On April 8, 2015, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) confirmed the presence of a highly pathogenic
H5N2 avian influenza virus at a turkey farm near Woodstock, Ontario. Avian influenza (AI) can infect
domesticated and wild birds, including chickens, turkeys, pheasants, quails, ducks, geese, pigeons, psittacines and
guinea fowl. A highly pathogenic virus, as opposed to a low pathogenic virus, can causes severe illness and death
in domestic birds. Some of the bird species may not be affected to this extent but will be able to infect other
species. Birds become infected when they have direct contact with the secretions or feces of infected birds, or
with contaminated surfaces or infected food and water supplies.
People who raise small flocks or game birds for personal or limited commercial purposes should be aware of the
risk to their birds from diseases such as avian influenza. During an avian influenza outbreak, attending poultry
events can increase the risk of spreading diseases. Diseases are most often transmitted from one infected flock to
another flock by infected birds, and contaminated people or equipment. Moving infected birds can result in
transferring AI virus to a new location. If infected birds are moved through an auction, or “swap meet”, then the
AI virus can be transferred to multiple new locations. Birds that appear to be healthy can be infected and can
transmit AI to other birds before exhibiting any signs of disease themselves.
Birds with outdoor access should not share areas with wild ducks, geese, or shorebirds. Make sure free-range
areas do not have attractions for wild waterfowl, such as a pond or open feeders, which may become contaminated
with wild waterfowl droppings.
Be very diligent in observing your birds. Monitor mortalities and track feed and water consumption. Watch for
any signs of disease, such as depression, decreased feed consumption, drop in egg production, swollen wattles,
sneezing, gasping, a discharge from the nose or eyes, diarrhea or sudden death.
Early detection is critical. Should you suspect any signs of health concerns in your flock, contact your
veterinarian immediately.
Biosecurity Advisory April 17, 2015
Prevention is the key. Take the following steps:
• Avoid attending shows, sales, and swap meets during a disease outbreak.
• Do not allow people who have recently been in contact with other birds (e.g., their own or attending a bird
sale or show) near your birds.
• Do not share equipment with other bird owners.
• If you add new birds to your flock, at any time, make sure that you get their complete background
information, including a history of any diseases and vaccinations, and keep the vendor’s contact
information in the event that your birds become sick, so that they can be traced to their flock of origin.
• Keep new birds or those returning from shows separate and preferably in a different airspace
(quarantined) for at least 2-4 weeks after returning home, and monitor them for signs of illness. Clean and
disinfect the cages and equipment used for these birds. Use separate clothing, footwear and equipment for
quarantined birds, and handle them last. If the same equipment and clothing must be used, clean and
disinfect them before and after handling the birds. Wash your hands between the two groups.
Additional information is available at:
http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/livestock/poultry/smallflock.html
http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/livestock/poultry/facts/12-039.pdf
http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/crops/organic/news/2015/2015-02a2.htm
http://inspection.gc.ca/animals/terrestrial-animals/diseases/bird-healthbasics/
eng/1323643634523/1323644740109
Agricultural Information Contact Centre:
1-877-424-1300
E-mail: ag.info.omafra

Guelph, ON [April 21, 2015] – Ontario farmers can turn old tires into something useful with the Tire Take Back event in June. Tire collection fees from donated tires will be contributed to the Sunshine Foundation of Canada – an organization that supports children challenged by physical disabilities or life-threatening illnesses.

From June 1-6, farmers can drop off used tires for free at more than 60 participating Ontario Automotive Recyclers Association (OARA) locations. Visit www.ofa.on.ca for a list of participating locations. Collection fees normally charged will be donated in full to the Sunshine Foundation of Canada.

The Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) supports the Tire Take Back initiative and encourages members to participate. OFA members can support this program by collecting used tires and dropping them off at their closest participating OARA location. The Tire Take Back program is supported by Ontario Tire Stewardship.

The Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) is the largest general farm organization in Ontario, representing 37,000 farm families across the province. As a dynamic farmer-led organization based in Guelph, the OFA works to represent and champion the interests of Ontario farmers through government relations, farm policy recommendations, research, lobby efforts, community representation, media relations and more. OFA is the leading advocate for Ontario’s farmers and is Ontario’s voice of the farmer.

For more information:

Don McCabe
President
Ontario Federation of Agriculture
519-331-6175

Neil Currie
General Manager
Ontario Federation of Agriculture
519-821-8883
neil.currie@ofa.on.ca

By Don McCabe, President, Ontario Federation of Agriculture

The Ontario government believes climate change is one of the greatest challenges facing future generations. This past week Premier Wynne announced Ontario will pursue the establishment of a cap and trade system to address climate change by limiting sources of greenhouse gas emissions in Ontario. 

The Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) prefers the cap and trade system as an effective and fair way to manage greenhouse gas emissions responsible for climate change, while recognizing that agriculture already plays an important role reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The OFA will work with government to develop a workable solution recognizing agriculture’s role in providing offsets to the market. The cap and trade principle chosen by the Ontario government needs the addition of offsets to provide a strong, cost effective and environmentally proven solution for society.

