Local, Regional, Canadian News
June Member Profile – Douglas and Ian Simmons HERE
Strict import protocols for honey bees
While the province does allow the import of honey bees from other jurisdictions, a strict import protocol has been implemented to ensure the continued health of the province’s honey bee population.
Colonies from yards identified in 2016 or 2017 with small-hive beetle are not permitted to enter the province. MORE
Ontario minimum wage increases concern farmers
Changes to the way labour is regulated and paid for in Ontario could have detrimental effects on farms, according to the Ontario Federation of Agriculture. MORE
Ontario watershed study shows overapplication of phosphorus
Farmers in one Huron County, Ont. watershed are applying almost exactly the nitrogen needed by their crops, but more than 30 per cent more phosphorus than is needed. MORE
Federal food policy consultations underway
The long-discussed-and-debated notion of a public pan-Canadian food policy has taken a move forward with a new online survey from the federal government. MORE
Advance Payments Program through the PEI Federation of Agriculture
Eligible producers will are now able to apply for the 2017 Advance Payments Program through the PEI Federation of Agriculture.
Federation Members will continue to receive a preferred rate on Administrative Fees. This is available for farmers who have paid their dues in 2017 or those that were members as of December 31, 2016.
For more information on the program, please contact Andrew Wood or Tim Seeber at 902-368-7289.
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/
PEI COPC Organic Farm Tour
PEI COPC will be hosting a one day organic farm tour on Wednesday, July 6th from 8:30 a.m. to 5:15 p.m..
Local media, social media guests, COPC staff, PEIDAF Minister and Deputy will be attending the tour of five COPC member farms, including: Dexter Cattle Company, Square One Organics, Red Soil Organics, Heartbeet Organics, and Schurman Family Farm.
Transportation and lunch are provided.
Seats are limited and tickets will be on sale beginning next week ($25 each or $20 for COPC members).
Contact Karen at email@organicpei.com or 902-894-9999 for more information.
Livestock
Back in business after bovine TB
Brad Osadczuk’s ranch at Jenner, Alta., is eerily quiet in what would normally be the start of a very busy calving season. His pens are empty, not a cow is in sight. MORE
Short week stays quiet as most major marketings done
The Victoria Day long weekend limited activity at Manitoba’s cattle auction yards during the week ended May 26, but the market was steady for the animals that still moved. MORE
Live cattle limit up on strong cash prices
Chicago Mercantile Exchange live cattle settled up their three cent per pound daily price limit on Thursday, fueled by short-covering following stronger-than-expected cash prices, said traders. MORE
Report: Federal, State Collaboration Urged to Address Brucellosis Transmission
Efforts to control brucellosis in the Greater Yellowstone Area (GYA) should focus on reducing the risk of transmission from elk, which are now viewed as the primary source of the infection in new cases occurring in cattle and domestic bison, says a new report by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. MORE
Rise in US Steer, Heifer Slaughter Under Federal Inspection
Steer and heifer slaughter in the US under Federal Inspection (FI) last year totaled 24.2 million head, reports Steiner Consulting Group, DLR Division, Inc. MORE
Daily Average Cattle Marketings Above 5-Year Average
We said that there would be more discussion of the latest “Cattle on Feed” report from USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). Compared to most 1 May “Cattle on Feed”, reports this one warrants additional attention, writes Steiner Consulting Group, DLR Division, Inc. MORE
US, China Set for Beef Import Discussions
US Department of Agriculture officials are scheduled to meet their counterparts in China next week as both nations prepare for the resumption of US beef exports to the mainland on 16 July. MORE
DHI, Valacta, partner for robotic milkers
CanWest DHI and Valacta are launching a milk-sampling device and protocol for robotic milkers.
