Local, Regional, Canadian News
Conserving the soil earns farmer award recognition
David Francis of Lady Fane is this year’s recipient of the Gilbert R. Clements Award for Excellence in Environmental Farm Planning. MORE
Goat farmer on P.E.I. set to hit market with ice cream, caramels
A Hampshire woman, who operates a petting zoo, is turning it into a full-fledged dairy goat operation. MORE
Modern laser-based technology transforms soil analysis process
Brenda Shanahan, Member of Parliament for Châteauguay—Lacolle, on behalf of Minister of Agriculture and Agri Food Lawrence MacAulay, today announced a repayable contribution of $470,000 to help a Quebec company to commercialize a laser-based soil analysis system that replaces more traditional chemical analyses. MORE
British Columbia food makers receive $2.3 million to develop innovative products
Cauli Crumble by Big Mountain Foods, a family-owned British Columbia food processing business, is one of 36 new projects receiving more than $2.3 million in funding going towards a range of innovative projects in British Columbia’s agri-food sector. MORE
$400-million pea plant announced
Pea acres in the province could see a growth spurt following the announcement global ingredient and pharmaceutical giant Roquette will build its next processing plant in Manitoba. MORE
In-Person Consumer Consultations on Food Labelling Modernization
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and Health Canada want to hear from everyday consumers like you.
We are holding in-person discussions to get your perspective on proposals to modernize food labelling in Canada and would like to talk about:
- Labelling information that is important to you
- Proposed improvements to food label information and legibility, and;
- Enhancements to the ways consumers get information on label claims or statements
There is no cost to register. Participants are expected to cover their own travel costs to attend. Prior knowledge of food labelling is not required.
In-person consumer sessions will be held in the following cities:
Atlantic Provinces
- Dartmouth, NS January 30, 2017 9:00 am – 12:00 pm (English)
- Moncton, NB January 31, 2017 9:00 am – 12:00 pm (French)
- Moncton, NB January 31, 2017 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm (English)
- Charlottetown, PEI February 1, 2017 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm (English)
- St-John’s, NL February 3, 2017 9:00 am – 12:00 pm (English)
2ND ANNUAL ATLANTIC YOUNG FARMER TRAINING EVENT
Those who register for both events will receive a 15% discount.
Bridging the Gap: Succession & Transition Planning Workshop for Farm Families!
February 9th and 10th
Glengarry Hotel – Truro, Nova Scotia
Register HERE
Innovate for Value Chain Management
February 10th and 11th
Dalhousie Agricultural Campus – Bible Hill, Nova Scotia
Register HERE
Atlantic 4R Nutrient Stewardship Training
Fertilizer Canada’s Nutrient Stewardship training courses help you understand the economic, social, and environmental advantages of 4R practices and how these can be implemented on Canadian farms.
-Free Training
-Participants will receive certification after course completion
-Lunch Provided
**Note: Only the first 30 participants to RSVP will be accepted
-Please send your RSVP to: nfrost@fertilizercanada.ca or call (613)-786-3032
February 22, 2017 – 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Westmorland Room, Crowne Plaza 1005 Main St, Moncton, NB
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
Livestock
Just a bad patch? Or is the cattle sector in denial?
The cattle industry needs to stop patting itself on the back and face an uncomfortable truth — its grand plan to create a bright new future isn’t yielding results. MORE
U.S. December feedlot cattle placements hit six-year high
U.S. feedlots brought in 18 per cent more cattle in December than the year-earlier month, the U.S. Department of Agriculture said on Friday, which topped forecasts and reached a six-year high for that month. MORE
CME live cattle sag before USDA report
Chicago Mercantile Exchange live cattle futures settled weaker on Friday ahead of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s monthly Cattle on Feed report at 2 p.m. CT, said traders. MORE
CPC Ships First Cattle Load to Indonesia for 2017
The Consolidated Pastoral Company (CPC), Australia’s second largest cattle producer, has shipped its first load of cattle for 2017. MORE
Supreme Court Refuses to Hear Petition Seeking Total Ban on Cattle Slaughter
A bench comprising the Chief Justice of India, J.S. Khehar, and Justice N.V. Ramana said it cannot direct States to frame laws banning slaughter of cattle. MORE
Will the US Take Retaliatory Measures Against the EU?
