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An Evening with Temple Grandin
August 27
War Memorial Hall, University of Guelph
Guelph
Meat Plant & Animal Welfare Auditor Training
August 27 - 28
Guelph
Beef handling workshops
September 8 - 10
Elmwood, Dundalk & Erin
Breakfast on the Farm
September 20
7325 Manning Rd
Tecumseh
Ontario Agriculture Week
October 4 - 10
Events in communities across Ontario
Farm & Food Care Foundation's annual Harvest Gala
October 29
Kitchener
Bingemans Park Conference Centre
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Ag Ambassador Tip
of the Month
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"I don't know" is a valid answer. The person you are talking to will understand if you cannot answer every question they have. Send them to a website or producer group for more information rather than guessing.
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Dairy Stockmanship workshop photos now available
200 Ontario dairy farmers took to the barns in May and June to improve their knowledge of animal behaviour, and learn how to better apply that knowledge when handling cattle.
Called "Dairy Stockmanship for Better Production" and facilitated by Dr. Don Hoglund, an animal behaviour expert, the workshops showed producers how to incorporate animal instincts into "low-energy" handling techniques.
Pictures from the workshops are available here.
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Beef Handling workshops ~ August 8-10
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Dylan Biggs, a cattle handling expert from Alberta, will be in Southwestern Ontario conducting a number of one-day workshops for beef farmers on low-stress cattle handling. Hosted by Farm & Food Care Ontario's IMPACT program, the
workshops will feature practical handling techniques that promote a safe, calm and effective environment when working with cattle on the farm.
Since 1995, Dylan Biggs has taught his cattle handling clinics to all segments of the livestock industry, from family farms, ranches, feedlots and PFRA pasture riders to universities, colleges, research stations and government agencies. Biggs' excellent communication skills with both people and livestock have made his handling clinics invaluable to those working with livestock. This one day workshop will feature:
- How to think like a cow and understand why they do what they do;
- Building blocks for training your herd;
- Where, when and how to pressure the flight zone;
- Understanding the dynamics of herding;
- And many more handling insights.
Who should attend? Farmers, farm employees and anyone
 who works with beef cows. The workshops will consist of a morning presentation, as well as an afternoon of on-farm demonstrations and skills development. These workshops are free, through registration is required. Space is limited. To register, click one of the following links: |
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An Evening with Temple Grandin
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On August 27, join Farm & Food Care Canada - the national partner of Farm & Food Care Ontario - in welcoming Dr. Temple Grandin to Guelph. Dr. Grandin is a famed animal behaviorist, author, professor of animal science at Colorado State University and autism awareness advocate.
A world-renowned inspiration to people with autism, Dr. Grandin has both developed humane livestock handling systems, and worked as a consultant to the livestock handling industry on animal care standards. She has, in addition, designed processing facilities in which half the cattle in the United States are handled while working for Burger King, McDonalds, Swift and others.
Event details:
- August 27, 2015
- 7:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
- War Memorial Hall, University of Guelph
Tickets are $50 each (includes a $20 charitable receipt) or $30 for students. Free parking will also be provided. Tickets can be ordered online here, or by phone at 519-837-1326.
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Animal Care E-Newsletter ~ August 2015
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 The quarterly Animal Care E-Newsletter is now available through www.farmfoodcare.org. This issue covers:
- Farm & Food Care's visit to the Ontario Pork Congress,
- IMPACT resource modules
- The recently completed dairy stockmanship workshop series.
- Upcoming beef handling workshops
- PACCO meat plant auditor training
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Breakfast on the Farm ~ Essex County
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On September 20, 2015, Breakfast on the Farm will be hosted at Hylander Farms in Tecumseh. It will be the third Breakfast on the Farm since 2013, and so far, over 6,000 people have been fed, entertained and engaged at the event.
After being treated to an all-Ontario breakfast featuring eggs, pancakes, sausage and more, visitors will be able to see beef cattle and farm machinery, and will have the opportunity to
 have their questions answered by helpful farm experts. Interactive stops around the farm will include many displays, activities and exhibits that showcase other types of farms in Ontario. Hylander Farms is a beef, veal and grain farm owned and operated by Brian Hyland, his wife Rina, son Matthew, and parents Walter and Muriel. The event will run from 9:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. with breakfast being served until 11:30 a.m. The farm tours wrap up by 1:00 p.m. It is a free event, though preregistration is required; the first 2,000 visitors are guaranteed breakfast. Click here to obtain your free tickets or to learn more about volunteering or sponsoring the event.
