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FROSTY MONDAY FOR MUCH OF ONTARIO AGRICULTURE
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Frost clearly set in much of Ontario on Monday (May 10, 2010) but was it cold enough to do damage?Reports of temperatures as low as 27f at Cedar Springs and we are sure much lower away from Lake Erie would indicate some crops have been affected.
By all accounts over 90% of the Ontario corn crop is planted with much of it above ground. "Just because corn is blackened and ugly that is done for," says OMAFRA's corn specialist Greg Stewart. "The growing point is still below ground and I do not think temperatures dipped low enough to kill the corn plant," he added.
Although no numbers were available at press time, there are soybeans that would have been frozen of completely and will need to be replanted.
Orchard crops are certainly vulnerable to frost at this time of year and according to DelHaven Orchards owner, Hector Delanghe, pears, sweet and sour cherry buds and strawberries were all nipped. He thinks apples are OK. "I'd estimate 30-40% of the pears and cherries were frozen and the first flush of strawberries and some blossoms were killed by the cold," he said.
Delanghe and his fellow fruit farmers were running irrigation much of the night to fight the icy fingers of Jack Frost. "I didn't start watering early enough and I have more damage because of that," he stated. He said some of his neighbours started their irrigation at 1 a.m. and appear to have won out. Delanghe said he started his pumps at 3 a.m.
BROKEN PROMISE FOR LOCAL ABATTOIRS
05/05/10
From a release - QUEEN’S PARK – Ernie Hardeman, MPP for Oxford and critic for Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, today asked the Minister of Agriculture why the McGuinty government had failed to deliver the promised support to local abattoirs.
“If you care so much about local food and food safety why – according to your estimates - are you spending $4.3 million less this year to help small abattoirs meet the new regulations?” asked Hardeman.
The Minister boasted about previous support for local abattoirs, but Hardeman pointed out that Public Accounts and Estimates documents released by the government showed that 25% of the funding had not been delivered. The Minister claimed that the government had spent $25.3 million when documents show it was less than $17.5 million.
“Over a quarter of the money that you are claiming credit for never actually went out the door,” said Hardeman. “Now that you have been found out will you apologize to our small abattoirs and use the rest of the money you announced to help them? Or are you writing off the rest of Ontario’s small abattoirs?”
Many small abattoirs have indicated that they can’t afford to meet the government’s new regulations without assistance. Some of them have already closed or indicated that may be their only option. One government MPP even wrote to the Agriculture Minister to “implore” that she look for solutions on the regulations.
“We understand that for Ontario farmers to succeed they need processing capacity and that the many small abattoirs across the province are an important part of that system,” said Hardeman. “It is simply unfair for the government to impose heavy regulations and then mislead people about how much support they have provided for small businesses trying to meet that burden.”
MITCHELL PORK PLANT GETS HELP FROM CANADA'S ECONOMIC ACTION PLAN
05/04/10
From Farms.com
MITCHELL, Ontario - Canada's Economic Action Plan is delivering real results for hog farmers and the meat processing sector in Ontario. Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz and Member of Parliament Gary Schellenberger (Perth-Wellington) announced an investment of nearly $4.5 million to help Great Lakes Specialty Meats of Canada Inc. improve and expand its facility allowing the company to pursue new niche markets.
"Canadian farmers have a great product to sell and there is growing demand for it worldwide," said Minister Ritz. "That is why our Government continues to make key investments to drive innovation that will grow new opportunities for our producers and packers."
This funding will be used by Great Lakes Specialty Meats of Canada Inc. to improve plant capabilities to produce high quality value added products using modern and efficient equipment and technology such as the leading traceability systems for improved food safety. These improvements will position Great Lakes Specialty Meats of Canada Inc. to increase sales of its high quality Canadian pork products and be competitive in the marketplace. This will create more jobs in the Mitchell area and keep hog processing in Southern Ontario.
"By providing resources to allow Great Lakes Specialty Meats of Canada Inc. to fill niche demands, the farmers of Perth-Wellington and surrounding region will benefit from expanded markets," said MP Schellenberger. "Investing in a stronger meat packing and processing sector in Canada benefits the entire value chain."
