In partnership with PEI Agromart and Island Lime, the PEI Federation of Agriculture is pleased to offer a scholarship of $2,000 for the 2017/18 academic year.
Application deadline is June 1, 2017. Click here for the application form.
Local, Regional, Canadian News
A career in agriculture: High school students pitch peers, and make some discoveries themselves
Who better to pitch high school students on careers in agriculture than high school students themselves? That’s the idea behind a new program called Gen Ag, short for Generation Agriculture. MORE
Summerside police say farm fire set deliberately
The Summerside Police Department is investigating after bales of hay were set on fire Friday morning at a farm in Summerside. MORE
Tomayto, tomahto? P.E.I. greenhouses take different approaches to blight resistant varieties
Greenhouses on P.E.I. are taking different approaches when it comes to what kind of tomato varieties they are offering their customers this season. MORE
Meat of the Matter: Are Canadian Babies Receiving Enough Iron?
A recent national survey revealed 70 per cent of Canadian mothers are unaware that babies six to 12 months need 11 mg of iron per day – that’s nearly 40 per cent more than is required of a full-grown man! MORE
Farm Credit Canada – Job Opportunity
Passion for agriculture required
Manage relationships with local producers and be responsible for a developing loan portfolio. You’ll tailor financing packages to meet your customers’ needs, including both lending and non-lending products, and help them build success.
Job Title: Relationship Manager
Location: Charlottetown, PE
Closing date: May 19, 2017
Language required: English
Term: Permanent
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
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/
REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL TO:
Develop a process and identify suitable metrics to ultimately deliver a data set which definitively describes the economic, environmental and social effects of a robust organic agriculture industry on Prince Edward Island; link to detailed project description.
Please direct any inquiries to: Karen Murchison, PEI COPC Research Coordinator
email@organicpei.com or 902-894-9999
Livestock
Cattle destined for grass going to auction instead
Prices for cattle at auction marts across Manitoba were sharply higher on the week, leading to an influx of cattle, touching “unheard of” levels in some areas, according to one local auctioneer. MORE
US Beef Exports Remain Strong
US pork and beef exports capped a strong first quarter with excellent March results that included a new record volume for pork, according to statistics released by USDA and compiled by USMEF. MORE
Largest Monthly Beef Export Volume Witnessed in March
US red meat and poultry exports were explosive in March, with both export volume and revenue up in double digits compared to year ago levels, reports Steiner Consulting Group, DLR Division, Inc. MORE
CME live cattle limit down on profit-taking
Chicago Mercantile Exchange nearby live cattle futures on Friday finished down their three-cent daily price limit, hit by profit-taking after spiking this week to new highs, said traders. MORE
Cattle Trade Continues to Strengthen
IFA National Livestock Chairman Angus Woods said the cattle trade continues to strengthen with strong demand for cattle from the factories, live exporters and also at the marts. MORE
Code Changes Impact Approach to Piglet Management
A Research Scientist with the Prairie Swine Centre says changes to Canada’s Pig Code of Practice have resulted in changes to the timing of processing procedures for newly born piglets MORE
Response seen curbing PED spread from Manitoba case
The “quite early” catch and quick response for Canada’s latest outbreak of porcine epidemic diarrhea (PED), in a sow barn in Manitoba’s “hog alley,” are expected to keep a lid on the virus’ spread beyond the one site. MORE
Woman who gave water to pigs bound for slaughter not guilty of mischief
A Toronto woman who gave water to pigs on a truck headed to an abattoir didn’t break the law since she didn’t harm the animals or prevent them from being slaughtered, an Ontario judge ruled Thursday as he found the activist not guilty of a mischief charge. MORE
Value of US Pork Exported Higher Than Volume Shipped
US red meat and poultry exports were explosive in March, with both export volume and revenue up in double digits compared to year ago levels, reports Steiner Consulting Group, DLR Division, Inc. MORE
Record Volume for US Pork Exports in March
US pork and beef exports capped a strong first quarter with excellent March results that included a new record volume for pork, according to statistics released by USDA and compiled by USMEF. MORE
Another Positive Day for Pig Sellers
Another positive day for pig sellers with the SPP up by .37p to 156.53p and spot bacon also tending firmer with prices around 164p mark, and more in places, although German prices have hit something of a plateau and stood on this week, Peter Crichton reports in his “Traffic Lights” commentary for 5 May 2017. MORE
GB Pig Feed Production Down in Q1/2017
GB pig compound feed production for the first quarter of 2017, was 4 per cent lower than the same period in 2016 at 442,000 tonnes, according to latest data published by Defra, writes Millie Askew, AHDB analyst. MORE
Cherkizovo Group Still Russia’s Top Feed Producer
Cherkizovo Group, the largest vertically integrated meat and feed producer in Russia, ranks first among Russia’s leading feed producers for the second consecutive year. MORE
Atlantic Stockyards Market Report – May 4 – HERE
*Scroll down to find current report
Ontario Cattlemen’s Association Market Report – Friday, May 5 HERE
Potatoes
Maritime potato harvest a pleasant surprise
The 2016 harvest in the country’s largest potato-producing province proved to be a pleasant surprise. MORE
Idaho Universities receive Grant to investigate Humigator in Potato Storage
