Gary Sliworski

By Gary Sliworsky, Ag rep, Emo

Managing deadstock is an inevitable product of raising livestock. Disposing of deadstock takes time and money.
The key issues regarding deadstock include public health, perception, economics, and environmental protection. Deadstock disposal concerns go far beyond just deciding which method is most convenient.

By Gary Sliworsky
Ag rep, Emo

In a year with plentiful rainfall, pastures remain lush and continue to grow throughout the summer.
It is always encouraging to see green grass in August, rather than having all fields brown and needing to feed hay. However, pasture gains in these wet years often are a little disappointing.

Here’s your chance to recognize someone with the title of the 2009 Ontario Outstanding Young Farmer.
This award will be presented at the regional conference to be held next March 9-11 in London, Ont.
The Outstanding Young Farmer Program is seeking people who contribute to the community, who seek new opportunities, and who generally are assets to Ontario’s agri-food industry.
Anyone can nominate a young farmer/farm couple for the award. The eligibility requirements are simply:
•must be between the ages of 18 and 39;
•must operate a farm; and

By Gary Sliworsky, Ag rep, Emo

The following is the latest “Horse News and Views,” which is prepared by Dr. Bob Wright, Animal Health and Welfare, OMAFRA, in co-operation with the staff and researchers of the University of Guelph.
The monthly column highlights research topics, extension resources, reminders of common poisonings, disease, or production concerns, and coming events, and is placed at www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/livestock/horses/news.html

By Gary Sliworsky, Ag rep, Emo

As we approach the winter feeding season, it’s an ideal time to be thinking about next year’s pasture season.
Even if the ground is frozen and covered with snow, there are things you can do over the winter to improve pasture growth in the coming year.
The following are suggestions from Jack Kyle, a grazier specialist with the Ministry of Food, Agriculture, and Rural Affairs:

By Gary Sliworsky, Ag rep, Emo

There are a number of misconceptions floating around out there that keep us from getting the best value from soil testing.
In some cases, they mean that samples don’t get collected at all. This is a total waste of valuable information you could use to improve your bottom line.
•Myth: My farm is unique, so a soil test can’t be relevant.

By Gary Sliworsky
Ag rep, Emo

Cattle producers make a valuable contribution to Canada’s economy and environment. Their good management practices maintain wildlife habitat and contribute to reducing greenhouse gases.
Canada’s cattle producers manage 167 million acres of native grasses for livestock and wildlife, comprising about a quarter of Canada’s total agricultural land.
These native and tame grasses play an important role in sequestering carbon in the soil, filtering water, providing habitat for wildlife and birds, and providing high-quality feed for cattle.

By Gary Sliworsky, Ag rep, Emo

Every fall, we get questions about whether it is better to apply fertilizer in the fall or wait until spring.
Keith Reid, soil fertility specialist with the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food, says the answer, as in most things, is that it depends.
The one nutrient where the answer is clear is nitrogen (N). With Ontario conditions, there is too much risk of nitrogen loss over winter for this practice to be acceptable, either economically or environmentally.

The following is the latest “Horse News and Views,” which is prepared by Dr. Bob Wright, Animal Health and Welfare, OMAFRA, in co-operation with the staff and researchers of the University of Guelph.
The monthly column highlights research topics, extension resources, reminders of common poisonings, disease, or production concerns, and coming events and is placed on the ministry’s website at http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/livestock/horses/news.html

New innovations and ideas developed on the farm are contributing to local economies, boosting the agri-food industry, and offering more choices for the consumer.
In 2006, the Premier’s Award for Agri-Food Innovation Excellence was established to recognize and foster innovation in the agri-food industry.
The five-year, $2.5-million program (now in its third year) encourages the development of prosperity in Ontario’s rural communities and on farms by recognizing innovations that add value to existing products, create jobs, and drive economic growth.