Local, Regional, Canadian News
PEIFA 76th Annual General Meeting
Are you planning to attend? Please call or email Jennifer at jmurphy@peifa.ca or 902-368-7289 to pre-register and help us plan.
Friday, January 27, 2017 – Confederation Centre of the Arts Agenda
Meeting Costs: Members free – Non-Members $25.00
Excellence in Agriculture Banquet: Members $40.00 – Non-Members $45.00
Alberton barn fire blamed on hot ashes left in a bucket
An ash bucket is being blamed for a fire in Elmsdale Monday night that extensively damaged a storage barn. MORE
The world wants Canadian beef and pork
Between 60 and 70% of Canadian pork, and about 40% of Canadian beef, is sold abroad. Millions of live hogs and hundreds of thousands of live cattle, both for slaughter and further feeding, are shipped annually to the U.S. alone, further strengthening Canadian pork and beef producers’ reliance on export markets. MORE
Canadian crops battle for acres
Canola, once dubbed the Cinderella crop, is now queen of Canadian field crop production, commanding more acres and a higher value than any other grain or oilseed. MORE
Laws needed to protect Great Lakes from farm runoff, joint commission reports
Voluntary measures to protect the Great Lakes from farm manure have proven insufficient and governments should now turn their minds to legislation, a binational report released Wednesday concludes. MORE
New safe handling program announced at Ag Days
A new exhibit for the BEGRAINSAFE program launched by the Canadian Agricultural Safety Association is on display at Ag Days this week. MORE
Chainsaw Maintenance and Safety course
The PEI Woodlot Owners Association – in co-operation with the Department of Forestry is looking to hold a Chainsaw Maintenance and Safety Course. For further information please contact Matt Hughes at 902-368-7289 or mhughes@peifa.ca
Attention: Class A Pesticide Applicator Certificate Holders
To renew your pesticide applicator certificate there are three options available for you:
First Option: Renewal of your certificate by receiving Continuing Education Credits.
Second Option: Take a one day training course & write the two hour exam.
Third Option: Make an appointment to come in and write the two hour exam.
First Option:
The Department of Agriculture and Fisheries will be offering two different training days
Day A and Day B. You are required to attend one Day A and one Day B over the five year re-certification period. Only one day per calendar year can be credited.
Day A – Topics covered: General Information, Regulations, Environmental Safety, and Application Technology.
Day B – Topics covered: Emergency Response, Labeling, Professionalism, Traceability, Integrated Pest Management, and Human Health and Safety.
Your current Pesticide Applicator Certificate will remain valid until the expiry date printed on your certificate. New Class A certificates will now all have an expiry date of March 31. The fee payable for a new 5-year certificate is $75.
When you have met the requirements to renew your license, you will be mailed an application form for renewal of your Pesticide Applicator Certificate. Should you fail to attend both of these training sessions prior to the expiry date on your current Certificate, you will need to successfully complete the written examination to obtain a new certificate.
The 2017 training schedule is as follows:
Day A:
January 24,2017 Rodd Royalty, TCH, Charlottetown
January 31,2017 Loyalist Inn, Summerside
February 21, 2017 Lane’s Riverhouse Inn, Montague
March 14, 2017 Rodd Royalty, TCH Charlottetown
Day B:
January 26,2017 Rodd Royalty, THC, Charlottetown
February 2,2017 Loyalist Inn, Summerside
February 22,2017 Lanes Riverhouse Inn, Montague
March 16, 2017 Rodd Royalty, TCH, Charlottetown
Registration begins at 8:15 a.m. All information sessions begin at 9:00 a.m. and will be completed by 4:00 p.m. Lunch and refreshments will be provided, and there is a
$ 25. fee to offset this cost.
To register for one of these training days please call (902) 368-4154.
Should you have questions or require additional detail, please do not hesitate to contact Shelley Ployer at (902) 368-4154 or via e-mail at seployer@gov.pe.ca
Second Option:
You can also renew your license by attending a one day training course and writing the exam at the end of the day (there is no cost to attend this course). This training course is designed to refresh your memory and prepare you for writing the exam. It DOES NOT provide you with any certification days. There is no cost to write the exam. The cost for a 5 year Pesticide Applicator Certificate is $75.
The 2017 training schedule for the one day course followed by writing the exam is as follows:
January 25, 2017 Rodd Mill River Resort, Mill River
February 1, 2017 Rodd Royalty, TCH, Charlottetown
February 22, 2017 Loyalist Inn, Summerside March 15, 2017 Rodd Royalty, TCH, Charlottetown
Registration begins at 8:15 a.m. Training sessions begin at 8:45 a.m. and are completed by 3:30 p.m. The exam will be from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
To register for one of these training days please call (902) 368-4154.
Third Option:
You can make an appointment to write the two hour exam by calling Debbie MacRae at
(902) 368-5024 or Thane Clarke at (902) 368-5599 at the Department of Communities, Land and Environment in Charlottetown. The cost is the same, $75.
