Local, Regional, Canadian News
Fresh, local food planned at 3 P.E.I. schools under new $100K program
More fresh, local food could be on the menu at cafeterias in three Prince Edward Island schools starting in the fall under a new pilot program aimed at improving food security and education. MORE
Dundas pig scramble cancelled
The pig scramble at the Dundas Plowing Match and Agricultural Fair in eastern P.E.I. has been cancelled after being a staple at the fair for more than a decade. MORE
Jump in P.E.I. farmland prices ‘good news story that has a dark side’
There are pros and cons in the sharp rise in farmland values on the Island, the P.E.I. Federation of Agriculture’s president says. MORE
Judge orders new trial for Brookfield Gardens on pesticide charge
The farm, operated by members of the Dykerman family, in Brookfield, P.E.I., had been acquitted of a charge related to use of pesticides, under the Fisheries Act, following a provincial court trial in 2015. MORE
Growing pains for Canada’s agri-food sector
Canada’s agri-food sector has underachieved for too long. The new federal budget gives the sector the opportunity to reimagine its potential. MORE
The inclusive, prosperous farm
As farm businesses grow and become more complex, farmers are recognizing the importance of harnessing the full potential of the farm’s human resources. This means creating an inclusive workplace where both male and female members of the team can thrive and help the farm business meet its goals. MORE
Alberta to restore non-refundable checkoff option
Alberta’s farmed-commodity commissions may soon be able to make their checkoffs non-refundable again if their producer members are willing. MORE
Manitoba pulls less-loved ag tax credits in budget
More funding for agriculture innovation in Manitoba’s latest provincial budget will be offset in part by an immediate end for several of the less popular tax credits available for farm use. 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/
Livestock
Limited demand means mixed tone for feeders
Western Canadian feeder cattle prices experienced a mixed tone this past week. Heavier weaned calves were trading steady to as much as $4 higher compared to last week; however, shorter-term replacements were steady to $3 lower. Alberta packers were buying fed cattle in the range of $170 to $172, down from week-ago levels of $177. MORE
Cattle show clinic reveals tricks of the trade
Young cattle showers were looking to jump-start their skills with a three-day chute clinic March 27-29, before hitting the ring at the Royal Manitoba Winter Fair. MORE
Twice the beef at Brandon winter fair
Cattle show numbers doubled in 2017 at the Royal Manitoba Winter Fair. MORE
Cattle hit 2-1/2-week highs
U.S. live cattle futures jumped to a 2-1/2 week peak on Tuesday while lean hogs were mostly higher on support from investment fund buying linked to big gains in wholesale beef prices, traders and analysts said. MORE
US Red Meat Linked to Healthy Lifestyle at Japanese Event
In response to a request by Spark, a leading Japanese regional supermarket chain, USMEF promoted the nutritional value of US pork and beef in a consumer event in Hiroshima. MORE
Cattle Infected with Brucellosis in West Kazakhstan
More than 1000 cattle heads infected with brucellosis have been revealed in East Kazakhstan region, said Kazbek Kashimov, head of regional veterinary department. MORE
Pork Producers Advised to Prepare for Market Uncertainties
H@ms Marketing Services is advising pork producers to be significantly hedged for the last half of this year to protect themselves from the uncertainties of changing US trade policy and fluctuating currency values, writes Bruce Cochrane. MORE
Projections Place US Pork Net Exports Above Year-ago Levels in Q1
Yesterday we looked back at the US cattle sector for the first quarter of 2017. Today we turn to hogs. We will focus on year-over-year and quarter-on-quarter changes in supply and demand factors that influenced slaughter barrow and gilt prices, report Steiner Consulting Group, DLR Division, Inc. MORE
Smithfield makes move on market for pig-human transplants
Smithfield Foods, the world’s largest pork producer, has established a separate bioscience unit to expand its role in supplying pig parts for medical uses, with the ultimate goal of selling pig organs for transplantation into humans. MORE
SPC Can Replace Animal Proteins in Weanling Pig Diets
Plant-derived proteins are less expensive than animal proteins if used in weanling pig diets, but may contain anti-nutritional factors that can negatively affect gut health and growth performance. MORE
Cherkizovo Announces Forthcoming Acquisition of NAPKO
Cherkizovo Group, the largest vertically integrated meat and feed producer in Russia, announced its decision to acquire NAPKO, one of Russia’s leading grain producers. MORE
Vion Continues to Improve Overall Performance