"We commend the Government of Canada for recognizing the importance of improving processing capabilities in Canada through the Slaughter Improvement Program," said David Schwartz, President of Great Lakes Specialty Meats of Canada Inc. "Improving and expanding the production capabilities at Great Lakes Specialty Meats will help us supply the increasing demand for value added pork products - domestically and internationally - and will ultimately mean more jobs for people in the Mitchell area."
NATIVE GRASSES CONSIDERED FOR NEXT FUEL SOURCE
05/10/10
While electricity suppliers experiment with all types of feed stock to run power plants, there is one group of conservation minded supporters pitching Tall Grass Prairie as our next source of energy.
That is the idea behind a conference being held at Ridgetown Campus on May 25. According to organizer Lindsay Buchanan, the Assistant Stewardship Co-ordinator for the Rural Lambton Stewardship Network, this conference will focus on promoting the planting of the native grasses on wasteland for the purpose of providing habitat for wild fowl, soil conservation and as a potential fuel source for former coal-burning power plants such as the one at the Ontario Power Generation (OPG) Courtright plant on the St. Clair River.
In fact, Buchanan says one of the speakers is from OPG to address the topic of alternative fuels.
The program begins at 9:30 a.m. at the Ridgetown Campus. For further information about the program, contact Wendy Kubinec at 519-354-1588.
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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
90% + OF ONTARIO CORN PLANTED!-OMAFRA
05/10/10
Ed. Note: Here is a synopsis of this week's OMAFRA Field Crop Report dated May 5, 2010
CORN: Greg Stewart
Approximately 90 % of the corn acreage was planted by May 5. Corn planted mid-April is closing in on 180 CHU in most areas and emerging this week. Precipitation levels in April were generally below average, resulting in favourable soil conditions for early corn root growth.
Pre-emerge herbicide products will need to be applied before early emerging weeds get too far advanced for the label. This may be an excellent year to identify alfalfa fields with diminished stands and then take a first cut and immediately plant to corn. Research indicates no-till practices are effective in this scenario if soil moisture is relatively good; in dry conditions some tillage before planting corn is recommended.
SOYBEANS: Horst Bohner
Approximately 10-12% of the soybean crop has been planted. Late April planted beans are now emerging nicely. If soil conditions are fit there is no reason to wait on the calendar to plant soybeans.
The decision to pack before or after planting, or following emergence should be based on soil conditions. Packing helps to firm the soil so moisture can move up, benefiting crop emergence and uniformity. Packing creates a very fine surface that could easily seal and crust with heavy rains. It is usually less harmful to roll before planting and then plant, so the zone directly above the seed is not over-packed.
CEREALS: Peter Johnson and Scott Banks
Advanced wheat is at full flag leaf (GS 39). Harvest will begin in the last week of June in these fields. The value of seed placed starter fertilizer continues to be evident, with significant evidence of corn row syndrome. Disease development remains minimal, with powdery mildew increasing in lush fields or susceptible varieties. A trace of septoria has been detected on lower leaves.
Some stand loss is occurring in shallow planted stands with frost heave and little rain to promote root development. Yellow wheat is showing in many fields. Manganese (Mn), Magnesium, pH, and other issues are involved. Careful diagnosis is required (see Squirt Test article in current CropPest). Weed control is now late and any yield loss impact has already occurred. Timing is perfect for early fungicide applications. Recent Ontario research shows a 2 to 5 bu/ac yield increase from an early (T1) fungicide application, with higher response resulting when higher nitrogen rates have been applied. Begin scouting for cereal leaf beetle in traditional cereal leaf beetle areas.
Advanced spring cereal fields are at the leaf erect stage (GS 29-30). Weed control should be a priority. Target the 3 to 5 leaf stage (GS 13-21) for the best results and the highest yield impacts. No-till fields with heavy dandelion pressure should be sprayed with dichlorprop/2,4-D for best control (do not use on oats). If tank-mixing grass and broadleaf herbicides, avoid application during periods of cool, cloudy weather or significant injury can occur.
