Local, Regional, Canadian News
What should be in the next Ag Policy Framework?
Ottawa is developing a new five-year Agricultural Policy Framework this spring. What should be in it? MORE
Grain safety program to provide training, increase awareness to reduce deaths
The federal government is offering up to $375,000 for a new program to reduce deaths and injuries related to grain-handling. MORE
The challenge of optimism
A look inside a modern Ontario hort operation finds a farm family wrestling with issues that may soon dominate the farm agenda coast to coast MORE
Options Available to Address Economic Harm Caused by Changing US Trade Policies
A Canadian based International Trade Consultant says there are options available in the event the United States implements trade policies that cause economic harm to Canada, reports Bruce Cochrane. MORE
Government of Canada Helps Expand Markets for Canadian Potatoes
Member of Parliament Dan Vandal on behalf of Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, Lawrence MacAulay, was in Winnipeg today to provide remarks at the Canadian Horticultural Council 95th Annual General Meeting, where he announced more than $274,000 in Growing Forward 2 funding to help expand markets for Canadian potatoes. MORE
Innovation Challenge Winners Bring Local Tech to British Columbia Farms
Vancouver, British Columbia – Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and the BC Ministry of Agriculture
Four B.C. companies have each won $20,000 for developing B.C. technology to help solve a problem identified as part of the BC Ministry of Agriculture and the BC Innovation Council’s Innovation Challenge. MORE
Governments Invest in Agriculture Education and Awareness Programs for Manitoba Students
The federal and provincial governments are investing $25,000 to expand and create new opportunities for young people to learn about agriculture and food, Federal Agriculture Minister Lawrence MacAulay and Manitoba Agriculture Minister Ralph Eichler announced today. MORE
PEI Woodlot Owners Association Annual Meeting and Workshop
The Annual Meeting and Workshop of the PEI Woodlot Owners Association will be held on Saturday April 1, 2017 at the Farm Center, University Ave., Charlottetown.
Registration will begin at 8:30 am with the meeting to begin at 9:00 am.
Agenda topics include:
- Developing a sustainable woodlot
- Invasive species of trees and shrubs in our woodlots
- Forest Enhancement Program of PEI
- Role of Trapping in Animal Conservation
- Canadian Forum of Woodlot Owners
- Annual Business Meeting for all members of PEIWOA
Anyone with a woodlot on PEI is welcome to attend and participate.
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/
Federation of Agriculture ‘Path of Profit’ Learning & Development Series
The Federation of Agriculture is excited to announce an exclusive offer to our members.
The ‘Path of Profit’ Series is a Learning Program of various Professional Development courses available to employees of any of our members. The courses are designed to improve overall business competitiveness and profitability while also upgrading staff skills. The courses are classroom based for 1-3 days depending on the course and will be delivered at our boardroom
In March /April. Dates will be confirmed ASAP.
- Succession Planning
- Tax & Financial Planning
- Professional Leadership for Managers / Supervisors / Lead Hands
- Computer Skills Upgrade – Office / Word / Excel
- Stress Management / Time Management
Seats will be on a first come first serve basis.
For further information and to sign up, please contact the office at 902-368-7289 or email Jennifer Murphy at jmurphy@peifa.ca or Robert Godfrey at rgodfrey@peifa.ca.
