Local, Regional, Canadian News
Winter greens: P.E.I. farmers taking a more year-round approach
The first snow is down across Prince Edward Island, but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a good, Island-grown salad. MORE
Government of Canada to Strengthen Environmental Research in Agriculture
Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Lawrence MacAulay today announced that the Government of Canada will be expanding its research efforts to better protect and manage Canada’s water and soil resources, and strengthen the agriculture sector’s ability to adapt to climate change by reopening the Frelighsburg Experimental Farm. MORE
U.S. Senator urges Canada to reverse dairy pricing policy
U.S. Senator Charles Schumer is urging Canadian officials to reverse a pricing policy that’s designed to discourage Canadian cheesemakers from using imported, ultra-filtered milk from the U.S. in their products. MORE
Farm labour shortage looming
The Conference Board of Canada says there will be 113,800 jobs going begging for farm workers by 2025, double today’s total. MORE
Federation of Agriculture offering Forklift Training through the FCC AgSafety Fund
The PEIFA has received funding for forklift safety training through the Farm Credit Canada AgSafety Fund administered through the Canadian Agricultural Safety Association. This training is open to farm employees needing recertification as well as those who may be entering into employment in the agriculture sector.
Courses will be held across the Island and can he hosted at the farm. This training is being offered at a discounted rate of $20 per person. Space is limited.
Next available date:
December 7th
For more information please contact Matt at the PEIFA office 902-368-7289.
Information Session – Workers Compensation Board – Coverage for Farmers
Effective January 1, 2017, all farms will be required to have WCB coverage under the Workers Compensation Act. For more information, please join us on
Wednesday, December 7th 12:00 – 5:00pm
Farm Centre – 420 University Avenue
For more information please call (902) 368-7289
Train-the-Trainer Workshops on the Best Practices for Developing Standard Operating Procedures
This project will train students in the best practices to develop Standard Operating Procedures for tractor and machinery operation. It will include classroom training on CASA’s Safety Standard Operating Procedures Training Module as well as hands on exercises with students developing their own SOPs for their tractor and machinery. The initial session will be facilitated by a trained instructor. Future sessions will rely on trained volunteers to facilitate the group exercises on developing additional SOPs for tractor and machinery. Students will be encouraged to share their SOPs with other students to increase the number of SOPs available to all participants.
For more information please contact Matt at the PEIFA office 902-368-7289
Livestock
A cattle company finding its own way
They’re risk takers who hate to lose and aren’t afraid to trust their own instincts, which is why, on the road to diversification, the Blairs have drawn their own map MORE
Canadian Beef Industry Works to Sustainably Increase Production
Canada has an opportunity to play a leading role in meeting rising global food production needs responsibly through investments in agriculture research across a variety of disciplines. MORE
Six things to know about the bovine TB outbreak: CFIA’s chief veterinary officer
More than 22,000 cattle at farms in Alberta and Saskatchewan are quarantined due to bovine tuberculosis, causing hardship for ranchers and millions in compensation payments and other costs. MORE
Positive margins support feeder cattle market
Alberta packers were buying fed cattle at $150 this past week, which was $5 above breakeven pen closeout values. MORE
Multigenerational Cattle Operations Under Threat
The Internal Revenue Service hosted a public hearing last week (1 December) on a Department of Treasury proposed rule that would eliminate or greatly reduce available valuation discounts for family-related entities. MORE
JBS plans U.S. IPO for international unit
Brazilian food maker JBS SA, the world’s largest beef processor, plans to launch shares of its subsidiary JBS Foods International B.V. in the U.S. in the first half of 2017 as a part of a larger reorganization, the company said on Monday. MORE
Winter Finishers Need Substantial Beef Price Increase
IFA will be holding a major livestock meeting on Thursday, 15 December, in Tullamore to address the fact that grass cattle are now gone and winter finishers need a substantial price increase to cover costs and sell cattle out of sheds, IFA National Livestock Chairman Angus Woods has said. MORE
