Local, Regional, Canadian News
April Member Profile – George and Melaney Matheson – HERE
Nova Scotia beekeepers group alarmed over proposal to import bees from Ontario
An application to ship bees from Ontario — a province known to have a widespread infection of small hive beetles — has been submitted to the Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture. MORE
Sector asked to weigh in on Growing Forward 2 successor
With just over a year to go before the successor to Growing Forward 2 takes effect, Manitoba farmers are being asked for their two cents. 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/
Prince Edward Island Cattle Producers Annual Meeting
The Prince Edward Island Cattle Producers cordially invites you to attend its 10th Annual Meeting.
This meeting is set for Thursday, April 6 at 7:00 pm at the Farm Centre in Charlottetown.
Please RSVP by calling Rinnie at (902)368-2229, or by emailing cattlemen@eastlink.ca
Department of Agriculture & Fisheries – 2017 Agricultural Pesticide Class D
Seed Piece Treatment Training Course
Wednesday, April 5, 2017
Location: Rodd Royalty (next to the Peter Pan), Charlottetown
Registration starts at 8:30 a.m.
Course starts at 9 a.m. till 12 noon
Cost $75.00 (The fee for a five (5) year Seed Piece Certificate is $75. Please bring this payment with you and make cheques payable to the Minister of Finance)
Individuals who are directly involved with seed piece treatment of agricultural crops, including potatoes and cereals require a Class D Seed Piece Treatment Certificate. No exam is required, but you must attend a half day training session to receive a Seed Piece Class D Certificate.
Please Note: If you hold a valid Class A Pesticide Applicator Certificate,
a Class D Certificate is NO LONGER REQUIRED. Must be 18 years of age for certificate.
As space is limited, please pre-register by calling the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries at 902-368-4880
Department of Agriculture & Fisheries – 2017 Agricultural Pesticide Loader / Mixer Training
Loader/Mixer Training
Tuesday, April 11, 2017
Location: Rodd Royalty (next to the Peter Pan), Charlottetown
Registration starts at 8:30 a.m.
Course starts at 9 a.m. till 12 noon
Cost $50.00 (The fee for a five (5) year Loader/Mixer Certificate is $50. Please bring this payment with you and make cheques payable to the Minister of Finance.)
Individuals who do not apply pesticides, but are directly involved with the mixing of a non-domestic pesticide for the application of agricultural crops, must have a Pesticide Loader/Mixer Certificate. No exam is required, but you must attend a half day training session to receive a Loader/Mixer Certificate. Must be 18 years of age for certification .
Please Note: If you hold a valid Class A Pesticide Applicator Certificate,
a Loader/Mixer Certificate is NO LONGER REQUIRED.
As space is limited, please pre-register by calling 902-368-4880.
Livestock
Beef Producers Say Govt Suffocating Beef Industry
The Government continues to suffocate the beef industry in favor other agro-based industries despite the sector having potential to earn the country the much need foreign currency, beef producers have lamented. MORE
Gates foundation funds dairy device
The Gates Foundation is putting up $125,000 to fund field trials of a disease monitor for dairy cattle developed by research team at the University of Guelph led by engineering professor Suresh Neethirajan. MORE
Dairy Rebound Tips Primary Sector Exports into Growth; Beef Forecast to Drop
A jump in the value of dairy exports is enough to restore growth to New Zealand’s 2017 primary sector exports for the June 2017 year, according to the March edition of the Situation and Outlook for Primary Industries. MORE
Canada-US Effort Underway to Reduce Transmission of Disease
US and Canadian swine health officials are joining forces to develop recommendations to reduce the risk of transferring diseases from points of high concentration back to the farm, writes Bruce Cochrane. MORE
Revision of US Pork Production Projections Expected
The last USDA WASDE report projected 2017 US pork production at 26.121 billion pounds, 1.2 billion pounds (+4.7 per cent) more than a year ago and 1.6 billion pounds (+6.5 per cent) more than in 2015, according to Steiner Consulting Group, DLR Division, Inc. MORE
CME hog futures hit four-month low
Chicago Mercantile Exchange lean hog futures fell to their lowest level since early December on Tuesday, with ample supplies dragging down cash prices for a ninth straight session, said traders. MORE
