University of Guelph plans new dairy research facility A new livestock research centre intended to model sustainable animal agriculture systems is being planned by the University of Guelph, the provincial government and the Ontario dairy industry. The Research and Innovation Centre, Dairy Phase, will be built at the current site of Elora Research Station in Elora, Ontario, one of the Agricultural Research Institute of Ontario (ARIO) facilities operated by U of G under its partnership agreement with the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA).
Future phases of the project may include research facilities for swine, poultry and beef.
Construction of the first phase of the new complex, involving both new facilities and renovations, is expected to begin later this year.
Besides providing cutting-edge technologies and infrastructure, the complex will bring together scientists from many disciplines to study rural/urban environmental, social and economic issues.
Research and innovation will cover human health; food safety; animal welfare, productivity and reproduction; new products and procedures; and bioengineering and renewable energy.
The centre will use resources such as feed, water and energy more efficiently, and will spur development of new “rural knowledge centres” for bio-based products and green technologies.
—From University of Guelph news release
DFO board elects 2012 executive
Bill Emmott was elected chair of Dairy Farmers of Ontario, David Murray was elected 1st vice-chair and Ian Harrop was elected 2nd vice-chair at a DFO board meeting on Jan. 12.
Bill Emmott has served as chair since 2009 and prior to that was vice-chair from January 2005 to January 2009. He has been on the board since 1999.
He represents dairy farmers in Brant, Haldimand, Halton, Niagara, Norfolk and Wentworth counties.
David Murray has served as board member representing dairy farmers in Huron and Perth counties since 2006.
Ian Harrop has served as board member representing dairy farmers in Dufferin, Peel, Simcoe and Wellington counties since 2006.
—From DFO website
Canadian farms being flooded by red tape
Farmers in Canada are hit the hardest by government regulations and paperwork, according to research released by the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB).
A CFIB survey shows that 23 percent of farmers say that if they had known about the burden of regulations, they may not have gone into business.
“When nearly 40 percent of farmers are planning to retire in the next ten years, flooding the sector with red tape will only make it harder to find buyers to keep those businesses going,” says Virginia Labbie, CFIB’s senior policy analyst for agribusiness.
Farmers want all levels of government to place a higher priority on cutting red tape (72 percent), than on any other measure (including tax relief at 68 percent) to help them compete and remain in business.This should come as no surprise to policy makers.
When asked how the burden had changed during a three-year period, 67 percent of farmers reported an increase in regulatory requirements, more than any other type of small business in Canada.
—From CFIB news release
Calcium Products, Inc. expands into western Canada
Calcium Products, Inc. announces a strategic alliance with McRae Holdings subsidiary ENR Distribution of Alberta for the marketing and delivery of Iowa-manufactured agricultural soil amendments SuperCal 98G, SuperCal SO4 and HumaCal.
“Western Canada has been a market we’ve been interested in securing,” says Craig Dick, vice president of sales and marketing for employee-owned Calcium Products, Inc.
“We’ve made several trips and done some amazing on-farm tests that proved our value to western Canada producers. It’s an exciting new opportunity for our growing company.”
—From Calcium Products, Inc. news release
Holstein Canada announces 2011 Education Award winners
Holstein Canada announced the recipients of the 2011 Education Awards. Each winner will receive a cheque for $750.
There were a total of 37 completed applications for the awards. Winners were selected based on scholastic performance, agricultural experience, youth involvement, and career choice.
Award winners include: Lorene Vanderwal, Abbotsford, British Columbia; Alex Mackinnon, Montague, Prince Edward Island; Annick Michaud, St-Philippe-De-Néri, Québec; Christine Breton, Norbertville, Québec; Alan Nanne, Pakenham, Ontario; and Peter Spruit, Woodstock, Ontario.
—From Holstein Canada news release
World Dairy Expo seeks 2012 award nominations
Outstanding dairy leaders from across the global dairy industry are being sought for World Dairy Expo’s annual recognition awards.
Nominations will be accepted through Feb. 15, in the following four categories: Dairy Woman of the Year, Dairyman of the Year, Industry Person of the Year, and International Person of the Year.
Official applications and lists of previous winners are available at www.worlddairyexpo.com. Click on the About Expo tab; then select Recognition Winners on the left side of the page. Applications may also be requested by calling (608) 224-6455 or via email at wde@wdexpo.com
—From World Dairy Expo news release
Douglas Wagner named president of Canada’s Outdoor Shows
Canada’s Outdoor Shows Limited Partnership, the parent company of Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show and Canada’s Outdoor Equine Expo, announced the appointment of Douglas Wagner as president. Wagner assumes this position from Lorie Jocius, who will now act as vice-president.
“Doug and my late husband, Ginty, created Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show almost two decades ago,” says Lorie Jocius.
“With our merger with Glacier Media Inc. this past fall, it is a logical time to transfer the reins to Doug’s most capable hands.”
Doug Wagner, a 1974 graduate of the Ontario Agricultural College, started as a supervisor in the Youth Extension arm of the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food before becoming executive director of Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association and secretary manager of the Ontario Seed Growers’ Association.
He also worked with the Ontario Plowmen’s Association to help coordinate 10 international plowing matches before joining Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show in 1993.
Last year, Wagner became president of the Farm Show Council, headquartered in Ohio, which represents 28 farm shows across North America.
—From Canada’s Outdoor Shows news release
High-yielding event
Pioneer Hi-Bred celebrates ‘Ontario Corn Yield Challenge’ winners
Pioneer Hi-Bred, a DuPont business, announced at an evening celebration held in London, Ontario, the winners of its second annual “Ontario Corn Yield Challenge” (OCYC). The 2011 edition of the OCYC marked the second year for the Pioneer event with more than 338 corn growers participating in the contest, up significantly from the 270 participants in the first year.
The 11 winners, 10 grain corn growers and one corn silage producer, represent different territories across Ontario. Teun and Ben DeBeer of Mount Elgin, Ontario, achieved 35.7 tons-per-acre in silage with Pioneer hybrid 34A85.
The 10 high-yielding grain corn growers all surpassed the 235 bushel-per-acre mark. Although there is no overall winner because of differences in heat unit regions, the highest yield attained was 313 bushels per acre by Randy Vandenheede (pictured above right) of Judge Family Farms in Simcoe, Ontario, growing Pioneer hybrid P0216HR.
All 11 winners of the Ontario Corn Yield Challenge receive a trip for two to the Commodity Classic in Nashville, Tennessee. PD
—From Pioneer Hi-Bred Limited news release
