Local, Regional, Canadian News
Island sheep farmers milking their way into cheese and yogurt market
A couple in North Rustico, P.E.I. is going back to their family roots to create a new line of cheese and yogurt products made from sheep’s milk. MORE
P.E.I.’s Veseys Seeds responds to concerns over wildflower seeds
P.E.I.’s Veseys Seeds is busy fielding questions and dispelling rumours about packets of wildflower seeds it’s been offering free to North American customers — some on social media have suggested the seeds include invasive species or are genetically modified, which Veseys vehemently denies. MORE
P.E.I. Watershed Alliance sees pros and cons in draft Water Act
The chair of the P.E.I. Watershed Alliance is fairly pleased with the province’s draft Water Act, but said he wants to see where the government goes from here. MORE
Task force into Wood Islands-Caribou ferry service seeks public input
The new task force looking into the economics of the Wood Islands-Caribou ferry service is accepting public input until the end of April. MORE
Get ready for more questions from buyers
It isn’t just about antibiotics or hormones for livestock — crop producers are also starting to receive buyers’ questions about how they run their business. MORE
A better workplace for women
With the farm labour shortage expected to go from bad to worse all across Canada, farms that can attract untapped communities of job seekers may have a big advantage. MORE
Saskatchewan RCMP looking for cattle rustlers who stole 3 newborn calves
Police say three calves aged three to seven days old were taken last week from a ranch near Ormiston, around 150 kilometres southeast of Regina. MORE
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/
PEI COPC Annual General Meeting
Wednesday, March 29, 2017
7:00 PM at the Farm Centre MORE
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
Feeder cattle continue upward trend
Western Canadian feeder cattle prices traded $3-$5 above week-ago levels with higher-quality cattle as much as $8 higher. MORE
Deferred cattle hit contract highs
Chicago Mercantile Exchange cattle futures were mostly higher on Monday, with deferred months for both live and feeder cattle hitting contract highs on spreading and investment fund buying, traders and analysts said. MORE
Brazil beef scandal leaves fewer options for global buyers
Global beef buyers will likely need to cobble together supplies from several nations if a scandal persists in Brazil’s meat sector because supply constraints and politics are already limiting trade flows, market analysts said Monday. MORE
Cattle Futures Markets on Bullish Ride
In the beef business, so far all seems to be in good shape and yet cattle futures markets have very reluctantly come along for the bullish ride that is consuming the product market, according to Steiner Consulting Group, DLR Division, Inc. MORE
NDSU Extension offers tips on controlling lice in cattle
Ranchers in neighbouring North Dakota have been battling continual lice infestations this winter, even though they have treated their cattle. MORE
Three Model Farms Showcasing Best of British Beef Production
The National Beef Association has announced the farms that will be hosting their prestigious Beef Expo farm tours on 17 May. They include a diverse selection of beef farms all championing efficiencies in their relative sectors and showcasing the very best of British beef production. MORE
Scotland’s Meat Exports Up 11% in 2016
Increased meat exports in 2016 played an encouraging role in a record year for food and drink exports from Scotland, according to new figures released by the Scottish Government. MORE
Brazilian meatpackers slump on import curbs
Fallout from a meatpacking industry scandal in Brazil, the world’s biggest exporter of beef and poultry, widened on Monday as China, the EU, South Korea and Chile curtailed meat imports from the country after inspectors were accused of taking bribes to allow sales of tainted food. MORE
Directorate Unveils Plans to Prevent Outbreak of Cattle, Sheep & Poultry Diseases
Dr Duto Sainey Fofana, Director General of the Department of Livestock Services has unveiled plans to prevent the outbreak of new cattle, sheep and chicken diseases in the country. MORE
Cattle Prices Increase as Supplies Tighten
IFA National Livestock Chairman Angus Woods said cattle prices have risen a further 5 to 10c/kg this week, with the base price for steers at €3.90/kg and €3.95/kg paid. He said the base price for heifers has also moved on to €4.00/kg and some incidences of €4.05/kg being paid. MORE
Key Factors When Assessing Viability of Barn Renovation
A representative with FGC Construction suggests the age of the barn, its layout and its ventilation will be among key factors to examine when evaluating its suitability for renovation, writes Bruce Cochrane. MORE
