Featured Blog Posts - Ontario Agriculture2024-03-19T09:38:05Zhttps://ontag.farms.com/profiles/blog/feed?promoted=1&xn_auth=noWhen things don’t go according to plantag:ontag.farms.com,2017-08-10:3646443:BlogPost:703822017-08-10T16:25:06.000ZOntario Veterinary Collegehttps://ontag.farms.com/profile/KMantel
<p><em><span lang="EN" xml:lang="EN">Each summer DVM students from the Ontario Veterinary College at the University of Guelph delve into hands-on, practical experience at veterinary clinics across Ontario and additional locales during their Externship Veterinary Course. Funded by the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA), students must complete an eight-week Externship Course between third and fourth year in a rural veterinary practice that works with food animals…</span></em></p>
<p><em><span lang="EN" xml:lang="EN">Each summer DVM students from the Ontario Veterinary College at the University of Guelph delve into hands-on, practical experience at veterinary clinics across Ontario and additional locales during their Externship Veterinary Course. Funded by the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA), students must complete an eight-week Externship Course between third and fourth year in a rural veterinary practice that works with food animals and/or equine, as well as companion animals. These Externship blog posts are an opportunity to tag along with students during their externship. Here student veterinarian Shannon talks about the importance of problem solving when things don’t go according to plan. Check out all the student blogs</span></em> <span lang="EN" xml:lang="EN"><em><a href="https://externship.ovc.uoguelph.ca/" target="_blank">here</a></em>.</span> </p>
<p><font face="Calibri" size="3">I’ve been very fortunate to have excellent veterinary mentorship during my weeks at Milverton-Wellesley. When I’m on farm service, I get to perform almost every procedure we do on our cattle calls, and this has been a huge boost to my competency and confidence. This is all due to excellent teachers who are ever so patient, and of course wonderful farmers who are willing to let me learn on their animals.</font></p>
<p><font face="Calibri" size="3"><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/404554310?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="300" class="align-left" style="padding: 3px;" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/404554310?profile=RESIZE_320x320"></a>When I do a procedure, I have a plan in my mind for how it should go. If I’m going to give calcium intravenously for the treatment of milk fever, I think “occlude the jugular vein, look for the vein to pop up, feel the vein, take the cap off my needle, stick it in, watch for blood so I know I’m in the vein, and attach the IV line to let the calcium to flow in slowly over 5 minutes.” Our ideal plan is one that goes smoothly and quickly, but I’ve learned that it doesn’t always go that way. Needles slide out of veins and you have to take it out and redirect it, some cows have smaller veins that are hard to visualize, sometimes cows are obstinate and hard to restrain… the list goes on!</font></p>
<p><font face="Calibri" size="3">It’s very easy as a student to be hard on yourself when things don’t go perfectly. I often get frustrated with myself if I struggle with something that I’ve done several times before. Your inner voice can be your harshest critic. But it is helpful to remember that this is the <i>very best time</i> for you to experience what happens when things don’t go according to plan!</font></p>
<p><font face="Calibri" size="3">First, you learn that things don’t always go perfectly, even for the most seasoned veterinarian. This helps you to stop being so hard on yourself! The other great thing is that right now you are completely supervised by a veterinarian – so if you need help or advice, someone is right there to coach you through a sticky spot. This is incredibly valuable, because you learn lots of strategies for how to help yourself should you ever need to in the future! When I learn one of these helpful pieces of advice I write it down in my notebook under the heading “TIPS” so I can refer back to these if I ever need to.</font></p>
<p><font face="Calibri" size="3">I don’t think the best veterinarian is one that does everything perfectly every time. Maybe I used to think that and aspire to that. But animals are unpredictable and so is medicine… no two cases are alike just like no two animals are alike. The best veterinarian is one that can think on their feet and improvise to solve a problem to achieve the best outcome when a wrench is thrown into their plan. I think <i>that</i> is something worthy of aspiring to! </font></p>
<p><font face="Calibri" size="3">Photo: <em>"Speaking of improvising, we needed a place to hang our fluids from for this sick cow, and a quick thinking farmer improvised with a ladder!" </em></font></p>
<p></p>The trip beginstag:ontag.farms.com,2017-02-14:3646443:BlogPost:681792017-02-14T14:00:00.000ZAALPhttps://ontag.farms.com/profile/AALP
<p>The members of the Advanced Agricultural Leadership Program (AALP) Class 16 began to arrive at Toronto’s Pearson Airport starting around 8 pm on Monday, February 13th. By 10 pm those who hadn’t travelled ahead were catching up with each other – sharing laughs and letting the anticipation for our international adventure to begin.</p>
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<p>Looking at the class, it is incredible to think that just over 18 months ago we were all strangers and now we are close friends looking forward to…</p>
<p>The members of the Advanced Agricultural Leadership Program (AALP) Class 16 began to arrive at Toronto’s Pearson Airport starting around 8 pm on Monday, February 13th. By 10 pm those who hadn’t travelled ahead were catching up with each other – sharing laughs and letting the anticipation for our international adventure to begin.</p>
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<p>Looking at the class, it is incredible to think that just over 18 months ago we were all strangers and now we are close friends looking forward to what the next two weeks will bring.</p>
<p><br/>We were all impressed with the seat arrangements on Air EVA. When you think of modern air travel and the thoughts of a 16-hour flight (Toronto to Taiwan), being impressed with seat arrangements is a rather critical component to have a good start to our trip.</p>
<p><br/>The flight made quick work of February 14th as when we hit the International Date Line we were instantly in February 15th. Our adventure is underway and memories are being created.</p>"GOOD MORNING VIETNAM!!!!!"tag:ontag.farms.com,2017-02-15:3646443:BlogPost:684732017-02-15T14:00:00.000ZAALPhttps://ontag.farms.com/profile/AALP
<p>The AALP class 16 arrived at 12pm local time today February 15th, which is 12 hours ahead of our friends, family, and blog followers in Ontario. The enthusiastic travellers spent 20 hours on the airplane and flew over 14,000 kilometres over Sudbury, the arctic circle, Russia, Japan, Taiwan and finally Vietnam.</p>
<p>Our journey to Asia included a planned layover stop in the Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport. The Airport had several amenities for all to enjoy, including a yoga lounge, a…</p>
<p>The AALP class 16 arrived at 12pm local time today February 15th, which is 12 hours ahead of our friends, family, and blog followers in Ontario. The enthusiastic travellers spent 20 hours on the airplane and flew over 14,000 kilometres over Sudbury, the arctic circle, Russia, Japan, Taiwan and finally Vietnam.</p>
<p>Our journey to Asia included a planned layover stop in the Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport. The Airport had several amenities for all to enjoy, including a yoga lounge, a mechanical horse that allowed Megh to keep up her horse-riding skills, extensive duty free shopping, and luxurious first class lounges. </p>
<p>Our afternoon city tour of Ho Chi Minh City - formerly known as Saigon - included a trip to the Presidential Palace, which was the intelligence headquarters of the President, his family, and his staff during the Vietnam war. The signing of the end of the Vietnam War took place at this historical site as well.</p>
<p>The buzz of motor bikes zipping through the busy streets will send us into a deep sleep to fight off jet lag and prepare for tomorrow's adventures. Until then....</p>Why do we not STRIP TILL every acre of corn?tag:ontag.farms.com,2016-12-23:3646443:BlogPost:676642016-12-23T22:37:24.000ZJim Boakhttps://ontag.farms.com/profile/JimBoak
<p><span>I was introduced to strip till in 1975. It worked pretty well, very well actually; but it didn't sell.</span><br></br></p>
<p><span>Almost every soil scientist on the planet is recommending strip till as the most economical, most environmentally friendly way to produce corn but only a handful of growers are actually putting strip till into practice. </span></p>
<p><br></br><span>What's the deal? </span><br></br><span>Corn seems to like it! </span><br></br><span>The soil seems to like…</span></p>
<p><span>I was introduced to strip till in 1975. It worked pretty well, very well actually; but it didn't sell.</span><br/></p>
<p><span>Almost every soil scientist on the planet is recommending strip till as the most economical, most environmentally friendly way to produce corn but only a handful of growers are actually putting strip till into practice. </span></p>
<p><br/><span>What's the deal? </span><br/><span>Corn seems to like it! </span><br/><span>The soil seems to like it! </span><br/><span>Do the scientists have it wrong? </span><br/><span>Is the equipment wrong? </span></p>
<p><br/><span>Why are all corn growers and even soybean growers not adopting strip till? </span><br/><br/><span>I look forward to tons of comment and advice. </span><br/><br/><span>Merry Christmas to all and all the very best of farming in 2017 </span><br/><span>Jim </span></p>Farm clients important part of OVC teaching programstag:ontag.farms.com,2016-01-05:3646443:BlogPost:645912016-01-05T21:46:17.000ZOntario Veterinary Collegehttps://ontag.farms.com/profile/KMantel
<p>A recent appreciation day for Ontario Veterinary College Ruminant Field Services (OVC RFS) clients emphasized their important support of OVC’s teaching programs. The RFS, which services farm clients surrounding the Guelph area, is an integral teaching tool for student veterinarians, who gain valuable hands-on experience in diagnostics and clinical skills working with clients on-farm.</p>
<p>The client day provides an opportunity to thank clients, as well as provide updates on recent research…</p>
<p>A recent appreciation day for Ontario Veterinary College Ruminant Field Services (OVC RFS) clients emphasized their important support of OVC’s teaching programs. The RFS, which services farm clients surrounding the Guelph area, is an integral teaching tool for student veterinarians, who gain valuable hands-on experience in diagnostics and clinical skills working with clients on-farm.</p>
<p>The client day provides an opportunity to thank clients, as well as provide updates on recent research at the University of Guelph and the Ontario Veterinary College, says Dr. Todd Duffield, OVC professor and one of the faculty veterinarians with the OVC RFS.</p>
<p>Clients heard updates on small ruminant, beef, and dairy research, as well as information on a recent instance of bluetongue in Ontario and Dairy Farmers of Canada’s proAction initiative, a national quality assurance program. </p>
<p>Food policy seems to be back in the news again, OVC Dean Jeff Wichtel told the group in his welcoming remarks, pointing out the new federal government has made livestock production one of its priorities with a mandate letter to the new Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food that includes development of a food policy promoting “high quality food, more Canadian food, produced by people like you.”</p>
<p>Consumer perceptions were highlighted in a presentation with UofG’s Dr. Mike von Massow, from the College of Management and Economics. Price, freshness and safety are important requirements for consumers, but there is more concern and consciousness surrounding animal welfare, he said.</p>
<p>Consumers don’t have a clear idea how their food is produced and many have no idea where to get information about the agriculture industry. “We need to do a better job of telling consumers what we’re doing,” he added. “We have an opportunity to engage consumers.”</p>
<p>OVC research updates included: Dr. Charlotte Winder on a dairy calf pilot study working with veterinary clinics to train producers and farm staff to administer pain medication for disbudding and dehorning using in-person and on-line training approaches; Kaley Mackie, MSc student, discussing research into parasites on beef pasture; and Dr. Andrew Peregrine, parasitologist, outlining a new dewormer for the <em>Haemonchus</em> parasite in sheep and tips to avoid creating resistance to the treatment.</p>
<p>Sponsors for the day included Boehringer Ingelheim, Elanco, Merck Animal Health, Merial, and Zoetis.</p>
<p> </p>Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne Addresses Advancing Women In Agriculture Conference in Toronto.tag:ontag.farms.com,2015-10-06:3646443:BlogPost:636692015-10-06T16:00:00.000ZOntAG Adminhttps://ontag.farms.com/profile/OntAGAdmin
<a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/404555794?profile=original" target="_self"><img class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/404555794?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750"></a> <br />
<br>Farms.com and AgCareers.com Kathryn Doan was able to visit with the Premier afterwards and ask her some questions. VIdeos will be following.
