Local, Regional, Canadian News
April Member Profile – George and Melaney Matheson – HERE
A farming adventure on P.E.I.
It is what she knows best, and now she’s passing her wisdom onto Julie Murchison’s third grade class from L.M. Montgomery elementary school. Mills held up two large potatoes. MORE
Manitoba’s growing trend of migrant agricultural workers
At Connery Riverdale Farms near Portage la Prairie, the fields and staff accommodations sit empty. They’re awaiting both the 2017 growing season and about 60 temporary foreign workers who will largely handle the hand-picked harvest necessary for much vegetable production. MORE
Ukraine farmers examine Canadian agriculture co-ops
A delegation of Ukrainian farmers were visiting agriculture co-ops this week, looking to see if the approach can benefit their grain businesses in Ukraine’s Dnipropetrovsk Oblast. MORE
Canadian Prairie Garden Puree in receivership
A groundbreaking Manitoba vegetable-processing company has been forced into receivership. MORE
Tighter drone regs affect agricultural use
Assiniboine Community College’s agribusiness program has grounded most drone flights while professors sort through new regulations around their operation. MORE
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/
Prince Edward Island Cattle Producers Annual Meeting
The Prince Edward Island Cattle Producers cordially invites you to attend its 10th Annual Meeting.
This meeting is set for Thursday, April 6 at 7:00 pm at the Farm Centre in Charlottetown.
Please RSVP by calling Rinnie at (902)368-2229, or by emailing cattlemen@eastlink.ca
Department of Agriculture & Fisheries – 2017 Agricultural Pesticide Class D
Seed Piece Treatment Training Course
Wednesday, April 5, 2017
Location: Rodd Royalty (next to the Peter Pan), Charlottetown
Registration starts at 8:30 a.m.
Course starts at 9 a.m. till 12 noon
Cost $75.00 (The fee for a five (5) year Seed Piece Certificate is $75. Please bring this payment with you and make cheques payable to the Minister of Finance)
Individuals who are directly involved with seed piece treatment of agricultural crops, including potatoes and cereals require a Class D Seed Piece Treatment Certificate. No exam is required, but you must attend a half day training session to receive a Seed Piece Class D Certificate.
Please Note: If you hold a valid Class A Pesticide Applicator Certificate,
a Class D Certificate is NO LONGER REQUIRED. Must be 18 years of age for certificate.
As space is limited, please pre-register by calling the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries at 902-368-4880
Department of Agriculture & Fisheries – 2017 Agricultural Pesticide Loader / Mixer Training
Loader/Mixer Training
Tuesday, April 11, 2017
Location: Rodd Royalty (next to the Peter Pan), Charlottetown
Registration starts at 8:30 a.m.
Course starts at 9 a.m. till 12 noon
Cost $50.00 (The fee for a five (5) year Loader/Mixer Certificate is $50. Please bring this payment with you and make cheques payable to the Minister of Finance.)
Individuals who do not apply pesticides, but are directly involved with the mixing of a non-domestic pesticide for the application of agricultural crops, must have a Pesticide Loader/Mixer Certificate. No exam is required, but you must attend a half day training session to receive a Loader/Mixer Certificate. Must be 18 years of age for certification .
Please Note: If you hold a valid Class A Pesticide Applicator Certificate,
a Loader/Mixer Certificate is NO LONGER REQUIRED.
As space is limited, please pre-register by calling 902-368-4880.
Livestock
Cattle, hogs narrowly mixed on quarter-end positioning
U.S. livestock futures were narrowly mixed on Friday, with live cattle edging slightly higher in a rebound from an earlier 10-day low as investors squared up their positions on the final day of the quarter, traders and analysts said. MORE
Beef Packer Margins Show Profitability to be Down
A simple measure of beef packer margins so far this year shows profitability to be down from a year ago but better than the average of the last five years, reports Steiner Consulting Group, DLR Division, Inc. MORE
Steering Towards Grazing Fields
It makes sense that a 1,200 pound Angus cow would place quite a lot of pressure on the ground on which it walks. But a new study shows that even these heavy beasts can’t do much to compact common soils — if they’re grazed responsibly. MORE
Predicting Midge Seasonality Key to Reducing Livestock Diseases
Ecologists at the UK-based Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (CEH) have led a study which informs optimal strategies for control of devastating midge-borne diseases like bluetongue and Schmallenberg virus that affect cattle and sheep in the UK and beyond. MORE
New Poster Highlights Careers in Red Meat Industry
A new poster aimed at highlighting the careers available in the Scottish red meat industry has been launched today (29 March 2017) by Quality Meat Scotland (QMS) and Food and Drink Federation (FDF) Scotland. MORE
ANTAD Highlights Active Month for US Beef, Pork Promotions
In March, USMEF’s efforts to promote US red meat in Mexico included participation in ANTAD 2017, the premiere trade show for Mexico’s retail sector, along with hosting workshops and seminars highlighting the attributes of US beef and pork. MORE
Strong Rise in Cattle Prices as Numbers Tighten
IFA National Livestock Chairman Angus Woods has said cattle prices are rising strongly as numbers tighten and factories are finding it very difficult to get numbers. MORE
JBS accused of violating rainforest protection laws
The world’s largest meatpacker, Brazil’s JBS SA, has for years knowingly bought cattle that were raised on illegally deforested land, turning a blind eye to regulations meant to protect the Amazon rainforest, Brazil’s environmental regulator has alleged. MORE