The event is supported by many national, provincial and regional farm organizations and agri-businesses, as well as many dedicated community volunteers.
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Dribble Bar spreads across Ontario
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Farm & Food Care demonstrated the 'dribble bar' technology Tuesday, July 21 at Winchester, Ontario. More than 250 farmers, agronomists and industry representatives learned about this new-to-Ontario technology - specifically, how it could help reduce nutrient loss, and improve manure application efficiency.
Europe and the province of Quebec already have legislation to limit the spreading of manure to the growing season. Attendees were encouraged to be proactive and use best practices and precision technology to get the most from manure while protecting the environment.
The dribble bar makes its next stop August 11 in Lindsay, Ontario, at Maryland Farms. For more information about the dribble bar and where it can be viewed, visit Farm & Food Care's upcoming events page.
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Speakers' Bureau visits Northern Ontario
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For farmers and agribusiness people alike, the Speakers' Bureau series of workshops is designed to encourage those involved in agriculture to tell THEIR stories - what they do and why they do it - to non-farming audiences.
Farm & Food Care has scheduled four Northern Ontario sessions for the coming fall:
- Emo - November 3
- Thunder Bay - November 5
- New Liskard -November 18
- Sudbury - November 19
There is no charge to participate in the sessions. Lunch and all workshop materials will be provided. Space in each session is limited to the first 25 participants. Those interested in attending can email matt@farmfoodcare.org, or call the office at (519) 837-1326 ext. 235.
Speak up and tell your farming story. It's important!
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The Real Dirt on Farming digest ~ en français
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 The Real Dirt on Farming digest is now available in both English and French.
A great resource for fairs and other events, both the French and English versions of the 12 page digest come in quantities of 450 (1 box). The first box is free, though a $60 charge (plus postage) applies for subsequent boxes.
To order the digest, call or email Farm & Food Care Ontario: info@farmfoodcare.org
519-837-1326 |
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4-H Real Dirt on Farming Club
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The Real Dirt on Farming now has its own 4-H club in West Carlton County!
After attending a Speakers' Bureau training session last fall, 4-H leader Jean Sullivan - along with fellow leaders Elizabeth Prentice-Hudson and Leah Richardson-Dean - decided to form an Ottawa-region club focused on The Real Dirt on Farming. It has four objectives:
- Provide a clear understanding of the need to speak up for agriculture;
- Assist members in creating presentations featuring their own farm story;
- Provide tips and tools to help members communicate effectively to others about agriculture;
- Improve exposure and understanding of different forms of agriculture.
Club members have visited a number of different farms, and spent time communicating with patrons at the Ottawa farmers' market. The club leaders are also planning visits to other farms and farmers markets, and are scheduled to give a presentation about their club to the City of Ottawa's Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee.
For more information about The Real Dirt on Farming 4-H club, contact Jean Sullivan at jmsullivan@xplornet.
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Front left to right: Michael Sullivan, Michael Cousens, Alex Dean, Devon Dean.
Back left to right: Jean Sullivan (leader) Adrianna Martin, Kathryn Stanton, Kelsey Hill, Kerin Hudson, Kaitlin Cavanagh, Elizabeth Prentice-Hudson (leader) Leah Richardson-Dean (leader).
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How are you sharing The Real Dirt on Farming?
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Farm & Food Care wants to hear how YOU are sharing The Real Dirt on Farming booklet. By sharing your story on www.realdirtonfarming.ca, you are entered to win additional boxes of the booklet for further distribution. 
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If you've misplaced a copy of the newsletter or want to check an item from a past issue, they're all archived on our website under the Media Centre section. We encourage you to forward this newsletter to other members of your company or organization who might be interested. They can also subscribe directly by emailing info@farmfoodcare.org. 100 Stone Road West, Suite 202 Guelph, ON N1G 5L3 519-837-1326 www.farmfoodcare.org Twitter: @farmfoodcare Email: info@farmfoodcare.org |
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