Local, Regional, Canadian News
Idle farm land could get busy with peas
The P.E.I. Federation of Agriculture is welcoming this week’s announcement that a field pea processor is setting up in Slemon Park. MORE
Carbon tax or cap and trade? P.E.I. says it still hasn’t decided
The P.E.I. government says it still hasn’t decided whether to implement a carbon tax or develop a cap and trade system as the means to put a price on carbon emissions in the province. MORE
P.E.I.’s Veseys Seeds featured on more than 10 million boxes of Honey Nut Cheerios
P.E.I.’s Veseys Seeds will be featured on more than 10 million Honey Nut Cheerios boxes across North America, thanks to a promotion to encourage people to plant wildflowers and bring awareness to the importance of bees as pollinators. MORE
Urbanization, not foreign ownership, the real threat to farmland
The real threat to farmland is our growing cities, not the tiny amount foreign owners hold. MORE
CPC to Participate in Consultations on Free Trade with China
The federal government has begun three months of consultations about a potential free trade agreement with China. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang announced exploratory discussions in September. MORE
CANADIAN HORTICULTURAL COUNCIL AGM
The Canadian Horticultural Council’s Annual General Meeting takes place March 14-16, 2017, in Winnipeg, Man. MORE
MIDACLOPRID UNCERTAINTY
The consultation period has been extended. Interested parties are encouraged to provide comments and suggestions by 23 March 2017.
Unless you’ve been hiding under a rock, you have probably heard by now that Health Canada’s Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) is proposing to phase out all agricultural uses of imidacloprid over three to five years. MORE
MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR FIRE RIPS THROUGH POTATO FARM
A potato processing plant near Shelburne, Ont. was destroyed when a massive fire tore through the building early Tuesday morning. MORE
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/
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
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
Calf on Blyth-area farm tests positive for rabies
The Huron County Health Unit says a calf from a farm in the Blyth area has tested positive for rabies. MORE
CME: 2016 Per Capita Beef Disappearance in US Market Up
Both supply and demand dimensions interact in a marketplace to determine price. Here we will largely abstract from the domestic demand and focus on beef production and disappearance compared to cash fed cattle price, according to the Steiner Consulting Group, DLR Division, Inc. MORE
‘Grocerant’ Offers Korean Consumers Another Great Way to Enjoy US Beef
Working to displace competitors of US beef in the growing South Korean retail sector, USMEF used social media and a celebrity chef to showcase US beef ribeye, striploin and chuck flap tail during a “grocerant” promotion. MORE
NBA Announce National Commercial Cattle Show classes at Beef Expo
Plans for this year’s flagship beef event, National Beef Association’s Beef Expo 2017, are in full swing and it has been announced that there will be a total of 11 cattle classes, with four championships and a supreme championship, at the National Commercial Cattle Show (NCCS). MORE
Beef Industry Welcomes Commercial Initiative
The launch of Angus Australia’s Commercial Development programme has been received by the beef industry with enthusiasm and strong support. MORE
Call for Functional Stock Route Reform, Not Flawed Laws
The Queensland Government must focus on developing a practical, workable and well-funded management framework for the state’s 2.6 million-hectare stock route network rather than pushing ahead with flawed laws, AgForce said. MORE
Campaigns Launched to Help Curb Farm Pollution, Waste
Targeted campaigns will be launched to curb pollution and animal waste on livestock and poultry farms as well as the excessive use of fertilizers in the horticultural sector in an attempt to bolster the environment in rural areas, the minister of agriculture said. MORE
Stepped Up Biosecurity Helps Reduce Risk of Influenza
A veterinary Pathologist with the Western College of Veterinary Medicine reports stepped up biosecurity measures to combat the spread of diseases like Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea will also help reduce the risk of spreading influenza in pigs, writes Bruce Cochrane. MORE
Mexico Hog Market Report
Mexico, as a price taker from US prices, has experienced relatively unusual behavior over the last few months, with higher prices compared to its North American counterpart. However, during recent weeks the price has started to stabilize a few pesos lower than it was, writes Fernando Ortiz. MORE
Atlantic Stockyards Market Report – March 2 – HERE
*Scroll down to find current report
Ontario Cattlemen’s Association Market Report – Wednesday, March 8 HERE
Potatoes
PPMN passes the 20-year mark
The Prairie Pest Monitoring Network (PPMN), now in its 20th year, continues to provide timely crop insect pest risk and forecasting tools for growers and the industry across Western Canada. MORE
Step one: Identify your weed enemy
Step two: Identify the best means to combat it. Here are some ways to help determine the treatments for weeds, insects and diseases MORE
Researchers develop equation that helps to explain plant growth
It is rare in biology that a single trait can answer questions spanning several fields of research. One such trait is plant biology’s “leaf mass per area,” a simple measurement calculated by weighing a dried leaf and dividing by its original fresh area. MORE
Inaugural Scholarship Winner Announced
As a part of the Michigan potato industry’s effort to expand talent development in the industry, the Michigan Potato Industry Commission (MPIC) has established an annual scholarship for college students pursuing a career in agriculture. MORE
Energy-efficiency Drives Growth in Potato Peeler Equipment Market
Technavio’s latest market research report on the global potato peeler and slicer equipment market shows that the demand in well-established markets in driven by the necessity to replace the old machines with new energy-efficient ones. MORE
AAFC / InfoHort Potato Reports HERE
USDA – Daily National Potato and Onion Report HERE
