Local, Regional, Canadian News
P.E.I. beef prices recovering after 17-month slide
P.E.I.’s beef industry is showing some signs of strength following a long down period. MORE
University of British Columbia research supports on-farm adoption of clean technologies and practices
Farmers know the importance of keeping the land, water and air healthy to sustain their farms from one generation to the next. They also know that a clean environment and a strong economy go hand-in-hand. MORE
2016 Census of Agriculture: Leveraging technology and market opportunities in a diverse horticulture industry
Operators in the horticulture sector continued to look for innovative ways to grow products and meet market demands. MORE
The carbon tax
It had been another frigid day in Manitoba, snow swirling as farmers and ranchers gathered at a downtown hotel, but once inside it didn’t take long for the temperature to rise. They’d gathered for Keystone Agricultural Producers annual general meeting, where one issue outpaced the rest — carbon pricing. MORE
Selection Process for Farm Products Council of Canada
On February 25, 2016, the Prime Minister announced a new process for Governor in Council appointments. This new process supports an open, transparent, and merit-based selection process focused on identifying high-quality candidates who demonstrate Canada’s diversity.
This process will be used to select new members for the Farm Products Council of Canada. I am writing to you to seek your assistance in promoting this selection process.
The candidates we are looking for must have experience as a primary producer, in agribusiness, in the agri-food industry, or in food distribution or retail. Candidates should also have experience in decision making with respect to sensitive and complex issues, experience in maintaining effective relationships with multiple stakeholders and balancing their interests and divergent views, and an understanding of the Canadian supply management system for poultry and eggs.
I encourage you to inform your members of this opportunity and invite interested candidates to apply for a member position at the following website: HERE
Let’s Celebrate Fries with the Works!
As Islanders, we know that Fries with the Works is a legendary local dish featuring PEI French Fries. However, when you talk to Islanders about Fries With The Works, or when you see them listed on a local menu, there can be many variations in ingredients! As a result, the PEI Potato Board is launching a survey to ask Islanders “just what IS Fries With The Works” to you?
“There’s no tastier way to enjoy PEI Fries when on the Island than eating them with the “works,” but we want to know exactly what ‘the works’ is” says Rodney Dingwell, PEI potato farmer and chairman of the PEI Potato Board.
Have your say! Tell us what how you eat your Fries with the Works by going online and filling out a survey, with a chance to win a $100 grocery gift card.
“If a tourist came to PEI and asked what Fries With The Works is, Islanders have a clear answer as to what ‘works’ go on our world famous fries, as well as knowing if there’s a ‘classic’ version, says Greg Donald, General Manager of the PEI Potato Board.
Visit the website http://www.frieswiththeworks.ca. Survey closes June 20, 2017.
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
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
Cattle futures firm
U.S. live cattle futures rose on Wednesday in a rebound from losses in the previous session while some lean hog contracts weakened following recent gains in technically driven consolidation trade, traders and analysts said. MORE
Legislation to Restrict Live Cattle Imports Underway
In an aim to minimize the suffering of animals imported to Israel for slaughter, MK Eitan Broshi (Zionist Union) will soon submit a bill to restrict live cattle shipments. MORE
Supreme Court to Hear Plea on New Cattle Notification
The Supreme Court on Wednesday agreed to hear a petition challenging the Centre’s new notification restricting sale of cattle in livestock markets for the purpose of slaughter and religious animal sacrifices. MORE
Overcoming Immune Suppression to Fight Against Bovine Leukemia
Bovine leukemia is a systemic, malignant lymphosarcoma in cows which is mainly caused by infection with a retrovirus, bovine leukemia virus (BLV). MORE
Queensland Farmers Urged to Gear Up to Save Lives
St John Ambulance Queensland and AgForce are joining together to urge all Queensland farmers to have a life-saving defibrillator on their farms to respond in the event of a sudden cardiac arrest. MORE
NZ Meat, Dairy Driving Total Manufacturing Down
The volume of meat and dairy product manufacturing fell in the March 2017 quarter, although sales values rose due to higher prices, Stats NZ reports. MORE
New Manitoba PED case pushes envelope
Southeastern Manitoba’s latest on-farm cases of porcine epidemic diarrhea (PED) include one outside the buffer zones in which earlier cases have been found. MORE
Still a lot to learn about hog nutrition
As the hog industry becomes more integrated, small changes in nutrition can have significant financial impacts across large systems. MORE
Sask Pork Confident Western Canada Can Eliminate PED
Despite a recent wave of Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea infections in southeastern Manitoba, the Chair of the Saskatchewan Pork Development Board remains confident the disease can be eliminated from western Canada MORE
