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
THE 2013 ONTARIO AGRICULTURAL FAIRS AND EXHIBITIONS BOOKS/BROCHURES ARE NOW AVAILABLE
Pick up your copy at your local OMAF and MRA office. For more information, visit: www.ontariofairs.com or www.ontarioagsocieties.com.
ON FARM FOOD SAFETY: YOUR BUSINESS ADVANTAGE
Using Designated and Clean Harvest Containers
by Wayne Du
Cleaning and maintaining harvest containers is a simple and effective way to reduce the potential for contamination. Follow these simple steps:
• Harvest containers should only be used to harvest product.
• Clearly label harvest containers to ensure they are never used for waste, chemicals or other items which can cause cross-contamination.
• Inspect containers prior to harvest and occasionally during the season, discard those which cannot be repaired or properly cleaned and sanitized.
• Keep containers off the soil/ground by placing them on a pallet or tarp to avoid contamination during harvest.
• Avoid contamination by not allowing workers to stand in containers.
Remember, containers and bins which contact fresh produce should be kept clean, sanitized and in good repair.
Food safety practices keep agri-food businesses competitive, productive and sustainable. For more information, visit the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food and the Ministry of Rural Affairs website at: www.ontario.ca/goodagpractices or call us at 1-877-424-1300.
DEADLINE EXTENSION FOR LIVESTOCK PRODUCERS DEALING WITH DROUGHT FALLOUT
To make sure that farmers have the support they need, the provincial and federal governments have extended the deadline to transport forage under the Canada Ontario Forage Livestock Transportation Assistance Initiative to June 1. Farmers will have until June 14 to submit their forms to Agricorp.
Livestock producers are eligible for:
• Up to $0.14 per tonne, per kilometre to assist with the transportation of forage, or
• Up to $0.075 per kilometre, per animal, to move animals to available feed.
For further information on this initiative and how to apply, visit Agricorp at: www.agricorp.com
FACT SHEETS AND PUBLICATIONS
To order OMAF and MRA publications and factsheets:
• Visit any OMAF and MRA Resource Centre/ Northern Ontario Regional Office or Service Ontario location or www.omafra.gov.on.ca
• Visit the Service Ontario website at: www.serviceontario.ca/publications or call 1-800-668-9938
• Visit the OMAF and MRA website at: www.omafra.gov.on.ca or contact the Agricultural Information Contact Centre by calling: 1-877-424-1300
The following free Factsheets are now available from www.serviceontario.ca/publications
13-011: Animal Health — Listeriosis, Agdex 400/660; New
13-013: Animal Health – Plague, Agdex 400/660; New
13-015: Animal Health – Salmonellosis, Agdex 400/660; New
13-017: Animal Health – Tularemia; Agdex 400/660; New
13-019: Animal Health – Verocytotoxigenic Escherichia Coli; Agdex 400/660; New 2013 Supplement, Publication 838, Vegetable Crop Production Guide 2012-13.
This 64 page supplement contains new product registrations and changes from September 2011 to December 2012. It is available at: www.omafra.gov.on.ca or can be ordered free of charge. The supplement will also be included in all paid book orders for Publication 838.
COMING EVENTS
May 7 Wellington Federation of Agriculture, monthly board meeting at OMAFRA Elora at 7:30pm. For information, contact Lisa Hern at 519-848-3774 or email: jplh@golden.net.
May 10 Grower Pesticide Safety Course, Elora, 8:45am and Separate Exam: 3pm. To register, phone the Ontario Pesticide Education Program: 1-800-652-8573.
May 14 Exploring Rural Land Use Conference, 8:30am to 4:30pm, Delta Hotel and Conference Centre, 50 Stone Road W., Guelph. For more information, check the website: www.uoguelph.ca.
May 25 Spring Wellington Rural Romp – a self-guided tour to farms, nurseries and local food businesses. Time: 11am to 4 pm. Approximately 14 farms, markets, gardens, restaurants and a B&B in Mapleton, Minto and Wellington North will open their doors to the public.
Take part in a day in the countryside, meet local farmers, and enjoy real taste. For more information, check the website: guelphwellingtonlocalfood.ca.