Livestock
Have a plan before turning your cattle out
Whether it’s a simple or detailed plan, a few key components will not only save your grass, but maybe save you a few dollars in the long run. Adjusting your stocking rate will allow you to get good-quality forage and vigorous regrowth. MORE
Cattle jump on gains in cash prices, wholesale beef
Chicago Mercantile Exchange live cattle futures rose about one per cent on Wednesday, rebounding from declines in the previous session on the back of higher cash cattle trades in the southern U.S. Plains, traders and analysts said. MORE
U.S. Catholics allowed corned beef on Paddy’s Friday
Americans eat 70 million lbs. of corned beef on St. Patrick’s Day MORE
Total Canadian Cattle Inventory as of 1 January 0.2% Larger Than a Year Ago
Last week Statistics Canada issued the results of its semi-annual survey of cattle operations and an estimate of the inventory of cattle at various stages of production, according to Steiner Consulting Group, DLR Division, Inc. MORE
RCB Issues Final Notices for Shifting Cattle Pens
Rawalpindi Cantonment Board (RCB) has issued final notices to owners of cattle pens to shift them outside Cantt area. MORE
Canada Hog Market
Bob Fraser, Sales & Service, Genesus Ontario, provides an outlook of the Canadian hog market. MORE
Voices Needed in Canada, US to Defend, Preserve, Enhance Free & Fair Trade
Saskatchewan’s Premier says strong voices are needed on both sides of the Canada-US border to speak to the importance of trade, Bruce Cochrane writes. MORE
Welcome Increase Brings Pig Prices Into Line
Chairman of the IFA Pigs Committee Tom Hogan welcomed the increase from both Staunton’s and Dawn Pork last Friday. Both increased quotes up to €1.70kg. This increase brings the southern plants in line with quotes in the northern plants in the country. MORE
Atlantic Stockyards Market Report – March 9 – HERE
*Scroll down to find current report
Ontario Cattlemen’s Association Market Report – Wednesday, March 15 HERE
Potatoes
Commission approves 2017 research proposals
As spring approaches and potato growers across Michigan prepare for another crop season, the Michigan Potato Industry Commission (MPIC) and researchers at Michigan State University are preparing for another season of focused potato research. MORE
New Potato Nutrition Facts Label in the United States
Potatoes USA has developed an updated new Nutrition Facts Label for fresh potatoes to meet updated FDA guidance. MORE
Washington potato season running hard
Demand is staying strong and likely will throughout the end of the season for Washington colored potatoes. “We’re currently running product from storage and it seems everyone who is running potatoes is running a little harder than normal,” says Dale Hayton of Valley Pride Northwest Produce in Mount Vernon, Wa. “It just seems like a faster paced season than what we normally experience. MORE
Mesh cover highly effective at keeping pests off potatoes, Lincoln University researchers find
In New Zealand, a team of Lincoln University researchers is impressed with the results from a trial of a mesh cover that is used to protect potato crops from insect pests. MORE
Potato Processors in Kenya contract 23,000 farmers to meet consumer demand
Some 23,000 farmers in 13 potato-producing counties in Kenya have signed contracts with various potato processing companies in the country to buy the produce to supply enough food to consumers. MORE
West Bengal Government to buy potatoes from farmers to stop suicides
A day after a potato farmer allegedly committed suicide after suffering heavy losses, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday said her government will purchase 28,000 tonnes of potatoes, required for Anganwadi centres (Health Centres also providing supplemental nutrition to young kids) and midday meal programme (schools), directly from farmers. MORE
UK falling out of love with potatoes
While potatoes have been a key part of the British diet for hundreds of years, they have experienced a bit of a decline recently. Sales have fallen by a fifth in the last ten years with a recent dive in figures being fueled by ‘carb-free’ diets. MORE
AAFC / InfoHort Potato Reports HERE
USDA – Daily National Potato and Onion Report HERE
Crops
North American Grain/Oilseed Review: Canola Hits Two-Month Lows
ICE Futures Canada canola contracts were weaker on Wednesday, hitting their lowest levels in two months as losses in Chicago Board of Trade soyoil and a firmer tone in the Canadian dollar weighed on prices. MORE
ICE Futures Canada Wednesday: Canola futures prices lower, barley unchanged HERE
Canola under pressure
ICE Futures Canada canola contracts posted large losses during the week ended Wednesday, and could be due for further declines as outside market influences remain bearish. MORE
