Messenger News Letter - May 2012

The Messenger

Inside This Issue

Board Decisions / Actions Programs Projects Religious & Ethnic Holidays General Interest Programs / Workshops Upcoming Events District Information Other District Organizations OSMA Reaching Out

Ontario Sheep Marketing Agency, 130 Malcolm Road, Guelph, ON, N1K 1B1 www.ontariosheep.org Tel: 519-836-0043

THE MESSENGER

M A Y 2 0 1 2

“Ewe and Lamb”

Taken by Karen Hayward

Looking For Volunteers For

District 7 and 8 See page 4

OSMA and the Industry – Messenger May 2012

NEXT SCHEDULED BOARD MEETINGS

Face to Face Board Meetings May 29/30 July 11 Aug 24/25 (in District 10) Oct 10 Oct 26-27 (AGM)

BOARD MEETING – April 18

A synopsis of Board decisions follows:

Financial statement to February 29 was accepted

Board implemented a policy on “Operating Reserves” and set the reserve at $350,000

Board plans to have input to the new Ontario Animal Health Act regulations

Board wish to have more details on the website on Scrapie

Board discussed the National renewal project and provided guidance to its reps working on National renewal

Board received an update on the bioFlock service

Two new OSMA awards were approved as recommended by the Awards and Nomination Committee for – Outstanding Shepherd and Long Service

One resolution from District 5 on traceability was referred to CSF

Board implemented a mentoring (old mentoring new) for provincial directors. The new provincial directors (new since last AGM) had attended a director training day hosted by OFPMC.

Ontario’s Risk Management Program (RMP) For Sheep Producers Please visit the Ontario Sheep website (www.ontariosheep.org) for press release and more future information on the program. Final payments for 2011 will be before the end of March. Premium rates set for RMP livestock plans – visit www.agricorp.com

New participants – Submit a 2012 application to Agricorp by March 16, 2012. As a new participant you may enrol after this deadline has passed, provided you apply before the end of the first reporting period in which you have eligible production. You must meet all eligibility criteria.

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BOARD DECISIONS / ACTIONS

PROGRAMS


PREDATION AND WILDLIFE DAMAGE Ontario has increased the compensation farmers can access for damage caused by predatory wildlife. Through the new Wildlife Damage Compensation Program livestock producers can receive compensation when their livestock are injured or killed by predatory wildlife. The new program expands the current list of wildlife species and variety of livestock that farmers can be compensated for, and increases the maximum compensation rates for farmers. The maximum compensation is now $1,200 for purebred and $300 for non-purebred sheep. Value depends on assessed animal value.

For more information visit: http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/livestock/predation.htm

NEW REQUIREMENTS FOR PRODUCERS UNDER THE AGRICULTURE-WILDLIFE DAMAGE COMPENSATION PROGRAM As of April 1, 2012 ALL producers will be required to have a Premises ID and a Farm Business Registration (FBR) number in order to receive compensation for livestock that are killed or injured by predators eligible under the new wildlife damage program.

Predation –Wildlife Committee: Mark Ritchie (Chair); Chris Kennedy; Luann Erb; Dick Kuiperij; Murray Hunt; Jennifer Johanson

NEW YOUNG FARM LOANS FOR CANADA Young and beginning farmers will find it easier to start and grow their farm businesses with the help of a new $500 million loan program, introduced by the federal gov't and FCC yesterday. This new loan offers qualified producers who are under 40 years of age loans of up to $500,000 to purchase or improve farmland and buildings. Producers between the ages of 18 and 39 make up approximately 16% of Canadian producers, according to the 2006 Census. The FCC Young Farmer Loan includes features and options that address this demographic, and support their long-term success. These include: - variable rates at prime plus 0.5% and special fixed rates - no loan processing fees The Young Farmer Loan enhances FCC's suite of existing products and services that support young

producers, such as the FCC Transition Loan, FCC Business Planning Award, FCC Learning events and publications, FCC Go Ag! events, and FCC Management Software for both accounting and field management. The program is being welcomed by farm groups. The Canadian Cattlemen's Association (CCA) President Martin Unrau said financing is one of the biggest obstacles facing many young producers wanting to start or expand a farm business. "There are plenty of young people who love agriculture and want to start their own business, but just can't make the numbers work. Providing young people with the opportunity to secure loans that are tailored to their age and stage in life is crucial to keeping them in the industry," he said. For more information on the FCC Young Farmer Loan, visit www.fcc.ca/youngfarmerloan .


