Membership Survey
The recent 76th Annual General Meeting was a great success on a number of fronts, but as always we would like to improve for next year. Please take a moment to complete this SURVEY to give us feedback, even if you did not attend, we’d like to know why and what might bring you out to the AGM in the future. Thanks! SURVEY
Local, Regional, Canadian News
P.E.I. blueberry growers appreciate the heavy snow to protect plants
While some people may not like all the snow P.E.I. has received, it is good news for wild blueberry growers. MORE
Atlantic Beef Products donates beef to Montague Food Bank
In total, Island food banks receive 2,016 pounds of beef thanks to a burger contest MORE
Task force created to look at Woods Island-Caribou ferry service
A task force has been created by the provincial government to look at the economic impact of ferry service between Woods Island, P.E.I., and Caribou, N.S. MORE
Canada’s first ever Agriculture Day highlights winter farming
While the fields of Ontario’s rural heartland might be covered in a blanket of winter snow and ice, Kelly Daynard wants you to know that farmers are by no means idle just because its cold outside. MORE
Saskatchewan approves largest multi-farm drainage plan
Saskatchewan’s provincial Water Security Agency has signed off on what it describes as the largest single agricultural drainage project in the province’s history, with more projects of a similar scale to come. MORE
Dairy Sector Overview – What you need to know
Now in its second edition, Dairy Farmers of Canada presents the new Dairy Sector Overview booklet. The first edition, called the Dairy Sector Issues booklet, was created last year as a tool for MPs and stakeholders to get to know the ins and outs of our industry – and the issues we are working on. The feedback we got from the first version was very positive, so we decided to update and revamp it for 2017. MORE
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
Cereals & Oilseeds 2017 / PEI Soil & Crop Conference
The PEI Department of Agriculture & Fisheries and PEI Soil & Crop will one again be hosting their annual conference on March 1st and 2nd at the Rodd Royalty, Charlottetown. MORE
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.
Holistic Farm Life Planning
A two-day intensive for small business owners who are ready to create a vision of the future they want for their life and business.
Rodd Royalty in Charlottetown, PEI, on February 23rd and 24th MORE
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
PEI ALUS Program Reviewing Payment Rates
The Alternative Land Use Services (ALUS) program is undertaking a review of payment rates paid to Island farmers/landowners. Surveys have been mailed to all ALUS program clients for feedback. In addition, a digital version of the survey has been created. If you are a client of the ALUS program and haven’t completed your survey yet, you can do so by following the link below. The survey will be available online until February 23.
The link can be found here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ALUSclientsurvey3
Livestock
Feeder cattle drop on cautious feedlot demand
Western Canadian feeder cattle markets traded $3 to as much as $8 below week-ago levels as feedlot managers anticipate growing beef supplies during the late spring and summer. MORE
Earls mends fences after beef controversy
Restaurant chain will have all-Canadian beef this summer, after its U.S.-sourcing misstep MORE
Gene Editing can Complement Traditional Food-animal Improvements
Gene editing – one of the newest and most promising tools of biotechnology – enables animal breeders to make beneficial genetic changes, without bringing along unwanted genetic changes. MORE
Slip in 2016 Beef, Pork Retail Demand Indexes Compared to 2015
From an economist’s perspective, a demand index is a depictions changes over time compared to a base period (i.e. shifts in the demand relationship). Graphically, demand is a curve with prices on the vertical axis and quantities on a horizontal axis, according to the Steiner Consulting Group, DLR Division, Inc. MORE
First Shipment of Australian Beef Cattle Arrives in East China
A total of 1,195 head of live beef cattle arrived in east China’s Shandong Province Monday, the first batch of imported sea-borne beef cattle to the country. MORE
Companies Team Up to Develop Livestock Industry
Two state-owned companies – PT Rajawali Nusantara Indonesia (RNI) and PT Berdikari – have signed an agreement to develop the livestock industry, specifically cattle and chicken breeding, as well as the animal feed industry. MORE
Strike Spikes Beef Prices in Dhaka
Beef sold at Tk 500 a kilogramme around the capital yesterday with butchers hiking prices by Tk 30 to Tk 70 following their six-day strike and a weekly meatless day on Sunday. MORE
NZ Trade Minister Confident Over Billion Dollar Beef Appeal
Trade Minister Todd McClay says he is extremely confident New Zealand has a strong case following Indonesia’s decision to appeal a World Trade Organisation (WTO) ruling in favour of New Zealand beef and horticulture exports and says he expects Indonesia to meet their WTO obligations following the appeal. MORE
Slip in 2016 Pork Retail Demand Indexes
From an economist’s perspective, a demand index is a depictions changes over time compared to a base period (i.e. shifts in the demand relationship). Graphically, demand is a curve with prices on the vertical axis and quantities on a horizontal axis, according to the Steiner Consulting Group. MORE
Pig pats promote productivity
It turns out one bad human can spoil the bunch — at least when it comes to pigs. MORE
