Local, Regional, Canadian News
January Member Profile – Brian and Ben Morrison HERE
Prince Edward Island Potato Board elects new Chairman
The Prince Edward Island Potato Board has a new executive as a result of its December 14th Board of Directors meeting. MORE
Struggling Islanders ‘will be hurt’ by a carbon tax
Islanders, who are already struggling to make ends meet, will be hurt by a carbon tax, says Opposition Leader Jamie Fox. MORE
Central West Holstein Club Annual Meeting Notice
Friday January 6th 10:30am, Lotus Garden, Kensington
Annual business meeting and reports
Panel Discussion, featuring top three PEI Herd Management Index Holstein Breeders and Jeff Gunn of Valacta.
Free Buffet Lunch and Door Prize
Notice of Annual General Meeting Prince Edward Island Sheep Breeders’ Association
January 07, 2017, 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm / Registration: 12:30 pm
Rodd Royalty Inn/Hotel, 14 Capital Drive, Charlottetown, PE
Guest Speaker: Dr. Michael Cockram, Atlantic Veterinary College
“Animal Welfare Research on Sheep Transport” – followed by a discussion on the new transport regulations –
Registration Fee: $10.00 per person; Non-member Fee $15.00
Registration fee includes Beverages, Snacks and applicable taxes
Gluten Free Food Selection Available
Annual Membership to PEI Sheep Breeders’ Association available – $20.00 per
farm unit
Please Register Early as Space is Limited: Registrants are Responsible for
Lunch Charges
For information and to register for lunch by January 04, 2017 please contact
Jackie Paynter at 902-836-3740 or Claude Gallant at 902-651-2890 e-mail
addresses paynterspaints@hotmail.com or sandcgallant@bellaliant.net
Business Confidence Index (BCI) survey conducted by Corporate Research Associates Inc. (CRA) and sponsored by TD Canada Trust.
CRA has been conducting a Consumer Confidence Index in the region for the last twenty-five years and felt the time was right to have a business perspective on the economy in Atlantic Canada. CRA will produce a Business Confidence Index for each of the four Atlantic provinces and the region overall for comparison purposes.
We would encourage all our members to simply clink on the link below and help us build our own Business Confidence Index. Please be assured that all individual company responses will be treated in complete confidence and only aggregated data will be reported. The survey will only be opened until Wednesday, January 11, 2017. Why not take a few moments and complete the survey now. This survey is only open to those in the private sector.
To complete the survey click on the following link: https://surveys.cra.ca/s/112297/?assn&l=en
Should you have any questions on the survey, or require assistance accessing or completing the survey, please do not hesitate to contact Corporate Research Associates at surveys@cra.ca.
To view the summary report of the inaugural Atlantic Business Confidence Index, click here.
Livestock
Calves can safely consume more milk than thought
Feeding young calves more milk can cut down on antibiotic use and have other benefits MORE
Less Beef in Cold Storage During November
There were 531 million pounds of beef in cold storage at the end of November. That is 0.3 per cent less than the month before, but 4.1 per cent more than a year ago, write Ron Plain and Scott Brown, Ag Economics, MU. MORE
WTO Rules in US’s Favour Over Ag Exports to Indonesia
United States Trade Representative Michael Froman announced shortly before Christmas that a World Trade Organisation (WTO) dispute settlement panel has found in favour of the United States’ challenge to Indonesia’s wide-ranging restrictions and prohibitions on horticultural products, animals, and animal products. MORE
Millions of Tons of Food Could be Saved with Better Logistics
Each year, around 88 million tonnes of food is discarded in the EU, but Kristina Liljestrand, researcher at Chalmers University of Technology in Sweden, has ideas that could improve the situation. MORE
Targets Task Force Co-ordinates on Antibiotic Reduction in Farming
A new ‘Targets Task Force’ has met for the first time to discuss how meaningful objectives to reduce, refine and replace antibiotic use in all UK livestock sectors can be identified. MORE
Return to Moderate Winter Weather Makes Biosecurity Easier
The Veterinary Counsel with the Canadian Pork Council says the return to more moderate winter temperatures is making efforts to maintain biosecurity to contain the risk of spreading Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea much easier. MORE
Lower Costs Make Genomic Selection of Pig Breeding Stock Economically Viable
A Senior Geneticist with Fast Genetics says the cost of genetic evaluation has fallen to a level that makes the technology practical for every selection candidate, writes Bruce Cochrane. MORE
Big Surprises in USDA Quarterly Hogs and Pigs Report
Arguably one of the biggest surprises in the USDA’s latest Quarterly Hogs and Pigs report was the number of hogs that are expected to come to market between December and May, writes the Steiner Consulting Group. MORE
Lean Hog Futures Increase Despite Negative Hogs and Pigs Report
After last week’s December Hogs and Pigs Report that indicated the US breeding herd and Market hog & inventories were up beyond any expectation year over year (Breeding +1 per cent – Market +4 per cent), it is surprising that lean hog futures went up over $2.00 this past week, writes Jim Long President – CEO Genesus Inc. MORE
Iowa Hogs Experience Biggest Monthly Loss Since 2013
There were 520 million pounds of pork in cold storage at the end of November. That is 13.1 per cent less than the month before and 7.2 per cent less than a year ago. MORE
What Could Drive Livestock Markets in 2017?
