Better Pork February 2017

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Better Pork February 2017 27
Pork News & Views
F bruary 2017Pork News &Views
Preventing Fires on Farm
Did you know?
Faulty electrical systems cause approxi-
mately 40 per cent of barn fires with a
determined cause, making it one of the
leading known causes of barn fires.
What can you do?
Regular inspections and maintenance are
key to reducing the risk of a barn fire. We
recommend that you work with a profes-
sional to inspect and monitor your farm
buildings.
• Have your buildings inspected and
maintained regularly by a licensed electri-
cal contractor.
• Develop a preventative maintenance
and housekeeping schedule.
• Work with a professional to monitor
the heat conditions of your barn using
infrared technologies.
• Work with your local fire depart-
ment and insurance company to identify
problem areas on your farm, and fix any
problem areas identified.
• Have a plan ready to deal with any
emergency.
• Train your family and employees on
what to do if there is a barn fire. Learn
how to handle and what to do with live-
stock, make a list of who to call during
and after a fire, and establish a safe meet-
ing point.
Visit to find
helpful resources, including:
• The Reducing the Risk of Fire on Your
Farm book that examines the main causes
of farm building fires and what you can
do to minimize risks.
• A checklist to help you assess your
farm’s barn fire risk.
• A link to the Farm Fire and Emergen-
cy Sketch web page that explains step-
by-step how to create a sketch for your
operation.
• Our Electrical Systems in Barns Fact-
sheet that provides information on how
an electrical system can start a fire, regula-
tions and barn electrical maintenance
practices.
• Links to different inspection, monitor-
ing and extinguishing technologies, such
as FLIR heat-sensing cameras, Cole-Par-
mer gas detectors and the DSPA 5 aerosol
generator.
• A link to Livestock Welfare’s Emer-
gency Response web page, offering great
resources on what to do with and how to
handle livestock during an emergency.
• A link to Equine Guelph’s training pro-
gram on livestock behaviour in emergen-
cies and barn fire prevention tools.
Barn fires can create unique challenges for
farmers, including the disposal of large
volumes of deadstock. The Ontario Minis-
try of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs
(OMAFRA) has a regulation that gives you
options for deadstock management. These
options help to protect water quality, re-
duce environmental impacts and minimize
biosecurity hazards, such as scavenging.
Collection of deadstock by a licensed col-
lector is recognized as the most effective
and sustainable disposal method. In emer-
gency situations, you can apply to OMA-
FRA for an Emergency Authorization for
the storage, disposal or transportation of
deadstock. These authorizations can be
used when emergency conditions exist
that make it difficult for you to dispose of
deadstock according to the regulation.
For more information and to suggest a
different fire prevention device, technolo-
gy or program that could be listed on our
website, contact the Agricultural Informa-
tion Contact Centre (AICC) at 1-877-424-
1300 or .
Visit for other re-
sources and tips for keeping a farm safe.
At , you can find
information on contingency deadstock
planning and the regulation.
55th Annual Southwestern
Ontario Pork Conference
“Start To Finish”
Wednesday, February 22, 2017
Join us in the Rudy H. Brown Rural
Development Centre at the University
of Guelph, Ridgetown Campus.
The Pork Conference is designed to be
responsive to the grassroots pork industry
and its producers. Practical information is
presented for producers to manage their
farming operations for profitability.
Register by February 15, 2017 for the
early registration fee.
Registration fee: $25.00 (includes dinner)
Student Fee: $10.00
Registration fee after February 15,
2017: $40.00
Register Online at www.ridgetownc.
com/bdt/ce_swopc.cfm or call 1-866-
222-9682.
Conference Schedule:
12:00pm to 2:00pm - Open House:
Visit the new on campus
Swine Barn
2:00pm - Registration, Rudy Brown
Rural Development Centre
2:00pm - Meet & Greet Sponsors, Trade
Show & Refreshments - Join
Colleagues and Sponsors
for light refreshments in the
trade show area. RDC Pestell
Auditorium
4:00pm – Conference Welcome, Agron-
omy Lecture Theatre 137
4:15pm – Producer Profile (Alec Boek-
hoven, Appin, Ontario)
5:00pm – Creep Feeding (Dr. Laura
Eastwood, OMAFRA)
5:45pm – Reproductive Problems (Dr.
Billy Flowers, North Carolina)
6:30pm – Dinner, Willson Dining Room
7:15pm – Local Update, Agronomy
Lecture Theatre 137 (Dr. Bill
Moore, South West Ontario
Veterinary Services)
7:40pm – Feature Speaker “Manage-
ment Factors Associated with
Sow Longevity” – Dr. Billy
Flowers, Professor of Animal
Science & Physiology, North
Carolina State University
9:00pm – Wrap up
Ministry of Agriculture,
Food and Rural Affairs