Local, Regional, Canadian News
June Member Profile – Douglas and Ian Simmons HERE
Fresh veggies: Charlottetown’s Upper Room growing its own produce this summer
The Upper Room Hospitality Ministry in Charlottetown is hoping some Islanders with green thumbs will help them out with its newest project. MORE
Wildflower warning and other potential garden disasters: plant carefully this spring
The P.E.I. Invasive Species Council is warning Island gardeners to do their research before they plant this spring. That includes taking a closer look at wildflower mixes, choosing carefully at plant swaps and not going for “instant gratification” ground covers. MORE
‘She’s the real farmer between us’: Brother, sister from California find work on Island farms
When the Edgcomb family arrived in Lower Bedeque, P.E.I., from California nine years ago, they may not have imagined that two of their five children would find inspiration working on Island farms. MORE
Canadians asked to weigh in on food policy
Agriculture Minister Lawrence MacAulay is turning to Canadians for input as he develops a national food policy. 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.
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/
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.
Livestock
CME live cattle climb to one-month top
Chicago Mercantile Exchange live cattle contracts hit a one-month high on Friday, driven by fund buying and short-covering, said traders. MORE
Are You Testing Bulls for Trichomoniasis?
Trichomoniasis, also known as Trich, can be devastating to a beef operation. Diagnostic testing can help monitor bulls and significantly reduce the spread of the disease. MORE
Beef Trade Remains Strong, Says IFA
IFA National Livestock Chairman Angus Woods has said the cattle trade remains strong with the base price for steers at €4.15/kg and some top prices of €4.20 paid. MORE
Cattle Slaughter Ban: Govt Open to Suggestions on Notification
The government on Sunday said it is open to suggestions made by various groups on the cattle slaughter notification and was not viewing it as a prestige issue, amid a raging row over the order. MORE
Canada beats U.S. in pork sales to China – feet, elbows and all
Canada has overtaken the United States as the top North American supplier of pork to China as farmers and meat packers in both nations battle for lucrative shares of the biggest global market. MORE
Sizzling hog market waits on new U.S. plants
Prices for Canadian hogs are enjoying a seasonal bump as consumers prepare for the summer grilling season. MORE
PED’s spread alarms piglet-exporting Manitoba
The deadly pig disease PEDv (porcine epidemic diarrhea virus) is spreading faster than expected in Manitoba, Canada’s biggest piglet-producing province. MORE
Global Pork Trade Remains in Ascendancy
Pork export volumes for the major pig meat exporters have continued their upward momentum in the first quarter of 2017, reports Leo Colby, AHDB Consultant. MORE
WPEX Expected to Attract Widespread Local Attention
The Director of Trade Show Marketing with the National Pork Producers Council says, in addition to attracting pork producers from around the world, World Pork Expo is a great local attraction MORE
Short Term Situation in Pork Complex Positive
Despite the down day on Thursday (1 June) and the weak open the next morning, the short term situation in the pork complex is positive, reports Steiner Consulting Group, DLR Division, Inc. MORE
Pig Prices Continue on Upward Track
Pig prices continue on their upward track, with the SPP breaching the 160p barrier and now standing at 160.10p, the German producer price rising by 1 Euro Cent and spot quotes at either firm stand on or marginally higher levels too, reports Peter Crichton in his “Traffic Lights” commentary for 2 June 2017. MORE
Pig Farmers Given Three Months to Adopt New Method
The advance pig-farming technology in the Netherlands should be adopted by Malaysian farmers to prevent pollution in Sungai Tuang, Alor Gajah, said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Idris Haron. MORE
Investment in Feed Supply Chain to Enhance Competitiveness
Livestock Feeds Plc, a subsidiary of UAC of Nigeria Plc, has announced that it is currently investing in its supply chain operation to drive further growth, and enable it deliver better value to all stakeholders. MORE
