Local, Regional, Canadian News
Is climate change making leaf diseases worse?
It is difficult — even impossible — to define the precise relationship between climate change and disease incidence and severity in Western Canada. MORE
Manitoba classrooms boost ag literacy
Minnedosa’s Tanner’s Crossing School is one of 235 Manitoba schools participating in the first month-long agricultural literacy event MORE
The Adventure of a Lifetime for a Great Cause
When Dairy Farmers of Canada first suggested in November that I climb Kilimanjaro on behalf of all Canadian dairy farmers, I questioned whether I could undertake such a challenge at the ripe old age of 50! I quickly pushed these thoughts aside and began training by going on long treks through the snow almost every day near my dairy farm in St-Boniface. It’s amazing how much this prepared me for the climb. MORE
Remarkable Bonds of Canada, US Friendship Applauded at Iowa Capitol
Canada’s Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs applauds the remarkable bonds of friendship that exist between Canada and the United States, writes Bruce Cochrane. MORE
PEI Woodlot Owners Association Annual Meeting and Workshop
The Annual Meeting and Workshop of the PEI Woodlot Owners Association will be held on Saturday April 1, 2017 at the Farm Center, University Ave., Charlottetown.
Registration will begin at 8:30 am with the meeting to begin at 9:00 am.
Agenda topics include:
- Developing a sustainable woodlot
- Invasive species of trees and shrubs in our woodlots
- Forest Enhancement Program of PEI
- Role of Trapping in Animal Conservation
- Canadian Forum of Woodlot Owners
- Annual Business Meeting for all members of PEIWOA
Anyone with a woodlot on PEI is welcome to attend and participate.
Atlantic Green Expo
The first ever in Atlantic Canada!
Presented by Charlottetown company e365,
Friday, April 21 to Sunday, April 23 at the UPEI, School of Sustainable Design Engineering.
Atlantic Green Expo will showcase green solutions from eco-friendly exhibitors covering topics
such as clean and energy saving technologies, organic farming, eco-friendly products, transportation, watersheds and more. Educational sessions will be held throughout the Expo for
people interested in making more environmentally sound decisions when choosing products and
services.
Atlantic Green Expo will also feature Keynote speakers and activities for children. Visit Atlantic
Green Expo website for further information at http://atlanticgreenexpo.com/
Environmental Farm Plan Renewals
The Enhanced Environmental Farm Plan Program sent out renewal letters in early 2017 to notify producers that their environmental farms plans would be expiring at the end of the year. If you are a producer who has not yet contacted the office to have your plan updated please call Matt or JoAnn at 902-368-7289.
EFP’s are valid for 5 years and we encourage all farmers to participate in the program. Participation in the program also allows you to apply for funding through the Growing Forward 2 Agriculture Stewardship Program, Farmland Finance Program and the Future Farmer Program. For your convenience the EFP can be completed at your farm or at the PEI Federation of Agricultural office and takes approximately 1.5 hrs to complete. EFP’s are no cost to the producer.
If you feel your EFP may be expired and you have not yet been contacted please call the office and we will check the status of your last plan. Further information on the Enhanced Environmental Farm Plan Program can be found on the PEI Federation of Agriculture webpage www.peifa.ca/efp/
Trade Team PEI Business Mission to South Korea
When: May 15, 2017 – May 19, 2017
Where: Seoul, South Korea
Innovation PEI, in partnership with the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) are seeking interest from PEI-based enterprises and organizations to participate in a multi-sector Business Mission to South Korea during the week of May 15-19, 2017. MORE
This mission will serve to enhance existing export relationships, provide opportunities for market expansion while at the same time providing an exceptional opportunity to introduce companies to this strong market. Korea is the 13th largest economy in the world and is one of the largest importing countries on the planet. P.E.I.’s exports to Korea in 2016 were almost $15 million and Canadian products/suppliers are much sought after for our high quality and reputation to deliver. This mission will be of particular interest to companies in the professional services, ICT, clean tech, education, manufacturing and food sectors. The customization of each delegate’s business development program to advance their mission-week and market objectives will be a core feature of this initiative.
