Agenda highlights:
Review 4-H in 2024 and discussion about opportunities for 2025
Talk about what clubs/projects that you would like to see and
Brianna Troup, 4-H Ontario, will conduct a volunteer re-engagement session for leaders and volunteers to maintain our volunteer/leader “in good standing” status!
Everyone welcome!
The Environmental Farm Plan is a free, 2-day, facilitated workshop where farm families complete a voluntary assessment of their farm against established Best Management Practices, highlighting their farm’s environmental strengths, areas of concern, and set realistic action plans to improve environmental conditions. Updates on new practices and cost-share programs will be discussed.
Registration is required
We would like to thank everyone who took the time to attend the Peterborough County Cattlemen AGM on January 14, 2025, at the Douro Community Centre.
We recently held the inaugural meeting of the 2025 Peterborough County Cattlemen Board of Directors, the executive is as follows:
Karen Paszternak - President - karen.paszternak@gmail.com 705-957-3739
Greg Cornish - Vice-President - gregcornish44@gmail.com - 705-559-1146
Guy Peel - 2nd Vice-President - gpeel@live.com 705-822-7726
John Lunn - Advisory Councillor - bonlunn@gmail.com 705-927-1455
Mike Fallis - Past President - sunsetacres@nexicom.net 705-740-4878
Pat Leahy - Secretary-Treasurer (pleahy@nexicom.net) 705-652-7317
Your other directors are:
Dave Cavanagh - homestead_herefords@msn.com 705-740-5212
Francis Crowley - 705-639-5691
Glenn Darling - darlinghomesteadfarm@gmail.com 705-875-4256
Harry Ellis - hairyellis@sympatico.ca 705-957-0907
Owen Elmhirst - owen.elmhirst@icloud.com 705-772-7717
Cole Fallis - sunsetacres@nexicom.net 705-917-0239
Gavin Faught - gavinfaught@icloud.com 705-750-8759
Adrian Johnson - adrian.keith.johnson@gmail.com 705-868-4717
Jason McIntosh - freshfrozenbeef@nexicom.net 705-743-5259
Paul McMahon - paulmcmahon@xplornet.com 705-930-0879
Guy Peel - gpeel@live.com 705-822-7726
Laura Robson - lrobson_11@hotmail.com 705-932-3216
Mike Telford - mishawcustomfarming@hotmail.com 705-872-7460
Wayne Telford - margtelford1@gmail.com 705-768-5333
We would like to thank all of the directors for their time and dedication in 2024 and look forward to working together in 2025. A special thank you to Brittney Rogers, Rob Glover & Scott Vollering for volunteering as directors. We welcome new & returning directors, Dave Cavanagh, Owen Elmhirst & Adrian Johnson.
If you have any questions or concerns that you would like to discuss, please contact any director.
We have several committees for the events that we are planning on hosting and attending throughout the year. If you'd like to help out at any of these, please be sure to contact a director.
The East Central Farm Show is returning to Lindsay Exhibition Grounds on March 5th & 6th. The Peterborough County Cattlemen will once again be sharing a booth space with the Victoria Beef Farmers. Be sure to stop by our booth. If you have some spare time and would like to volunteer to be at the booth for a few hours either day, please let us know.
Watch for news and updates on our activities which are shared electronically via PTBOAgNews, Peterborough County Cattlemen's Association Facebook page or by email.
Be sure to Like & follow our Facebook page to get the latest updates.
Planning for our 2025 Barbecue will begin soon.
Our association's email address is peterboroughcountycattlemen@gmail.com , which you can send an email to at any time to volunteer or with any questions or concerns you may have, or if you have news that may be of interest to cattle producers on our email list.
The Peterborough County Celebration of Agriculture was held on Saturday, February 8, 2024. There were approx 80 guests in attendance who enjoyed a delicious meal and socializing with friends. Several awards were presented that evening, including the Long Standing Commitment Award, presented by the Peterborough County Cattlemen, to Paul McMahon and Family, Starfra Feeds. Congratulations!!
