cktimes.ca Archives for Agrilink
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$1.25 MILLION BEAN QUALITY RESEARCH PROJECT LED BY RIDGETOWN SCIENTIST
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
AgriLinkLast week, the federal government announced an $800,000 research grant for a project looking into ways to improve bean quality through various dry-down techniques. The project is headed up by Ridgetown Campus scientist, Chris Gillard. Coupled to this is a $500,000infusion coming from bean industry associations, agribusiness and producers.
The announcement was made by Bev Shipley, MPP for Lambton-Kent Middlesex at the Huron Research Station at Exeter. “We want to help farmers succeed by creating new opportunities for Canadian producers through investment and innovation. I’ve been a dry bean producer and I know what this investment means to this industry,” says Shipley.
Canada is the fourth largest exporter of dry beans in the world, valued at $136 million annually.
Getting beans to mature evenly is important for top quality and growers often use herbicides to aid in the dry-down process. Chris Gillard says they need to get more information on timing and application rates of the various spray products. “The objective of this research is to provide new environmentally and economically sustainable harvest-aid programs for dry beans that will provide the best quality for our customers,” says Gillard.
Along with Gillard, the research team includes Dr. Peter Sikkema also of the Ridgetown Campus, Dr. Robert Gulden, University of Manitoba and Dr. Robert Blackshaw, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Lethbridge, Alberta. Most of the actual research will take place at the Ridgetown Campus’ Huron Research Station at Exeter.
WIND GETS CLEAN BILL OF HEALTH
12/15/09
From the Toronto Star
The most thorough study to date into the potential health effects of living near wind turbines says the evidence so far is clear: they don't directly make people sick.
But the independent expert panel that prepared the wind-industry study, to be released today, conceded that some people can get stressed out by the "swishing" sound wind turbines often make.
"A small minority of those exposed report annoyance and stress associated with noise perception," the panel concluded, pointing to similar annoyances that can come from highway or city traffic, local industry and airplanes. "Annoyance is not a disease."
New Ontario rules require all wind turbines to be set back at least 550 metres from the nearest residence to assure noise levels do not exceed 40 decibels. That's less than the noise that comes from light car traffic on a residential street, but some say it's not enough.
The 85-page study, commissioned by the Canadian Wind Energy Association and American Wind Energy Association, is bound to be dismissed by wind critics as more industry-funded propaganda. But the seven academic and medical experts who conducted the analysis say they were completely independent in reaching their conclusions.
"We were not told to find anything," said panel expert David Colby, officer of public health in Chatham-Kent and a professor of medicine at the University of Western Ontario. "It was completely open ended."
Among their findings:
Symptoms from what some call "wind turbine syndrome" are no different than symptoms observed in the general population from the day-to-day stresses of life. These symptoms include headaches, insomnia, anxiety, dizziness, and ringing in the ears.
All survey-based studies designed to support the existence of wind turbine syndrome are not scientifically valid because they have no control group – those who participate are self-selected and at risk of bias.
The low frequencies and very low-frequency "infrasound" that wind turbines give off are all around us, whether from outside traffic, the appliances that operate in our homes, the beating of our own hearts, or the wind itself. They are not unique, and do not pose a risk to human health.
Colby said the evidence was so scant that the wind associations have been unable to convince government agencies to do their own studies. It's no surprise, he said. "Why would we waste money on doing studies to further examine this?"
But Ellen Michelson, a federal Green Party candidate for central Toronto, said the small group of people with concerns shouldn't be so easily dismissed. Admittedly pro-wind, Michelson spent a week last month living near a wind farm in Norfolk County and said she could occasionally hear the wind turbines.
It didn't bother her. "I slept like a baby," she said. At the same time, she sensed that people were mostly stressed because of their lack of control.
Colby agreed that lack of control could trigger stress, but a line must be drawn somewhere.
"You can't control the amount of cars going by and wind turbine noise is generally quieter than highway noise."
The panel included Robert Dobie, a doctor and clinical professor at the University of Texas, Geoff Leventhall, a noise vibration and acoustics expert in the United Kingdom, Bo Sondergaard, with Danish Electronics Light and Acoustics, and Michael Seilo, a professor of audiology at Western Washington University.