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<a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/404555794?profile=original" target="_self"><img class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/404555794?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750"></a> <br />
<br>Farms.com and AgCareers.com Kathryn Doan was able to visit with the Premier afterwards and ask her some questions. VIdeos will be following.
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<br>Oxford Agricultural Awards of Excellence (best time of the year)tag:ontag.farms.com,2015-03-11:3646443:BlogPost:607752015-03-11T13:57:31.000ZAmy Mathesonhttps://ontag.farms.com/profile/AmyMatheson
<p>One of the most exciting parts of my job is being able to make the Oxford County Agricultural Awards of Excellence happen during the beginning of April. It truly is an evening that recognizes and celebrates our industry!</p>
<p>Please see below for info about this years' event. <br></br> <br></br>The Oxford County Federation of Agriculture (OCFA) is pleased to present 15th annual Agricultural Awards of Excellence at the Oxford Auditorium in Woodstock on Wednesday April 1, 2015. <br></br> <br></br>OCFA has a…</p>
<p>One of the most exciting parts of my job is being able to make the Oxford County Agricultural Awards of Excellence happen during the beginning of April. It truly is an evening that recognizes and celebrates our industry!</p>
<p>Please see below for info about this years' event. <br/> <br/>The Oxford County Federation of Agriculture (OCFA) is pleased to present 15th annual Agricultural Awards of Excellence at the Oxford Auditorium in Woodstock on Wednesday April 1, 2015. <br/> <br/>OCFA has a long-standing tradition of hosting the Agricultural Awards of Excellence and this gala evening has become known across the county and beyond as an evening that celebrates our rural roots, and recognizes the commitment, innovation and passion of Oxford County’s agricultural community.<br/> <br/>This year we will be proudly recognizing and celebrating the following for their outstanding contributions to agriculture in the county:<br/>Large Agribusiness: Ingersoll Home Building Centre<br/>Small Agribusiness: Krugs Meat Market<br/>Spirit of Agriculture: Norwich Optimist Club<br/>Innovation: Synders Farm and Fear Farm<br/>Local Food Ambassador: Woodstock and District Developmental Services<br/>Sustainability: Vollmershausen Farms<br/>Technology: Dortman Bros. Barn Equipment<br/>Family Farm: The McLaren Family<br/>Youth in Agriculture: Kayla Veldman & Luke Ward<br/>And the surprise inductee into the Oxford County Agricultural Hall of Fame<br/> <br/>The 2015 Agricultural Awards of Excellence promises to be an inspiring evening of recognizing and celebrating all the best in our promising industry, sure to inspire winners, attendees, sponsors and the whole rural community.</p>
<p>Cocktails: 6pm<br/>Dinner: 6:30pm followed by awards ceremony<br/> <br/>Evening ticket price is $55 per person and the dinner menu will be comprised of the finest local ingredients Oxford has to offer!<br/> <br/>For more information and to reserve please contact:<br/>Amy Matheson<br/>Communications/Administrator<br/>Oxford County Federation of Agriculture<br/>519-870-6456 <br/>amy.oxfordag@gmail.com</p>Attention dairy farmers - have you completed the research survey on calf feeding?tag:ontag.farms.com,2015-03-10:3646443:BlogPost:608632015-03-10T18:39:41.000ZOntario Veterinary Collegehttps://ontag.farms.com/profile/KMantel
<p>Researchers at the University of Guelph want to find out more about the way dairy farmers feed and manage young dairy calves. In particular, they are interested in the use of automated milk feeders in Canada. Dairy farmers across Canada are encouraged to fill out an online survey at <a href="http://fluidsurveys.com/s/milkfeedingdairycalves/" target="_blank">http://fluidsurveys.com/s/milkfeedingdairycalves/</a></p>
<p>You may have already seen or heard about this survey through…</p>
<p>Researchers at the University of Guelph want to find out more about the way dairy farmers feed and manage young dairy calves. In particular, they are interested in the use of automated milk feeders in Canada. Dairy farmers across Canada are encouraged to fill out an online survey at <a href="http://fluidsurveys.com/s/milkfeedingdairycalves/" target="_blank">http://fluidsurveys.com/s/milkfeedingdairycalves/</a></p>
<p>You may have already seen or heard about this survey through CanWest DHI, Valacta or the Milk Producer magazine's February 2015 issue. </p>
<p> <a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/404553798?profile=original" target="_self"><img src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/404553798?profile=RESIZE_480x480" width="375" class="align-left" style="padding: 5px;"></a></p>
<p>The survey will gather information about your experiences feeding and managing young dairy calves and help researchers identify reasons why some producers have switched to automated feeding and why others have kept on using manual feeding methods. The survey also will help identify the perceived advantages and challenges both groups of farmers face with these two feeding systems and document some of the key management practices that characterize both types of systems.</p>
<p>The information you provide will help researchers identify specific areas where more research is needed to help strike a balance between the use of available technology and the implementation of good management practices to improve calf welfare and performance. Future on-farm research with automated milk feeders will help identify and refine best management practices to facilitate successful integration of this equipment on-farm.</p>
<p>Everyone who completes the survey and provides an email address will also be entered into a draw to win 1 of 2 $250 cash prizes.</p>
<p>The project “Innovative feeding and best management practices for the very young dairy calf to improve calf performance, welfare, and future productivity” is funded under the Dairy Research Cluster Program, Dairy Farmers of Canada.</p>
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<p>Follow the Ontario Veterinary College <a class="ProfileHeaderCard-screennameLink u-linkComplex js-nav" href="https://twitter.com/OntVetCollege">@<span class="u-linkComplex-target">OntVetCollege</span></a></p>Day 14: Our final tour and journey hometag:ontag.farms.com,2015-03-02:3646443:BlogPost:604582015-03-02T16:03:05.000ZAALPhttps://ontag.farms.com/profile/AALP
<p>It seems like only a day ago that we were all greeting each other in Toronto Pearson, excited to embark on this two week adventure of learning, growing, gaining new experiences and deepening of understanding of agriculture in the world that we live in - this global village. It is with equal anticipation that we get up this morning, pile our belongings on the bottom of our carriage and find our seats. But this anticipation is different. Armed with new information, perspectives and deepened…</p>
<p>It seems like only a day ago that we were all greeting each other in Toronto Pearson, excited to embark on this two week adventure of learning, growing, gaining new experiences and deepening of understanding of agriculture in the world that we live in - this global village. It is with equal anticipation that we get up this morning, pile our belongings on the bottom of our carriage and find our seats. But this anticipation is different. Armed with new information, perspectives and deepened friendships and relationships, we look forward to finding our way home to loved ones, family, friends and farms.<a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/404549542?profile=original" target="_self"><img src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/404549542?profile=RESIZE_320x320" width="250" class="align-center"></a></p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/404550551?profile=original" target="_self"><img src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/404550551?profile=RESIZE_320x320" width="250" class="align-left"></a>We start the day with a tour of the impressive city that is Buenos Aires, complete with visits to the Parliament buildings and local markets to hear all about the good, bad and ugly that is included in the history of Argentina. We also visited one of the most famous and beautiful cemeteries of the world. We saw lavish mausoleums - complete with marble statues and 24 carat gold engravings - and many a plaque dedicated to the lost loved ones of some of the wealthiest people to have lived and died in Argentina. One tomb of note was the rather simplistic and understated crypt of the late Eva Perron, the ever famous wife of General and President Juan Perron, who was portrayed in the musical “Evita” by Madonna.<a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/404553150?profile=original" target="_self"><img src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/404553150?profile=RESIZE_320x320" width="250" class="align-right"></a></p>
<p>Following our tour, we stopped one last time at a high end buffet restaurant....just in case we had not yet eaten enough of wonderful pasta, salads and high quality grilled steak over the past two weeks!</p>
<p>We fly home, uneventfully, as any good flight should be. We’re back to the great white north, greeted by loved ones and long drives home. There will be lots of time to marinate in all we’ve seen and learned, but for now, we’ll just focus on catching up on the smiles, hugs and handshakes we’ve missed over the past weeks.</p>
<p>-Class 15</p>Day 13: An inspiring day of tours - from livestock trading to newspaper writing!tag:ontag.farms.com,2015-03-02:3646443:BlogPost:605672015-03-02T00:25:54.000ZAALPhttps://ontag.farms.com/profile/AALP
<p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/404556558?profile=original" target="_self"></a><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/404557536?profile=original" target="_self"></a><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/404560368?profile=original" target="_self"></a></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/404556558?profile=original" target="_self"></a><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/404557536?profile=original" target="_self"></a><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/404560368?profile=original" target="_self"></a><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/404560710?profile=original" target="_self"></a><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/404561481?profile=original" target="_self"></a><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/404562337?profile=original" target="_self"></a><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/404563618?profile=original" target="_self"></a><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/404564830?profile=original" target="_self"></a><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/404566008?profile=original" target="_self"></a></span><span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><font size="2">An early morning start had us visiting the Mercado de Liniers today.</font> Mercado de Liniers is the primary livestock trade centre for Argentina established in 1901.<span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/404550579?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="200" class="align-center" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/404550579?profile=RESIZE_320x320"></a></span>Impressive in size, an average day moves 6000 to 7000 head of cattle. Buyers walk above the pens with the auctioneer or on horseback for a better view of the livestock. We felt as though we were following a history lesson as the tradition of gauchos on horseback moved cattle from trailers to pens. The cattle purchased and shipped to abattoirs and butchered for domestic consumption. The cattle are finished at a much lower weight than we normally see in North America due to the Argentinian preference for smaller cuts of meat. <span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/404564830?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="200" class="align-center" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/404553234?profile=RESIZE_320x320"></a></span><br> <strong> </strong><br> <a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/404554471?