Membership Survey
The recent 76th Annual General Meeting was a great success on a number of fronts, but as always we would like to improve for next year. Please take a moment to complete this SURVEY to give us feedback, even if you did not attend, we’d like to know why and what might bring you out to the AGM in the future. Thanks! SURVEY
Local, Regional, Canadian News
ADL exploring a new façade for Charlottetown plant, while city wants it to fit in with heritage surroundings
Amalgamated Dairies Ltd. (ADL) has been in talks with the City of Charlottetown’s heritage department about alterations to the façade at its Perfection Foods plant on the corner of Fitzroy and Weymouth streets. MORE
New Brunswick, Nova Scotia impose spring weights
Spring weight limits on trucks and other vehicles are coming into effect on certain roads in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. MORE
Coop federee cracks $6 billion mark in revenues
Revenues for expansion-minded Quebec agrifood and retail co-operative La Coop federee crossed the $6 billion mark in fiscal 2016, leading to a substantial jump in patronage dividends to producers. MORE
EU trade deal moves forward but questions remain
With ratification by the European Parliament and the House of Commons, the Canada-Europe free trade deal known as CETA has taken a giant step forward. 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.
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 two to be announced all welcome!
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
Livestock
Another seven farms released from TB quarantine
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has released another seven farms from tuberculosis quarantines established last year. MORE
Scottish Spring Calving Trend Confirmed by Latest Figures
A distinct move by Scottish beef cattle producers to focus on spring calving is evident in the statistics for Scottish calf registrations for 2016. MORE
Government, Industry Partnerships Way Forward for Cattle Industry
Cattle Council have welcomed a new collaborative research and development funding partnership between Meat and Livestock Australia, through MLA Donor Company, and the NSW Department of Primary Industries. MORE
Enhanced Access for Irish Beef to Saudi Arabia Announced
An agreement on enhanced access for Irish beef to Saudi Arabia has been announced as a major Irish agri-food Trade Mission to the Gulf region continues. MORE
FAO Reiterates Continued Support to Africa’s Livestock Sector
The UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has reiterated that it would continue supporting Africa’s livestock sector. MORE
Profit-taking pressures cattle futures, boosts hogs
Chicago Mercantile Exchange live cattle futures were mostly lower on Friday while lean hog futures gained sharply as investors took profits in each livestock contract, traders and analysts said. MORE
Moon Pig Project Aims to Produce Pigs in Sustainable, Environmentally Friendly Way
Denmark is a world leader in pig production and is always striving to improve the technologies associated with pigs. MORE
Cherkizovo Launches New Sow Farm in Lipetsk Region
Cherkizovo Group, the largest vertically integrated meat and feed producer in Russia, has launched a new sow farm in the Lipetsk region. Igor Babaev, founder of Cherkizovo Group, and Oleg Korolev, head of administration of the Lipetsk region, both attended the opening. MORE
Australian Pork Expansion to Benefit Southeast Asia
A pork processor in South Australia that supplies meat to Southeast Asia will undergo a major expansion to become one of the biggest facilities of its kind. MORE
Atlantic Stockyards Market Report – February 23 Regular and Feeder Sale – HERE
*Scroll down to find current report
Ontario Cattlemen’s Association Market Report – Friday, February 24 HERE
Potatoes
Changing trends and challenges in the U.S. potato industry
While changes in health habits like low-carb diets in the US have had an effect on demand for potatoes in the World, these negative views of the vegetable are beginning to change according to Blair Richardson, president of Potatoes USA. MORE
First batch of US Seed Potatoes to arrive in Jining (China) next month.
The office for Inspection and Quarantine in Jining city (Shandong province), recently handled papers regarding the import of seed potatoes for a local agricultural company. MORE
University of Idaho expands its nuclear potato seed program
University of Idaho has hired a new director for its nuclear seed potato program and plans to build additional facilities to help her expand production. MORE
Raising Pests for Research
Weeds and insect colonies grow in one greenhouse; off-colored and funny-shaped pinto beans grow in another. Scientists at the University of Idaho’s Research and ExtensionCenter north of Kimberly, Idaho, work year-round in the greenhouses to make growers’ lives easier. MORE
House Age Committee Passes Pesticide Bill
On Feb. 14, in the House of Representatives, Rep. Rodney Davis (R-IL) introduced H.R. 1029, the Pesticide Registration Enhancement Act of 2017, which reauthorizes the Pesticide Registration Improvement Act (PRIA).
Arysta Royal MH-30 Xtra
As a trusted plant growth regulator, potato growers trust Royal MH-30 Xtra from Arysta LifeScience. Royal MH-30 Xtra works to provide a higher grade of potato and better storage quality. It also decreases the number of undersized crops and cuts down on volunteer potatoes the following spring. MORE
Can We Measure Yields from Space?