With 2016 already in the books we are looking ahead at the New Year and pondering some of the factors that could drive livestock markets for the next 12 months. MORE
Race to save rare breed of pig hinges on eating them
Susan Frank and her dogs spend their days shepherding hairy, black pigs with names like Bacon, Pork Chop and Yummy around a chunk of Maine woods. Her farm, which raises and fattens the rare American mulefoot hogs for slaughter, is essential to their survival, she believes. MORE
Cattle, hog futures mixed on end-of-year positioning
Chicago Mercantile Exchange live cattle futures were narrowly mixed on Friday, paring earlier steep gains on end-of-year positioning, traders said. MORE
Targets Task Force Co-ordinates Antibiotic Reduction in Farming
A new ‘Targets Task Force’ has met for the first time to discuss how meaningful objectives to reduce, refine and replace antibiotic use in all UK livestock sectors can be identified. MORE
More ASF Reported in Ukraine
Two more outbreaks of African Swine Fever (ASF) have been reported on pig farms in Ukraine. MORE
Atlantic Stockyards Market Report – December 29 HERE
*Scroll down to find current report
Ontario Cattlemen’s Association Market Report –Wednesday, December 30 HERE
Potatoes
The Gene Tamer
A team of scientists from The Sainsbury Laboratory (TSL) and the Earlham Institute (formerly The Genome Analysis Centre) in the UK have developed a new method to accelerate isolation of plant disease resistance genes. The team has also identified a new source of blight resistance genes in Solanum americanum, a wild relative of the potato. MORE
Know Your Roots
An estimated 80 percent of plant problems start underground. Soil-borne pathogens, underground insects and nematodes all threaten healthy root structures. Hidden from the human eye, the effects of these pests and pathogens often go unnoticed until the end of the season, when damaged roots can result in significant crop damage and yield loss. MORE
Less Laborious Labor
Labor and its associated costs are key considerations for growers and packers looking to increase the efficiency and productivity of their vegetable handling systems. MORE
Jan Wolthuis steps down as chairman of Agrico; Financial Report released
During the central general members’ meeting earlier in December, Mr Jan Wolthuis stepped down as chairman of Agrico. MORE
Growers preparing for visits in Washington, DC
Michigan potato growers are preparing to take their stories on the key issues impacting potato production in Michigan and across the nation to our elected officials in our nation’s capital. MORE
Good quality red potatoes, but shorter supply this season
Although quality is very good, supplies are a little shorter on red potatoes this year – about 30 per cent less on average due to rain. “The (Red River) Valley will ship less and of course the price is quite a bit higher than it was last year,” said Kevin Olson of Ben Holmes Potato Company. He did have one grower that raised a bumper crop. MORE
35 new potato varieties to be released soon in India
The Hassan Horticulture Research Extension Station of the University of Horticultural Sciences-Bagalkot (UHS-B) is planning on introducing around 35 new varieties of potatoes in the next one to three years. MORE
Ciego de Avila aims to obtain 25 tons of potatoes per hectare
Potato planting in Ciego de Avila, one of the main programs of the winter period, is favored by the current climatic situation and because it is a priority for state growers and the cooperative sector. MORE
AAFC / InfoHort Potato Reports HERE
USDA – Daily National Potato and Onion Report HERE
Crops
North American Grains/Oilseed Review: Canola firms in technical trade
THE ICE Futures Canada canola market settled mostly higher Friday as traders positioned themselves ahead of the long weekend. MORE
ICE Futures Canada Friday: Canola futures prices mostly lower, barley unchanged HERE
Looking for more price security when selling grain?
Basic marketing tools can generate some of the quickest paybacks on the farm. Here’s how one advisory company gets its farmers started MORE
Selling your grain at an optional price
Don’t know how (or when) to sell your grain using options? You aren’t the only one, so this advice may help MORE
Heading off a stem rust pandemic
Only two older wheat varieties are resistant to Ug99, a devastating race of stem rust which threatens to spread around the world MORE
Wheat, corn prices sag in 2016 as record supply weighs
U.S. wheat futures firmed on Friday on better-than-expected export data and short-covering at year’s end, analysts said, but the market was poised for an annual decline of about 13 per cent. MORE
Brazil’s export lull sets stage for record soybean shipments: Braun
The current lull in shipments is exactly that, rather than a withdrawal from the market MORE
New & Natural Chemical
Solanesol is a member of the terpene group of chemicals, which in pure form exists as a white crystalline powder. Solanesol was first isolated from flue-cured tobacco and subsequently found in the foliage of other solanaceous crops, including potatoes, tomatoes, eggplants and peppers. MORE
Boots on the ground must support scouting technology
The existing technology can detect variation in a field, but not why that variation exists MORE
AM markets: grains, cotton, palm oil make firm start to 2017 HERE
PEI Grain Elevator Prices – HERE
Grain Farmers of Ontario – Daily Commodity Report HERE
More Futures Prices HERE and HERE
General Interest
Big vs. Small
Agricultural robotics can upend several commonly held notions, among which is the idea that big is better. In practice this has translated into ever larger and more powerful agricultural machinery. This makes sense because a big machine amplifies the capabilities of the skilled driver, dramatically boosting its productivity. This notion may, however, be about to experience a fundamental change, because in the near future, the driver may well be taken totally out of the equation. MORE
The value of learning
Farmers sometimes wonder whether additional courses and learning are of great value after taking into account course fees, travel, sometimes hotels, and always valuable time away from your business. MORE
No sunlight, no soil, no problem: Vertical farms take growing indoors
New Jersey company seeks to build world’s largest vertical farm inside old steel mill near the airport MORE
Regular Updates
Weekly PEI Agriculture Market Report – December 23 HERE
Rayglen Market Comments – December 21 HERE
Ontario Farm Market Summary – Wednesday, December 28 HERE
AgWeather Atlantic HERE
Today’s Local Weather – HERE
Meetings and Events
Central West Holstein Club Annual Meeting Notice
Friday January 6th 10:30am, Lotus Garden, Kensington
Annual business meeting and reports
Panel Discussion, featuring top three PEI Herd Management Index Holstein Breeders and Jeff Gunn of Valacta.
