Local, Regional, Canadian News
April Member Profile – George and Melaney Matheson – HERE
Milk production is up on P.E.I. because people are eating more butter
Dairy farmers are producing more milk these days on P.E.I. MORE
Canada’s Resources Likely to Get Strained Due to Multiple Trade Issues
The research Lead with Agri-Food Economic Systems says, given the new trade challenges being created by the US, Canada’s ability to deal with trade issues could be stretched thin 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 farmers make new deal
The Canadian Cattlemen’s Association is hooking up with AgriClear for its Verified Beef Production Plus (VBP+) program. MORE
CME live cattle end firmer despite cash pessimism
Chicago Mercantile Exchange live cattle futures gained modestly on Wednesday, aided by their discounts to this week’s cash price expectations, said traders. MORE
AHDB Beef & Lamb to Contribute Funding Towards AI Course
English suckler herd producers are being encouraged to improve the genetics within their herd thanks to a new initiative from AHDB Beef & Lamb. MORE
Jamaica Lifts Corned Beef Ban
Agriculture and Commerce Minister Karl Samuda has announced that the temporary ban on the import and sale of corned beef from Brazil has been lifted with immediate effect. MORE
Ukraine Plans to Export Beef to Saudi Arabia
Ukraine intends to boost poultry shipments to Saudi Arabia with a simultaneous increase in the number of Ukrainian enterprises certified to export such produce to that country, according to the State Food Safety and Consumer Protection Service’s press service referring to the agency’s head Volodymyr Lapa. MORE
Pork Council Addresses Standing Committee on Agriculture, Agri-Food
Representatives from the Canadian Pork Council were in Ottawa this week (4 April) to address the House of Commons Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food about amendments to Health of Animals Regulations with respect to humane transportation. MORE
Manitoba Adopts Balanced Approach to Revitalized Hog Production, Environmental Protection
Manitoba’s Minister of Agriculture is confident recent regulatory changes will stimulate a restoration of the province’s hog production numbers while maintaining the safety of pork producers and their animals and protecting the environment, writes Bruce Cochrane. MORE
Manitoba Pork Producers Optimistic
The Chair of Manitoba Pork says the mood within the province’s pork industry right now is one of optimism, according to Bruce Cochrane. MORE
February Excellent Month for US Meat Protein Trade
We decided to follow up our discussion of pork exports as reported by Mandatory Price reporting with an update on US meat protein exports for the month of February, according to Steiner Consulting Group, DLR Division, Inc. MORE
US Meat Protein Trade Excellent in February
We decided to follow up our discussion of pork exports as reported by Mandatory Price reporting with an update on US meat protein exports for the month of February, according to Steiner Consulting Group, DLR Division, Inc. MORE
Irish Pig Prices Remain Stable
Irish pig price remained relatively stable again this week, according to Chairman of the IFA Pigs Committee, Tom Hogan. MORE
EU and Spain Hog Markets
The price of pork continues to recover in these first months of 2017, and last week has closed at 1,310 € / kg / live, writes Mercedes Vega, General Director for Spain, Italy & Portugal. MORE
Atlantic Stockyards Market Report – March 30 – HERE
*Scroll down to find current report
Ontario Cattlemen’s Association Market Report – Wednesday, April 5 HERE
Potatoes
Alberta potatoes mostly escape the deluge of 2016
For Alberta potato growers, the 2015 and 2016 growing seasons could not have been more different — hot and dry followed by cold and wet. Despite that, 2016 yields were more or less consistent with the past several years. MORE
THE PROMISE OF INNATE
Why Simplot’s first- and second-generation biotech potatoes are generating interest among commercial growers in Canada. MORE
Michigan Growers Embrace Eco-friendly Practices
The Michigan potato industry accounts for about 3,400 jobs and an approximately $550 million annual contribution to the state’s economy. And, according to Mike Wenkel, manager of Potato Growers of Michigan, producers are increasingly committed to wise water management and soil health to ensure the long-term vitality of the industry. MORE
