Local, Regional, Canadian News
How farmers markets can do better business
A farmers market consultant who did a training session in Summerside, P.E.I., earlier this week encourages market managers and vendors to become more entrepreneurial in how they run the business. MORE
Jewell’s Country Market still open for business despite being for sale
Jewell’s Country Market opened Thursday with Edwin and Dawn Jewell of York still in charge. MORE
Opposition questions omission of carbon pricing from provincial budget
In the provincial legislature Thursday, the official opposition questioned government about why possible revenue from carbon pricing was not mentioned in the 2017-18 budget. MORE
Why is a conservation group calling on Canadians to ‘soil your undies’?
The weather is finally starting to warm across Canada, and that has gardeners and farm owners so excited, they could soil their undies. In fact, the Soil Conservation Council of Canada hopes they do exactly that. MORE
Trudeau defends dairy system against Trump protectionist charge
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Thursday brushed off an attack by U.S. President Donald Trump on Canada’s system of dairy protections, saying every nation defended its agricultural industries. MORE
Despite Slower Growth Outlook for Agriculture Remains Positive
Farm Credit Canada reports, despite slower growth in farmland values, the outlook for agriculture on the prairies is positive MORE
Canada softwood industry seeks China sales, as Trump widens trade attack
As Donald Trump added softwood lumber to his anti-Canada trade rhetoric Thursday, Trade Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne was on his way to China with an entourage of industry representatives looking for an alternative to the U.S. market. MORE
In his own words: Text of Trump’s latest complaints about Canadian trade
U.S. President Donald Trump took several shots at Canada again Thursday, complaining about its trade practices in several areas. He made the remarks during a ceremony in the Oval Office where he signed an executive order related to steel. MORE
NAFTA negotiations key for farmers, say commentators
A U.S.-led effort to renegotiate NAFTA could see supply management scrapped, but that’s just the beginning, say two Canadian commentators. 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/
The Prince Edward Island Beekeeper’s Association – Annual General Meeting and Spring Information Workshops
*Membership with the PEI Beekeeper’s Association is required for Growing Forward 2 applications in 2017
April 27th
The PEI Farm Centre – 420 University Av, Charlottetown, 6:00pm Registration & Mixer
6:50 – 7:10pm Shauna Mellish
Overview of Premis Identification Regulations and how this applies to Apiaries
7:10 – 7:30pm Sebastian Ibarra
Introduction, Varroa Mite research, IPM in the Apiary
7:30 -7:40pm, Fletcher Colpitts
2016 Honey Bee Inspection Program Report
7:40 – 8:00pm Stephanie Compton
Extension Report and Programs* for 2017
8:00pm Business Meeting Begins
Please feel welcome to contact Stephanie Compton: sicompton@gov.pe.ca
902-314-0816 for details. Pre-registration is not required.
Draft National Plant and Animal Health Strategy Ready For Consultation
FPT Governments, Industry, Academia and others have partnered together to develop a Plant and Animal Health Strategy for Canada to protect Canada’s plant and animal resources. The Strategy is intended to protect plants and animals from new and emerging risks by focusing efforts on coordinating partner actions to collaborate and provide a more effective approach to risk prevention, mitigation, response and recovery.
The draft Strategy is currently available on the CFIA website (http://bit.ly/2oaMOZg).
Do you support the Strategy and its implementation?
Do you have feedback?
You can get involved and have your say! Join the conversation in one of the following ways until April 30th:
- Read the draft Plant and Animal Health Strategy for Canada (http://bit.ly/2pxxve2)
- Complete a 20 minute questionnaire (http://bit.ly/2pae5zF)
- Suggest edits and improvements (http://bit.ly/2nIDz78)
- Attend a Webinar (http://bit.ly/2oaQfzh)
- Help implement the Strategy (http://bit.ly/2p0w8II)
- Follow the conversation on Twitter @CFIA_Canada
- Join the conversation on social media using #CanPAH
Livestock
Placements Expected to be Up as Much as 9.5%
USDA will release on Friday the results of its monthly “Cattle on Feed” inventory survey, which provides an indication of the flow of cattle outside of feedlots for the month of March (marketings) as well as the inflow of cattle during the month (placements), according to Steiner Consulting Group, DLR Division, Inc. MORE
Live cattle futures again notch 1-year highs
Chicago Mercantile Exchange live cattle futures climbed on Thursday to a one-year top for the third straight day, and deferred contracts marked fresh highs, helped by firmer wholesale beef values, traders said. MORE
Brazil’s JBS to resume slaughtering at six idle beef units next week
The world’s largest meatpacker JBS SA will next week resume slaughtering at six out of 10 beef processing units after sending workers on temporary leave earlier this month, the company said in a statement on Thursday. MORE
Pork quality varies within same carcass
Pork quality can vary from one part of a hog carcass to another, according to new research from meat scientists at the University of Illinois. MORE
Pig Prices Remain Settled with Deals Up to €1.72C/Kg
Chairman of the IFA Pigs Committee, Tom Hogan has reported the Irish pig price remained relatively stable once again this week. MORE
Georgia ends restrictions for producers because of bird flu
Officials say they have ended restrictions on poultry producers that were enacted after the first confirmation of avian influenza in commercial birds in Georgia. MORE
Chicken imports come from many countries
Chicken imports are coming from many countries, including Brazil, Hungary, Germany, Chile and Israel. MORE
Atlantic Stockyards Market Report – April 20 – HERE
*Scroll down to find current report
Ontario Cattlemen’s Association Market Report – Thursday, April 20 HERE
Potatoes
Idaho, US making progress in fight against potato nematodes
Idaho is making progress ridding the state of potato cyst nematodes which have been threatening Idaho’s $900 million potato industry the last decade, federal officials say. MORE
Harvest of Texas red potatoes underway earlier than usual
Today, the harvest of the 2017 crop of Black Gold Farms, Texan Red Potatoes starts. The potatoes will be available from April 24 until the middle of June. MORE
Indian potato production estimated at near record levels
India’s total potato production has been estimated at around 47 million tonnes this year which puts the year a few million short of the largest crop ever, which was recorded back in 2014. MORE
Europatat Congress 2017 confirms new high level speakers!