The United States announced in late December that it intends taking action against the EU because of trade discrimination against US beef. MORE
Economics of PRRS in Growing Pigs Is Severe for Producers
At the North American PRRS Symposium, a key focus was how to control PRRS in growing pigs because the economic impact is exceptionally high for this population of pigs. MORE
Will US Pork Mountain Prove Insurmountable for UK Exports
The latest United States forecasts anticipate that pig meat output will reach a record high this year, up by as much as 5 per cent on 2016 to nearly 12 million tonnes. MORE
US Livestock, Poultry Industries are Blessed Again
The US livestock, poultry and dairy industries have been blessed (again) with a record-setting corn harvest, writes the Steiner Consulting Group. MORE
Animal Disease Spread Shown Using Social Network Analysis
Researchers have shown that looking at movements of operators and vehicles between farms in the same way we look at contacts in social networks can help explain the spread of dangerous infectious diseases of livestock, such as foot-and-mouth disease and avian influenza. MORE
Atlantic Stockyards Market Report – January 26 – HERE
*Scroll down to find current report
Ontario Cattlemen’s Association Market Report – Friday, January 27 HERE
Potatoes
Covered Bridge Potato Chip Company Expands to Meet Growing Demand
The Covered Bridge Potato Chip Company in New Brunswick, Canada has purchased new equipment and expanded its facility thanks to investments from the federal and provincial governments. MORE
Bob Evans Foods agrees to buy the Pineland Farms Potato Company in Maine
Pineland Farms Potato Company, Inc. (PFPC), located in Mars Hill, Maine confirmed the signing of a Stock Purchase Agreement with Bob Evans Foods (BEF) of New Albany, Ohio. MORE
Branston Raises over GBP16k for Local Charity
Lincolnshire potato supplier, Branston, has raised, for local charity LIVES, more than GBP16k throughout 2016 helping to fund the life-saving work performed by the charity across the country. MORE
Potato Exporters Worry about the US Withdrawing from TPP
US farmers are wondering how local growers and farmers who export their products to Asia will be affected by the decision of the new president Donald Trump to withdrew the U.S. from the Trans-Pacific Partnership. MORE
POTATO-VEGETABLE GROWERS GIVE $5 MILLION FOR UW-RESEARCH
Potato growers plan to give $5 million to University of Wisconsin-Madison during the next decade to conduct research for the industry. MORE
Potato virus shows potential for cancer treatments
After a recent research study, the potato virus X (PVX) was shown to have potential for possible cancer treatments. MORE
Potato Deserves Place at Table
In the two decades I’ve been writing about food and health, one piece of diet advice has remained consistent: eat more whole plant foods. More vegetables and fruits, more legumes and grains, more tubers and roots. There has been, that I can recall, only one notable exception: the beleaguered potato. Eat more plants! Just not potatoes. MORE
McCain Foods Australia to use NewCold robotic Cold Store Facilities in Truganina
McCain Foods Australia has announced a new contract agreement with cold storage provider, NewCold as part of an ongoing effort to improve supply chain efficiencies. MORE
Low potato supply causes vegetable CPI increase by 12.5% in Australia
Potato farmers in Australia are suffering through low supplies and the inability to work their fields due to recent weather conditions. MORE
New type of potato and onion storage ticks all the boxes
In the search for unique, customer and environmentally friendly packaging, German packaging company, BayPack Obst, developed a new display box around two years ago, for the sale and storage of potatoes and onions. MORE
Vegetable cultivation fell by 30% in 2016
Vegetable cultivation, especially of potatoes, is facing the same problems as in previous years. To summarize: there is an absence of seeds. MORE
UNPT discusses future of potato sector
The UNPT (National potato producers union) presented the results of a study carried out alongside FranceAgriMer on the prospectives of global exchange by 2025 on the 24th January during their 14th convention. MORE