Software Developed to Track Soil Sampling
Clemson University agricultural engineer Kendall Kirk has developed free software to help growers track soil sampling across their fields. MORE
Capturing Excess Nutrients from Waterways
Fertilizers applied to farm fields, golf courses, and residential landscaping to benefit plants do not always stay in place. These added nutrients, including nitrogen and phosphorus, can be washed away by rainfall into nearby waterways. An abundance of nutrients in aquatic ecosystems can result in algal blooms, which deplete oxygen as they decompose. MORE
Free Load of Potatoes Headed to the Windy City
Magda Anaya of El Taptio in Chicago was the winner of the semi-load of Michigan chipping potatoes that was given away at the 2017 Snaxpo in Savannah, Georgia this week by the Michigan Potato Industry Commission (MPIC). MORE
AAFC / InfoHort Potato Reports HERE
USDA – Daily National Potato and Onion Report HERE
Crops
North American Grain/Oilseed Review: Canola rises with soyoil
ICE Futures Canada canola contracts were stronger on Wednesday, continuing to recover off of nearby lows as a rally in Chicago Board of Trade soyoil provided some spillover support. MORE
ICE Futures Canada Wednesday: Canola futures prices higher, barley unchanged HERE
Intercropping wheat and soys makes for tighter rotation
At Kutz Farms LLC in Wisconsin, the Kutz family decided that planting corn on corn repeatedly may be good short-term economics, but it was bad long term for their soil’s health. MORE
Grain equipment firm AGI buys into dryer market
The Winnipeg parent firm for grain bin, auger and conveyor brands such as Westeel, Twister, Westfield, Wheatheart and Batco has bought its way into the grain dryer and stationary grain handling businesses. MORE
Steady canola awaits acreage data
ICE Futures Canada canola contracts fell to their lowest levels in six months during the week ended Wednesday, but uncovered support to the downside and may be entering a period of consolidation. MORE
Soybeans rebound on Argentina rains
U.S. soybeans rebounded on Wednesday from multi-month lows sparked a day earlier by fears of harvest delays in Argentina, while China’s return to the market after a holiday helped boost prices, analysts said. MORE
Soybeans, corn have downside risk
Soybean and corn futures at the Chicago Board of Trade have short-term downside potential, one U.S. analyst says, as traders watch exports, weather and fund positioning. MORE
Palmer amaranth threatening U.S. corn fields
A U.S. government program designed to convert farmland to wildlife habitat has triggered the spread of a fast-growing weed that threatens to strangle crops in America’s rural heartland. MORE
U.S. crop stocks grow from last year
Major crop stocks continue to trend well ahead of last year’s levels in the U.S., according to the latest USDA report. MORE
AM markets: soy outperforms corn, a bit. Can the trend last? HERE
PEI Grain Elevator Prices – HERE
Grain Farmers of Ontario – Daily Commodity Report HERE
More Futures Prices HERE and HERE
General Interest
Accessing agriculture’s big data
For several years, farmers have been using technology that is accumulating massive amounts of data on production practices – also referred to as “big data.” MORE
Farm Bill Hearing Explores Role of Research
Rep. Rodney Davis, chairman of the House Agriculture Committee’s Subcommittee on Biotechnology, Horticulture and Research, held a hearing to highlight the importance of agricultural research as part of the committee’s hearing series on the next farm bill. MORE
Brandt Partners with Oklahoma Dealer
Brandt Agricultural Products has added Oklahoma-based P&K Equipment to its rapidly growing dealer network. P&K will now be providing premium Brandt products to local growers in its region. MORE
EU clears ChemChina’s Syngenta takeover, with conditions
ChemChina won conditional EU antitrust approval on Wednesday for its US$43 billion bid for Swiss pesticides and seeds group Syngenta, a deal that could help China boost its domestic agricultural output. MORE
Regular Updates
Rayglen Market Comments – April 5 HERE
Weekly PEI Agriculture Market Reports – March 31 HERE
Ontario Farm Market Summary – Wednesday, April 5 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
