PEIFA Today
Thursday – August 24, 2017
Please Note – Due to a Holiday break, there will be no PEIFA Today morning email starting Friday August 25, it will return on Tuesday, September 5, 2017
Local, Regional, Canadian News
Dundas fairgrounds ready for plowing match and agriculture fair
Everything old will be back in style during the 77th annual Provincial Plowing Match and Agriculture Fair this weekend. MORE
Strong loonie not major threat: FCC economist
The Canadian dollar’s flirtations with the 80 U.S. cent mark is not likely to undermine agriculture’s potential for the rest of the year, said the principal agricultural economist at Farm Credit Canada. MORE
Trio of groups proposes Alberta-based agrifood ‘supercluster’
Agrium, Olds College and global satellite communications corporation MDA have submitted an application to the federal government to form an agrifood “supercluster.” MORE
Mexico, Canada dismiss Trump threats to scrap NAFTA
Mexico and Canada on Wednesday dismissed U.S. President Donald Trump’s threat to scrap NAFTA, describing it as a negotiating tactic designed to gain an advantage during talks to update one of the world’s biggest trading blocs. MORE
Recommended Management Practices for Agricultural Irrigation Ponds
Agriculture is the largest contributor of any resource sector to the economy of Prince Edward Island. Rainfall patterns have changed in recent years and in some cases, some farmers are interested in irrigating crops to ensure yield and quality. MORE
Securing Pesticides
Recently, we’ve been getting some questions from growers about how to properly secure pesticides in vehicles and on the farm. This is a great question. Properly securing pesticides will ensure that only you and other properly trained employees are able to access and use these products. This will minimize the potential for human harm and prevent environmental damage. It can also prevent vandalism and theft.
Here is what you need to know about securing pesticides.
On the farm, pesticides must be kept in a location that can be secured or locked when the grower or their employees are not around. The best way to meet this requirement is to keep pesticides in a building, room, or cabinet that can be locked. You can also meet this requirement by simply ensuring that pesticides are kept behind closed doors or in a closed cabinet, out of reach of children, pets, and livestock.
In or on a vehicle, pesticides must be secured to the vehicle to prevent spills or leaks during transport. This means that pesticide containers cannot roll over, fall, or break open, even when the road is uneven or bumpy. The best way to keep pesticides secure during transport is to place the containers in a separate cargo box that can be locked. If your vehicle does not have a separate box, you can fasten pesticide containers to the vehicle with hauling straps (bungee cords are not an appropriate alternative to hauling straps).
If you need to leave the vehicle unattended while transporting pesticides, they must be locked in a compartment so they are not accessible to the public. If you do not have a lockable box on your vehicle, you cannot leave it unattended. Drive straight from your vendor to your pesticide storage facility.
In addition to these requirements, here are a few best practices that you should consider:
- transport pesticides by themselves
- always keep pesticides away from sharp items that could puncture or split a container during transport
- ask if your vendor can deliver your products to you
- make sure there are no broken bags or open cartons and no leaking containers
- never accept any damaged containers from your vendor
- make sure that each container has a label
- keep a list of the pesticides, with their full name and PCPA registration number, in case pesticides leak or spill from your vehicle during an accident.
