By Gary Sliworsky
Ag rep, Emo
It’s time once again to seek nominations for the Environmental Stewardship Award, which is presented annually by the Ontario Cattlemen’s Association and the Royal Bank of Canada.
This marks the 12th year of the award, which recognizes the outstanding environmental stewardship of an Ontario cattleman.
Special consideration is given to producers who have taken innovative approaches to environmentally-sustainable cattle production.
We are asking for the help of OCA members and industry partners, as well as conservation and environmental groups from across the province, in selecting our annual winner.
We would ask that you take the time to determine whether there are beef farmers in your area that meet the criteria of the competition.
The winner, chosen by a selection committee, will be announced at the OCA’s 2010 annual meeting. The winner then will go on to represent Ontario at the national level of the competition.
The Ontario winner also receives $500 to be put towards a farm gate sign or a painting of their choice.
Any Ontario cattle producer or cattle farming operation can be nominated for this award by him or herself, another producer, interested individual(s), a conservation group, or the local cattlemen’s association.
The deadline for nominations is Friday Nov. 27.
If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact Lianne Appleby at 1-519-824-0334 or via e-mail at lianne@cattle.guelph.on.ca
A nomination form and checklist are available at www.cattle.guelph.on.ca/programs/TESA_application.asp
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2008 AgriInvest Deposit Notices started appearing in producers’ mailboxes to let them know how much they can deposit into their AgriInvest accounts to receive matching government contributions.
The notices provide producers with their matchable deposit amount and current account balance. Producers then have 90 days from the issue date on the notice to make a deposit.
They have the flexibility to withdraw funds at any time throughout the year.
For 2008, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) is holding AgriInvest accounts, and all deposits and withdrawal requests must be made to AAFC.
Officials continue to work with financial institutions towards having them hold AgriInvest accounts in the future.
AgriInvest is a business risk management program under “Growing Forward,” a federal-provincial-territorial initiative.
For more information on AgriInvest, producers can visit the program’s website at www.agr.gc.ca/agriinvest or call the AAFC toll-free at 1-866-367-8506.
Dates to remember
•Oct. 3–Cattle sale, Stratton sales barn, 9:30 a.m.
