Local, Regional, Canadian News
Freedom 55? Not for farmers
The age is up from 54.2 in 2011, according to Statistics Canada’s census of agriculture. MORE
Iogo maker to ramp up drinkable yogurt production
The yogurt-making joint venture of dairy co-ops Agropur and Agrifoods International plans to boost its drinkable yogurt output by adding another production line in Quebec’s Monteregie. MORE
SPUD SMART FOUNDER JOINS AG HALL OF FAME
Spud Smart founder Robynne Anderson will join the prestigious Canadian Agricultural Hall of Fame in 2017. MORE
Where Climate Change is Most Likely to Induce Food Violence
While climate change is expected to lead to more violence related to food scarcity, new research suggests that the strength of a country’s government plays a vital role in preventing uprisings. MORE
Workers fired over alleged abuse caught on video at chicken farms in B.C.
A company responsible for catching chickens at farms in British Columbia’s Fraser Valley says it has fired five employees after an animal rights group released video of alleged abuse. MORE
Summer Employment Opportunity with PEI COPC
Beginning July 04, 2017 and continuing for 8 weeks.
Summer Program Assistant
The summer program assistant will work directly with the PEI COPC Research Coordinator and under the
guidance of the organization’s board of directors. MORE
Selection Process for Farm Products Council of Canada
On February 25, 2016, the Prime Minister announced a new process for Governor in Council appointments. This new process supports an open, transparent, and merit-based selection process focused on identifying high-quality candidates who demonstrate Canada’s diversity.
This process will be used to select new members for the Farm Products Council of Canada. I am writing to you to seek your assistance in promoting this selection process.
The candidates we are looking for must have experience as a primary producer, in agribusiness, in the agri-food industry, or in food distribution or retail. Candidates should also have experience in decision making with respect to sensitive and complex issues, experience in maintaining effective relationships with multiple stakeholders and balancing their interests and divergent views, and an understanding of the Canadian supply management system for poultry and eggs.
I encourage you to inform your members of this opportunity and invite interested candidates to apply for a member position at the following website: HERE
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/
Livestock
No, cows won’t get drunk from eating barley used in distilling
A trial crop of barley on Newfoundland’s west coast this year will go to a local distillery, then back to the farmer, who will be able to feed it to dairy cows. MORE
Feeder cattle market looks for direction
Western Canadian feeder cattle prices were once again unchanged from week-ago levels. After the major rally in late April and May, the market has basically traded in a sideways range and is looking for direction. MORE
Call for Nomination of Bodine to Key EPA Enforcement Post
On Monday (12 June), the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and the Public Lands Council sent a letter to US Senators John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) and Thomas Carper (D-Del.) urging them to support the nomination of Susan Bodine to be the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) assistant administrator for the Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance (OECA). MORE
NCBA Hails Final Agreement That Clears Way for US Beef’s Return to China
The US Department of Agriculture has announced that a final agreement has been reached between China and the US wherein the latter can resume exports of beef and beef products to China for the first time after 2003. This serves as good news for American cattle producers. MORE
Russia Reports Lumpy Skin Disease Outbreak
Dr Evgeny Nepoklonov, Vice-minister at the Russian Ministry of Agriculture has reported an outbreak of lumpy skin disease at Dergachevsky in Saratov Oblast. MORE
Seminars in Panama Demonstrate Advantages of US Beef
Sharing ideas on how to expand demand for US beef in Central America, USMEF recently conducted three cutting and cooking seminars for Panamanian buyers and foodservice company representatives. MORE
