Tuesday, March 9, 2010
From a Release - GUELPH – The Grain Farmers of Ontario (GFO) was the first to offer support for Trent University’s Centre for Knowledge in the Environment pledging $500,000 for biomaterials research and development. A powerful domino effect has resulted from this initial funding with government and private contributions now in excess of $4.25 million. Most recently, Dr. Suresh Narine, the champion of this initiative, was awarded one of two $1.25 million Ontario Research Chairs in Green Chemistry and Engineering by the Council of Ontario Universities (COU) Ontario Research Chairs Selection Panel. As Ontario Research Chair, Dr. Narine will receive funding of $250,000 a year for five years from the Ontario Ministry of the Environment. GFO holds two seats on the Trent University Biomaterials Research Advisory Council (RAC) to provide direction on future research projects. GFO will also be allocated a percentage of any commercialization royalties resulting from these projects. All money received from royalties will be reinvested in biomaterial research and development. The Trent program will have a big pay-off for soybean growers. “A key focus of the research is to establish new markets for soybean oil, particularly in the pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and lubricant industries” says Dale Petrie, VP Strategic Development at GFO. “Through segmentation of specialty-trait soybeans, value and demand for specific oil profiles will increase, leading to identity preserved (IP) premiums in the price per bushel.” The current operating money for the program is more than eight times the initial GFO funding. GFO congratulates Trent University and Dr. Narine for this accomplishment and is excited to learn new, innovative uses for soybean based bio-products. SHARING THE WEALTH OF GREEN ENERGY 03/05/10 Today's Guest Commentary comes from Nathan Stevens, the Research and Policy Advisor for the Christian Farmers Federation of Ontario. Farmers across this province need the opportunity to diversify their income base through the opportunities provided by the Green Energy Act and the Feed-In Tariff Program. However, there is growing frustration in the countryside that “have” and “have-not” situations are developing. The CFFO is looking at ways to share the wealth of energy contracts that are proliferating across the province. A strong potential exists for neighbours to be at odds with each other because of the way wind turbine contracts are being distributed across the countryside. Winner and losers are being created in the countryside because some are the “lucky ones” to land a turbine contract while others lose the economic opportunity. This situation is creating an atmosphere of frustration, envy and disappointment among neighbours. Years ago, when oil and gas wells were being drilled throughout the province, a similar situation existed, with some being able to reap the wealth under the soil. In the end, this situation was resolved through the development of pooling and spacing agreements that required recognition and sharing of the wealth of this resource. The question that comes to my mind is that when you get down to brass tacks, is the wealth of oil under the land really any different than the wealth of wind power above it? These wind turbines carry a footprint that effectively pushes back the development of other wind turbines in a given area. If these frustrations are to be mitigated, there is the need to recognize this impact and share the wealth of wind turbines that are put in place by large wind companies under contract with land owners. An equitable sharing of the wealth and the risks involved is required to quell some of the frustration and anger that is brewing in the countryside. The CFFO continues to examine this serious issue. The positive economic opportunities of green energy for some land owners have to be balanced against the negative social impacts and lost economic benefits that these projects create for others. By sharing the wealth, neighbours should be able to look at green energy in a positive light, regardless of which side of the fence the project sits on. VARROA MITES ARE MAIN CULPRIT IN DEATH OF ONTARIO BEES 03/05/10 From The Canadian Press TORONTO _ More answers are emerging about what has been killing bees over the winter in recent years in Ontario. Researchers at the University of Guelph studied more than 400 colonies throughout three seasons, and found that infestations of varroa mites were the leading cause of death. The mites were associated with more than 85 per cent