It appeared in April that spring seeding would be early this year and we would get a good start to our crops. Crops planted in later April look excellent but the spring seeding turned out to be a long drawn out event with many producers finishing up in later June. Hopefully Mother nature cooperates.
Many other things in the farming business need attention. The beef industry is being devastated financially by what they are saying is Mad Cow Disease but I find it hard to believe when only a single case has shown up. All the proper testing and protocol is done. Let’s hope by the time this article goes to press that a resolve has been found to open the USA Border and other countries so that beef farmers can get on with normal business and not be held at ransom.
Agriculture Policy Framework has taken a back burner and rightly so, but hopeful a resolution will be forthcoming by year’s end so farmers know where they stand. Nutrient Management Regulations are still being worked on and’ I have tried to give you an update in another article in this newsletter.
If you still have a well that you want to decommission I believe there still is money for that but the money for upgrading water Wells has been used up. Applications need to be submitted by Sept. 1, 2003. Contact our MSR Maria for more information.
Also there is still money under “Healthy Futures” for projects but that program at this time is to be terminated Dec. 31/03.
For those of you who have a computer and are on the internet and if you have not visited our website I would encourage you to do so at www.lfawebsite.org We are trying to maintain an up to date calendar of events for Lambton agriculture plus there is excellent weather and market information available plus much more.
If there is an issue the LFA or OFA can help you with please contact myself at 864-1837 or our MSR Maria Van Bommel at 1-877-668-3276.
Have a safe and happy summer!
~Jim Duffy~
President, Lambton Federation of Agriculture