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="200" class="align-left" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/404554471?profile=RESIZE_320x320"></a>Our second stop was a non-governmental organization called Comedor Los Piletones DeMargarita. We met with Margarita who has dedicated her life to helping the poor of Buenos Aires. Margarita is a highly respected woman who was an orphan growing up in the poorest region of Argentina. She has raised 12 children and tirelessly put her needs aside to help others. Through donations and the help of 30 volunteers she has built a kitchen that provides more than 2000 meals each day, established a medical centre, pharmacy and dental clinic. These services are provided through a relationship Margarita has established with the university medical school. There is a nursery school providing care for children from six weeks to four years old so that teen and working moms have access to child care. Noticing that the children were lacking stimulation <a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/404555500?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="250" class="align-right" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/404555500?profile=RESIZE_320x320"></a>she developed an orchestra for children in the area. This important activity has brought kids off the street and helped some overcome drug addictions. Margarita's last project is to build a women's shelter. At the completion of this project she will pass along her knowledge and create succession so the legacy of her generosity can continue.<br> </span></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Our first stop after lunch had us meeting with the director of fundraising for The Cimientos. This organization was established in 1997 and they have had many successes in that short time. They walked us through the pathway of a mentorship program they have created that helps vulnerable kids transition from primary to secondary school. They had realized this was where the greatest risk of drop-out was occurring. With 1170 secondary school students dropping out per day the program offered by Cimientos has been successful. Follow them on Twitter @cimientos.<br> <br> Finally the day wrapped up at La Nacion - a national newspaper that has been in production for 145 years. We met with Norberto Frigerio, public relations representative. Even though Mr. Frigerio spoke to us in Spanish his passion and articulation was evident. He shared with us the issues the newspaper has faced through the political challenges Argentina has often faced such as having to reduce the printing to four pages when they could not purchase paper during Peron's reign. La Nacion provides a weekly agricultural supplement in their <span>Saturday</span> edition. They report on regional economies, rural meetings and commodity prices. The paper prints 330,000 copies for the <span>Saturday</span> and <span>Sunday</span> editions and 230,000 copies <span>Monday</span> to Friday. We learned that a copy of La Nacion is sent to Pope Francis each day!</span></p>
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<p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">-Class 15</span></p>
<p></p>Day 10: Back to schooltag:ontag.farms.com,2015-02-28:3646443:BlogPost:602062015-02-28T23:30:00.000ZAALPhttps://ontag.farms.com/profile/AALP
<p style="text-align: center;"><span class="font-size-3" style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/404555916?profile=original" target="_self"><img class="align-center" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/404555916?profile=RESIZE_320x320" width="250"></img></a></span></p>
<p>Day 10 started with boarding the bus for an hour trip to an Ag School in Venado Tuerto (One Eyed Deer). The name of the school was Escuela Agricola and it was a private school with students from Kindergarten to Grade 12 established in 1968. The…</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span class="font-size-3" style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/404555916?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="250" class="align-center" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/404555916?profile=RESIZE_320x320"></a></span></p>
<p>Day 10 started with boarding the bus for an hour trip to an Ag School in Venado Tuerto (One Eyed Deer). The name of the school was Escuela Agricola and it was a private school with students from Kindergarten to Grade 12 established in 1968. The school sits on 120 hectares of land in the Santa Fe region of Argentina. In 1994, the education system was reformed and the school transformed itself to devote and encourage their students an aptitude to preserve and protect the environment. </p>
<p><strong><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/404556647?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="200" class="align-left" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/404556647?profile=RESIZE_320x320"></a></strong><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/404556647?profile=original" target="_self"></a>When we arrived, it was surprising to meet three students in the senior grades - Lucia, Thomas and Camilla. These three young people had taken time away from their last week of summer vacation to talk about their school, in very good English. There are 800 students attending the school with 120 teachers teaching them. It is a private school that families pay for their children to attend. For us, the really interesting aspect of the school is the practical agriculture education the students get every day.</p>
<p>We jumped on a hay wagon to take a tour of the schools facilities. Obviously there were the regular boring classrooms but the students also had practical classrooms - a dairy barn, chicken barn, laboratory, fields with corn and soybeans and lots of equipment to use. Students attend the school because they are offered a choice by their parents and they would rather have the opportunity to learn outside as opposed to being in a classroom all the time. Students in their senior years have the opportunity for hands on practical learning such as learning to milk a dairy herd, how to butcher and cut the different animals that had been raised at the school, repair equipment and grow and harvest crops. The kids will have very practical skills for the next step in their lives which is usually university or the work force. The classroom model combined with practical hands-on learning has proven to be a winning combination for the school’s graduates and current students. Many in Class 15 talked about ways to have an exchange program with schools in Ontario. </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>What an exciting opportunity!</strong></p>
<p>Back on the bus, we drove approximately 30 km to La Constancia Farm - a farm established in 1911. Roberto Gallo gave us an introduction of the farm and talked about his farm. Currently there are four generations living on the farm and soon to be five. The farm raises a small pedigree herd of sheep and other small animals as well as crops a few hectares of corn and soybeans. They also provide custom application of fertilizer and herbicides for the neighbours.</p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/404557917?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="200" class="align-left" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/404557917?profile=RESIZE_320x320"></a>One of the other activities on the farm is playing host to weddings and other functions. The property provided a beautiful setting for a wedding. Weddings often ran through the night and there are many nights where the wedding party and guests all jump into the pool!</p>
<p>We had a short introduction and tour of the farm before our lunch and were then served in the shade, much like a wedding would have been served. Once again we were given a tasty lunch, made and served by our hosts - empanades, salad and lamb cooked over a spit. And of course, we had the option of some red wine with lunch as well.<span class="font-size-2" style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/404559998?profile=RESIZE_320x320" target="_self" width="200"><font face="Calibri"><img width="200" class="align-right" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/404559998?profile=RESIZE_320x320"></font></a></span><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/404559998?profile=RESIZE_320x320" target="_self" width="200"></a></p>
<p>With lunch finished, we had some more time to walk the property, some exploring the small museum and others just walking the lovely homestead. There might even have been a few who jumped the fence to check out the fields of corn and soybeans.</p>
<p>We left La Constancia and travelled the half hour back to the hotel. Our guide, Jorge, had arranged a last minute tour of a small horse farm for those who would like to go and check it out. After a quick dip in the pool to cool off, about 15 of us jumped back on the bus to go and look at a small horse operation. Roberto, a veterinarian student, came on our bus to take us to the farm.</p>
<p>The farm was only 15 minutes from our hotel. The bus may have incurred a scar trying to turn into the horse farm. It’s a good thing that the fence post was only three feet tall… otherwise, we might have been putting our window fixing experience to work again! Juan is a helper and Juan’s daughter and he talked with us about his horse operation. Juan, who is also a veterinarian, apologized for not having more to show us but he put on a great show for us - including how these horses were bred to be strong and have lots of stamina for ranching and herding cattle. We were given a demonstration of this in the small corral. What a great last minute addition to the day!<img width="200" class="align-center" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/404560969?profile=RESIZE_320x320"></p>
<p>Roberto wanted to take us to his farm to show it to us as well but the bus was unable to make the narrow turn into Roberto’s farm and we had to back up and turn the bus around and headed back to the hotel for another swim.</p>
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<p>-Class 15</p>
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<p></p>Day 12: Centro Cultural El Obradortag:ontag.farms.com,2015-03-01:3646443:BlogPost:603112015-03-01T23:36:51.000ZAALPhttps://ontag.farms.com/profile/AALP
<p>Today we started the day by packing our bags after our one night stay in Rosario.</p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/404557307?profile=original" target="_self"><img class="align-center" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/404557307?profile=RESIZE_320x320" width="250"></img></a></p>
<p>Centro Cultural El Obrador was our next stop. This cultural centre provides social programs for Indigenous people mainly from northeast Argentina. The programming includes activities to preserve their culture by sharing their crafts, native languages, stories and…</p>
<p>Today we started the day by packing our bags after our one night stay in Rosario.</p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/404557307?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="250" class="align-center" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/404557307?profile=RESIZE_320x320"></a></p>
<p>Centro Cultural El Obrador was our next stop. This cultural centre provides social programs for Indigenous people mainly from northeast Argentina. The programming includes activities to preserve their culture by sharing their crafts, native languages, stories and woodworking. All ages are welcome with activities for children during summer vacation. With a 50% high school drop out rate and high teen pregnancy rate, the centre provides access to medical care, helps young mothers sew baby clothes and provides teens with a place to get off of the street.</p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/404559836?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="250" class="align-left" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/404559836?profile=RESIZE_320x320"></a>The centre sells the craft items that are made from donations of recyclable products such as plastic pop bottles, fabric and wood pallets. The class excitedly shopped for items to take home as well a couple items that will be sold at the 2016 AALP Dream Auction.</p>
<p>Our visit concluded with one of the ladies sharing a story in her native language 'Qom', where if a young man gets a tail feather from a Tonolec owl he will soon meet the woman he will marry but if the wind catches the feather he will have more women chasing him!</p>
<p>On the bus we travelled back to Buenos Aires. The four hour ride gave us some time to complete some group learning activities. We practiced everyone's favourite off-the-cuff speaking, had a sponsor spotlight presentation and played a game of group story telling.<a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/404561115?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="250" class="align-right" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/404561115?profile=RESIZE_320x320"></a></p>
