NOHFC Agriculture program update meeting
The Manitoulin Soil and Crop Association and the Manitoulin Cattlemen’s Association are hosting an information meeting to update producers on the recently announced funding programs through NOHFC. In addition, collection of intent for acreages of tile draining and land clearing will be gathered. This meeting will be held on Wednesday, March 5 beginning at 1:30 pm at the Assiginack Municipal Office library in Manitowaning.
Premier’s Award for Agri-Food Innovation Excellence Program
Accepting applications: Have you developed and implemented an innovative product or process within your agriculture or food business? If so, you could be eligible to receive one of the following awards from the Premier’s Award for Agri-Food Innovation Excellence Program: Premier’s Award (one award valued at $75,000), Minister’s Award (one award valued at $50,000), Leaders in Innovation Awards (three awards valued at $25,000 each), and Provincial Awards (45 awards valued at $5,000 each). Eligible applicants include primary producers/farmers, processors and agri-food organizations. A copy of the program guidebook and application form, as well as information on previous award recipients is available at www.ontario.ca/agrifoodinnovation or by calling 1-877-424-1300. Applications will be accepted until 5 pm this Friday, February 28.
Cow body condition before calving
Research has confirmed that cow body condition before calving has an impact on live calf success and weaning weights. In a study, cows with good body condition had 10 percent more live calves at birth than cows with low body condition. Good body condition is about a score of 2.5 out of five. Birth weights of the calves were higher in the high body condition cows but did not increase dystocia or calving difficulties. The total weaned calf weight per cow in the herd was 57 pounds greater for the cows in better body condition prior to calving. At $1.50/lb this amounts to an extra $85 per cow. This should compensate for extra the feed that might be fed to the herd to maintain body condition. Other benefits were also observed. The rebreeding percent-age of the cows in better body condition (92 percent) was significantly greater than the percentage of the thin cows (79 percent). Cull cow weights were also greater at weaning time for the cows that were adequately fed.