Also on the panel was Robert McCunney, a scientist in the department of biological engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, who took issue with claims that low-frequency sounds from turbines can cause vibrations that impact health. "It doesn't really have much credence, at least based on the literature out there," he said.
The study also explored the power of suggestion, and how the media's coverage of alleged wind-turbine sickness can create "anticipatory fear" in affected communities.
Robert Hornung, president of the Canadian Wind Energy Association, said the expert panel is expected to submit the paper this year for publication in a peer-reviewed journal.
GFO TO BE PROCLAIMED JANUARY 1, 2010
12/21/09
AgriLink
Some 28,000 grain farmers will have one body to represent them come New Year’s Day, 2010. That’s the date the province will enact officially, the Grain Farmers of Ontario (GFO) as Ontario’s largest commodity board. It will be an amalgamation of the three former groups; the Ontario Soybean Growers, the Ontario Corn Producers and the Ontario Wheat Producers’ Marketing Board.
An interim board of directors will be appointed by the province to oversee the operations until regional elections are completed in early February.
According to GFO spokesperson and Chief Executive Officer, Barry Senft, “GFO will ensure our members have a strong voice on provincial and national issues as well as offering programs and services that add value to their business”.
Senft urged Ontario grain farmers to get out to their January regional meetings and help elect leaders to ensure the new organization is built from the ground up. Dates for those meetings are listed in the AgriLink coming events column as well as at the website: www.gfo.ca or in their magazine, the Ontario Grain Farmer.
FARM SAFETY: DON’T LISTEN TO IT!
12/15/09
From a Release - Ottawa– Don’t listen to sounds over 85 decibels (db) – it’s not safe! That is the key message in support of this year’s farm safety theme, along with free earplugs to be given away to the farming community.
“Personal Protective Equipment only works if you use it!” is the 2009 Canadian Agricultural Safety campaign theme with a focus on the use, fit and access of personal protective equipment (PPE) in agriculture. The yearlong campaign was launched last March with Canadian Agricultural Safety Week.
“Hearing damage is permanent so hearing protection is a very important part of farm safety,” says Marcel Hacault, Executive Director of the Canadian Agricultural Safety Association (CASA). “There are all kinds of very loud machines and other noises in agriculture, so it is imperative that producers do all they can to protect their hearing while they have it.”
CASA has partnered with the Canadian Federation of Agriculture, 3M Canada, and Pioneer Hi-Bred Limited to offer free earplugs to farms, agri-businesses and organizations across Canada. Organizations and large agri-businesses can get up to 100 pairs for free and farmers and smaller businesses can get 20 pairs. Additional earplugs are available on a cost recovery basis for $6 per fifty pairs, including S&H, GST extra. Anyone interested in ordering should email farmsafety@cfafca.ca or call 613-822-0016 while quantities last.
So how loud is too loud? As a rule of thumb, if you feel the need to shout in order to be heard one metre away, the noise levels are probably 85 decibels or more and hearing protectors are recommended.
A downloadable poster on earplug fitting instructions is available at http://www.casa-acsa.ca/english/PDF/Hearing%20...Posters.pdf or go to the CASA www.casa-acsa.ca .
COMMENTARY-CHRISTMAS WISH (NEED) LIST OF FARMERS
12/17/09
This week's guest commentary comes from Bette Jean Crews, President, Ontario Federation of Agriculture
The Christmas season is traditionally a time for giving and being generous and loving – that is how families normally act at this time of year.
But, Ontario farmers are facing an expanding list of things they need to survive, and they are counting on the Ontario Federation of Agriculture to negotiate with governments to provide the basics. As president of OFA, I work among the province’s farmers every day. I hear what they are saying and I understand the urgency of the needs they articulate.
Recently, I met with a group of commodity leaders who made it quite clear what they need if their farmers are going to survive. These leaders represent a large number of hog and beef producers and those in the horticulture sector – producers of fruits and vegetables. They have been working towards risk management programs that would provide some stability to their sectors.
We worked with grains and oilseeds leaders and were successful in having risk management programs introduced for them.
Our minister, the Hon. Leona Dombrowsky, has stated a willingness to do the same type of risk management programming for the livestock and horticulture sectors, but before that can happen she needs to see a willing federal partner at the table. Before that can happen, OFA, the commodity groups and Ontario farmers will have to apply a lot of pressure at the federal level.