<p>As we approached Buenos Aires it was apparent the Boca Juniors are playing tonight with buses packed full of football fans heading to the stadium.</p>
<p>-Class 15</p>Day 11: Aceitera General Deheza and Bunge Corptag:ontag.farms.com,2015-03-01:3646443:BlogPost:605082015-03-01T23:36:32.000ZAALPhttps://ontag.farms.com/profile/AALP
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/404549976?profile=original" target="_self"><img class="align-center" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/404549976?profile=RESIZE_320x320" width="300"></img></a> We had an early start today but were excited to be visiting a large grain terminal in Rosario, the third largest city in Argentina with a population of about 1.2 million. When we arrived at the terminal it was raining outside so we rushed to the control room and the laboratory. We were shocked by the size of the terminal and some of the stats we learned! …</p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/404549976?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="300" class="align-center" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/404549976?profile=RESIZE_320x320"></a>We had an early start today but were excited to be visiting a large grain terminal in Rosario, the third largest city in Argentina with a population of about 1.2 million. When we arrived at the terminal it was raining outside so we rushed to the control room and the laboratory. We were shocked by the size of the terminal and some of the stats we learned! <a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/404550998?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="250" class="align-center" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/404550998?profile=RESIZE_320x320"></a><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/404552943?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="250" class="align-center" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/404552943?profile=RESIZE_320x320"></a></p>
<p>This facility crushes 20,000 tonnes of soybean grain per day. We found it interesting to learn about the biodiesel production process. We also learned that soybean production is the number one crop in Argentina - there are 57 million tonnes produced annually. The rain allowed us the opportunity to check out the ships used to ship grain. We couldn't believe the size of the ships!</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/404553207?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="250" class="align-center" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/404553207?profile=RESIZE_320x320"></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/404553379?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="250" class="align-center" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/404553379?profile=RESIZE_320x320"></a></p>
<p>We stopped for lunch at a local restaurant which had a great ambiance. We enjoyed excellent company and a delicious meal consisting of salad, chicken, fried vegetables and potato-chip style fries. The meal was a hit with the entire class.</p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/404554322?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="200" class="align-left" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/404554322?profile=RESIZE_320x320"></a>After lunch, we headed to the headquarters of Federacion Agraria Argentina where we learned about a farmers union that lobbies for the ag sector. We had an engaging discussion about some of the difficulties that small and medium sized producers face. High taxation and a politically unstable environment gave our class a lot of insight into the Argentinian agricultural sector. </p>
<p>-Class 15</p>Day 9: Farm tours and good eats!tag:ontag.farms.com,2015-02-26:3646443:BlogPost:601982015-02-26T14:08:52.000ZAALPhttps://ontag.farms.com/profile/AALP
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/404555134?profile=original" target="_self"><img class="align-center" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/404555134?profile=RESIZE_320x320" width="250"></img></a> Today we headed northwest out of Buenos Aires to the Area of Pergamino... and it wasn’t long before the land opened up into soybean, corn, cattle and horses. It’s safe to say this was a welcome sight for all of us!</p>
<p>Our first stop was at a machinery shed in Cabana El Desafio. This mid-sized farm consists of 1000 ha of soybean, corn, wheat and specialty green peas and…</p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/404555134?profile=original" target="_self"><img src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/404555134?profile=RESIZE_320x320" width="250" class="align-center"></a>Today we headed northwest out of Buenos Aires to the Area of Pergamino... and it wasn’t long before the land opened up into soybean, corn, cattle and horses. It’s safe to say this was a welcome sight for all of us!</p>
<p>Our first stop was at a machinery shed in Cabana El Desafio. This mid-sized farm consists of 1000 ha of soybean, corn, wheat and specialty green peas and included a 480 head cattle operation. The operation also works approximately 3500 additional acres as custom work. Much of the machinery was a smaller than we anticipated but the area provides a long window of opportunity for both planting and harvesting.</p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/404556172?profile=original" target="_self"><img src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/404556172?profile=RESIZE_320x320" width="200" class="align-left"></a>We got back on the bus for a short ride and next visited the home of Alejandro and Maria Calderon, owners of Cabana El Desafio. Alejandro answered several of our questions while we enjoyed drinks and Empanadas as the two inch steaks cooked on the open outdoor wood grill. Our hosts graciously opened up their home to us to enjoy the steaks and fixings. As we have become accustomed to on this trip, a wonderful lunch was topped with a perfect dessert - a homemade flan. <a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/404556990?profile=original" target="_self"><img src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/404556990?profile=RESIZE_320x320" width="200" class="align-right"></a></p>
<p>On full stomachs, Alejandro accepted several additional questions prior to taking us on a tour of the home 280 hectares. It was interesting to learn that he is facing some of the same challenges we Ontario farmers faces: high land costs, increased expenses, lower commodity prices and finding good employees. The biggest difference between Argentina and home seems to be the ability to market crops, as the government in Argentina receives the first third of all sales and controls all exports. </p>
<p>This evening we retired to our hotel and enjoyed an evening by the pool before falling asleep with the meat sweats!</p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/404558037?profile=original" target="_self"><img src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/404558037?profile=RESIZE_320x320" width="200" class="align-center"></a></p>
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<p> </p>Day 8: Arriving in Argentinatag:ontag.farms.com,2015-02-24:3646443:BlogPost:603962015-02-24T19:42:15.000ZAALPhttps://ontag.farms.com/profile/AALP
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/404554308?profile=original" target="_self"><img class="align-center" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/404554308?profile=RESIZE_320x320" width="200"></img></a> On Sunday we ended our time in Chile and Argentina welcomed us. It was also the time to say goodbye to our new Atlantic friends and our wonderful guide Andres and driver Horatio. </p>
<p>On our way to the airport Kenny Graham, one of our new Atlantic friends, gave a wonderful farewell by commenting about what he learned about each AALPer. It was an extremely…</p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/404554308?profile=original" target="_self"><img src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/404554308?profile=RESIZE_320x320" width="200" class="align-center"></a>On Sunday we ended our time in Chile and Argentina welcomed us. It was also the time to say goodbye to our new Atlantic friends and our wonderful guide Andres and driver Horatio. </p>
<p>On our way to the airport Kenny Graham, one of our new Atlantic friends, gave a wonderful farewell by commenting about what he learned about each AALPer. It was an extremely thoughtful send off. </p>
<p>Once we got to the airport we learned that our flight was delayed more than an hour. Why, you ask? Our flight was coming from Toronto and of course our wonderful winter weather had delayed the flight. We made the best of out of it though - there was no Timmy's but we quickly found the Starbucks. A small taste of home!</p>
<p>One thing we noticed about our two hour flight from Santiago to Buenos Aires was that they served us a meal – a sandwich, fruit and free alcoholic beverages. If this was a North American flight we would not have had this. So is it South American hospitality on Air Canada or a mandate?</p>
<p>When we landed in Buenos Aires we had to go through customs again and in Argentina Canadians must pay a reciprocity fee. They also wanted to know how many mobile phones we were bringing in each and what the models were as apparently they do not want anyone to sell mobile phones in the country.</p>
<p>After customs and baggage claim a few of us found another piece of home - McDonald's! And more than a couple of burgers were eaten.</p>
<p>Our tour guide in Argentina is Jorge - a very knowledgeable man with many years of experience in agriculture including years spent in Canada and Washington as part of Argentina’s agricultural attaché. He gave us a brief history of the city before dropping us off at our hotel.</p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/404555113?profile=original" target="_self"><img src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/404555113?profile=RESIZE_320x320" width="200" class="align-left"></a>As a welcome to Argentina, we enjoyed a Tango show at one of the oldest shows in Bueons Aires. We dressed in our most sizzling attire and stepped off the bus at Senior Tango where we were seated at round tables facing a huge circular stage. The vino Tinto and thick, juicy steak were quickly delivered to our table. The show enacted the history of Argentina, the sultry origins of the tango and ended with a resounding and soulful "Don't cry for me Argentina". The intricate dance moves were only slightly upstaged by the live horses and awe-inspiring moustaches. </p>
<p>The Tango was created in Buenos Aires in the 1890s - invented in the houses of ill repute and later introduced to France and embraced there. </p>
<p>Accordion, violin, la musica! An amazing show that we will never forget. <a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/404556132?profile=original" target="_self"><img src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/404556132?profile=RESIZE_320x320" width="200" class="align-right"></a></p>
<p>"I don't often eat sirloin steak while watching the tango, but when I do, it's in Argentina!" -Donna</p>
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<p>-Class 15 </p>
<p> </p>Day 7: Making memories (and wine!) at Montgras Estatetag:ontag.farms.com,2015-02-22:3646443:BlogPost:603872015-02-22T18:06:35.000ZAALPhttps://ontag.farms.com/profile/AALP
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/404553700?profile=original" target="_self"><img class="align-center" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/404553700?profile=RESIZE_320x320" width="250"></img></a> We started the day with the anticipation of our last stop of the d<span style="text-align: right;">ay - wine tasting at Montgras Estates! Alas we had a few stops before getting to the winery. </span></p>
<p>Our first stop was with a visit with a small vegetable and fruit producer. Luis Carrasco Saldana is a forward-thinking farmer who took the initiative three years ago…</p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/404553700?profile=original" target="_self"><img src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/404553700?profile=RESIZE_320x320" width="250" class="align-center"></a>We started the day with the anticipation of our last stop of the d<span style="text-align: right;">ay - wine tasting at Montgras Estates! Alas we had a few stops before getting to the winery. </span></p>