Last week, Vion announced that it continued to improve results in 2016 resulting in a net profit of €31 million versus €22 million in 2015. Vion was glad to see pork prices increase to the benefit of its suppliers. MORE
Atlantic Stockyards Market Report – April 6 – HERE
*Scroll down to find current report
Ontario Cattlemen’s Association Market Report – Tuesday, April 11 HERE
Potatoes
INDUSTRY NEWS
P.E.I. potatoes fetched good prices in 2016, continuing a trend that stretches back to 2004. The strong performance for Island spuds was shown in the farm product prices indexed released by Statistics Canada on Feb. 27. The index, set at 100 in 2007, reached 169.3 for potatoes last year, which was well above the national index of 149.1. MORE
Red-skinned potato varieties lead selections by breeders
Red-skinned potatoes are sure to be on the minds and menus of many after remarkable results shown by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s selections this year. MORE
Guarding against Dickeya: testing your seed potatoes
After triggering major crop losses in the United States, Dickeya has been dominating the potato meetings circuit in North America for the past year or two. MORE
Flavor Trumps Nutrients for Produce Consumers
Consumers want produce that tickles their taste buds and is easy on the eye, but they think quality fruits and vegetables are a matter of luck, according to University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) researchers. MORE
New Webcast helps Potato Growers avoid devastating Powdery Scab Outbreaks
Powdery scab is a potato disease that is difficult to manage and under certain environmental conditions powdery scab can be potentially devastating to susceptible potato varieties. MORE
Potatoes USA appoints two to Executive Committee
Jay LaJoie of Van Buren, Maine and Jason Davenport of Arvin, California were appointed to the Potatoes USA Executive Committee on March 16, 2017, at the organization’s 45th Annual Meeting in Denver, Colorado. MORE
Bosch presents the connected factory, Industry 4.0 at Interpack
At interpack 2017, Bosch Packaging Technology will show that the connected factory is becoming reality in the process and packaging industry. MORE
“New potato prices high due to a shortage of quality produce”
Right now, Spain only has availability of new potatoes in the area of Malaga and prices are high, as there is little volume because the season is just starting. In the short term, Seville and Cartagena will also begin with the harvest and prices then should normalise a little. MORE
Worst Potato Harvest in 34 years hits Calbee and other Japanese snack manufacturers
Japan’s potato chip lovers, beware: Your favourite snacks may become harder to find. MORE
POTATO SUPPLIER HZPC CHARGED BY SOUTH AFRICAN COMPETITION COMMISSION
South Africa’s Competition Commission has referred a Netherlands-based seed potato breeder and its exclusive South African distributor to the Competition Tribunal for prosecution, for abuse of dominance in relation to the exclusive supply of Mondial seed potatoes varietal in the country. MORE
AAFC / InfoHort Potato Reports HERE
USDA – Daily National Potato and Onion Report HERE
Crops
North American Grains/Oilseed Review: Canola ends mixed on technical trade
The ICE Futures Canada canola market finished mixed on Tuesday in intermonth trading with the two front-month contracts taking strength from ideas canola stocks are dwindling away in Canada. MORE
ICE Futures Canada Tuesday: Canola futures prices mostly lower, barley unchanged HERE
Pest Patrol: Keeping woodsorrel under control
Common yellow woodsorrel, although very common in lawns, pastures and “waste” areas, is rarely found in field crops since tillage often eliminates it. MORE
Soy falls to one-year low
U.S. soybean futures fell to the lowest levels in a year on Tuesday after the U.S. Department of Agriculture raised its estimates of South American crops and domestic soy ending stocks MORE
AM markets: grains rise as sowings jitters trump stocks data HERE
PEI Grain Elevator Prices – HERE
Grain Farmers of Ontario – Daily Commodity Report HERE
More Futures Prices HERE and HERE
General Interest
Youth want to stay on farm
New research aims to debunk the idea that young people want to leave the family farm and move to the city. MORE
‘Agronomy Feeds the World’ Videos Created
Agronomy is the study of crop and soil science—important in delivering food from farm to table. But most people don’t know the word. MORE
Sentera Expands Dealer Network
Sentera announces the availability of its precision agriculture solutions at over 350 retail locations across North America. MORE
Regular Updates
Rayglen Market Comments – April 5 HERE
Weekly PEI Agriculture Market Reports – April 7 HERE
Ontario Farm Market Summary – Tuesday, April 11 HERE
AgWeather Atlantic HERE
Today’s Local Weather – HERE
Meetings and Events
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