Premier McGuinty has told me and the leaders of Ontario’s commodity groups that he shares our vision for agriculture playing an expanded role in the province’s economic future. That will certainly be an answer to one of agriculture’s big wishes.
Setting out the goals and objectives for the industry’s future will surely be part of establishing an agricultural strategy, not just provincially, but nationally. The premier has given agriculture greater hope for the future with his promise to be involved as an agriculture strategy is developed by OFA and CFA.
OFA’s 38,000 members are being called upon to play a more significant role in engaging all levels of government in the development of a National Food Strategy.
Other important matters on our farm families’ wish list this Christmas are:
• fair property taxation that shows an understanding by government of what farming is;
• fair compensation for wildlife and predator damage on Ontario farms;
• a plan by the Ministry of Natural Resources to adequately manage the wildlife population that is causing so much damage and loss on our Ontario farms;
• fair compensation for land taken out of production to provide wildlife habitat and source water protection areas;
• the right for Ontario’s fruit wine producers to market their product at farmers’ markets;
• we need the federal government to eliminate the excise tax on farm fuel to help farmers deal with input cost increases;
• farmers need action by our governments to ensure labels on food in the stores properly identify the country of origin so Canadian consumers can buy domestically-produced food where possible.
We know there will be costs associated with many of the items on our wish list, but the returns generated to those in the food chain through taxes to governments will make it worthwhile. Christmas is the right time for giving and receiving.
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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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AgriLink Upcoming Events
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Event - Junior Farmer Information Night Date - December 28, 2009 Time - 8:00 PM Place - Shedden, Keystone Complex Contact Name - Barclay Nap., JFAO, Guelph, ON, 519-223-1287 Email - bnap@jfao.on.ca Website - www.jfao.on.ca
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Event - Elgin Cattlemens’ Association Annual Meeting Date - January 6, 2010 Time - 6:00 PM Place - Wallacetown United Church
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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 - CAFA Meeting with Victor Aideyan Date - January 6, 2010 Time - 7:30 AM Place - Ridgetown Campus, Willson Hall lower level Contact Name - Barry G. Fraser P.Ag. CAC CAFA
RR#3 Chatham ON N7M5J3
Tel: 519-351-0328
Fax: 519-351-0328
Email - bfraser1@ciaccess.com Website - www.barryfraser.ca
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Event - 12th Annual Beef Industry Convention Date - January 7,2010 to January 9, 2010 Time - All Day Event Place - London, Best Western Lamplighter Inn, Wellington Road Contact Name - www.ontariocornfedbeef.com
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Event - Elgin County Holstein Club Annual Meeting Date - January 8, 2010 Time - 10:30 AM Place - Belmont, St. James Presbyterian Church
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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 - Middlesex Holstein Annual/Barn Meeting Date - January 13, 2010
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Event - Ag-Alert Seminar Date - January 13, 2010 Time - 7:00 PM Place - Elma Community Centre, Atwood on Highway #23 South of Listowel Contact Name - DePutter Publishing 1.800.434.0834
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Event - LAMBTON CATTLEMEN ANNUAL Date - January 13, 2010 Time - 6:00 PM Place - Wyoming Fairgrounds Contact Name - Tammy VanTroost, Tel 519-864-4449
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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 - Ag-Alert Seminar Date - January 14, 2010 Time - 7:00 PM Place - Best Western Stoneridge Inn, South of Lambeth on Highway # 4 at 401, Exit 177A Contact Name - DePutter Publishing 1.800.434.0834
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Event - Elgin SCIA Annual Meeting Date - January 14, 2010 Time - 9:30 AM Place - Shedden, Keystone Complex Contact Name - Margaret May Email - elgin@ontariosoilcrop.org
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Event - LAMBTON SOIL AND CROP IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION Annual Membership and Education Meeting Date - January 15, 2010 Place - Brooke Alvinston Inwood Community Complex Alvinston, Ontario Contact Name - Bonnie Marriott @ 519-882-3215
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Event - Middlesex County Farm and Home Safety Council Annual Meeting Date - January 20, 2010 Time - 6:30 PM Place - Sengenta Headquarters, Arva
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Event - Zone 3 Egg Producers Annual Meeting Date - January 21, 2010 Time - 6:30 PM Place - Mount Elgin Community Centre, Mount Elgin
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Event - Middlesex Cattlemens’ Annual Meeting Date - January 21, 2010 Time - 6:00 PM Place - Ailsa Craig Community Centre
