PEI POTATO INDUSTRY PARTNERS LAUNCH ENHANCED AGRONOMY INITIATIVE
The Prince Edward Island Potato Board, Cavendish Farms, and the PEI Department of Agriculture and Fisheries have announced the creation of the Enhanced Agronomy Initiative. The Initiative has a goal of improving marketable yields of processing potatoes and profitability of potato growers in PEI while also improving environmental sustainability of the industry. MORE
Farmers Helping Farmers holding fundraiser with visiting scholars
Prince Edward Islanders will get a chance to hear first hand about the work that Farmers Helping Farmers is doing in Kenya as two scholars are the guests of honour at this year’s fundraising barbecue at Harrington. MORE
Farming the way it used to be done
The third annual Antique Farm Show at R&L Farms in Kinkora is Saturday, Aug. 13, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. MORE
New ownership for agricultural newspaper Farm Focus
DvL Publishing Inc., based in Liverpool, N.S., has acquired Farm Focus, the monthly farm business newspaper that has been serving the agricultural industry in Atlantic Canada for more than four decades. MORE
Forest fire near Kejimkujik burns entire Christmas tree farm
‘Due to my age, that’s the end of that,’ says Dan Rowter after touring scorched land MORE
P.E.I Farm Technician Apprenticeship 2017 Training Block
Monday, January 9 – Friday, February 10, 2016 at the Farm Centre, 420 University Avenue
Those interested in starting the journey to become a Blue Seal Certified Farm Technician must first register with;
P.E.I. Agriculture Sector Council at 902- 892-1091, 1-866-892-1091 (toll free) or email: info@peiagsc.ca Deadline September 16th for Block Release MORE
New approach to Governor in Council and Ministerial appointments
The Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food is responsible for recommending Governor in Council appointments to five different agri-food organizations: the Canadian Dairy Commission, the Canadian Grain Commission, Farm Credit Canada, Farm Products Council of Canada and the Canadian Agricultural Review Tribunal. The Minister is also responsible for the Appointment of Board and Committee members to the Farm Debt Mediation Service Appeal Boards and National Program Advisory Committee. MORE
More on Canadian Dairy Commission appointments HERE
More on Farm Debt Mediation Service Appeal Boards appointments HERE
Livestock
Ranchers applaud Earls president’s apology for snubbing Canadian beef
The president of the Earls restaurant chain entered the lion’s den on Wednesday to apologize for its “dumb” strategy last spring to snub Canadian beef in favour of a U.S. supplier. MORE
McDonald’s commits to continued sustainable beef conversation
McDonald’s Canada is now working with Canadian Roundtable for Sustainable Beef to create a single national standard MORE
CME: June US Beef Export Figures Positive
The US Department of Agriculture’s Economic Research Service published June trade numbers this week, on a carcass weight basis, write Steve Meyer and Len Steiner. MORE
U.S. livestock: Lean hogs in reversal as pork extends losses
U.S. lean hog futures fell sharply on Thursday, reversing from earlier steep gains on pressure from declining pork prices and ample hog supplies, traders and analysts said. MORE
EU and Spanish Pork Markets
After 15 weeks of sustained growth in Spain, the price has stalled over the past two weeks. The price came from 0.950 €/kg live weight in the first weeks of April (way below the production costs) to currently 1,323 €/kg live weight, writes Mercedes Vega, General Director for Spain, Italy & Portugal. MORE
Atlantic Stockyards Market Report – August 11 HERE
Ontario Cattlemen’s Association Market Report – Thursday, August 11 HERE
Potatoes
Weekly Michigan Potato Report – August 10 HERE
Manitoba Potato Report – Aug 9 HERE
UK: Tight potato supplies increase price
The AHDB Weekly Average Price Survey (WAPS) reveals that the overall weekly average price for potatoes, which includes free-buy and contract trade, was £188.72 for the week to August 5. This is the highest price ever recorded at this point in the season and is said to be caused by tight supplies of last year’s potato crop and delays in planting this year’s. MORE
RPE’s Organic Potato Program continues to expand
Organic produce is in record-high demand, selling more than $11 billion worth in 2015 alone. To meet the demand, RPE, Inc., has been continually expanding its organic program. As more households purchase organic produce than ever before, RPE and its growers are stepping up to meet that challenge. RPE’s long-time growing partner, Chad Malek, began growing organic potatoes in 2011. MORE