A partnership involving Idaho State University and Boise State University has been awarded an Idaho Global Entrepreneurial Mission (IGEM) grant. The funds are awarded to Idaho research universities to partner with industry leaders on projects that could lead to commercialization. MORE
Bob Evans Farms Completes the Acquisition of Pineland Farms Potato Company
Bob Evans Farms announced the completion of its previously announced sale of Bob Evans Restaurants to Golden Gate Capital for USD565m and the completion of its acquisition of Pineland Farms Potato Company, for the sum of USD115m. MORE
Universities win grant for environmental control for potato storage
A partnership involving Idaho State University and Boise State University has been awarded an Idaho Global Entrepreneurial Mission (IGEM) grant. MORE
New potatoes: defying the weather with fleece and irrigation
Soon the new potato season will begin in Lower Saxony. On the Holste farm in Martfelt (Diepholz district) the harvest of delicious potatoes has already begun. MORE
AAFC / InfoHort Potato Reports HERE
USDA – Daily National Potato and Onion Report HERE
Crops
North American Grains/Oilseed Review: Canola climbs with stocks report and soyoil
The ICE Futures Canada canola market posted solid gains to end the week, propelled upwards by today’s Statistics Canada stocks report, fund buying and sharp advances in Chicago Board of Trade soyoil. MORE
ICE Futures Canada Friday: Canola futures prices higher, barley unchanged HERE
1 million acres of 2016 crop still not fully harvested in Saskatchewan
About one million acres of crops planted in 2016 have yet to be fully harvested, says Saskatchewan’s Ministry of Agriculture. MORE
StatsCan data confirm tight canola supplies
Grain and oilseed stocks data released Friday from Statistics Canada were bullish for canola and wheat — though analysts suggest the effects of the report on the market may be short-lived. MORE
StatsCan sees higher corn and soy acres in Manitoba
Get ready to see more soybeans zipping by your truck window during trips to town this summer. MORE
Trade’s focus shifts to new-crop canola prospects
The ICE Futures Canada canola market went in two directions during the week ended April 28, with the July/November spread narrowing in considerably. MORE
Prairie wheat bids rise with action in U.S. futures
Hard red spring wheat bids in Western Canada posted solid gains during the week ended April 28, taking strength from action in U.S. markets. MORE
Wheat, corn bounce on short-covering
U.S. wheat futures rose on Friday, supported by lingering concerns about crop damage in the U.S. Plains following a snow storm at the weekend. MORE
Camera-based spray system targets only weeds
Researchers at the University of Arizona are developing a camera-based spray system that will improve the accuracy of chemical applications to agricultural crops. MORE
Stocks of principal field crops, March 31, 2017 HERE
AM markets: grain futures ease at start of big data week HERE
PEI Grain Elevator Prices – HERE
Grain Farmers of Ontario – Daily Commodity Report HERE
More Futures Prices HERE and HERE
General Interest
ChemChina clinches takeover of Syngenta
ChemChina has won more than enough support from Syngenta shareholders to clinch its US$43 billion takeover of the Swiss pesticides and seeds group, the two companies said Friday. MORE
Church & Dwight Acquires Agro BioSciences
Church & Dwight Co., Inc., the parent company of Arm & Hammer Animal Nutrition, is pleased to announce today it has acquired Agro BioSciences™, Inc. of Wauwatosa, Wisconsin. MORE
Diversification: How to Brexit-Proof Your Business
So as everyone knows only too well by now, Brexit is happening, and for UK farmers, that will mean the end of the CAP. MORE
Regular Updates
Rayglen Market Comments – May 3 HERE
Weekly PEI Agriculture Market Reports – April 28 HERE
Ontario Farm Market Summary – Thursday, May 4 HERE
AgWeather Atlantic HERE
Today’s Local Weather – HERE
Meetings and Events
Trade Team PEI Business Mission to South Korea
When: May 15, 2017 – May 19, 2017
Where: Seoul, South Korea
Innovation PEI, in partnership with the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) are seeking interest from PEI-based enterprises and organizations to participate in a multi-sector Business Mission to South Korea during the week of May 15-19, 2017. MORE
This mission will serve to enhance existing export relationships, provide opportunities for market expansion while at the same time providing an exceptional opportunity to introduce companies to this strong market. Korea is the 13th largest economy in the world and is one of the largest importing countries on the planet. P.E.I.’s exports to Korea in 2016 were almost $15 million and Canadian products/suppliers are much sought after for our high quality and reputation to deliver. This mission will be of particular interest to companies in the professional services, ICT, clean tech, education, manufacturing and food sectors. The customization of each delegate’s business development program to advance their mission-week and market objectives will be a core feature of this initiative.
During this week the Seoul Food and Hotel Show will be taking place offering mission participants a chance to see first-hand the breadth of product offering and to gather key market intelligence. While there is a Canada pavilion at this event, P.E.I. will not have a booth at the show for this year. Participants will be able to walk the show. However we will also be exploring this opportunity for future years. For details on the Seoul Hotel and Food Show visit http://www.seoulfoodnhotel.co.kr/
For more information on this mission and to express your interest in participating, please contact either of these mission leads by email or by phone:
Scott Ferris – Innovation PEI scferris@gov.pe.ca or (902) 368-5952 or Jeff Burry – ACOA Jeff.Burry@canada.ca or (902) 314-2197