Hog Slaughter During W11 of 2017 6.7% Higher Than a Year Ago
Hog slaughter for the week ending 18 March was reported by USDA at 2.335 million head, 6.7 per cent higher than the same week a year ago, reports Steiner Consulting Group, DLR Division, Inc. MORE
NPB Gets Close Look at Important Pork Import System in Mexico
USMEF led directors of the National Pork Board (NPB) on a thorough review of the Mexican pork market this week, presenting a detailed overview of how US pork moves through that country’s distribution system and offering a look at new and innovative uses for US pork products. MORE
Cambodia Warns of Contaminated Pork from Viet Nam
The public in Cambodia has been warned not to eat pork from Viet Nam after an outbreak of a serious disease in pig farms across the border, local media reported on Tuesday, citing an official. MORE
Atlantic Stockyards Market Report – March 16 – HERE
*Scroll down to find current report
Ontario Cattlemen’s Association Market Report – Monday, March 20 HERE
Potatoes
UNDERSTANDING THE POTATO’S APPEAL
Changing consumer demands is fundamentally shifting Canada’s potato industry. MORE
GM Potatoes to Be Planted in Canada
In 2016, no acres in Canada were seeded to J.R. Simplot Company’s genetically engineered first-generation Innate potato lines. But industry experts say 2017 will be a different story. MORE
Variety screening identifies potatoes with resistance to zebra chip disease
The Texas A&M AgriLife Research plant pathology team in Amarillo intentionally infected potato plants with psyllids positive with the bacterium that causes zebra chip, a deadly disease plaguing the potato industry for the past 15 years. MORE
Asturias bans potato cultivation in four councils
The Principality of Asturias has published a decree with measures to develop the national program to fight potato pests. It has also confirmed the subsidies that will be given to those affected (0.40 Euro per square metre of crops uprooted; up to 0.70 Euro for seed potatoes; the refund of any expenses to those running warehouses, and 0.30 Euro per kilo in the case of self-storage warehouses). MORE
TOMRA Sorting Food will showcase its TOMRA 5A Potato Sorter at ProFoodTech 2017
TOMRA Sorting Food will showcase the TOMRA 5A, its newest state-of-the-art potato sorter, at the new biennial processing event ProFoodTech 2017. MORE
AAFC / InfoHort Potato Reports HERE
USDA – Daily National Potato and Onion Report HERE
Crops
North American Grains/Oilseed Review: Canola ekes out gains with help from soyoil
THE ICE Futures Canada canola market recorded minor gains to start the week, following advances in Chicago Board of Trade soyoil. MORE
ICE Futures Canada Monday: Canola futures prices higher, barley unchanged HERE
Canola’s biological future still bright
The crop has been a major beneficiary of good science, something researchers hope will continue as they warn of sustainability challenges MORE
New CWRS wheat coming with less DON when hit by fusarium head blight
A new Canada Western Red Spring (CWRS) wheat that accumulates less deoxynivalenol (DON), the mycotoxin sometimes produced after a fusarium head blight infection, is being recommended for registration. MORE
The Xtend balancing act
The 2016 growing season saw the advent of a new technology — Roundup Ready 2 Xtend soybeans, along with its herbicide companion, XtendiMax. The technology had been anticipated for more than five years, particularly by growers in the southern U.S. where resistant weed species and continual use of Roundup Ready soybeans and cotton have been disastrous. MORE
Wheat drops on outlook for Plains rains
U.S. wheat futures fell on Monday, led lower by a 1.9 per cent drop in K.C. hard red winter wheat amid forecasts for improving weather for crop development in key U.S. growing areas. MORE
India is the wild card in global wheat production and consumption
India will be the first major wheat-growing country to harvest the 2017-18 crop, and most of its wheat will be cut by the time the U.S. Department of Agriculture rolls out its first production estimate in May. MORE
Exports of grains by final destination, January 2017 HERE
AM markets: wheat falls anew, despite US crop deterioration HERE
PEI Grain Elevator Prices – HERE
Grain Farmers of Ontario – Daily Commodity Report HERE
More Futures Prices HERE and HERE
General Interest
Sexual harassment: Is your farm at risk?
On the outside, everything seems wholesome and almost shiny. We run our family farms with respect and good will, focused on productivity and efficiency. 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
PEI COPC Annual General Meeting
Wednesday, March 29, 2017
7:00 PM at the Farm Centre 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
