PLEASE NOTE: The Federation office will be closed all day tomorrow, August 11th, as the staff will be off site at the golf tournament. Thanks!
August Member Profile – Jonathan MacLennan HERE
Job Posting – PEIFA
The PEI Federation of Agriculture is seeking a full-time Executive Assistant. View the job posting HERE
Local, Regional, Canadian News
Blueberry crop looks good heading into August
As he looked out over his blueberry fields in late July, Terence MacDonald liked what he saw. “My fields are looking great,” he said. “It is looking like an average crop for me. I don’t tend to get big swings when it comes to yield.” MORE
New course to teach animal rights law; a sign of the changing times?
A new course being taught this fall at the University of Ottawa is an indication that attitudes toward animal rights are changing, say activists, a trend that one Liberal MP hopes will pave the way for his private member`s bill in Parliament. MORE
New approach to Governor in Council and Ministerial appointments
The Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food is responsible for recommending Governor in Council appointments to five different agri-food organizations: the Canadian Dairy Commission, the Canadian Grain Commission, Farm Credit Canada, Farm Products Council of Canada and the Canadian Agricultural Review Tribunal. The Minister is also responsible for the Appointment of Board and Committee members to the Farm Debt Mediation Service Appeal Boards and National Program Advisory Committee. MORE
More on Canadian Dairy Commission appointments HERE
More on Farm Debt Mediation Service Appeal Boards appointments HERE
Livestock
Klassen: Feeder cattle market comes back to life
Western Canadian feeder cattle prices were $4-$6 higher on average — in some cases as much as $10 higher in the major feeding regions of Alberta. A couple of auction barns held their first yearling sale of the year and optimism returned with a vengeance. A minor bounce in feeder and live cattle futures along with a softer Canadian dollar set a positive tone. MORE
CME: June US Beef Export Figures Positive
The US Department of Agriculture’s Economic Research Service published June trade numbers this week, on a carcass weight basis, write Steve Meyer and Len Steiner. MORE
The price for serving alternative markets
The days of expecting a constant feeder supply in anticipation of sales for finished cattle are no longer the norm for Cattleland Feedyards, a feedlot, cow-calf and farming operation owned by the Karen and Joe Gregory family of Strathmore, Alta. MORE
Olymel to pool Quebec hog processing partnerships
Yamachiche pork plants to ‘share expertise,’ expand operations MORE
Weekly Overview: New Project Helping Pig Producers Go Antibiotic Free
A new project, named Project Horizon, is helping producers with the challenges of moving to antibiotic-free pork production production. MORE
CME: June US Pork Imports Down
The US Department of Agriculture’s Economic Research Service published June trade numbers this week, on a carcass weight basis. MORE
Chinese Pork Prices Fall
Chinese farm produce prices declined last week, mainly due to the drop in meat prices, the Ministry of Commerce reported. MORE
Cargill stops using human antibiotic against disease in turkeys
U.S. meat processor Cargill has stopped using an important antibiotic for people to prevent disease in turkeys, the company said Tuesday, the latest food maker to drop the drug amid concerns about the impact on human medicine. MORE
Ontario Cattlemen’s Association Market Report – Tuesday, August 9 HERE
Potatoes
Scientists To Test Potatoes Grown in Mars and Moon Soils
Scientists of Wageningen University and Research (The Netherlands) are working on growing crops on Mars and moon soil simulants and, for the moment, they discovered that four crops are safe for human consumption. Just like the real Martian and moon soil these contain heavy metals in almost the same quantities. Four of the crops grown were tested for heavy metal content and no concentrations were detected that would be dangerous for human health. The four crops are therefore safe to eat and, for some heavy metals, the concentrations were even lower than in the crops grown in potting soil. MORE
First new Martian and lunar potatoes
The first potatoes grown in Martian and lunar soil, previously made available by NASA, were harvested at the Wageningen Campus this morning. The pots in which the potatoes were planted in April produced mostly tubers of several centimeters, about as big as small new potatoes. MORE
AAFC / InfoHort Potato Reports HERE
USDA – Daily National Potato and Onion Report HERE
Crops
North American Grains/Oilseed Review – Canola rises with outside markets
THE ICE Futures Canada canola market finished stronger on Tuesday, in sympathy with US soyoil and some technical buying. MORE
ICE Futures Canada Tuesday: Canola futures prices higher, barley unchanged HERE
AM markets: cotton slows its fall. but palm oil loses polish HERE
Rain raises early concerns about crop quality
Persistent rain across Western Canada is prompting concerns that prairie farmers will add to a glut of low quality milling wheat that is already weighing on world markets. MORE
U.S. grains: Soy export demand extends rally while corn sags
Wheat ends flat after choppy session MORE
PEI Grain Elevators Prices – August 4 HERE
Grain Farmers of Ontario – Daily Commodity Report HERE
More Futures Prices HERE and HERE
General Interest
There’s an economic case for strip till
The technique can save time and organic matter when it comes to soybean production MORE
German agriculture under the microscope
International Agriculture: Farmers are pursuing sustainability against a backdrop of increasing public scrutiny MORE
Drones being used to find and stamp out noxious weeds in Alberta county
Drone technology is making it easier for an Alberta county to find and stamp out noxious weeds. Invasive plants are a problem for farmers and ranchers, driving down yields and choking pastures. MORE
Regular Updates
Ontario Farm Market Summary – Tuesday, August 9 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)
August 17th-18th– Stratford August 27th-28th– Stratford
September 8th-9th– Stratford September 24th-25th– Stratford
September 27th-28th– 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.
East Coast Style 2016 – Dairy Sale & Show
Aug 11 – 13 – Eastside Holsteins, Frenchfort MORE
OPEN HOUSE AT AAFC HARRINGTON RESEARCH FARM
EVERY THURSDAY IN AUGUST 2:00 – 4:00 PM – August 11, August 18, August 25
Early September with an organic potato variety day with David Main
View all details HERE
Farmers Helping Farmers Annual Beef Barbecue
Saturday August 13th from 4:00-6:30pm at the Harrington Research Station, 1200 Brackley Point Road.
Tickets are $30 each for adults, $10 for children under 12, and take-out is available. You can get your tickets by emailing farmershelpingfarmerspei@gmail.com or dropping by the PEIFA Office in the Farm Centre, 420 University Avenue.
Tractor Safety Course
Saturday, September 10th – 8am-4pm – JVI Charlottetown/Reddin Equipment Ltd – Cost: $85
Theory and practical included. Topics include: Occupational Health & Safety, mobile equipment regulations, farm tractors on public roads, tractor stability, instruments and controls, hitching and connecting implements, PTO safety and safe tractor operation.
You must pre-register by contacting Charlotte at 902-368-7289 / charlottec@peifa.ca. Course is limited to 12 participants.
National Organic Week – Sept 17 – 25, 2016
Canada’s National Organic Week is the largest annual celebration of organic food, farming and products across the country. MORE
Namaste Lamb Event
Featuring Celebrity Chef Vikram Vij
A newly branded signature event this year on the Fall Flavours calendar and it will be held on September 24th at 6:00 pm. The event will be held at Rodd Crowbush Resort. Tickets are $90 per person and can be purchased online or by phone at 1-866-960-9912 MORE
