Membership Survey
The recent 76th Annual General Meeting was a great success on a number of fronts, but as always we would like to improve for next year. Please take a moment to complete this SURVEY to give us feedback, even if you did not attend, we’d like to know why and what might bring you out to the AGM in the future. Thanks! SURVEY
Local, Regional, Canadian News
P.E.I. potato prices on a tear
P.E.I. potatoes fetched good prices in 2016, continuing a trend that stretches back to 2004. MORE
Manitoba surveying farmers on KAP funding system
The Manitoba government wants “farmers’ and stakeholders’” feedback on potential changes to Keystone Agricultural Producers’ (KAP) funding model — and fast. MORE
Taking the farm beyond the family
It takes smarts and determination to use your farm to help a new farmer get their start, but the rewards can be deeply satisfying MORE
Report Says World’s Future Food Security ‘in Jeopardy’ Due to Multiple Challenges
Mankind’s future ability to feed itself is in jeopardy due to intensifying pressures on natural resources, mounting inequality, and the fallout from a changing climate, warns a new FAO report released last week. MORE
Women in Agriculture Recognition Award
The provincial board of PEI Women’s Institute is now accepting nominations for the Women in Agriculture Recognition Award. This award, in the form of a plaque and framed photo posted at the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, is presented bi-annually to recognize an Island woman making a major contribution to the PEI agriculture industry within the last five years. Members of the community or fellow farmers are encouraged to contact their local branches to nominate women in the agriculture industry for this award. March 31 marks the deadline for this and other scholarships and awards. A complete list of PEIWI awards and scholarships are available at www.peiwi.ca or by contacting the WI Office at 902-368-4860 or wi@gov.pe.ca. MORE
Federation of Agriculture ‘Path of Profit’ Learning & Development Series
The Federation of Agriculture is excited to announce an exclusive offer to our members.
The ‘Path of Profit’ Series is a Learning Program of various Professional Development courses available to employees of any of our members. The courses are designed to improve overall business competitiveness and profitability while also upgrading staff skills. The courses are classroom based for 1-3 days depending on the course and will be delivered at our boardroom
In March /April. Dates will be confirmed ASAP.
- Succession Planning
- Tax & Financial Planning
- Professional Leadership for Managers / Supervisors / Lead Hands
- Computer Skills Upgrade – Office / Word / Excel
- Stress Management / Time Management
Seats will be on a first come first serve basis.
For further information and to sign up, please contact the office at 902-368-7289 or email Jennifer Murphy at jmurphy@peifa.ca or Robert Godfrey at rgodfrey@peifa.ca.
The Vernor River Watershed Group and PEIFA to host upcoming Watershed farmers meeting
Date/Time: Monday March 6 at 7 pm
Location: St.Joachim,s parish hall, Vernon River
Speaker – John Phillips will discuss land stabilization , organic matter etc, with a round table discussion!
Speaker two to be announced all welcome!
Institute of Canada (AIC) is hosting a national conference titled “Agriculture Innovation in a changing environment”
Addressing the topic of climate change and agriculture.
April 24-26, 2017 in Winnipeg, MB MORE
Livestock
CME live cattle futures score 10-month high
Chicago Mercantile Exchange live cattle futures reached their highest since late April 2016, driven by short-covering amid brisk wholesale beef demand, said traders. MORE
Increase in Livestock Futures Prices
Last week livestock futures prices increased, based on averaging of the daily closes, according to the Steiner Consulting Group, DLR Division, Inc. MORE
Cattlemen Applaud New Appointment to Council of Economic Advisors
Yesterday, White House National Economic Council Director Gary Cohn made several new senior staff appointments, among which Ray Starling was appointed as Special Assistant to the President for Agriculture, Trade and Food Assistance. MORE
New Research Examines Beef Demand Indices
Beef demand is critical to understand and monitor as it directly influences overall beef industry prosperity. When beef demand strengthens, beef and cattle prices for the entire industry are higher than they otherwise would be, says Kansas State University Economist Glynn Tonsor. MORE
Cattle Numbers Tighter, Prices Steady
IFA National Livestock Chairman Angus Woods has said cattle numbers are tighter this week and prices are steady at a base of €3.80 for steers and €3.90 for heifers, with some top prices of €3.95/kg paid for heifers. MORE
Australian-Indonesian Trade Partnership Strengthens
Cattle Council of Australia has welcomed the announcement by the Indonesian Government that it will increase the maximum average weight of feeder cattle imported from Australia. MORE
Council to Launch Rs635m Livestock Development Project in Sindh
The Pakistan Agriculture Research Council (PARC) is planning to launch a livestock development project worth Rs 635 million to promote the livestock sector in backward areas of Sindh province. MORE
Expert: Investment Interest in Beef Cattle Rearing Growing in Bulgaria
The beef cattle market in Bulgaria is not well-structured yet and there are no solid tendencies in cattle rearing. MORE