ONTARIO PREDATION PROJECT – RECRUITING VOLUNTEERS The Ontario Predation Project is looking for volunteers in the following counties: Peterborough, Durham, Victoria, Northumberland, Hastings, and Prince Edward. We are field testing three non-lethal prevention devices, and are looking for producers who are willing to run these in addition to their current prevention tools from May to October. The ideal candidate will have had losses to coyotes every year for the last 3 to

5 years. There is no cost to participate and the time commitment is minimal. We will visit your farm to set up the devices every 6 weeks, with one control period of 6 weeks where your farm operates as it normally would. For more information or to volunteer, please contact Kaiti Nixon at 705-740-5431 or [email protected].

For more information on the Holidays please click the link below to go to the OSMA website: Religious & Ethnic Holidays - http://www.ontariosheep.org/ - Market Information – Market Reports AUTO DIALER We have incorporated an ‘ auto dialing or phone system’ that will allow us to call producers at their homes. The purpose of this is to use the auto dialer as a tool for the District Executives to have the office call their producers and leave messages regarding events that they can attend or information that might

benefit them. Recognizing that producers do not want to be inundated with many calls, we are using it wisely and we have given them the option of going on a ‘no call’ list. We are proud of this innovation and believe this is a first in the Ontario meat commodity sector.

RELIGIOUS & ETHNIC HOLIDAY’S

GENERAL INTEREST

PROJECTS

Volunteers Needed


UPDATE ON HOW TO OBTAIN A PREMISES ID Premises Identification Numbers can be obtained from the Provincial Premises Registry (PPR) now operated by approved service provider Angus GeoSolutions Inc. (AGSI). The PPR is the only official provincial registry for obtaining Ontario Premises Identification Numbers for agri-food businesses. Premises Identification numbers issued before April 1, 2012 are still valid.

Obtaining a Premises Identification Number for your agri-food business is an important step towards traceability in Ontario. To register your premises or update your information, please contact AGSI:

Online: www.ontarioppr.ca By phone: 1-855-697-7743 (MY PPR ID)

CANADIAN AGRICULTURAL LOANS ACT (CALA) PROGRAM

The CALA program builds on and replaces the previous Farm Improvement & Marketing Co-operative Loans Act (FIMCLA) program.

The CALA program is a financial loan guarantee program that provides farmers easier access to credit. Farmers can use these programs to establish, improve and develop farms.

For more information click on the following link: Canadian Agricultural Loans Act (CALA) Program > Programs and Services or http://www.agr.gc.ca/index_e.php - Choose programs & services – Choose Canadian Agricultural Loans Act (CALA) Program.

LIVESTOCK AUCTION TRACEABILITY INITIATIVE (LATI) The Livestock Auction Traceability Initiative (LATI) will provide contributions to assist primarily in the alteration of animal handling structures, which will enhance traceability capabilities at high-risk, high through-put sites where animals from different herds co-mingle.

For more information click on the following link: http://www4.agr.gc.ca/ - Choose programs & services – Sort A-Z then choose Livestock Auction Traceability Initiative

PROGRAMS - WORKSHOPS


GROWING FORWARD A commitment by Canada's federal, provincial and territorial government that supports the development and implementation of best practices in four key areas:

1) Environment and Climate Change 2) Business Development 3) Food Safety and Traceability 4) Biosecurity

For more information: Call 1-888-479-3931; e-mail [email protected] Or visit their website by copy and paste of the following link: http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/about/growingforward/2011-index.htm

AGRIWEBINAR – LEARNING WITHOUT LIMITS Presented by The Canadian Farm Business Management Council. Currently: The Agriwebinar season is complete. Information on upcoming speakers and topics will be posted at a later date.

Visit the website to access over 100 archived webinars, and to subscribe to their mailing list. Website: http://www.agriwebinar.com/ FARM CREDIT CANADA

Where do you want your operation to be in five years? Do you know how to get there?

For information on upcoming workshops visit: www.fcc.ca/workshops or call 1-888-332-3301

ONTARIOFRESH.CA WAS LAUNCHED IN FALL OF 2011 Registration is now open for Ontariofresh.ca, the new free website and online community that is being created to expand the market for buyers and sellers of local Ontario food. The aim is to make connections across the food service value chain, linking bulk

buyers, chefs, restaurants, caterers and distributors as well as growers and producers. You can register your business’ profile at http://www.ontariofresh.ca/ or by calling 1-888-249-9399 or 647-426-8420.


For more information on any upcoming event please visit the OSMA website at: Events (http://www.ontariosheep.org/Events.aspx) KINGSTON SHEEP DOG TRIALS, 25th ANNIVERSARY CANADIAN NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP Aug 10-12: Among the 2012 attractions will be the Birds of Prey and Jungle Cat World shows, Flyball and Agility demos, K9 Unit and sheep shearing demos, the Craft and Artisans fair, Sheep to Shawl competition and auction – all attractions that appeal to kids and adults alike! And introducing a special 25th Anniversary feature The Celebrity Chef Trials.

