​Guelph, ON [November 20, 2018] – Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) members from across the province met this week to discuss the agri-food sector’s potential for growth, vote for leadership of the organization and address related challenges facing the industry.
 
More than 350 agricultural representatives met in Hamilton at the OFA annual general meeting (AGM) November 19-20. Keith Currie, OFA’s 31st president, was acclaimed for his third one-year term. Voting delegates re-elected Peggy Brekveld and Mark Reusser to the vice president positions. Drew Spoelstra was elected by the board as the fourth executive member.  Joining the OFA board this year is Hugh Simpson, elected at the AGM as Director-at-Large and Melissa Schneider, representing Zone 4 – Elgin and Oxford counties. Two long-time directors retired from OFA’s board this year, Mark Wales and Peter Lambrick. OFA’s Board of Directors is made up of 18 positions representing regions across Ontario.
 
“We’re proud to be a grassroots organization, and OFA’s annual meeting is the best demonstration of our strength in numbers, dedication to the industry and commitment to making the agri-food sector as successful and prosperous as it can be,” says Keith Currie, OFA president. “We’re poised for growth and positive change within our organization and within our industry. We have a clear direction from delegates at the AGM to improve infrastructure across rural Ontario, advocate for agriculture and rural communities with government, and deliver positive results for members across the province.”
 
This year’s conference theme, Prosperity Grows Here, led the discussions, speakers and workshop topics for the event. Conference attendees also voted on resolutions to address business and industry concerns, heard from Ernie Hardeman, Ontario Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, Premier Ford via recorded video and Andrea Horwath, leader of the NDP party and official opposition.
 
As OFA pushes for continuous improvements within our rural communities, the event’s keynote speaker Doug Griffiths gave an honest and engaging presentation entitled “13 Ways to Kill Your Community” – providing an interesting approach on what not to do as a reminder of how to actually improve our communities from within.
 
The Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) is the largest general farm organization in Ontario, representing 38,000 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.
 
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For more information:
 
Keith Currie
President
Ontario Federation of Agriculture
705-441-3362
 
Neil Currie
General Manager
Ontario Federation of Agriculture
519-821-8883
 

By Keith Currie, President, Ontario Federation of Agriculture
​
As Ontario’s fall harvest continues, corn quality and the threat of moulds and mycotoxins have become a serious concern across the province. Elevated levels of vomitoxin (DON) in this year’s corn crop has growers concerned about finding a market for their grain, and in some cases, figuring out how to safely dispose of crops that cannot be marketed.
Mycotoxins and DON can cause serious health threats to livestock when ingested at concentrated levels. DON can also pose a serious health threat to farmers working with the infected grain if the mould is inhaled. Early field reports across the province are indicating higher than expected levels of DON and the Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) reminds all farmers to work safely during the busy harvest season, especially when dealing with DON-infected corn.
With higher levels of DON reported, this is the year to scout fields and sample grain. If you are concerned about a field, collect a sample and have it tested for mycotoxins before harvesting, storing or feeding to livestock. The Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) also recommends harvesting and drying corn as quickly as possible, especially susceptible hybrids. Leaving diseased corn in the field allows the fungi to keep growing, increasing the risk of mouldy kernels and mycotoxin contamination throughout the field. Mould and mycotoxin development stops when corn moisture is less than 15%.
Be safe when handling DON-infected corn because inhaling the fungi-derived poison can have serious health implications, restricting airways and proper lung function. Prevent exposure by using protective gloves and eye protection, wear a mask and only work in well-ventilated areas. The greatest risks of exposure can occur in semi-enclosed places like grain bins and the areas around operating combines and loading wagons.
Finding a market for corn with higher levels of DON is a problem. There are few options for disposal, but research and on-farm trials continue across the province. For more information visit omafra.gov.on.ca.
Any farmer who discovers DON in their crop is encouraged to call Agricorp as soon as possible at 1-888-247-4999. Agricorp can discuss the best practices for handling, sorting, and if necessary, destroying high DON corn, and review the coverage available to farmers experiencing losses due to DON. OFA will continue to work closely with Agricorp and the Grain Farmers of Ontario to assist farmers suffering losses from DON in anyway we can.
 

For more information, contact:

Keith Currie
President
Ontario Federation of Agriculture
705-441-3362

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