‘Hogs and Pigs’ Pre-report Estimates Range Wider Than Usual
USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) will be releasing the much-anticipated Prospective Plantings report this Friday and also their survey on quarterly Grain Stocks, according to Steiner Consulting Group, DLR Division, Inc. MORE
Poultry farmers win right to appeal MCP’s specialty quota program
The Manitoba Farm Products Marketing Council has agreed to hear an appeal by chicken producers who say they’ve been hurt financially by a new program affecting how specialty chicken is raised and processed. MORE
Atlantic Stockyards Market Report – March 30 – HERE
*Scroll down to find current report
Ontario Cattlemen’s Association Market Report – Friday, March 31 HERE
Potatoes
Nufarm Seed Treatment Solutions
Nufarm offers a wide range of crop protection products—including seed treatments—to help growers harvest the highest yields from their potato crops. MORE
Dutch Potato processing Industry approaches 4 million tons milestone
Potato manufacturers in the Netherlands are approaching the 4 million tons of processed potatoes mark annually. From March 2016 to February 2017 3.942 million tonnes of potatoes were processed into consumer products in the Netherlands MORE
Neonicotinoid insecticides losing efficiency in potato psyllid control
The potato industry may be losing a mainstay in the battle against psyllids, according to a recent Texas A&M AgriLife Research study. MORE
Researchers develop drought resistant crops in Vanuatu
Mr. Pakao Leo, an agricultural expert and Coordinator of the Vanuatu Coastal Adaptation Project (VCAP), has been working with fellow experts to create more durable and profitable varieties in this ever hotter area. MORE
Australian ag dept may dump 5000 tons of seed potatoes to prevent outbreak
The Western Australian Department of Agriculture and Food have enacted trade restrictions today, which may see over 5000 tons of seed potato discarded in an attempt to combat an outbreak of disease. MORE
Cros Agro Allied invests $65m into Nigeria’s potato sector
Cros Agro Allied Ltd, a Nigerian agribusiness company, has announced plans to invest $65 million in Nigeria’s potato sector. In the long term, this should help create over 30,000 jobs in the potato value chain, generate up to $300 million in foreign exchange and create outgrower opportunities for 5,000 farmers. MORE
AAFC / InfoHort Potato Reports HERE
USDA – Daily National Potato and Onion Report HERE
Crops
North American grain/oilseed review: USDA data pressures canola, soy
ICE Futures Canada canola closed lower on Friday as a slew of data from the US lived up to bearish expectations. MORE
ICE Futures Canada Friday: Canola futures prices lower, barley unchanged HERE
Best Practices for Phosphorus Use
Phosphorus plays crucial roles in biology and sustainability. It is particularly important in crop nutrition. 4R practices for phosphorus management have great potential to improve both crop yields and water quality. MORE
Farmers to plant record low wheat acres, most soybeans ever
The amber waves of grain are about to turn into bean pods as farmers report they’ll plant millions of acres in soybeans instead of wheat this year as a global glut of the grain has made it unprofitable to grow. MORE
U.S. soy acreage forecast at all-time high despite plentiful stocks
U.S. farmers plan to seed a record amount of soybean acreage this spring, even with supplies trending near all-time highs, the government said Mar. 31. MORE
Cover Crop Image Database Available
Across the U.S., growers are increasingly using cover crops to suppress weeds, conserve soil, protect water quality and control pests and diseases. They could play a significant role in sequestering carbon from the atmosphere. MORE
Crop Insurance Hot Topic in D.C.
It is a busy season for agriculture, not just in the fields but also on the policy front. In just the past week, for example, a major farm bill summit brought stakeholders together in D.C., while across town lawmakers posed questions to secretary of agriculture nominee Sonny Perdue. Meanwhile, another farm bill hearing was held in the House of Representatives. Crop insurance was again a major talking point with many influencers singing the program’s praises. MORE
Stepping up the cider game
It’s a great time to lead in the cider business, and this farm group aims to take their Broken Ladder brand international MORE
AM markets: wheat market gives verdict on weekend’s US rains HERE
PEI Grain Elevator Prices – HERE
Grain Farmers of Ontario – Daily Commodity Report HERE
More Futures Prices HERE and HERE
General Interest
Govt Must Put Farming, Food at Centre of Brexit Battleground
IFA President Joe Healy has said farming and food will have to be centre stage in the Irish Government’s position as the formal negotiations on Brexit begin. MORE
Ford recalls F-250s that could roll while in park
Ford Motor Co. is recalling about 52,600 F-250 pickup trucks sold in the U.S. and Canada because the vehicles could roll after the driver moves the automatic transmission lever into park position, the company said on Saturday. MORE
FMC buying much of DuPont’s crop protection business
The move fulfills requirements of European regulators for divestiture as part of the Dupont-Dow deal MORE
Regular Updates
Weekly PEI Agriculture Market Reports – March 31 HERE
Rayglen Market Comments – March 29 HERE
Ontario Farm Market Summary – Thursday, March 30 HERE
AgWeather Atlantic HERE
Today’s Local Weather – HERE
Meetings and Events
Department of Agriculture & Fisheries – 2017 Agricultural Pesticide Class D
Seed Piece Treatment Training Course
Thursday, April 6, 2017
Location: Rodd Royalty (next to the Peter Pan), Charlottetown
Registration starts at 8:30 a.m.