‘Non-GMO’ label to land on Canadian cheese
A Manitoba cheesemaker is poised to be the first in Canada to offer a “Non-GMO Verified” cheese line, using milk from cows fed non-GMO crops. MORE
Another successful nutrition symposium
The week of November 7, Dairy Farmers of Canada was pleased to host, for the sixteenth year, the annual Symposium on Nutrition and Health that aims to provide health professionals with presentations from top researchers who provided the latest research and best available evidence regarding the role of milk products in a healthy diet. MORE
Livestock transport regulations up for comment
The public can comment until mid-February on proposed new livestock transport regulations which the government says will help Canada line up with international standards and limit how long livestock can go unfed during shipping. MORE
Trade Talks with Japan Key in Event TPP Fails
The Chair of the Saskatchewan Pork Development Board says, in the event the Trans-Pacific Partnership collapses, it will be important for Canada reinvigorate efforts to achieve a bilateral trade agreement with Japan, writes Bruce Cocrane. MORE
CME hogs rise on cash price optimism
Chicago Mercantile Exchange lean hog futures on Monday hit a 1-1/2-month high, spurred by expectations for stronger near-term cash prices, said traders. MORE
Lower Yen and Peso Expected to Pressure US Pork Exports Demand
H@ms Marketing Services says the lower value of the Japanese yen and Mexican peso, compared to the US dollar, could influence the export demand needed to clear a heavy supply of pork being produced in North America, writes Bruce Cochrane. MORE
US Pork Cutout Outperforms Last Year’s Levels
The pork cutout has outperformed year ago levels despite notably more pork available on a daily basis in the marketplace, writes the Steiner Consulting Group. MORE
Ukraine Reports Further ASF Outbreaks
A new outbreak of African Swine Fever (ASF) has been reported on a Ukrainian backyard pig farm in Stavrove, Odessa, close to Moldova. MORE
Which chicken, in what pot?
Supply management doesn’t fit well with speciality production and a proposed new quota program is a misstep MORE
Poultry biosecurity crucial in fall
It turns out birds have a flu season too. MORE
Atlantic Stockyards Market Report – December 1 HERE
*Scroll down to find current report
Ontario Cattlemen’s Association Market Report –Monday, December 5 HERE
Potatoes
Swansfleet Alliance named Top Potato Grower for the McCain Foods Manitoba Plants
Swansfleet Alliance of Treherne and Bruxelles was named the Top Potato Grower for the McCain Manitoba plants during the annual Growers’ Banquet held in November at the Carberry Community Hall. MORE
EarthFresh Farms acquires Grand Bend Produce
Grand Bend Produce’s assets have recently been acquired by EarthFresh Farms. Grand Bend Produce is a fresh potato business based in Ontario. MORE
Jersey Potato Growers take action to reduce levels of nitrate
Jersey potato growers have identified two areas where farming practices must change this winter to prevent a repeat of the water pollution that shut Val de la Mare reservoir for five months earlier this year. MORE
MSU STUDY PROVES LIGHT-BLOCKING PACKAGING TECHNOLOGY A MAJOR WIN FOR POTATO SHELF-LIFE
It’s good to be left in the dark (if you’re a potato) MORE
Valent Valor EZ Herbicide Available for 2017
Valent U.S.A. Corporation announces the release of Valor EZ; a liquid formulation of the company’s leading herbicide, Valor. Named Valor EZ for its easy-to-mix, in-tank suspension properties, the herbicide is an ideal residual partner for the Roundup Ready Xtend Crop System. MORE
An alternative to all-purpose potatoes
While it is quite common in northern Europe, the segmentation of the potato market has finally arrived in Italy too. MORE
Harvest Estimation North-Western European Potato Growers adjusted downwards to 24.5 million tonnes
The official NEPG (North-Western European Potato Growers) harvest estimation has been adjusted downwards this week for the 5 leading potato countries. MORE
Researchers trace roots of potato farming to Andes
Every French fry, gnocchi, tater tot and order of hash browns humans have eaten in the past 5,000 years can be traced back to one place in the world — northwestern Bolivia and southern Peru. MORE
AAFC / InfoHort Potato Reports HERE
USDA – Daily National Potato and Onion Report HERE
Crops
North American Grain/Oilseed Review: Canola drops while soybeans rise
ICE Futures Canada canola futures were down on Monday, despite a rally in Chicago Board of Trade soybeans, as traders positioned themselves ahead of Tuesday’s Statistics Canada production report. MORE
ICE Futures Canada Monday: Canola futures prices lower, barley unchanged HERE
Could camelina be ‘the next canola?’
