Some potato crops suffering on P.E.I. from lack of rain
P.E.I. might be small, but it can offer up a mixed bag of weather in different regions at the same time. Just ask a potato grower. MORE
Growing love of cheese prompts P.E.I. dairy expansion
Expansion at ADL could cost about $2M and bring more jobs to Summerside MORE
Roseville fish kill cleanup underway
‘They look like they’ve been dead for four or five days’ MORE
Dead fish tally still ongoing in P.E.I. river
Day 2 numbers are in from the Little Miminegash River fish kill that was reported Monday. MORE
Dill Family Farm blames dry weather for smaller giant pumpkins
Giant pumpkins need to double in size to be big enough for people to row in Windsor’s regatta MORE
Major Changes Coming to Canadian Dairy Industry
A new, tentative agreement reached between Canadian dairy farmers and processors will allow Canadian processors to buy domestic milk ingredients at world market prices. The nationwide pricing strategy aims to incentivize the use of Canadian domestic ingredients by pricing them at levels that are competitive with those offered by American and other international producers. MORE
Saskatchewan adds new secretary for farm irrigation
A rookie MLA in the Saskatchewan Party caucus has been promoted to a legislative secretary post with responsibility for expansion of the province’s farm irrigation systems. Premier Brad Wall on Tuesday named Warren Kaeding, the MLA for Melville-Saltcoats since April, as legislative secretary to the minister of agriculture, for irrigation expansion. MORE
Number of federal inspections under foreign worker program on rise
The number of federal inspections under the temporary foreign worker program is up dramatically this year and two businesses have been added to a public blacklist. In response to complaints of poor working and living conditions, federal officials investigated Obeid Farms in Vanessa, Ont., where they concluded that 20 temporary foreign workers were consistently working seven days a week. MORE
CAHRC is ready to have the National Occupation Standards validated by the potato community.
Thank you for all of those who helped get the POTATO National Occupational Framework to this stage. Through extensive national consultation, detailed descriptions of what people need to do and know to be successful were defined for key roles in a farm operation:
- entry level farm worker,
- experienced farm worker,
- supervisor,
- manager.
Your help is critical to make ensure that the information is accurate and complete! WHY?
These are tools are being developed for your sector… find out what experts like yourself have identified as best practices and expectations. They serve as a benchmark against which to recruit, select, train and develop employees.
Four surveys have been prepared. You can complete one or more of the surveys – it’s your choice and each survey focuses on 1 of the 4 roles. What is really important is that the person completing the survey has an in-depth understanding of what a person needs to know and do to be successful so we invite you to send the invitation to members of your staff as well.
Entry: http://fluidsurveys.com/s/CAHRC/Potatoes/EntryLevel/
Experienced: http://fluidsurveys.com/s/CAHRC/Potatoes/Experienced/
Supervisor: http://fluidsurveys.com/s/CAHRC/Potatoes/Supervisor/
Manager: http://fluidsurveys.com/s/CAHRC/Potatoes/Manager/
Each survey will walk you through two documents:
- National Occupational Standard: a list of the tasks organized by major task areas – representing what the person needs to do
- Competency Profile: a collection of competencies and related observable behaviours required to successful carry out the identified tasks.
Each survey will take approximately 10-15 minutes to complete. It is highly recommended that each survey is completed in one sitting. However, you can complete the survey in more than one sitting provided you are the only person using your computer to complete this survey.
Note: The survey will be available online from August 22 to September 2, 2016.
Livestock
Field testing underway on Canadian PED vaccine
Field testing is underway and a corporate partner on board for development of a made-in-Saskatchewan vaccine to protect pigs against porcine epidemic diarrhea (PED). MORE
Klassen: Feeder market establishes defensive tone
Western Canadian feeder cattle prices were relatively unchanged from week-ago levels although a softer tone was noted late in the week. After two weeks of slightly higher values, buyers took on the attitude of cutting one’s coat according one’s cloth. Each cattle feeder appears to have his or her own view of the market and is placing bets accordingly. A few brave souls were noted buyers earlier in the week, but as the futures markets eroded, their nimblewitted minds pulled in the reins. MORE
U.S. livestock: More CME live cattle selling on weaker cash outlook
Feeder cattle finish lower, lean hogs close weaker MORE
CME: Meat Supplies in Cold Storage Large
Meat supplies in cold storage are large and getting larger, write Steve Meyer and Len Steiner. MORE
Weekly Overview: Lack of Development in Breeding, Feed Holding Back Indian Pig Production
A lack of development in the feed and breeding sectors of the pig farming industry are currently holding India’s pig production back. MORE
Looking out for No. 1
Farmers come first at Brussels Livestock MORE
Ontario Cattlemen’s Association Market Report – Tuesday, August 23 HERE
Potatoes
Dr. Potato Is Always On Call For Idaho Potato Questions
When reviewing the Idaho Potato Commission (IPC) website analytics for the past year (August 2015-August 2016), IPC staff wasn’t surprised to find that Dr. Potato (alias Don Odiorne, Vice President-Foodservice) had garnered 959,328 page views, nearly 50% of all www.idahopotato.com views. MORE
Ontario potato field day
Approximately 250 growers, crop consultants and potato-industry personnel gathered at the 2016 Ontario Potato Field Day on Aug. 18 in Alliston, Ont., to see the latest potato equipment, new potato varieties and a trade show. The day was hosted by HJV Equipment, supported by the Ontario Potato Board and organized by Eugenia Banks, Ontario potato specialist. MORE
Volm Breaks Ground on New Facility
