Local, Regional, Canadian News
March Member Profile – Martin and Katie Verhulst HERE
Canadian Ag Safety Week, March 12 – 18, 2017
In support of Canadian Ag Safety Week, Green Diamond is offering a 20% discount on select safety items Island wide! MORE
Agriculture Expo and North American Seed Fair underway in Lethbridge
The three-day show is expected to bring in over 20,000 consumers. Exhibition Park said the convention is one of the last in the Ag Expo circuit season, but it’s the largest in Alberta south of Red Deer. MORE
The new employee
Farms keep getting bigger and more complex. But at the same time, farm families keep getting smaller, with farming couples having fewer kids, just like other Canadians. MORE
Surrey B.C. website aims to connect aspiring farmers with available land
The City of Surrey’s website FarmableNOW wants to help residents increase their access to fresh, local produce. MORE
Saskatchewan farmer pays up after breaching plant breeders’ rights
Canada has had plant breeders’ rights (PBR) regulations for 25 years, yet some farmers still breach them. MORE
Incentives urged to match organic supply to demand
Canadian governments will need to come up with incentives for farmers going organic if they want domestic supply to keep up with domestic demand, a national organic sector group warns. MORE
Dairy Farmers of Canada have reached the summit of Kilimanjaro in support of underprivileged children
Dairy Farmers of Canada (DFC) is proud to announce that Pierre Lampron, representing all Canadian dairy farmers, reached the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro to raise funds in support of the more than 20,000 underprivileged children and youth who benefit from Tim Horton Children’s Foundation (THCF). MORE
Women in Agriculture Recognition Award
The provincial board of PEI Women’s Institute is now accepting nominations for the Women in Agriculture Recognition Award. This award, in the form of a plaque and framed photo posted at the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, is presented bi-annually to recognize an Island woman making a major contribution to the PEI agriculture industry within the last five years. Members of the community or fellow farmers are encouraged to contact their local branches to nominate women in the agriculture industry for this award. March 31 marks the deadline for this and other scholarships and awards. A complete list of PEIWI awards and scholarships are available at www.peiwi.ca or by contacting the WI Office at 902-368-4860 or wi@gov.pe.ca. MORE
Federation of Agriculture ‘Path of Profit’ Learning & Development Series
The Federation of Agriculture is excited to announce an exclusive offer to our members.
The ‘Path of Profit’ Series is a Learning Program of various Professional Development courses available to employees of any of our members. The courses are designed to improve overall business competitiveness and profitability while also upgrading staff skills. The courses are classroom based for 1-3 days depending on the course and will be delivered at our boardroom
In March /April. Dates will be confirmed ASAP.
- Succession Planning
- Tax & Financial Planning
- Professional Leadership for Managers / Supervisors / Lead Hands
- Computer Skills Upgrade – Office / Word / Excel
- Stress Management / Time Management
Seats will be on a first come first serve basis.
For further information and to sign up, please contact the office at 902-368-7289 or email Jennifer Murphy at jmurphy@peifa.ca or Robert Godfrey at rgodfrey@peifa.ca.
Winter Pruning Workshop for Apple Production
March 8th, 11 am – 3 pm
Beamish Orchards
Get insights and hands-on tips from an organic apple grower’s experience with Island orchardist Mike Beamish of Beamish Orchards and Deep Roots Distillery. MORE
Organic Transition Workshop: Field Crops
March 9th, 9 am to noon
PEI Farm Centre, Charlottetown
With organic grain prices on the rise, and new, practical research that shows yields on par (or even better than) conventional: choosing organic is a wise choice! It can’t hurt to learn about the opportunity, and we hope you’ll share this opportunity with your fellow farmers! Speakers and experts will be 100% Islanders, including several Island Organic Field Crop farmers. Knowledge shared will be practical and applicable to your Maritime Farm. MORE
Livestock
Between the Rows: Employees, ethanol and exports
Is the state of human resources management in farming today pretty similar to the state of accounting on farms decades ago, represented by a shoebox full of receipts? If so, what can be done to help that state of affairs evolve? MORE
Supply growth worries sink CME live cattle
Chicago Mercantile Exchange live cattle futures slumped on Thursday, with pressure from profit-taking partly fueled by increased supply expectations, traders said. MORE
How Structural Change in Feeding Industry Impacts Pricing Trends
One of the topics that often gets brought up is structural change in the feeding industry and how that may impact pricing trends, especially during certain times of the year, according to the Steiner Consulting Group, DLR Division, Inc. MORE
Ecuador Reports Five Bluetongue Outbreaks in Various Regions
The country’s veterinary authorities have reported five new outbreaks of Bluetongue in five regions across different locations. MORE
IFA Pushes for Re-opening of BDGP Suckler Scheme
IFA National Livestock Chairman Angus Woods has said he expects the Beef Data and Genomics Programme (BDGP) to re-open to new entrants this spring with applications in April and before the BPS closing date of 15 May. MORE
Higher Canola Meal Inclusions in Lactating Sow Diets Possible
