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. growing one quarter of Canada’s potatoes
P.E.I. farmers planted slightly fewer potatoes in 2017, but it was still enough to comfortably be the country’s largest potato growers. MORE
P.E.I. Bag Co. Ltd. gets federal government loan to increase output
The Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency is lending a P.E.I. business $200,000 to expand and modernize its packaging process. MORE
Mounties help livestock displaced by B.C. wildfires as drivers urged to look out
Thousands of people have been displaced by wildfires in British Columbia, but the flames have also forced livestock left behind to flee beyond enclosures. MORE
Driverless tractor designed by Sask. man unveiled at farm trade show
Dozens of farmers gasped and pointed Wednesday as they watched a tractor move around a field near Langham, Sask. — with no driver. MORE
Dairy Farmers of Canada concludes successful AGM, elects new President Pierre Lampron
Dairy farmers from across the country met in Edmonton, Alberta, from July 18 to 19, to participate in industry discussions and sessions at Dairy Farmers of Canada’s (DFC) Annual General Meeting (AGM). MORE
Canada, Mexico urge quick NAFTA talks to end uncertainty
Top Canadian and Mexican diplomats expressed optimism on Thursday that a NAFTA deal could be reached early next year and cautioned that widespread uncertainty over the future of the three-way trade agreement had slowed business investment. MORE
AIM for Hart, Day 2: The road to success, one scoop at a time
I announced yesterday to a couple colleagues who work for the Western Producer, “We are wasting our time and energies writing stories. What idiots. If we want real financial success in life — sell ice cream.” MORE
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.
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
Farm security concerns at the forefront following western Manitoba cattle theft
The group that represents cattle farmers in Manitoba says concerns about cattle rustling in the province are back at the forefront following a sizeable theft this month, with some producers thinking of ways to increase security. MORE
Live cattle slump on profit-taking, cash caution
Chicago Mercantile Exchange live cattle futures closed lower on Thursday, erasing most of Wednesday’s gains, pressured by profit-taking and caution while awaiting remaining cash prices, traders said. MORE
Beef, Dairy Cow Slaughter Up 9% Compared Last Year
Some of you may have noticed that there have been no preliminary estimates of the upcoming USDA “Cattle Inventory” report. While analysts have a fairly good process for estimating the cattle on feed numbers, it is quite difficult to come up with the July cattle inventory estimates with no data for the previous year, writes Steiner Consulting Group, DLR Division, Inc. MORE
Advantages of US Beef Shared at Taste Ambassadors Event in Romania
Introducing US beef in a country where it is not well-known, USMEF partnered with the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) at the Taste Ambassadors exhibition, an event for HRI professionals in Bucharest, Romania. MORE
Tighter Cattle Supplies Than Forecast for H2/2017, IFA Reports
Beef production and cattle numbers for the second half of 2017 will be much less that originally forecast, according to IFA National Livestock Chairman Angus Woods who said this paints a much more positive picture on the beef trade for the remainder of 2017. MORE
Improved Trailer Design Offers Improved Animal Welfare, Faster Loading & Easier Disinfection
A Research Scientist Ethology with the Prairie Swine Centre says improved swine transport trailer designs offer improved animal welfare, faster loading and unloading and easier cleaning and disinfection MORE
Bacon Performing Well; Roasts Continue to Decline
During the 12 weeks ended 18 June, the primary pork volume sales decreased by 3 per cent on a year-on-year basis, according to the latest data from Kantar Worldpanel. However, a 5 per cent increase in the average retail price meant that overall spend was up by 2 per cent, writes Rebecca Oborne, AHDB Analyst. MORE
Human in Vitro Fertilisation Could Evolve Thanks to Piglet Study
It is estimated that parents seeking to have children through in vitro fertilization (IVF) spend between $12,000 and $15,000 each session plus the cost of medications, which could average between $3,000 and $5,000. MORE
Uzbekistan Reopens to US Pork
Fresh/frozen US pork has been added to the eligible products list for Uzbekistan, with an effective date of 1 January 2017. MORE
Olymel expanding Quebec poultry plant
Olymel is investing $8.1 million to expand its poultry processing plant at Trois-Rivières, Quebec.
