PAY IT FORWARD TOMATO GIVE AWAY
Charlottetown Farmers Market Parking lot, 1BMay 10, 2016– Schurman Family Farm, from Kensington, PEI will be giving away free tomatoes in exchange for “Paying it Forward” and then sharing your stories on facebook starting at 4pm Tuesday May 10th, Charlottetown Farmers Market parking lot. MORE
P.E.I. potato planting in full swing
About 10% of the crop is already in the ground MORE
Alternative program available for finding skilled agricultural workers
For nearly a year now, farmers on PEI have an alternative source to find skilled labour. AgriInterCulture, a pilot project created by the Cooperative d’integration francophone de l’IPE (CIF), recruits workers from countries where French is an official language, as well as other parts of Canada. MORE
Report Highlights Agriculture Sector’s Strong Contributions to the Canadian Economy
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada today released the Overview of the Canadian Agriculture and Agri-Food System, an annual report that provides historical data on the state of the sector. The report indicates that the Canadian agriculture and agri-food system is an integrated and competitive supply chain that continues to help drive the economy. MORE
Minister of Agriculture Seeking Input on the Current and Next Agricultural Policy Framework
Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Lawrence MacAulay today announced a website designed to seek feedback from stakeholders that will help shape the development of the next agricultural policy framework. MORE
Minnesota congressman critical of Canada’s supply management system
Colin Peterson suspects Canadians are using windfall profits from supply management to buy up American dairy processors MORE
2016 Census of Agriculture benefits farmers
The Census of Agriculture is now on the horizon. In early May, you will receive a letter with easy to follow instructions on how to complete your questionnaire.
Census of Agriculture data are the definitive source of community-level data. By drawing on these data, decision-makers will be assured that they are acting in the interest of farmers, farm communities and agricultural operations.
Farm organizations are heavy users of census data and draw on this information to formulate policy recommendations, produce communications and outreach work, and conduct market development.
Regional, provincial and federal government policy advisors use Census of Agriculture data to help develop programs related to farm support and to evaluate the impact of natural disasters (such as floods, droughts and storms) on agriculture. This allows for a quick reaction when a natural disaster does occur.
The Census of Agriculture has other benefits:
- It identifies trends and provides factual information on emerging issues, opportunities and challenges within the agricultural community.
- Its questions cover a wide range of topics, such as land use, crops, livestock, agricultural labour, machinery and equipment, land management practices, and farm finances.
Support your community and complete your Census of Agriculture questionnaire in May 2016!It can be completed by anyone who is responsible for, or knowledgeable about, the day-to-day management decisions of your farming operation. As required by theStatistics Act, the information you provide will be kept confidential and used only for statistical purposes.
Important changes made to the online questionnaire for 2016:
- Streamlined and easy to complete
- Shorter and 30% faster to complete than in 2011
- Respondents are no longer required to provide detailed farm expenses
- Automatically adds totals and skips questions that don’t apply to your operation.
Completing your questionnaire online is quick and easy:
- Go to Statistics Canada’s website at statcan.gc.caand select the online questionnaire
- Use the secure access code you will receive in the mail in May and conveniently complete your questionnaire.
As a farm operator, you are legally required to participate under the Statistics Act.
Livestock
We no longer have the luxury of time in making changes
When consumers decide a livestock practice is wrong, they expect changes to be made immediately MORE
U.S. livestock: Cattle hit 3-1/2 week high on cash gains
Demand for beef also seen improving MORE
Information Sharing Project Shows Potential Value for Canadian Beef Producers
A recent Canadian project to share information from beef carcass data revealed that cattle from an elite breeding programmes were worth $219 a head more than average cattle, writes Angela Lovell. MORE
We’re Closer Than Ever to a Magic Methane-Reducing Drug For Cows
A dairy cow produces around 200 liters per day of methane, thanks to the peculiar construction of its digestive system: plant material like grass is fermented in a cow’s gut, producing some good stuff (like fatty acids, which the cow needs) and some waste (mostly methane, which is expelled via burping). MORE
Atlantic Stockyards Weekly Market Report – May 4 HERE
*Scroll down the page to find the report
Ontario Cattlemen’s Association Market Report – Monday, May 9 HERE
Potatoes
Updated – AAFC / InfoHort Potato Reports HERE
USDA – Daily National Potato and Onion Report HERE
Crops
US grain and oilseed review: Canola ends mixed
ICE Futures Canada canola contracts were mixed on Monday, as losses in the Canadian dollar advanced prices, while weakness Chicago Board of Trade soybeans pushed more deferred contracts lower. MORE
ICE Futures Canada Monday: Canola futures prices mostly lower, barley unchanged HERE
Prairie farmers are sold out
There is less wheat left to be sold from the Canadian prairies than since the 1930s. Lentils are completely sold out. MORE
U.S. grains: Corn falls two per cent ahead of monthly USDA report
Wheat pressured by ample global supplies MORE
Prairie spring wheat bids rise with dry weather
Weakening dollar also helps support cash wheat values MORE
Argentina Floods Spark Biggest Bet on Soybean Rally in Two Years
A record 1.6 million hectares of soybean plantings were lost because of the rains, the Buenos Aires Grain Exchange said May 6. The flooding in Argentina has a significant impact on global supplies because the nation is the world’s third-biggest shipper, trailing the U.S. and Brazil, and it’s also the No. 1 exporter of soybean meal, made from crushing the oilseed and used in livestock feed. MORE
PEI Grain Elevators
Prices updated May 9 HERE
Grain Farmers of Ontario – Daily Commodity Report HERE
More Futures Prices HERE and HERE
General Interest
A Veteran’s Advice to Budding Certified Humane Farmers: Buy in, Go Whole Hog
Pork producer Vincent Breton is a believer in that team mentality. He’s the third generation of a very successful pork producing family, whose duBreton brand operation (of which he is now president) has grown to include 550 employees and a network of 200 producer farms across Quebec and Ontario. MORE
Building trust from producer to consumer
The majority of consumers is reasonable, intelligent people — especially if their questions are answered with transparency, patience and respect MORE
New Study Presents Strategies for Producing Food for Growing Population
Agriculture now produces more than enough calories to meet basic human dietary needs worldwide. Despite this seeming abundance, one out of eight people do not have access to sufficient food. MORE
Regular Updates
PEIDAF Agriculture Market Report – May 6 HERE
FCC Express – May 6 HERE
StatCan – Stocks of principal field crops, March 31, 2016 HERE
Ontario Farm Market Summary – Friday, May 6 HERE
AgWeather Atlantic HERE
Today’s Local Weather – HERE
Meetings and Events
2 Day Standard First Aid and CPR Courses
(Membership discounted rate of $70)
May Dates:
May 11th-12th– Stratford May 16th-17th– Summerside
May 24th-25th– Stratford
*First aid and CPR course are also available at your farm for a minimum of 8 participants. Please contact Charlotte at 902-368-7289 for more details.