<p>Our first stop was with a visit with a small vegetable and fruit producer. Luis Carrasco Saldana is a forward-thinking farmer who took the initiative three years ago to further educate himself and a small group of fellow farmers on upgrading their irrigation systems. With a well only four meters deep he irrigates his cherries, onions, melons and beans for the local market. His advice to us was to do everything with love. </p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/404554268?profile=original" target="_self"><img src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/404554268?profile=RESIZE_320x320" width="250" class="align-left"></a></p>
<p>With irrigation on our minds our next stop was with Graciela who oversees all of the water systems in the area. In the past six years, due to climate change, Chile has lost 30% of its rain and the river water is down 40%. The biggest challenge is trying to get the government to acknowledge the need for dams and policy and to act on getting those dams constructed. This would allow water to be distributed more efficiently and recharge aquifers used by wells in the regions. </p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/404555459?profile=RESIZE_320x320" target="_self" width="200"><img src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/404555459?profile=RESIZE_320x320" width="250" class="align-right"></a><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/404558280?profile=RESIZE_320x320" target="_self" width="200"></a></p>
<p>Our lunch was enjoyed overlooking a vineyard at Vino Bello on their outdoor terrace complete with horse and wagon. This offered several photo opportunities with the vineyard in the background and a warm breeze blowing around us. We enjoyed some wine, the vista and great conversation. </p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/404556332?profile=original" target="_self"><img src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/404556332?profile=RESIZE_320x320" width="200" class="align-left"></a>Little did we know that on our final stop of the day we would become Montgras Estates newest winemakers upon our arrival! Gonzalos Silva guided us on our adventure in harvesting and making wine. He gave us a bucket and some shears and we each got to experience picking our bucket of grapes. Then came the fun part - we took off our shoes and rolled up our pants and savoured the adventure of crushing grapes and watching the juice fill our buckets. To feel the grapes squeeze between our toes and the sweet juice bursting out was a therapeutic experience. We cleaned up and proceeded with our tour of how they make wine with today's technology. White wine is cool fermented with only the juice and red is warm fermented with the whole grape skin seeds and all. </p>
<p><img src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/404557270?profile=RESIZE_320x320" width="200" class="align-right"></p>
<p>Gonzalos instructed us in the proper wine tasting technique to first smell then swirl and smell again and finally taste by swirling in our mouths before swallowing. As Gonzalos says, “a good wine is the one you like the taste of" – so find the one you like and enjoy. </p>
<p>We returned to Rancagua to enjoy our final night in Chile! Tomorrow we depart for Argentina.</p>
<p>-Class 15</p>
<p> </p>Day 6: Agricultural tours and a rare raintag:ontag.farms.com,2015-02-21:3646443:BlogPost:603842015-02-21T21:50:18.000ZAALPhttps://ontag.farms.com/profile/AALP
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/404552992?profile=original" target="_self"><img class="align-center" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/404552992?profile=RESIZE_320x320" width="200"></img></a> <a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/404554166?profile=original" target="_self"></a><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/404554067?profile=original" target="_self"></a>Our class started the day with a goal - to make it through six stops and return at the end of the day with all the windows on the bus!</p>
<p>After a short drive…</p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/404552992?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="200" class="align-center" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/404552992?profile=RESIZE_320x320"></a><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/404554166?profile=original" target="_self"></a><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/404554067?profile=original" target="_self"></a>Our class started the day with a goal - to make it through six stops and return at the end of the day with all the windows on the bus!</p>
<p>After a short drive through the city of Rancagua we arrived at the Regional Ministry of Agriculture. The primary focus of the ministry is on the development and improvement of small (12 hectares and less) and mid-size (50 to 75 hectare) farms. We learned that small farms account for 25% of the land but represent 75% of total farmers. In the O'Higgins Region, many of the farms have switched to producing fruit and vegetables because it is much more profitable.</p>
<p>Our next stop brought us to SAG (Chilean Agricultural and Livestock Service). SAG inspects all fruits and vegetables prior to export to the US, Canada and other countries. Since 1982 an operative agreement has been in place between USDA and Chile so that through inspection insects and disease are prevented from being transported into import countries.<a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/404554067?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="200" class="align-left" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/404554067?profile=RESIZE_320x320"></a></p>
<p>Continuing on, we were happily greeted by Francisco with some cold "cervesas" in a circled square bale seating area. He told us about his small 12 hectare organic farm that produces a unique pear for French markets, raises a new breed of sheep for the meat market and grows and feeds alfalfa. The size of the farm is not sustainable on its own so Francisco and his wife work off-farm in non-agricultural professions. With Francisco's farewell and invitation to visit again soon, we packed on the bus to head to a traditional Chilean restaurant.</p>
<p>Our mouths watered as we dug into our main entrees which consisted of sweet corn meat pie - none of us had ever tasted anything like it! Of course no Chilean meal would be complete without dessert, and we were served with a small mountain of fresh fruit! During lunch we all jumped out of our seats when we heard a loud strike of thunder and the start of rain. What we thought would be a "million dollar rain" in an area experiencing a long drought actually cost most of the farmers millions of dollars in lost income. Little did we know that the rain would put many fruit farms at risk for mold in their crops.</p>
<p>Arriving at The Ponderosa Land, owner and operator Martin Compton was one of the most inspiring individuals whom we've had the pleasure to meet on this trip. He shared with us the history of how he and many other farmers acquired their land in the early 80's and the successes and failures he experienced and will "never forget!”. When asked what he defined as wealth he responded: "If you live a happy life and experience the joys, you are a wealthy man".</p>
<p>Finally, we found ourselves surrounded by corn, green beans, kiwis, blueberry plants, grape vineyards and a far sight of the Andes mountain range after the heavy rain. The heat and the sun came back quickly and we toured an agricultural high school where 380 students 14 to 18 years of age learn about modern agricultural practices. This school specializes in education on irrigation and students live on the premises to "learn by doing".</p>
<p>Fifteen boxes of pizza awaited 34 thirsty and tired travellers to cap of a great day.</p>
<p>-Class 15<a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/404554166?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="250" class="align-center" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/404554166?profile=RESIZE_320x320"></a></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>Day 5: Getting a taste of the Chilean fruit & vegetable baskettag:ontag.farms.com,2015-02-21:3646443:BlogPost:602842015-02-21T21:22:35.000ZAALPhttps://ontag.farms.com/profile/AALP
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/404557110?profile=original" target="_self"><img class="align-left" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/404557110?profile=RESIZE_320x320" width="200"></img></a> Today's International Study Tour got off to an early start with a visit to Lo Valledor Wholesale Market in Santiago. Similar to the Ontario Food Terminal, Lo Valledor trades about 90% of the fruits and vegetables in Chile, with daily transactions totalling over $5 million US dollars. The most unique product that is sold is dried seaweed.</p>
<p>We then travelled to the…</p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/404557110?profile=original" target="_self"><img src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/404557110?profile=RESIZE_320x320" width="200" class="align-left"></a>Today's International Study Tour got off to an early start with a visit to Lo Valledor Wholesale Market in Santiago. Similar to the Ontario Food Terminal, Lo Valledor trades about 90% of the fruits and vegetables in Chile, with daily transactions totalling over $5 million US dollars. The most unique product that is sold is dried seaweed.</p>
<p>We then travelled to the Pioneer Seeds Administrative Headquarters. Chile supplies most of the corn seed for the North American and European markets, all of it being processed and exported from this facility. They will harvest around 2,000 hectares of seed this year, which is down from 11,000 in the previous year. Both changes in the demand for seed and current inventory levels have contributed to the decrease in production.<a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/404558252?profile=original" target="_self"><img src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/404558252?profile=RESIZE_320x320" width="200" class="align-right"></a></p>
<p>After seeing the end result of fruit production, we capped off the day with a visit to a local fruit farm outside of Rancagua. Farm owner, Mr. Francisco Sahli discussed the basics of orchard fruit production, answering questions about the peach and cherry production that takes place on his farm. The group then had the opportunity to take photos with the oldest tree on the farm - a 32 year old cherry tree that is still bearing fruit today.</p>
<p>After an unfortunate incident that involved a cherry tree and a shattered bus window, members of our class put their leadership skills to work, jumping into action and coming up with a short term solution to having no glass in a window that allowed us to finish our day long travel to Rancagua. It involved a piece of tarp, some packing tape, a piece of bamboo stick and a little bit of creativity.<a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/404560050?profile=original" target="_self"><img src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/404560050?profile=RESIZE_320x320" width="250" class="align-left"></a></p>
<p>Be sure to follow along on Twitter for more updates by searching the hashtag #IST2015.</p>
<p>-Class 15</p>
<p> </p>Day 4: A Chilean Educationtag:ontag.farms.com,2015-02-18:3646443:BlogPost:602702015-02-18T22:35:33.000ZAALPhttps://ontag.farms.com/profile/AALP
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/404556182?profile=original" target="_self"><img class="align-left" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/404556182?profile=RESIZE_320x320" width="250"></img></a> We started off day four of our International Study Tour learning about the Chilean economy at Scotiabank. Chile has the fifth largest economy in Latin America and has seen significant growth in their economy over the last 30 years. The Canadian Dollar and the Chilean Peso react to the world economy in a similar fashion; when one appreciates the other tends to…</p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/404556182?profile=original" target="_self"><img src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/404556182?profile=RESIZE_320x320" width="250" class="align-left"></a>We started off day four of our International Study Tour learning about the Chilean economy at Scotiabank. Chile has the fifth largest economy in Latin America and has seen significant growth in their economy over the last 30 years. The Canadian Dollar and the Chilean Peso react to the world economy in a similar fashion; when one appreciates the other tends to appreciate as well. While the economy is strong, only 3.3 million Chileans use the banking system - and the country has a population of over 17 million.</p>
<p></p>