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/
Livestock
CME live cattle resume trek to nine-month low
Chicago Mercantile Exchange live cattle futures on Wednesday hit a nine-month low for the fourth time in the past five sessions, led by seasonally soft wholesale beef demand and lower initial cash prices, said traders. MORE
US Feedlots Continue to Sell Slaughter Ready Animals During July
On Friday, USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) will publish their monthly “Cattle on Feed” report, which is based on a survey of all feedlots with an animal capacity of 1,000 head or more, reports Steiner Consulting Group, DLR Division, Inc. MORE
IFA Seeks Urgent Meeting with Ag Minister on Beef Cuts
IFA President Joe Healy has written to the Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed seeking an urgent meeting to address the serious situation for livestock farmers resulting from the severe factory price cuts over recent weeks. MORE
Study Compares Cost of Meat in Over 50 Countries Worldwide
Online catering marketplace, Caterwings, have conducted a study regarding the global price of basic food items, as preliminary research ahead of their expansion into foreign markets. MORE
Most Markets Balanced; Not Many Price Changes
This week, the European slaughter pig market appears to be balanced overall. The majority of quotations remain unchanged, appearing stable on the level achieved so far. In some countries, the prices for pigs for slaughter are back to going slightly down. MORE
Access to Research Improves Decision Making When Moving to Group Sow Housing
A research Scientist Ethology with the Prairie Swine Centre says the more access producers have to information on the various options for group sow housing the better equipped they’ll be in deciding how to transition from stalls MORE
Former Dutch government minister to lead tainted egg probe
The Dutch government appointed a former justice minister Wednesday to lead an investigation into the illegal use of a pesticide to treat laying hens for lice infestations, which sparked a food scare in Europe and beyond and led to the destruction of millions of eggs. MORE
McDonald’s to start cutting global antibiotic use in chickens
McDonald’s Corp. on Wednesday said that it would begin curbing the use of important human antibiotics in its global chicken supply in 2018, as the fast-food giant joins a broad effort to battle dangerous superbugs. MORE
Atlantic Stockyards Market Report – August 17 – HERE
*Scroll down to find current report
Ontario Cattlemen’s Association Market Report – Wednesday, August 23 HERE
Potatoes
New Brunswick Lab Shares Progress
Scientists at the Fredericton Research and Development Centre in New Brunswick held an open house Saturday to show members of the public what goes into getting potatoes from the fields to their tables. MORE
MPIC Committee to Evaluate Varieties for 2018
The Variety Release Committee of the Michigan Potato Industry Commission (MPIC) will meet on Thursday of this week beginning at the Commission’s Demonstration Storages in Montcalm at 10:00 am. The goal for the day is twofold; first to look at the Box Bin Trials at the Montcalm Research Center; and to look at the bulk plantings of varieties that will be placed in the storage facilities. MORE
Dave Rhodes named Northeast retail promotion director for Idaho Potato Commission
Produce industry veteran Dave Rhodes has joined the Idaho Potato Commission (IPC) as the commission’s retail promotion director for the Northeast. He will be based in Indianapolis. He replaces Ken Tubman, who is retiring after 15 years of service. MORE
AGCO RoGator C Series Applicator
Exclusive LiquidLogic system provides effective cleanout, precise rates, greater control for on-target application and less product waste. MORE
Sustainability Consortium Partners with Potato Sustainability Initiative
Mutual membership brings over 500 growers and key retail partners together to create more sustainable growing practices for potatoes MORE
Solynta’s revolutionary hybrid breeding technology protects potato from late blight by multi-resistance
In a hidden experimental field in Wageningen, the Netherlands, surrounded by tall maize plants, there are several smaller plots with potato plants. MORE
USD120m Project for Developing the Potato Processing Industry in Rwanda
The government in Rwanda has signed a multimillion dollar deal with a Nigerian investor to revamp and develop the country’s potato industry and help make this country a key producer and exporter of potato products. MORE
AAFC / InfoHort Potato Reports HERE
USDA – Daily National Potato and Onion Report HERE
Crops
North American Grain/Oilseed Review: Canola up following soyoil
ICE Futures Canada canola contracts were stronger on Wednesday, as a rally in Chicago soyoil provided spillover support. MORE
ICE Futures Canada Wednesday: Canola prices mixed, barley unchanged HERE
Leamington greenhouse tomatoes: sweet and tasty agricultural innovation
Those tomatoes in your local grocery store, they took a lot of work. MORE
Getting down to your roots
Crop Diagnostic School offered a cutaway view of how crop roots move through soil MORE
Farming has changed climate almost as much as deforestation
Agriculture has contributed nearly as much to climate change as deforestation by intensifying global warming, according to U.S. research that has quantified the amount of carbon taken from the soil by farming. MORE
Canola rangebound ahead of harvest
ICE Futures Canada canola contracts moved off of chart support during the week ended Wednesday, to hit its highest levels in two weeks. MORE
UAVs and crop scouting. Are they worth it?
