PEIFA Job Posting
The PEI Federation of Agriculture is seeking a full-time Farm and Food Care Coordinator. View the job posting HERE
PEIFA Golf Tournament
Thursday, August 10th – Countryview Golf Course. 9:00a.m. shotgun start. Includes 9 Holes of golf, cart and bbq steak dinner – $60.00 per person.
Contact Jennifer at 902-368-7289 or jmurphy@peifa.ca to register.
MUST PRE-REGISTER by August 4th.
Local, Regional, Canadian News
P.E.I. milk production approaching 10M litre mark
P.E.I. dairy farmers could hit a milestone this year. MORE
Farmer fears future after Sobeys rejects $24,000 worth of strawberries
An Annapolis Valley farmer says he’s taking the financial hit for a shipment of strawberries rejected by grocery store giant Sobeys — and he worries it’s putting his family business in jeopardy. MORE
Quebec issues warning on several raspberry products due to norovirus risk
The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAPAQ) has issued a warning list of raspberry and raspberry products that may have been contaminated by the norovirus. MORE
CANADA 150 CELEBRATIONS AT THE LETHBRIDGE RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT CENTRE
The Lethbridge Research and Development Centre is celebrating Canada’s 150th birthday, and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s 150thanniversary, with an Open House on Thursday, June 29, 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. MORE
Green Internship with the PEI Potato Board
An exciting opportunity is available for a recent agriculture/environmental sciences graduate to gain experience in the field. A term position supported through the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Agricultural Youth Green Jobs Initiative is being offered by the PEI Potato Board for a six month period from September 5, 2017 to March 31, 2018 (30 weeks).
Eligible applicants must be 30 years or younger, have graduated from a university, college or CEGEP program, have not participated in any other federal Youth Employment Strategy programs such as Career Focus, and be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.
The intern will work out of the PEI Potato Board office in Charlottetown.
Duties:
- Prepare articles, press releases and other communications materials on the programs to promote efforts growers are making to utilize environmentally sustainable farming practices.
- Assist with harvest and sample collection from on-farm trials looking at environmentally beneficial field practices.
- Conduct the second phase of the Prince Edward Island 4R Survey.
- Help to coordinate a tree planting program sponsored by the Potato Board/Watershed groups and the Department of Education.
- Gather data to complete plans as part of the Linking Environment and Farming (LEAF) program.
- Prepare communication materials to increase the awareness of the benefit of grass waterways as a means of reducing soil run off from fields and also of programs available to help growers install and maintain grass waterways.
Applicant must be adaptable to both office and field work and have strong verbal and written communication skills. Access to a personal vehicle is also required.
Please apply with cover letter and resume by June 29, 2017 to: Prince Edward Island Potato Board, 90 Hillstrom Avenue, Charlottetown, PEI, C0A 1N0 or potato@peipotato.org. We thank all applicants, but only those chosen for interviews will be contacted.
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/
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
Livestock
Live cattle sharply higher, shrug off USDA report
Chicago Mercantile Exchange live cattle futures closed sharply higher on Monday, with the August contract up the three-cent per pound daily price limit, helped by buy stops and fund buying, said traders. MORE
Better Beef Leads Value Gain
When cattle gain or lose $150 in per-head value in a week, it’s easy to lose sight of what lifts that value trend over the years. A University of Missouri (MU) study of 2003-’16 boxed-beef cutout values isolates the contribution of branded and Prime sales. MORE
No Need to Ban Beef Imports from Brazil, Says Ag Minister
Minister of Agriculture Karl Samuda says Jamaica does not import fresh beef from Brazil and therefore does not need to consider imposing a ban. MORE
Brazil to try to reverse U.S. ban on Brazil meat
Brazil’s agriculture minister plans to travel to the United States to try to reverse the American ban of beef imports from Latin America’s biggest country. MORE
Data Shows Foreign Beef Imports Up in H1/2017 as Consumers Shun Korean Beef
Imports of foreign beef have risen in the first five months of this year as consumers seek less expensive meat amid the sluggish pace of economic recovery and the anti-graft law which limits gifts that can be given to public officials, teachers and journalists. MORE
Tanzanian Meat Prices Remain Unchanged Despite Increased Cattle Supply
Cattle supply at Pugu market recorded an increase last week, resulting into price fall across all the breeds although the retail prices remained unchanged in most parts of Dar es Salaam Region. MORE
Rules Banning Sale of Cattle for Slaughter to be Revised
The Union government has decided to revise the controversial livestock market regulations that banned sale of cattle for slaughter in open markets across the country. There has been confusion ever since these new rules under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act were notified on 25 May. But, the administrative process to revise these could take some time. MORE
USDA Move Means EU Negotiators Must Remove Brazilian Beef from Mercosur Talks
Reacting to last week’s decision by the USDA to ban fresh Brazilian beef, IFA National Livestock Chairman Angus Woods said the EU authorities have to take note of this decision and remove beef from any Mercosur deal. MORE
A dairy legacy in Manitoba
