Local, Regional, Canadian News
January Member Profile – Brian and Ben Morrison HERE
Fire strikes twice for New Glasgow farmer
A barn that was built to replace a previous one destroyed in a fire just a few years ago faced a similar fate Tuesday evening. MORE
P.E.I. POTATO BOARD CLOSING BORDEN-CARLETON INSPECTION STATION
The P.E.I. Potato Board is closing its inspection station in Borden-Carleton on Jan. 31. MORE
Minister MacAulay Announces Appointment to the Canadian Grain Commission
Agriculture Minister Lawrence MacAulay announced today the appointment of Patricia (Patti) Miller as Chief Commissioner of the Canadian Grain Commission (CGC). The appointment is for a six-year term effective February 13, 2017. Biographical notes are attached. MORE
Strategy putting British Columbia foods on the global menu
A new international market development strategy is the latest item on the menu offering B.C.’s agri-food and seafood products to the world. The strategy aims to build on the record $3.5 billion worth of B.C. products exported in 2015. MORE
Four-year rule for TFWs tossed out
Federal officials recently announced that temporary foreign workers (TFWs) will no longer be required to leave Canada after four years’ employment. MORE
Tim’s, Burger King to cut some antibiotics from chicken supply
The parent of fast-food chains Tim Hortons and Burger King plans to end the use of certain medically important antibiotics in its Canadian chicken supply chain in 2018. 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
Bottom Line Top of Mind in Genome Research
In light of some recent election results, “giving the people what they want” isn’t always the way to go. When those people are the beneficiaries of research efforts, however, it’s not a bad idea. MORE
Feeder market starts new year on firm tone
February live cattle futures reached six-month highs during the last week of 2016, which quickly spilled over into western Canadian feeder cattle markets. While most auction barns were closed for the holiday season, there was some direct off-farm-to-feedlot movement. MORE
Winter Ration Considerations for Beef Cows
Feed costs represent over half the total cost in a cow-calf production system. The majority of feed costs are from feeding cows during the winter season when most grasses are dormant. MORE
Scottish Prime Cattle Producers Respond to Market Signals
The response of prime cattle producers to market signals about carcase size, particularly for steers, has been one of the striking features of the market over the past year. MORE
Aussie Exporters Ride Out 2016 Challenges; Optimistic About 2017
Australian livestock exporters are quietly optimistic about the coming 12 months, after seeing out a number of challenges for the trade in 2016. MORE
China President Insists on ‘Strictest’ Controls in Food Safety
China’s top leadership called for “the strictest” measures to ensure food safety despite improvements in recent years. MORE
Several Compounds Show Potential as Replacements for Antibiotics
A researcher with the University of Manitoba says several compounds are showing potential as alternatives to in-feed antibiotics to help improve the health of pigs and stimulate growth, writes Bruce Cochrane. MORE
Big Surprises in USDA’s Quarterly Hogs and Pigs Report
The big news over the holiday came from the latest USDA Quarterly Hogs and Pigs Report, which surprised many with its revised number of hogs that are expected to come to market between December and May. MORE
CME lean hogs retreat from four-month high
Chicago Mercantile Exchange lean hogs settled lower on Tuesday after profit-taking and fund liquidation dropped futures from an early-session four-month high, said traders. 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
Bill Submitted for Evaluation to Compensate Milk, Pig Farmers
The Ministry of Rural Affairs has submitted a bill for evaluation that aims to pay €16.2m in special adjustment subsidies to milk and pork producers. Both sectors have had an extraordinarily difficult year. MORE
Charoen Pokphand Foods Completes Acquisition of Bellisio
Charoen Pokphand Foods (CPF) has announced the successful completion of the acquisition of Bellisio Foods Inc. from Centre Partners Management. MORE
Fremont votes approval for Costco poultry plant
Fremont City Council in Nebraska voted this week to approve plans to develop a $300-million poultry plant to supply Costco. MORE
USDA faces backlash over proposed rules
The U.S. Department of Agriculture proposed rules Dec. 14 it said will help protect chicken producers from mistreatment by the small group of meat companies that control most of the country’s production. MORE
Gloomy start to year of rooster as bird flu hits South Korea
The year of the rooster looks set for a gloomy start. Egg prices are soaring and new year’s festivals are being cancelled as South Korea fights its worst bird flu outbreak in a decade. MORE