Crops
North American grain/oilseed review: Canola reverses to the upside
ICE Futures Canada canola closed stronger on Wednesday, reversing after declines earlier in the session. MORE
ICE Futures Canada Wednesday: Canola futures prices higher, barley unchanged HERE
Canola falls on week, outlook bullish
Canola declined on the week with near-term pressure, but looking to the spring, the market may tighten as crops of seasons past haunt upcoming production. MORE
Canola exports hit record on Chinese demand only months after trade dispute
Strong demand from China helped lift canola exports to a record $845 million in January and boost the national trade surplus, Statistics Canada said on Tuesday, a sharp rebound for a sector threatened by a trade dispute last year. MORE
Baker Colony enters ranks of five-time corn yield competition winners
Baker Colony, located near MacGregor, Man., has joined an elite group of five-time winners of the Manitoba Corn Growers Association’s yield competition. MORE
Manitoba Oat Growers’ Association celebrates success and solvency
The Manitoba Oat Growers’ Association is in good financial shape and the industry is targeting more sales to a growing Mexican market. MORE
The more you spend, the less they work
Neil Harker says that when you no longer have the big hammers in the tool box, it’s time to use the little ones. MORE
Cover crops offer big potential, pose bigger learning curve
Looking over at the emptied room that had been packed with attentive farmers a few minutes earlier, cover crops guru Kevin Elmy could only shake his head. MORE
Soybeans facing bearish headwinds
All eyes in the agricultural commodity world are focused on the release of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s next World Agriculture Supply and Demand Estimates report due out Thursday. MORE
Wheat, corn, soybeans fall on plentiful supplies
U.S. corn, soybean and wheat futures fell on Wednesday, with plentiful global stocks and expectations of a robust harvest casting a bearish tone over the market, traders said. MORE
General Mills boosts eco-friendly grain Kernza
A sweet, nutty-tasting new grain called Kernza is getting a big boost from food giant General Mills, which is intrigued by the potentially big environmental benefits of the drought-resistant crop with long roots that doesn’t need to be replanted every year. MORE
Forage seed usage, 2016 HERE
AM markets: soy dips below chart trigger, ahead of key data HERE
PEI Grain Elevator Prices – HERE
Grain Farmers of Ontario – Daily Commodity Report HERE
More Futures Prices HERE and HERE
General Interest
Is a drone right for your farm?
Along with my agribusiness class, I watched, in considerable awe, the beautiful video images of the fields and facilities of a local seed company as they were projected on the classroom screen. MORE
U.S. Commerce chief sees no major NAFTA talks until later this year
U.S. Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross said Wednesday that substantial negotiations to revamp the North American Free Trade Agreement likely will not get started until the latter part of this year and could take a year to complete. MORE
Iconic peace tower coming down at International Peace Gardens
It was expected to last a century but after just 35 years the 120-foot iconic tower at the International Peace Gardens is coming down. MORE
Brazil’s female farmers occupy government offices
Hundreds of female farmers in Brazil occupied rural government offices on Wednesday in protest against austerity plans which they say disproportionately impact poor women. MORE
Regular Updates
Weekly PEI Agriculture Market Report – March 3 HERE
Rayglen Market Comments – March 8 HERE
Ontario Farm Market Summary – Tuesday, March 7 HERE
AgWeather Atlantic HERE
Today’s Local Weather – HERE
Meetings and Events
Cattle Producer’s Spring District Meeting
The theme of the meeting is Exploring New Market Opportunities
We invite everyone to come out and hear about opportunities that may be beneficial for your operation.
Tuesday, March 7, Rm106 +107, Farm Centre, Charlottetown – 7:00pm
Thursday, March 9, Linkletter Community Centre – 7:00 pm
District meetings offer a forum for producers to meet with their Directors and discuss topics relating to the beef industry.
We will be happy to answer any questions that you may have. If you have concerns we will be happy to discuss possible solutions with you.
We hope you can make it to one of the above locations.
Open to registered members of the PEICP
For more information, please call the PEICP office at 902-368-2229
See Canada’s top speakers
FCC Forum is your chance to re-energize, get inspired and network with business owners and operators like you. Bring family, friends, business partners – it’s free for anyone in agriculture. Over 7,000 people attended last year, so get your seat early and register today!
Saturday, March 11 – 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Moncton , New Brunswick (lunch included) MORE
THE SOIL SESSIONS
Join the PEI COPC in the morning to examine and interpret a number of Cornell Soil Health Test results from local farms and hear from our own local farmers and experts how their management practices may impact soil health and performance. In the afternoon, we’ll be joined (via video conference) by Dr.s Kristine Nichols and Andrew Smith from the Rodale Institute. They’ll provide field crop and vegetable systems expertise and share their knowledge of soil health.
Wednesday, March 15 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Holland College Centre for Applied Science & Technology
Cost is $50 for PEI COPC members and $60 for non-members and includes lunch.
Parking will be available free at the Holland College parking lot on Grafton Street (just across from the CAST)
Contact Karen at (902)894-9999 or research@organicpei.com directly if you have any questions or would like to reserve a spot. REGISTER HERE
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
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
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
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:
March 14, 2017 Rodd Royalty, TCH Charlottetown
Day B:
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
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.
