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| OVSGA RELUCTANTLY CANCELS FARM SHOW LIVESTOCK January 21, 2003 The Ottawa Valley Seed Growers Association has reluctantly decided to cancel the livestock component of this year's Ottawa Valley Farm Show scheduled for March 18-20 at Lansdowne Park, Ottawa. "We didn't come to the decision easily," said OVSGA chair Lynda McCuaig, explaining that the usual livestock venue, the Sprung Structure, was removed from the grounds several weeks ago by Lansdowne management. McCuaig said the association's livestock committee investigated alternative options, particularly the possibility of erecting a temporary structure at the park to accommodate traditional Farm Show auction sales and live animal exhibits. "Bringing in a building for the three days of the show proved to be financially and technically prohibitive,"said John Joynt, livestock committee vice-chairman. "We were also concerned we wouldn't be able to mount the same quality of show and sale that exhibitors and visitors have come to expect." The hope is that the livestock component will return next year, possibly housed in the Horticultural Building which is now being used for storage and unavailable to the OVSGA: "It's a popular draw and we're determined to get livestock back into the show as soon as possible," Joynt stated. In other business during their recent regular meeting, OVSGA directors approved $40,000 in financial support to Kemptville College over the next three years, with $30,000 to be directed to a pest management study coordinated by college researcher Wendy Asbil. The remaining $10,000 is to be applied to 2003 corn and cereal performance evaluation trials threatened by University of Guelph cutbacks. Late last year, the Seed Growers gave another $10,000 to the college, this time to help cover the cost of special equipment for the risk and safety component of the food program. "Part of our mandate is to support agricultural research and education which we do through proceeds from the Farm Show," McCuaig said. FOR MORE INFORMATION : Lynda McCuaig, OVSGA, (613) 822-0884. Posted: January 21, 2003 |