Local, Regional, Canadian News
P.E.I. still the Canadian potato king, census shows
P.E.I. continues to reduce its potato acreage, but remains the largest producer of spuds in the country MORE
Barn Quilt Trail to draw people into the stories of local farms
A new initiative on P.E.I. hopes to get people out and closer to the farmers who grow their food. MORE
Island’s blueberry growers face tough decisions
John Handrahan, president of the P.E.I. Wild Blueberry Growers Association said growers have already been advised their price this year will not likely be as good as last year. And last year’s was not a money-maker for most growers, he suggested. MORE
The vet is in: P.E.I. now has a full-time provincial veterinarian
P.E.I. now has a full time provincial veterinarian and she has a broad range of creatures that she’s looking out for. MORE
Greenhouse operators vowing to fight Queen’s Park over minimum wage hike
Greenhouse growers are vowing to put up a fight over Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne’s plan to hike the minimum wage. MORE
Could soil be the next carbon sink? UBC Okanagan to lead study
The University of British Columbia Okanagan is getting $1.4 million in federal funding to research irrigation and its effect on greenhouse gas emissions. MORE
Alberta eliminates student fees for high school agriculture apprenticeship program
Alberta high school students taking part in an agriculture apprenticeship will no longer have to pay out of their own pocket for the program. MORE
Deer, elk biosecurity protocol unveiled
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), in conjunction with the Canadian Cervid Alliance, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) and other stakeholders, has developed the new voluntaryNational Cervid Farm-Level Biosecurity Standard to help protect Canada’s farmed cervid industry from animal diseases. MORE
Selection Process for Farm Products Council of Canada
On February 25, 2016, the Prime Minister announced a new process for Governor in Council appointments. This new process supports an open, transparent, and merit-based selection process focused on identifying high-quality candidates who demonstrate Canada’s diversity.
This process will be used to select new members for the Farm Products Council of Canada. I am writing to you to seek your assistance in promoting this selection process.
The candidates we are looking for must have experience as a primary producer, in agribusiness, in the agri-food industry, or in food distribution or retail. Candidates should also have experience in decision making with respect to sensitive and complex issues, experience in maintaining effective relationships with multiple stakeholders and balancing their interests and divergent views, and an understanding of the Canadian supply management system for poultry and eggs.
I encourage you to inform your members of this opportunity and invite interested candidates to apply for a member position at the following website: HERE
Let’s Celebrate Fries with the Works!
As Islanders, we know that Fries with the Works is a legendary local dish featuring PEI French Fries. However, when you talk to Islanders about Fries With The Works, or when you see them listed on a local menu, there can be many variations in ingredients! As a result, the PEI Potato Board is launching a survey to ask Islanders “just what IS Fries With The Works” to you?
“There’s no tastier way to enjoy PEI Fries when on the Island than eating them with the “works,” but we want to know exactly what ‘the works’ is” says Rodney Dingwell, PEI potato farmer and chairman of the PEI Potato Board.
Have your say! Tell us what how you eat your Fries with the Works by going online and filling out a survey, with a chance to win a $100 grocery gift card.
“If a tourist came to PEI and asked what Fries With The Works is, Islanders have a clear answer as to what ‘works’ go on our world famous fries, as well as knowing if there’s a ‘classic’ version, says Greg Donald, General Manager of the PEI Potato Board.
Visit the website http://www.frieswiththeworks.ca. Survey closes June 20, 2017.
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
Advance Payments Program through the PEI Federation of Agriculture
Eligible producers will are now able to apply for the 2017 Advance Payments Program through the PEI Federation of Agriculture.
Federation Members will continue to receive a preferred rate on Administrative Fees. This is available for farmers who have paid their dues in 2017 or those that were members as of December 31, 2016.
For more information on the program, please contact Andrew Wood or Tim Seeber at 902-368-7289.
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/
PEI COPC Organic Farm Tour
PEI COPC will be hosting a one day organic farm tour on Wednesday, July 6th from 8:30 a.m. to 5:15 p.m..
Local media, social media guests, COPC staff, PEIDAF Minister and Deputy will be attending the tour of five COPC member farms, including: Dexter Cattle Company, Square One Organics, Red Soil Organics, Heartbeet Organics, and Schurman Family Farm.
Transportation and lunch are provided.
Seats are limited and tickets will be on sale beginning next week ($25 each or $20 for COPC members).
Contact Karen at email@organicpei.com or 902-894-9999 for more information.