Research conducted by the University of Manitoba shows canola meal can be included in the diets of lactating sows at much higher levels than previously believed, writes Bruce Cochrane. MORE
Canada Must Revaluate Approach to Trade in Response to Changing US Trade Policy
The Chair of Manitoba Pork says changing US trade policy will force Canada to revaluate its approach to trade, according to Bruce Cochrane. MORE
USA Hog Market Report
I don’t think I can recall this ever happening, but February hogs went off the board at $75 and change. Then, April became the lead month at a $5.00 discount, writes Allan Bentley. MORE
Hope for Price Increase in Germany
The European slaughter pig market is still navigating in calm waters. MORE
Atlantic Stockyards Market Report – March 2 – HERE
*Scroll down to find current report
Ontario Cattlemen’s Association Market Report – Thursday, March 2 HERE
Potatoes
NEW POTATO VARIETIES 2017
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) rolled out 15 new potato varieties to growers and industry representatives on Feb. 13 at three open houses: Fredericton, N.B., Guelph, Ont. and Lethbridge, Alta. The open houses were an opportunity for AAFC researchers to share results of the agency’s potato breeding program’s accelerated release selections. MORE
Tomorrow’s Leaders Trained at 2017 Potato Industry Leadership Institute
The 2017 Potato Industry Leadership Institute (PILI) provided training to 22 US potato growers and industry representatives in leadership development, public policy, marketing, team building and public communication. MORE
Political Hot Potatoes
Food is international and, hopefully, non-political, writes Andre Erasmus. After all, potatoes are grown in nations as far apart as Peru and China, South Africa and Germany, or India and the United States of America – countries with differing political ideals. French fries can be bought in Australia or Iceland, Norway or New Zealand, probably anywhere. MORE
WPVGA Elects Board Officers
The board of directors of the Wisconsin Potato & Vegetable Growers Association (WPVGA) has elected Eric Schroeder of Schroeder Brothers Farms in Antigo, Wis., as its president for 2017. Schroeder succeeds Mark Finnessy of Okray Family Farms in Plover, Wis. MORE
European Union ends patents on conventional plant breeding – stimulating innovation
Plant breeders must have free access to biological material in order to be able to breed new crop species. Patent law thus does not apply to conventional plant breeding. MORE
AAFC / InfoHort Potato Reports HERE
USDA – Daily National Potato and Onion Report HERE
Crops
North American Grains/Oilseed Review: Canola drops as oilseeds correct lower
THE ICE Futures Canada canola market suffered losses on Thursday, following declines in the US soy complex. MORE
ICE Futures Canada Friday: Canola futures prices mostly higher, barley unchanged HERE
Canola’s impact shown throughout Canadian economy
Like a rock thrown in a lake creates ripples on shore, a new study commissioned by the Canola Council of Canada shows the sector’s impact is growing larger — causing ripples to turn to waves. MORE
Canola’s rally pushes cash prices higher
Canola cash prices notched gains with recent news out of the U.S., but the market remains rangebound, and near-term support is likely to run dry. MORE
Still sifting through genes, but…
Plant breeding has always been about testing to see how one gene interacts with another, but today it can be done much more quickly MORE
Soybeans sag on profit-taking, Brazilian crop
U.S. soybean futures fell on Thursday, pressured by the ongoing harvest of a projected record-large crop in Brazil and profit-taking after a two-session climb attributed to fund buying, traders said. MORE
Soy loadings delayed at Brazil northern ports
At least 11 ships are facing delays in loading soybeans at Brazil’s northern ports after rains washed out roads and disrupted the progress of trucks carrying beans from the centre-west region, Brazilian officials said on Thursday. MORE
AM markets: cotton recovers from sell-off. Wheat struggles HERE
PEI Grain Elevator Prices – HERE
Grain Farmers of Ontario – Daily Commodity Report HERE
More Futures Prices HERE and HERE
General Interest
U.S. authorities raid Caterpillar’s Illinois facilities
U.S. federal law enforcement officials searched three facilities of heavy machinery manufacturer Caterpillar on Thursday, prompting a sharp sell-off in the company’s stock. MORE
China Sets Stronger Steps on Food Safety
China still faces severe challenges to ensure food safety, despite improvements in recent years, and authorities will maintain a zero-tolerance attitude toward violations of laws, the national food safety watchdog said. MORE
Danish Crown Purchases UK Foodservice Business
Foodservice has been part of Danish Crown’s business in the UK since 2014. Danish Crown has succeeded in establishing a stable base in and around London and Manchester and this is now being further expanded in the Midlands with the acquisition of Leivers Brothers Ltd. MORE
Food Insecurity, Poverty in Sub-Saharan Africa Pose Major Challenge In Ending Hunger
Some 153 million people, representing about 26 per cent of the population above 15 years of age in sub-Saharan Africa, suffered from severe food insecurity in 2014-15, according to a new FAO report. MORE
Regular Updates
Weekly PEI Agriculture Market Reports – February 24 HERE
Rayglen Market Comments – March 1 HERE
Ontario Farm Market Summary – Thursday, March 2 HERE
AgWeather Atlantic HERE
Today’s Local Weather – HERE
Meetings and Events
The Vernor River Watershed Group and PEIFA to host upcoming Watershed farmers meeting
Date/Time: Monday March 6 at 7 pm
Location: St.Joachim,s parish hall, Vernon River
Speaker – John Phillips will discuss land stabilization , organic matter etc, with a round table discussion!
