MARCH

Last month we commented on the warm weather we had during Christmas and January. The Groundhog fore-casted an early Spring in February.  So far it has been interesting Winter with its up and down temperatures.  Do we believe the Groundhog and think it will come in and exit like a Lamb the beginning and end of March?  Hopefully so, and then a nice Spring would be wonderful!

SHUR GAIN SPECIALS

Save $2.00 / Bag  

            or    $25 per MT  (2 tonne minimum)

• 18% ProStart
• Propulsion Gest-8 (Medicated and Non Medicated)     80 Bag Minimum

• Equiline Mare and Foal

Carl's Corner

In a previous newsletter I had mentioned provincial legislation introduced on December 2, 2019 in

Bill l56, the Security from Trespass and Protecting FoodSafety Act.  It is designed to protect our farmers, livestock and food supply chain from the threat of unwanted activists and trespassing onto farm and livestock facilities.  If you have not already voiced your support for this Bill (whether you raise livestock or not) please do so by visiting -

http://actnow.ofa.on.ca/to send a form letter to our local MPP.  The more letters they receive the more they will realize how important the issue is to their constituents. Ask your family and friends to take a minute and do likewise too.

There is also a monthly E-newsletter sent out by Farm

information on current events in our industry.  The vision of the group is to earn public trust in our food and farming and Food Care Ontario which provides lots of good practices.  It is well worthwhile to check out their website relatively flat, soymeal fluctuates daily and distillers’ grain is strengthening.  I stated last month that soymeal had decreased by $20/tonne during the month, this month it bounced back up the same amount at one point although by month end, it had dropped again by $15/tonne.  Today’s price is $5/tonne higher than this time last month.  The increased demand for DDGS as a result of the much lower mycotoxin levels has seen them being more widely used in commercial feed rations and caused higher than usual prices.

Hoof Trimming Needed

Contact :

              Southwestern Hoof Trimming  est 1977

                        Ryan Kent @  519-777-0783  (cell)

                                   519-695-6952 (Home)

Rich's Remarks

     Ontario Pork’s report on February 27, 2020 states that the 100% formula price was $135.37/ckg DW.  This is down $14.56 since last month’s newsletter.  The CME price was $ 56.41 which is  down $6.42 from last month’s newsletter.  

     For pigs placed in March, OMAFRA’s Ontario Market Hog Price Trend Sheet for February 20, 2020 is predicting a 100-index price of $199.22/cwt for when they go to market.  This is up $12.09/cwt from the number I showed in last month’s newsletter. 

     Ontario Pork announced on February 20, 2020 the directors that will represent Zone 1 on the Ontario Pork Board.  They are Maaike Campbell from Lambton County, Mike Mitchell from Middlesex County and Tara Terpstra from Huron County.

     In case you missed the email from the Ontario Pork Industry Council, there is new Transportation of Animals Requirements.  Here is the summary from the email.

     Under the Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s (CFIA’s) Health of Animals Regulations (Part XII), Canada’s livestock industry will see changes to its Transportation of Animals requirements.

     The new requirements will be phased in beginning February 20, 2020. The new regulations are more detailed with respect to animal needs and specify intervals for transporters to provide food, water and rest.

     The maximum time for pigs to go without food, water and rest is 28 hours.

What’s new:

•                    The new Record of Livestock Movement form must accompany every load

·                     This new form replaces current producer receipts/Ontario Pork hog manifests

·                     Transporters will be sent the new forms and provide them to producers

•                    Producers must note the date and time animals go off feed and water (28 hour maximum)

•                    Condition of animals must be recorded and signed-off by both the producer and transporter when transferring custody of animals

Upcoming Events

The Chick Package has been sent out. 

It's time to get your orders into us.

To help get you ready for the season, we do sell:

FEED

   - Chick Starter           - Chick Grower Crumb

   -Turkey Starter, Turkey Grower & Turkey Finisher

   - Duck Starter            - Duck Grower

   - Layer Crumb    &    - Layer Mash

As well as some equipment

    Brooder Lamps,                   Brooder Bulbs

    Feeders                                 Waterers

    Egg Cartons                Shavings for Bedding

Dates to Order               Delivery

March 2                                   April 7

     RTL – order by February 24    Delivery  April 7

March 23                                 April 28

April 13                                   May 19

May 4                                      June 9

May 25                                    June 30

    RTL – order by May 19   Delivery June 30

June 29                                    August 4

August 5                      Wednesday, September 9

     RTL – order by July 30         Delivery                                             September 9