Livestock
John Gough receives CSBA award of merit
President Dave Vandenbroek presented John Gough, Novastar Genetics with the Award of Merit for 2016. Members and guests were welcomed by President Dave Vandenbroek to the recent annual Meeting of the Canadian Swine Breeders Association. In 2016, members registered 132,418 purebred swine. MORE
Cattle prices hold steady, strong on lower volumes
Prices for cattle at auction marts in Manitoba were steady on the week, and holding strong overall, though seasonally low volumes mean fewer ranchers are reaping the benefits. MORE
CME live cattle close mixed
Chicago Mercantile Exchange live cattle futures settled mixed on Thursday after an up-and-down session, supported by futures’ discounts to preliminary cash prices but pressured by profit-taking, traders said. MORE
April a Big Export Month for US Livestock, Poultry Producers
In our discussion on Monday we gave an overview of the export picture, showing robust growth in beef and pork sales, reports Steiner Consulting Group, DLR Division, Inc. MORE
New Poster Highlights Nutritional, Performance Targets for Suckler Herds
Quality Meat Scotland (QMS) has developed a new resource for cattle farmers to help ensure the nutritional requirements of suckler herds are met throughout the year. MORE
China’s WH Group Targets Beef, Poultry Assets in US, Europe
China’s WH Group Ltd, (0288.HK), owner of Smithfield Foods Inc., the world’s largest pork producer, is scouting for US and European beef and poultry assets to buy, in a move that would sharpen its rivalry with global meat packers Tyson Foods Inc. and JBS SA, Reuters reports. MORE
Pillars of the Community
In celebration of Canada’s 150th anniversary, Dairy Farmers of Canada has produced a book, Dairy Farmers—Deeply Rooted for a Strong Future that honours Canada’s dairy tradition and the contributions dairy farmers have made to Canada’s emergence as a nation. MORE
Call-in town hall urges biosecurity in face of PEDv outbreak
More cases of porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDv) have been confirmed in Manitoba, despite increasingly strenuous calls for producers to ramp up biosecurity. MORE
World Pork Expo: Infection/Prevention Chain Helps Control PRRS
The Infection/Prevention Chain™ concept relies on a simple disease management equation: to control disease producers need to minimize disease exposure and maximize immunity. MORE
Pork Check to Re-tool Communications to Target New Generation of Consumers
The National Pork Board is retooling its communication strategy to target a new generation of consumers living in an age of modern technology MORE
Pigs 2022 Explores Big Issues Facing Pork Industry
Asia is an incredibly important market for the pork sector and there are many lucrative opportunities for meat producers. MORE
April a Big Export Month for US Livestock, Poultry Producers
In our discussion on Monday we gave an overview of the export picture, showing robust growth in beef and pork sales, reports Steiner Consulting Group, DLR Division, Inc. MORE
Chicken continues to be Canada’s favourite meat
Canadians each consumed 32.5 kg (per capita) of chicken in 2016 resulting in the highest level of chicken consumption in Canada ever. MORE
Chicken processors support Chicken Farmers of Canada’s Animal Care Program
Canadian chicken processors uphold very high levels of animal welfare and will continue to do so because it is a critical priority for the industry and because we care. MORE
Atlantic Stockyards Market Report – June 8 – HERE
*Scroll down to find current report
Ontario Cattlemen’s Association Market Report – Thursday, June 8 HERE
Potatoes
US National Potato Council’s Summer Meeting Starts in Denver
The NPC summer meeting takes place in Denver (Colorado, USA), June 28-30. The experts will discuss tax reform, a stable workforce for agriculture, trade issues, proposed budget cuts to potato research programs and the 2018 Farm Bill. MORE
MAKE TIME FOR FIELD EVALUATION DAYS
Bringing a new potato variety to market is an incredibly challenging combination of science, marketing and rigorous testing. MORE
Yellow potatoes continue gaining market share in NA
Yellow potatoes continue to gain market share and the gain is mostly at the expense of russets and whites, according to Ted Kreis, Northern Plains Potato Growers Association (NPPGA) marketing and communications director. MORE
McCain invests $57m into AU potato plant
McCain Foods has completed stage one of the US $57 million upgrade of its Ballarat, Australia potato plant. MORE
Canadian Potato Storage Report – HERE
AAFC / InfoHort Potato Reports HERE
USDA – Daily National Potato and Onion Report HERE
Crops
North American grain/oilseed review: Hot weather heats up market
ICE Futures Canada canola closed stronger on Thursday, in sluggish trade. MORE
ICE Futures Canada Thursday: Canola futures prices higher, barley unchanged HERE
Hothouse produce grower to devote site to marijuana
Canada’s only publicly traded greenhouse produce-growing company plans to put up one of its British Columbia greenhouses for a new venture in cannabis production. MORE
Corn near one-year high, spring wheat soars
U.S. spot corn futures hit their highest level in nearly a year before paring gains on Thursday and Minneapolis spring wheat neared a two-year top on worries about hot and dry weather stressing crops in the northern Plains and Midwest, analysts said. MORE
DLF to buy Syngenta sugar beet seed business
One of the world’s biggest forage seed firms is set to enter the sugar beet seed business by buying Syngenta’s. MORE
AM markets: corn prices ease, amid US yield downgrade doubts HERE
PEI Grain Elevator Prices – HERE
Grain Farmers of Ontario – Daily Commodity Report HERE
More Futures Prices HERE and HERE
General Interest
When the in-laws cross the line
“You cannot imagine what it’s like to live close to your parents-in-law.” I often hear this from clients. But I can. When I was young, my brother and his wife were neighbours of the family home. As a farmer’s spouse, I lived across from my parents-in-law for 30 years. Eventually, I became a mother-in-law myself. MORE
China’s May Inflation Expected to Rise as Food Price Decline Narrows
China’s consumer price index (CPI) in May, a main gauge of inflation, is expected to pick up from April, with the food price decline likely to narrow. MORE
Regular Updates
CFA in Action – June 7 HERE
FCC Express – June 6 HERE
Weekly PEI Agriculture Market Reports – June 2 HERE
Rayglen Market Comments – June 7 HERE
Ontario Farm Market Summary – Thursday, June 8 HERE
AgWeather Atlantic HERE
Today’s Local Weather – HERE
Meetings and Events
PEI COPC Organic Farm Tour
PEI COPC will be hosting a one day organic farm tour on Wednesday, July 6th from 8:30 a.m. to 5:15 p.m..
Local media, social media guests, COPC staff, PEIDAF Minister and Deputy will be attending the tour of five COPC member farms, including: Dexter Cattle Company, Square One Organics, Red Soil Organics, Heartbeet Organics, and Schurman Family Farm.
Transportation and lunch are provided.
Seats are limited and tickets will be on sale beginning next week ($25 each or $20 for COPC members).
Contact Karen at email@organicpei.com or 902-894-9999 for more information.
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
