ISSUE # 130 – February 2017
This update is designed to provide you with concise, up to date agricultural business information with links to where you can find the details.
This Issue:
- Business Strategy / Business Planning
- Financial Management
- Human Resources
- Marketing
- Production Management
- Risk Management
- Social Responsibility
- Conferences, Workshops and Seminars
Business Strategy / Business Planning
Boosting Economic Growth in Rural Ontario
Ontario is supporting local projects that will attract investment, create jobs and boost economic growth in rural communities through the renewed Rural Economic Development (RED) program.
New Intake Added for Final Year of Growing Forward 2 Program
While demand has remained high, there is still plenty of opportunity left. Originally, only two intakes had been scheduled for 2017, but a third intake has been added to make sure producers have time plenty of chances to apply. Intake dates for 2017 are:
**Newly added intake
Intake Dates
1 February 3 – 23, 2017
2 April 4 – 18, 2017**
3 May 12 – June 1, 2017
Farm Business Registration
All producers with farm businesses in Ontario that gross $7,000 or more annually are required by law to register their farm business with Agricorp by March 1, 2017.
Financial Management
Capital Budgeting Calculator Tool
Considering a new investment? Need help crunching the numbers? Check out OMAFRA’s capital budgeting calculator tool.
The Cash Basis Capital Investment Worksheet aims to provide farmers and farm advisors with a reliable tool to assist in the management decision making process of capital investment.
Human Resources
Dairy Goat Farm Management Program
Ontario dairy goat producers looking to improve or expand their operations, increase their business management skills, and boost their bottom lines are invited to take part in the Dairy Goat Advanced Farm Management Program.
The program is offered through a partnership between the Agri-food Management Institute and Ontario Goat and is designed for licensed dairy goat farm owners and managers. It will consist of five, one-day intensive sessions starting in March, 2017.
More information and to register go here: http://advancedfarmmanagement.ca/
AALP Class 17 Recruitment
The Rural Ontario Institute (ROI) is now accepting applications for Class 17 of the Advanced Agricultural Leadership Program (AALP), with the introduction of an online application form.
AALP is designed to provide current and emerging leaders in Ontario’s agriculture and agri-food sectors and rural communities the opportunity to gain skills, knowledge and understanding of the forces shaping agriculture and rural Ontario.
ROI is accepting applications until March 17, 2017.
2016-17 Excellence Award for Agricultural Students is open!
Farm Management Canada (FMC) and the Canadian Association of Diploma in Agriculture Programs (CADAP) are proud to announce the launch of the 2016-17 Excellence Award for Agricultural Students, designed to encourage students to improve their critical thinking, communication and leadership skills through a national competition.
Students are asked to submit a multimedia presentation, a video, a Twitter chat, a blog or a Wiki, responding to the following question:
Certain segments of the general public question the way food is produced, and have misgivings about the use of new technology. What concrete steps would you, as a future member of the agricultural industry, propose to bridge the information and awareness gap?
To take part in the competition, for details on how to enter, or to apply: www.fmc-gac.com
Applications must be received no later than May 5th 2017
Marketing
New proposed food safety requirements.
FIND OUT HOW THESE REQUIREMENTS WOULD:
- Impact your food business
- Better protect the health and safety of Canadians
HERE’S WHAT YOU CAN DO:
Visit inspection.gc.ca/SafeFood
- Learn about the proposed food safety regulations
- Attend and event and stay connected
- Send us your comments
HAVE A QUESTION?
- Call 1-800-442-2342
- Email via inspection.gc.ca/ContactUs
The public consultation on the proposed Safe Food for Canadians Regulations is underway. Submit your comments by April 21, 2017.
Production Management
2017 Field Crop Budgets, Publication 60
New for 2017
- Switchgrass and non-GMO corn budgets have been added.
- Machinery costs updated with 2015 Ontario Custom Farmwork Rates.
- Straw yields updated from Ontario Cereal Crops Committee Performance Trials results.
Available online (English and French) and in print via ServiceOntario
Risk Management
Maps show average corn and soybean Yields
Corn and soybean producers faced dry weather in some areas last summer and yields varied across the province, but where producers faced low yields, Production Insurance helped out.
Social Responsibility
Sustainable New Agri-food Products and Productivity (SNAPP) Grants
Sustainable New Agri-food Products and Productivity (SNAPP) Grants now available to farm and food businesses, communities, First Nations and collaborations in northeastern Ontario.
Up to $5,000 at 75% cost-sharing per project, or up to $15,000 at 75% cost sharing per collaboration.
Eligible Project Activities include:
- Productivity Enhancement – project that increase the efficiency of operations
- New Products – projects that create new products for the business
- Season Extension – projects that help extend the growing season or extend the availability of products.
Applications will be accepted:
Round 1: November 15th, 2016 to February 28th, 2017
Round 2: July 1st, 2017 to November 30th, 2017
For more information please visit www.rainalgoma.ca/snapp
Conferences, Workshops and Seminars
AMI Event and Speaker Funding is open for 2016-2017
The Ontario agri-food industry is encouraged to apply to the AMI’s Business Management Speaker and Event Funding. Any registered organization, agency, association, community group, institution, university, college, group located in Ontario may apply for a maximum of $2,500 to cover the costs associated with organizing or bringing a business management speaker to an Ontario event. This funding is open to agrifood and agriproducts businesses including a focus on farm businesses.
OMAFRA Dateline is an online resource for use by interested individuals and organizations across Ontario. Events may be hosted by OMAFRA or other groups. The events posted on this site are aimed at sharing information of interest to agriculture and regional economic development clients. Please check the calendar regularly for upcoming events, workshops, conferences and meetings.
Growing Forward 2 Educational Workshops
Register on-line for Environmental Farm Plan (EFP) and Growing Your Farm Profits (GYFP) workshops by clicking on the link below to find dates and locations that suit you.
FMC Ask the Expert Webinar Series: Farm Management – Inside & Out
Join FMC as they bring you three of farm management’s leading experts for an intimate conversation about farm management like never before!
Space is limited to 30 people per webinar to ensure everyone has a chance to engage with the experts while learning from each other.
Registration is $150 per webinar or $375 for the complete series. Registrants will also be provided with a recording of the webinar(s) they have purchased for later referral.
Agriwebinar Dates and Speakers
- March 6, 2017: Elaine Froese
- March 27, 2017: Kim Gerencser
Learn more at http://www.fmc-gac.com/inside-out
Farminar with Pete Luckett
Enjoy a lively day chock-full of ideas and insights on mentoring, merchandising and marketing from one of Canada’s leading retail & farm market experts! You will leave armed and dangerous with loads of insights to try out in your operation. Your customers won’t know what hit them! (But they’ll be loving it!) We will conclude the day with an interactive “up close and personal” chat with Pete, where you can ask questions or discuss those managing, merchandising or marketing perils that keep you up at night! Don’t miss this opportunity to attend!
Topics include:
- Building a Team
2. Merchandising
3. Marketing
Tuesday, February 21, 2017, 9:30am to 3:30pm
Marriott Gateway to the Falls, Niagara Falls , ON
Investment cost: OFFMA Members $89 + HST
OFFMA Team Rate(3) $225 + HST
Non-members $150 + HST
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