Atlantic Stockyards Market Report – June 1 – HERE
*Scroll down to find current report
Ontario Cattlemen’s Association Market Report – Friday, June 2 HERE
Potatoes
2017 Alberta Potato Conference & Trade Show
Tuesday, November 14 to Thursday, November 16, 2017 MORE
Lso-positive Psyllid Found in Idaho
University of Idaho extension entomologist Erik Wenninger reported via PNWPestAlert.net that one potato psyllid collected last week from a yellow sticky card deployed at the Kimberly Research & Extension Center tested positive for Lso (liberibacter), the bacterium associated with zebra chip disease. No psyllids collected from commercial fields tested positive. MORE
Produce demand surges in Pakistan due to Ramadan
Pakistan is currently enjoying its month of Ramadan. According to Muhammad Riaz of the export company Al Rafique, Ramadan usually causes a surge in demand for fruits and vegetables and this year is no different. “The demand for potatoes is good. MORE
AAFC / InfoHort Potato Reports HERE
USDA – Daily National Potato and Onion Report HERE
Crops
North American Grains/Oilseed Review – Canola firms with US soy
ICE Futures Canada canola contracts ended higher on Friday, propped up by gains in US soybeans and some speculative buying. MORE
ICE Futures Canada Friday: Canola futures prices higher, barley unchanged HERE
81% of 2017 Saskatchewan crop now seeded
While wet conditions are hampering seeding operations in many parts of northern Saskatchewan, producers in other parts of the province have made progress in getting the 2017 crop in the ground. MORE
Visible canola stocks tightest in nearly three years
Canola supplies in commercial hands in Canada dropped to their tightest level in nearly three years, according to the latest data from the Canadian Grain Commission for the week ended Sunday. MORE
Minimal frost damage on canola after mercury dips
The third week of May was a frosty one, but so far it seems the canola crop is largely fine. MORE
Praying for rain in central Manitoba
Farmers around Miami have been hoping for rain for several weeks and it’s the same story across much of south-central Manitoba. MORE
Insect numbers low, flea beetles requiring some control in canola
Insect pest concerns are currently low overall. MORE
Window opens on first forage cut of 2017
Hay Day is on the horizon, according to the first Manitoba Forage and Grassland Association Green Gold reports. MORE
Prairie wheat bids rise, shrug off bearish currency
Hard red spring wheat bids in Western Canada posted solid gains during the week ended May 26, as supportive action in U.S. futures offset the bearish influence of the Canadian currency. MORE
Minneapolis wheat surges on northern Plains dryness
U.S. spring wheat futures set a 5-1/2-month high on Friday, buoyed by expanding dryness in the northern Plains production belt, analysts said. MORE
Crop Condition Assessment Program, 2017 HERE
2016 Census of Agriculture: Seeding decisions harvest opportunities for Canadian farmers HERE
AM markets: spring wheat gains amid talk of 100-degree heat HERE
PEI Grain Elevator Prices – HERE
Grain Farmers of Ontario – Daily Commodity Report HERE
More Futures Prices HERE and HERE
General Interest
A new machinery brand for Canada
If you were a farm equipment manufacturer in a country that is its own continent, where would you look to make your first expansion into the international market? MORE
Wilbur-Ellis Partners with S&W Seed
Wilbur-Ellis Agribusiness, a recognized leader in the marketing and distribution of crop protection, seed and nutritional products, as well as precision agriculture technology, on Tuesday announced an agreement with S&W Seed Company, a leader in the alfalfa seed industry, to provide S&W’s alfalfa seed varieties at Wilbur-Ellis’s more than 160 retail locations throughout the U.S. MORE
Farmers decry Trump plans to cut agriculture subsidies
Farm groups and some members of Congress from farm states are decrying proposed cuts to crop insurance and other safety net programs for farmers included in President Donald Trump’s budget. MORE
Regular Updates
Weekly PEI Agriculture Market Reports – June 2 HERE
Rayglen Market Comments – May 31 HERE
Ontario Farm Market Summary – Thursday, June 1 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.
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