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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 - CANADIAN MEAT GOAT ASSOCIATION Date - May 14,2010 to May 15, 2010 Time - 12:00 PM Place - Festival Inn, Stratford, Ontario Contact Name - Canadian Meat Goat Association • Box 61, Annaheim, SK S0K 0G0 Canada • Tel (306) 598-4322 • Fax (306) 598-8901
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Event - RABIES VACCINATION CLINIC Date - May 15, 2010 Time - 9:30 AM Place - Oil Springs Fire Hall 4589 Oil Springs Line Contact Name - 519 383-8331, toll free 1-800-667-1839 Website - www.lambtonhealth.on.ca
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Event - “The Power of Prairie” Tallgrass Prairie for Biofuel Conference Date - May 25, 2010 Time - 9:00 AM Place - Ridgetown Campus, University of Guelph Contact Name - Wendy Kubinec @ 519-354-1588 Email - wendy.kubinec@ontario.ca
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Event - RABIES VACCINATION CLINIC Date - May 29, 2010 Time - 9:30 AM Place - Enniskillen Township Public Works Garage 4465 Rokeby Line Contact Name - 519 383-8331, toll free 1-800-667-1839 Website - www.lambtonhealth.on.ca
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Event - Growing Forward Business Development for Farm Businesses - Information Session Date - May 31, 2010 Time - 9:30 AM Place - Ridgetown Campus, University of Guelph Contact Name - OMAFRA’s Agricultural Information Contact Centre (AICC) at 1-877-424-1300 Website - http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/busdev/gfwd...-advbus.htm
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Event - CAFA’s 6th Annual Ontario Conference Date - June 1,2010 to June 2, 2010 Time - All Day Event Place - Stratford Website - www.cafanet.com
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Event - CAFA’s 6th Annual Ontario Provincial Conference Date - June 1,2010 to June 2, 2010 Place - River Garden Inn, Stratford Contact Name - Liz Robertson, M.A.
CAFA Executive Director, 1-877-474-2871
Email - info@cafanet.com Website - www.cafanet.com
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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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Event - Soil & Water Management Workshop Date - June 29, 2010 Place - London-St. Thomas area Contact Name - Woodstock OMAFRA Resource Centre, 519-537-6621 Alt Contact Name - Agricultural Information Contact Centre, 1-877-424-1300
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Event - SouthWest Crop Diagnostic Day Date - July 7,2010 to July 8, 2010 Time - All Day Event Place - Ridgetown Campus, University of Guelph Website - www.diagnosticdays.ca
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Event - Progressive Agriculture / Chatham-Kent Farm Safety Day Date - July 21, 2010 Time - All Day Event Place - Ridgetown Campus, University of Guelph Contact Name - Sue Kelner 519-674-1584 Email - skelner@ridgetwonc.uoguelph.ca
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Event - Southern Ontario Draft Horse Basic Workshop Date - August 12,2010 to August 14, 2010 Time - All Day Event Place - Sparta near St. Thomas at Orchard Hill Farm Contact Name - Ken Laing, 519-775-2670 Email - kmlaing@orchardhillfarm.ca Website - www.orchardhillfarm.ca
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Event - Is the Coast Clear? – 6th Annual Conference on Lake Huron coastal environment Date - August 20, 2010 Time - 9:00 AM Place - Oakwood Conference Centre, Grand Bend Website - www.lakehuron.ca
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Event - Southern Ontario Draft Horse Basic Workshop Date - September 9,2010 to September 11, 2010 Time - All Day Event Place - Sparta near St. Thomas at Orchard Hill Farm Contact Name - Ken Laing, 519-775-2670 Email - kmlaing@orchardhillfarm.ca Website - www.orchardhillfarm.ca
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Event - Outdoor Farm Show Date - September 14,2010 to September 16, 2010 Time - 1:00 PM Place - Woodstock-Canada's Outdoor Park Website - http://www.outdoorfarmshow.com/
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Event - International Plowing Match & Farm Machinery Show Date - September 21,2010 to September 25, 2010 Time - All Day Event Place - Elgin – St. Thomas Website - http://www.ipm2010.com/
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Event - Royal Winter Fair Date - November 5,2010 to November 14, 2010 Time - All Day Event Place - Exhibition Place, Toronto Website - www.royalfair.org
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Event - Agr. & Rural Energy Expo Date - November 6,2010 to November 7, 2010 Time - All Day Event Place - REACH Huron in Clinton Website - www.reachhuron.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