Course starts at 9 a.m. till 12 noon
Cost $75.00 (The fee for a five (5) year Seed Piece Certificate is $75. Please bring this payment with you and make cheques payable to the Minister of Finance)
Individuals who are directly involved with seed piece treatment of agricultural crops, including potatoes and cereals require a Class D Seed Piece Treatment Certificate. No exam is required, but you must attend a half day training session to receive a Seed Piece Class D Certificate.
Please Note: If you hold a valid Class A Pesticide Applicator Certificate,
a Class D Certificate is NO LONGER REQUIRED. Must be 18 years of age for certificate.
As space is limited, please pre-register by calling the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries at 902-368-4880
Prince Edward Island Cattle Producers Annual Meeting
The Prince Edward Island Cattle Producers cordially invites you to attend its 10th Annual Meeting.
This meeting is set for Thursday, April 6 at 7:00 pm at the Farm Centre in Charlottetown.
Please RSVP by calling Rinnie at (902)368-2229, or by emailing cattlemen@eastlink.ca
Department of Agriculture & Fisheries – 2017 Agricultural Pesticide Loader / Mixer Training
Loader/Mixer Training
Wednesday, April 12, 2017
Location: Rodd Royalty (next to the Peter Pan), Charlottetown
Registration starts at 8:30 a.m.
Course starts at 9 a.m. till 12 noon
Cost $50.00 (The fee for a five (5) year Loader/Mixer Certificate is $50. Please bring this payment with you and make cheques payable to the Minister of Finance.)
Individuals who do not apply pesticides, but are directly involved with the mixing of a non-domestic pesticide for the application of agricultural crops, must have a Pesticide Loader/Mixer Certificate. No exam is required, but you must attend a half day training session to receive a Loader/Mixer Certificate. Must be 18 years of age for certification .
Please Note: If you hold a valid Class A Pesticide Applicator Certificate,
a Loader/Mixer Certificate is NO LONGER REQUIRED.
As space is limited, please pre-register by calling 902-368-4880.
Atlantic Green Expo
The first ever in Atlantic Canada!
Presented by Charlottetown company e365,
Friday, April 21 to Sunday, April 23 at the UPEI, School of Sustainable Design Engineering.
Atlantic Green Expo will showcase green solutions from eco-friendly exhibitors covering topics
such as clean and energy saving technologies, organic farming, eco-friendly products, transportation, watersheds and more. Educational sessions will be held throughout the Expo for
people interested in making more environmentally sound decisions when choosing products and
services.
Atlantic Green Expo will also feature Keynote speakers and activities for children. Visit Atlantic
Green Expo website for further information at http://atlanticgreenexpo.com/
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
Trade Team PEI Business Mission to South Korea
When: May 15, 2017 – May 19, 2017
Where: Seoul, South Korea
Innovation PEI, in partnership with the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) are seeking interest from PEI-based enterprises and organizations to participate in a multi-sector Business Mission to South Korea during the week of May 15-19, 2017. MORE
This mission will serve to enhance existing export relationships, provide opportunities for market expansion while at the same time providing an exceptional opportunity to introduce companies to this strong market. Korea is the 13th largest economy in the world and is one of the largest importing countries on the planet. P.E.I.’s exports to Korea in 2016 were almost $15 million and Canadian products/suppliers are much sought after for our high quality and reputation to deliver. This mission will be of particular interest to companies in the professional services, ICT, clean tech, education, manufacturing and food sectors. The customization of each delegate’s business development program to advance their mission-week and market objectives will be a core feature of this initiative.
During this week the Seoul Food and Hotel Show will be taking place offering mission participants a chance to see first-hand the breadth of product offering and to gather key market intelligence. While there is a Canada pavilion at this event, P.E.I. will not have a booth at the show for this year. Participants will be able to walk the show. However we will also be exploring this opportunity for future years. For details on the Seoul Hotel and Food Show visit http://www.seoulfoodnhotel.co.kr/
For more information on this mission and to express your interest in participating, please contact either of these mission leads by email or by phone:
Scott Ferris – Innovation PEI scferris@gov.pe.ca or (902) 368-5952 or Jeff Burry – ACOA Jeff.Burry@canada.ca or (902) 314-2197