Pork Exports Moderate in April; Remain Well above Year-ago Levels
In April, US red meat exports slowed moderately from the red-hot pace established in March but were still significantly higher year-over-year, according to statistics released by USDA and compiled by USMEF. MORE
NPPC Commends Commerce Secretary for NAFTA Sugar Deal with Mexico
A major trade crisis between the US and Mexico has been averted after a preliminary agreement was reached earlier this week (6 June). The agreement has helped to ward off steep taxes on Mexican sugar imports. MORE
Germany to Resume Pig Exports to China
Germany had been the largest supplier of fresh and frozen pork to China and was also the second largest supplier of offal, reports Duncan Wyatt, lead analyst at AHDB. MORE
Atlantic Stockyards Market Report – June 1 – HERE
*Scroll down to find current report
Ontario Cattlemen’s Association Market Report – Wednesday, June 7 HERE
Potatoes
AAFC BRINGS WILD RELATIVES INTO POTATO BREEDING
Whether its disease resistance, tolerance to stress in the environment or better cold-storage capabilities, research scientists have been incorporating wild potato genetic resources into breeding lines for years to develop more resilient potato varieties. MORE
Several associations criticise entry of old French potatoes
A number of agricultural associations, such as the Andalusian and Extremadura Fruit and Vegetable Producers Association (Asociafruit), PAG Sevilla and the Andalusian Irrigation Association (Areda) have criticised the situation of potato producers in Andalusia, caused by the “permanent” entry of low quality old French potatoes, which compete against the higher quality new Spanish potatoes. MORE
Launch of Powered by Potatoes contest for people with an active lifestyle
Alsum Farms & Produce is inviting sports fans, athletes and those seeking an active lifestyle to show us how you are Powered by Potatoes this summer. MORE
AAFC / InfoHort Potato Reports HERE
USDA – Daily National Potato and Onion Report HERE
Crops
North American grain/oilseed review: Canola steady to higher chasing soybeans
ICE Futures Canada canola closed unchanged to higher on Wednesday. MORE
ICE Futures Canada Wednesday: Canola futures prices higher, barley unchanged HERE
Uncertainty to underpin canola in short term
ICE Futures Canada canola futures advanced on the week and are likely to keep near-term support, one analyst says, as traders mull over the question: Just how much canola is out there? MORE
Parched soils threaten canola, spring wheat
Canada’s western farm belt, dogged by excessive rain in some areas this spring, is now facing parched conditions in others, threatening wheat and canola crops, crop analysts say. MORE
What’s in your field?
Doug Wilton is curious about how much soil “wildlife” is in his fields. MORE
REPORT HIGHLIGHTS ECONOMIC, ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS OF BIOTECH
A new report released today by PG Economics has found that over the last 20 years, crop biotechnology has significantly reduced agriculture’s environmental impact and stimulated economic growth in the 26 countries where the technology is used. MORE
Should drought-stressed alfalfa be clipped?
North Dakota State University – Many parts of the state where alfalfa is grown are experiencing moderate to severe drought, which is causing spring alfalfa growth to wilt, and shoots and leaves to dry. MORE
Corn nears one-year high on adverse weather
U.S. spot corn futures hit a near one-year high on Wednesday on forecasts for potentially stressful crop weather in the Midwest, while Minneapolis spring wheat futures retreated from a near two-year high. MORE
Corn, soy up ahead of USDA data
Corn and soybeans at the Chicago Board of Trade advanced ahead of a key report due out at the end of the week — but from there, it’s back to weather-watching, one analyst says. MORE
AM markets: talk of ‘blast furnace winds’ fuels grain gains HERE
PEI Grain Elevator Prices – HERE
Grain Farmers of Ontario – Daily Commodity Report HERE
More Futures Prices HERE and HERE
General Interest
The art and science of farm marketing
Farm marketing like most aspects of a farm business is a mix of art and science, of theory and practice. And, it’s important to understand and apply both. MORE
Producers Favor NAFTA Renegotiation
U.S. farmers and ranchers, who voted overwhelmingly for President Trump last fall, solidly support renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement, according to a Purdue University survey of producers, despite farm groups’ fears of a disruption in trade. The monthly Ag Economy Barometer said 83 percent of respondents favored renegotiation and 61 percent believed the revised pact will benefit U.S. farmers. MORE
JBS says Pilgrim’s Pride stake not for sale
Brazilian meat packer JBS SA’s core U.S. assets, including its majority stake in Pilgrim’s Pride Corp., are not for sale, the company said on Wednesday, a day after announcing a deal to sell Argentine operations. MORE
Regular Updates
Weekly PEI Agriculture Market Reports – June 2 HERE
Rayglen Market Comments – June 7 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.
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
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
