Local, Regional, Canadian News
October Member Profile – Mike Beamish HERE
Job Posting – PEIFA
The PEI Federation of Agriculture is seeking a full-time Program Officer.
Deadline for applications is October 14th, 2016
View the job posting HERE
Municipal Government Act
A Municipal Government Act is currently in development. The Municipal Affairs and Provincial Planning division is leading the consultation on this new legislation. Deadline for feedback is Friday, October 7, 2016. MORE
The PEI Giant Pumpkin and Squash Growers will have the 23 Annual Giant Pumpkin & Squash Weigh Off on Saturday, October 8th Vesey’s Seeds in York between 10:00 am and 12:00 pm.
The weigh off begins at 12:00 noon. First place prize wins $500.00 for the heaviest pumpkin, and $200.00 for the heaviest squash. There are also prizes for the biggest field pumpkin, closest to 300 pounds, first time grower prize and best looking pumpkin, along with a pie eating contest, wagon rides, straw jumping and other activities. This is a great fall family event and Admission is free. For more information phone Gordon Aten at 902-964-2949.
Young Farmers, Apply to the Successor Development Program Today
The program will award 10 lucky young farmers with the opportunity to join us at 3 prestigious farm management events in the coming year, and work with renowned farm family coach Elaine Froese along with farm consultant Cedric MacLeod to help build their farm management skills while navigating through family farm transition. Young farmers must apply by written submission or video by October 24th, so time is of the essence! MORE
Canadian Agricultural Safety Association Annual Conference and AGM
Rodd Charlottetown Hotel – 75 Kent St. – October 4th-6th
This year’s theme is “Empowering the AgSafe Family – keeping kids safe”. The conference will bring together farmers, safety professionals, equipment manufacturers and researchers to probe the reality and discuss new approaches to improve the safety and health of children, youth, their families and young workers in Canada’s ag community. Conference details and registration information can be found HERE
Federation of Agriculture offering Forklift Training through the FCC AgSafety Fund
The PEIFA has received funding for forklift safety training through the Farm Credit Canada AgSafety Fund administered through the Canadian Agricultural Safety Association. This training is open to farm employees needing recertification as well as those who may be entering into employment in the agriculture sector.
Courses will be held across the Island and can he hosted at the farm. This training is being offered at a discounted rate of $20 per person. Space is limited.
Available dates:
October 4th, 6th, 11th, 12th
For more information please contact Charlotte at the PEIFA office 902-368-7289.
Livestock
Welsh Farmers Warned of Cattle Thieves
The Farmers’ Union of Wales is reminding farmers across Wales to be vigilant following the report of stolen cattle worth £16,000 in the Carmarthen area. MORE
Cattle Restraints, Drinkers Top Innovations at SPACE 2016
A number of innovations for cattle producers were showcased at the SPACE livestock event, held in Rennes, France from 12-15 September this year, writes Stuart Lumb. MORE
More pigs than anticipated
There are more pigs than United States market watchers expected, according to the count released by the United States Department of Agriculture. MORE
Germany Reports Further Drop in Animal Antibiotic Use
Germany has once again reduced the amount of antibiotics used in animal agriculture, according to the latest government data. MORE
Dutch Pork Exports Fall Back Slightly
Overall Dutch fresh/frozen pork export volumes were back 1 per cent relative to last year during the first half of 2016, at 419,000 tonnes. MORE
New Investigation Finds LA-MRSA in UK Pork
The Guardian newspaper has reported findings of a livestock strain of MRSA in UK pork. MORE
Hog Futures Post Weekly Declines
Last week cash prices in the red meat complex declined with the only exception being the Choice Boxed Beed Cutout (wholesale) value, write Steve Meyer and Len Steiner. MORE
Bargain buying rallies CME lean hogs
Most Chicago Mercantile Exchange lean hog contracts ended sharply higher on Monday, fueled by bargain buying following futures’ plunge by their three-cent/lb. price limit on Friday, said traders. MORE
Keen demand for artisanal chicken