Producer Share of Pork Retail Price Remains Strong
The share of pork retail prices received by producers remained healthy during January, at 40 per cent. This represented a small fall of less than half a percentage point on December. MORE
Atlantic Stockyards Market Report – February 16 – HERE
*Scroll down to find current report
Ontario Cattlemen’s Association Market Report – Monday, February 20 HERE
Potatoes
WARMER, DRIER CLIMATE WITH PLENTY OF VARIABILITY
Farms with continued success are those willing and able to implement change. MORE
Idaho Approves Payment in Pesticide Cleanup
Idaho state budget writers have approved allocating $519,900 to help research and dispose contaminated fields in eastern Idaho. MORE
The ins and outs of potato storage
Post-harvest potato storage expert Todd Forbush of Techmark Inc. in Lansing, Mich., says quality potato storage requires just two things: quality storage facilities and quality potatoes to store. MORE
POTATO PEST WORRIES FARMERS IN AUSTRALIA
Potato producers in southwest Western Australia say the detection of the tomato potato psyllid is a “serious blow” to their industry. MORE
Syngenta Introduces CruiserMaxx Vibrance Potato
New to the Syngenta Seedcare portfolio, CruiserMaxx Vibrance Potato insecticide/fungicide seed treatment is now available. MORE
Potato farmers in Tanzania are urged to use Mechanization
In a bid to increase yields of Irish potatoes production in Tanzania, Southern Agricultural Growth Corridor of Tanzanians (SAGCOT) has introduced a new system where its growers are encouraged to use modern tilling tractors in its pilot study areas. MORE
Northern Caribbean University to aid reduction of Jamaican potato imports
Northern Caribbean University (NCU), an institution operated by the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Jamaica, recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the government of Jamaica for the implementation of the in-vitro propagation of an Irish potato seed program. MORE
2017 Potato Production in Peru comparable to last year
Peru’s National Association of Potato Growers and Derivatives (APPAPA Peru) estimates the 2017 potato production in Peru will be 40,000 tonnes, a volume comparable to the production last year. MORE
First batch of US seed potatoes to arrive in Jining next month
The office for Inspection and Quarantine in Jining city (Shandong province), recently handled papers regarding the import of seed potatoes for a local agricultural company. The formalities having been dealt with, the first batch should arrive in Jining in March. MORE
Late blight resistant potato variety Sarpo Mira gaining popularity in Bangladesh
The potato variety Sarpo Mira, highly resistant to late blight, is getting popular among farmers in the main potato-growing areas of Bangladesh, due to its higher output, said farmers and officials. MORE
Potato South Africa Reveals Insights on the Regional Market
The potato industry contributes 3% of the total gross agricultural product and 58% of total vegetable production in South Africa, according to a report of Potato South Africa, a non-profit organization which work to build a viable potato industry. MORE
AAFC / InfoHort Potato Reports HERE
USDA – Daily National Potato and Onion Report HERE
Crops
North American grain/oilseed review: Canola drops ahead of the weekend
ICE Futures Canada canola closed lower on Friday, tracking declines in outside markets. MORE
ICE Futures Canada Friday: Canola futures prices lower, barley unchanged HERE
Sask. canola producers could see new pest this season
Saskatchewan canola producers might be dealing with a new problem insect to their crops this year. MORE
Canadian wheat farmers concerned about pasta labelling in Italy
Canada has raised concerns with Rome about Italy’s plan to require country of origin labels on pasta sold there, Canada’s agriculture minister said on Wednesday about a move that is alarming Canadian wheat exporters just as a free trade deal gained European approval. MORE
AM markets: Argentine rains refresh soybean, palm oil bulls HERE
PEI Grain Elevator Prices – HERE
Grain Farmers of Ontario – Daily Commodity Report HERE
More Futures Prices HERE and HERE
General Interest
Thinking small with a big idea
Britain’s “Hands Free Hectare” project is developing the model that you may need to build tomorrow’s farm on MORE
Regular Updates
Rayglen Market Comments – February 15 HERE
PEI Weekly Agriculture Market Report – February 17 HERE
Ontario Farm Market Summary – Thursday, February 16 HERE
AgWeather Atlantic HERE
Today’s Local Weather – HERE
Meetings and Events
Atlantic 4R Nutrient Stewardship Training
Fertilizer Canada’s Nutrient Stewardship training courses help you understand the economic, social, and environmental advantages of 4R practices and how these can be implemented on Canadian farms.
-Free Training
-Participants will receive certification after course completion
-Lunch Provided
**Note: Only the first 30 participants to RSVP will be accepted
-Please send your RSVP to: nfrost@fertilizercanada.ca or call (613)-786-3032
February 22, 2017 – 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Westmorland Room, Crowne Plaza 1005 Main St, Moncton, NB
Cereals & Oilseeds 2017 / PEI Soil & Crop Conference
The PEI Department of Agriculture & Fisheries and PEI Soil & Crop will one again be hosting their annual conference on March 1st and 2nd at the Rodd Royalty, Charlottetown. 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:
February 21, 2017 Lane’s Riverhouse Inn, Montague
March 14, 2017 Rodd Royalty, TCH Charlottetown
Day B:
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:
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.