Livestock
CME live cattle up for third straight day
Chicago Mercantile Exchange live cattle futures closed higher on Wednesday for a third day in a row, following the morning’s wholesale beef price upswing and initial cash price strength, traders said. MORE
Ag Department Announces Identification of Atypical BSE Case
The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine today confirmed that it has identified a case of ‘Atypical BSE’ in an 18 year old cow, through its surveillance of ‘fallen’ animals (died on farm) at knackeries. MORE
Cattle Prepare for Simulated Heatwave for Study Into Welfare, Performance
Radio transmitters have been inserted into the stomachs of 24 feedlot cattle to monitor their body temperatures, as part of a three-month trial investigating the impact of heatwaves. MORE
Cattlemen Call on Senate to Confirm Scott Pruitt as EPA Administrator
The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association sent a letter to the US Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works this week, expressing strong support for the nomination of Scott Pruitt to be Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency and called for his swift confirmation. MORE
DAFF Meets China with Prospects of Exporting Beef
The Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) of the Republic of South Africa hosted a delegation from the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ) of The Peoples Republic of China to discuss cooperation in sanitary and phytosanitary matters and to further assess the possibility of exporting South African beef to China. MORE
IFA Welcomes Commitment to Live Exports, Trade Mission to Egypt Plan
IFA National Livestock Chairman Angus Woods has welcomed the strong view of the Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed, expressed at the IFA AGM in Dublin this week, that the live export trade is critically important and a vital safety valve for the beef sector. MORE
Highly Competitive Wholesale Meat Market Expected in 2017
Early reports from the retail sector suggest that the overall grocery trade had a better than expected Christmas. MORE
Search on for Scotland’s Top “Scotch Brand” Product
A brand new category for the best product made with Scotch Beef PGI, Scotch Lamb PGI or Specially Selected Pork has been added to the recently launched Scotland Food & Drink Excellence Awards. MORE
Minimizing Aggression in Sows Requires Holistic Approach
The Manager of Quality Assurance and Animal Care Programs with Manitoba Pork says minimizing aggression in group housing requires a holistic approach, writes Bruce Cochrane. MORE
Weak Canadian Dollar Factors in Canadian Hog Producers’ Margins
The Chief Agricultural Economist with Farm Credit Canada says the weak Canadian dollar and continuing strong exports markets helped Canadian pork producers outperform their US counterparts in 2016, writes Bruce Cochrane. MORE
Noise in the Pork Market Adding to Volatility
For those that watch futures or meat product markets on a daily basis a certain amount of noise is par of the course. MORE
Brazilian Pork Exports Increase By a Third Driven by Asian Demand
The volume of fresh/frozen pork exported from Brazil in 2016 was a third higher than 2015 at over 628,600 tonnes. MORE
China Hog Market
A time for recollection and contemplation for the Chinese Pig Industry in the Year of the Chicken, writes Alexander Kovachevich, GM China Area, Genesus Genetics. MORE
Atlantic Stockyards Market Report – January 12 – Regular and Feeder Sale HERE
*Scroll down to find current report
Ontario Cattlemen’s Association Market Report – Wednesday, January 18 HERE
Potatoes
Court finds potato merchant guilty of £161,000 in VAT fraud
A potato merchant in Perthshire was found guilty after a raid on his home found evidence of tax evasion totaling £161,000. After a four day trial Scott Coupland was found guilty of the charges in a Perth Sheriff Court. MORE
Bacterial wilt in potatoes causes alarm in Osorno
The bacterial wilt disease detected in potato crops in the south of the country has set off the alarm among producers, as this disease rapidly spreads through water. MORE
Spiralized Idaho® potatoes for Potato Lover’s month
Every Potato Lover’s Month (February), the Idaho Potato Commission (IPC) explores Idaho® Potato versatility from a different and exciting angle. MORE
Marisol Quintanilla joins Department of Entomology as new applied nematologist
The Michigan Potato Industry Commission (MPIC) welcomes to the MSU Department of Entomology Marisol Quintanilla as the new applied nematologist. MORE
AAFC / InfoHort Potato Reports HERE
USDA – Daily National Potato and Onion Report HERE
Crops
North American Grains/Oilseed Review: Canola rises with help from C$
THE ICE Futures Canada canola market chalked up solid gains on Wednesday, due to action in the Canadian currency. MORE
ICE Futures Canada Wednesday: Canola futures prices higher, barley unchanged HERE
Finding hope in 2017 corn markets
It’s easy to be pessimistic due to global corn stocks, but demand is setting new records too. So consider posting some standing market orders, and watch prices daily MORE
France’s Roquette bets on pea protein with Manitoba plant
French plant-based ingredient maker Roquette will build the world’s largest pea protein facility in Manitoba to meet fast-growing demand for vegetable protein in food and pharmaceutical products in North America, the group said Wednesday. MORE
Lower air pressure in tires to reduce soil compaction
There are no easy solutions to soil compaction but there are some strategies to help avoid it MORE
Soy up for fourth session on Argentina crop concerns
U.S. soybean futures rose on Wednesday for a fourth straight session, notching a six-month high on worries that recent heavy rains could damage crops in Argentina. MORE