For more information and to register go to: www.kingstonsheepdogtrials.com CANADA’S OUTDOOR FARM SHOW September 11 – 13 – Canada’s Outdoor Park, Woodstock, ON. Watch for details on the 2012 show at http://www.outdoorfarmshow.com/ 2012 INTERNATIONAL PLOWING MATCH September 18 – 22 – Waterloo Region, “Cultivate Country Celebrate Community”. Check for regular updates at http://www.ipm2012.ca/

Note: For further information and details about your District please contact your District Secretary District 1:

Please contact your District Secretary for date and location of your next District meeting

June: Working on a Saturday sheep dog demonstration – details to follow Aug: Local sheep farm tour in District – Details to follow Sept: Annual meeting in Rutherford

Contact: District Secretary: Michelle Prudom at 519-845-3998 or District 1 Website: OSMA_district_1.tripod.com District 2:

Meetings usually held the 1st Thursday of the month at 7:30 pm. For more information contact Glen Porteous at [email protected]

Contact: District Secretary - Kyle Harrison 519-369-3954

UPCOMING EVENTS

DISTRICT INFORMATION


District 3:

Contact: District Secretary - Neil Mesman 519-504-3089 or email: [email protected] District 4:

Last Saturday of every month: Breakfast at 9 am at Devine’s in Jarvis. Join us for sheep chat, good people and good food.

Contact: District Secretary - Sharon Petheram 519-443-5844 or email: [email protected] District 5:

Meetings are usually last Wed. of every month, Location TBA

Contact: District Secretary - Lene Band phone: 905-877-2969 e-mail: [email protected] District 6: June 4: Innisfil Town Hall, 2101 Innisfil Beach Road, Innisfil: 8 pm to 9:00 pm; information session on bioFlock, the new flock management software; RSVP to [email protected] or call the OSMA Office at 519-836-0043. Space is limited so please book your spot today!

Contact: District Secretary – Grant Cowan phone: 705-436-2236 or e-mail: [email protected]

District 7:

Contact: District Secretary – Donna Aziz phone: 905-852-9252

District 8:

May 26: 1 pm Farm visit at Dana Vader in Prince Edward County

Contact: District Secretary – Linda Huizenga phone: 613-477-1393 District 9:

May 19 – Farm Tour and Hands-On Information Day Farm of Chris and Kristin Moore, 6021 Carp Road, Kinburn, ON 9 am - Cost $5. A great opportunity to learn about sheep production, see new ideas and meet fellow sheep producers. Topics will include: tail docking, hoof trimming, shearing demonstrations, pasture and fencing options, breed display and discussion, body condition scoring, how to manage/ train guardian animals, lamb lunch and more! For more information, contact Chris Moore at: 613-913-4994/ [email protected] Contact: District Secretary – David Bentley phone: 613-256-1628 District 10:

District 10 Website: www.osmadistrict10.ca/

Aug 4: Performance tested sheep sale Aug: Provincial Director Board meeting and tour Sept 22: Fall tour to Woolgrowers in Carleton Place

Contact: District Secretary – Gary Lapier phone: 613-989-2792 District 11:

Contact: District Secretary – Debra Garner phone: 705-563-2761 or e-mail: [email protected]


Victoria County Sheep Producers.

Third Wednesday every month starting at 7:30 Sunderland Co-op Boardroom at Oakwood Location Membership is $20 per farm per year. Contact: Doug Walden - 705-324-7478

Southwestern Sheep Farmers

Formerly known as Middlesex Sheep & Lamb Producers

Chairman - George Molson, 519-695-2936, Secretary/Treas – Marilyn Walker, 510-287-5637, Grey Bruce Sheep Management Club Location: Grey Gables in Markdale Western Ontario Lamb Producers District 2 and 3 area

Ontario Suffolk Sheep Association

OSMA Website – www.ontariosheep.org Have you visited OSMA’s new website yet. If you haven’t, please take a moment to check it out. The following are just a few of things you will find. - About Ontario Sheep - Messenger - Programs, Services - OSN - Market Information - Locators – Lamb, Guardian Animals, and Breed - Sheep Production Information - Lamb Nutrition and Recipes - Current Initiatives - Virtual Farm Tour - Research Projects - Links and Videos - News - Kids Corner - Events

OSMA REACHING OUT

OTHER DISTRICT ORGANIZATIONS


HELP US KEEP YOU INFORMED

To keep you up to date on current events by phone and email

please make sure that we have your current information.

TELL YOUR FAMILY, FRIENDS, AND NEIGHBOURS TO UPDATE THEIR INFORMATION

Contact us by calling 519-836-0043 or emailing [email protected]

CHECK OUT THE NEW LAYOUT FOR ONTARIO SHEEP NEWS AND THE MESSENGER ON THE OSMA WEBSITE

Messenger News Letter - May 2012

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Transcript of Messenger News Letter - May 2012