Each Winter, Grey Ag Services offers Winter Courses of interest to producers and rural residents of Grey and Bruce Counties and beyond. Below, please find all of the courses that we are offering. The courses are filling quickly, so please act fast!! Pre-registration is required, so please promote these in advance of the courses to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to attend.
All of the following courses will take place at Grey Ag Services, 206 Toronto Street South, Markdale, unless otherwise indicated. Please call 519-986-3756, or email [email protected], to pre-register. There are more details for all of these courses on our website. Certified Crop Advisors will be able to obtain CEU credits for some of these courses.
Alpaca Info 101
Have you thought about raising alpacas but are not sure what is involved? Are they hard to handle?
What do you feed them? Are they high maintenance or easy keepers? Do they really spit or are they even-tempered? If you have ever considered alpacas this workshop will answer all of the basic questions about raising alpacas. There will also be discussion about what to do with their wonderful fibre. Carolyn & Doug Lilleyman from Kickin' Back Alpaca Ranch will be happy to answer your questions.
Date: Monday, January 29th, 2018
Time: 1:00 pm to 4:15 pm
Cost: $10 per person
Pre-Register By: Fri. Jan. 26th, 2018
Farm Finance Workshop - Putting it All Together for Profit
This course will include information about: Working with your banker - understanding what they want; Business financing and operational solutions; General tax advice for farmers. Where can HST trip you up?; Succession planning from a farm finance perspective; and the young farmer loan program. Facilitators will include representatives from FCC, BDO Canada LLP, and OMAFRA. Sponsored by FCC and BDO Canada LLP.
Date: Wednesday, February 7th, 2018. Sign-in 9:00 am.
Time: 9:30 am to 3:00 pm
Cost: $25.00 per person. Lunch provided.
Pre-Register By: Fri. Feb. 2nd, 2018
Direct Farm Marketing
This workshop will review both the exciting opportunities and the less-than-glamorous realities of starting or operating a direct-to-consumer marketing business. Topics will include: an overview of different direct marketing channels; costing and pricing principles; and tips and tricks for improving customer experience. Course facilitator will be Jessica Kelly, Direct Farm Marketing Specialist, OMAFRA.
Date: Thursday, February 15th, 2018
Time: 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Cost: $10 per person
Pre-Register By: Mon. Feb. 12th, 2018
Beef Info Day
This course, facilitated by the OMAFRA Beef team, will cover: Calving and Weaning Management; Biosecurity and Disease Prevention; Cattle Marketing/Economics; Feedstuffs for Beef and Interpreting Feed Results; and Cattle Housing. Course facilitators include: James Byrne, Megan Van Schaik, Dr. Ann Godkin, Steve Duff, Anita Heeg, and Rajun Niraula. Don't miss this day!
Date: Monday, March 5th, 2018. Sign-in 9:30 am.
Time: 10:00 am to 4:30 pm
Cost: $25 per person. Hot lunch provided.
Pre-Register By: Wed. Feb. 28th, 2018
Navigating Changes in Pest Dynamics
Many factors contribute to which pests thrive, expand their range, develop resistance or nearly disappear. We will discuss the factors involved with western bean cutworm, winter cutworm, swede midge and others, how to better predict infestations and adjust management practices accordingly. Course facilitators are Tracey Baute, Field Crop Entomologist, OMAFRA and Deb Campbell, CCA-ON, Agronomy Advantage.
And/Or
Weeds to Watch – Weed ID Workshop
Problematic weeds are present in Ontario but often go undetected. More weeds are on their way here. The intent of this workshop is to inform and create awareness of their potential impact on agriculture in Ontario. Attendee's specific weed issues will be addressed. This course will be led by Dave Bilyea, Weed Management-Horticulture, University of Guelph Ridgetown Campus. Dave will be bringing live specimens for this course.
Date: Wednesday, March 7th, 2018
Pest Course from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm
Weed Course from 1:30 pm to 3:30 pm
Cost: $10 per person for each course, or attend both with a hot lunch for $25 per person
Pre-Register By: Fri. Mar. 2nd, 2018
Beekeeping 101 - The Beekeeper's Year
Hugh Simpson is a commercial beekeeper with beehives across Grey County. Last year he shared a "top ten list" for new Beekeepers and will follow this year with some insights about what keeps the beekeeper and his bees bzzzy at different times of year. There'll be presentation of ideas and tips on spring build up, summer maintenance and fall harvest, prepping for winter.