During this week the Seoul Food and Hotel Show will be taking place offering mission participants a chance to see first-hand the breadth of product offering and to gather key market intelligence. While there is a Canada pavilion at this event, P.E.I. will not have a booth at the show for this year. Participants will be able to walk the show. However we will also be exploring this opportunity for future years. For details on the Seoul Hotel and Food Show visit http://www.seoulfoodnhotel.co.kr/
For more information on this mission and to express your interest in participating, please contact either of these mission leads by email or by phone:
Scott Ferris – Innovation PEI scferris@gov.pe.ca or (902) 368-5952 or Jeff Burry – ACOA Jeff.Burry@canada.ca or (902) 314-2197
Livestock
Cattle hit new highs on technical buying, beef gains
U.S. live cattle futures climbed to a fresh seven-week high on Friday while feeder cattle reached the highest levels since August on support from technical buying and gains in wholesale beef prices, traders said. MORE
Beef Producers Want USTR That Breaks Down Barriers
Last week (14 March), the US Senate Finance Committee held a hearing regarding the nomination of Robert Lighthizer to head the Office of United States Trade Representative. MORE
Total Mexican Cattle Inventory at About Same Level as January 2016
The latest update from our Ag officials in Mexico contained some interesting insights about that market, reports Steiner Consulting Group, DLR Division, Inc. MORE
USMEF Familiarises South American Chefs on US Beef, Pork Products
USMEF recently hosted a team of chefs and culinary educators from Peru and Colombia for a farm-to-plate tour of the US beef and pork industries. MORE
Interest in Saskatchewan Swine Welfare Programme Builds
The Saskatchewan Pork Development Board reports producer interest in a programme to assist with the purchase of needle-free injection and euthanasia equipment has been building, according to Bruce Cochrane. MORE
Canadian hog prices to rise by summer
Cheap prices for feed and a softer Canadian dollar have helped keep Canadian hog prices aloft so far in 2017. MORE
Manitoba to axe limits on hog barns, winter manure spreading
Manitoba’s restrictions on hog barn and manure storage construction, and its ban on winter manure spreading, are set to be shelved by way of an omnibus “red tape reduction” bill. MORE
2017 Pork Consumption Forecast to Be Larger Than in 2015
The latest update from our Ag officials in Mexico contained some interesting insights about that market, reports Steiner Consulting Group, DLR Division, Inc. MORE
Pork Producers Want USTR That Prioritises Access to International Markets
Last week (14 March), the US Senate Finance Committee held a hearing regarding the nomination of Robert Lighthizer to head the Office of United States Trade Representative. MORE
GB Pigs Remain Short; Very Few Spot Pigs on Offer
Another firm day for sellers with the SPP moving up by 0.24p to stand at 150.18p and although German prices have stood on, GB pigs remain short with very few spot pigs on offer, but where pigs were available prices in the 155p/kg region were on the cards, according to load size and specification, writes Peter Crichton in his “Traffic Lights” commentary for 17 March 2017. MORE
Canada blocks poultry, eggs from Tennessee, Alabama
Cross-border travellers coming into Canada from the U.S. are being warned not to bring in raw poultry or eggs from Tennessee or Alabama following outbreaks of avian flu in those states. MORE
Atlantic Stockyards Market Report – March 16 – HERE
*Scroll down to find current report
Ontario Cattlemen’s Association Market Report – Friday, March 17 HERE
Potatoes
United Kingdom: January Potato Stocks reach parity with 2016 levels
Potato stock levels in Great Britain at the end of January 2017 were at a similar level as at the same time in 2016, despite a four-year low yield, according an AHDB survey of grower stocks. MORE
WatchITgrow: Potato (Processing) sector in Belgium launches geo-information system
WatchITgrow is a new geo-information platform developed for the potato sector in Belgium with the purpose to better estimate and increase the potato yield in a sustainable way. MORE
Farmers in Tanzania benefit from more resilient potato varieties
Situated in the Northeast of Tanzania, the district of Lushoto is part of the so called highlands of Tanzania where potatoes are traditionally grown. Due to heat and lack of resilient potato varieties, farmers would lose all the crop especially when they grow the local variety called Kidinya which is extremely susceptible to Late Blight disease. MORE
