Local, Regional, Canadian News
‘I’ve never seen this’: Wet weather leaves some soybeans unharvested
There are about 10 centimetres of soybean stems poking through Norman Cairns field in Stanchel, P.E.I., and he’s not happy about it. MORE
P.E.I. animal protection law gets failing grade but province says changes coming
A North American animal welfare group has given P.E.I. a failing grade for its animal protection law. MORE
Canadian farms need foreign workers
Canadian agriculture faces a serious roadblock to future expansion through a growing shortage of workers with the right skills, says a report from the Conference Board of Canada. MORE
Temporary foreign worker program changes will help reduce labour shortages on farms
The Canadian Federation of Agriculture (CFA) is pleased with the federal government’s announcement yesterday that the cumulative duration limit, or “four-in, four-out” rule, will no longer apply to temporary foreign workers. MORE
Specialty cheese maker exemplifies robust organic sector in Quebec
During the summer, Daniel Gosselin’s and Suzanne Dufresne’s cows graze on pastures seeded to more than a dozen carefully chosen flowering plants. In winter, they move back indoors to a warm, spacious barn and switch over to a diet of dried fodder. MORE
FCC supports 4-H
The Farm Credit Canada (FCC) 4-H Club Fund is providing $122,750 to 253 4-H clubs across Canada to support various local events and activities. MORE
Business Confidence Index (BCI) survey conducted by Corporate Research Associates Inc. (CRA) and sponsored by TD Canada Trust.
CRA has been conducting a Consumer Confidence Index in the region for the last twenty-five years and felt the time was right to have a business perspective on the economy in Atlantic Canada. CRA will produce a Business Confidence Index for each of the four Atlantic provinces and the region overall for comparison purposes.
We would encourage all our members to simply clink on the link below and help us build our own Business Confidence Index. Please be assured that all individual company responses will be treated in complete confidence and only aggregated data will be reported. The survey will only be opened until Wednesday, January 11, 2017. Why not take a few moments and complete the survey now. This survey is only open to those in the private sector.
To complete the survey click on the following link: https://surveys.cra.ca/s/112297/?assn&l=en
Should you have any questions on the survey, or require assistance accessing or completing the survey, please do not hesitate to contact Corporate Research Associates at surveys@cra.ca.
To view the summary report of the inaugural Atlantic Business Confidence Index, click here.
Livestock
Canadian Pension Fund Invests in Australian Beef Stations
Canada’s largest pension fund, the Public Sector Pension Investment Board, has invested in a third large cattle property in Queensland. MORE
US Ag Department Sued Over Animal Welfare Rules at Slaughter
The Animal Welfare Institute (AWI) has filed a lawsuit against the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) for its unreasonable delay in responding to an AWI petition – filed in May 2013 – to amend the Humane Methods of Slaughter Act (HMSA) to prevent incidents of inhumane handling of animals at slaughter. MORE
October Beef Exports Remain Strong
US pork and beef exports continued to build momentum in October, with both achieving double-digit increases from a year ago, according to statistics released by USDA and compiled by the US Meat Export Federation (USMEF). MORE
Why Beef Quality Grades are Improving
Prices have eased, but a 10-year uptrend in beef quality from US grain-fed cattle remains in place. That is partly because lower quality beef has sold at a widening discount to average quality, says a beef cattle specialist with the Certified Angus Beef® (CAB®) brand. MORE
USDA Announces $3.8 million for Organics Research
The US Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) has announced the availability of up to $3.8 million in funding to support research, education and extension to support organic farmers and ranchers as well as those adopting organic practices for the first time. MORE
CME live cattle slip on cash prices
Chicago Mercantile Exchange live cattle contracts finished in bearish territory on Wednesday, weakened by profit-taking and disappointing early-week cash prices, traders said. MORE
New System Affords Greater Flexibility on Using Phosphorus from Manure
US Department of Agriculture scientists and their collaborators have developed a mobile system for removing phosphorus from cow manure that may offer dairy farmers greater flexibility in where, when, and how they use the nutrient to fertilize crops. MORE
Canada Hog Markets – 2016 Review
As we review 2016 from the table compiled by the OMAFRA Swine Team, we see perhaps a more normal year, if such a thing exists anymore in this industry, writes Bob Fraser – Sales & Service, Genesus Ontario. MORE
USDA Announces $3.8 million for Organics Research
The US Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) has announced the availability of up to $3.8 million in funding to support research, education and extension to support organic farmers and ranchers as well as those adopting organic practices for the first time. MORE
December Hog Futures Dramatic
The rally in December hog futures has been more dramatic that most participants expected, us included. MORE
Some Relief for UK Pig Meat Sales
The amounts of bacon and sausages purchased from retailers in the 12 weeks to 6 November were higher than a year before but pork sales were still depressed. MORE
China – The Gift That Keeps on Giving?