Speaker 2 is Dr. Christine Noronha, life with the Colorado potato after Admire
Winter Pruning Workshop for Apple Production
March 8th, 11 am – 3 pm
Beamish Orchards
Get insights and hands-on tips from an organic apple grower’s experience with Island orchardist Mike Beamish of Beamish Orchards and Deep Roots Distillery. MORE
Organic Transition Workshop: Field Crops
March 9th, 9 am to noon
PEI Farm Centre, Charlottetown
With organic grain prices on the rise, and new, practical research that shows yields on par (or even better than) conventional: choosing organic is a wise choice! It can’t hurt to learn about the opportunity, and we hope you’ll share this opportunity with your fellow farmers! Speakers and experts will be 100% Islanders, including several Island Organic Field Crop farmers. Knowledge shared will be practical and applicable to your Maritime Farm. MORE
See Canada’s top speakers
FCC Forum is your chance to re-energize, get inspired and network with business owners and operators like you. Bring family, friends, business partners – it’s free for anyone in agriculture. Over 7,000 people attended last year, so get your seat early and register today!
Saturday, March 11 – 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Moncton , New Brunswick (lunch included) MORE
2017 Maritime Beef Council Annual Conference
Date: March 17-18, 2017
Location: Best Western Glengarry Motel, Truro, Nova Scotia
The Prince Edward Island Institute of Agrologists offer two awards annually to individuals whose achievements and service to Agriculture in Prince Edward Island have been outstanding.
To nominate an individual for the Recognition Award or Outstanding Agrologist Award please click HERE
Nominations to be submitted to lmurphy@pei.sympatico.ca by March 20, 2017
Women in Agriculture Recognition Award
The provincial board of PEI Women’s Institute is now accepting nominations for the Women in Agriculture Recognition Award. This award, in the form of a plaque and framed photo posted at the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, is presented bi-annually to recognize an Island woman making a major contribution to the PEI agriculture industry within the last five years. Members of the community or fellow farmers are encouraged to contact their local branches to nominate women in the agriculture industry for this award. March 31 marks the deadline for this and other scholarships and awards. A complete list of PEIWI awards and scholarships are available at www.peiwi.ca or by contacting the WI Office at 902-368-4860 or wi@gov.pe.ca. MORE
Institute of Canada (AIC) is hosting a national conference titled “Agriculture Innovation in a changing environment”
Addressing the topic of climate change and agriculture.
April 24-26, 2017 in Winnipeg, MB MORE
Atlantic Farm Women Conference
April 28 & 29 at the Delta Halifax, N.S.
Register before March 31 registration fee is $90 plus you will be entered to win your conference registration free. After March 31, registration will be $115.
To register: http://atlanticfarmwomen.weebly.com/-registration.html
Agenda on line: http://atlanticfarmwomen.weebly.com/agenda.html
Attention: Class A Pesticide Applicator Certificate Holders
To renew your pesticide applicator certificate there are three options available for you:
First Option: Renewal of your certificate by receiving Continuing Education Credits.
Second Option: Take a one day training course & write the two hour exam.
Third Option: Make an appointment to come in and write the two hour exam.
First Option:
The Department of Agriculture and Fisheries will be offering two different training days
Day A and Day B. You are required to attend one Day A and one Day B over the five year re-certification period. Only one day per calendar year can be credited.
Day A – Topics covered: General Information, Regulations, Environmental Safety, and Application Technology.
Day B – Topics covered: Emergency Response, Labeling, Professionalism, Traceability, Integrated Pest Management, and Human Health and Safety.
Your current Pesticide Applicator Certificate will remain valid until the expiry date printed on your certificate. New Class A certificates will now all have an expiry date of March 31. The fee payable for a new 5-year certificate is $75.
When you have met the requirements to renew your license, you will be mailed an application form for renewal of your Pesticide Applicator Certificate. Should you fail to attend both of these training sessions prior to the expiry date on your current Certificate, you will need to successfully complete the written examination to obtain a new certificate.
The 2017 training schedule is as follows:
Day A:
March 14, 2017 Rodd Royalty, TCH Charlottetown
Day B:
March 16, 2017 Rodd Royalty, TCH, Charlottetown
Registration begins at 8:15 a.m. All information sessions begin at 9:00 a.m. and will be completed by 4:00 p.m. Lunch and refreshments will be provided, and there is a
$ 25. fee to offset this cost.
To register for one of these training days please call (902) 368-4154.
Should you have questions or require additional detail, please do not hesitate to contact Shelley Ployer at (902) 368-4154 or via e-mail at seployer@gov.pe.ca
To register for one of these training days please call (902) 368-4154.
Third Option:
You can make an appointment to write the two hour exam by calling Debbie MacRae at
(902) 368-5024 or Thane Clarke at (902) 368-5599 at the Department of Communities, Land and Environment in Charlottetown. The cost is the same, $75.
