August Member Profile – Phillip Jennings III and John MacSwain 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
**SAVE THE DATE**
PEI Open Farm Day 2017 – Sunday, September 17th
Farmers Helping Farmers annual fundraising steak barbecue
Saturday Aug 12 from 4-6:30.
Tickets $30. Tickets available at Riverside Market, PEIFA office or from board members.
Call 902-393-0071
Public, industry weigh in on future of agriculture
The Department of Agriculture and Fisheries has published a report detailing public and industry feedback on a new five-year agriculture policy framework for P.E.I. MORE
Father and son from Georgia run high bush blueberry project on P.E.I.
A father and son from the state of Georgia run a 1000-acre ranch in Lorne Valley, P.E.I., where they are planting high bush blueberries — a rarity on the Island. MORE
Advancing an Innovative and Competitive Dairy Sector
A strong dairy industry and a competitive agricultural sector are vital to Canada’s prosperity, creating good jobs, growing the middle class, and bringing high-quality products to the tables of Canadian consumers. Budget 2017 recognizes that agriculture and agri-food is a key growth industry by supporting science, innovation and the overall competitiveness of the sector, to create better opportunities for farmers and Canadians. MORE
Investing in Northern Alberta – facility upgrades and expansion for food processors
The federal and provincial governments are providing up to $1.3 million in grants through Growing Forward 2 to help northern Alberta food processors upgrade equipment, expand capacity and improve efficiency to meet a growing demand for high-quality, value-added products. MORE
ACORN AGM & Speaker Series
Location: Tweedie Hall, Wallace McCain Centre
Mount Allison University
62 York Street/62 Rue York
Sackville, NB
August 21, 2017 from 1:00-4:00PM/13h00-16h00
BBQ/Potluck to follow at/à suivre 4:30PM/16h30 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/
Client Satisfaction Survey: Business Risk Management Programs
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, in collaboration with provincial partners, has launched an online survey seeking producers’ input on the level of satisfaction with our Business Risk Management (BRM) programs (AgriStability, AgriInvest, AgriInsurance, and Advance Payments Program). The survey is intended to be completed by producers who have applied to these programs in recent years and focuses on their experience with them.
Results from this survey will help us understand client expectations and improve BRM program delivery services.
The anonymous survey will be available until July 31, 2017 and will take approximately 5-10 minutes to complete.
To complete the BRM Client Satisfaction Survey, please click here.
Thanks in advance for helping us better serve Canadian producers.
Livestock
Calm feeder market prior to fall run
Western Canadian feeder cattle markets were hard to define over the past week given the limited numbers on offer. MORE
Beef rings speak volumes of local history
These early informal co-operatives kept beef on the table in the warm summer months before refrigeration MORE
Beef Production for W30 Up 5.7% from a Year Ago
Livestock markets were under the influence of the summer doldrums last week, reports Steiner Consulting Group, DLR Division, Inc. MORE
Higher beef price boosts CME live cattle futures
Chicago Mercantile Exchange live cattle futures on Tuesday recovered some of their recent losses, helped by the morning’s wholesale beef price turnaround, traders said. MORE
Irish Farmers Resisting Beef Price Pressure, Says IFA
IFA National Livestock Chairman Angus Woods said farmers are strongly resisting unnecessary pressure from the factories this week on cattle prices. MORE
Beef Tariff Hike Threatens UK-Japan Trade Relations
Japan’s decision to hike tariffs on frozen beef imports from the United States could disrupt sales and harm trade relations between the two countries, US Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue said on Friday. MORE
Ghanaian man milks know-how from Ontario dairy to help home country
An ambitious agriculture apprentice wants to recreate Ontario’s bucolic cow pastures and vast mechanized dairy farms in a place where a glass of non-powdered milk is considered an exotic drink. MORE
PED jumps Red River
Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea virus has jumped the Red River to infect a hog operation in the Altona-Gfretna region.
That increases infection zones to nine since the highly infectious and deadly disease blossomed in Southern Manitoba this summer. MORE
Swine Health Information Sharing Results in Reduction in Numbers of PED Infected Farms
The Manager of Swine Health Ontario credits a programme where pork producers share their farm’s swine health information with helping dramatically reduce the number of farms infected by Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea MORE
Manitoba Works to Eliminate New More Virulent Strain of PRRS
The President of the Canadian Association of Swine Veterinarians says the will is there to eliminate a new more virulent strain of PRRS MORE
Pork Production for W30 Up 2% from a Year Ago
Livestock markets were under the influence of the summer doldrums last week, reports Steiner Consulting Group, DLR Division, Inc. MORE
Czech Beef, Pork Production Down; Poultry Production Up
Beef and pork production in the Czech Republic decreased in the second quarter of the year while poultry production rose, according to figures released by the Czech Statistical Office. MORE
Coalition Supports Nomination of Censky as USDA Deputy Secretary
The National Chicken Council this week joined other agricultural organisations in supporting the nomination of Stephen Censky as Deputy Secretary for the US Department of Agriculture. MORE
Atlantic Stockyards Market Report – July 27 – HERE
*Scroll down to find current report
Ontario Cattlemen’s Association Market Report – Tuesday, August 1 HERE
Potatoes
OVERCOMING STAGNATING YIELD NEEDS TO START WITH PRODUCERS
For the past three decades, potato yields in Eastern Canada have been falling worryingly behind those of other regions. MORE
