Local, Regional, Canadian News
Hitting the books to learn about agriculture on P.E.I.
It’s all part of Agriculture in the Classroom – Canada (AITC-Canada), which represents eight provincial Agriculture in the Classroom organizations. MORE
Dundas Plowing Match and Agricultural Fair mulls the future of the pig scramble
Pig scrambles have been a fixture at the Dundas Plowing Match and Agricultural Fair for more than a decade. MORE
Rural populations rise — near cities
With every passing year more Canadians live in urban areas but that doesn’t automatically mean rural populations are declining. MORE
The brother and sister advantage: Tom and Suzanne Pettit of Misty Glen Holsteins
A small but growing number of brother-and-sister farms across Canada are rewriting the rules on how families farm together in a new spirit of gender equality. MORE
Refocus Needed from ‘Buy America’ to ‘Buy North America’
The President and CEO of the World Trade Centre Winnipeg suggests Canadian business needs to focus on shifting the attitude in the United States from “Buy America” to “Buy North America,” writes Bruce Cochrane. MORE
Cattle Producer’s Spring District Meeting
The theme of the meeting is Exploring New Market Opportunities
We invite everyone to come out and hear about opportunities that may be beneficial for your operation.
Tuesday, March 7, Rm106 +107, Farm Centre, Charlottetown – 7:00pm
Thursday, March 9, Linkletter Community Centre – 7:00 pm
District meetings offer a forum for producers to meet with their Directors and discuss topics relating to the beef industry.
We will be happy to answer any questions that you may have. If you have concerns we will be happy to discuss possible solutions with you.
We hope you can make it to one of the above locations.
Open to registered members of the PEICP
For more information, please call the PEICP office at 902-368-2229
THE SOIL SESSIONS
Join the PEI COPC in the morning to examine and interpret a number of Cornell Soil Health Test results from local farms and hear from our own local farmers and experts how their management practices may impact soil health and performance. In the afternoon, we’ll be joined (via video conference) by Dr.s Kristine Nichols and Andrew Smith from the Rodale Institute. They’ll provide field crop and vegetable systems expertise and share their knowledge of soil health.
Wednesday, March 15 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Holland College Centre for Applied Science & Technology
Cost is $50 for PEI COPC members and $60 for non-members and includes lunch.
Parking will be available free at the Holland College parking lot on Grafton Street (just across from the CAST)
Contact Karen at (902)894-9999 or research@organicpei.com directly if you have any questions or would like to reserve a spot. REGISTER HERE
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.
Livestock
B.C. rural plan includes livestock tag reader rebate
A new provincial rural economic development strategy for British Columbia includes extra money for livestock and invasive plant programs, among them a new rebate plan for livestock tag readers. MORE
Beef Exports for Week Ending 23 February Higher Than 2016
Last week, USDA released its latest update on US beef and pork weekly exports and the data continues to show robust demand in outside markets for US products, according to the Steiner Consulying Group, DLR Division, Inc. MORE
Indonesia to Challenge Tax Avoidance Among Beef Importers
The government has launched a comprehensive investigation into tax avoidance committed by beef importers. MORE
Quake-zone Farmers to Take Cattle to Rome Protest
Agriculture association Coldiretti said Friday that farmers from the areas of central Italy hit by the recent series of earthquakes will take their livestock with them to a demonstration this week calling for more support from the government. MORE
Halal Assurance Standards in Focus at Industry Seminar
The potential development of halal assurance standards was among the subjects discussed at the AHDB Beef & Lamb halal seminar. MORE
BIOMIN Releases Global Phytogenic Feed Additives Survey Results
1140 agribusiness professionals from across the globe provided their views on the use of phytogenic feed additives (PFAs, or botanicals) as part of the 2017 BIOMIN Phytogenic Feed Additives Survey. MORE
Brexit Spurs Ireland to Woo Middle East for Dairy, Meat Sales
Ireland’s $21 billion (Dh77 billion) food and beverage industry is turning to the Middle East for sales as the UK – its biggest buyer – prepares to move ahead with Brexit and leave the European Union. MORE
Dairy producers targeting ‘fake milk’ in latest food fight
Dairy producers are calling for a crackdown on the almond, soy and rice “milks” they say are masquerading as the real thing and cloud the meaning of milk for shoppers. MORE
Bacteriophages Offer Potential for Helping Reduce Dependence on In-Feed Antibiotics
The Head of Perdue University’s Animal Science Department suggests bacteriophages, while expensive, offer great potential for helping the livestock industry reduce its dependence on the use of in-feed antibiotics, writes Bruce Cochrane. MORE
Fallen cash, pork prices slam CME hogs