AAFC / InfoHort Potato Reports HERE
USDA – Daily National Potato and Onion Report HERE
Crops
North American Grains/Oilseed Update – Canola firms with chart-based trade
THE ICE Futures Canada canola market finished mostly higher on Thursday, tracking advances in the US soy market along with some chart-based trading. MORE
ICE Futures Canada Thursday: Canola futures prices mostly lower, barley unchanged HERE
PM markets: even massive sales can’t wake up soybean markets HERE
Canadians risk losing China as canola customer
Canadians face a Sept. 1 deadline that could stop canola exports to its largest customer, China. Already there are no new orders after Sept. 1, just as Prairie farmers are harvesting a bumper crop. MORE
U.S. grains: Soy firms modestly on export demand
Trade subdued as market eyes Friday’s USDA reports MORE
China backs GMO soybeans in push for high-tech agriculture
China will push for the commercialization of genetically modified soybeans over the next five years as it seeks to raise the efficiency of its agriculture sector, potentially boosting output of the crop by the world’s top soy importer and consumer. MORE
Costing out your grain storage options
Grain bags are only economic for larger, 70,000-bushel-plus storage, according to an Alberta Agriculture analysis MORE
PEI Grain Elevators Prices – August 11 HERE
Grain Farmers of Ontario – Daily Commodity Report HERE
More Futures Prices HERE and HERE
General Interest
What Charlebois Doesn’t Say
Everyone should be aware of the enormous task that dairy farmers tackle day in and day out, 365 days a year. Sylvain Charlebois shows in his piece on Canadian milk production that he’s capable of not seeing everything in black and white. MORE
Sprayer speed a turbulent topic
As sprayers go faster, aerodynamics start to come into play. A PAMI project is evaluating if they affect spray deposition MORE
Lawyers get training on animal rights
The University of Ottawa is offering a French-language course to law students on animal rights. It’s a first in Canada and comes after the Quebec legislature passed laws that recognize animals as sentient beings. MORE
Regular Updates
Rayglen Market Comments – August 10 HERE
StatsCan – Stocks of frozen and chilled meats, July 2016 HERE
CFA in Action – August 10 HERE
FCC Express – Special Edition – August 10 HERE
Ontario Farm Market Summary – Thursday, August 11 HERE
AgWeather Atlantic HERE
Today’s Local Weather – HERE
Meetings and Events
2 Day Standard First Aid and CPR Courses
(Membership discounted rate of $70)
August 17th-18th– Stratford August 27th-28th– Stratford
September 8th-9th– Stratford September 24th-25th– Stratford
September 27th-28th– Stratford
*First aid and CPR course are also available at your farm for a minimum of 8 participants. Please contact Charlotte at 902-368-7289 for more details.
OPEN HOUSE AT AAFC HARRINGTON RESEARCH FARM
EVERY THURSDAY IN AUGUST 2:00 – 4:00 PM – August 11, August 18, August 25
Early September with an organic potato variety day with David Main
View all details HERE
Farmers Helping Farmers Annual Beef Barbecue
Saturday August 13th from 4:00-6:30pm at the Harrington Research Station, 1200 Brackley Point Road.
Tickets are $30 each for adults, $10 for children under 12, and take-out is available. You can get your tickets by emailing farmershelpingfarmerspei@gmail.com or dropping by the PEIFA Office in the Farm Centre, 420 University Avenue.
Tractor Safety Course
Saturday, September 10th – 8am-4pm – JVI Charlottetown/Reddin Equipment Ltd – Cost: $85
Theory and practical included. Topics include: Occupational Health & Safety, mobile equipment regulations, farm tractors on public roads, tractor stability, instruments and controls, hitching and connecting implements, PTO safety and safe tractor operation.
You must pre-register by contacting Charlotte at 902-368-7289 / charlottec@peifa.ca. Course is limited to 12 participants.
National Organic Week – Sept 17 – 25, 2016
Canada’s National Organic Week is the largest annual celebration of organic food, farming and products across the country. MORE
Namaste Lamb Event
Featuring Celebrity Chef Vikram Vij
A newly branded signature event this year on the Fall Flavours calendar and it will be held on September 24th at 6:00 pm. The event will be held at Rodd Crowbush Resort. Tickets are $90 per person and can be purchased online or by phone at 1-866-960-9912 MORE