The Ori-Sampler is made in Europe where it has been well received by farmers, they say, because “it makes on-farm sample collection easier and more convenient.” MORE
Manitoba hits record numbers of PED virus
Eight cases of porcine epidemic diarrhea (PED) have been confirmed in Manitoba in the last month, making this the worst year on record for the virus. MORE
Ractopamine in pork exports raises flags
Canada’s ractopamine-free certification system for pork was tested and found wanting as China reported detecting the growth promotant in a shipment of frozen pig’s feet from Olymel, last week. MORE
Scientists Discover How Some Pigs Cope in Cold Climates
A new paper has revealed that pig breeds such as Tibetan pigs and Min pigs use a unique method to survive when exposed to cold environments. MORE
Programme to Support Pig Farmers Launched
The Central Committee of Việt Nam Youth Federation and DSF Vietnam Co. on 31 May launched a programme called “Support Farmers – Price Subsidy to Consumers” to help farmers sell their unsold pigs at reasonable prices. MORE
Atlantic Stockyards Market Report – June 1 – HERE
*Scroll down to find current report
Ontario Cattlemen’s Association Market Report – Thursday, June 1 HERE
Potatoes
Canadian potato growers using GPS for more efficient planting
As potato growers across P.E.I. plant this year’s crop, many are using the latest GPS technology to guide them. MORE
TOMRA Helps Belgium Potato Processor to Boost Productivity
From Belgium, Van Roey and Zonen explain how TOMRA has helped its potato and onion sorting business to reduce expenditure and boost productivity. They were seeking for an optical sorting solution, trying to meet the customers’ strict requirements and to reduce the accompanying workload. MORE
Peruvian potato exports increased by 19.4% in the first quarter
According to the Exporters Association (Adex), in the first quarter of the year, Peruvian potato exports amounted to $ 594,428 dollars, i.e. 19.4% more than in the same period of 2016. MORE
AAFC / InfoHort Potato Reports HERE
USDA – Daily National Potato and Onion Report HERE
Crops
North American Grain/Oilseed Review: Canola continues lower
ICE Futures Canada canola contracts were down on Thursday, as fund liquidation weighed on prices for the seventh-straight session. MORE
ICE Futures Canada Thursday: Canola futures prices lower, barley unchanged HERE
Winter wheat hits two-week lows, spring wheat rallies
Chicago Board of Trade soft red winter wheat futures and K.C. hard red winter futures dropped to two-week lows on Thursday as forecasts for dry conditions in key growing areas raised the prospect of a quick start to harvest for both crops. MORE
Tough Mid-Season Weed: Kochia
All the hard work put into planting can go to waste if the crop faces unchecked competition from tough weeds like kochia. North Dakota State University warns that kochia is extremely competitive and, if left uncontrolled, can result in severe yield loss. MORE
Dealing with Horseweed (Marestail)
As young crops continue to grow, growers should look out for horseweed (also known as marestail). This annual weed typically germinates in the fall or spring but also has the unique ability to do so year-round. MORE
Smart Food for a Global Population, an Interview with Joanna Kane-Potaka
The Smart Food Project is hoping to popularize nutrient-rich, drought-tolerant crops in an effort to diversify diets and ensure global food security. An initiative by the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), the Smart Food Project is promoting the consumption of sorghum, millets, and grain legumes like chickpea, pigeon pea, green gram, and groundnut as micronutrient-dense, plant-based sources of protein. MORE
AM markets: How will ‘potentially explosive’ spring wheat price pan out? HERE
PEI Grain Elevator Prices – HERE
Grain Farmers of Ontario – Daily Commodity Report HERE
More Futures Prices HERE and HERE
General Interest
Deere to buy German road construction firm
Deere + Co. said on Thursday it would buy privately held German company Wirtgen Group for about US$4.88 billion to expand its road construction operations as it looks to cut down its dependence on its slowing farm business. MORE
Minnesota Passes Young Farmer Land Grant Bill
On Tuesday evening, Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton signed 10 budget bills that included a first-of-its-kind beginning farmer tax credit. Authored by state Rep. Nels Pierson and Sen. Mike Goggin, the bill supports the transition of land to young and beginning farmers through a tax credit incentive. MORE
Regular Updates
CFA in Action – May 31 HERE
Rayglen Market Comments – May 31 HERE
Ontario Farm Market Summary – Thursday, June 1 HERE
AgWeather Atlantic HERE
Today’s Local Weather – HERE
Meetings and Events
PEI COPC Organic Farm Tour
PEI COPC will be hosting a one day organic farm tour on Wednesday, July 6th from 8:30 a.m. to 5:15 p.m..
Local media, social media guests, COPC staff, PEIDAF Minister and Deputy will be attending the tour of five COPC member farms, including: Dexter Cattle Company, Square One Organics, Red Soil Organics, Heartbeet Organics, and Schurman Family Farm.
Transportation and lunch are provided.
Seats are limited and tickets will be on sale beginning next week ($25 each or $20 for COPC members).
Contact Karen at email@organicpei.com or 902-894-9999 for more information.
Agricultural Youth Green Jobs Initiative
The Agricultural Youth Green Jobs Initiative has been approved for a 2 year period. Applications will be accepted starting April 26, 2017.
The program is designed to hire youth aged 15 to 30 for internships of up to 12 months. It will be of interest to producers and organizations working in the agriculture industry and interested in implementing agriculture projects that are environmentally beneficial.
Producers operating a farm or ranch can hire a young person to implement an environmentally beneficial project in their operation.
Agricultural organizations, such as watershed groups and companies providing environmentally beneficial services can access the program to support an environmentally beneficial project their organization is implementing. Research organizations can receive funding to support their agricultural research that benefits the environment.
For an application form and more details on the program, please visit: Agricultural Youth Green Jobs Initiative
