By Mark Reusser, Director, Ontario Federation of Agriculture As farmers, we know that it’s the finite details that make all the difference. This could be closing the latch on a gate, applying the parking brake, or checking your blind spot when making a left-hand turn. Biosecurity includes a collection of those details to maintain safety standards and protect livestock and crops from potentially devastating disease outbreaks. Biosecurity plays a critical role in the safe and sustainable production of food, fibre and fuel all around the world. A shared responsibility is required to protect the health and welfare of vulnerable populations and to avoid major economic loss. The Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) understands there is a shared responsibility among those across the agriculture industry, including farmers, input suppliers, farm maintenance representatives and animal welfare service providers, to implement and enforce biosecurity measures to achieve market stability in all sectors. Diseases and pests can have significant economic consequences, and have the potential to seriously damage livestock, poultry, and crop operations locally, provincially, nationally, and internationally. Biosecurity practices are essential to animal welfare, maintaining market access and preventing the occurrence of foreign animal disease in Canada. These practices demonstrate our commitment to animal health and food safety because as farmers, we work hard to supply a safe and sustainable food supply for all Canadians. In terms of livestock, the poultry and pork sectors are most vulnerable to outbreaks. Commodity organizations in Ontario provide recommendations to their producers which include locking all entrances to barns, maintaining a daily log that records every visitor in the barn, having footwear and outerwear specific to being in the barn, and occasionally a shower-in shower-out policy. In addition, acknowledging biosecurity zones with proper signage can help instruct those who may not be familiar with the significance of biosecurity measures. Farmers must also understand that it is an obligation to report any new sickness in your barn to both the vet and commodity organization. This can act as a preventative measure to get the disease under immediate control and avoid the risk of wide circulation. Preventing wild birds or rodents from entering the barn is another important way to avoid introducing a new disease to livestock and poultry. Biosecurity is always important, but it is especially vital when disease outbreaks are occurring provincially, nationally or internationally. When a disease outbreak occurs, it is important to react immediately. This may involve implementing practices that have commonly been used in the past or turning to new tactics as the situation evolves. In the case of Avian Influenza (AI), this is an evolving situation that all poultry farmers across Ontario have heightened awareness of. Several relevant groups are spearheading the communication to keep all producers aware of progression of this disease and ways to stop the spread. The traditional biosecurity measures, mentioned above, continue to remain priority but extra precautions exist in this space. In partnership with commodity groups, the Feather Board Command Centre recently issued a memo referencing the 2022 planting season ahead. This memo issued a reminder to be conscious of the possibility of wild birds spreading AI through planting equipment out in the field. Be conscious of footwear used between the field and the barn, and parking equipment outside of biosecurity zones. Learn more by reading the full memo here. On my farm, we’ve noticed the effects of such a disruption to the system. Extra biosecurity measures have been implemented as a result, which sometimes interfere with other processes. Feed trucks and livestock transport have to take different routes, increasing costs, and some processing plants have faced temporary shut down, creating the inability to fulfill contracts in a timely fashion. Those impacted by this outbreak are experiencing anything ranging from minor inconveniences to devastating losses. It is important that we continue working together to mitigate risks from this disease and respond to this situation as best as possible. If you’re in need of additional signage to address biosecurity zones, OFA can help. Farmers can visit our online store at store.ofa.on.ca to purchase biosecurity signs and have them shipped directly to their farm. We want to ensure the health and safety of all farm operations across Ontario is prioritized. Ultimately, increasing awareness and education of shared biosecurity responsibilities for both rural and urban populations can contribute to keeping our animals healthy and food systems secure. In situations of disease outbreak, the reality of the unknown can take a toll on our mental wellness. Financial losses and the insecurity of losing livestock is difficult to face and can often be a troublesome burden to carry. If you or someone you know is struggling due to the current AI outbreak, please take advantage of the Farmer Wellness Initiative telehealth line by calling 1-866-267-6255 to speak to a professional today. For more information, contact: Tyler Brooks Director of Communications and Stakeholder Relations Ontario Federation of Agriculture 519-821-8883 ext. 218 [email protected]
