Local, Regional, Canadian News
Montague gets financial boost from federal government
Montague got a big boost from the provincial and federal governments with $325,000 in funding announced for recreational facilities and a loan of $119,000 for a local animal feed producer. MORE
P.E.I. NDP leader calls for farm tax credit for food donations
The leader of the NDP on P.E.I. says more should be done to help eliminate poverty and food insecurity — and he has a few ideas. MORE
Duration limit lifted from foreign worker program
Canadian farm groups are among the sectors hailing Ottawa’s decision to axe the cumulative duration rule, or “four-in, four-out” policy, which stood to sideline temporary foreign workers from the Canadian market. MORE
CFIA proposes new humane livestock transport regulations
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has released proposed amendments to its humane livestock transportation regulations, the first significant update of rules that date back to 1997. MORE
New OVC vet rotation focuses on dairy animal welfare
The Ontario Veterinary College has added a dairy animal welfare rotation to its fourth-year curriculum, as part of an increased focus on animal well-being. MORE
Record fine for dairy farm
Chilliwack Cattle Sales Ltd. has been fined $258,700 and one of its directors, Wesley Kooyman, $86,250 by a British Columbia judge handling animal welfare charges against the dairy farm. MORE
2016 PEI Agriculture Employer of the Year Award
Do you have an agricultural employer who demonstrates a tremendous level of dedication and support to their employees? Why not nominate your employer for the 2016 PEI Agriculture Employer of the Year Award. The ideal candidate for this award is an agricultural employer that goes above and beyond to ensure that their employees have a positive work experience.
The award is sponsored by T&K Fire & Safety Ltd. The deadline for nominations is December 31, 2016. More Information
2016 PEI Agriculture Employee of the Year Award
Agricultural employers are encouraged to nominate employees for the 2016 PEI Agriculture Employee of the Year Award. The ideal candidate for this award makes an invaluable contribution to any farm operation. The candidate will have demonstrated a strong work ethic and shown dedication and commitment to the agricultural industry.
The award is sponsored by Kool Breeze Farms. Deadline for Nominations is December 31, 2016.
More Information
2016 Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries’ Dedication to Agriculture Award
The ideal candidate for this award is an agricultural employee that through long serving, dedication, devotion, involvement, and thoughtfulness has contributed to the success and long-term profitability of the agriculture enterprise. The candidate will have long-term service in the agricultural industry. Deadline December 31, 2016
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
Canadian forage research on the rise
The forage industry has begun to see a promised increase in research funding from the beef industry. MORE
Elk not responsible for TB outbreak
In recent months, several cattle from herds in Alberta and Saskatchewan have tested positive for exposure to tuberculosis. The index animal — a beef cow — was identified at slaughter at a U.S. processing plant. MORE
Feeder cattle resume upward trend
Western Canadian feeder cattle prices resumed the upward trend after a brief dip during the first major snowstorm of the year. Feeder cattle weighing above 750 lbs. traded $2-$4 above week-ago levels while calves were readily selling for $4 to as much as $8 higher. MORE
Defence Land Buy-up Could Impact Queensland Cattle Industry
An expansion of military training areas in Central and North Queensland could see more than a hundred thousand head of cattle lost to the state’s beef industry and farming families that have managed properties for generations forced off their land, AgForce warned last week. MORE
Call for Strong Action on Beef
Following the IFA livestock meeting in Tullamore Co Offaly entitled ‘Beef Challenges 2017’, IFA President Joe Healy said based on market returns and the recent positive changes to the sterling exchange rate, the meat factories have major scope to increase beef prices MORE
Welsh Govt Recommends CCTV Not Mandatory in Slaughterhouses
Vets have expressed their disappointment at a report instructed by the Welsh Government that recommends CCTV should not be mandatory in slaughterhouses in Wales. MORE
Pork exports up by 5.9 per cent
The federal agriculture department reports that Canadian pork exports increased by 5.9 per cent so far this year. That’s probably a reflection of three things: Canadian hog production is up by 2.7 per cent, the Canadian dollar is trading lower against the U.S. currency, making Canadian pork a relative bargain on world markets, and there is no longer Country-of-Origin Labeling discrimination in the U.S. market. MORE