Prescription Vaccines Target Emerging Swine Diseases
With the rapid pace of swine pathogen mutation, could prescription vaccines be a strategy to fight these emerging diseases? MORE
Map Highlights Real-time Parasite Risks in Local Areas
Livestock farmers, vets and SQP’s will be able to get up to date parasite information in their local area thanks to the monitoring of worm, fluke and fly levels on 18 farms across the UK. MORE
Health Minister Pledges to Ensure Safety of Pork Imports
Health Minister Chen Shih-chung said Monday that it was not up to him whether or not to lift a ban on imports of American pork containing ractopamine but that he was responsible for ensuring that food is safe for consumers. MORE
City Programme to Trace Pork Origin Runs Into Headwinds
HCM City’s technology-based programme to control and trace the origin of pork that began recently is encountering difficulties, according to the Department of Industry and Trade. MORE
EU Pig Prices: Quotations Going up Considerably
The European slaughter pig market continues to be characterised by a friendly mood. Demand is exceeding the quantities on offer, and the quotations by the majority are continuing the clear price increase which was heralded before. MORE
Atlantic Stockyards Market Report – March 30 – HERE
*Scroll down to find current report
Ontario Cattlemen’s Association Market Report – Tuesday, April 4 HERE
Potatoes
Faster identification of PVY resistance
A virologist with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC), in collaboration with breeders, has developed a way to speed up marker-assisted selection in the effort to identify potato virus Y (PVY) resistant material. MORE
“I grow to sell, not to store”
With the recent high potato prices, caused by a disappointing harvest and a high demand from chip factories, speculating on a further price rise is attractive. Yet Ronald van de Wouw from the Dutch Wouw Agro isn’t interested in that. “I grow potatoes to sell them, not to store them.” MORE
Challenges and Opportunities for the Future of U.S Exports
Increasing the U.S. potato exports across all product types; more people eating more U.S. potatoes in more ways; expanding the access for U.S. potatoes across the globe and consumers know potatoes’ key health and lifestyle benefits – these are the international objectives of the Potatoes USA international marketing committee, presented the Annual Meeting in Denver March 15 – 16. MORE
Competition Commission accuses potato seed companies of monopoly
The Competition Commission has referred a Netherlands-based seed potato breeder and its exclusive South African distributor to the Competition Tribunal for prosecution, for alleged abuse of dominance in relation to the exclusive supply of the Mondial seed potato varietal in the country. MORE
Farm Kid
The school bus stopped at the end of the gravel driveway. The instant the doors opened, a skinny, dark-haired kid burst through as if shot from a cannon. He sprinted up the driveway, tossed his backpack onto the back porch, hopped onto his bicycle, and raced off. It was a Tuesday afternoon in early October, and James Hoff was headed for the fields to help with potato harvest. MORE
An Unexpected Journey
Jack Meyer never envisioned himself in a place like Montana. And he certainly never thought he’d be making key agronomic and financial decisions on a generations-old family farm. (Heck, 20 years ago, Meyer didn’t even know most of those decisions had to be made by someone.) Yet here he is, on a cloudy October day in the Gallatin Valley, fielding phone calls and directing the sometimes hectic traffic of a bountiful potato harvest. MORE
Halverson Elected Potatoes USA Chair
John Halverson of Arbyrd, Mo., was elected chair of Potatoes USA on March 16 at the organization’s annual meeting in Denver. 2017-18 will be his fifth year on the board and his third year on its executive committee. In 2015, Halverson served as co-chair of Potatoes USA’s domestic marketing committee, and in 2016 he served as co-chair of the international marketing committee. MORE
DUTCH POTATO PROCESSING INDUSTRY APPROACHES 4 MILLION TONNES
Potato manufacturers in the Netherlands are approaching the four million tonnes of processed potatoes mark annually. MORE
AAFC / InfoHort Potato Reports HERE
USDA – Daily National Potato and Onion Report HERE
Crops
North American Grain/Oilseed Review: Canola Up After Choppy Day
ICE Futures Canada canola contracts settled with small gains on Tuesday, after a choppy day that saw prices bounce to both sides of unchanged. MORE