Chicago Mercantile Exchange lean hog futures sank more two per cent on Friday following lower cash and wholesale pork values, said traders. MORE
Beach-dwelling pig colony in Bahamas hit by mysterious deaths
A tropical oasis famous for its adorable population of about 20 beach-dwelling pigs was struck by tragedy last week after more than half a dozen of the famous swine mysteriously died, according to local reports. MORE
USA Hog Market Report
I don’t think I can recall this ever happening, but February hogs went off the board at $75 and change. Then, April became the lead month at a $5.00 discount, writes Allan Bentley. MORE
Pork Exports for Week Ending 23 February Higher Than Previous Year
Last week, USDA released its latest update on US beef and pork weekly exports and the data continues to show robust demand in outside markets for US products, according to the Steiner Consulying Group, DLR Division, Inc. MORE
Bird flu found in Tennessee chicken flock
A strain of bird flu has been detected in a chicken breeder flock on a Tennessee farm contracted to U.S. food giant Tyson Foods, and the 73,500 birds will be culled to stop the virus from entering the food system, government and company officials said on Sunday. MORE
Livestock estimates, January 1, 2017 HERE
Atlantic Stockyards Market Report – March 2 – HERE
*Scroll down to find current report
Ontario Cattlemen’s Association Market Report – Friday, March 3 HERE
Potatoes
PREPPING PROBLEM POTATOES FOR LONG-TERM STORAGE
For the best chance of long-term storage success, potato tubers at harvest should be dry, disease free, and uniformly 48 to 60°F. Reality is rarely so kind, however. A wide variety of field and environmental factors often contribute to tubers entering storage in less than ideal condition. MORE
WATER SOLUBLE VERSUS SLOW-RELEASE FERTILIZERS
Not all phosphorus-based fertilizers are created equal. For this reason, achieving adequate and well-timed phosphorus nutrition in potatoes can prove complicated and – if managed incorrectly – unnecessarily costly. MORE
BEST INVESTMENT? CLEAN SEED
The dollars and cents of farm business success aren’t always as simple as they might first appear. While minimizing costs can seem like a smart business decision, it is exactly the opposite if that up-front savings ends up costing crop quality and/or yield. MORE
INEFFICIENT WASHLINES = WASTED DOLLARS
Enormous variation exists in the technology, efficiency and quality of potato washlines. In my travels through hundreds of farmers’ and processors’ packing lines, I’ve seen it all: washlines that are ultra-automated and modern, others that are jimmy-rigged and homemade; washlines that are effective and efficient, others that remove only a fraction of the dirt and rock. The return-on-investment of a quality washline is obvious and immediate. MORE
Potato Industry Leadership Institute Trains Young Leaders
The 2017 Potato Industry Leadership Institute (PILI) provided training to 22 potato growers and industry representatives in leadership development, public policy, marketing, team building and public communication. MORE
Columbia Basin Growers Warned Against Planting Too Early
While the calendar may be telling growers it’s time to plant vegetables across the Columbia Basin, Mother Nature is telling one potato researcher otherwise. MORE
Investigating a Cover Crop Carpet
Organic growers have to make hard choices between protecting soil from erosion and controlling weeds. For example, large-scale organic farming relies heavily on tillage to break up soil to kill weeds and prepare for planting. MORE
Punjab to export potatoes to Russia and Iran to prevent distress sales
The National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation (NAFED) today said it will soon facilitate the selling of potatoes in Punjab to avoid farmers making distress sales. MORE
France profits from impact of Guatemalan potato moth in Spain
Taking advantage of the impact of the Guatemalan potato moth, a very harmful pest that has settled down in the north of Galicia and part of Asturias, France is selling large volumes to distribution channels in the area. Producer organizations and agricultural unions have noted how, over the last few weeks, Galician supermarkets have apparently been selling a lot more French potatoes, although they are packed in Galicia. MORE
Taplejung, Nepal strives to be self-reliant in potato production
Taplejung, Nepal produces potatoes worth Rs2 billion annually and is making efforts to become self-reliant in production. MORE
Potato farmers forced to reduce prices
Last week around 2.5 million pounds of Belizean potatoes were in danger of going to waste, because they were unable to compete with the larger, cheaper, Mexican potatoes that are currently on the market. MORE
AAFC / InfoHort Potato Reports HERE
USDA – Daily National Potato and Onion Report HERE
Crops
North American Grains/Oilseed Review: Canola posts gains after wild week
THE ICE Futures Canada canola market posted gains to end the week, taking strength from speculative buying and gains in Chicago Board of Trade soyoil. MORE
ICE Futures Canada Friday: Canola futures prices higher, barley unchanged HERE
