Local, Regional, Canadian News
Young farmers get boost from federal government
The federal government is increasing its support for young farmers.
P.E.I. MP Lawrence MacAulay, the minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, on Wednesday announced Farm Credit Canada will double the amount of credit available to young farmers to $1 million from $500,000. MORE
They certainly know their way around potatoes
The Canadian Agri-Marketing Association bestowed Fresh Media with its best agricultural social media marketing program in Canada award recently in Calgary, Alta. MORE
Canadian agriculture is a trading powerhouse
In 2015, Canada was the world’s fifth largest exporter of agriculture commodities PDF, a status we’ve held for years. Being a leader in world markets gives Canada bragging rights, which is nice. But that leadership is also important to the long-term health of the industry. MORE
Canada well-positioned for future export growth
Widespread political instability, post-Brexit fallout and new emerging global competitors have raised important questions about European trade flows – questions that matter to Canadian agriculture and agri-food exporters. Yet despite global economic turmoil, 2016 remains positive for Canadian exporters. MORE
Wall heads to Ottawa meeting with PM, premiers firmly against carbon tax
Premier Brad Wall says Saskatchewan remains firmly against Ottawa’s plan for a carbon tax as he heads to a meeting with other premiers and the prime minister. MORE
Train-the-Trainer Workshops on the Best Practices for Developing Standard Operating Procedures
This project will train students in the best practices to develop Standard Operating Procedures for tractor and machinery operation. It will include classroom training on CASA’s Safety Standard Operating Procedures Training Module as well as hands on exercises with students developing their own SOPs for their tractor and machinery. The initial session will be facilitated by a trained instructor. Future sessions will rely on trained volunteers to facilitate the group exercises on developing additional SOPs for tractor and machinery. Students will be encouraged to share their SOPs with other students to increase the number of SOPs available to all participants.
For more information please contact Matt at the PEIFA office 902-368-7289
Business Confidence Index (BCI) survey conducted by Corporate Research Associates Inc. (CRA) and sponsored by TD Canada Trust.
CRA has been conducting a Consumer Confidence Index in the region for the last twenty-five years and felt the time was right to have a business perspective on the economy in Atlantic Canada. CRA will produce a Business Confidence Index for each of the four Atlantic provinces and the region overall for comparison purposes.
We would encourage all our members to simply clink on the link below and help us build our own Business Confidence Index. Please be assured that all individual company responses will be treated in complete confidence and only aggregated data will be reported. The survey will only be opened until Wednesday, January 11, 2017. Why not take a few moments and complete the survey now. This survey is only open to those in the private sector.
To complete the survey click on the following link: https://surveys.cra.ca/s/112297/?assn&l=en
Should you have any questions on the survey, or require assistance accessing or completing the survey, please do not hesitate to contact Corporate Research Associates at surveys@cra.ca.
To view the summary report of the inaugural Atlantic Business Confidence Index, click here.
Livestock
More cattle put into quarantine, but officials ‘optimistic’ worst is over
The quarantine of cattle in a western Canada bovine tuberculosis outbreak continues to grow, even as no new confirmed cases of the disease have been found. MORE
Limousin Cattle Needed for AHDB Beef & Lamb Industry Project
Cattle farmers in the South West and North Yorkshire are being encouraged to get involved in a major feed efficiency industry project taking place in both regions. MORE
Bright Ideas to Shape the Future of Farming Wanted
Farmers: Do you have a bright idea which needs some help to develop? Or a project that’s already under way which could be rolled out across the industry? MORE
Company Trials GPS Technology to Track Remote Cattle Stations
One of Australia’s largest cattle companies is trialling the use of satellite technology to track and monitor staff working in remote areas. MORE
Microbiome Research Offers New Line of Defense Against Pig Diseases
A scientist with the University of Saskatchewan says, as the pressure to reduce antibiotic use intensifies, the role of the microbiome in promoting animal health will become increasingly important, writes Bruce Cochrane. MORE
Enriched Pens Linked to Less Gestational Stress, Lower Piglet Mortality
Housing sows in enriched pens can reduce stress and have a positive impact on the development and survival rate of piglets, according to scientists. MORE
Higher cash, pork prices extend hogs’ rally
Chicago Mercantile Exchange lean hog futures gained for a third straight day on Wednesday, led by upward-trending cash and wholesale pork prices, said traders. MORE
Spanish Pork Exports Continue Growth
For the first nine months of 2016, Spanish export volumes of fresh/frozen pork products were up 24 per cent on the previous year, at 1.1 million tonnes. MORE
Indiana turkey flock hit by avian flu
A new strain of avian influenza has shown up in a turkey flock in Indiana. MORE
Atlantic Stockyards Market Report – December 1 HERE
*Scroll down to find current report
Ontario Cattlemen’s Association Market Report –Wednesday, December 7 HERE
Potatoes
The Michigan Potato Industry Commission continues to lead the nation in a variety of aspects of working to bring the next generation of chipping potato varieties to Michigan potato growers.