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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 - Zone 2 Egg Producers Annual Meeting Date - January 25, 2010 Time - 6:00 PM Place - Coldstream Community Centre
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Event - Agriculture Health and Safety 202 presented by IAPA Date - January 26, 2010 Time - 7:45 AM Place - Chatham-Kent Chamber of Commerce, 54 Fourth St., Chatham Contact Name - 519-352-7540 Email - info@chatham-kentchamber.ca
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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 - AGRISUCCESS WORKSHOP-Farm Financial Management - Statements and Ratios Date - January 27, 2010 Place - Holiday Inn, London - 864 Exeter Road Contact Name - FCC at 1-888-332-3301 Website - www.AgriSuccess.ca
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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 - Ontario Forum on Agri-Food Traceability Date - January 28, 2010 Place - Cambridge Contact Name - 1-877-424-1300 Website - http://www.ontario.ca/traceforum
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Event - 29th Annual Organic Agriculture Conference Date - January 28,2010 to January 31, 2009 Place - Guelph University Centre Contact Name - 519-824-4120 x56205 Email - organix@georgian.net Website - www.guelphorganicconf.ca
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Event - Lambton County Pork Producers Annual Meeting Date - January 29, 2010 Time - 10:30 AM Place - Centennial Hall, Watford Contact Name - Anna-Lee Straatman 519-849-5611 Email - ajstraatman@brktel.on.ca
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Event - Middlesex Pork Producers' Annual Meeting, Date - February 1, 2010 Time - 7:00 PM Place - Coldstream Community Centre
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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 - Elgin Pork Producers’ Annual Meeting Date - February 3, 2010 Time - 7:30 PM Place - Shedden, Keystone Complex
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Event - District 1 Sheep Meeting Date - February 4, 2010 Time - 8:00 PM Place - Coldstream Community Centre Contact Name - Bill Duffield
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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 - Elgin Federation of Agriculture Banquet & Dance Date - February 6, 2010 Time - 6:00 PM Place - St. Anne's Centre, St. Thomas
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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 - Innovative Farmers Association of Ontario Conference Date - February 17,2010 to February 18, 2010 Place - London, Best Western Lamplighter Inn, Wellington Road Website - http://www.ifao.com/
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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 - Advanced Agricultural Leadership Program Winter Magic Dream Auction Date - February 20, 2010 Place - Delta Guelph Hotel and Conference Centre Contact Name - 519-826-4204
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Event - Quest for New Farm Value – Value Plus™, Day Two March 1 Date - February 22, 2010 Place - Mt Brydges Caradoc Community Centre Contact Name - call 1-877-424-1300 Website - http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/busdev/conf.../index.html
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Event - Middlesex Soil and Crop Annual Meeting, Date - February 23, 2010 Time - 9:00 AM Place - Coldstream Community Centre
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Event - Business Planning Workshop Date - February 23, 2010 Time - 7:45 AM Place - Chatham-Kent Chamber of Commerce, 54 Fourth St., Chatham Contact Name - 519-352-7540 Email - info@chatham-kentchamber.ca
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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 - Ontario Cattlemen’s Association Annual Meeting Date - February 24,2010 to February 25, 2010 Time - All Day Event Place - Doubletree by Hilton - Toronto Airport Website - http://cattle.guelph.on.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 - Ontario 4-H Annual General Meeting Date - February 27, 2010 Place - Waterloo Inn and Conference Centre, Waterloo
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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 - Elgin County Conference Series: Evolution of the Harvest Date - March 3, 2010 Place - Elgin County Contact Name - 519-631-1260 ext 164
Website - www.progressivebynature.com
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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 to March 12, 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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Event - London Swine Conference Date - March 31,2010 to April 1, 2010 Time - All Day Event Place - London Convention Centre Website - http://www.londonswineconference.ca/
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Event - Poultry Industry Conference and Exhibition Date - April 14,2010 to April 15, 2010 Time - All Day Event Place - Western Fair Grounds, London Website - http://www.westernfair.com/shows/poultry.html
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Event - Annual Ontario Pork Congress Date - June 23,2010 to June 24, 2010 Time - All Day Event Place - Stratford Website - www.porkcongress.on.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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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