Baker Colony wins Manitoba Corn Growers Association’s 2016 corn yield competition
Baker Colony of MacGregor has won the Manitoba Corn Growers Association’s corn yield competition two years in a row. MORE
Corn, soy, wheat recover from early dips
U.S. corn, soybean and wheat futures all closed modestly higher on Friday, recovering from early weakness on a mild round of technical buying. MORE
Africa’s Food Security Worsens Due to Conflict, Drought
AFRICA – The UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has warned that drought and conflicts were worsening food security across Africa, especially in the east, amid strong global harvests. MORE
AM markets: ags start week on strong note. Will gains stick? HERE
PEI Grain Elevator Prices – HERE
Grain Farmers of Ontario – Daily Commodity Report HERE
More Futures Prices HERE and HERE
General Interest
Top 5: Keeping the Farm in the Family – Tips for the next generation
The USDA estimates that of the 2.1 million principal farm operators across the country, only 6 percent are under the age of 35; the average age of an American farmer has increased to 58 years old. MORE
The FAO Food Price Index edged higher in February
The FAO Food Price Index (FFPI) averaged 175.5 points in February 2017, up 0.9 points (0.5 percent) from a slightly revised January value. At this level, the FFPI is as much as 26 points, or 17.2 percent, higher than its level in the corresponding month last year and at its highest value since February 2015. MORE
Krone wants you to buy
As he stood in front of a group of more than 100 farm journalists from a wide range of countries, Bernard Krone, president of Krone, a family-owned forage equipment brand based in Germany, wanted us to know why his company had partnered with Lemken, another German manufacturer, to hold an international media event in northern Hungary. MORE
‘Best and Brightest’ Sought to Drive Agricultural Policy
AgForce is seeking innovative, bright thinkers to help drive key policies to take agriculture and rural Queensland forward. MORE
Regular Updates
Rayglen Market Comments – March 1 HERE
Ontario Farm Market Summary – Friday, March 3 HERE
AgWeather Atlantic HERE
Today’s Local Weather – HERE
Meetings and Events
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 2 is Dr. Christine Noronha, life with the Colorado potato after Admire
Cattle Producer’s Spring District Meeting
The theme of the meeting is Exploring New Market Opportunities
We invite everyone to come out and hear about opportunities that may be beneficial for your operation.
Tuesday, March 7, Rm106 +107, Farm Centre, Charlottetown – 7:00pm
Thursday, March 9, Linkletter Community Centre – 7:00 pm
District meetings offer a forum for producers to meet with their Directors and discuss topics relating to the beef industry.
We will be happy to answer any questions that you may have. If you have concerns we will be happy to discuss possible solutions with you.
We hope you can make it to one of the above locations.
Open to registered members of the PEICP
For more information, please call the PEICP office at 902-368-2229
Winter Pruning Workshop for Apple Production
March 8th, 11 am – 3 pm
Beamish Orchards
Get insights and hands-on tips from an organic apple grower’s experience with Island orchardist Mike Beamish of Beamish Orchards and Deep Roots Distillery. MORE
Organic Transition Workshop: Field Crops
March 9th, 9 am to noon
PEI Farm Centre, Charlottetown
With organic grain prices on the rise, and new, practical research that shows yields on par (or even better than) conventional: choosing organic is a wise choice! It can’t hurt to learn about the opportunity, and we hope you’ll share this opportunity with your fellow farmers! Speakers and experts will be 100% Islanders, including several Island Organic Field Crop farmers. Knowledge shared will be practical and applicable to your Maritime Farm. MORE
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 SOIL SESSIONS
Join the PEI COPC in the morning to examine and interpret a number of Cornell Soil Health Test results from local farms and hear from our own local farmers and experts how their management practices may impact soil health and performance. In the afternoon, we’ll be joined (via video conference) by Dr.s Kristine Nichols and Andrew Smith from the Rodale Institute. They’ll provide field crop and vegetable systems expertise and share their knowledge of soil health.
Wednesday, March 15 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Holland College Centre for Applied Science & Technology
Cost is $50 for PEI COPC members and $60 for non-members and includes lunch.
Parking will be available free at the Holland College parking lot on Grafton Street (just across from the CAST)
Contact Karen at (902)894-9999 or research@organicpei.com directly if you have any questions or would like to reserve a spot. REGISTER HERE
2017 Maritime Beef Council Annual Conference
Date: March 17-18, 2017
Location: Best Western Glengarry Motel, Truro, Nova Scotia
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
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
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.