of colony deaths. University of Guelph biologist Ernesto Guzman says the study looked at five different factors that could kill bees, and the researchers were able to determine which one carries the most weight. He says it means beekeepers should pay more attention to dealing with the three main factors, which included varroa mites, not enough food reserves for the winter, and not having a strong population of bees in fall so they can survive winter. The president of the Ontario Beekeepers' Association, Tim Greer, says members have known varroa mites are a problem and treat their colonies, but may have underestimated their effects on beekeeping in Canada. GFO AND WEETABIX PARTNER TO PROMOTE AWARENESS OF ONTARIO WHEAT 03/02/10 From a Release - GUELPH, ON – Grain Farmers of Ontario (GFO) and Weetabix have joined forces to increase awareness of Ontario wheat. The initiative is in line with regional marketing efforts for Ontario foods, encouraging more residents and businesses to buy locally grown products. Weetabix is a 100% Ontario grown and manufactured product. 25% of the wheat used comes directly from Northumberland County where their Cobourg manufacturing plant is located. Of particular importance, the cereal provides an excellent market for Ontario spring wheat. “We have been a strong supporter of local farmers since 1978. Whenever possible, Weetabix will continue to use crops grown close to home to provide Canadian consumers with healthy, whole grain cereal choices,” says Jeff Bakker, VP of Finance for Weetabix Canada. Many promotional initiatives have already been implemented. From November to January, the company ran a multi-media promotion across the Greater Toronto Area, including in-store sampling events, radio and billboard advertising, and branding the people-powered 'Eco-Cabs' in downtown Toronto. Additional initiatives are in development and will be revealed over the upcoming months. The collaboration between GFO and Weetabix will increase awareness, and ideally consumption, of mostly Ontario spring wheat and some winter wheat. We foresee great opportunities resulting from this partnership in the future," concluded Barry Senft, Chief Executive Officer of GFO. EMPLOYEE TRIP TO DISNEY WORLD COST FARM CREDIT $160K 03/03/10 From Farms.com By ELIZABETH THOMPSON, Parliamentary Bureau OTTAWA — In March 2009, Farm Credit Canada president Greg Stewart and his wife boarded a plane to Disney World for five expense-paid days with the Crown corporation’s Bravo Club. Their family remained in Regina, the $300 childcare tab paid for by Farm Credit. By the time the bills were in, the 2009 Bravo Club employee recognition trip to Disney World cost Farm Credit $160,000 — about $5,700 a person for 14 lucky employees and their spouses. During the past two years, Bravo Club trips to Disney World and the Presidents Club employee recognition trips to other U.S. destinations like Nashville and Atlanta have cost Farm Credit $591,000. Next Monday, they will do it all again. The one difference this year is Stewart and executive Greg Honey’s wives won’t be participating in the $160,000 trip — although other employees will still get to bring their spouses. A QMI Agency analysis of more than 3,500 pages of Farm Credit Canada’s travel and hospitality expenses reveals spending many Canadian farmers can only dream about. Seasons and playoff tickets for the Saskatchewan Roughriders football team. Another $5,125 in membership and fees for Stewart at Regina’s exclusive Wascana Country Club. Stewart, who plays golf but only uses the membership a couple of times a year, has just decided to cancel it. Executive-class flights across the country, and hotel rooms that sometimes run more than $400 a night. Team building and management dinners washed down by bottles of cabernet, chardonnay and Crown Royal. In a 2007 special report on Farm Credit Canada — which was set up in 1959 to help keep family farms afloat — Auditor General Sheila Fraser warned the corporation its Bravo Club and President’s Club trips might not sit well with taxpayers. “Farm Credit Canada should review its award program against a formal reputation risk policy to ensure that all awards are in keeping with positive public perceptions and the desired image/reputation of FCC as a Crown corporation.” And late Monday afternoon Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz said he has asked Farm Credit to answer for its spending. “Farm Credit Canada is there to serve farmers and taxpayers and this obvious excess is completely unacceptable,” he said, pointing out that it was the