Weather trumps Trump on canola
ICE Futures Canada canola contracts posted substantial gains during the week ended Wednesday, taking strength from a rally in the soy complex. MORE
Soy, corn can’t keep their distance from Argentina
Soybean futures at the Chicago Board of Trade posted sharp gains over the past week, as weather concerns in Argentina and a bullish U.S. Department of Agriculture report sparked a rally. MORE
Chemical companies pitch bug-killing options
Companies that make bug-killing chemicals and natural remedies are racing to take advantage of restrictions on neonics, blamed for harming bees and mayflies. MORE
AM markets: Sonny shines on cotton market. But soybeans dip HERE
PEI Grain Elevator Prices – HERE
Grain Farmers of Ontario – Daily Commodity Report HERE
More Futures Prices HERE and HERE
General Interest
Manitoba government to consult with KAP to make its checkoff more efficient
The current system is often frustrating to farmers and farm product buyers and costly to KAP MORE
Ag Days Inventor’s Showcase winner
Plugging your combine is one of those things you don’t want to see – but it happens – now there’s a hydraulic ratcheting wrench that can make the task of unplugging your Claas Lexion series combine much easier. MORE
Trump to name ex-Georgia governor as ag secretary
U.S. President-elect Donald Trump will name former Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue as his nominee for secretary of agriculture on Thursday, a senior transition official saidn Wednesday. MORE
IFA Raises Brexit Threat with Minister for Agriculture
IFA President Joe Healy emphasised the need for Government to use its strong relationships with EU and UK leaders to influence a constructive approach to Brexit negotiations with Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed at the IFA Annual General Meeting on Tuesday evening. MORE
Regular Updates
Rayglen Market Comments – January 18 HERE
CFA in Action – January 18 HERE
Ontario Farm Market Summary – Tuesday, January 17 HERE
AgWeather Atlantic HERE
Today’s Local Weather – HERE
Meetings and Events
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
Attention: Class A Pesticide Applicator Certificate Holders
To renew your pesticide applicator certificate there are three options available for you:
First Option: Renewal of your certificate by receiving Continuing Education Credits.
Second Option: Take a one day training course & write the two hour exam.
Third Option: Make an appointment to come in and write the two hour exam.
First Option:
The Department of Agriculture and Fisheries will be offering two different training days
Day A and Day B. You are required to attend one Day A and one Day B over the five year re-certification period. Only one day per calendar year can be credited.
Day A – Topics covered: General Information, Regulations, Environmental Safety, and Application Technology.
Day B – Topics covered: Emergency Response, Labeling, Professionalism, Traceability, Integrated Pest Management, and Human Health and Safety.
Your current Pesticide Applicator Certificate will remain valid until the expiry date printed on your certificate. New Class A certificates will now all have an expiry date of March 31. The fee payable for a new 5-year certificate is $75.
When you have met the requirements to renew your license, you will be mailed an application form for renewal of your Pesticide Applicator Certificate. Should you fail to attend both of these training sessions prior to the expiry date on your current Certificate, you will need to successfully complete the written examination to obtain a new certificate.
The 2017 training schedule is as follows:
Day A:
January 24,2017 Rodd Royalty, TCH, Charlottetown
January 31,2017 Loyalist Inn, Summerside
February 21, 2017 Lane’s Riverhouse Inn, Montague
March 14, 2017 Rodd Royalty, TCH Charlottetown
Day B:
January 26,2017 Rodd Royalty, THC, Charlottetown
February 2,2017 Loyalist Inn, Summerside
February 22,2017 Lanes Riverhouse Inn, Montague
March 16, 2017 Rodd Royalty, TCH, Charlottetown
Registration begins at 8:15 a.m. All information sessions begin at 9:00 a.m. and will be completed by 4:00 p.m. Lunch and refreshments will be provided, and there is a
$ 25. fee to offset this cost.
To register for one of these training days please call (902) 368-4154.
Should you have questions or require additional detail, please do not hesitate to contact Shelley Ployer at (902) 368-4154 or via e-mail at seployer@gov.pe.ca
Second Option:
You can also renew your license by attending a one day training course and writing the exam at the end of the day (there is no cost to attend this course). This training course is designed to refresh your memory and prepare you for writing the exam. It DOES NOT provide you with any certification days. There is no cost to write the exam. The cost for a 5 year Pesticide Applicator Certificate is $75.
The 2017 training schedule for the one day course followed by writing the exam is as follows:
January 25, 2017 Rodd Mill River Resort, Mill River
February 1, 2017 Rodd Royalty, TCH, Charlottetown
February 22, 2017 Loyalist Inn, Summerside March 15, 2017 Rodd Royalty, TCH, Charlottetown
Registration begins at 8:15 a.m. Training sessions begin at 8:45 a.m. and are completed by 3:30 p.m. The exam will be from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
To register for one of these training days please call (902) 368-4154.
Third Option:
You can make an appointment to write the two hour exam by calling Debbie MacRae at
(902) 368-5024 or Thane Clarke at (902) 368-5599 at the Department of Communities, Land and Environment in Charlottetown. The cost is the same, $75.
