Former ADL abattoir on Greenwood Drive in Summerside torn down

The building has sat empty for a number of years after the abattoir, which was owned by Amalgamated Dairies Ltd., closed on Oct. 26, 2012. MORE

 

P.E.I. beekeeper concerned by beetle in Ontario hives

‘The best thing to do would be not to allow hives in from that part of Ontario’ MORE

 

People receiving social assistance cheap and ready source of labour?

Opinion: Prince Edward Island’s social assistance program could surely use a makeover. Benefits are inadequate, falling well below the poverty line according to whichever measure is used. MORE

 

Statement by Government of Canada on dairy industry and Canada-European Union trade deal

The Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, and the Honourable Chrystia Freeland, Minister of International Trade, today issued the following statement on the Government of Canada’s commitment to the Canadian dairy industry: MORE

 

DFC reacts to government announcement

Dairy Farmers of Canada welcome today’s announcement by the Government of Canada regarding its intention to begin moving forward on a mitigation and compensation package to cover losses that will be suffered by the Canadian dairy sector as a result of the access granted in the CETA deal. MORE

 

Lack of processing capacity leaves Manitoba milk producers short

More butterfat means more skim milk, which means Manitoba dairy farmers 
need access to more processing capacity MORE

 

CANADIAN GROWER FUNGICIDE SURVEY DEADLINE: MAY 15

Fungicide tools are at risk due to regulatory pressures. The Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) is in need of real numbers and statistics regarding the use of fungicide application on-farm to help decide what exposure times are for various activities. Complete the survey online HERE

 

Livestock

 

The cattle market is heading into a downturn

Canadians will have lower inventories and lower prices MORE

 

Klassen: Downward price trend continues for feeder cattle

The feeder cattle market feels like a falling dagger — and trying to pick a bottom can be painful. Western Canadian auction markets saw heavier replacements over 800 lbs. fall $8-$12 compared to last week; calves were generally $5-$8 below week-ago levels. MORE

 

CME: US Cattle Slaughter Up in Recent Weeks

In recent weeks, the fundamental market contrasts between hog/ pork and cattle/beef market trends have been important, but last week became even more striking, write Steve Meyer and Len Steiner. MORE

 

Cattle Outlook: Cash Receipts from Cattle Sales Down in 2015

There were 467 million pounds of beef in cold storage at the end of March. That was 5 per cent less than the month before and 3 per cent less than a year earlier, write Ron Plain and Scott Brown, Ag Economics, MU. MORE

 

U.S. livestock: CME live cattle extend gains

Feeder cattle finish higher; lean hogs up fourth straight session MORE

 

CME: US Pork Production Down Only Slightly From Year Ago

In recent weeks, the fundamental market contrasts between hog/pork and cattle/beef market trends have been important, but last week became even more striking, write Steve Meyer and Len Steiner. MORE

 

Hog Outlook: Hog Sale Cash Receipts Down From 2014 High

US cash receipts from hog sales totaled $21 billion dollars last year. That was down $5.5 billion from the 2014 record, write Ron Plain and Scott Brown, Ag Economics, MU. MORE

 

Zoetis Champions Swine Health in Canada with Pigcare.Ca

Zoetis is proud to announce the launch of PigCare.ca, the new online community for Canadian swine producers, designed to promote animal health and provide resources which respond to the varied needs of a strong community, a vital component of the country’s agricultural landscape. MORE

 

Ontario Cattlemen’s Association Market Report – Monday, May 2 HERE

 

Potatoes

 

UPGC – April Newsletter HERE

 

UK: Imported potato prices similar to domestic

While potato prices in the UK remain high, there are signs of levels stabilising, and FG Insight reports that some buyers are hanging back from the market. This, it is suggested, could also be starting to reflect the ‘price ceiling’ effect of imported alternatives – not least chipping samples from France. MORE

 

African Development Bank Project will boost Potato cultivation in Nigeria

The African Development Bank (AfDB) potato value chain project that will boost potato farming will commence in the State Plateau (Nigeria) soon. MORE

 

AAFC / InfoHort Potato Reports HERE

 

USDA – Daily National Potato and Onion Report HERE

 

Crops

 

North American Grains/Oilseed Review – Canola ends mixed

THE ICE Futures Canada canola market ended mixed on Monday with the front-month contract tracking losses in Chicago Board of Trade soyoil while some of the more deferred contracts ended higher on chart-based buying. MORE

 

ICE Futures Canada Monday: Canola futures prices mostly higher, barley unchanged HERE

 

U.S. grains: Soybeans rally on soymeal strength

Chicago, K.C. wheat futures fall MORE

 

Mustard prices feeling squeeze from acreage data

Mustard prices are moving lower in anticipation of higher acres in Canada this year, a market participant says. “I think the increase in acres off of last year will definitely have an influence on prices. I think it already has,” said Walter Dyck of Olds Products. MORE

 

Seedling mortality

You’ve chosen the variety or varieties you want to grow in 2016. You’ve decided on your target plant stand. And from your seed test results, you have the percent germination and thousand kernel weight (TKW). But have you given any thought to your seedling mortality? MORE

 

Watch out for bollworms

Old World bollworm may be a severe threat to agriculture in North America MORE

 

WHAT’S YOUR PLAN FOR STRAWBERRY APHID CONTROL?

Strawberry aphid, Chaetosiphon fragaefolii, is the main vector of strawberry virus diseases in northeastern Canada.  This aphid is a major pest which routinely requires control.If you don’t have a plan for managing the strawberry aphid, your fields will continue to decline year after year from virus diseases. MORE

 

Grain Farmers of Ontario – Daily Commodity Report HERE

 

More Futures Prices HERE and HERE

 

General Interest

 

North Dakota man plows Prince’s symbol in farm field

Gene Hanson is a retired farmer in Edgeley who always liked the song “Purple Rain.” On Friday, he hopped on his tractor and plowed on a football field-size version of the late musician’s symbol into his corn field. MORE

 

Hiring strategically

Where do you go when you need to hire some additional staff? Who do you call when you need an extra pair of hands? MORE

 

High stress impacts farmers 

Farming is recognized as one of the most stressful occupations around the world and now the Ontario Veterinary College has a project underway to analyze data that was collected in a survey of Canadian farmers. MORE

Find out more about your Federations Farmer Assistance Program HERE

 

Regular Updates

 

ACORN E-News – May 2016 HERE

PEIDAF Agriculture Marketing Report – April 29 HERE

Ontario Farm Market Summary – Monday, May 2 HERE

PEIDAF E-Letter – April 29 HERE

FCC Express – April 29 HERE

AgWeather Atlantic HERE

Today’s Local Weather – HERE

 

Meetings and Events

 

2 Day Standard First Aid and CPR Courses

(Membership discounted rate of $70)

May Dates:

May 7th-8th– Stratford             May 11th-12th– Stratford

May 16th-17th– Summerside   May 24th-25th– Stratford

*First aid and CPR course are also available at your farm for a minimum of 8 participants. Please contact Charlotte at 902-368-7289 for more details.