There is a keen demand for “artisanal chicken” since the marketing board opened the door for selected farmers to produce up to 3,000 birds per year without requiring quota. MORE
Avian flu quarantine ends for Ontario duck farm
A federal quarantine has been lifted for a duck farm near St. Catharines, Ont. where birds were confirmed in July with low-pathogenicity (“low-path”) avian flu. MORE
Atlantic Stockyards Market Report – September 29 HERE
*Scroll down to find current report
Ontario Cattlemen’s Association Market Report – Monday, October 3 HERE
Potatoes
McCain Foods Breaks Ground for Major Expansion of New Brunswick Potato Processing Plant
Management at McCain Foods and invited guests officially broke ground today to mark the start of construction on the major expansion to its French fry plant in Florenceville-Bristol as announced in June. MORE
Mitolo Group takes over Oakville produce
According to vegetable industry body AUSVEG, the sale of Australia’s largest fresh potato supplier should give growers confidence after months of uncertainty, reports abc.net.au. South Australian-based Oakville Produce went into voluntary administration in May. MORE
African Potato Congress in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia features a roundtable for the private sector
World Potato Congress (WPC) will be facilitating a roundtable for the private sector during the African Potato Congress in October, which will be held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. MORE
Potato prices increases in France and West Flanders
The rain, 17 days ago, in French and West Flanders regions has temporarily eased the market by enabling harvesting. But the situation appears to worsen and prices are going up again. MORE
Scientists look into spuds’ miracle drug potential
Scottish agricultural scientists are investigating the possibility of extracting a miracle compound, called solanesol, from the leftover leaves of potato harvests, which are usually burnt off or dumped. The chemical is already a key component in the manufacture of coenzyme Q10, which is used in beauty products to combat the appearance of ageing. Now studies are under way to establish its full powers. MORE
Rain prevents onion, potato plantings
Tasmania farmers are being prevented from planting spring crops like onions and potatoes as relentless rain soaks paddocks, reports abc.net.au. Over the past week some parts of Tasmania have received more than 200mm of rain, coming on the back of an unprecedented wet winter season. MORE
Potato Minute for September 30th HERE
AAFC / InfoHort Potato Reports HERE
USDA – Daily National Potato and Onion Report HERE
Crops
North American grain/oilseed review: Canola closes higher
ICE Futures Canada canola ended stronger on Monday, following advances in the Chicago Board of Trade soybean market. MORE
ICE Futures Canada Monday: Canola futures prices higher, barley unchanged HERE
Farm groups say they can’t get grain transport meeting with transport minister
The Canadian Federation of Agriculture says the federal government isn’t paying enough attention to concerns from farmers about a report that calls for major changes to grain rail transportation. MORE
Manitoba corn, wheat and barley growers to share new general manager
The two organizations will remain independent but say their members can be better served by co-operating on administration MORE
U.S. grains: Corn jumps in trading against wheat
Soybeans notch highest since Sept. 23 on technical buying MORE
Hasta la vista, meat; more pulses needed to feed hungry world
Call to reduce world meat consumption could benefit Canada’s pulse growers MORE
U.S. wheat shippers putting lousy 2015-16 behind them: Braun
American wheat sales are rebounding after abundant low-cost supplies hit them hard last season MORE
AM markets: flat grain market waters hide swirling spreads HERE
PEI Grain Elevator Prices – September 20 HERE
Grain Farmers of Ontario – Daily Commodity Report HERE
More Futures Prices HERE and HERE
General Interest
NEWS STATEMENT from CFA President Ron Bonnett on carbon pricing
Following is a statement from Canadian Federation of Agriculture (CFA) President Ron Bonnett in reaction to the announcement today by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau that the Government of Canada will set a minimum federal price on carbon of $10 a tonne in 2018; which will rise by $10 a tonne until reaching $50 in 2022 at which time the outcomes will be assessed. MORE
Choosing to Farm – Planning for the Future