U.S. researchers have come up with a new method of estimating crop yields from small farms in Africa using high-resolution images from the latest generation of satellites—a development which could help cut hunger in poor parts of the world. MORE
Growers Stand Up for Potatoes in D.C.
The National Potato Council (NPC) hosted the 2017 Potato D.C. Fly-In Feb. 13-16, bringing together more than 150 U.S. potato growers and industry partners from across the country to advocate for the industry’s most pressing federal policy priorities MORE
Slow-Release Nitrogen Could Increase Yields
Nitrogen fertilizers—used to grow crops around the globe—have a problem. After they’re applied to soil, more than three-fourths of their nutrients get washed away before plants can absorb them. MORE
New potato varieties for Spain and Portugal
Pepsur Marketing, a subsidiary of Pan European Potato Enterprise Limited, a company dedicated to the production and marketing of potatoes and seed potatoes, is introducing several new potato varieties to Spain and Portugal, where the company represents a.o. the potato companies IPM and Cygnet. MORE
As potato farming in Kurdistan is increasing, lack of storage becomes a problem
The Kurdish Ministry of Agriculture predicts that farmers will plant more than 15,000 tons of seed potatoes in mid-February, increasing the amount of potatoes produced in the region. MORE
AAFC / InfoHort Potato Reports HERE
USDA – Daily National Potato and Onion Report HERE
Crops
North American Grain/Oilseed Review: Canola Ends Narrowly Mixed
ICE Futures Canada canola contracts were mixed at Friday’s close, seeing some consolidation to end the week. MORE
ICE Futures Canada Friday: Canola futures prices mostly higher, barley unchanged HERE
Yield Manitoba 2017 valuable tool for Manitoba farmers
Manitoba farmers, on average, reaped a bumper crop in 2016, despite a record number of hail claims and excessive rain in some areas. MORE
Delayed planting on Prairies could reduce corn acres
Record yields for Manitoba corn last year have raised the attractiveness of the commodity for many growers. MORE
2016 claims near $650M: Sask. crop insurance premiums, coverage going up
Bad weather last year means crop insurance premiums and coverage levels are going up in Saskatchewan this year. MORE
Wheat, corn hit two-week lows on long liquidation
U.S. wheat futures fell to a two-week low on Friday and corn hit a 2-1/2-week low on technical selling including fund long liquidation, analysts said. MORE
AM markets: wheat dips, as funds run down on shorts to close HERE
PEI Grain Elevator Prices – HERE
Grain Farmers of Ontario – Daily Commodity Report HERE
More Futures Prices HERE and HERE
General Interest
Extra funds, orders help B.C. ALC clear backlog
British Columbia’s Agricultural Land Commission credits new funding, and a new regime of performance measures, with helping it to clear its backlog of applications. MORE
When influencing opinion, heart not head
Adman says farmers should use stories to make an emotional connection with consumers MORE
Who’s to blame?
When variable-rate technology first came onto our radars roughly 20 years ago, it was supposed to revolutionize agriculture. MORE
Widely Accepted Vision for Agriculture May be Inaccurate
“Food production must double by 2050 to feed the world’s growing population.” This truism has been repeated so often in recent years that it has become widely accepted among academics, policymakers and farmers, but now researchers are challenging this assertion and suggesting a new vision for the future of agriculture. MORE
USDA Invests $4.8 million in Agricultural Programmes
The US Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) has announced 19 grants totaling $4,790,100 to support agricultural science programmes at non-land-grant universities. MORE
U.S. ag sector seeks opportunities in face of challenges
With shrinking farm income and a rising debt-to-asset ratio, the U.S. agriculture industry’s leaders are eyeing opportunities that could help it return to a point of profitability. MORE
Mexico eyes Brazil farm products as hedge on Trump threat
Amid trade tensions with the U.S., Mexico plans to send a delegation next month to visit Brazilian corn, beef, chicken and soy producers as an alternative to U.S. suppliers, its representative in Brazil said on Friday. MORE
Regular Updates
Weekly PEI Agriculture Market Reports – February 23 HERE
Rayglen Market Comments – February 22 HERE
Ontario Farm Market Summary – Friday, February 24 HERE
AgWeather Atlantic HERE
Today’s Local Weather – HERE
Meetings and Events
Cereals & Oilseeds 2017 / PEI Soil & Crop Conference
The PEI Department of Agriculture & Fisheries and PEI Soil & Crop will one again be hosting their annual conference on March 1st and 2nd at the Rodd Royalty, Charlottetown. MORE
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 two to be announced all welcome!
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
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
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.