Atlantic Stockyards Market Report – December 29 HERE
*Scroll down to find current report
Ontario Cattlemen’s Association Market Report –Tuesday, January 3 HERE
Potatoes
3,800 year old potato garden unearthed in Canada
A new discovery made during roadworks in Canada show that farmers of ancient times in the area may have been more sophisticated than was previously believed. The 3,800 year old underwater garden represents the earliest known evidence for wetland plant cultivation in the prehistoric Pacific northwest MORE
35 New Potato Varieties to be released in Karnataka in the next three years
The Hassan Horticulture Research Extension Station of the University of Horticultural Sciences-Bagalkot (UHS-B) in Karnataka, India, is all set to introduce 35 new varieties of potatoes in the next one to three years. MORE
Acquired Taste
It is becoming increasingly important that the flavor of potatoes caters to the wish of the consumer. However, there are many misconceptions about flavor. This article gives some scientific facts about flavor and how the potato sector can use this to its advantage. MORE
Potato Planting in the Indian State Gujarat at an all time high
Potato farming in the Indian state Gujarat has reached an all-time high with over 18 per cent more planting compared to last year and an overall increase of 30 per cent in the normal planting area. MORE
Indian Government removes Minimum Export Price (MEP) of Potatoes
The government of India Tuesday removed the minimum export price (MEP) of potato, which was imposed in July, to boost shipments of the kitchen staple. MORE
UK Potato Supplier Preva Produce enters administration and is up for sale
Norfolk potato supplier Preva Produce has been placed in administration with 20 job losses due to significant cash flow pressures and difficult trading conditions. MORE
India scraps minimum potato export price
The government in India has removed the minimum export price (MEP) of potatoes after it was initiated back in July to control prices and retain stability in the market. MORE
Fiona Fell to stand down as AHDB Potatoes Chair
After three years in office, Fiona Fell has announced she will stand down as an AHDB Board Member and Chair of the AHDB Potato Sector Board at the end of her term in office. MORE
AAFC / InfoHort Potato Reports HERE
USDA – Daily National Potato and Onion Report HERE
Crops
North American grain and oilseed review: Canola starts 2017 lower
ICE Futures Canada canola ended the first trading day of 2017 on a low note. MORE
ICE Futures Canada Tuesday: Canola futures prices lower, barley unchanged HERE
Pest Patrol: Have genetically engineered (GE) crops resulted in more herbicide-resistant weeds in Ontario?
There is a belief that the increased acreage planted to genetically engineered (GE) crops has led to an increase in herbicide-resistant weeds. MORE
Canola Council chief to lead Grain Commission
The point person for Canada’s canola industry will become the chief executive of Canada’s grain handling regulator starting in mid-February. MORE
Soy hits six-week low on South American prospects
U.S. soybean futures fell to a six-week low on Tuesday on improving South American crop prospects and uncertainty about export demand from China, analysts said. MORE
Deeper Look
Researchers at the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center in St. Louis are leveraging expertise in crop phenotyping with the development of the PheNode, a “smart”, farm-ready, solar-powered environmental sensor and phenotyping station for crops. 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
EU regulators delay ChemChina/Syngenta decision
European Union antitrust regulators have extended the deadline for a decision on ChemChina’s proposed buy of Swiss pesticides and seeds group Syngenta by 10 working days, to April 12. MORE
What bankers want to see when you go to the bank
Getting these documents ready before you meet the bank rep may mean more available financing with better terms MORE
Las Vegas tech show looks beyond ‘smart’ to new ‘realities’
The Consumer Electronics Show, which begins with a series of media events Tuesday will offer trade professionals a look at new robotics, connected cars and a dizzying assortment of gizmos from connected sneakers to drones. MORE
Trump leaning toward Georgia ex-governor to lead USDA
Former Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue is U.S. Republican President-elect Donald Trump’s leading candidate to run the U.S. Department of Agriculture, a senior Trump transition team official said on Monday. MORE
Regular Updates
Weekly PEI Agriculture Market Report – December 30 HERE
Rayglen Market Comments – December 21 HERE
Ontario Farm Market Summary – Tuesday, January 3 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