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By Crispin Colvin, Executive Member, Ontario Federation of Agriculture For the farming community, the tell-tale signs of spring trigger the countdown for this year’s growing season. Planting across the province has already commenced for frost tolerant crops like small grains, potatoes and sweet green peas. Throughout the winter months farmers have ordered inputs, maintained equipment and eagerly anticipated getting back into the fields. For many, planting requires travelling busy and potentially dangerous roads. As the temperatures continue to rise and roadways get busier, the Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) wants to remind all motorists to stay alert for farm equipment. Remember to be patient, slow down when you see the slow-moving vehicle (SMV) sign and share the road with farm machinery travelling from field-to-field. A daunting 74% of farm SMV accidents occur between summer and late harvest. Our equipment is slow, heavy, wide and we have a limited window of opportunity to get our crops in the ground. The reality is that farm equipment on the road runs a higher risk than most. Slow-moving vehicles are 3.8 to 4.8 times more likely to be involved in a fatal collision per kilometre on the road than other motor vehicles. Farm SMV injuries and fatalities are mostly related to rollovers. These occur while entering, exiting, or crossing roadways, veering off the shoulder and accidents involving a motor vehicle passing while large machinery is making a turn. It is my hope that we can mitigate risk collaboratively through public education, partnership with municipalities and farmers modelling best practices for road safety. This week, team OFA exhibited and presented at the 2022 Good Roads Conference. We were there to advocate on behalf of our membership for safe roads for farm equipment and shared resources on how to do so. Over the course of three days, we discussed road safety and how it pertains to agriculture with municipal councillors and staff from all corners of the province. We aim to continue the discussion with municipalities to ensure roads, overpasses and other infrastructure is designed with farm equipment in mind. We understand that road safety is a two-way street, with both farmers and the public having a responsibility in keeping our communities safe. What does the orange triangle mean? The SMV sign on the back of our equipment, wagon, or trailer, signifies that we cannot exceed a speed of 40 km/h. It is easy to get frustrated when you find yourself behind a piece of farm equipment, but we ask all drivers to slow down, take a breath and practice patience. Additionally, do not expect the SMV vehicle to pull over on the shoulder – as this could be dangerous for a large piece of equipment. If you want to pass, you are required by law to slow down to the speed of the vehicle and only pass when it is safe to do so. We are on the roads to grow the food that feeds the province, country, and world. We want to make it home to our loved ones safely and we want the same for you too. It is worth waiting the few seconds or minutes it takes to pass farm equipment safely. Passenger vehicles incorrectly passing farm equipment results in serious accidents or death. Shockingly, 8 out of 10 accidents occur during the day and 7 out of 10 occur with dry road conditions. Unfortunately, I can personally attest to these statistics. In 2019, my son in law’s tractor was involved in a serious accident. It was a Tuesday, just before noon, on a flat stretch of road with pristine road conditions. A motorist tried to pass him on the inside right and hit his tractor’s back tire. He was ejected from the tractor and hit his head. He spent four days in the hospital with a traumatic brain injury. He was the primary caregiver to his wife and three young children. He is still unable to work due to crippling headaches, sensitivity to bright lights and noise, and a permanent back injury. It is important to remember that behind the wheel of that tractor or combine is someone’s loved one. We are all someone’s friend, co-worker, father, mother, daughter, son, sister, brother, uncle, aunt, niece, or nephew. Shaving a few seconds or minutes off your arrival time is not worth altering a family’s life forever. For the farming community, it’s vital to conduct a daily 360-degree safety check before you leave the laneway. Ensure your hitches, brakes, tires, and PTOs are maintained and ready for the roads. Additionally, make sure your lights are working properly and that your SMV sign is visible and secure. Lastly, plan your route accordingly. When on the road operating farm equipment stay alert, stay on the paved portion of the road, and stay off your smartphone. Additionally, be aware of other motorists and signal well in advance on busy roadways. To guarantee that you are visible to drivers, lights must be on farm equipment from 30 minutes before sunset to 30 minutes after sunrise. It is important that everyone keeps these safety tips in mind throughout the growing season. Together, we can ensure everyone gets home safely. On behalf of OFA, I wish all Ontario farmers a safe and bountiful plant ’22. For more information, contact: Tyler Brooks Director of Communications and Stakeholder Relations Ontario Federation of Agriculture 519-821-8883 ext. 218 [email protected] By Louis Roesch, Director, Ontario Federation of Agriculture Ontario’s agriculture industry faces various challenges as our farmers work to create a stronger, more resilient sector that will