First Jersey Royals arrive in the United Kingdom
The much prized Jersey Royals hit the market for the first time this week, just slightly later than the first crop last year. The potatoes are all from greenhouses or poly tunnels and there are still very limited volumes. MORE
NZ research shows huge potential for mesh covered potato crops
A group of Lincoln University researchers in New Zealand have seen promising results from a trial of using mesh cover to protect potato crops from insect pests. MORE
“Potato import season starts with new harvest from Egypt”
In addition to Flevostar Potato’s cultivation in the Netherlands, the company has also been working on setting up production in other production countries for some years now. “Because of this, the continuity in supply of product is guaranteed for customers both in the Netherlands and in other countries in our network,” says William Verhage. MORE
AAFC / InfoHort Potato Reports HERE
USDA – Daily National Potato and Onion Report HERE
Crops
North American Grain/Oilseed Review: Canola posts seventh-straight loss
ICE Futures Canada canola contracts were down on Friday, posting losses for the seventh-straight session as bearish technical signals had fund traders liquidating long positions and moving to the short side of the market. MORE
ICE Futures Canada Friday: Canola futures prices lower, barley unchanged HERE
No point in quarantine for verticillium wilt, CFIA says
Slapping federal quarantines on canola fields with verticillium wilt wouldn’t serve much purpose, since the yield-robbing fungi is already in all of Canada’s major canola-growing areas, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency says. MORE
Canola worth $26.7 billion, economic impact study shows
Canola’s value to the Canadian economy has tripled in the past decade, now coming in at $26.7 billion a year, according to a newly released study. MORE
NFU investigating farmers’ grain-grading complaints through survey
The National Farmers Union (NFU) has launched a survey into grain-grading complaints from western farmers in the wake of what the farm group claims is “the Canadian Grain Commission’s (CGC) reduced regulatory role.” MORE
Corn, wheat futures firm
U.S. corn and wheat futures closed slightly higher on Friday, as their recent rally from multi-week lows ran out of steam in the absence of fresh fundamental news, traders said. MORE
Saffron growers look to get a foothold in the US
As spring crocus blooms approach, some growers have visions of a fall-flowering crocus that produces saffron, the world’s most valuable spice. MORE
Speculation shrouds grain demand, rejections from Egypt
Egypt, the world’s biggest buyer of wheat, rejected three cargoes of the grain last week — its first rejections since it overhauled its inspection system and relaxed its import policy last fall. MORE
AM markets: grains rise, amid surprise at fund selling wave HERE
PEI Grain Elevator Prices – HERE
Grain Farmers of Ontario – Daily Commodity Report HERE
More Futures Prices HERE and HERE
General Interest
Chicago high school turning learners into leaders
Near the top in the academic rankings in Chicago, the Chicago High School of Agricultural Sciences is transforming city kids into graduates eager for careers in agriculture MORE
Big farm input players getting even bigger
Business consolidation is an ongoing process, but the mega-deals announced in agriculture over the past year have been unprecedented. MORE
Brazil police raid BRF, JBS meat plants in bribery probe
Brazilian police raided the premises of global meatpacking companies JBS SA and BRF SA on Friday, as well as dozens of smaller rivals, in a crackdown on alleged bribery of health officials that could threaten US$12 billion in annual exports. MORE
Food Safety Regulations Tightened in Shanghai
A new food safety regulation, said to be the most stringent ever enacted, will take effect in Shanghai on Monday. MORE
Regular Updates
Weekly PEI Agriculture Market Report – March 17 HERE
Rayglen Market Comments – March 15 HERE
Ontario Farm Market Summary – Friday, March 17 HERE
AgWeather Atlantic HERE
Today’s Local Weather – HERE
Meetings and Events
Humane Handling Workshop
Open to all registered PEICP producers
Registration is required, but there is no cost
Requirement for all PEI CIB Producers unless you have attended previous Humane Handling Workshops
6:30 PM March 22, 2017
Farm Centre, Charlottetown
For more info call 368-2229
2017 Wireworm Research & Extension Seminar
Tuesday, March 28th, 2017
Red Shores Racetrack, Charlottetown
Will feature presentations by researchers conducting wireworm/click beetle research both locally and nationally.
