PEIFA Today
Wednesday – August 9, 2017
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
Recommended Management Practices for Agricultural Irrigation Ponds
Agriculture is the largest contributor of any resource sector to the economy of Prince Edward Island. Rainfall patterns have changed in recent years and in some cases, some farmers are interested in irrigating crops to ensure yield and quality. MORE
Dry spell: Island farmers desperate for more rain
While some Island farmers may have breathed a sigh of relief during last weekend’s rainy weather, the general manager of P.E.I.’s potato board said he hopes future forecasts call for more precipitation—and lots of it. MORE
‘Kept so quiet’: Details of amalgamation kept under wraps, say some residents
Some residents who live in the unincorporated Georgetown, P.E.I., fire district say they’re being shut out of ongoing amalgamation talks in the area. MORE
High school students are growing garden in Morell
High school students in Morell are growing a garden right in the school’s backyard. It’s called Good Food, Good Health, The Morell Garden Project. MORE
Cows brings home ribbons from international cheese competition
Three cheeses from P.E.I.’s Cows Creamery brought home ribbons from the American Cheese Society competition in Denver, Colo. last month. MORE
Farmer hopes bacon will solve crime: ‘That’s what we have to offer’
After two major thefts within two months at his free-range animal farm, Melvin Burns is hoping people’s taste for bacon can help solve the crimes. MORE
Rural living good for your gut
Living in rural households decreases a person’s risk of developing inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), particularly for young children and adolescents, according to a new study by researchers at the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO) Research Institute, Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences (ICES), and the Canadian Gastro-Intestinal Epidemiology Consortium (CanGIEC). MORE
Department of Agriculture and Fisheries Job Opportunity
POTATO INDUSTRY COORDINATOR
FULL-TIME CLASSIFIED POSITION – Charlottetown, PE
Closing date – Thursday, August 17th at 4:00pm
The purpose of this position is to serve as a coordinator for all potato related programs and activities within the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries. The Potato Industry Coordinator will also, in cooperation with industry, develop innovative ideas or projects in the potato sector and take action to ensure they are successfully completed. The incumbent will work closely with other departmental staff, producers, industry leaders, agri-processors and other departments or agencies to bring projects to fruition. 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
Mid-year cattle market update
Major and rapid price changes seem to be the new normal in cattle markets. There have again been larger market swings than anticipated in 2017, but overall the market has been better than expected. MORE
Feeder market anticipates higher feed grain prices
Compared to last week, Western Canadian yearling prices were steady to $5 higher. MORE
Market uncertainty weighs on CME live cattle futures
Chicago Mercantile Exchange live cattle futures were weakened on Tuesday by uncertainty over how much packers will pay for cattle this week and whether the seasonal lull in wholesale beef demand has ended, traders said. MORE
New Farm Minister Not Interested in Rethink of US Beef Import Curbs
Ken Saito, newly appointed minister of agriculture, forestry and fisheries, says he is not considering rethinking the country’s safeguard emergency import restriction system for beef, which has been criticized by the United States. MORE
Strong Manufacturing Beef Market Demand Leaves Factories Looking for Cattle
IFA National Livestock Chairman Angus Woods said cattle supplies at the meat factories this week are tighter than anticipated and factories are finding it more difficult to cattle at the lower quoted prices. MORE
Seasonal Increase in Slaughter Numbers Expected to Pressure Live Hog Prices
The Director of Risk Management with h@ms Marketing Services says the normal gradual seasonal increase in hog supplies over the next three months can be expected to negatively impact live hog prices MORE
Gestating sows probably need more feed
Federal researcher Dr. Chantal Farmer has found that gestating sows probably need more feed to boost their milk production. MORE
June Results Confirm Strong First Half for US Pork Exports
US pork and beef exports continued to trend above year-ago levels in June, capping a very strong first half of the year. MORE
Meat packer gets five-year tax break
Wichita, Kansas, is giving a five-year tax break for a huge bacon-producing plant expansion by the Dold Foods division of Hormel Foods. MORE
Recent Balance in Markets; Quotations Steady
Regarding prices for slaughter pigs, the European market is on an overall steady level this current week of slaughter. The majority of quotations appear to remain constant. MORE
Hygiene Check at Poultry Farms, Chicken Shops, Piggeries in Karnataka District
