventories of crops was the primary factor behind the rise. Record yields for many crops boosted production in Ontario and the Prairie provinces.
Agriculture's net value added rose by $5.9 billion to $15.5 billion in 2008. The main contributors were higher grain and oilseed prices and strong crop production.
SYNGENTA GM MAIZE FAILS TO GET EU MINISTERS' BACKING
11/23/09
From Reuters
BRUSSELS -- EU farm ministers failed on Friday to agree whether to approve a genetically modified maize made by Swiss firm Syngenta, paving the way for default approval by the European Commission, an official said.
Approval of the GMO maize type MIR604 is crucial for the resumption of imports of soybean and soymeal needed by livestock farmers, animal feed importers have said.
'There was no qualified majority for or against so it goes back to the Commission, which will decide,' the EU official said.
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TekTalk
STUDYING FERTILIZERS TO CUT GREENHOUSE GASES
11/18/09
From ARS News Service
Agricultural Research Service (ARS) scientists have found that using alternative types of fertilizers can cut back on greenhouse gas emissions, at least in one part of the country.
They are currently examining whether the alternatives offer similar benefits nationwide.
Nitrogen fertilizers are often a necessity for ensuring sufficient crop yields, but their use leads to release of nitrous oxide, a major greenhouse gas, into the atmosphere. Fertilizer use is one reason an estimated 78 percent of the nation's nitrous oxide emissions come from agriculture, according to Ardell Halvorson, a soil scientist at the ARS Soil Plant Nutrient Research Laboratory in Fort Collins, Colo.
Halvorson compared nitrous oxide emissions from corn fields treated with either a conventional nitrogen fertilizer (urea) or either of two specially formulated urea fertilizers-one with "controlled release" polymer-coated pellets, and the other with inhibitors added to "stabilize" the urea to keep more of it in the soil as ammonium for a longer period.
In a two-year experiment at Fort Collins, he collected the emissions using static vented chambers, similar to small "pillbox" structures placed over the soil. He chose a no-till cropping system because it's known to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. He found that the controlled-release fertilizer cut nitrous oxide emissions by a third, and that the stabilized fertilizer cut them almost in half.
Halvorson's results are so far limited to the irrigated fields and cool, semi-arid conditions in and around Fort Collins. But nitrous oxide releases are the result of a complex interplay of conditions that vary from one area to the next, such as soil water content, soil temperatures, soil types, microbial activity, climactic conditions and rainfall patterns. So Halvorson is expanding the study, with support from the fertilizer industry and cooperation of other ARS locations, to see how the fertilizers respond at seven sites around the United States.
IT'S A GAS: NEW DISCOVERY MAY LEAD TO HEARTIER, HIGH-YIELDING PLANTS
11/23/09
From Genetics Society of America
In a research report published in the November 2009 issue of the journal GENETICS (http://www.genetics.org), scientists show how a family of genes (1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate synthase, or ACS genes) are responsible for production of ethylene. This gas affects many aspects of plant development, and this information lays the foundation for future genetic manipulation that could make plants disease resistant, able to survive and thrive in difficult terrain, increase yields, and other useful agronomical outcomes. This discovery was made with the weed Arabidopsis thaliana, but it will be applicable to plants used in agriculture.
"I hope that this work will provide insights into how a set of genes work together like a finely tuned symphony to regulate plant growth because we may be able to use such knowledge to engineer plants more suited to our changing world," said Athanasios Theologis, a senior scientist at the Plant Gene Expression Center of the U.S.
Department of Agriculture and the senior researcher involved in the work. "This is critically important because as the human population grows, we may need to produce more food in the same or in less space."
To understand the function and regulatory roles of each ACS gene in ethylene production during plant development, scientists from Theologis' laboratory analyzed the essential and nonessential roles of each of the family of Arabidopsis ACS genes. They found that while loss of any single ACS gene had no visible effect on the plant, it did affect the activity of other genes in the family. They grew different plants that had different combinations of these genes "turned on" and "turned off" and found that the members of this gene family have different but overlapping functions in plant development, such as growth, flowering time, gravitostimulation, and disease resistance.
"Ethylene gas is best known for causing fruit to ripen," said Mark Johnston, Editor-in-Chief of the journal GENETICS, "but the molecule is critical to development and growth of plants. By revealing how plants regulate the amount of ethylene they produce, this study gives scientists an entirely new genetic approach for developing heartier, more productive crops. This is becoming increasingly important as our planet warms and our population grows."
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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 - Agricultural Solutions for Energy: Biomass Date - November 24, 2009 Time - 11:30 AM Place - Ridgetown Campus Website - http://www.research2receptor.com/ridgetown.html
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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
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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 - “AGRICULTURAL SOLUTIONS FOR ENERGY: BIOMASS” Date - November 24, 2009 Place - Ridgetown Campus Website - www.research2receptor.com
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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
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Event - National Farmers Union Convention Date - November 26,2009 to November 28, 2009 Time - All Day Event Place - Ottawa Website - www.nfu.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 - Growing Your Farm Profits (GYFP) workshop-Kent, Day 2 Dec. 8 Date - December 1, 2009 Time - All Day Event Place - Kent Contact Name - Ron Faubert 519-352-1285 Email - kent@ontariosoilcrop.org
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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
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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
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Event - Kent Federation of Agriculture's Annual Meeting Date - December 4, 2009 Time - 12:00 PM Place - Ridgetown Campus, Willson Hall Contact Name - KFA 519-674-1595 Email - kent@ofa.on.ca
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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 - Growing Your Farm Profits (GYFP) workshop-Essex, Day 2 Jan. 18 Date - January 11, 2010 Time - All Day Event Place - Essex Contact Name - Ernie Konrad, 519-825-4588 Email - essex@ontariosoilcrop.org
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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 - 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
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Event - Grain Farmers of Ontario, Annual Meeting-Essex Date - January 25, 2010 Time - 9:00 AM Place - St. John's Parish Hall, Woodslee
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Event - Grain Farmers of Ontario, Annual Meeting-Middlesex Date - January 26, 2010 Time - 9:00 AM Place - Coldstream Community Centre
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Event - Grain Farmers of Ontario, Elgin/Norfolk Date - January 27, 2010 Time - 9:30 AM Place - Tillsonburg Community Centre
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Event - Grain Farmers of Ontario, Kent Date - January 28, 2010 Time - 9:00 AM Place - Countryview Golf Course, Oungah
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Event - Grain Farmers of Ontario, Lambton Date - January 28, 2010 Time - 6:00 PM Place - Wyoming Legion
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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
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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 - Growing Your Farm Profits (GYFP) workshop-Middlesex, Day 2 Feb. 11 Date - February 4, 2010 Time - All Day Event Place - Middlesex Contact Name - Margaret May 519-287-5334 Email - middlesex@ontariosoilcrop.org
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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
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Event - Growing Your Farm Profits (GYFP) workshop-Lambton, Day 2 Feb. 23 Date - February 16, 2010 Time - All Day Event Place - Lambton Contact Name - Allan Butler 519-692-5399 Email - lambton@ontariosoilcrop.org
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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
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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 - Growing Your Farm Profits (GYFP) workshop-Elgin, Day 2 Feb. 25 Date - February 18, 2010 Time - All Day Event Place - Elgin Contact Name - Margaret May, 519-287-5334 Email - elgin@ontariosoilcrop.org
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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/
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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
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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
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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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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
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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
