Lower feed costs weigh on supply-managed goods
Relatively soft feed grain prices over the past year mean producers of supply-managed commodities, such as milk and eggs, have also received lower prices for their products. Such is the interpretation of industry participants accounting for declines in the latest Farm Price Index data released by Statistics Canada. MORE
Call for Nominations – Farmer-Rancher Pollinator Conservation Award
The Canadian Federation of Agriculture (CFA), Pollinator Partnership (P2), and Canadian Forage and Grassland Association (CFGA) are pleased to announce the call for nominations for the 2016 Canadian Farmer-Rancher Pollinator Conservation Award. Individuals or families in Canada currently implementing pollinator protection measures on their farm or ranch are encouraged to apply. MORE
Ontario greenhouse grower organization deliberates action against convicted growers
The Mucci greenhouse operation, convicted and fined $1.5 million in a Windsor court Monday for labelling and selling imported vegetables as Canadian product, may face additional sanctions, only this time from the Ontario Greenhouse Vegetable Growers organization. MORE
Liberals tread unfamiliar ground on agricultural issues
It has grown into one of the key hot-button issues facing agriculture — the widening gap between how farmers farm and how people want their food produced. MORE
Editorial: A fine balance
Few would doubt the special nature of the agriculture industry. After all, it’s the only sector I can think of that rates its own census, and one of the very few which has its own federal and provincial governmental departments. MORE
Destination Europe
CETA will open new market opportunities for Canadian food and beverage products, if the industry is ready to access them MORE
Alarm raised by antibiotic resistance
Britain’s Prime Minister David Cameron is raising alarm over antibiotic resistance and has asked the seven leading nations of the Western World, including Canada and the United States, to take action. MORE
Do you have new employees on your farm this spring?
Or are you someone who is starting a new job in agriculture? The PEIFA has some great resources on the website to assist with training – all free of charge!
Our Foreign Worker Training video covers animal safety, tractor safety, forklift safety, chemical safety, sun safety and knife safety. We encourage you to use this resource and others as part of your farm orientation! This resource is valuable to all farm employees and is available in English, Spanish and Chinese. View the video HERE
For more information on resources and other safety training please contact the PEIFA office 902-368-7289.
Livestock
U.S. livestock: Fund liquidation sinks CME live cattle
Feeder cattle end sharply lower, lean hogs finish weak MORE
CME: Feedlot Marketing Rates Faster than Last Year
The US cattle feeding sector is not following the same path as last year, which set the stage for the cattle price collapse during the last few months of 2015. MORE
Watch Out for Parasites and Pests in Wet Weather
Excessive rains in many parts of the state have Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service experts concerned about the possibility of increased parasite and pest activity with livestock. MORE
Hog Outlook: Forecast Lowered for 2016-2017 Red Meat Production
USDA has lowered slightly their forecast of red meat and poultry production in both 2016 and 2017, write Ron Plain and Scott Brown, Ag Economics, MU. MORE
US Pork Producers Advised to Prepare for Changes in Antibiotic Use Rules
The Vice President Science and technology with the National Pork Board says pork producers should already be preparing for pending changes in how they’ll be allowed to use antibiotics. MORE
Atlantic Stockyards Weekly Market Report – June 9 HERE
*Scroll down the page to find the report
Ontario Cattlemen’s Association Market Report – Thursday, June 9 HERE
Potatoes
WHAT’S IN A NAME?
The modern day potato has called many different things in the past — here’s a sample. MORE
The environmental benefits of potato breeding
On World Environment Day (June 5), potato breeding company HZPC highlighted the benefits of breeding on yield, carbon footprint and water use. MORE
The potato disease that changed the world
Potato blight changed Europe and America, and led to widespread deaths and mass emigration. And we’re not rid of it yet. But where did it come from? MORE
USD4.5m invested in potato farming in Zambia
Social impact investor and project developer AGDEVCO has invested in a US$4.5 million partnership with Saise Farming Enterprises Limited (SFEL) to produce potato seed for smallholder farmers in Northern Province of Zambia. MORE
Dutch partnership building potato factory in China
In May 2016 APH Group signed a large contract with Inner Mongolia Linkage Potato Co., Ltd for the delivery of a Miedema potato handling and transport system and an Omnivent climate control system. MORE
Updated June 1st – AAFC / InfoHort Potato Reports HERE
USDA – Daily National Potato and Onion Report HERE
Crops
North American Grain/Oilseed Review: Canola mixed, beans mostly higher
ICE Futures Canada canola contracts were narrowly mixed on Friday, retreating from earlier gains to settle mixed at the final bell. MORE
ICE Futures Canada Friday: Canola futures prices mostly lower, barley unchanged MORE
PM markets: Grains pair gains as US forecast turns wetter HERE
U.S. grains: Soybeans notch longest bull run in 43 years
Corn, wheat retreat from recent gains MORE
PEI Grain Elevator – Prices – June 9 HERE
Grain Farmers of Ontario – Daily Commodity Report HERE
More Futures Prices HERE and HERE
General Interest
Why farmers should care what consumers think
Building strong trust with consumers is critical to the success of modern farming MORE
Aquaponics
A relatively new field of agriculture, aquaponics is set for huge growth worldwide according to Wasiim Kader Bathia, a Memorial University MSc grad and aquaponics expert MORE
Aquaponics – an organic production system?
Aquaculture, including aquatic animal and plant production, as well as plants grown under aquaponics systems, will soon be integrated to the Organic Products Regulations (OPR). The OPR will reference the Organic Aquaculture Standard with which aquaculturists have to comply to have their products certified and labeled as organic. MORE
Regular Updates
PEIDAF Agriculture Marketing Report – June 10 HERE
FCC Express – June 10 HERE
Ontario Farm Market Summary – Thursday, June 9 HERE
AgWeather Atlantic HERE
Today’s Local Weather – HERE
Meetings and Events
Forklift Course
Tuesday, June 14th – JVI in Summerside
Cost: $150+hst – Call 902-436-8774 to register
PEIFA / Island Lime / PEI Agromart Scholarship
$2000 Scholarship to be awarded – Application Deadline is July 1st. DETAILS and APPLICATION
Combine Clinic – East
Jul 13 – Montague
The PEI Department of Agriculture & Fisheries will be hosting two Combine Clinics featuring combine specialist John Aubin. MORE
Combine Clinic – West
Jul 14 – Summerside MORE
East Coast Style 2016 – Dairy Sale & Show
Aug 11 – 13 – Eastside Holsteins, Frenchfort MORE
