PEIFA Golf Tournament
Thursday, August 10th – Countryview Golf Course. 9:00a.m. shotgun start. Includes 9 Holes of golf, cart and bbq steak dinner – $60.00 per person.
Contact Jennifer at 902-368-7289 or jmurphy@peifa.ca to register.
MUST PRE-REGISTER by August 4th.
Local, Regional, Canadian News
Working together to build A Food Policy for Canada
The decisions we make as individuals and as a country about food have a direct impact on our health, environment, economy, and communities. Today, over 250 participants, with diverse expertise on food issues, are wrapping up a unique two-day Summit in Ottawa, marking an important step in the development of A Food Policy for Canada. MORE
Ontario redrafts vegetable grower organization governance
Ontario’s Farm Products Marketing Commission (OFPMC) is proposing a new governance structure for the Ontario Processing Vegetable Growers, which has been without a board of directors since March. MORE
Farm and food talks bring new voices to the policy table
The meeting the Canadian Federation of Agriculture hosted in Ottawa June 5 wasn’t the usual assembly of farmers. MORE
Brad Wall to extol free trade in meetings with western governors next week
Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall says he’ll be reiterating a message about the importance of free trade when he attends a meeting of governors from western states. MORE
Advance Payments Program through the PEI Federation of Agriculture
Eligible producers will are now able to apply for the 2017 Advance Payments Program through the PEI Federation of Agriculture.
Federation Members will continue to receive a preferred rate on Administrative Fees. This is available for farmers who have paid their dues in 2017 or those that were members as of December 31, 2016.
For more information on the program, please contact Andrew Wood or Tim Seeber at 902-368-7289.
Green Internship with the PEI Potato Board
An exciting opportunity is available for a recent agriculture/environmental sciences graduate to gain experience in the field. A term position supported through the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Agricultural Youth Green Jobs Initiative is being offered by the PEI Potato Board for a six month period from September 5, 2017 to March 31, 2018 (30 weeks).
Eligible applicants must be 30 years or younger, have graduated from a university, college or CEGEP program, have not participated in any other federal Youth Employment Strategy programs such as Career Focus, and be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.
The intern will work out of the PEI Potato Board office in Charlottetown.
Duties:
- Prepare articles, press releases and other communications materials on the programs to promote efforts growers are making to utilize environmentally sustainable farming practices.
- Assist with harvest and sample collection from on-farm trials looking at environmentally beneficial field practices.
- Conduct the second phase of the Prince Edward Island 4R Survey.
- Help to coordinate a tree planting program sponsored by the Potato Board/Watershed groups and the Department of Education.
- Gather data to complete plans as part of the Linking Environment and Farming (LEAF) program.
- Prepare communication materials to increase the awareness of the benefit of grass waterways as a means of reducing soil run off from fields and also of programs available to help growers install and maintain grass waterways.
Applicant must be adaptable to both office and field work and have strong verbal and written communication skills. Access to a personal vehicle is also required.
Please apply with cover letter and resume by June 29, 2017 to: Prince Edward Island Potato Board, 90 Hillstrom Avenue, Charlottetown, PEI, C0A 1N0 or potato@peipotato.org. We thank all applicants, but only those chosen for interviews will be contacted.
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/
Selection Process for Farm Products Council of Canada
On February 25, 2016, the Prime Minister announced a new process for Governor in Council appointments. This new process supports an open, transparent, and merit-based selection process focused on identifying high-quality candidates who demonstrate Canada’s diversity.
This process will be used to select new members for the Farm Products Council of Canada. I am writing to you to seek your assistance in promoting this selection process.
The candidates we are looking for must have experience as a primary producer, in agribusiness, in the agri-food industry, or in food distribution or retail. Candidates should also have experience in decision making with respect to sensitive and complex issues, experience in maintaining effective relationships with multiple stakeholders and balancing their interests and divergent views, and an understanding of the Canadian supply management system for poultry and eggs.