More meat coming
There will be record-high supplies of meat and poultry in the United State – about 100 billion pounds – this year, predicts the U.S. Department of Agriculture, so prices will come down. MORE
Move to Group Housing Heightens Importance of Individualized Sow Nutrition
A Nutritionist with Gestal suggests the move to group housing of gestation sows has heightened the importance of the ability manage feed intake for each sow individually, writes Bruce Cochrane. MORE
Pork posts positive export growth
Canadian pork producers and processors have responded actively to new trade deals — and their success during the last decade has them looking for more opportunities. MORE
Gene-Edited Pigs Show Signs of Resistance to PRRS
The big news this past week has been the announcement by UK scientists that they have produced pigs that may be protected from an infection that costs the swine industry billions each year – Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS). MORE
EU Pork Exports Excelled in 2016
At over 2.3 million tonnes, EU pork export volume grew by a third on the year during 2016. MORE
Atlantic Stockyards Market Report – February 23 Regular and Feeder Sale – HERE
*Scroll down to find current report
Ontario Cattlemen’s Association Market Report – Monday, February 27 HERE
Potatoes
Big Machines
Over the past 20 years, Spudnik Equipment Company, based in Blackfoot, Idaho, has made a name for itself as perhaps the leader in manufacturing field equipment for the potato industry. Spudnik’s signature red harvesters, planters, crop carts and eliminators can be found on potato operations across North America. MORE
Punjab government bails out potato growers
With potato prices going down, the Punjab government on Friday directed agriculture marketing agencies under its authority to intervene immediately and bail out potato growers in the state who were suffering heavy losses. MORE
Lack of seed potatoes may reduce area growth in Northwestern Europe
A lack of seed potatoes might reduce the growth of next year’s potato area for processing potatoes and contracts. According to the NEPG (North-Western European Potato Growers) the expected growth of next year’s potato area might be less than previously estimated. MORE
AAFC / InfoHort Potato Reports HERE
USDA – Daily National Potato and Onion Report HERE
Crops
North American Grains/Oilseed Review: Canola Dips, Watching Support Levels Closely
THE ICE Futures Canada canola market suffered modest losses Monday, as weakness in vegetable oil markets pointed the way downward. MORE
ICE Futures Canada Friday: Canola futures prices mostly higher, barley unchanged HERE
Wheat disease risk sees farmers looking to oats
Canadian farmers are showing an increased interest in seeding oats this spring, despite a lack of activity from a pricing standpoint, as quality concerns in wheat and barley have growers looking to other cereals. MORE
Real results from public canola research
Publicly funded canola genetics research is producing results in Canada. I recently heard presentations from the following scientists and was impressed with the potential for each project to increase yield or lower input and management costs for Canadian canola farmers. MORE
Wheat, corn, soy fall after firming overnight
U.S. wheat futures fell two per cent to their lowest in nearly three weeks on Monday, weakening on technical sales after firming briefly during the overnight trading session. MORE
The benefits of a controlled traffic crop
Ten years ago Adam Gurr was surfing the Internet one evening and came across an idea that would change the way he operates — controlled traffic farming. MORE
AM markets: grain futures make firm start to difficult day HERE
PEI Grain Elevator Prices – HERE
Grain Farmers of Ontario – Daily Commodity Report HERE
More Futures Prices HERE and HERE
General Interest
Young and old
When it comes time to put succession planning on your personal agenda, there are only a couple of ways for it to go, says Delores Moskal. There are the parents who are open to talking succession with the next generation. And then there are parents reluctant to even broach the subject with the kids. MORE
Agriculture Students compete for Leadership scholarships
Prairieland Park is playing host to the 27th Annual Youth Leadership Conference this weekend. MORE
Promises made, promises kept
U.S. farmers are reaping the whirlwind of their bargain with Trump MORE
AgForce Welcomes Boost for Farm Loans Schemes
AgForce has welcomed the announcement of additional funding for concessional loans for Queensland primary producers to expand their existing businesses and invest in new opportunities for growth. MORE
Regular Updates
Weekly PEI Agriculture Market Reports – February 24 HERE
Rayglen Market Comments – February 22 HERE
Ontario Farm Market Summary – Monday, February 27 HERE
AgWeather Atlantic HERE
Today’s Local Weather – HERE
Meetings and Events
Cereals & Oilseeds 2017 / PEI Soil & Crop Conference
The PEI Department of Agriculture & Fisheries and PEI Soil & Crop will one again be hosting their annual conference on March 1st and 2nd at the Rodd Royalty, Charlottetown. MORE
The Vernor River Watershed Group and PEIFA to host upcoming Watershed farmers meeting
Date/Time: Monday March 6 at 7 pm
Location: St.Joachim,s parish hall, Vernon River
Speaker – John Phillips will discuss land stabilization , organic matter etc, with a round table discussion!