U.S. dairy lobby submits its demands for NAFTA
The U.S. dairy industry has submitted its demands for the upcoming renegotiation of NAFTA, pushing for freer trade in dairy overall and more specifically for a reversal of new Canadian rules on milk-derived products. MORE
Hogs rebound as wholesale pork hits two-year high
Chicago Mercantile Exchange lean hog futures jumped as much as two per cent on Tuesday, rebounding from losses in the previous session on support from sharply higher wholesale pork prices, traders and analysts said. MORE
Repositioning Pork to Reach a Changing Audience
With the consumer market for pork and other protein sources changing rapidly, the Pork Checkoff is putting the finishing touches on a plan to capitalize on those changes by repositioning pork marketing, Terry O’Neel, president of the National Pork Board, told an audience at World Pork Expo last week (Thursday, 8 June). MORE
Atlantic Stockyards Market Report – June 8 – HERE
*Scroll down to find current report
Ontario Cattlemen’s Association Market Report – Tuesday, June 13 HERE
Potatoes
SOIL TESTING ACCURACY IMPORTANT
The phrase that advises us never to compare apples to oranges should be taken very seriously in relation to soil tests according to Pat Toner, a soil management specialist with New Brunswick Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Aquaculture (NBAFA). MORE
NATIONAL POTATO COUNCIL SUMMER MEETING
The National Potato Council (NPC) will hold their summer meeting June 28-30 at the Brown Palace in Denver, Colo. MORE
VARIABLE RATE POTATO PRODUCTION = MORE $ IN YOUR POCKET
Yield- and soil-map based variable rate (VR) seeding and fertilizer management is gaining popularity in cereal, corn and oilseed crops. MORE
Lamb Weston Expands Washington Facilities
Lamb Weston broke ground this month on a $3.4 million storage center in Pasco, Wash. The 50,000-square-foot building is keyed to an expansion of the frozen potato company’s Richland, Wash., manufacturing center, where it is investing $200 million to build a second french fry line. MORE
TUBER DORMANCY: ONE OF NATURE’S MORE INGENIOUS SURVIVAL DESIGNS
Potato tubers’ physiological and biochemical ability to rest dormant through the cold, unfavourable growing conditions of winter is a unique and highly effective biological advantage. MORE
COMMUNICATION AND PLANNING = MAJOR TIME AND COST SAVINGS DURING CAPITAL UPGRADES
Capital upgrades are a fact of potato packing life. Be it because existing equipment is aging, a critical piece breaks down, business outgrows packing capacity, or one’s product or packaging changes, every packing business eventually needs to overhaul equipment and/or build new packing lines. MORE
Indiana Overweight Commodity Permit Clarification
Potato Growers of Michigan, Inc. (PGMI) in cooperation with the Indiana Farm Bureau have received clarification from the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) and the Indiana Department of Revenue (INDOR) that divisible load permits apply to all agricultural commodities. MORE
Lamb Weston is adding potato storage capacity in Pasco, Washington
Earlier this month, Lamb Weston started the construction of additional potato storage facilities in Pasco, Washington, representing an investment of USD 3.4 million. MORE
New Zealand get’s its own brand of low carb potatoes: ‘Lotatoes™’
In New Zealand, produce company T&G is launching a new brand of low carb potatoes with the memorable name ‘Lotatoes’. MORE
Canadian Potato Storage Report – HERE
AAFC / InfoHort Potato Reports HERE
USDA – Daily National Potato and Onion Report HERE
Crops
North American Grains/Oilseed Review – Canola falls under weight of C$
ICE Futures Canada canola contracts finished lower on Tuesday, dragged down by strength in the Canadian dollar. Buyers on the international market typically find canola less attractive when the Canadian dollar is stronger, relative to its US counterpart. MORE
ICE Futures Canada Tuesday: Canola futures prices lower, barley unchanged HERE
Pea, lentil buyers digest lower values, weather
Buyers, sellers and processors in Canada’s pulse sector are holding steady as an act of safeguarding themselves during a precarious time in the growing season. MORE
‘Insurance’ spraying