You’ve heard the pitch on this oilseed before, but this time it could actually be true MORE
Corn, soybeans rally, pull wheat higher
U.S. soybean futures rose 1.5 per cent on Monday, snapping a four-session fall, as healthy overseas demand and rallies in Asian oilseed markets countered pressure from large global supplies, traders said. MORE
Lentils, chickpeas can help reverse soil erosion trend, U.N. says
Planting more lentils, chickpeas and other pulses will improve the health of the world’s soils that have reached critical levels, threatening to worsen hunger and poverty levels, the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) said on Monday. MORE
AM markets: palm oil hits 4-year top, helping oilseed gains HERE
PEI Grain Elevator Prices – HERE
Grain Farmers of Ontario – Daily Commodity Report HERE
More Futures Prices HERE and HERE
General Interest
Telling people they’re wrong won’t win their trust
The organic sector must tread carefully or risk getting caught in the crossfire in the growing debate over social license in agriculture, the president of the Canadian Organic Trade Association says. MORE
Processor-producer spat back in the open
Ingredient pricing disagreement wasn’t causing any sparks in recent times but it was always in the background MORE
The whole value chain is needed to build consumer trust
When it comes to building public trust, the message needs to come from every player in the agriculture and food value chain. MORE
AMR challenge results in new strategy
Weakening bacterial diseases would give animals and humans the opportunity to defeat them on their own MORE
Regular Updates
Weekly PEI Agriculture Market Reports – December 2 HERE
Rayglen Market Comments – November 30 HERE
CFA In Action – November 29 HERE
Ontario Farm Market Summary – Monday, December 5 HERE
AgWeather Atlantic HERE
Today’s Local Weather – HERE
Meetings and Events
Information Session – Workers Compensation Board – Coverage for Farmers
Effective January 1, 2017, all farms will be required to have WCB coverage under the Workers Compensation Act. For more information, please join us on
Wednesday, December 7th 12:00 – 5:00pm
Farm Centre – 420 University Avenue
For more information please call (902) 368-7289
Federation of Agriculture offering Forklift Training through the FCC AgSafety Fund
The PEIFA has received funding for forklift safety training through the Farm Credit Canada AgSafety Fund administered through the Canadian Agricultural Safety Association. This training is open to farm employees needing recertification as well as those who may be entering into employment in the agriculture sector.
Courses will be held across the Island and can he hosted at the farm. This training is being offered at a discounted rate of $20 per person. Space is limited.
Next available date:
December 7th
For more information please contact Matt at the PEIFA office 902-368-7289.
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.
PEI Organic Forum: 2020 – An Organic Vision for PEI
Join ACORN (Atlantic Canadian Organic Regional Network) and the PEI COPC (Certified Organic Producers’ Co-op) for an opportunity to network with Island organic stakeholders and provide your input on the direction of organics on the Island, creating a vision and action plan to move organics forward. This event is FREE and includes dinner (donation to cover food appreciated).
Monday, December 12, 2016 at 420 University Avenue (Farm Centre). MORE
Information Session
A. Grain & Pulse Solutions would like to invite interested agricultural producers to an information session to discuss future Pulse acres, mainly on Prince Edward Island and expanding into Atlantic Canada.
Tuesday, December 13th 1pm-3pm
PEI Farm Centre, 420 University Ave (rooms 105-106)
Green and Yellow Field Pea 2017 expansion of acreage throughout PEI and the Atlantic Provinces will be the main focus. Faba bean production acreage will also be discussed in addition to winter pulse crop possibilities.
Discussions will consist of:
Introduction of W. A. Grain & Pulse Solutions, who we are and what we do.
Rotational benefits of Pulse crops.
Review of 2016 crop year results, best practice and lessons learned.
Introduction of new pulse varieties, both production and trial.
Marketing, export and value add potential for PEI and Atlantic Canada.
Results of Northern Ontario/Quebec and Western programs.
