PEI Federation of Agriculture to present at public consultation on draft Water Act
Date/Time – Monday, April 10 at 7:00 pm
Location – Murphy’s Community Centre
All PEIFA members are encouraged to attend
Local, Regional, Canadian News
P.E.I. court sends Brookfield Farms back to trial on fish kill charge
In a decision issued March 30, Justice Nancy Key ruled the trial judge couldn’t have reached the conclusion she did based on the evidence available to her. MORE
Northeast agri-food collective to launch in spring 2018
The idea for an agri-food collective in northeastern New Brunswick was borne out of an initiative by the Town of Beresford to create a website to promote locally made products to local people. MORE
Talks wrap on new Canadian internal trade deal
Farm groups across Canada expect a new interprovincial trade agreement to clear paths for more trade in Canadian-grown agrifood and other farmed products within the country, reducing the need for imports. MORE
Farmers hit hard by vegetable processor’s financial difficulties
Vegetable producers in Manitoba have been dealt a huge blow when a Portage la Prairie vegetable processor was forced into receivership late last month. MORE
No answers on $20K canola theft near Glenboro
A Manitoba farm calculates it lost around $20,000 in a grain theft after a substantial amount of canola disappeared from a bin late Mar. 19. MORE
Blame Canada
This week, Grassland Dairy Products Inc. announced that it would be reducing its milk intake. As a result, 75 U.S. dairy farms will need to find another place to sell their milk. In the letter explaining their decision, Grassland took aim at the Canadian dairy industry, suggesting that there have been changes to regulations in Canada that impact their business, and, therefore, that Canada is to blame for their decision. 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/
Farmers Market Vendor’s Workshop
Please join us Tuesday, April 18th at the Holman’s Building, 250 Water Street, Summerside, from 9 am to 4pm for this enlightening Farmers Market Vendor’s Workshop.
The cost is $25.00 for Summerside Market Vendors and $35.00 for the other direct marketers, costs includes, entrance, workbooks, and lunch.
To pre-registrar please call 902-303-1103 or email summersidefarmersmarket@gmail.com
Sign-up before April 10th, 2017 to reserve your seat for this incredible opportunity and kick off the start to the summer season. MORE
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
CME live cattle extend gains as funds buy
Chicago Mercantile Exchange live cattle rose for a third straight day on Friday with support from fund buying and futures’ discounts to late-afternoon cash price expectations, said traders. MORE
NUTRIAD Participates in the Philippines Hog Convention
Multinational feed additives producer NUTRIAD, participated in the recently concluded 26th National Hog Convention & Trade Exhibits jointly organized by the Pork Producers Federation of the Philippines (ProPork) and the National Federation of Hog Farmers, Inc. (NFHFI). MORE
KFC to curb antibiotic use in U.S. chickens it buys
Yum Brands’ U.S. KFC chain plans to curb the use of antibiotics in its chicken supply, making it the last of the big three chicken restaurants to join the fight against the rise of dangerous antibiotic-resistant bacteria known as superbugs. MORE
Atlantic Stockyards Market Report – April 6 – HERE
*Scroll down to find current report
Ontario Cattlemen’s Association Market Report – Friday, April 7 HERE
Potatoes
Potatoes USA Enlists Renowned Chef
To inspire chefs to put more potatoes on the menu, Potatoes USA has partnered with Chef’s Roll, a leading resource for chefs and restaurant professionals. As part of the Chef’s Roll series, Potatoes USA shot several videos with Top Chef Season 11 finalist and the James Beard Awards nominee Chef Shirley Chung. A native of Beijing, Chung is known for bringing global inspiration to her cooking and for using potatoes in very innovative ways.
Colorado Potato Veteran Dies
Verlin Rockey remembered as pioneer in soil science, variety development MORE
Government working to allow return of Canary potatoes to the EU
The Government and the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food and Environment are doing “everything they can so that Canary potatoes can be exported again to the territory of the European Union (EU),” including peninsular Spain. MORE
AAFC / InfoHort Potato Reports HERE
USDA – Daily National Potato and Onion Report HERE
Crops
North American Grain/Oilseed Review: Canola Corrects Higher, Soybeans Mixed
ICE Futures Canada canola contracts were stronger on Friday, recovering from earlier losses as gains in Chicago Board of Trade soyoil and speculative short-covering provided support. MORE
ICE Futures Canada Friday: Canola futures prices higher, barley unchanged HERE
On-farm water collection key to drainage management
Reducing run-off and improving soil health are the best path to address flooding and excess nutrients, according to a University of Manitoba expert on watershed management. MORE
Corn sags, soy posts longest weekly skid in 30 months
U.S. corn futures drifted to a one-week low on Friday as traders adjusted positions ahead of a monthly U.S. government report that analysts expect to show rising grain inventories and big South American crops. MORE
Peas hold range ahead of upcoming production
A policy extension from major pulse buyer India has brought short-term support to Canada’s dry pea market, but values are hanging in a range, price- and demand-wise. MORE
AM markets: soy attempts bounce, despite drop in palm prices HERE
PEI Grain Elevator Prices – HERE
Grain Farmers of Ontario – Daily Commodity Report HERE
More Futures Prices HERE and HERE
General Interest
Let’s get real on solar energy
Despite the skeptics, these two farms prove that solar energy is likely to be the foundation of our commercial farms for generations to come MORE
Regular Updates
Rayglen Market Comments – April 5 HERE
Weekly PEI Agriculture Market Reports – March 31 HERE
Ontario Farm Market Summary – Thursday, April 6 HERE
AgWeather Atlantic HERE
Today’s Local Weather – HERE
Meetings and Events
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.
Farmers Market Vendor’s Workshop
Please join us Tuesday, April 18th at the Holman’s Building, 250 Water Street, Summerside, from 9 am to 4pm for this enlightening Farmers Market Vendor’s Workshop.
The cost is $25.00 for Summerside Market Vendors and $35.00 for the other direct marketers, costs includes, entrance, workbooks, and lunch.
To pre-registrar please call 902-303-1103 or email summersidefarmersmarket@gmail.com
Sign-up before April 10th, 2017 to reserve your seat for this incredible opportunity and kick off the start to the summer season. MORE
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