A groundbreaking ceremony was held on Wednesday, Aug. 10 at the site of a new 90,000-square-foot facility for Volm Companies inPasco, Wash. Volm provides packaging and equipment solutions to the fresh produce industry. MORE
Satisfactory end of the early potato season
The 2016 early potato season ended on the 10th of August. And according to the Lower Saxony Potato Producers Association the early potato harvest was satisfactory. At the end of February the seed potatoes could be planted without interruption, while in the large cultivation areas in Southern Germany the planting was often interrupted due to rain. MORE
“Panama is self-sufficient in potato production”
“Potato production in Panama has increased in recent years,” said Arnulfo Gutierrez, president of the Committee Organizing the XXVII Congress of the Latin American Potato Association. He added that “more and more producers in different parts of the country are dedicated to this crop, taking advantage of the climate.” MORE
Weekly Michigan Potato Report – August 17 HERE
AAFC / InfoHort Potato Reports HERE
USDA – Daily National Potato and Onion Report HERE
Crops
North American Grains/Oilseed Review: Canola Gains After StatsCan Report
THE ICE Futures Canada canola market posted modest gains in the wake of Tuesday’s crop estimates compiled by Statistics Canada. MORE
ICE Futures Canada Tuesday: Canola futures prices higher, barley unchanged HERE
AM markets: grain markets cautious after wheat sell-off HERE
StatsCan’s canola estimates taken with grain of salt
StatsCan’s wheat, durum estimates seen as light MORE
U.S. grains: Corn touches one-week low on improved crop conditions
U.S. corn futures slid to a one-week low on Tuesday and soybean futures lost ground, a day after a U.S. government report showed both crops were thriving. Expectations that a privately run U.S. crop tour would uncover stronger yields in the coming days than on Monday, when it began, put additional pressure on prices, traders said. MORE
PEI Grain Elevators Prices – August 11 HERE
Grain Farmers of Ontario – Daily Commodity Report HERE
More Futures Prices HERE and HERE
General Interest
Soil test right after the combine
The tradition has been to sample for soil nutrients later in the fall, but there are compelling reasons to go sooner than later MORE
Getting down to biology
Finally there may be a soil test to help you see your soil the way that your crop’s roots see it MORE
Innovations in Manure Application Equipment
Wouldn’t it be nice if liquid manure application could wait until after corn planting was completed, with little risk of compaction or damage to corn plants? MORE
Don’t spoil your hay — store it properly
Forage expert offers tips for reducing spoilage, and makes a pitch for having a hay shed MORE
Passion and drive allow farmers to overcome any hurdle
How many of you have a cellphone in your pocket? This is a new phenomenon but as times change, technology increases and every generation has access to new ideas and tools. In agriculture, technological advances are improving efficiencies and yields; reducing inputs; and improving welfare for animals. MORE
The effect of population growth on efficiency in food production
The global population has been expanding rapidly for many years, standing at around 7.3 billion in 2016, due to a number of factors, such as advanced maternity and healthcare. MORE
Flea Loves Bees: The Red Hot Chili Peppers Bassist is an Avid Apiarist
Starting in 2015, Flea began learning about and keeping his own bees; today, he has three hives totaling more than 200,000 individual bees. He regularly posts pictures and updates on his Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram about his beekeeping exploits, all of which show the musician wearing proper beekeeping attire instead of his usual shirtless stage costume. MORE
These 5 Museums Put the “Culture” in “Agriculture”
USA – This fall, museums around the country will celebrate when art meets ag, whether through special exhibitions or art spaces wholly dedicated to agriculture-inspired art. Here are five. MORE
Regular Updates
StatsCan – Production of principal field crops, July 2016 HERE and HERE
PEIDAF Agriculture Market Report – Friday, August 19 HERE
Ontario Farm Market Summary – Tuesday, August 23 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 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.
OPEN HOUSE AT AAFC HARRINGTON RESEARCH FARM
2:00 – 4:00 PM – August 25. View all details HERE
Progressive Agriculture Farm Safety Day!!
Saturday, September 10th – 9am-12:30pm at the Kensington Fire Hall
Registration is $5- includes lunch and a t-shirt
The PEI Federation of Agriculture is excited to be hosting its 5th Progressive Agriculture Safety Day on Saturday, September 10th at the Kensington Fire Hall! This event is open to youth ages 7-14 who have an interest in agriculture ( no farm background necessary!).
Those pre-registered by September 8th will be entered in a draw to win a bicycle! Contact Charlotte at the PEIFA office 902-368-7289 charlottec@peifa.ca
View the poster HERE
Get the Registration/consent form HERE
4R NUTRIENT STEWARDSHIP – FARM TOUR & TAILGATE MEETINGS
Modhaicdh Farms – September 8, 2016 at 6:00 p.m
Island Holdings – September 9, 2016 at 11:30 a.m
Wallace Family Farms – September 12, 2016 at 11:30 a.m
View full details for these events HERE
AAFC Potato Variety Evaluation Field Tour
The 2016 potato variety evaluation field tour will be held on Thursday, September 8, 2016 at 1 pm at the Harrington Research Farm located at 1200 Brackley Point Road (7 km north of the Charlottetown Airport). This year new varieties, advanced selections and Accelerated Release (AR) lines from three trials will be on display.
Trial 1: Advanced selections of fresh market and processing lines from AAFC under conventional production.
Trial 2: New varieties, AR lines, high starch varieties and 6 lines at 75 lbs N/acre.
Trail 3: Advanced selections from AAFC under organic production.
For more information, contact: David Main at david.main@agr.gc.ca or 902-370-1375
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
PEI COPC 13th Annual Organic Harvest Meal & Celebration
September 25, 2016 6:00 PM at Confederation Centre of the Arts. 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