Conservative government that made Crown corporations subject to the access to information law. “I have instructed the FCC board to immediately provide a comprehensive assessment to determine what went wrong and implement a plan to rectify the situation and ensure this kind of excess does not happen again.” NDP MP Malcolm Allen and Bloc Quebecois MP Andre Bellavance both said the trips were excessive at a time when many farmers are struggling. They plan to call Farm Credit officials before Parliament’s agriculture committee to explain their spending. But Greg Willner, general counsel for Farm Credit, said the trips are an important part of its Encore program for employees from across the country. “The objective of the program is to create a culture of recognition which will, we believe, improve employee engagement and support us in the attraction and retention of employees.” The trips include spouses because they often make sacrifices to support Farm Credit employees, he said. Nor is it all play, he added. At Disney World, employees spend a day learning about customer service and a second day getting a behind-the-scenes tour of Disney. Presidents Club trips, which have been running since 2001, include visits to local farms. Liberal agriculture critic Wayne Easter said he was “shocked” to learn of the trips at a time when many farmers are struggling. “It seems grossly, grossly, grossly excessive. They have lost all touch with the farm community.” 2011 NUFFIELD FARMING SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS OPEN 03/05/10 From a Release - Innisfail, AB - The Canadian Nuffield Farming Scholarship Trust is accepting applications for their 2011 program. Applications are due by April 30, 2010 and forms can be downloaded from the Nuffield Canada website at http://www.nuffield.ca. Nuffield Farming Scholarships are awarded to enthusiastic individuals, between the ages of 25 and 45, who wish to explore topics of their choice in agriculture, land management, horticulture or the food chain. Three scholarships of $15,000 each are available for 2011. "The Canadian Nuffield Farming Scholarship provides innovative Canadians with the funding to travel internationally to expand their personal horizons while exploring agricultural issues and opportunities in a global context," said Barry Cudmore, Chair and 2004 Scholar. "We are focused on developing the practical, managerial and commercial capacities of each scholar to enable them to be better farmers and business managers and to make a significant contribution to the future of Canadian agriculture.” The scholarships are awarded to men and women who are judged to have the greatest potential to create value for themselves, their industries and their communities through the doors which will be opened and the opportunities provided for life-long learning and improvement. The scholarships are awarded on the strength of the applicants’ vision, enthusiasm and determination to pursue their farming goals. A Nuffield Farming scholarship is a life changing experience. Scholars receive a 'golden key' to the best production, management and marketing systems in every corner of the world. In addition to embracing the 'world's best' in agriculture, scholars gain life-long friends form around the world, and a deep understanding, and global perspective, of the politics, cultures and challenges of world agriculture. A key part of the scholarship is the opportunity for winners to study a topic of interest to themselves through out their travels. Scholars must complete their project within two years of the award and are required to travel and study for a minimum of two months in total. On return from their study tour, Scholars are expected to produce a written report and present their findings at the annual general meeting as well as to others in their industries. Canadian Nuffield Scholars are also required to participate in the Contemporary Scholars Conference (CSC) where they will meet with scholars from other countries including the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand and France to exchange ideas and experiences, and join a network of people who are at the cutting edge of primary industry. The 2011 conference will be held in Auckland, New Zealand. Applications must be received by April 30, 2010. Application forms are available from the Nuffield website www.nuffield.ca For more information on Nuffield Canada, visit www.nuffield.ca or on Nuffield Farming Scholarship Trust (the United Kingdom site) – www.nuffieldscholar.org. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ To view these articles online, please visit us on the web at http://www.ridgetownc.com/agrilink/agrilink_scoops.cfm ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ TekTalk CORN GROWERS CRITICIZED FOR DECLINE IN REFUGE COMPLIANCE 03/02/10 From a Release Ottawa - At their national annual meeting held in Ottawa February 16, 2010, the Canadian Corn Pest Coalition (CCPC) reviewed voluntarily-collected industry-survey data, and concluded that the corn industry across Canada is slipping significantly in its diligence to comply with the requirement of including a non-Bt refuge when planting Bt corn. Compliance levels that were up as high as 80% in 2005 have now dropped to 61% in 2009. The unique refuge requirements for each Bt corn technology are a critical component to the sustainability and stewardship of Bt corn. The refuge requirements were mandated after careful consideration by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and supported by the CCPC to prevent insects from developing resistance to the Bt proteins. The CCPC is a national think tank and advisory group comprised of public academics and scientists, corn producer organizations, provincial extension specialists, federal government researchers and seed industry stakeholders. The CFIA regularly consults and works closely with the CCPC to address issues and communications around the stewardship of Bt corn technology. “The recent decline in refuge compliance by some Canadian farmers is very concerning to the CCPC and to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency,” says Dr. Art Schaafsma, Chair, Canadian Corn Pest Coalition. “We call on the corn industry across Canada to do the right thing and promote the planting of a proper refuge to minimize the risk of insects developing resistance.” Schaafsma also notes that should the insects become resistant, these plant pests could become increasingly detrimental to crop yields in several crops as there would be fewer options to control their populations in either conventional or organic cropping systems. The potential for shifting pest status is a key area of emphasis for the CFIA in the regulation of novel plant traits. “These technologies are approved by the CFIA on condition that technology providers (seed companies) ensure that users maintain proper refuge area and configuration on farms,” says Schaafsma. “Continued non-compliance in terms of the use of refuge could result in the availabilities of these technologies being put at risk. We cannot afford to lose Bt corn technology because of misuse.” Technology providers have been requested by CFIA to develop and implement corrective action plans to get farm compliance back to acceptable levels; and the corn industry can expect increased scrutiny by technology providers and the CFIA on refuge compliance down to the farm field level. As more Bt traits become available trait-specific refugia may be required and these are not always the same. Always check with the technology provider for the correct refuge to use. In no instances are there any approved technologies with refuge included in the bag and mixing non-Bt with Bt seed is prohibited. For more information about insect resistance management and Bt corn visit the CCPC website at www.cornpest.ca. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ To view these articles online, please visit us on the web at http://www.ridgetownc.com/agrilink/agrilink_tektalk.cfm ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ AgriLink Upcoming Events ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 ------------------------------------------------------- Event - 8th Annual IPM Technical Update Meeting for Consultants Date - March 10, 2010 Time - 9:00 AM Place - OMAFRA - Simcoe Contact Name - Agricultural Information Contact Centre at: 1-877-424-1300 ------------------------------------------------------- Event - Understanding (and Embracing) Social Media, for Your Business, Free Seminar Date - March 11, 2010 Time - 8:00 AM Place - Smitty’s Pancake House, 307 Grand Avenue West, Chatham Contact Name - Andrea Duchene of Chatham-Kent Economic Development Services at 1.866.542.5994 / 519.351.7700, ext. 2031 ------------------------------------------------------- Event - Emergency First Aid/ CPR course Date - March 13, 2010 Time - 9:00 AM Place - Ridgetown Campus, University of Guelph Contact Name - KFA office 519-674-1595 Email - kent@ofa.on.ca ------------------------------------------------------- Event - PERMIT TO TAKE WATER - WORKSHOP Date - March 23, 2010 Time - 10:00 AM Place - Dresden Contact Name - 1-877-424-1300 ------------------------------------------------------- Event - Does It Pay? Tools to Answer Your Own Farm Electricity Questions Date - March 23, 2010 Place - Vineland Station Contact Name - Julie VanMol ph: 519-674-1575 Email - jvanmol@ridgetownc.uoguelph.ca ------------------------------------------------------- Event - Ontario Sugarbeet Growers Association Annual Meeting Date - March 24, 2010 Time - 9:00 AM Place - Wyoming Fairgrounds Contact Name - Mary Lynn Lister Santavy, 519-352-6710 Email - osga@ciaccess.com ------------------------------------------------------- Event - Grain Drying & Storage Workshop Date - March 25, 2010 Time - 9:00 AM Place - Sincoe Contact Name - Ag Business Centre, University of Guelph, Ridgetown Campus 1-866-222-9682 or 519-674-1592 ------------------------------------------------------- Event - Ontario Apple Growers Workshop Date - March 25, 2010 Time - 8:00 AM Place - Metawas Station Restaurant, 169 Lansdowne Ave, Kingsville Contact Name - Sarah Marshall @ 905-688-0990, ext. # 232 ------------------------------------------------------- Event - Chatham Kent Association of Christian Farmers Annual Banquet Date - March 26, 2010 Time - 5:30 PM Place - Chatham, Smitty's Pancake House, Grand Ave. W. Contact Name - Jacques at 519-682-1057 Alt Contact Name - Jim at 519-692-3293 ------------------------------------------------------- Event - Grain Drying & Storage Workshop Date - March 26, 2010 Time - 9:00 AM Place - Chatham Contact Name - Ag Business Centre, University of Guelph, Ridgetown Campus 1-866-222-9682 or 519-674-1592 ------------------------------------------------------- Event - “A Taste of Lambton-Kent” Gala Fundraising Dinner & Charity Date - March 26, 2010 Time - 6:00 PM Place - Ridgetown Campus, Willson Hall Contact Name - Dennis Bryson Chair, Lambton - Kent Agriculture in the Classroom Phone: 519.828.3311 Email - dline@xcelco.on.ca ------------------------------------------------------- Event - Local Food Connection: Farmer Food Buyer Networking Event Date - March 29, 2010 Time - 9:00 AM Place - London Hunt and Country Club Contact Name - 519-232-9638 / 1-888-832-9638 Email - kareneatwell@execulink.com Website - www.ledc.com ------------------------------------------------------- Event - 12th ANNUAL SOUTHWEST BEEF FOCUS Date - March 30, 2010 Time - 5:30 PM Place - Brooke Alvinston Inwood Community Centre Complex Contact Name - Margaret May 519-287-5334 ------------------------------------------------------- Event - “Understanding Your Market Pricing” Date - March 30, 2010 Time - 7:45 AM Place - Oungah, Country View Golf Course Contact Name - 519-352-7540. ------------------------------------------------------- Event - Hazelnuts for Ontario Date - March 31, 2010 Time - 12:00 PM Place - Simcoe OMAFRA Resource Centre, 1283 Blueline Rd Simcoe Contact Name - 519-763-6160 x. 116 ------------------------------------------------------- Event - London Swine Conference Date - March 31,2010 to April 1, 2010 Time - All Day Event Place - London Convention Centre Contact Name - Linda Dillon at 519-482-3333 Email - Linda.dillon@ontario.ca Website - http://www.londonswineconference.ca/ ------------------------------------------------------- Event - District 1 Sheep Meeting Date - April 1, 2010 Time - 8:00 PM Place - Ridgetown Campus, University of Guelph Contact Name - Bill Duffield ------------------------------------------------------- Event - Grain Drying & Storage Workshop Date - April 6, 2010 Time - 9:00 AM Place - Elora Contact Name - Ag Business Centre, University of Guelph, Ridgetown Campus 1-866-222-9682 or 519-674-1592 ------------------------------------------------------- Event - CAFA Meeting Date - April 7, 2010 Time - 7:30 AM Place - Chatham, Satellite Restaurant, 145 King St., W. Contact Name - Ron Vandehogen, 519-676-9849 ------------------------------------------------------- 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 ------------------------------------------------------- Event - OIA Conference and Annual General Meeting Date - April 16,2010 to April 17, 2010 Place - Hilton Garden Inn, Niagara-on-the-Lake ------------------------------------------------------- Event - Annual Ontario Pork Congress Date - June 23,2010 to June 24, 2010 Time - All Day Event Place - Stratford Website - www.porkcongress.on.ca ------------------------------------------------------- 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 ------------------------------------------------------- ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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