Editorial: Time to change
Afew years back, while working as a writer for our sister publication Country Guide, I spoke at some length with Saskatchewan-based agriculture economist Murray Fulton, about how farm policy is typically set in Canada. MORE
Crop Survey, Final Validation for the Crop National Occupation Standard
FROM : CANADIAN AGRICULTURAL HUMAN RESOURCE COUNCIL
We waited till after seeding to remind you of this. We are sending this to you now because we want to catch you before you get too busy with other things on your farm. It is really important to participate in this as it is your opportunity to check and make sure the information the researchers collected is correct and reflects the operations on a modern grain operation today. Please find time in the next week to participate in the SHORT online survey. Fill out the survey that is closest to your own job: Entry Level, Experienced, Supervisor or Manager. Your responses will remain anonymous. SURVEY
Recruiting Farm Families for the 2017 Faces of Farming Calendar
The PEIFA is currently recruiting farms to feature in the 2017 Faces of Farming calendar. We welcome all farm families of various commodities and farm history to submit their name for our consideration. The Faces of Farming calendar has become very popular over the years for its ability to share good news stories about local producers while also educating the public about farming in Prince Edward Island.
Should you be interested in having your farm featured, please submit a short description of your farm to charlottec@peifa.ca. If selected the PEIFA will have a photographer visit your farm this summer/early fall to take photos.
For more information please contact the PEIFA office 902-368-7289.
Livestock
Conventional beef is more efficient, yet still high quality
Conventional beef production doesn’t take a back seat to any of the more trendy natural or organic beef systems in terms of producing a safe, healthy, flavourful, high-quality meat, says an Alberta beef researcher. The question really comes down to how much the consumer is willing to pay. MORE
‘Sustainable’ beef pilot a success, but job isn’t done yet
After being the first to source and track “verified sustainable” beef for McDonald’s, the Canadian cattle industry has a new challenge — create its own standards that all of its buyers can use. MORE
No uproar over irradiation proposal
The expected consumer outcry over irradiated ground beef has been more of a whisper — a complete sea change from the early 2000s when the technology was first proposed. MORE
CME: No Big Changes Expected in Hogs and Pigs Breeding Numbers
USDA-NASS will release the Quarterly Hogs and Pigs report tomorrow. Urner Barry compiled pre-report estimates from a number of industry analysts, write Steve Meyer and Len Steiner. MORE
Pain regs for pigs take effect July 1
Beginning July 1, the updated Code of Practice for the pigs comes into effect and anesthetics and analgesics are required when castrating or docking tails. MORE
Egg agency claims good environmental performance
The Egg Farmers of Canada national marketing agency claims it’s doing a good job of environmental stewardship. MORE
Atlantic Stockyards Weekly Market Report – June 23 HERE
*Scroll down the page to find the report
Ontario Cattlemen’s Association Market Report – Thursday, June 23 HERE
Potatoes
Weekly Michigan Potato Report – June 22 HERE
McCain Canada expands N.B. facility
McCain Foods (Canada) has announced a major investment in its French fry plant in Florenceville-Bristol, N.B. This investment is expected to expand capability and create 40 to 50 new jobs. MORE
Fewer potatoes in storage in the U.S.
The major potato-producing states in the U.S. had 52.2 million cwt of potatoes in storage as of June 1, according to the latest USDA report. MORE
AAFC / InfoHort Potato Reports HERE
USDA – Daily National Potato and Onion Report HERE
Crops
US grain and oilseed review: Canola declines with advances in Canadian dollar
ICE Futures Canada canola ended lower on Thursday, pressured by gains in the Canadian dollar ahead of a key decision from Britain. MORE
ICE Futures Canada Thursday: Canola futures prices lower, barley unchanged MORE
AM markets: ag futures swamped by shockwaves from UK vote HERE
Has the long bull run ended for soybeans?
As anyone who has been watching the weather and the markets has seen, the shifting forecast has caused a change in direction. “The longest bull run in soybeans in 43 years—but this week wasn’t too pretty,” said Tyne Morgan on U.S. Farm Report. “Is it over?” MORE
Pearce: Eastern Ontario weather challenges corn, soybeans
Some reports are bad, and drought stress is appearing — but there’s still plenty of time MORE
PEI Grain Elevators – Prices – June 21 HERE
Grain Farmers of Ontario – Daily Commodity Report HERE
More Futures Prices HERE and HERE
General Interest
Recent Rallies Spur Farm Equipment Buys
As farmers ride the bull market in soybeans, it’s changing attitudes, fueling the surprise in equipment purchases. “The increase in the beans took it from a marginal year in terms of being able to make money, to ‘Yeah, we can make some money planting soybeans,’” says Black. MORE
Urban agriculture in Germany
Could Munich’s urban farm be a model for Canada, helping improve quality of life in our cities and narrow the urban-rural divide? MORE
Soybeans can benefit honeybees, corn not so much
When it comes to field crops it’s not all bad news for honeybees, a new study at the Ohio State University has found. According to an article on the AgAnswers web site, bees don’t do too well around corn but they actually benefit from having soybean fields near their hives. And the beans get some benefits as well. MORE
Regular Updates
StatsCan – Milled wheat and wheat flour produced, April 2016 HERE
StatsCan – Deliveries of major grains, May 2016 HERE
StatsCan – Oilseed crushing statistics, May 2016 HERE
Rayglen Market Comments – June 22 HERE
StatsCan – Balance sheet of the agricultural sector, December 31, 2015 HERE and HERE
StatsCan – Mushroom Growers’ Survey, 2015 HERE and HERE
Ontario Farm Market Summary – Thursday, June 23 HERE
AgWeather Atlantic HERE
Today’s Local Weather – HERE
Meetings and Events
PEIFA / Island Lime / PEI Agromart Scholarship
$2000 Scholarship to be awarded – Application Deadline is July 1st. DETAILS and APPLICATION
Combine Clinic – East
Jul 13 – Montague
The PEI Department of Agriculture & Fisheries will be hosting two Combine Clinics featuring combine specialist John Aubin. MORE
Combine Clinic – West
Jul 14 – Summerside MORE
PEI Potato Blossom Festival – July 18th – 24th
Farmers Banquet – July 22nd – Community Sports Centre – O’Leary
Catered by The Sizzler – tickets $25.00 – Option of chicken or pork.
Purchase ticket at festival office in the Future Tech Building or phone 902-726-3300
East Coast Style 2016 – Dairy Sale & Show
Aug 11 – 13 – Eastside Holsteins, Frenchfort MORE