<p>The group then visited the Sociedad Nacional de Agricultura (National Society of Agriculture), which was established in 1838. The Sociedad attributes four factors to the success of Chilean agriculture: the abundance of free trade agreements (over 58 and counting), the country's Mediterranean climate, the fact that the country is free of pests and disease and that the growing season is the opposite of North America. Chilean agriculture faces similar challenges to those in Canada - attracting young people to the industry, access to infrastructure (transportation and irrigation), training for farmers, and simplifying reporting and regulations for the industry.</p>
<p> <a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/404557230?profile=original" target="_self"><img src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/404557230?profile=RESIZE_320x320" width="300" class="align-center"></a></p>
<p>After a traditional Chilean lunch of chacarero (beef, green beans and tomato sandwich), we had the opportunity to visit Hogar de Cristo, a centre for adults in Santiago. With the help of donations, this group home provides accommodations, support and services to 100 adults. The staff and volunteers provide exceptional care and compassion for the welfare of those who face the challenges of substance abuse, alcohol dependency and domestic violence. A smile, a handshake and even sharing some ice cream brought a lot of joy to the residents.</p>
<p> <a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/404559779?profile=original" target="_self"><img src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/404559779?profile=RESIZE_320x320" width="200" class="align-right"></a></p>
<p>We wrapped up the day with a visit to the Los Domnicos market place, a hub for local Chilean artisans. From jewellery to clothing to crafts, this marketplace had a little something for everyone. Be sure to watch for an authentic Chilean piece at the AALP Dream Auction in February 2016.</p>
<p>-Class 15</p>Day 3: Visit to the Canadian Embassy and moretag:ontag.farms.com,2015-02-18:3646443:BlogPost:603762015-02-18T22:21:38.000ZAALPhttps://ontag.farms.com/profile/AALP
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/404550531?profile=original" target="_self"><img class="align-center" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/404550531?profile=RESIZE_320x320" width="200"></img></a></p>
<p></p>
<p>Our morning began with a great breakfast at the hotel followed by a speaker from ASOEX which is the Chilean Association of Fruit Exports. As a not for profit organization, they facilitate the export process, stimulate research and innovation and encourage industry training by defending the sectors interests, managing agreements, administration of inspection…</p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/404550531?profile=original" target="_self"><img src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/404550531?profile=RESIZE_320x320" width="200" class="align-center"></a></p>
<p></p>
<p>Our morning began with a great breakfast at the hotel followed by a speaker from ASOEX which is the Chilean Association of Fruit Exports. As a not for profit organization, they facilitate the export process, stimulate research and innovation and encourage industry training by defending the sectors interests, managing agreements, administration of inspection sites and opening new markets for producers. </p>
<p>The Canadian Embassy then welcomed our class and provided a great overview of our strong relationship. Both Chile and Canada are like-minded and Chile’s first free trade agreement was with Canada. In 2014, Canada exported $1.1 billion in goods and imported $1.7 billion worth of goods from Chile. We learned that despite Chile's access to fresh fish and delicious wine, they prefer beef and beer!</p>
<p>We visited Fundacion, Chile which is a half public and half private entity where funds are split between the two sectors. They fuel the Chilean economy by supporting innovative up and coming businesses through marketing plans and access to angel investors. They provide value through creation of new businesses, facilitation initiatives (connecting people from different industries) and professional services. Success stories include the salmon and blueberry markets that export around the world.</p>
<p>At our last stop El Mercurio hosted us. El Mercurio is the oldest newspaper in Chile operating for over 40 years through many significant government and agronomic changes. They print a specialized magazine specifically relating to agriculture targeting investment, public and farmer awareness of global issues. Production technical issues are handled through a website.</p>
<p>We are excited for what tomorrow will bring. Thanks for following along.</p>
<p>-Class 15<a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/404553067?profile=original" target="_self"><br></a></p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/404550656?profile=original" target="_self"><img src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/404550656?profile=RESIZE_320x320" width="200" class="align-center"></a></p>Day 2: Casablanca Valley in Chiletag:ontag.farms.com,2015-02-17:3646443:BlogPost:603702015-02-17T15:33:52.000ZAALPhttps://ontag.farms.com/profile/AALP
<p></p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/404554224?profile=original" target="_self"><br></br></a> <img class="align-center" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/404550168?profile=RESIZE_320x320" width="200"></img></p>
<p>Today we began our adventure with a visit to a Chilean dairy farm in the Casa Blanca Valley. The farm is home to a 1200 head milking cow herd and the farmer is working to grow the herd to 1800. The farm owner is a retired professor of plant physiology and now manages about 200 employees. 40 of these employees work full-time at the dairy,…</p>
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<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/404554224?profile=original" target="_self"><br></a> <img src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/404550168?profile=RESIZE_320x320" width="200" class="align-center"></p>
<p>Today we began our adventure with a visit to a Chilean dairy farm in the Casa Blanca Valley. The farm is home to a 1200 head milking cow herd and the farmer is working to grow the herd to 1800. The farm owner is a retired professor of plant physiology and now manages about 200 employees. 40 of these employees work full-time at the dairy, milking 23 hours per day with one hour off for cleaning. In the area we visited, each waterway is partitioned amongst the people living on it. </p>
<p>Next on our travels was a vegetable farm and packing plant. Squash, cauliflower and broccoli are grown on the farm year-long. Lettuce is not grown because it requires a washing procedure that they do not have. Within hours of being harvested, squash was labelled Lois Nieto Gomez, Zapallo and was sent to the grocery store from Parcella sta. Maria, Curacavi. We visited with Maria, the manager, who leads 14 family employees.</p>
<p>Lastly, we made our way to Valparaiso where we climbed narrow brick roads along the edge of the Pacific Ocean. We saw a church which showed the effects of the 2010 earthquake - one that measured 8.3 on the Richter scale! We learned that the country became a democracy in 1990 after 17 years of a military coup. The city of Valparaiso celebrates its love of life through professional graffiti which adds character throughout the city. Valparaiso was one of the most important cities prior to the Panama Canal opening in 1914. Now, the economy is down, and they are promoting tourism within their beautiful city.</p>
<p>-Class 15</p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/404551265?profile=original" target="_self"><img src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/404551265?profile=RESIZE_320x320" width="200" class="align-center"></a> <a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/404553252?profile=original" target="_self"><img src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/404553252?profile=RESIZE_320x320" width="200" class="align-center"></a></p>
<p></p>Day 1: We made it!tag:ontag.farms.com,2015-02-17:3646443:BlogPost:603662015-02-17T15:33:33.000ZAALPhttps://ontag.farms.com/profile/AALP
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/404549617?profile=original" target="_self"><img class="align-center" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/404549617?profile=RESIZE_320x320" width="200"></img></a></p>
<p>AALP Class 15 and our friends from the Atlantic Agricultural Leadership Program secured the farms at home, wrapped up last minute projects, said goodbye to loved ones and battled vicious winter weather to descend on Terminal 1, excited - and maybe a little nervous - to kick off our grand adventure.</p>
<p>While some caught fitful sleep and others…</p>
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<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/404549617?profile=original" target="_self"><img src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/404549617?profile=RESIZE_320x320" width="200" class="align-center"></a></p>
<p>AALP Class 15 and our friends from the Atlantic Agricultural Leadership Program secured the farms at home, wrapped up last minute projects, said goodbye to loved ones and battled vicious winter weather to descend on Terminal 1, excited - and maybe a little nervous - to kick off our grand adventure.</p>
<p>While some caught fitful sleep and others binge watched movies, everyone was glued to the windows as the Andes came into view. Despite the lack of sleep, people were energized by the sun and the warmth as we cleared customs and loaded up onto our ride for the week. Our tour guides, Terry and Andres, gave us a tour of Santiago as we made our way to the hotel. </p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/404550529?profile=RESIZE_320x320" target="_self" width="240"><img src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/404550529?profile=RESIZE_320x320" width="247" class="align-left"></a></p>
<p>Walnut and almond orchards are prevalent on the outskirts of the city as the crops do well in the dry, semi-arid climate. On the hills above the orchards we saw evidence of the rampant fires that can destroy the high hills in the driest parts of the season.</p>
<p>As we travelled further into the city, we drove by the Presidential offices. This building was originally constructed to be the mint and as such, it still retains its name as La Moneda. We toured by a bustling central market which is renowned for its fish and seafood - common in a country with such a long coastline.</p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/404549617?profile=original" target="_self"><img src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/404550533?profile=RESIZE_320x320" width="240" class="align-right"></a></p>
<p>The group is excited to get up close and personal with that coast line tomorrow as we head to Valparaiso. We're told to pack a sweater because it can be chilly on the coast but we're certain the weather will feel plenty fine compared to what we just recently left behind in Canada.</p>
<p>Stay Warm, Friends.<a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/404553122?profile=original" target="_self"><br></a></p>
<p>-Class 15</p>
<p></p>31st Annual Eco Farm Day Conference: one of the largest farm conferences in Eastern Ontario.tag:ontag.farms.com,2015-01-12:3646443:BlogPost:594522015-01-12T20:59:45.000ZColin Lundyhttps://ontag.farms.com/profile/ColinLundy
<p><b>Healthy Land, Healthy People, Healthy Profits</b></p>
<p>A winter day full of food, friendship and inspiration – it’s Eco Farm Day 2015 and it’s a highlight of the season for organic (and organic-curious) farmers and gardeners in eastern Ontario and western Quebec.</p>
<p>Eco Farm Day takes place on Saturday, February 28, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Ramada Inn in Cornwall. This is the 31<sup>st</sup> annual conference presented by the Ottawa-St Lawrence-Outaouais chapter of Canadian…</p>
<p><b>Healthy Land, Healthy People, Healthy Profits</b></p>
<p>A winter day full of food, friendship and inspiration – it’s Eco Farm Day 2015 and it’s a highlight of the season for organic (and organic-curious) farmers and gardeners in eastern Ontario and western Quebec.</p>
<p>Eco Farm Day takes place on Saturday, February 28, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Ramada Inn in Cornwall. This is the 31<sup>st</sup> annual conference presented by the Ottawa-St Lawrence-Outaouais chapter of Canadian Organic Growers (COG-OSO), this year with the cooperation of Organic Meadow and the Bauta Initiative on Seed Security.</p>
<p>Keynoter Tony McQuail presents <i>Healthy Land, Healthy People, Healthy Profits: Holistic Management for Sustainable Agriculture</i>. A farmer since 1970, Tony has extensive experience with agricultural and government programs, and is an educator with the Holistic Management Institute.</p>