I encourage you to inform your members of this opportunity and invite interested candidates to apply for a member position at the following website: HERE
Livestock
CME live cattle rally before USDA report
Chicago Mercantile Exchange live cattle futures closed higher on Friday, with support from buy stops and late-session short-covering before the afternoon’s U.S. Department of Agriculture monthly Cattle on Feed report, said traders. MORE
Brazil farm minister heads to U.S. over fresh beef ban
Brazil’s agriculture minister prepared to travel to the U.S. on Friday to fight a ban on imports of fresh Brazilian beef, which hit shares of local meatpackers and revived concerns about the image of the world’s largest beef exporter. MORE
US Beef’s Interest in EU Reaffirmed at Trade Show in Milan
Demonstrating US beef’s continued interest in the European retail sector, USMEF partnered with Giraudi, one of the region’s largest importers and distributors, to promote US beef at the TuttoFood show in Milan, Italy. MORE
BJP’s ‘Beef Ban’ Threatens to Derail Their North East Ambitions
The BJP juggernaut rolls on in the North East. The party, which has been gathering momentum after its thumping election win in Assam and a less spectacular victory in Manipur, is now looking to repeat its performance in Meghalaya, the hill state where elections are due next year. MORE
IME Debuts Cattle Trading for Export
Iran Mercantile Exchange has begun listing livestock for exports. MORE
Finding Front Line Workers Biggest Challenge for Ag Employers
The Human Resources and Training Coordinator with Manitoba Pork says the biggest challenge for pork industry employers is attracting front line workers, Bruce Cochrane reports. MORE
Hog farmers at Ontario Pork Congress optimistic
Glacier FarmMedia’s John Greig attended the recent Ontario Pork Congress in Stratford, Ont., and spoke with the chair of Ontario Pork about the future of the province’s pork industry and what role international markets are likely to play in the coming future. MORE
Barn building code changes under fire after blaze
Manitoba Pork is standing by the province’s proposed building code changes, even as advocacy group Hog Watch Manitoba argues they might increase the risk of hog barn fires. MORE
May Pork Inventories 0.5% Less Than Previous Month
USDA announced Thursday night that it would suspend imports of all fresh/frozen Brazilian beef and this would likely be a point of discussion as markets opened Friday, reports Steiner Consulting Group, DLR Division, Inc. MORE
Spot Bacon Remains in Extremely Short Supply
The SPP continues to improve, rising by .21p to 161.91p; some weekly contribution prices stood on, with others up by a penny in places, writes Peter Crichton in his “Traffic Lights” commentary for 26 June. MORE
Experts Discuss Pork Production, Sales in Cuba
Food deficit for pig producers, the quality and high prices of pork meat were the main topics debated on Wednesday at Mesa Redonda TV programme. MORE
Chinese Authorities Push for Reduction in Use of Antibiotics in Poultry, Livestock
Irregularities in the use of antibiotics in poultry and livestock in China will be strictly monitored to reduce drug resistance, according to a national plan released by the Ministry of Agriculture on Friday. MORE
Atlantic Stockyards Market Report – June 22 – HERE
*Scroll down to find current report
Ontario Cattlemen’s Association Market Report – Thursday, June 22 HERE
Potatoes
Thinking Inside the Box
With today’s increasingly competitive international marketplace, potato growers and processors are continuously looking at more efficient and progressive produce handling processes that increase crop yield and value. MORE
A Prescription for Managing Weed Resistance
Growers need a multifaceted approach to prevent and manage the costly challenges posed by weeds. MORE
Red Valentine potato volume, greater than in previous years
New potato varieties are gaining ground in the consumer market, where the demand for new products increases and other varieties are left behind. MORE
Scottish scientists identify gene to create more heat tolerant potatoes
Potatoes are the third most important food crop in the world after rice and wheat. MORE
AAFC / InfoHort Potato Reports HERE
USDA – Daily National Potato and Onion Report HERE
Crops
North American Grain/Oilseed Review: Canola higher ahead of the weekend
ICE Futures Canada canola contracts were stronger on Friday, as the market corrected off of nearby lows ahead of the weekend. MORE
ICE Futures Canada Friday: Canola futures prices higher, barley unchanged
Strengthening loonie beats strengthening vegetable oil
It was a volatile time for the ICE Futures Canada canola market during the week ended June 16 as the weight of the rising Canadian currency offset gains in vegetable oil. MORE