CME lean hogs snap four-session win streak
Chicago Mercantile Exchange lean hogs on Tuesday settled lower for the first time in five sessions, hit by profit-taking and weaker cash prices before packing plants close over the Christmas holiday, traders said. MORE
EU Declaration to Phase Out Pig Castration is Behind Schedule
A European declaration to end surgical castration of farmed pigs is far from being met according to research due to be published in the journal Porcine Health Management. MORE
Welsh Government Recommends CCTV Not Mandatory in Slaughterhouses
Vets have expressed their disappointment at a report instructed by the Welsh Government that recommends CCTV should not be mandatory in slaughterhouses in Wales. MORE
Irish Pig Prices Remain Stable
Irish pig prices have remained relatively steady this week and look set to remain unchanged over the festive period, said Irish Farmers Association (IFA) National Pigs Committee Chairman Tom Hogan. MORE
Defra Confirms UK Pig Herd Up 3 Per Cent in June
On the 1 June, the UK pig herd stood at 4.87 million head, up 3 per cent on the year, according to the final results of Defra’s June Survey published last week. MORE
Atlantic Stockyards Market Report – December 15 HERE
*Scroll down to find current report
Ontario Cattlemen’s Association Market Report –Tuesday, December 20 HERE
Potatoes
National Potato Council Adds Kam Quarles as Senior Director of Public Policy
The National Potato Council (NPC) has added Kam Quarles as Senior Director of Public Policy. MORE
Have you bought your potatoes for Christmas? UK potato company Branston sees demand double in the week before Christmas
A Potato Company in the United Kingdom says it will see the amount of potatoes it packs double from 150 to 300 tonnes in the week before Christmas. MORE
AVEBE appoints new members to its Supervisory Board
At its Annual Meeting yesterday, Deputy Chairmen Hermann Deuling and Frits Schepers resigned from Avebe’s Supervisory Board. Both gentlemen are stepping down in accordance with the schedule and cannot be re-elected. MORE
UK potato survey to take on soil pest problems
A nationwide potato growers’ survey in the UK is planned to evaluate the implications of all key soil pest issues, and assess whether growers are faring well under current measures, or if they find the problem is growing worse. MORE
Irish potato farmers angry over Christmas retail discounts
Some farmers in Ireland are growing angry at the recent price drop promotions on vegetables made by big supermarkets in the country. Some of these retailers are selling potatoes for 49c/kg and farmers worry it will damage an already fragile market. MORE
AAFC / InfoHort Potato Reports HERE
USDA – Daily National Potato and Onion Report HERE
Crops
North American Grains/Oilseed Review: Canola weighed down by US soy
THE ICE Futures Canada canola market suffered losses on Tuesday, as weakness in the US soy complex weighed down the market. MORE
ICE Futures Canada Tuesday: Canola futures prices lower, barley unchanged HERE
Cover cropping improves land and bank balance
Ontario farmer Blake Vince has harnessed the power of cover crops on his operation MORE
What does your underwear say about your soils?
A lot, providing you bury it in a field, according to Ontario farmer Blake Vince, a cover crop and soil health advocate and Nuffield Scholar. Doing so will help you understand what’s happening beneath your feet, he says. MORE
Syngenta, DuPont patent new herbicide chemistry class
The crop chemical arms of DuPont and Syngenta are working together on a new class of herbicide chemistry they’ve jointly patented and taken to the “pre-development” stage. MORE
You really can hear corn grow
U.S. researchers say isolating this sound has given them surprising insight into plant growth MORE
Soybeans stumble on South America’s crop prospects
U.S. soybean futures tumbled to a nearly one-month low on Tuesday, as rain in Argentina’s dry crop belts kept South America on track for a bumper harvest. MORE
Russia takes on the world
Millions of acres in Russia had been waiting for someone to farm them. Now they’re bursting with grain MORE
AM markets: soy holds, as Argentine pressure turns on wheat HERE
PEI Grain Elevator Prices – HERE
Grain Farmers of Ontario – Daily Commodity Report HERE
More Futures Prices HERE and HERE
General Interest
Breaking the boom and bust: A look at how Alberta is trying to diversify economy
As Alberta struggles to emerge from one of its worst economic downturns, Premier Rachel Notley has been pushing to make the province less reliant on oil and the boom and bust cycle that comes with it. MORE
Regular Updates
Weekly PEI Agriculture Marketing Report – December 16 HERE
FCC Express – December 16 HERE
Rayglen Market Comments – December 14 HERE
Ontario Farm Market Summary – Tuesday, December 20 HERE
AgWeather Atlantic HERE
Today’s Local Weather – HERE
Meetings and Events
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