It plans to increase the plant capacity from 14 to 20 million kilograms per year. MORE
Atlantic Stockyards Market Report – July 20 – HERE
*Scroll down to find current report
Ontario Cattlemen’s Association Market Report – Thursday, July 20 HERE
Potatoes
Canadian potato production, June 2017
Potato farmers planted 344,884 acres (139 571 hectares) of potatoes in 2017, down 0.6% from 2016, continuing the overall downward trend of the past 13 years. Seeded area decreased in every province except Quebec, Ontario and Alberta. Prince Edward Island accounted for 26% of total potato planted area in 2017, while Manitoba accounted for 19%. HERE
Numbers Say Sustainability Sells
The numbers show sustainability sells produce, says Andrew Mandzy, director of strategic insight with New York-based Nielsen, which tracks retail sales trends. MORE
Idaho Crop Looking Promising
Despite a late start to planting eastern Idaho’s 2017 potato crop, Idaho growers say subsequent weather conditions have been good, with plants responding well. A cold and rainy spring was responsible for planting delays ranging between two and three weeks in eastern Idaho. MORE
Plenty of Trendy Potatoes, but Burbank a Foodservice Stalwart
The Wada Farms Marketing Group, based in Idaho Falls, Idaho, offers an assortment of products for foodservice clients, including russet potatoes, colored potatoes, chipper potatoes, mini potatoes, fingerlings, sweet potatoesand onions. MORE
IPM Alliance EPA Tour focuses on invasive species
Over a dozen staff of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) participated in the annual IPM Alliance Decision Maker tour this week in the Traverse City area with a focus on the impact of invasive species on Michigan agriculture. MORE
PGMI files comments on Pyrethroids
Earlier this month, Potato Growers of Michigan, Inc. (PGMI) joined the National Potato Council (NPC) in filing comments to the EPA docket in support of the re-registration of pyrethroids as a crop protection tool for the potato industry. MORE
Karel Decramer quits as sales director at Dewulf
Karel Decramer has decided to quit as the sales director for the vegetable division of Dewulf, specialist in the field of harvesting technology for potatoes and carrots. MORE
Potato Grower Testifies on Importance of Trade Programs for Specialty Crops
Potato grower Eric Halverson has spoken in front of the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee regarding the importance of the USDA export programs, mentioning that without the USDA Market Access Program, exports could not grow. MORE
SuperValu Expects to Sell EUR32m Irish Potatoes This Season
Leading Irish grocery retailer SuperValu expects to sell EUR32m in homegrown Irish potatoes this season, according to an announcement made on July 20. MORE
Nominations Open for British Potato Industry Awards
Nominations for the “British Potato Industry Award” and “AHDB Above and Beyond Award” are now open. MORE
Potatoes seen as healthy product in Sweden
Although some regions were affected more than others, Lars Elofson from Svensk Potatis said that overall there was not too much damage from the cold weather during April/May. MORE
“Belgium: normal harvest of storage potatoes possible, despite drought”
The early potato harvest suffered most from the drought. There was talk of a loss of 15 million Euro a month ago. MORE
AAFC / InfoHort Potato Reports HERE
USDA – Daily National Potato and Onion Report HERE
Crops
North American grain/oilseed review: Canola ends higher
ICE Futures Canada canola ended higher on Thursday, supported by speculative buying. MORE
ICE Futures Canada Thursday: Canola futures prices higher, barley unchanged HERE
Ontario winter wheat crop yielding well, quality good
Ontario’s winter wheat crop is living up to its great expectations after a warm winter and lots of spring rain got it off to a great start. MORE
Global buyers of quality wheat face disappointment in Canada
Buyers looking to Canada for high-quality wheat to make bread as drought roils output in the northern U.S. may be thwarted, as dry weather has also hit crops there. MORE
Manitoba soybean acreage now higher than red spring wheat
Manitoba farmers’ affection for soybeans has hit new heights. MORE
Grain commission fee cuts take effect Aug. 1
It’s official — Canadian Grain Commission (CGC) fees will drop substantially at the start of the new crop year. MORE
Aphids turning up in cereals, peas
Aphids have been a concern in some cereal and pea fields, according to Manitoba Agriculture’s latest insect and disease update on Wednesday. MORE
Corn, soy rise for third straight day
U.S. corn and soybean futures rallied on Thursday to their highest respective levels in more than a week, supported by forecasts for hot weather that will stress crops in key growing regions, traders said. MORE
Italy demands origin labels for pasta, rice
All packets of pasta and rice sold in Italy will have to include labels of origin showing where the produce was grown, the government ruled on Thursday, a move aimed at protecting local farmers MORE
AM markets: corn leads grains higher as US crops deteriorate HERE
PEI Grain Elevator Prices – HERE
Grain Farmers of Ontario – Daily Commodity Report HERE
More Futures Prices HERE and HERE
General Interest
New opportunities
Agriculture is often viewed, especially by outsiders, as a staid and conservative place where things are done by tradition. MORE
Governor of Iowa Kicks Off China Farm Mission
Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds is leading a trade mission to China that will feature officials from groups representing the state’s major agricultural producers. MORE
Regular Updates
Weekly PEI Agriculture Market Reports – July 14 HERE
Rayglen Market Comments – July 19 HERE
Ontario Farm Market Summary – Thursday, July 20 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
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
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.