In the past 18 months, China has become an increasingly important destination for global pig meat exports. MORE
Atlantic Stockyards Market Report – December 8 HERE
*Scroll down to find current report
Ontario Cattlemen’s Association Market Report –Wednesday, December 14 HERE
Potatoes
“Price for processing varieties will not fluctuate much till spring”
“Good prices are currently given on the potato market, and I do not expect that will change soon. MORE
Lindsey Dodgen joins Potatoes USA as Assistant Marketing Manager
Lindsey Dodgen is Potatoes USA’s newest team member, joining the team as the Assistant Marketing Manager supporting the Retail, Market Access, Seed, Reputation Management, and Industry Outreach Programs. MORE
New rules and practices of the inter-European trade in potatoes; RUCIP secretariat to Brussels
On the January 1, 2017 the RUCIP European Committee secretariat will be effectively transferred from Paris to Brussels. MORE
AAFC / InfoHort Potato Reports HERE
USDA – Daily National Potato and Onion Report HERE
Crops
North American grain/oilseed review: Canola recovers at the close
ICE Futures Canada canola strengthened from earlier losses on Wednesday, as the Canadian dollar plummeted near the close. MORE
ICE Futures Canada Wednesday: Canola futures prices higher, barley unchanged HERE
Canola to notch lower in holiday trade
ICE Futures Canada canola contracts are likely to edge lower, short-term, in sluggish holiday trading. MORE
Showing off the new crop
This past fall the Canadian International Grains Institute collected grain samples from across Western Canada to complete its annual harvest assessment in preparation for worldwide customer seminars on crop quality. MORE
Soy, corn watch South American weather
Soybean futures at the Chicago Board of Trade moved lower during the week ended Wednesday, while corn held steady, with South American weather conditions expected to provide much of the direction going forward. MORE
Soybeans fall on Argentine rain view
U.S. soybean futures fell to a three-week low on Wednesday as forecasts for rain in dry areas of Argentina’s crop belt took out some of the weather premium built into the market, traders said. MORE
AM markets: wheat dips as boost from oil-Trump factors wanes HERE
PEI Grain Elevator Prices – HERE
Grain Farmers of Ontario – Daily Commodity Report HERE
More Futures Prices HERE and HERE
General Interest
A shadow on land prices
This past fall, harvest stumbled to a finish. In parts of Ontario, combines chewed through spindly, drought-stricken corn on the same days that Prairie farmers drove their machines into swathes that had been buried in snow. MORE
Belchim buys into Engage Agro
Belchim Crop Protection NV, situated in Londerzeel, Belgium is the new majority shareholder in the Canadian company, Engage Agro Corporation, based in Ontario. MORE
Regular Updates
Rayglen Market Comments – December 14 HERE
Ontario Farm Market Summary – Wednesday, December 14 HERE
AgWeather Atlantic HERE
Today’s Local Weather – HERE
Meetings and Events
PEI Young Farmers AGM
Saturday, January 7th at the Delta Prince Edward
Guest speakers include Greg Peterson of Peterson Farm Bros and Lane Stockbrugger of LDS farms.
(Check out Peterson Farm Bros Youtube channel HERE)
$40 early bird registration, fter December 20, 2016 the price will be $50 per person.
Email peiyoungfarmers@outlook.com to register for event.
If you’re between the ages of 18 and 40 registration also covers your Young Farmers of PEI Yearly membership fee ($25).
This is a Young Farmer event but people of all ages are invited and encouraged to attend.
Business Confidence Index (BCI) survey conducted by Corporate Research Associates Inc. (CRA) and sponsored by TD Canada Trust.
CRA has been conducting a Consumer Confidence Index in the region for the last twenty-five years and felt the time was right to have a business perspective on the economy in Atlantic Canada. CRA will produce a Business Confidence Index for each of the four Atlantic provinces and the region overall for comparison purposes.
We would encourage all our members to simply clink on the link below and help us build our own Business Confidence Index. Please be assured that all individual company responses will be treated in complete confidence and only aggregated data will be reported. The survey will only be opened until Wednesday, January 11, 2017. Why not take a few moments and complete the survey now. This survey is only open to those in the private sector.
To complete the survey click on the following link: https://surveys.cra.ca/s/112297/?assn&l=en
Should you have any questions on the survey, or require assistance accessing or completing the survey, please do not hesitate to contact Corporate Research Associates at surveys@cra.ca.
To view the summary report of the inaugural Atlantic Business Confidence Index, click here.
SSDE Industry Engagement Day – January 20, 2017
Our first semester is behind us and it was a tremendous success. During last semester we hosted our first Industry Engagement day and had the great privilege of welcoming well over 100 people to our School of Sustainable Design Engineering. Building on that success, we wish to start the New Year off with good momentum and hold our next Industry Engagement day on the 20th of January 2017. This day will have a specific focus on Bio-Resources and Precision Agriculture.
Goal – Is to gather Industry, Government, and Academia and look for collaboration to advance Bio-Resources and Precision Agriculture. We will also to take the opportunity to introduce the Class of 2017.
Date and time – 20 January 2017 from 10:00 am – 2:00 pm.
Location – UPEI Campus. 550 University Avenue, Charlottetown, PE.
Agenda
10:00 – Welcome to the Province of Prince Edward Island and to the University
10:10 – Keynote Address from the Province
10:30 – Introduction of the first keynote speaker Dr.John K. Schueller from the University of Florida by Dr.Aitazaz Farooque
10:35 – Key Note address: Precision Agriculture Technologies for Economically and Environmentally Sustainable Agriculture
11:05 – Introduction of the second keynote speaker Dr.Animesh Dutta from the University of Guelph by Dr.Bishnu Acharya
11:30 – Meet the Graduating Class of 2017 – Introduction by Dr.Wayne Peters, the Director of Student Experience
11:35 – Guided tour by the Industry Partnerships Group
12:00 – Lunch (provided – no turkey)/Networking – 60 mins
1:00 – Panel discussion led by the School of Sustainable Design Engineering with keynote speakers and Government/Industry representatives
2:00 – wrap up and thank you by Dr.Nick Krouglicof, Associate Dean of Engineering and Allan Dale, Industry Partnerships Group
Please RSVP to Lisa Sanderson at lmsanderson@upei.ca
