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The 69th Annual Western Fair Farm Show, located on the Western Fairgrounds runs – Wednesday, March 7, 2007 and Thursday, March 8, 2007 – 10am to 8:30pm, and Friday, March 9, 2007 – 10am to 4pm. Admission is $10.00 and children 12 and under are FREE, when accompanied by an adult.
“The Western Fair FARM SHOW boasts an average of 20,000 visitors over three days, and has more than 270 exhibitors,” said Sharon Pook, WFA, Sales and Expositions Manager. “The Farm Show has a long history with the Western Fair Association, due to its reputation and popularity within the local agricultural industry.” Visitors can expect to find the latest information, products and services specific to farming, with many knowledgeable representatives staffing the many booths and displays.
Opening Day
Opening day highlights include a special visit from Mrs. Maria Van Bommel, Parliamentary Assistant - Agriculture and Food, who will perform the official opening and bring greetings on behalf of Leona Dombrowsky, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs in the Progress Building at 10 am on Wednesday, March 7.
Middlesex County Agricultural Hall of Fame 2007
The Western Fair Association, in conjunction with several agriculture members, instituted the Middlesex Agriculture Hall of Fame. This distinction recognizes the history and tradition of agriculture in Middlesex County. This year’s inductees are:
George Earley
Dr. Kenneth Pretty
Charles Broadwell
Inductees will be honoured at the Hall of Fame Luncheon on Wednesday, March 7, 2007, beginning at 11:30 a.m. in the Agriplex Lobby. Tickets are $20.00 (taxes included), and can be purchased by contacting Hugh Fletcher at (519) 666-1572.
Win a KUBOTA lawn tractor from Kubota Canada Ltd.
With each paid admission you will receive a ballot for a chance to win a versatile Kubota tractor. To be eligible to win, the ballot must be completed, stamped at all designated show locations and dropped in one of the ballot boxes located throughout the show. The draw will take place at 5:00 p.m. on Friday, March 9, 2007. Winners will be contacted by phone.
Speaker Program
This year we welcome Professor Trevor K. Smith, Ph.D., P.Ag., as our feature speaker.
This year’s topic will be: “Mycotoxins in Ontario Livestock Feeds: Implications & Strategies for coping.
The presentation will explain why feed borne mycotoxins are occurring more frequently than in the past. Analytical techniques for detecting mycotoxins in feeds will be discussed. The effects of the major Fusarium mycotoxins on livestock and poultry will be reviewed and strategies for minimizing mycotoxin problems will be discussed.
Heavy rainfall in southern Ontario in late summer and fall of 2006 resulted in extensive mould problems pre-harvest for the Ontario corn crop. The major mould type found in Ontario soils are the Fusarium moulds. These moulds can produce mycotoxins, harmful compounds that can reduce production efficiency and even cause mortalities in livestock and poultry. The current Ontario corn crop is heavily contaminated with Fusarium mycotoxins including deoxynivalenol (DON, vomitoxin), which causes feed refusal and suppressed immunity, and zearalenone, which disrupts animal reproduction.
The presentations, by Professor Smith, will take place on Wednesday, March 7 at 2pm, Thursday, March 8 at 11am, and Friday, March 9 at 1pm in the Confederation Building.
Media Contact:
Sharon Pook, Exposition Sales Manager
519) 438-7203 ext. 222
spook@westernfair.com
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