In celebration of Canada’s 150th anniversary, Dairy Farmers of Canada has produced a book, Dairy Farmers—Deeply Rooted for a Strong Future that honours Canada’s dairy tradition and the contributions dairy farmers have made to Canada’s emergence as a nation. MORE
Dairy statistics, April 2017 HERE
Ontario hog farmers to get new options with Michigan plant
A combination of hog prices remaining high despite good supplies and a new processing plant in nearby Michigan have Ontario hog farmers optimistic about the near future. MORE
Stakeholders Call for Govt Backing in Addressing PED
Manitoba’s pork industry is calling for the federal government support, in the form of new programmes and financial assistance, in its effort to contain a surge in the number of cases of Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea MORE
Duration of Antibiotic Use Should be Left to Discretion of Veterinarian
The National Pork Producers Council says the duration antibiotics are prescribed to prevent or treat animal disease should be left in the hands of the veterinarian MORE
Diagnostics Use Increasing Globally to Solve Disease Challenges
While diagnostic capabilities differ around the world, Joe Connor, veterinarian with Carthage Veterinary Service in Carthage, Illinois, USA, sees an upturn in the use diagnostic tools globally to achieve more definitive answers to disease challenges. MORE
Manitoba sheep flock expands
Manitoba’s sheep flock is growing faster than anywhere else in Canada. MORE
Atlantic Stockyards Market Report – June 22 – HERE
*Scroll down to find current report
Ontario Cattlemen’s Association Market Report – Monday, June 26 HERE
Potatoes
Always Selling High
When we say Idaho potatoes are a premium quality brand, we are simply using the same words that consumers have used to describe Idaho potatoes in numerous focus groups, audits and surveys the Idaho Potato Commission (IPC) has conducted over the years. MORE
GB Potato Planted Area Estimated to Increase by 4%
AHDB Potatoes Market Intelligence analysts estimate the total area planted with potatoes in Great Britain this season is 121,000 hectares. MORE
AAFC / InfoHort Potato Reports HERE
USDA – Daily National Potato and Onion Report HERE
Crops
North American Grain/Oilseed
ICE Futures Canada canola contracts were weaker on Monday, as bearish chart signals weighed on values. MORE
ICE Futures Canada Monday: Canola futures prices lower, barley unchanged HERE
Big rains put Ontario crops under water
A huge rainfall across Midwestern Ontario has put fields of crops underwater. MORE
Canada’s Richardson buys European Oat Millers
Richardson International, one of Canada’s largest grain handlers, said Monday it had purchased European Oat Millers in a deal that expands its geographic reach. MORE
Heads up on fusarium head blight
Early flowering is the time to apply a prophylactic fungicide on wheat but first assess the field’s disease risk MORE
Tips for rolling emerged soybeans
When rolling emerged soybeans timing is important, says Dennis Lange, pulse crop specialist with Manitoba Agriculture. MORE
SATELLITE TECHNOLOGY COULD HELP AG PRODUCERS MEASURE SOIL MOISTURE
Agricultural producers could, in the future, make use of better forecasts to more efficiently irrigate their fields using a Purdue-developed technology that could more accurately sense soil moisture below the surface through measuring the reflections of communication satellite signals. MORE
Put That in Your Pipe
Advancements in technology have allowed crop irrigation pipelines to run with minimal problems for years at a time. New products and techniques such as digital control panels, sprinkler packages and protective coatings like galvanizing have extended these machines’ lives considerably, securing irrigation pipelines as a lasting investment. MORE
Cell wall secrets could unlock plant potential
We’ve gone a long way in recent years unlocking the genetic potential of plants — but mainly the focus has been on seeds and fruits. MORE
AM markets: US crop deterioration lifts cotton, soy prices HERE
PEI Grain Elevator Prices – HERE
Grain Farmers of Ontario – Daily Commodity Report HERE
More Futures Prices HERE and HERE
General Interest
Are you at risk?
Should GM be labelled? Is organic healthier? Does glyphosate cause cancer? Do you put your kids at risk if you feed them meat or is the caveman diet the way to go? Your good friend and neighbour thinks Gwyneth Paltrow is right about all this stuff, is she correct? MORE
World Food Prize goes to African Development Bank president
The son of a Nigerian farm labourer who rose out of poverty to earn graduate degrees in agricultural economics and spent his career improving the availability of seed, fertilizer and financing for African farmers is the winner of this year’s World Food Prize announced Monday. MORE
A Genius in the tractor cab
A few years ago I had the pleasure of interviewing the industrial designer who styled the cab and body of the first Challenger 65 belted ag tractors, which were then part of the Caterpillar brand before coming under AGCO ownership. MORE
Italian farmers alarmed as dry spell prompts water rationing
Italy’s farm lobby is warning that agricultural production is plummeting nationwide because of prolonged heat and dry weather — and authorities are now rationing water and declaring a state of emergency in some areas. MORE
U.S. clears Couche-Tard to buy CST, with conditions
Alimentation Couche-Tard has won U.S. antitrust approval to buy rival CST Brands on condition that it sell up to 71 stores in eight states, the Federal Trade Commission said on Monday. MORE
Regular Updates
Weekly PEI Agriculture Market Reports – June 23 HERE
Rayglen Market Comments – June 21 HERE
Ontario Farm Market Summary – Monday, June 26 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.
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