AAFC / InfoHort Potato Reports HERE
USDA – Daily National Potato and Onion Report HERE
Crops
North American grain/oilseed review: Canola lower ahead of the weekend
ICE Futures Canada canola declined in low-volume trade ahead of the weekend, pressured by losses in outside vegetable oil markets. MORE
ICE Futures Canada Friday: Canola futures prices lower, barley unchanged
Wheat, durum exports running behind average
Canadian wheat and durum exports are running well behind the year-ago pace, despite the country’s larger production. MORE
Wheat sets two-week low on supplies, trade jitters
U.S. wheat futures touched a two-week low on Friday on plentiful domestic and world supplies and a firmer dollar, which tends to make U.S. grains less competitive, traders said. MORE
AM markets: Trump policy fallout fuels risk-off feel HERE
PEI Grain Elevator Prices – HERE
Grain Farmers of Ontario – Daily Commodity Report HERE
More Futures Prices HERE and HERE
General Interest
PotashCorp says Q4 profit hit by weak prices, low margins for its fertilizers
Potash Corporation of Saskatchewan Inc. has released a preliminary financial report that shows the fertilizer company’s fourth-quarter earnings were down about 71 per cent from the year earlier, mostly due to weak prices and profit margins. MORE
NFU Appoints New Head of Food and Farming
The National Farmers Union has appointed a new Head of Food and Farming to lead its food chain and commodity areas. MORE
Dutch Taskforce Connects Initiatives Against Food Waste
The Taskforce Circular Economy in Food, launched during the National Food Summit in the Netherlands, aims to prevent and reduce food waste and become an international frontrunner in the valorisation of agrifood residual streams. MORE
Regular Updates
FCC Express – January 27 HERE
Ontario Farm Market Summary – Tuesday, January 24 HERE
AgWeather Atlantic HERE
Today’s Local Weather – HERE
Meetings and Events
2ND ANNUAL ATLANTIC YOUNG FARMER TRAINING EVENT
Those who register for both events will receive a 15% discount.
Bridging the Gap: Succession & Transition Planning Workshop for Farm Families!
February 9th and 10th
Glengarry Hotel – Truro, Nova Scotia
Register HERE
Innovate for Value Chain Management
February 10th and 11th
Dalhousie Agricultural Campus – Bible Hill, Nova Scotia
Register HERE
Atlantic 4R Nutrient Stewardship Training
Fertilizer Canada’s Nutrient Stewardship training courses help you understand the economic, social, and environmental advantages of 4R practices and how these can be implemented on Canadian farms.
-Free Training
-Participants will receive certification after course completion
-Lunch Provided
**Note: Only the first 30 participants to RSVP will be accepted
-Please send your RSVP to: nfrost@fertilizercanada.ca or call (613)-786-3032
February 22, 2017 – 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Westmorland Room, Crowne Plaza 1005 Main St, Moncton, NB
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:
January 31,2017 Loyalist Inn, Summerside
February 21, 2017 Lane’s Riverhouse Inn, Montague
March 14, 2017 Rodd Royalty, TCH Charlottetown
Day B:
January 26,2017 Rodd Royalty, THC, Charlottetown
February 2,2017 Loyalist Inn, Summerside
February 22,2017 Lanes Riverhouse Inn, Montague
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
Second Option:
You can also renew your license by attending a one day training course and writing the exam at the end of the day (there is no cost to attend this course). This training course is designed to refresh your memory and prepare you for writing the exam. It DOES NOT provide you with any certification days. There is no cost to write the exam. The cost for a 5 year Pesticide Applicator Certificate is $75.
The 2017 training schedule for the one day course followed by writing the exam is as follows:
February 1, 2017 Rodd Royalty, TCH, Charlottetown
February 22, 2017 Loyalist Inn, Summerside March 15, 2017 Rodd Royalty, TCH, Charlottetown
Registration begins at 8:15 a.m. Training sessions begin at 8:45 a.m. and are completed by 3:30 p.m. The exam will be from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
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.