In cooperation with the Potato Outreach Program and Dr. Douches’ Breeding Program at Michigan State University, the industry is dedicated to the development of varieties from the creation of mini-tubers to commercial plantings in cooperation with growers to make promising new lines available to the Michigan industry. MORE
New “Focus on Potato” Webcast Helps Growers Manage White Mold Infections
The Plant Management Network (PMN) has released a new presentation entitled “Epidemiology and Management of Potato White Mold” to help growers, consultants and extension agents to understand how white mold persists and spreads and to evaluate management practices that can effectively limit plant damage and tuber yield loss. MORE
AAFC / InfoHort Potato Reports HERE
USDA – Daily National Potato and Onion Report HERE
Crops
North American Grain/Oilseed Review: Canola Ends Mixed
ICE Futures Canada canola futures were mixed at Wednesday’s close, with gains in the most active nearby contracts and losses in the deferred new crop contracts. MORE
ICE Futures Canada Wednesday: Canola futures prices mostly lower, barley unchanged HERE
Dry weather weed control in IP soybeans
Weed control in IP soybeans is always a challenge. This year, it was nearly impossible… but not on all farms MORE
Soy waits on Argentine weather, inspections
Soybean futures on the Chicago Board of Trade hung mostly rangebound during the week ended Wednesday. Attention now shifts to the crop in South America. MORE
Wheat, corn sag on ample supplies
U.S. wheat and corn futures fell on Wednesday, pressured by plentiful world feedgrain supplies and profit-taking following light rallies a day earlier, traders said. MORE
China shipping wheat flour to Canada
Chinese state-owned agrifood firm Cofco says it has scored its first-ever international sale of wheat flour — into the Canadian market. MORE
AM markets: Indian, Saudi moves foster wheat price rebound HERE
PEI Grain Elevator Prices – HERE
Grain Farmers of Ontario – Daily Commodity Report HERE
More Futures Prices HERE and HERE
General Interest
Study shows grassland environmental contributions
The University of Alberta in partnership with Alberta Environment and Parks has undertaken a number of studies looking at the impacts of land use and grazing on soil carbon levels MORE
Writing an Equation for Soil Success
Soil isn’t “one size fits all.” It may look the same under your feet, but under a microscope, that’s a different story. A plant’s roots, tiny bugs—these things can tell one soil from another quite easily. MORE
Commercial Drone Fund Invests in Raptor Maps
Yesterday the Commercial Drone Fund, a venture capital fund focused on investing in promising commercial drone businesses around the world, announced it has invested in Raptor Maps, a Massachusetts-based company developing a drone-enabled technology platform for the agriculture sector. MORE
Bright Ideas to Shape the Future of Farming Wanted
Farmers: Do you have a bright idea which needs some help to develop? Or a project that’s already under way which could be rolled out across the industry? If so, the Rothamsted Open Innovation Forum wants to hear from you. It is seeking to bring together innovators, researchers and investors to turn bright ideas into reality to help the agricultural industry meet the challenges of the future. MORE
Regular Updates
CFA in Action – December 7 HERE
Rayglen Market Comments – December 7 HERE
Weekly PEI Agriculture Market Reports – December 2 HERE
Ontario Farm Market Summary – Wednesday, December 7 HERE
AgWeather Atlantic HERE
Today’s Local Weather – HERE
Meetings and Events
PEI Young Farmers AGM
Saturday, January 7th at the Delta Prince Edward
Guest speakers include Greg Peterson of Peterson Farm Bros and Lane Stockbrugger of LDS farms.
(Check out Peterson Farm Bros Youtube channel HERE)
$40 early bird registration, fter December 20, 2016 the price will be $50 per person.
Email peiyoungfarmers@outlook.com to register for event.
If you’re between the ages of 18 and 40 registration also covers your Young Farmers of PEI Yearly membership fee ($25).
This is a Young Farmer event but people of all ages are invited and encouraged to attend.
PEI Organic Forum: 2020 – An Organic Vision for PEI
Join ACORN (Atlantic Canadian Organic Regional Network) and the PEI COPC (Certified Organic Producers’ Co-op) for an opportunity to network with Island organic stakeholders and provide your input on the direction of organics on the Island, creating a vision and action plan to move organics forward. This event is FREE and includes dinner (donation to cover food appreciated).
Monday, December 12, 2016 at 420 University Avenue (Farm Centre). MORE
Information Session
A. Grain & Pulse Solutions would like to invite interested agricultural producers to an information session to discuss future Pulse acres, mainly on Prince Edward Island and expanding into Atlantic Canada.
Tuesday, December 13th 1pm-3pm
PEI Farm Centre, 420 University Ave (rooms 105-106)
Green and Yellow Field Pea 2017 expansion of acreage throughout PEI and the Atlantic Provinces will be the main focus. Faba bean production acreage will also be discussed in addition to winter pulse crop possibilities.
Discussions will consist of:
Introduction of W. A. Grain & Pulse Solutions, who we are and what we do.
Rotational benefits of Pulse crops.
Review of 2016 crop year results, best practice and lessons learned.
Introduction of new pulse varieties, both production and trial.
Marketing, export and value add potential for PEI and Atlantic Canada.
Results of Northern Ontario/Quebec and Western programs.
Business Confidence Index (BCI) survey conducted by Corporate Research Associates Inc. (CRA) and sponsored by TD Canada Trust.
CRA has been conducting a Consumer Confidence Index in the region for the last twenty-five years and felt the time was right to have a business perspective on the economy in Atlantic Canada. CRA will produce a Business Confidence Index for each of the four Atlantic provinces and the region overall for comparison purposes.
We would encourage all our members to simply clink on the link below and help us build our own Business Confidence Index. Please be assured that all individual company responses will be treated in complete confidence and only aggregated data will be reported. The survey will only be opened until Wednesday, January 11, 2017. Why not take a few moments and complete the survey now. This survey is only open to those in the private sector.
To complete the survey click on the following link: https://surveys.cra.ca/s/112297/?assn&l=en
Should you have any questions on the survey, or require assistance accessing or completing the survey, please do not hesitate to contact Corporate Research Associates at surveys@cra.ca.
To view the summary report of the inaugural Atlantic Business Confidence Index, click here.