The Europatat 2017 Congress, co-organised by Belgapom (the Belgian Potato Traders and Processors) and Europatat (the European Potato Trade Association) will take place in Antwerp (Belgium) from 15 to 17 June 2017, at the Radisson Blu Astrid Hotel, located in the city centre of Antwerp. MORE
AAFC / InfoHort Potato Reports HERE
USDA – Daily National Potato and Onion Report HERE
Crops
North American grain/oilseed review: Canola stays strong
ICE Futures Canada canola closed stronger on Wednesday. MORE
ICE Futures Canada Thursday: Canola futures prices higher, barley unchanged HERE
Eastern Manitoba Fall Seeded Cereals Hardest Hit by Winter Kill
The Executive Director of Winter Cereals Canada reports winter survival of the fall seeded cereal crops is variable with crops in eastern Manitoba hit the hardest MORE
Going beyond NPK in your fertilizer program
What’s involved in a soil health assessment? And what makes soil “healthy” in the first place? Researchers at the Chinook Applied Research Association (CARA) in Oyen, Alta., are keen to answer these questions for western Canadian producers. MORE
Clubroot calls for diligence, not alarm
The surprise discovery of clubroot in Ontario will force canola growers to adapt to the disease now in order to avoid future complications MORE
More gains likely for rising canola
ICE Futures Canada canola advanced sharply on the week and has room to strengthen further, though resistance is on the horizon. MORE
Wheat falls sharply, taking corn, soybeans lower
Chicago Board of Trade wheat futures dropped 3.1 percent to their lowest in nearly four months on Thursday, with investors beating back an overnight rally attempt amid plentiful global supplies. MORE
Corn, soy tied to technicals amid large supplies
Corn and soybean markets look to be rangebound over the next three weeks as U.S. farmers try to get their crops planted, according to a market-watcher. MORE
AM markets: wheat dips nearer to contract lows. Cotton gains HERE
PEI Grain Elevator Prices – HERE
Grain Farmers of Ontario – Daily Commodity Report HERE
More Futures Prices HERE and HERE
General Interest
IFA Discusses Brexit with Minister for Foreign Affairs
IFA President Joe Healy has met with Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Charlie Flanagan, to discuss the threats posed by Brexit to Irish agriculture. MORE
Regular Updates
Rayglen Market Comments – April 19 HERE
Ontario Farm Market Summary – Thursday, April 20 HERE
AgWeather Atlantic HERE
Today’s Local Weather – HERE
Meetings and Events
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
The Prince Edward Island Beekeeper’s Association – Annual General Meeting and Spring Information Workshops
*Membership with the PEI Beekeeper’s Association is required for Growing Forward 2 applications in 2017
April 27th
The PEI Farm Centre – 420 University Av, Charlottetown, 6:00pm Registration & Mixer
6:50 – 7:10pm Shauna Mellish
Overview of Premis Identification Regulations and how this applies to Apiaries
7:10 – 7:30pm Sebastian Ibarra
Introduction, Varroa Mite research, IPM in the Apiary
7:30 -7:40pm, Fletcher Colpitts
2016 Honey Bee Inspection Program Report
7:40 – 8:00pm Stephanie Compton
Extension Report and Programs* for 2017
8:00pm Business Meeting Begins
Please feel welcome to contact Stephanie Compton: sicompton@gov.pe.ca
902-314-0816 for details. Pre-registration is not required.
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