sustain Ontario for generations to come. We depend on ongoing research, innovation and proactive initiatives to help find the solutions to meet these challenges. Collaboration across all facets of our sector is the key to achieving progress on evolving issues linked to the environment, rural economic development, labour and mental wellness. The Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) was proud show off the successful collaboration of our members, staff, board members and industry partners at our second annual Research Day. The event, which took place virtually on March 31, consisted of eight sessions and attracted over 70 participants. It provided an opportunity to educate, inform and engage attendees on current research projects OFA is involved with and supports. The virtual platform allowed members from across the province to engage with presenters during a question and answer period at the end of each session. OFA supports each of the projects that was highlighted through active partnership or financial contributions. Ben Lefort, Senior Farm Policy Analyst with the organization, kicked off the day with an update on the Township of Mapleton Cost of Community Services (COCS) study. These types of studies offer a “snapshot in time” of each land use’s financial impact on a municipality in a particular year. They highlight the cost imposed on a municipality’s community services by farmland compared to residential land. Ultimately, COCS studies can be used by municipalities to support their strategic land-use planning. They also illustrate the economic benefit of farmland and why it must be protected. Mapleton is one of the many municipalities who have partnered with OFA to conduct COCS studies. Producing prosperity in Ontario through the protection of farmland has always been a top priority for OFA. Farm Policy Analyst Emily Sousa and PhD candidate Pam Duesling discussed their research project Best Practices for On-Farm Diversified Uses, which focussed on the balance between farmland preservation, agricultural viability and economic development. Case studies showed that both farmers and planners see the benefit of farmland preservation and on-farm diversification. Also in support of economic development, Tom Bowers and Megan Sipos from Ontario Greenbelt, gave a presentation to attendees on the Economic Impact of the Agri-Food Value Chain in the Greenbelt & Farm Case Studies. OFA strongly supports the Greenbelt’s work with aligning priorities of preserving valuable farmland in the Greater Golden Horseshoe region. The purpose of this study was to highlight agriculture’s significant contributions to the economy and show the complex economic relationships within the sector. Consistent challenges faced by farmers in the region include farmland loss, climate change, and loss of local service providers to support the sector. Sarah Stadnyk from the Canadian Biogas Association presented highlights from the Agricultural Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) Resource Clustering Study. This project provides farmers, developers and policymakers an understanding of how changing key factors impact the development of economically viable agricultural RNG projects. RNG clustering pools feedstock from multiple farms to support larger scale anaerobic digestion projects than an individual farm could on its own. The research found that under the right conditions, agricultural RNG clusters can make a large contribution to the generation of renewable natural gas, as well as give value to food and organic waste. Environmental contributions also came into play through Andrew Graham’s presentation on soil health initiatives in Ontario. The Executive Director of the Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association outlined work concentrated in applied research, educational tools, cost-share incentive programs, advocacy and collaborative ventures. This session highlighted how we’re involved in improving soil health and creating awareness of the various initiatives available to Ontario farmers. Dr. Amy Lemay from the Niagara Community Observatory gave a presentation on Growing Innovation – investigating the barriers and drivers to accelerate technology transfer and adoption of automation, robotics and technologies. This study is set to improve general understanding of how innovation is being adopted into the agriculture sector to increase efficiency. The day concluded with updates about ongoing regional and organizational initiatives we’re involved with. OFA staff and partners highlighted projects that included county/regional federation Slow Moving Vehicle (SMV) sign initiatives, the Resilient Fields project, 4R Nutrient Stewardship with Fertilizer Canada, Farm Plastics Recycling with Northern Ontario federations and the Farmer Wellness Initiative presented by the Canadian Mental Health Association – Ontario Division. These sessions demonstrated the level of teamwork and collaboration OFA relies on from our local federations and industry partners to implement these successful and impactful initiatives. A final session showcased actions OFA is taking on its priority of attracting and retaining skilled labour for farm businesses across Ontario through the Feeding Your Future initiative. OFA staff members Michelle deNijs and Janice Janiec shared metrics from the two year old program that highlighted the impacts each of its services have had on our farming members, and acknowledged the strong