Registration: $20, includes buffet lunch at Top of the Park Restaurant
To register: Contact Ryan Barrett at (902) 892-6551 or ryan@peipotato.org by March 22nd. 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
PEI Woodlot Owners Association Annual General Meeting
The Annual Meeting and Workshop of the PEI Woodlot Owners Association will be held on Saturday April 1, 2017 at the Farm Center, University Ave., Charlottetown.
Registration will begin at 8:30 am with the meeting to begin at 9:00 am.
Agenda topics include:
- Developing a sustainable woodlot
- Invasive species of trees and shrubs in our woodlots
- Forest Enhancement Program of PEI
- Role of Trapping in Animal Conservation
- Canadian Forum of Woodlot Owners
- Annual Business Meeting for all members of PEIWOA
Anyone with a woodlot on PEI is welcome to attend and participate.
Atlantic Green Expo
The first ever in Atlantic Canada!
Presented by Charlottetown company e365,
Friday, April 21 to Sunday, April 23 at the UPEI, School of Sustainable Design Engineering.
Atlantic Green Expo will showcase green solutions from eco-friendly exhibitors covering topics
such as clean and energy saving technologies, organic farming, eco-friendly products, transportation, watersheds and more. Educational sessions will be held throughout the Expo for
people interested in making more environmentally sound decisions when choosing products and
services.
Atlantic Green Expo will also feature Keynote speakers and activities for children. Visit Atlantic
Green Expo website for further information at http://atlanticgreenexpo.com/
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
Trade Team PEI Business Mission to South Korea
When: May 15, 2017 – May 19, 2017
Where: Seoul, South Korea
Innovation PEI, in partnership with the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) are seeking interest from PEI-based enterprises and organizations to participate in a multi-sector Business Mission to South Korea during the week of May 15-19, 2017. MORE
This mission will serve to enhance existing export relationships, provide opportunities for market expansion while at the same time providing an exceptional opportunity to introduce companies to this strong market. Korea is the 13th largest economy in the world and is one of the largest importing countries on the planet. P.E.I.’s exports to Korea in 2016 were almost $15 million and Canadian products/suppliers are much sought after for our high quality and reputation to deliver. This mission will be of particular interest to companies in the professional services, ICT, clean tech, education, manufacturing and food sectors. The customization of each delegate’s business development program to advance their mission-week and market objectives will be a core feature of this initiative.
During this week the Seoul Food and Hotel Show will be taking place offering mission participants a chance to see first-hand the breadth of product offering and to gather key market intelligence. While there is a Canada pavilion at this event, P.E.I. will not have a booth at the show for this year. Participants will be able to walk the show. However we will also be exploring this opportunity for future years. For details on the Seoul Hotel and Food Show visit http://www.seoulfoodnhotel.co.kr/
For more information on this mission and to express your interest in participating, please contact either of these mission leads by email or by phone:
Scott Ferris – Innovation PEI scferris@gov.pe.ca or (902) 368-5952 or Jeff Burry – ACOA Jeff.Burry@canada.ca or (902) 314-2197