Today, we all recognize “recreational tillage” as a phrase we use to criticize farmers who haven’t been paying attention to how we’ve learned that we can put an end to a lot of excessive tillage, thereby reducing soil erosion, fuel and equipment costs, and manpower requirements. MORE
Syngenta exits canola seed business
Canola growers checking out Syngenta Canada’s 2018 seed guide for Western Canada will notice canola by its absence. MORE
Global Food Import Bill on the Rise Despite Stable Markets
Global food commodity markets are well-balanced, buoyed by ample supplies of wheat and maize and rebounding production of oilseed products. MORE
MGEX wheat rallies as conditions worsen in Plains
U.S. spring wheat futures jumped 4.6 per cent to their highest in 2-1/2 years on Tuesday, pulling soft red winter wheat and hard red winter contracts higher on growing worries about crop health in the dry U.S. Plains, traders said. MORE
AM markets: spring wheat futures hit highest since 2014 HERE
PEI Grain Elevator Prices – HERE
Grain Farmers of Ontario – Daily Commodity Report HERE
More Futures Prices HERE and HERE
General Interest
AU SA Commends Agri Sector for 22% Growth
The South African agricultural sector has not been a contributing factor to the recession the country currently has to contend with, and TAU SA congratulates the entire agricultural sector, and in particular all farmers, for the remarkable achievement of growing the agricultural sector by an astounding 22 per cent, whilst other sectors are experiencing unfavourable conditions. MORE
Annual Farm Aid benefit concert returning to Pennsylvania
The annual Farm Aid benefit concert is coming back to Pennsylvania for just the third time since it began in 1985. MORE
Regular Updates
Weekly PEI Agriculture Market Reports – June 9 HERE
Rayglen Market Comments – June 7 HERE
Ontario Farm Market Summary – Monday, June 12 HERE
AgWeather Atlantic HERE
Today’s Local Weather – HERE
Meetings and Events
Let’s Celebrate Fries with the Works!
As Islanders, we know that Fries with the Works is a legendary local dish featuring PEI French Fries. However, when you talk to Islanders about Fries With The Works, or when you see them listed on a local menu, there can be many variations in ingredients! As a result, the PEI Potato Board is launching a survey to ask Islanders “just what IS Fries With The Works” to you?
“There’s no tastier way to enjoy PEI Fries when on the Island than eating them with the “works,” but we want to know exactly what ‘the works’ is” says Rodney Dingwell, PEI potato farmer and chairman of the PEI Potato Board.
Have your say! Tell us what how you eat your Fries with the Works by going online and filling out a survey, with a chance to win a $100 grocery gift card.
“If a tourist came to PEI and asked what Fries With The Works is, Islanders have a clear answer as to what ‘works’ go on our world famous fries, as well as knowing if there’s a ‘classic’ version, says Greg Donald, General Manager of the PEI Potato Board.
Visit the website http://www.frieswiththeworks.ca. Survey closes June 20, 2017.
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.
3A Airbrakes Test Facilitation
***UPDATE–WE ARE NOW TAKING NAMES FOR OTHER DATES THAT MAYBE OFFERED FOR 3A TRAINING IF INTERESTED PLEASE GET YOUR NAME ON A WAITING LIST FOR THE NEXT TRAINING SESSIONS!! WE MAYBE OFFERING SESSIONS IN JULY, AUGUST & SEPTEMBER***
From field to road…do you have employees that drive your trucks, but don’t have their licenses?
We are looking for experienced drivers that would like to obtain their Airbrakes and Class 3A license.
The PEI Agriculture Sector Council will be facilitating these two courses through JVI and Access.
This project will be processed through the Canada Job Grant and Skills PEI.
Draft Schedule:
Day 1- Airbrake theory
Day 2- Review of Airbrakes and Airbrake test (written on site), Preform a pre-use inspection
Day 3- Driving and Testing for Class 3A (time scheduled test on site)
Day 4- Driving and Testing for Class 3A (time scheduled test on site)
Requirements- must have valid truck driving experience, but not licensed & Medical completed and returned
Lunch will be provided
For more details on registration requirements, contact Laurie at 892-1091.
Registration is now open, limited seating available. To sign up, contact the PEI Agriculture Sector Council at 892-1091 or e-mail info@peiagsc.ca
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