Speaker two to be announced all welcome!
See Canada’s top speakers
FCC Forum is your chance to re-energize, get inspired and network with business owners and operators like you. Bring family, friends, business partners – it’s free for anyone in agriculture. Over 7,000 people attended last year, so get your seat early and register today!
Saturday, March 11 – 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Moncton , New Brunswick (lunch included) MORE
The Prince Edward Island Institute of Agrologists offer two awards annually to individuals whose achievements and service to Agriculture in Prince Edward Island have been outstanding.
To nominate an individual for the Recognition Award or Outstanding Agrologist Award please click HERE
Nominations to be submitted to lmurphy@pei.sympatico.ca by March 20, 2017
Women in Agriculture Recognition Award
The provincial board of PEI Women’s Institute is now accepting nominations for the Women in Agriculture Recognition Award. This award, in the form of a plaque and framed photo posted at the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, is presented bi-annually to recognize an Island woman making a major contribution to the PEI agriculture industry within the last five years. Members of the community or fellow farmers are encouraged to contact their local branches to nominate women in the agriculture industry for this award. March 31 marks the deadline for this and other scholarships and awards. A complete list of PEIWI awards and scholarships are available at www.peiwi.ca or by contacting the WI Office at 902-368-4860 or wi@gov.pe.ca. MORE
Atlantic Farm Women Conference
April 28 & 29 at the Delta Halifax, N.S.
Register before March 31 registration fee is $90 plus you will be entered to win your conference registration free. After March 31, registration will be $115.
To register: http://atlanticfarmwomen.weebly.com/-registration.html
Agenda on line: http://atlanticfarmwomen.weebly.com/agenda.html
Attention: Class A Pesticide Applicator Certificate Holders
To renew your pesticide applicator certificate there are three options available for you:
First Option: Renewal of your certificate by receiving Continuing Education Credits.
Second Option: Take a one day training course & write the two hour exam.
Third Option: Make an appointment to come in and write the two hour exam.
First Option:
The Department of Agriculture and Fisheries will be offering two different training days
Day A and Day B. You are required to attend one Day A and one Day B over the five year re-certification period. Only one day per calendar year can be credited.
Day A – Topics covered: General Information, Regulations, Environmental Safety, and Application Technology.
Day B – Topics covered: Emergency Response, Labeling, Professionalism, Traceability, Integrated Pest Management, and Human Health and Safety.
Your current Pesticide Applicator Certificate will remain valid until the expiry date printed on your certificate. New Class A certificates will now all have an expiry date of March 31. The fee payable for a new 5-year certificate is $75.
When you have met the requirements to renew your license, you will be mailed an application form for renewal of your Pesticide Applicator Certificate. Should you fail to attend both of these training sessions prior to the expiry date on your current Certificate, you will need to successfully complete the written examination to obtain a new certificate.
The 2017 training schedule is as follows:
Day A:
March 14, 2017 Rodd Royalty, TCH Charlottetown
Day B:
March 16, 2017 Rodd Royalty, TCH, Charlottetown
Registration begins at 8:15 a.m. All information sessions begin at 9:00 a.m. and will be completed by 4:00 p.m. Lunch and refreshments will be provided, and there is a
$ 25. fee to offset this cost.
To register for one of these training days please call (902) 368-4154.
Should you have questions or require additional detail, please do not hesitate to contact Shelley Ployer at (902) 368-4154 or via e-mail at seployer@gov.pe.ca
To register for one of these training days please call (902) 368-4154.
Third Option:
You can make an appointment to write the two hour exam by calling Debbie MacRae at
(902) 368-5024 or Thane Clarke at (902) 368-5599 at the Department of Communities, Land and Environment in Charlottetown. The cost is the same, $75.