The following are the speaking notes from Mike Fallis, Past President - Peterborough County Cattlemen, who made the presentation:
If you know me, you've heard me say "Farm kids are the best and become excellent at anything they pursue". Whether it's through 4-H or being given loads of responsibility at a young age, they become the best leaders in the field they choose.
The person/family I'm about to introduce, started on a path that has been accomplished through determination, making opportunities happen, and a keen vision of what the future requires.
Congratulations to Paul McMahon & Family, StarFra Feeds, this year's recipient of the Long Standing Commitment to the Peterborough County Cattlemen.
I'm going to quickly try to tell everyone about 30 years of growth, about a teenager with a head down, move forward work ethic who became a community focused business leader.
In the mid to late 90's, Paul was busy milking cows at local dairy farms including milking his own cows for a few years as well. Until that time in May of '03 when the cattle business took a huge hit......BSE.
Standing at the proverbial 'Y" in the road, a small building on the corner of County Rd 4 and Douro 9th line, which the family owned, chose which road to take.
Still helping neighbours milk and show cattle, and now hauling gravel from their pit, Paul stepped into the farm supply business. To ensure the need, Paul approached local farmers and then petitioned ShurGain to open a dealership. As these things go, starting wasn't simple, but in May 2004, Paul's 1st employee, Laverne Moore, scribed invoice #1 at Starfra Feeds, for local beef farmer, Larry Leahy. He purchased 2 bags of beef cow mineral and 2 blocks of salt. That particular invoice can be seen framed, proudly displayed at StarFra today.
Business continued to grow due to the unbeatable customer service and the "I think we can do that " attitude.
In 2013, Shurgain purchased Squirrel Creek, which caused an increased customer base for the small store selling to a larger area. With that, the lean to that had been added was no longer sufficient, so in 2017 the attached warehouse was built, since then a second warehouse was built in 2024.
The "I think we can do that attitude" has made StarFra able to handle any commodity feed supply as well as for your wildlife. They also carry products from local producers and businesses. Now with a customer base from the 401 corridor, west to Stayner and east to Brighton, they are passing on our local products to distant customers.
Paul is a community minded business person, and a beef cow/calf producer.
There are currently 9 employees working at Starfra, as well as Paul and Sam. all with a helpful attitude.
Paul is very much involved in our agricultural community, aside from providing our needs. They support many events either by helping out or volunteering time. Paul has been a director on the Peterborough County Cattlemens Association for at least 10 years, working at our East Central Farm Show booth, attending the BFO AGM in Toronto as a voting delegate, helping with our annual barbecue and arranging our bus trip through the Producer Education. At our monthly board meetings, he has a great sense of what our county priorities are. At most events you will see a Starfra sign representing sponsorship in some way. From horse show sponsorships to sponsoring events for Durham and Peterborough Dairy events, Paul enjoys sponsoring local minor hockey and also numerous hockey players.
Just this past year, our Peterborough 4-H Beef club with just about 50 members, Paul supported these beef show members all season with prize sponsorship, getting show supplies they required, delivering a truck load of shavings to a junior show in July as well as paying for meals for the 4H members at our annual barbecue.
Paul has been a consistent buyer supporting the local steer show and sales since 2004.
Thank you Paul, Sam & family for your commitment to your local agriculture, today and in the future.
Webinar series, online discussion forum & summer pasture walks
These webinars are OSCIA-recognized Knowledge Sharing Events (KSE) for farmers with On-Farm Climate Action Fund (OFCAF) projects in the Rotational Grazing category.
Are you ready to take your pasture to the next level? Don't miss an opportunity to attend this 5-part series, including:
Ann Clark (academic and farmer) is a widely-recognized expert. She began farming 14 years ago after more than 30 years as a professor at the University of Guelph. Her research and teaching focused on plant science, especially grazing and pasture management. In her "retirement" she custom grazes beef and pastures poultry on her farm near Warkworth in Northumberland County.
Sign up for all or part of the 5-part Program - check out our bundle discount pricing: https://3common.com/event/67aa7603a15b5f226466de88
Webinars: March 13 and 20 | 7:00-8:30 PM
Over two online sessions, Ann will share findings drawn from almost half a century of pasture work, including 14 years as a custom grazier in Warkworth, Ontario. She will mix hard evidence as well as practical experience – her own and that of commercial graziers – to make a compelling case for grass in our area. Participants will receive presentation materials in advance to review and give time to raise questions/comments relating to their own farm.