Seven organizations supported a two-year study on whether drones can provide practical benefits to farmers MORE
Corn, soybeans eye Tropical Storm Harvey
The potential for a storm in the Gulf of Mexico to bring rain to parts of the U.S. Midwest has caught the attention of the grain and oilseed markets. MORE
Corn falls to 2017 lows on plentiful global stocks
U.S. corn futures sank to their lowest levels of the year on Wednesday on fund-driven technical selling and plentiful global grain supplies, analysts said. MORE
Deliveries of major grains, July 2017 HERE
AM markets: grain futures start firm. But will gains stick? HERE
PEI Grain Elevator Prices – HERE
Grain Farmers of Ontario – Daily Commodity Report HERE
More Futures Prices HERE and HERE
General Interest
Potash mine on hold
BHP Billiton has put its new Jensen potash mine in Saskatchewan on hold. MORE
U.S. FTC clears Amazon acquisition of Whole Foods
The U.S. Federal Trade Commission said on Wednesday it has cleared Amazon.com’s planned US$13.7 billion acquisition of Whole Foods Market. MORE
Vertical Agriculture Gaining Traction
With a rising global population, the ability to produce crops in small spaces in urban areas may prove to be a difference maker. MORE
4-H fuels Gambian youth quest for change
Gambia’s 4-H program may not have been directly involved in the recent shifting political sands, but 4-H members were in the fray, Global 4-H presenter says MORE
Regular Updates
Weekly PEI Agriculture Market Reports – August 18 HERE
Rayglen Market Comments – August 23 HERE
Ontario Farm Market Summary – Wednesday, August 23 HERE
AgWeather Atlantic HERE
Today’s Local Weather – HERE
Meetings and Events
Sir Andrew MacPhail Homestead Bunch Sunday, August 27th, 11:30 am,
Dr. Ryan O’Connor will present, “The 1971 National Farmers Union Highway Demonstration” at the Sir Andrew MacPhail Homestead in Orwell.
On August 12, 1971, hundreds of PEI farmers boarded their tractors and proceeded to bring traffic to a halt on the province’s major roadways. Held during the peak of the tourism season, the demonstration continued for ten days. This talk examines the highway demonstration’s inspiration, context, and consequences. The farmers were protesting the way the provincial government had neglected issues around family farms and the Government’s lack of promotion of economic rationalization and modernization which had been set out in the government’s 1969 Comprehensive Development Plan. Dr. O’Conner has a Ph.D. in Canadian history, with expertise in the history of environmental activism, the Sixties, oral history, the history of recycling, and Canadian politics.
The event will start with a nutritious and delicious brunch at 11:30. After brunch, the talk will commence. The meal will be served in the room that once hosted Earl Grey, Lucy Maud Montgomery, and John McCrea at the same time, as guests of Sir Andrew MacPhail.
The cost is $25.00 ($20 for members).
Please call the MacPhail Homestead at 902-651-2789 to make your reservation.
5th Palmer Conference (2017)
August 29 to 31, 2017 at the University of Prince Edward Island in Charlottetown, PEI.
This year’s Conference focuses on Canadian-American Relations, and includes panels on Trade and Commerce, the Environment, and Defense and Security (including food security as well). MORE
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
Maritime Feedlot School September 15 & 16
The Feedlot School will be held at the Nappan Research Facility in Nappan, NS.
The event takes place on September 15 and 16th, 2017
Registration cost is $100.00 per person plus HST for a total of $115.00 this covers lunch and materials. Please register by Monday, September 11, 2017.
For more information please call 902-969-1632
SAVE THE DATE
PEI Open Farm Day 2017 – Sunday, September 17th
Thought leaders to come together to learn more about public trust in food and farming
Interest in public trust in the food system and the challenge to earn it with consumers continues to grow – from the farm and ranch right through to Canada’s largest food service companies. A unique mix of thought leaders of all ages from throughout the country, across supply chains, governments, industries and academia will come together in Calgary next month.
The Canadian Centre for Food Integrity (CCFI) Public Trust Summit “Tackling Transparency – the Truth about Trust” will be held September 18-20th. MORE
Island Organic Picnic Sunday, September 24, 2017 4-7PM
Come join your PEI organic farmers & friends to celebrate another growing season, another harvest, and all of the important, hard work that goes into the good food we are so fortunate to eat. Lots to catch up on!
This year’s fundraising event will take the form of a gourmet picnic, as always featuring the variety and outstanding quality of organic food grown locally by our members across the Island, and prepared by the wonderful Chef Emily Wells of the Mill in New Glasgow. Festivities will also include garden games, face painting, an organic-inspired raffle, cash bar, music and more, all taking place in Canada’s largest community garden – the Legacy Garden in downtown Charlottetown.
Tickets are $35/$15 for children under 10 (children under 2 are free)/$20 for PEI COPC members.
The picnic will include:
– Your choice of a drink (kombucha, beer, wine)
– A variety of main dishes, soup and salads
– A dessert
In the event of rain/inclement weather, the fun will be moved indoors, to the Farm Centre.
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
Obsolete pesticide & animal health medication collections – November 6 – 17, 2017
Prince Edward Island from November 6 – 17, 2017.
Collection site locations and dates are available HERE.