Free Buffet Lunch and Door Prize
Notice of Annual General Meeting Prince Edward Island Sheep Breeders’ Association
January 07, 2017, 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm / Registration: 12:30 pm
Rodd Royalty Inn/Hotel, 14 Capital Drive, Charlottetown, PE
Guest Speaker: Dr. Michael Cockram, Atlantic Veterinary College
“Animal Welfare Research on Sheep Transport” – followed by a discussion on the new transport regulations –
Registration Fee: $10.00 per person; Non-member Fee $15.00
Registration fee includes Beverages, Snacks and applicable taxes
Gluten Free Food Selection Available
Annual Membership to PEI Sheep Breeders’ Association available – $20.00 per
farm unit
Please Register Early as Space is Limited: Registrants are Responsible for
Lunch Charges
For information and to register for lunch by January 04, 2017 please contact
Jackie Paynter at 902-836-3740 or Claude Gallant at 902-651-2890 e-mail
addresses paynterspaints@hotmail.com or sandcgallant@bellaliant.net
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.
Business Confidence Index (BCI) survey conducted by Corporate Research Associates Inc. (CRA) and sponsored by TD Canada Trust.
CRA has been conducting a Consumer Confidence Index in the region for the last twenty-five years and felt the time was right to have a business perspective on the economy in Atlantic Canada. CRA will produce a Business Confidence Index for each of the four Atlantic provinces and the region overall for comparison purposes.
We would encourage all our members to simply clink on the link below and help us build our own Business Confidence Index. Please be assured that all individual company responses will be treated in complete confidence and only aggregated data will be reported. The survey will only be opened until Wednesday, January 11, 2017. Why not take a few moments and complete the survey now. This survey is only open to those in the private sector.
To complete the survey click on the following link: https://surveys.cra.ca/s/112297/?assn&l=en
Should you have any questions on the survey, or require assistance accessing or completing the survey, please do not hesitate to contact Corporate Research Associates at surveys@cra.ca.
To view the summary report of the inaugural Atlantic Business Confidence Index, click here.
SSDE Industry Engagement Day – January 20, 2017
Our first semester is behind us and it was a tremendous success. During last semester we hosted our first Industry Engagement day and had the great privilege of welcoming well over 100 people to our School of Sustainable Design Engineering. Building on that success, we wish to start the New Year off with good momentum and hold our next Industry Engagement day on the 20th of January 2017. This day will have a specific focus on Bio-Resources and Precision Agriculture.
Goal – Is to gather Industry, Government, and Academia and look for collaboration to advance Bio-Resources and Precision Agriculture. We will also to take the opportunity to introduce the Class of 2017.
Date and time – 20 January 2017 from 10:00 am – 2:00 pm.
Location – UPEI Campus. 550 University Avenue, Charlottetown, PE.
Agenda
10:00 – Welcome to the Province of Prince Edward Island and to the University
10:10 – Keynote Address from the Province
10:30 – Introduction of the first keynote speaker Dr.John K. Schueller from the University of Florida by Dr.Aitazaz Farooque
10:35 – Key Note address: Precision Agriculture Technologies for Economically and Environmentally Sustainable Agriculture
11:05 – Introduction of the second keynote speaker Dr.Animesh Dutta from the University of Guelph by Dr.Bishnu Acharya
11:30 – Meet the Graduating Class of 2017 – Introduction by Dr.Wayne Peters, the Director of Student Experience
11:35 – Guided tour by the Industry Partnerships Group
12:00 – Lunch (provided – no turkey)/Networking – 60 mins
1:00 – Panel discussion led by the School of Sustainable Design Engineering with keynote speakers and Government/Industry representatives
2:00 – wrap up and thank you by Dr.Nick Krouglicof, Associate Dean of Engineering and Allan Dale, Industry Partnerships Group
Please RSVP to Lisa Sanderson at lmsanderson@upei.ca