Date: Wednesday, March 7th, 2018
Time: 7:00 pm to 9:30 pm
Cost: $10 per person
Pre-Register By: Fri. Mar. 2nd, 2018
Cover Crop, and Double Crop Forages for Sheep and Cattle
This course is for Sheep, Cattle, and Crop producers who are interested in growing cover crops and double crops as forages for livestock. Topics to be discussed will include: Land rental/tenancy between livestock and crop producers; Fencing; Grazing species selection/establishment/seeding; Grazing tips; Performance expectations; Possible issues; Prevention of animal health concerns; Data from University of Guelph trials; and case studies/panel. Facilitators from OMAFRA will include: Christoph Wand, Christine O'Reilly, and James Byrne. Producers will also be on hand to share their experiences.
Date: Wednesday, March 21st, 2018
Time: 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Cost: $10 per person
Pre-Register By: Mon. Mar. 19th, 2018
Best Practices To Keep Your Garden Healthy
Keeping your garden healthy involves plant selection and practices learned from nature. Whether it is flowers, shrubs or vegetables, putting the right plant in the right place, attracting the good bugs, creating nutrient-rich soil and mimicking nature's approach to maintenance will help keep your garden healthy. Presenters: Gary Kenny, Vicky Thompson and Patricia Wyszynski from Grey County Master Gardeners.
Date: Thursday, March 22nd, 2018
Time: 7:00 am to 9:30 pm
Cost: $10 per person
Pre-Register By: Mon. Mar. 19th, 2018
Home Canning Demonstration
Have you aspired to preserve local fruits and vegetables, but don't know where to start? Have you done some canning, but still would like to learn some tips from the experts? Our facilitator for this course will be Chef Emerie Brine, from Bernardin. In this demonstration you will be able to watch as he prepares canning recipes with asparagus, garlic jellies and frozen fruits. He will provide tips during the preparation of these canning projects. As a bonus, the group will get to sample the recipes prepared. Space is Unlimited!!!
Date: Tuesday, March 27th, 2018
Time: 6:30 pm to 9:00 pm
Location: Markdale Community Centre and Arena, 75 Walker St. Markdale
Cost: $20.00 per person
Pre-Register By: Fri. Mar. 23rd, 2018
Enhancing On-Farm Biodiversity
Learn new approaches towards unproductive farm landscapes. How can we better manage and employ our marginal lands? Speakers will discuss ideas to repurpose unproductive farmland and how adding biodiversity can impact farm production and practices. Sponsored by ALUS Grey-Bruce. www.ALUS.ca.
Date: Wednesday, March 28th, 2018
Time: 1:00 to 4:00 pm
Cost: $10.00 per person
Pre-Register By: Mon. Mar. 26th, 2018
Horse Health Night
This "Horse Health Night" is jointly sponsored by Grey Ag Services and Markdale Veterinary Services. Dr. Tee Fox will provide an update on West Nile and equine encephalomyelitis as they were an increased problem in 2017. She will also address equine metabolic syndrome. Don't miss this night!! Come network with other like-minded individuals for a highly entertaining evening.
Date: Thursday, March 29th, 2018
Time: 7:30 to 9:30 pm
Cost: $10.00 per person
Pre-Register By: Fri. Mar. 23rd, 2018
Introduction to Small Ruminants
The course is targeted for people interested in, or thinking about, getting started in either sheep or goat production. This basic course will focus on four key components: An overview of sheep and goat farming in Ontario; Production requirements; Processing, marketing and economics; and a local farm tour. The course will be mainly an 'in class' session followed by a tour of a working meat sheep farm. The course will be offered by Delma Kennedy, Sheep Specialist and Jillian Craig, Small Ruminant Specialist, with OMAFRA, and hosted by Grey Ag Services. Cost includes USB resource key, hot lunch, farm tour and much more.
Date: Saturday, April 14th, 2018
Time: 9:00 to 4:30 pm
Cost: $75.00 per person
Pre-Register By: Fri. Apr. 6th, 2018
For more information, please contact Grey Ag Services, 519-986-3756, email, [email protected] or go to www.greyagservices.ca
source: media release, Grey County Agriculture Services