CanolaPALOOZA comes to Manitoba
Canolapalooza made its second annual stop in Manitoba at the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada grounds in Portage la Prairie on June 21. Hear what Manitoba Co-operator reporter Alexis Stockford had to say about the event and what you can expect to see in an upcoming issue of the Co-operator. MORE
CWRS wheat bids rising with U.S. weather concerns
Hard red spring wheat bids in Western Canada continued to rise with U.S. futures during the week ended June 16, as hot and dry conditions in the major wheat-growing regions of the Dakotas and Montana floated all boats. MORE
Crude oil bearishness seeps into canola market
The falling price of crude oil is a bearish force weighing on many agricultural commodities, including canola, according to a Prairie market analyst. MORE
Spring wheat at 2-1/2-year high, corn at six-month low
MGEX spring wheat futures jumped to a 2-1/2-year high on Friday and Chicago Board of Trade corn futures dipped to a six-month low in technically driven trade amid an outlook for generally favourable U.S. crop weather, traders said. MORE
AM markets: ags open firm in big week. Spring wheat up again HERE
PEI Grain Elevator Prices – HERE
Grain Farmers of Ontario – Daily Commodity Report HERE
More Futures Prices HERE and HERE
General Interest
Kansas jury awards $218M to farmers in Syngenta GMO suit
A Kansas federal jury awarded nearly $218 million on Friday to farmers who sued Swiss agribusiness giant Syngenta over its introduction of a genetically engineered corn seed variety. MORE
Regular Updates
FCC Express – June 23 HERE
CFA in Action – June 21 HERE
Weekly PEI Agriculture Market Reports – June 23 HERE
Rayglen Market Comments – June 21 HERE
Ontario Farm Market Summary – Wednesday, June 21 HERE
AgWeather Atlantic HERE
Today’s Local Weather – HERE
Meetings and Events
PEI COPC Organic Farm Tour
PEI COPC will be hosting a one day organic farm tour on Wednesday, July 6th from 8:30 a.m. to 5:15 p.m..
Local media, social media guests, COPC staff, PEIDAF Minister and Deputy will be attending the tour of five COPC member farms, including: Dexter Cattle Company, Square One Organics, Red Soil Organics, Heartbeet Organics, and Schurman Family Farm.
Transportation and lunch are provided.
Seats are limited and tickets will be on sale beginning next week ($25 each or $20 for COPC members).
Contact Karen at email@organicpei.com or 902-894-9999 for more information.
3A Airbrakes Test Facilitation
***UPDATE–WE ARE NOW TAKING NAMES FOR OTHER DATES THAT MAYBE OFFERED FOR 3A TRAINING IF INTERESTED PLEASE GET YOUR NAME ON A WAITING LIST FOR THE NEXT TRAINING SESSIONS!! WE MAYBE OFFERING SESSIONS IN JULY, AUGUST & SEPTEMBER***
From field to road…do you have employees that drive your trucks, but don’t have their licenses?
We are looking for experienced drivers that would like to obtain their Airbrakes and Class 3A license.
The PEI Agriculture Sector Council will be facilitating these two courses through JVI and Access.
This project will be processed through the Canada Job Grant and Skills PEI.
Draft Schedule:
Day 1- Airbrake theory
Day 2- Review of Airbrakes and Airbrake test (written on site), Preform a pre-use inspection
Day 3- Driving and Testing for Class 3A (time scheduled test on site)
Day 4- Driving and Testing for Class 3A (time scheduled test on site)
Requirements- must have valid truck driving experience, but not licensed & Medical completed and returned
Lunch will be provided
For more details on registration requirements, contact Laurie at 892-1091.
Registration is now open, limited seating available. To sign up, contact the PEI Agriculture Sector Council at 892-1091 or e-mail info@peiagsc.ca
Agricultural Youth Green Jobs Initiative
The Agricultural Youth Green Jobs Initiative has been approved for a 2 year period. Applications will be accepted starting April 26, 2017.
The program is designed to hire youth aged 15 to 30 for internships of up to 12 months. It will be of interest to producers and organizations working in the agriculture industry and interested in implementing agriculture projects that are environmentally beneficial.
Producers operating a farm or ranch can hire a young person to implement an environmentally beneficial project in their operation.
Agricultural organizations, such as watershed groups and companies providing environmentally beneficial services can access the program to support an environmentally beneficial project their organization is implementing. Research organizations can receive funding to support their agricultural research that benefits the environment.
For an application form and more details on the program, please visit: Agricultural Youth Green Jobs Initiative