<p>After the keynote presentation, conference attendees have a number of interactive workshops to choose from, a buffet feast of local foods to enjoy for lunch, and plenty of opportunity to visit with old friends and new, as well as investigate the products and services of the exhibitors and sponsors.</p>
<p>Workshops focus on practical techniques and management skills that work in our area and emphasize sustainable organic stewardship of land, food and fibre. Presenters are producers, most from Ontario and Quebec, with knowledge and passion to share. Topics include:</p>
<ul>
<li>scaling up the market farm - increasing profits and sustainability</li>
<li>organic certification - proposed alternative models for small-scale farmers</li>
<li>crop rotations, cover crops and weed management in organic field crops</li>
<li>organic pasture management optimizing animal health AND farm profits</li>
<li>root cellars - modern profits from traditional root cellaring</li>
<li>organic pastured pork - adding breeding stock to your organic farm</li>
<li>open pollinated corn - growing and adapting varieties for organic farms</li>
<li>growing and marketing organic medicinal herbs in the Outaouais region</li>
<li>value added products from goat and sheep milk</li>
<li>organic beehive management techniques</li>
<li>and more</li>
</ul>
<p> </p>
<p>There is simultaneous translation into French of the keynote presentation and three workshops.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Registration, including lunch, is $60 (before Feb 14) or $75 at the door, with a $10 discount for COG and Organic Meadows members. A sliding scale down to $25 is available for limited-income individuals. Register online at <a href="http://cog.ca/ottawa/eco-farm-day/">ecofarmday.ca</a></p>
<p> </p>
<p>Eco Farm Day is your best opportunity all year to learn from the experiences of other farmers in the region. Join us in Cornwall on February 28<sup>th</sup>!</p>
<p> </p>
<p>More information and updates at: </p>
<p>internet: <a href="http://cog.ca/ottawa/eco-farm-day/">ecofarmday.ca</a></p>
<p>facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/cogosochapter">facebook.com/cogosochapter</a> </p>
<p>twitter: @EcoFarmDay</p>
<p>email: ecofarmday@cog.ca</p>
<p>phone: 613-244-4000 ext.4 </p>CFFO Blog: The Farmers Storytag:ontag.farms.com,2014-10-24:3646443:BlogPost:583242014-10-24T15:43:17.000ZCFFO Bloghttps://ontag.farms.com/profile/CFFOBlog
<p>by Paul Bootsma</p>
<p><img src="http://christianfarmers.org/images/easyblog_images/62/b2ap3_thumbnail_farmcity.jpg"></img></p>
<p>Farmers need to get their story out to the public. The general public is the farmer’s customer and wants to know what farming is like in this decade. Agriculture, like all businesses, has evolved and changed, and today’s farmers are as likely to use a communication device as a shovel or a pitchfork.</p>
<p><span>Recently, the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) released an article called </span><em>Realities of Agriculture in…</em></p>
<p>by Paul Bootsma</p>
<p><img src="http://christianfarmers.org/images/easyblog_images/62/b2ap3_thumbnail_farmcity.jpg"/></p>
<p>Farmers need to get their story out to the public. The general public is the farmer’s customer and wants to know what farming is like in this decade. Agriculture, like all businesses, has evolved and changed, and today’s farmers are as likely to use a communication device as a shovel or a pitchfork.</p>
<p><span>Recently, the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) released an article called </span><em>Realities of Agriculture in Canada</em><span> (See Infograph here: <a href="http://ontag.farms.com/profiles/blogs/infograph-realities-of-agriculture-in-canada" target="_self">http://ontag.farms.com/profiles/blogs/infograph-realities-of-agriculture-in-canada</a>) pointing out some misconceptions about agriculture and what is really happening on the farm. THE CFIB argues that the following misconceptions exist:</span></p>
<ul>
<li>That agriculture is not innovative and modern while the reality is that 51 percent of agri-business owners are adopting new and innovative technologies.</li>
<li>The agricultural sector is shrinking when in fact 44 percent of farmers say they plan on expanding in the next three years and 21 percent plan to hire new employees.</li>
<li>That farming is unsustainable and potentially environmentally harmful. The reality is that 95 percent of farmers are taking action to protect the environment.</li>
<li>That 83 percent of farmers are planning to transfer their business to a family member. The misconception is that farming is moving towards corporate operations.</li>
</ul>
<p>Education often begins in the class room. After all, today’s students are tomorrow’s customers, and the ideas children bring home influence their parent’s decision making. The industry needs to continue to work with the educational system to ensure that images of farming are of today’s farmers. What is taught in the classrooms needs to accurately reflect what happens on the farm, which means images with tractors with GPS units, large tillage equipment, soil conservation equipment, and communications devices. And more importantly, there needs to be an explanation of why this equipment is being used to achieve more efficient and sustainable results as a normal part of business in 2014.</p>
<p><span>Moving forward, it is important that the public know agriculture’s story. In the information age, farmers need to focus on ways to grow consumer’s confidence in the food system, and reassure them that their food is produced in a positive way. Farmers are one of the more trusted and respected professions of society. Farmers need to bring their story out to the public, showing their compassion for the animals they work with and concern for the environment they are part of. They do have a great story to tell, and should be proud in sharing it with the public.</span></p>Healthier cows may produce more bioactive compounds in colostrumtag:ontag.farms.com,2014-10-20:3646443:BlogPost:583132014-10-20T13:52:17.000ZOntario Veterinary Collegehttps://ontag.farms.com/profile/KMantel
<p>Dairy cattle with enhanced immune responses not only have lower incidents of disease, but may also produce more bioactive compounds in their colostrum that are critical to newborn calves and are beneficial in fighting mastitis-causing pathogens, an Ontario Veterinary College (OVC) graduate student has found.</p>
<p>Research has shown that High Immune Responder (HIR) cows have a lower incidence of diseases, such as mastitis, metritis, ketosis and retained placenta. The HIR technology,…</p>
<p>Dairy cattle with enhanced immune responses not only have lower incidents of disease, but may also produce more bioactive compounds in their colostrum that are critical to newborn calves and are beneficial in fighting mastitis-causing pathogens, an Ontario Veterinary College (OVC) graduate student has found.</p>
<p>Research has shown that High Immune Responder (HIR) cows have a lower incidence of diseases, such as mastitis, metritis, ketosis and retained placenta. The HIR technology, developed by University of Guelph researchers led by Dr. Bonnie Mallard, measures the ability of cows within a herd to combat infectious disease. It identifies and ranks animals as being High, Average or Low immune responders based on the cell-mediated and antibody-mediated arms of the adaptive immune system. <a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/404539775?profile=original"><img class="align-right" style="padding: 2px;" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/404539775?profile=RESIZE_320x320" width="250"></a></p>
<p>Novel methods of enhancing dairy cattle health may help to prevent the incidence of diseases such as mastitis, which has been associated with economic losses resulting from milk quality penalties, decreased milk production, culling of infected cows and treatment costs. Optimizing dairy cattle health contributes to food safety, decreases the need for antibiotics and is an essential component of animal welfare. Selective breeding for cows that have the ability to mount more vigorous immune responses compared to other cows within a herd is a promising approach to enhance overall disease resistance.</p>
<p>Kelly Fleming, an MSc student of the Ontario Veterinary College (OVC) Pathobiology department and an OMAFRA-U of G Partnership Highly Qualified Personnel (HQP) Graduate Scholarship recipient, hypothesized that HIR cows also produce colostrum and milk with elevated concentrations of immunologically active compounds compared to average or low immune responders.</p>
<p>The HQP program is designed to help graduate students become ‘market-ready’ and provides them with the opportunity to learn about business, commercialization and societal interactions with the agri-food system by taking a course entitled, ‘The Integration of Science and Business in Agri-Food Systems’. “You are introduced to topics such as value chains, business planning, strategic management, market analysis, patenting, entrepreneurship and obstacles that may be encountered when commercializing a scientific discovery,” says Fleming. “It is also a great way to practice communication skills, network with other people and be inspired by success stories.”</p>
<p>Fleming chose three bioactive milk components for her study including total immunoglobulin isotype G (IgG), β-lactoglobulin (β-LG) and lactoferrin (LF), since they were easily measureable and heritable and have been shown to exert anti-microbial activities against mastitis-causing pathogens.</p>
<p>Colostrum and milk samples were taken from Holstein cows previously classified as High, Average or Low immune responders on the day of calving and day five post-calving, respectively. </p>
<p>A highlighted result showed that High antibody-mediated immune response (AMIR) cows have significantly greater total IgG and β-LG in colostrum compared to Average and Low AMIR responders.</p>
<p>“IgG is critical to newborn calves”, says Fleming. “If they don’t receive enough IgG within the first day of life, they’re increasingly prone to sepsis, respiratory disease and diarrhea”. In addition to β-LG’s activities against mastitis-causing pathogens, the protein has been shown to exert anti-viral, anti-cancer and anti-oxidant activities.</p>
<p>Fleming, who completed her undergraduate in the OVC’s Biomedical Sciences program, debated whether to target human, cow or calf health when designing her thesis. “This research actually targets all three areas, since higher quality colostrum with increased contents of host defense molecules may aid in preventing disease in newborn calves, in enhancing udder health and in providing an efficient source of ingredients for functional food and nutraceutical production for human use”, she says.</p>
<p>Another important benefit of her research may be that dairy producers can apply the knowledge of her work right away. “Cows can be classified as High, Average or Low immune responders using the HIR test system and colostrum can be banked from High AMIR cows for future administration to calves at risk for failure of passive transfer”, she adds.</p>
<p>“Selectively breeding for HIR cows may provide one potential solution to naturally improve the quality of colostrum and milk, which may benefit the health of humans and subsequent generations of dairy cattle”.</p>
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<p>Follow OVC @OntVetCollege</p>In Focus, at Canada's Outdoor Farm Show with me, Amy Matheson!tag:ontag.farms.com,2014-10-01:3646443:BlogPost:577222014-10-01T15:22:43.000ZAmy Mathesonhttps://ontag.farms.com/profile/AmyMatheson
<p>On Tuesday September 9th, I joined John Payne, Executive Producer of Rogers Cable TV Woodstock for the opening day of the 21st annual Canada's Outdoor Farm Show as his Community Cub Reporter! </p>
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<p>It was a great day despite the weather, I learned a ton and had a great time doing it! </p>
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<p>Watch part one here: …</p>
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<p>On Tuesday September 9th, I joined John Payne, Executive Producer of Rogers Cable TV Woodstock for the opening day of the 21st annual Canada's Outdoor Farm Show as his Community Cub Reporter! </p>
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<p>It was a great day despite the weather, I learned a ton and had a great time doing it! </p>
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<p>Watch part one here: </p>
<p><a href="http://www.rogerstv.com/page.aspx?lid=237&rid=15&gid=216290">http://www.rogerstv.com/page.aspx?lid=237&rid=15&gid=216290</a></p>