The new cap and trade system will establish a cap on the level of greenhouse gas emissions allowed by certain sectors of the economy. The system will reduce the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere by allowing industries to reduce their emissions through applying new technologies. When that is not feasible for that company, theoretically, carbon credits bought from a competitor can meet their regulatory compliance or the company could access offset credits from outside sources. These companies are all point source polluters.

Agriculture is a solution provider here. Agriculture can offer offset credits. How can this be possible as aagriculture is not a point source polluter? Carbon dioxide, methane or nitrous oxide are greenhouse gasses in the agriculture system. Farmers can manage their businesses to achieve emission reductions of these gases while furthering profitability to their operation. For example, soil is a natural carbon sink.  Organic matter in soil is captured carbon. The natural sequestering of carbon that happens in the soil by use of minimal to no-till practices means the agriculture industry is part of the solution to Ontario’s challenge to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Similarly, manure and nitrogen management, cattle feeding efficiencies, bio-product production, etc. are all opportunities to provide offset carbon credits. When these agriculture offset carbon credits are aggregated together, they point source polluters in need are buyers.

The OFA sees potential for a new modest revenue stream for Ontario farmers in the carbon credit trading market. Under a carbon tax system, like that in British Columbia, added costs are the result to farm operations. With a cap and trade system recognizing offsets, farmers would have the opportunity to voluntarily be part of a climate change solution while still providing food, fibre, fuel, energy, improved soil quality, improved water quality, and biodiversity for all of society. Design ahead is the key.

Agriculture experiences climate change like no other industry. Farming does produce greenhouse gas emissions. With farmer’s constant improvement and adoption of innovation, many practices reduce or remove greenhouse gases such as no-till cropping, fuel-efficient equipment, methane digesters and more efficient feeding rations. With increasing human populations, sustainability demands and agriculture’s role as an economic driver, the need to continue this progress is paramount. Currently, agriculture is already 6% below 1990 emission levels for the agricultural sector, according to the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change. With proper policy applied to the cap and trade principle now announced, Ontario farmers will be double or triple the solution in the future.

The OFA will ensure the implications and opportunities of this emerging policy is heard by government as the final details of this new system are ironed out to ensure agriculture is represented fairly.

For more information, contact:
Don McCabe
President
Ontario Federation of Agriculture
519-331-6175

Neil Currie
General Manager
Ontario Federation of Agriculture
519-821-8883 

By Debra Pretty-Straathof, Board Member, Ontario Federation of Agriculture

New energy comes in the spring, and with it, a renewed sense of advocacy from Canada’s largest general farm organization – the Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA). The OFA has had a busy schedule this spring, meeting with MPs and MPPs, making recommendations on issues affecting our industry and responding to proposed regulations. 

OFA has already hosted a series of events and meetings with politicians, staff and policy advisors this spring, taking our members’ messages from the back roads of Ontario to the halls of Queen’s Park and Parliament Hill. We’ve hosted Ontario caucuses for breakfast, and most recently, held an Ontario Farm Day event in Ottawa with Ontario MPs.

Farm Day involved members from across Ontario meeting at Parliament Hill with their MP. OFA leaders also met with our federal representatives in a series of meetings identifying our federal priorities for the upcoming election. Our first message was that the agri-food industry is the largest economic engine in Ontario. And the agri-food industry begins with Ontario farms providing high quality product to consumers and to food processors. The Ontario farm agenda is an important issue in the coming election.

The farmers’ messages to MPs from the three parties were clear. Ontario farmers are very concerned with the state of our business risk management programs. We need to hear party platforms that unequivocally promise to work with farmers to develop practical and bankable programs. Current risk management programs have been cut and are no longer effective in periods of poor market returns.

OFA will also be looking for election platforms with a strong commitment to rebuild Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s research capacity. Research funding shows real declines of 24% over the past five years. World class scientists are retiring and need to be replaced. Public research in agriculture has proven to be a great investment and needs to be bolstered following the election to protect our competitiveness and enable innovation.

OFA is also looking to the next federal government to make a serious commitment to infrastructure funding. This includes the roads and bridges that rural Ontario depends on to move equipment, inputs and farm products but also broadband infrastructure to hook up the last mile in rural Ontario. Our businesses and our communities simply have to be connected to survive and thrive. And of course infrastructure must include the pipes we need in rural Ontario to get natural gas to our homes and farms. The energy savings from using gas instead of electricity or propane will drive a huge wave of new investment in rural Ontario and drive our economy forward.

Spring is a time to renewal on the farm and a time to look ahead. OFA has begun to look ahead to the federal election in October and ensuring the needs of Ontario farmers are firmly entrenched in campaign platforms. 

For more information, contact:

Debra Pretty-Straathof
Board Member
Ontario Federation of Agriculture
613-371-8840

Neil Currie
General Manager
Ontario Federation of Agriculture
519-821-8883