Soil management, cover crops and recouping costs explored
Clayton Robins knows something about fighting soil salinity. His farm, located near Rivers, Man., sits on top of what he’s described as “starry night” soil, speckled with white pockets of high salt content. MORE
Soy drops for eighth straight session
U.S. soybean futures fell for the eighth session in a row on Wednesday, retreating after posting early gains when a report showed that processors crushed fewer beans than expected in February. MORE
Soy, corn set to move sideways to lower
As South American supplies put pressure on corn and soybean futures at the Chicago Board of Trade, investors are watching key technical levels in both markets. MORE
AM markets: March returns to form, as positive for ag prices HERE
PEI Grain Elevator Prices – HERE
Grain Farmers of Ontario – Daily Commodity Report HERE
More Futures Prices HERE and HERE
General Interest
Something changed exactly a decade ago
It was 10 years ago this month that a small group of us met in Winnipeg to start talking about how we would transform Country Guide into a business journal for farmers. MORE
China to Improve Quality of Agricultural Products
The Ministry of Agriculture has published a five-year plan to improve the quality of agricultural products, including measures to ensure that products such as apples, tea and pork can be traced back to their producers. MORE
Regular Updates
Weekly PEI Agriculture Market Report – March 10 HERE
Rayglen Market Comments – March 15 HERE
Ontario Farm Market Summary – Wednesday, March 15 HERE
AgWeather Atlantic HERE
Today’s Local Weather – HERE
Meetings and Events
2017 Maritime Beef Council Annual Conference
Date: March 17-18, 2017
Location: Best Western Glengarry Motel, Truro, Nova Scotia
The Prince Edward Island Institute of Agrologists offer two awards annually to individuals whose achievements and service to Agriculture in Prince Edward Island have been outstanding.
To nominate an individual for the Recognition Award or Outstanding Agrologist Award please click HERE
Nominations to be submitted to lmurphy@pei.sympatico.ca by March 20, 2017
Humane Handling Workshop
Open to all registered PEICP producers
Registration is required, but there is no cost
Requirement for all PEI CIB Producers unless you have attended previous Humane Handling Workshops
6:30 PM March 22, 2017
Farm Centre, Charlottetown
For more info call 368-2229
2017 Wireworm Research & Extension Seminar
Tuesday, March 28th, 2017
Red Shores Racetrack, Charlottetown
Will feature presentations by researchers conducting wireworm/click beetle research both locally and nationally.
Registration: $20, includes buffet lunch at Top of the Park Restaurant
To register: Contact Ryan Barrett at (902) 892-6551 or ryan@peipotato.org by March 22nd. MORE
Women in Agriculture Recognition Award
The provincial board of PEI Women’s Institute is now accepting nominations for the Women in Agriculture Recognition Award. This award, in the form of a plaque and framed photo posted at the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, is presented bi-annually to recognize an Island woman making a major contribution to the PEI agriculture industry within the last five years. Members of the community or fellow farmers are encouraged to contact their local branches to nominate women in the agriculture industry for this award. March 31 marks the deadline for this and other scholarships and awards. A complete list of PEIWI awards and scholarships are available at www.peiwi.ca or by contacting the WI Office at 902-368-4860 or wi@gov.pe.ca. MORE
PEI Woodlot Owners Association Annual General Meeting
The Annual Meeting and Workshop of the PEI Woodlot Owners Association will be held on Saturday April 1, 2017 at the Farm Center, University Ave., Charlottetown.
Registration will begin at 8:30 am with the meeting to begin at 9:00 am.
Agenda topics include:
- Developing a sustainable woodlot
- Invasive species of trees and shrubs in our woodlots
- Forest Enhancement Program of PEI
- Role of Trapping in Animal Conservation
- Canadian Forum of Woodlot Owners
- Annual Business Meeting for all members of PEIWOA
Anyone with a woodlot on PEI is welcome to attend and participate.
Institute of Canada (AIC) is hosting a national conference titled “Agriculture Innovation in a changing environment”
Addressing the topic of climate change and agriculture.
April 24-26, 2017 in Winnipeg, MB MORE
Atlantic Farm Women Conference
April 28 & 29 at the Delta Halifax, N.S.
Register before March 31 registration fee is $90 plus you will be entered to win your conference registration free. After March 31, registration will be $115.
To register: http://atlanticfarmwomen.weebly.com/-registration.html
Agenda on line: http://atlanticfarmwomen.weebly.com/agenda.html