ALLISTON, ONT. POTATO FARMER JOHN O. MACKENZIE HONOURED
There’s a new monument honouring the man whose innovations in potato farming helped make Alliston the spud capital of Ontario. MORE
PROTECTING YOUR STORED INVESTMENT
Managing storage temperature is an enormous step to ensuring top quality product. MORE
Washington Crop Looking Good
Last winter’s heavy snowfall and a wet 2017 spring put Washington potato growers in the fields later than the 2016 season, but reports from the Washington State Potato Commission (WSPC) indicate a good crop is coming in. MORE
LATE BLIGHT AND POTATO PSYLLIDS BOTH DETECTED IN NORTH DAKOTA
North Dakota State University (NDSU) plant pathologist Dr. Gary Secor announced July 27 that late blight was confirmed in a potato sample from Pembina County in northeast North Dakota. Since then it has been determined the outbreak is more widespread with finds in Walsh and Nelson Counties as well. MORE
POTATO FARMING FAMILY FINDS ROOM TO GROW
As a kid growing up in the Netherlands, JP Claassen knew he wanted to be a potato farmer just like his dad. MORE
AAFC / InfoHort Potato Reports HERE
USDA – Daily National Potato and Onion Report HERE
Crops
North American Grains/Oilseed Review: Canola Drops in Sympathy with US Soy
The ICE Futures Canada canola market suffered sharp losses on Tuesday, in sympathy with the US soy complex which plummeted in the wake of a USDA crop condition report. MORE
ICE Futures Canada Tuesday: Canola prices lower, barley higher HERE
‘Keep it Clean’ to protect grain markets
The major western Canadian grain companies have identified five pesticides they don’t want used on the crops they buy MORE
CLIMATE CHANGE, COVER CROPS AND CARBON CREDITS
The benefits of cover crops to soil health and, consequently, farm productivity are well discussed and widely known among scientists and farmers alike. MORE
Detecting spoilage before it starts
An adaptation of cancer-screening technology offers a better and safer way to check for grain bin moisture, with a bonus of theft detection MORE
Agricultural startup BVT bets on bees to protect crops
On a perfect sunny afternoon in late May at Organics Family Farm in Markham, Ont., David Passafiume is carefully dotting his newly planted strawberry field with eight man-made bumblebee hives. MORE
Good quality, but small caliber Canadian chickpeas expected
Hot and dry conditions cut into the yield potential and physical size of Canada’s chickpea crop, but the quality should be excellent while prices remain relatively strong. MORE
Crops could become jet fuel
Air Canada, Westjet and other Canadian airlines say their jets could be fuelled by farm crops and forests.
They are looking for ways to reduce their carbon footprint to meet political and environmental goals. MORE
Durum forecasters predict steady and strong market
For farmers able to nurse their durum across the finish line this harvest, prices in the winter could make it worth their while. MORE
Soy slides as crop ratings, weather boost supply prospects
U.S. soybean futures fell more than 3 percent on Tuesday after an unexpected improvement in the condition of U.S. crops eased concerns that recent hot weather would hurt yields. MORE
AM markets: grain futures recover, as talk turns to demand HERE
PEI Grain Elevator Prices – HERE
Grain Farmers of Ontario – Daily Commodity Report HERE
More Futures Prices HERE and HERE
General Interest
Texas calf looks like rocker Gene Simmons
A newborn calf in Texas has strikingly similar black-and-white facial markings to KISS frontman Gene Simmons, and the rock star likes their shared look. MORE
Mosaic shares tumble on disappointing fertilizer guidance
U.S. fertilizer producer Mosaic Co on Tuesday forecast slower phosphate sales and weaker prices for the current quarter, causing shares to plunge as much as 9 percent. MORE
Send them out to the barn
It’s already known that farm kids are less prone to asthma, but a new study by immunologists from the University of Zurich has identified sialic acid found in farm animals as the reason. MORE
Producers Favor Little Change in Farm Programs
Don’t screw up what we already have – That’s the word from the agricultural field to elected representatives in Washington concerning farm bill talks and budget proposals. On no subject does that advice apply more than on the issue of crop insurance. MORE
Regular Updates
Weekly PEI Agriculture Market Reports – July 28 HERE
Rayglen Market Comments – July 26 HERE
Ontario Farm Market Summary – Monday, July 31 HERE
AgWeather Atlantic HERE
Today’s Local Weather – HERE
Meetings and Events
Acorn Request for Proposals – Organic Market Research Study
ACORN (Atlantic Canadian Organic Regional Network) is seeking marketing/market research expertise to conduct an organic consumer market study in New Brunswick (and possibly all the Maritimes). The organization is accepting proposals until August 2nd at noon. Full details can be found here.
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Open House on Prince Edward Island
Join us as we celebrate 150 years of agriculture and showcase agricultural research and innovation at the Charlottetown Research and Development Centre on Prince Edward Island.
August 5, 2017, 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. – 1200 Brackley Point Road Harrington, Prince Edward Island MORE
Farmers Helping Farmers annual fundraising steak barbecue
Saturday Aug 12 from 4-6:30.
Tickets $30. Tickets available at Riverside Market, PEIFA office or from board members.
Call 902-393-0071
ACORN AGM & Speaker Series
Location: Tweedie Hall, Wallace McCain Centre
Mount Allison University
62 York Street/62 Rue York
Sackville, NB
August 21, 2017 from 1:00-4:00PM/13h00-16h00
BBQ/Potluck to follow at/à suivre 4:30PM/16h30 MORE
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
SAVE THE DATE
PEI Open Farm Day 2017 – Sunday, September 17th
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
Obsolete pesticide & animal health medication collections – November 6 – 17, 2017
Prince Edward Island from November 6 – 17, 2017.
Collection site locations and dates are available HERE.
