A weekly report prepared by the staff of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food (OMAF) and the Ministry of Rural Affairs (MRA).If you require further information, regarding this report, call the Elora Resource Centre at 519-846-0941. Office hours: 8:30am to 5pm. For technical information, call the Agricultural Information Contact Centre at 1-877-424-1300 or visit the OMAF and MRA Website: www.ontario.ca/omafra
RURAL SUMMER JOBS APPLICATIONS
Creating summer jobs for students can get employers a hiring incentive of $2 an hour to put towards their wages. That could mean as much as $1,120 per student. The 2013 Ontario Rural Summer Jobs Service program at: http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/rural/rsj/index.htm will soon be accepting applications from eligible employers. The student job must be open to students, aged 15 to 30, who plan to return to school in the fall. Check the website at the end of March for an application and details on the intake period for the 2013 RSJS program.
GREENHOUSE NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT CONSULTATION
The Ministry of Agriculture and Food (OMAF) and Ministry of the Environment (MOE) are holding public meetings regarding a recent regulatory proposal (number 011-8101) for the land application of greenhouse nutrient feedwater that has been posted on the Regulatory and Environmental Registries. To access the proposal, go to: http://www.ebr.gov.on.ca.
The public will be given information about the proposal and provided an opportunity to ask questions and provide feedback. Four meetings will be held during March and April – Leamington (March 18), Jordan Station (March 19), Toronto (April 2) and Toronto (April 2 – French language). For complete details including how to register, visit Dateline at: www.omafra.gov.on.ca. For information, contact Sara Moore-German by email: sara.moore-german@ontario.ca or phone: 519-826-4599.
FACTSHEETS AND PUBLICATIONS
The following free supplements, free publication and free Factsheets are now available:
2013 Crop Protection Guide for Ginseng, Supplement to Publication 610, Production Recommendations for Ginseng – this supplement contains changes/additions/deletions to the 2009 edition of Publication 610 Production Recommendations for Ginseng.
2013 SUPPLEMENT, Guide to Fruit Production, Publication 360S – this supplement is an update to Guide to Fruit Production 2012- 2013, Publication 360; the supplement will be included with all paid book orders and can also be ordered separately free of charge.
Field Crop Budgets 2013, Publication 60E; please recycle former editions of this annual publication.
12-051: Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE), Agdex 572/751; replaces 00-001, which should be recycled.
12-055: Farm Tile Drains and Tree Roots, Agdex 555; New.
12-057: Target Weight Calculator for Heavy Hogs, Agdex 240; New.
12-059: Decommissioning On-Farm Biogas Systems, Agdex 769; New.
13-001: Animal Health – Botulism, Agdex 400/660; New.
13-003: Animal Health – Equine Herpesvirus, Agdex 400/660; New.
13-005: Animal Health – Hantavirus, Agdex 400/660; New.
13-007: Animal Health – Coxiellosis (Q Fever), Agdex 400/660; New.
13-009: Animal Health – Influenza, Agdex 400/660; New.
For a complete listing of OMAF and MRA products, see our online catalogue at:
http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/products/index.html
CHEESE MAKING TECHNOLOGY COURSE
When: April 29 – May 3 -University of Guelph’s Food Science Department invites you to join their celebrated Cheese Making Technology course. This is the 58th year the course has been taught at Guelph.
Come explore the manufacturing of Cheddar, Provolone, Gouda, Colby, Havarti, Ricotta, Feta, Camembert, Romano, processed… which variety intrigues you most?
In this course you’ll learn about:
• Milk quality, treatment and chemistry
• Processing, ripening and packaging
• Calculating yield and setting benchmarks
• Sanitation and quality control
• Cheese grading
For more information and to register, visit the University of Guelph website: http://www.uoguelph.ca/foodscience/content/cheese-making-technology
COMING EVENTS:
Apr. 2-3 Farm & Food Care’s Annual Meeting, at the new Hanlon Convention Centre, Guelph; check the website: http://www.farmfoodcare.org/.
Apr. 5-6 OIA Conference and AGM, Holiday Inn, Kitchener. Theme: Agrology: The Agricultural and Environmental Profession: http://www.oia.on.ca/.
Apr. 6 Elmira Maple Syrup Festival, check the website: www.elmiramaplesyrup.com or call 1-877-969-0094, for more information.
Apr. 6 Grower Pesticide Safety Course, Orangeville, 8:45am and Separate Exam: 2:45pm. To register, phone: Ontario Pesticide Education Program: 1-800-652-8573.
Apr. 6 Grower Pesticide Safety Course, Rockwood, 8:45am and Separate Exam: 3pm. To register, phone: Ontario Pesticide Education Program: 1-800-652-8573.
Apr. 12 Grower Pesticide Safety Course, Elora, 8:45am and Separate Exam: 3pm. To register, phone: Ontario Pesticide Education Program: 1-800-652-8573.