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<p>Watch part two here: </p>
<p><a href="http://www.rogerstv.com/page.aspx?lid=237&rid=15&gid=216289">http://www.rogerstv.com/page.aspx?lid=237&rid=15&gid=216289</a></p>OVC Student Veterinarians Share Externship Experience: Apparently all hay is not created equallytag:ontag.farms.com,2014-07-04:3646443:BlogPost:549022014-07-04T13:19:31.000ZOntario Veterinary Collegehttps://ontag.farms.com/profile/KMantel
<p><em>Each summer DVM students from the Ontario Veterinary College delve into practical experience at veterinary clinics across Ontario and additional locales. These blog posts are an opportunity to tag along with five of them this summer.</em> <i>This week student veterinarian Jodi took a pasture-to-plate approach to some hay samples. Check out all the student blogs at</i> <a href="http://www.ovc.uoguelph.ca/externship"><i>www.ovc.uoguelph.ca/externship</i></a></p>
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<p>Working with…</p>
<p><em>Each summer DVM students from the Ontario Veterinary College delve into practical experience at veterinary clinics across Ontario and additional locales. These blog posts are an opportunity to tag along with five of them this summer.</em> <i>This week student veterinarian Jodi took a pasture-to-plate approach to some hay samples. Check out all the student blogs at</i> <a href="http://www.ovc.uoguelph.ca/externship"><i>www.ovc.uoguelph.ca/externship</i></a></p>
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<p>Working with Dr. Bob brings the unique opportunity to focus on some of his specialties like horse nutrition and toxic plants. Each week, we make our way into the fields to discover what is growing and where. I have already learnt a ton about the plants covering Southern Ontario pastures in early summer and have a better idea about the amount still left to learn.</p>
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<p>This week, we also had the unique opportunity to take a ‘pasture-to-plate’ approach to our regular pasture walk. I got to consult with Dr. Bob on a hay sample analysis submitted by a curious client. The client wanted Dr. Bob’s comments on the hay composition as well as insight specifically on if the hay contained a toxic plant called hairy vetch (<i>Vicia villosa</i>).</p>
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<p>Hairy vetch (<i>Vicia villosa</i>) was originally introduced from Europe and derives its name from its hairy stems and leaves. It is toxic to both horses and cows if it is consumed in large quantities (<i>as a major portion of their diet</i>) when the plant is reaching maturity. Typically, hairy vetch poisoning results in an immune system response that leads to skin issues, weight loss, diarrhea, and inflammation throughout the body. In large enough quantities, pregnant animals may abort their fetuses and mature animals may die suddenly. It is no wonder the client wanted to make sure we looked specifically for hairy vetch in the hay samples – it can be quite a nasty plant!</p>
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<p>We set up our analysis station in front of the clinic and combed through the samples that were submitted. A passerby even commented that we “look like kids playing in a sandbox” – it was quite fun!</p>
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<p><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/404535861?profile=original"><img class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/404535861?profile=original" width="590"></a></p>
<p>Above is a photograph of some of our plant findings within the hay samples. Each plant species contributes a different nutrient profile to the overall hay affecting its quality and suitability for different life stages like foals, adult horses, or pregnant mares. From left to right in the photograph: red clover (<i>with flowers</i>), tufted common vetch (<i>upper</i>), tufted common vetch seed pods (<i>lower</i>), tufted common vetch freshly-picked, alfalfa (<i>with flowers</i>), mature orchard grass, mature brome grass, timothy hay, and mature blue grass. Luckily, we did not find any hairy vetch in our searches and tufted common vetch does not have the same toxicity issues!</p>
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<p>I had no idea how much complexity went into a bale of hay until I spent an afternoon ripping some apart and looking at them stem by stem. I realize now that I had little respect for the plethora of species that exist and make up what I previously referred to as “grass”. After a bit of time with the specialist though I have learnt that all hay is not created equally!</p>
<p> </p>Unique scholarship program brings science and business togethertag:ontag.farms.com,2014-08-05:3646443:BlogPost:564772014-08-05T15:58:37.000ZOntario Veterinary Collegehttps://ontag.farms.com/profile/KMantel
<p>The connection between science and business is an important one and one that’s gaining credence through the Highly Qualified Personnel (HQP) Graduate Scholarship program.</p>
<p>Funded under the OMAFRA-U of G Partnership, HQP scholarships are awarded to support future generations of researchers, policy-makers and innovators in agri-food. Students gain a better understanding of business models and business management while completing research in their area of study. </p>
<p>The program…</p>
<p>The connection between science and business is an important one and one that’s gaining credence through the Highly Qualified Personnel (HQP) Graduate Scholarship program.</p>
<p>Funded under the OMAFRA-U of G Partnership, HQP scholarships are awarded to support future generations of researchers, policy-makers and innovators in agri-food. Students gain a better understanding of business models and business management while completing research in their area of study. </p>
<p>The program also includes an important job shadowing component with a government, industry or community partner which provides students with valuable work experience. In most cases, the work semester also connects well with the student's research interests and future career goals. </p>
<p>“This is a good opportunity for us,” says Neda Barjesteh, a current HQPstudent working on her PhD in the Ontario Veterinary College’s (OVC) Department of Pathobiology. “We can go to a company or a government agency where we’d like to work in the future. It’s experience beyond the academic side.”</p>
<p>Barjesteh completed her veterinary degree at the University of Kerman in Iran and worked as an advisor at a veterinary diagnostic lab for several years before coming to Canada.</p>
<p>Her research at OVC focuses on the avian influenza virus and developing new strategies to boost the chicken's immune system against the virus and control the shedding of virus.</p>
<p><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/404540101?profile=original"><img class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/404540101?profile=original" width="252"></a>“There isn’t a lot of information about the immune system in chickens, especially mucosal immune responses,” says Barjesteh. “This research will provide a better understanding of their immune responses, especially in the case of avian influenza virus infection.”</p>
<p>The HQP program has proven it’s a successful formula. Beyond making science accessible and applicable, it is the opportunity to bring science to the marketplace.</p>
<p>“The HQP has helped me so much,” says Neda. “I have research that I believe could be used for industry. It is not just research for the shelf.”</p>
<p>Students are exposed to business practices, commercialization (intellectual property and license protection), as well as the interactions between society and the agri-food system. </p>
<p>For example, says Berjesteh, “students explore the steps involved to take a product produced in the laboratory, to a proposal to put the product into the business economy. They look at the target audience for that product, how to increase the consumer’s knowledge of that product and demonstrate the value of the product – all while considering government regulations, consumers, retailers, society and media.”</p>
<p> Follow OVC at <span class="ProfileHeaderCard-urlText u-dir" dir="ltr"><a class="u-textUserColor" target="_blank" rel="me nofollow" href="http://t.co/VVNfg3QTtm" title="http://www.ovc.uoguelph.ca">ovc.uoguelph.ca</a></span></p>Farms.com Corn Report: Scouting For Corn Leaf Diseasetag:ontag.farms.com,2014-07-24:3646443:BlogPost:558952014-07-24T04:30:00.000ZOntAG Adminhttps://ontag.farms.com/profile/OntAGAdmin
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<p>Farms.com Corn Report: Rob Miller, Technical Services Manager with BASF Canada provides some tips on how to scout for corn leaf diseases. He also describes how to identify Northern Leaf Blight and what farmers can do to manage for highest yield potential.<br></br> <br></br> For more information on Maizex Seeds visit …</p>
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<p>Farms.com Corn Report: Rob Miller, Technical Services Manager with BASF Canada provides some tips on how to scout for corn leaf diseases. He also describes how to identify Northern Leaf Blight and what farmers can do to manage for highest yield potential.<br/> <br/> For more information on Maizex Seeds visit <a href="http://www%2Cmaizex.com/" target="_blank" title="http://www,maizex.com" rel="nofollow" dir="ltr" class="yt-uix-redirect-link">http://www,maizex.com</a><br/> <br/> For additional Farms.com Corn Reports visit <a href="http://www.farms.com/corn/corn-report.aspx" target="_blank">http://www.farms.com/corn/corn-report.aspx</a><u><br/></u></p>
<p></p>How important is the US to Canada? And vice versa. AALP Class 15 Study Tour Continuestag:ontag.farms.com,2014-07-11:3646443:BlogPost:554812014-07-11T13:26:08.000ZAALPhttps://ontag.farms.com/profile/AALP
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<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/404540477?profile=original" target="_self"><img class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/404540477?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="700"></img></a></p>
<p>Wow! What a busy, exciting and informative day! <br></br> <br></br> We arrived at the Canadian Embassy and are proud to announce we all cleared the security check. We listened to a variety of speakers and learned about the value and importance of the trade relationship Canada has with the United States. A couple of interesting facts: </p>
<p><span>1) US and…</span></p>
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<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/404540477?profile=original" target="_self"><img src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/404540477?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="700" class="align-full"></a></p>
<p>Wow! What a busy, exciting and informative day! <br> <br> We arrived at the Canadian Embassy and are proud to announce we all cleared the security check. We listened to a variety of speakers and learned about the value and importance of the trade relationship Canada has with the United States. A couple of interesting facts: </p>
<p><span>1) US and Canada enjoy the largest bilateral trading relationship in the world. Trade in goods and services was $710 billion in 2012.</span></p>
<p><span><span>2) 8 million US jobs depend on Canadian trade and investment (about 1 in 22 jobs)</span></span></p>
<p>3) Top US agriculture and <a href="https://hootsuite.com/dashboard#" class="_quickSearchPopup hash" title="agriculture"></a>and agri-food exports to Canada: breads, pastries and pastas valued at $2.2B<br> <br>Class 15 then met with Monsanto and discussed the need for farmers and farm organizations to be the primary source of correct information for the public to prevent us from being on the defence with uninformed activists - what a great reminder! <br> <br> One of our members was 'fortunate' enough to have an opportunity to compare the U.S. hospital system to the Canadian system. The two doctors she met prefer the Canadian health care system.<br> <br> Our next stop was the Capital building. We had a great tour guide who painted the picture of American history throughout the ages. <br> <br> We also did a bus tour of Washington and took in the local sites, buildings and monuments and learned a bit about U.S. history. Important fact: In 1920, women were given the right to vote. We are women, hear us ROAR!<br> <br> The patriotism in the U.S. is infectious and resulted in some great dialogue on thoughts and opinions of how Canadian pride compares.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Follow AALP Class 15 on their North American Study Tour on Twitter #NAST2014</em></strong></p>