ICE Futures Canada Tuesday: Canola futures prices higher, barley unchanged HERE
Growing craft beer sector thirsty for local malt
Craft breweries are a growing subsector of the Canadian beer industry, but the increased variety of local drink options are not necessarily 100 per cent homegrown, as a lack of domestically produced specialty malts forces brewers to look far afield to meet their needs. MORE
Shining a light on the creepy crawly side of agriculture
Entomologist John Gavloski is warning producers to maintain beneficial bugs found in crops MORE
Farmers to plant record low wheat acres, most soybeans ever
The amber waves of grain are about to turn into bean pods as farmers report they’ll plant millions of acres in soybeans instead of wheat this year as a global glut of the grain has made it unprofitable to grow. MORE
Soybeans plumb new lows
Chicago Board of Trade May soybean futures fell to their lowest level in a year on Tuesday, pressured by expectations for record-large U.S. plantings and a massive South American harvest, analysts said. MORE
AM markets: wheat futures recover, helped by firmer rouble HERE
PEI Grain Elevator Prices – HERE
Grain Farmers of Ontario – Daily Commodity Report HERE
More Futures Prices HERE and HERE
General Interest
ChemChina, Syngenta win U.S. antitrust approval for deal
The China National Chemical Corp., or ChemChina, has won U.S. antitrust approval to buy Switzerland’s Syngenta on condition that it divest three pesticides, the Federal Trade Commission said on Tuesday. MORE
Lactalis still short in bid to delist Parmalat
France’s Lactalis has not secured the 90 per cent stake in Parmalat it needed to press ahead with plans to delist the Italian food company, a filing showed Tuesday. MORE
UK Farming Needs to Justify Support Post-Brexit
The UK farming sector must put forward a strong case for continued support from public funds once the UK leaves the EU or it might lose out. MORE
Regular Updates
Weekly PEI Agriculture Market Reports – March 31 HERE
Ontario Farm Market Summary – Tuesday, April 4 HERE
AgWeather Atlantic HERE
Today’s Local Weather – HERE
Meetings and Events
Department of Agriculture & Fisheries – 2017 Agricultural Pesticide Class D
Seed Piece Treatment Training Course
Thursday, April 6, 2017
Location: Rodd Royalty (next to the Peter Pan), Charlottetown
Registration starts at 8:30 a.m.
Course starts at 9 a.m. till 12 noon
Cost $75.00 (The fee for a five (5) year Seed Piece Certificate is $75. Please bring this payment with you and make cheques payable to the Minister of Finance)
Individuals who are directly involved with seed piece treatment of agricultural crops, including potatoes and cereals require a Class D Seed Piece Treatment Certificate. No exam is required, but you must attend a half day training session to receive a Seed Piece Class D Certificate.
Please Note: If you hold a valid Class A Pesticide Applicator Certificate,
a Class D Certificate is NO LONGER REQUIRED. Must be 18 years of age for certificate.
As space is limited, please pre-register by calling the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries at 902-368-4880
Prince Edward Island Cattle Producers Annual Meeting
The Prince Edward Island Cattle Producers cordially invites you to attend its 10th Annual Meeting.
This meeting is set for Thursday, April 6 at 7:00 pm at the Farm Centre in Charlottetown.
Please RSVP by calling Rinnie at (902)368-2229, or by emailing cattlemen@eastlink.ca
Department of Agriculture & Fisheries – 2017 Agricultural Pesticide Loader / Mixer Training
Loader/Mixer Training
Wednesday, April 12, 2017
Location: Rodd Royalty (next to the Peter Pan), Charlottetown
Registration starts at 8:30 a.m.
Course starts at 9 a.m. till 12 noon
Cost $50.00 (The fee for a five (5) year Loader/Mixer Certificate is $50. Please bring this payment with you and make cheques payable to the Minister of Finance.)
Individuals who do not apply pesticides, but are directly involved with the mixing of a non-domestic pesticide for the application of agricultural crops, must have a Pesticide Loader/Mixer Certificate. No exam is required, but you must attend a half day training session to receive a Loader/Mixer Certificate. Must be 18 years of age for certification .
Please Note: If you hold a valid Class A Pesticide Applicator Certificate,
a Loader/Mixer Certificate is NO LONGER REQUIRED.
As space is limited, please pre-register by calling 902-368-4880.
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