partnerships that have been leveraged to help this project succeed. We thank all members, industry stakeholders and supporting partners for joining us and engaging in OFA’s second annual Research Day. This event was an excellent opportunity to increase awareness of the ongoing research and initiatives OFA is involved in to address barriers and challenges facing our sector. To learn more about each session, check out this summary fact sheet. For more information, contact: Tyler Brooks Director of Communications and Stakeholder Relations Ontario Federation of Agriculture 519-821-8883 ext. 218 [email protected] By Paul Maurice, Director, Ontario Federation of Agriculture The care, well-being and safety of livestock is of the utmost importance for farmers, especially in cases of transportation. Anyone involved in transporting animals, directly or indirectly, has the responsibility to ensure their livestock are ready for the journey. In an effort to improve animal welfare and reduce risk to livestock during transport, amendments to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) Health of Animals Regulations: Part XII: Transportation of Animals were enacted which requires new rules to be followed during animal transportation. These changes were implemented to improve the well-being of animals during the entire transportation process and are the result of many years of consultation with key industry stakeholders. Following a two-year period focused on education, awareness and compliance promotion, enforcement of the transport regulations officially came into effect on February 20, 2022. The Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) wants to remind members of notable changes to the regulations to ensure compliance and the welfare of livestock before, during, and after transportation. Under the new regulations, anyone transporting animals commercially or for business/financial benefit must keep records related to the movement of those animals. These records include the name and address of the producer, ID number, measurement of floor area available to the animals, date, time and place, a description of the animals, and the last time they were given food or water. A Transfer of Care (TOC) document is now required for situations where the responsibility and care of livestock is transferred from one party to another. For example, a TOC is needed when a producer loads their animals on the trailer of a commercial shipper, or when transporting animals to an auction market or abattoir. This document provides proof that a load of animals has arrived or that the care/responsibility of those animals is passed on from one person to another. The definitions of unfit and compromised animals have been updated in the regulations, with specific directions to determine if your livestock are safe for transport. The transportation of any animal considered unfit is a direct violation of the regulations, with the exception of receiving care recommended by a veterinarian. Anyone involved in animal transport must assess the fitness of each animal while ensuring all provisions of the regulations are met. Then, only animals fit for the intended trip need to be selected, prepared, and loaded. To help determine if your animals are fit for their journey, the CFIA has developed a user-friendly brochure and guide for producers and a one-page fact sheet for signs of an unfit or compromised animal. Significant changes have been made to the time frames during which animals are in transport without feed, water, and rest (FWR). Feed, water and rest intervals now vary by species and age of animal, and cover cattle, sheep, goats, swine, horses, and birds. It is also important to note that compromised animals have additional FWR requirements. A verbal or written contingency plan is now needed for those transporting animals for business, including commercial carriers. The plan covers unforeseen delays or cases of an animal(s) becoming compromised or unfit during loading, confinement, transport or unloading and establishes steps to be taken to reduce or mitigate animal suffering in the event of these circumstances. A template for contingency plans can be found in Appendix 2 of the CFIA’s interpretive guidance document. Anyone required to have a contingency plan must inform all those involved in transporting of the animals (directly or indirectly) or who take part in the decision-making of the contingency plan. Those not in compliance with the new regulations as of February 20, 2022, may be subjected to verbal or written notices and monetary or non-monetary penalties. CFIA’s enforcement approach will balance the need to ensure the care and well-being of animals during the entire transportation process, while supporting the different industry sectors in complying with the regulations. OFA is committed to the continuous improvement in animal care and handling practices and increasing animal welfare. If you are involved in activities related to the loading, transport, or unloading of animals, ensure you are familiar with and follow the federal transport of animal regulations. For more information, members can view CFIA’s ‘Then and Now’ fact sheet, demonstrating how the regulations have changed since the amendments in 2020. For more information, contact: Tyler Brooks Director of Communications and Stakeholder Relations Ontario Federation of Agriculture 519-821-8883 ext. 218 [email protected] |
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