A committee led by district surveillance officer will survey poultry farms, chicken shops and piggeries in Dakshina Kannada, a coastal district in the state of Karnataka. MORE
Danish Pig Breeding Herd Still Edging Up
The number of sows in Denmark has increased again based on data from the 1 July pig survey. This follows the small year on year increase in the 1 April pig count, according to Leo Colby, AHDB Consultant. MORE
Chicken producers pleased with specialty quota ruling
The controversy over Manitoba Chicken Producers’ (MCP) new annual specialty quota program has been resolved with both sides satisfied they were treated fairly by a ruling from the Manitoba Farm Producers Marketing Council (MFPMC). MORE
Tyson posts better-than-expected profit, bets on chicken
Tyson Foods Inc reported stronger-than-expected quarterly results on Monday, sending its shares up 5 percent, and said it would ramp up chicken production in the face of record demand from U.S. consumers. MORE
Atlantic Stockyards Market Report – August 3 – HERE
*Scroll down to find current report
Ontario Cattlemen’s Association Market Report – Tuesday, August 8 HERE
Potatoes
US National Potato Council warns against UK potato imports
Last week, the National Potato Council (NPC) provided comments to USDA APHIS on the recent pest risk assessment for the importation of potatoes from the United Kingdom to the U.S. MORE
Judge forbids the entry of American potatoes into Mexico
A judge ordered Mexican authorities to curb the entry of fresh potatoes from the United States because of the potential risk of 63 pests that could affect the country. MORE
PARKLAND POTATO VARIETIES FIELD DAY
Parkland Potato Varieties is hosting a field day at the Crop Diversification Centre South in Brooks, Alta. on August 18th from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. MORE
WISCONSIN POTATO GROWERS FACE NEW RESTRICTIONS TO PREVENT CROP DISEASE
Some Wisconsin potato growers are applauding new state laws that could help protect against crop disease. MORE
Potatoes in Practice event coming soon
Potato industry representatives, growers and influencers from all over the UK and beyond are expected in Dundee to take part in Potatoes in Practice (PiP) 2017, a technical potato field event featuring a high-standard mix of science, technology and practical advice which will be the largest of its type in the UK. MORE
AAFC / InfoHort Potato Reports HERE
USDA – Daily National Potato and Onion Report HERE
Crops
North American Grains/Oilseed Review – Canola Rises with Soy
THE ICE Futures Canada canola market chalked up gains on Tuesday, as strength in the Chicago Board of Trade soy complex pointed the way higher. MORE
ICE Futures Canada Tuesday: Canola prices higher, barley unchanged HERE
KAP wants U.S. farmers held accountable for misrepresented grain
The Americans are pushing for their wheat to be graded the same as Canadian wheat when delivered to a Canadian elevator. MORE
Pot farmers needed
With a projected $22 billion in sales, Canada’s new cannabis market is generating a very heady kind of buzz in farm circles MORE
Latest ‘Crop’ Report to be First to Incorporate Extensive Survey For Farmers
Participants in the livestock sectors will be paying attention to this Thursday’s “Crop Production” report from USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), reports Steiner Consulting Group, DLR Division, Inc. MORE
Study suggests ways to reduce soybean harvest losses
Soybean growers can avoid major seed losses at harvest time by using air reels and driving combines no faster than four miles per hour, a new study says. MORE
Soybeans firm on U.S. weather worries; corn, wheat lower
U.S. soybean futures rose on Tuesday, buoyed by worries about dry weather in parts of the U.S. MORE
AM markets: grains edge higher, amid pre-Wasde calculations HERE
PEI Grain Elevator Prices – HERE
Grain Farmers of Ontario – Daily Commodity Report HERE
More Futures Prices HERE and HERE
General Interest
Direct Interaction with Consumers Key to Dispelling Agricultural Myths
According to Bruce Cochrane, the Executive Director of Farm and Food Care Saskatchewan says, by interacting directly with consumers, those involved in agriculture have an opportunity set the record straight on what they do and why they do it. MORE
Dufferin’s tile drainage bylaw a ‘template’ for others
Rural municipalities are responsible for controlling drainage, and a few years ago the RM of Dufferin realized that needed to include tile drains. MORE
Regular Updates
Weekly PEI Agriculture Market Reports – August 4 HERE
Rayglen Market Comments – August 2 HERE
Ontario Farm Market Summary – Tuesday, August 8 HERE
AgWeather Atlantic HERE
Today’s Local Weather – HERE
Meetings and Events
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
5th Palmer Conference (2017)
August 29 to 31, 2017 at the University of Prince Edward Island in Charlottetown, PEI.
This year’s Conference focuses on Canadian-American Relations, and includes panels on Trade and Commerce, the Environment, and Defense and Security (including food security as well). 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.