Online Discussion Forum: March 13-27 | 7:00-9:00 PM
Just in time for the 2025 grazing season, join an interactive online forum to connect with fellow novice graziers and landowners. Share your questions, experiences, and insights, and get personalized advice from pasture expert E. Ann Clark. This is your chance to learn from others, exchange ideas, and find solutions tailored to your specific farming needs.
Pasture Walks: June and July (dates TBD)
See how others manage grass and stock this summer on two pasture walks. Consider hosting a pasture walk at your farm to showcase your successes, discuss challenges, and get advice from Ann and other graziers. All webinar participants will receive pasture walk invitations once dates and locations are finalized.
There is still time to register for the Durham Agriculture Leadership Program! Learn about a variety of topics that will help you empower and lead your farm business (and the agricultural organizations you are a part of) to new heights. Take advantage of the opportunity to hear from and talk with speakers from across the province, country, and North America. They will address relevant topics and important skills in agricultural leadership. Learn more about the next 3 modules and register here: DurhamAgricultureLeadershipProgram.eventbrite.ca
Join Elaine Froese, a world-renowned farm transition specialist as she leads us through a workshop focused on finding fairness in farm transition. On February 25, learn tips, tricks and tools to support your family in your farm transition journey. Whether you are just getting started, looking to learn more, or have been working through farm transition for a while, you won’t want to miss this workshop opportunity while Elaine is in Durham Region. Learn more and register here: FindingFairnessInFarmTransition.eventbrite.ca
Join professionals from across Ontario and Canada to discuss how integrated watershed management can help mitigate flooding, drought, and other water-related challenges—while keeping agriculture thriving.
Find the full schedule and register here: www.ontariofarmlandtrust.ca/forum/
Invest Durham in partnership with the Durham Region Federation of Agriculture and Durham Farm Connections is hosting the Durham Agriculture Leadership Program.
The Durham Agriculture Leadership Program is designed to provide farmers with the opportunity to grow their leadership potential and skills. This program will bring in top level speakers to address important topics in agriculture leadership. The program consists of four afternoon modules from January to April, and networking opportunities. Take advantage of this unique chance to connect with other leaders in our community and beyond and lead your agri-business into the future.
These four modules will address important topics in agriculture leadership, connect farmers to industry leaders, and provide networking opportunities.
Workshop topics and dates:
January 28, 12pm – 4pm. Nestleton Community Center
This session looks at global business economics, challenges and opportunities, Canada’s role in global agriculture and what it means for Durham Region farmers.
February 25, 12pm – 4pm. Nestleton Community Center
This session provides tools for talking about difficult issues and how to effectively communicate and work with different personalities.
March 25, 12pm – 4pm. Nestleton Community Center
This session is where business and leadership intersect. Discussion focuses on examples and tools for making good business decisions - considering both people and business aspects.
April 8, 12pm – 4pm. Nestleton Community Center
This session inspires and teaches participants how to tell their story to non-farming audiences, and how to have a clear message when communicating with decision makers.
Lunch will be provided at each of the afternoon sessions. There is a cost of $25/module, or $75 to register for all the modules.
Register to attend and learn more.
A separate evening session for farmers and their families will be offered on February 25 entitled “Finding Fairness in Farm Transition”. This session focuses on tips, tricks, and tools to help with “fair” farm transition planning. Register and learn more here.
Participants are encouraged to sign up for all sessions.
The deadline to register for the first module and the discounted multi-day pass is on January 20.
If you have any questions, please reach out to:
Allison De Vos, Agriculture Economic Development Specialist, Invest Durham
Please join us for a very important annual meeting this January 15th at the Royal Canadian Legion (1550 Lansdowne St, Peterborough) starting at 7pm. This meeting will decide the future direction of this long standing agricultural society which has 188 years of involvement here in the Peterborough community. Everyone is welcome as we look for new blood to revitalize this organization. See you there.