Succession. That is the biggest issue I see in agriculture today. With the number of children opting to take over family farms decreasing, we need to be concerned. MORE
Small Farms Need Decent Incomes to Help Eliminate Hunger
Declining prices could thwart international efforts to eradicate hunger and extreme poverty unless steps are taken to guarantee decent incomes and livelihoods for small-scale producers, the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) Director-General José Graziano da Silva has said. MORE
Austria’s chancellor sees CETA on right track
Austria’s government on Monday seemed to have found common ground on a free trade agreement between the European Union and Canada with Chancellor Christian Kern, who has criticized the pact in the past, saying negotiations were on the right track. MORE
First-ever Agricultural Biosciences International Conference comes to Winnipeg
Organizers of international bioscience conference promise to include women speakers in their 2017 conference MORE
Regular Updates
FCC Express – September 30 HERE
PEIDAF Agriculture Marketing Report – September 30 HERE
Rayglen Market Comments – September 28 HERE
Ontario Farm Market Summary – Monday, October 3 HERE
AgWeather Atlantic HERE
Today’s Local Weather – HERE
Meetings and Events
Federation of Agriculture offering Forklift Training through the FCC AgSafety Fund
The PEIFA has received funding for forklift safety training through the Farm Credit Canada AgSafety Fund administered through the Canadian Agricultural Safety Association. This training is open to farm employees needing recertification as well as those who may be entering into employment in the agriculture sector.
Courses will be held across the Island and can he hosted at the farm. This training is being offered at a discounted rate of $20 per person. Space is limited.
Available dates:
October 4th, 6th, 11th, 12th
For more information please contact Charlotte at the PEIFA office 902-368-7289.
Canadian Agricultural Safety Association Annual Conference and AGM
Rodd Charlottetown Hotel – 75 Kent St. – October 4th-6th
This year’s theme is “Empowering the AgSafe Family – keeping kids safe”. The conference will bring together farmers, safety professionals, equipment manufacturers and researchers to probe the reality and discuss new approaches to improve the safety and health of children, youth, their families and young workers in Canada’s ag community. Conference details and registration information can be found HERE
The PEI Giant Pumpkin and Squash Growers will have the 23 Annual Giant Pumpkin & Squash Weigh Off on Saturday, October 8th Vesey’s Seeds in York between 10:00 am and 12:00 pm.
The weigh off begins at 12:00 noon. First place prize wins $500.00 for the heaviest pumpkin, and $200.00 for the heaviest squash. There are also prizes for the biggest field pumpkin, closest to 300 pounds, first time grower prize and best looking pumpkin, along with a pie eating contest, wagon rides, straw jumping and other activities. This is a great fall family event and Admission is free. For more information phone Gordon Aten at 902-964-2949.
Chainsaw Maintenance and Safety course
The PEI Woodlot Owners Association – in co-operation with the Department of Forestry is holding a Weekend Woodsman Chainsaw Maintenance and Safety course at the Beach Grove Forestry complex on Wed, Oct 19th at 6:00 pm.
There will be a Cutting and Felling workshop on Saturday, October 22nd — weather permitting.
Pre-registration is necessary as only 10 people can be accommodated.
No charge for PEIWOA members; $20 charge for non-members.
Contact John Rowe at 902-940-1933 or rowe@pei.sympatico.ca
ACORN, Atlantic Canada’s Organic Regional Network
SEEDS OF CHANGE: Changing Climate, Changing Agriculture – the annual ACORN Conference and Trade Show! ACORN’s conference is a fun, three-day event that brings together organic and sustainable farmers, processors and businesses from across the region and beyond. MORE
Digging into Soil Health
If you care about the health of our soils, this is an event you don’t want to miss!
Healthy soils are the foundation of strong economies, sustainable food production, enhanced biodiversity, and cleaner air and water. Take a moment to think about the consequences of not caring for our soils and then make your plans to come to Atlantic Soils 2016.
November 17th, 2016 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Delta Beausejour Hotel, Moncton, New Brunswick MORE
World Food Day – October 16 MORE
