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Clinton News Record, 2016-01-27, Page 11Wednesday, January 27, 2016 • News Record 11 Hay co-operative welcomes new members Special to the Clinton News Record The recently formed Ontario Hay and Forage Co-operative Inc. is wel- coming more producers to join its start-up hay - processing and export development venture. The Co-operative will be holding public meetings for interested hay pro- ducers in Woodstock, Elmwood, and Lindsay on February 1 and 4. Meetings will be held at the following locations: Woodstock at Quality Inn (Altidor Room), Monday, February 1, 1 p.m. Elmwood at Elmwood Community Centre 38 Queen Street West, Mon- day, February 1, 7 p.m. Lindsay at OMAFRA Board Room, 322 Kent Street West, Thursday, Feb- ruary 4, 1 p.m. The Co-op will provide an overview of its exciting new venture and update on the progress it has made in its initial organisation and membership drive. The Co- operative's plan is to build a major double -compact- ing hay facility in Southern Ontario which will ship farm -dried hay to emerging overseas export markets. "We're inviting all Ontario producers to join our innovative hay Co- operative," said Fritz Trau- ttmansdorff, Chair of the newly formed Co-op. "By drying their hay and pro- ducing a consistently supe- rior product, Ontario hay producers will gain access to higher value overseas export markets!' Members of the Co-oper- ative's technology commit- tee will be on hand to pre- sent their preliminary report on various big bale dryers currently on the market and their research into some of the new dryers under development. "This will be a great opportunity for producers to ask ques- tions about the costs and benefits of drying hay," noted Co-op Director Chris Martin, Chair of the tech- nology committee. Although still at an early start-up stage, the Co- operative has already established solid contacts within the industry and has gained the support of all sectors of the forage industry including equip- ment suppliers, seed deal- ers, crop input suppliers and end users. Already more than 30 hay produc- ers have signed up as members of the Co-op. The Ontario Hay and For- age Co-operative will be conducting a comprehen- sive feasibility study to determine the economic viability of the proposed hay -processing facility. The hay compacting facility is projected to handle up to 100,000 tonnes annually and estimated to cost between $10 and $15 mil- lion. The feasibility study will determine the size and costs of the project more clearly and will identify the specific markets to be tar- geted. The Co-operative has collaborated closely with the Ontario Forage Council in the initial devel- opment of this project. Directors of the Ontario Hay and Forage Co-operative are Fritz Trauttmansdorff, Don Rowntree, Jonathon LW:M51=MilrIMM Blydorp, Larry Davis, Andre Larocque, Chris Martin, and Chris Riach. The Co-operative has retained the services of co-op business consultant George Alkalay of Northfield Ventures Ltd. to prepare the feasibility study and provide support with overall project development. For more information, please contact Fritz Trautt- mansdorff, Chair 519-647-2311. Planting roots Growing your success Collins Barrow KMD LLP is moving to Clinton, ready to serve the local community with expert audit, tax and advisory services. With offices in London, Strathroy, Arkona and Stratford, Collins Barrow KMD LLP provides accounting and tax expertise to clients in a variety of industries including agriculture and agri-business, construction and other owner -managed businesses. We look forward to the opportunity to provide these same services to new and existing clients from our office in Clinton. Join Larry Batte, the Clinton office principal, and Jennifer Hoogendoorn for an Open House on Monday, February 8, 2016 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Clarity Defined. collinsbarrowcom Collins Barrow (MD LLP PO Box 1149 54 King St. fu Clinton, ON Nr 1L0 519.606.85501 Bringing financial clarity to your doorstep. 1/' Collins Barrow in doubt, Leave it out! The wrong items in the recycling bin is costly. Placing the wrong items in the recycling bins increases the cost of the program and it lowers the value of the recyclables. Just because something is made of paper, metal, plastic, or glass does not mean it is recyclabh , Some items may be technically recyclable but not acceptable in the current recycling program. Make sure you see it listed in the acceptable list posted ori our web site, your calendar, or recycling bin. If you are unsure, please ask us at 1-800-265-9799, or info@bra,erg or visit www.braorg This ad is provided through a partnership between industry and Ontario munieipialitie5 to support waste diversion programs.