Local, Regional, Canadian News
Guilty plea to one pesticide infraction, other charges stayed
A legal battle ended today for a well-known Island farmer. Alex Docherty, a former chair of the P.E.I. Potato Board, pleaded guilty to spraying pesticide without a valid applicators certificate. Other charges connected to pesticide use were stayed. MORE
Let’s Celebrate Fries with the Works!
As Islanders, we know that Fries with the Works is a legendary local dish featuring PEI French Fries. However, when you talk to Islanders about Fries With The Works, or when you see them listed on a local menu, there can be many variations in ingredients! As a result, the PEI Potato Board is launching a survey to ask Islanders “just what IS Fries With The Works” to you?
“There’s no tastier way to enjoy PEI Fries when on the Island than eating them with the “works,” but we want to know exactly what ‘the works’ is” says Rodney Dingwell, PEI potato farmer and chairman of the PEI Potato Board.
Have your say! Tell us what how you eat your Fries with the Works by going online and filling out a survey, with a chance to win a $100 grocery gift card.
“If a tourist came to PEI and asked what Fries With The Works is, Islanders have a clear answer as to what ‘works’ go on our world famous fries, as well as knowing if there’s a ‘classic’ version, says Greg Donald, General Manager of the PEI Potato Board.
Visit the website http://www.frieswiththeworks.ca. Survey closes June 20, 2017.
Former BFO president turns to provincial politics
A former president of the Beef Farmers of Ontario will be running for the Liberals in the next provincial election. MORE
Training critical for new beekeepers to avoid disease woes
Manitoba’s honeybee population has recovered from 2013, when a harsh winter saw hives drop almost eight per cent, but commercial apiarists say that growth could have risks if it doesn’t come with disease management training for new beekeepers. MORE
Ag groups forming united front on BRM
National farm groups are beginning to gain traction with a united voice calling for better business risk management (BRM) programs for producers. MORE
A lesson in farming
Nearly 10 years ago, April Thomi faced the same dilemma as many high school students the world over. She was trying to decide where to go to college. MORE
3A Airbrakes Test Facilitation
***UPDATE–WE ARE NOW TAKING NAMES FOR OTHER DATES THAT MAYBE OFFERED FOR 3A TRAINING IF INTERESTED PLEASE GET YOUR NAME ON A WAITING LIST FOR THE NEXT TRAINING SESSIONS!! WE MAYBE OFFERING SESSIONS IN JULY, AUGUST & SEPTEMBER***
From field to road…do you have employees that drive your trucks, but don’t have their licenses?
We are looking for experienced drivers that would like to obtain their Airbrakes and Class 3A license.
The PEI Agriculture Sector Council will be facilitating these two courses through JVI and Access.
This project will be processed through the Canada Job Grant and Skills PEI.
Draft Schedule:
Day 1- Airbrake theory
Day 2- Review of Airbrakes and Airbrake test (written on site), Preform a pre-use inspection
Day 3- Driving and Testing for Class 3A (time scheduled test on site)
Day 4- Driving and Testing for Class 3A (time scheduled test on site)
Requirements- must have valid truck driving experience, but not licensed & Medical completed and returned
Lunch will be provided
For more details on registration requirements, contact Laurie at 892-1091.
Registration is now open, limited seating available. To sign up, contact the PEI Agriculture Sector Council at 892-1091 or e-mail info@peiagsc.ca
Advance Payments Program through the PEI Federation of Agriculture
Eligible producers will are now able to apply for the 2017 Advance Payments Program through the PEI Federation of Agriculture.
Federation Members will continue to receive a preferred rate on Administrative Fees. This is available for farmers who have paid their dues in 2017 or those that were members as of December 31, 2016.
For more information on the program, please contact Andrew Wood or Tim Seeber at 902-368-7289.
Environmental Farm Plan Renewals
The Enhanced Environmental Farm Plan Program sent out renewal letters in early 2017 to notify producers that their environmental farms plans would be expiring at the end of the year. If you are a producer who has not yet contacted the office to have your plan updated please call Matt or JoAnn at 902-368-7289.
EFP’s are valid for 5 years and we encourage all farmers to participate in the program. Participation in the program also allows you to apply for funding through the Growing Forward 2 Agriculture Stewardship Program, Farmland Finance Program and the Future Farmer Program. For your convenience the EFP can be completed at your farm or at the PEI Federation of Agricultural office and takes approximately 1.5 hrs to complete. EFP’s are no cost to the producer.
If you feel your EFP may be expired and you have not yet been contacted please call the office and we will check the status of your last plan. Further information on the Enhanced Environmental Farm Plan Program can be found on the PEI Federation of Agriculture webpage www.peifa.ca/efp/
PEI COPC Organic Farm Tour
PEI COPC will be hosting a one day organic farm tour on Wednesday, July 6th from 8:30 a.m. to 5:15 p.m..
Local media, social media guests, COPC staff, PEIDAF Minister and Deputy will be attending the tour of five COPC member farms, including: Dexter Cattle Company, Square One Organics, Red Soil Organics, Heartbeet Organics, and Schurman Family Farm.
Transportation and lunch are provided.
Seats are limited and tickets will be on sale beginning next week ($25 each or $20 for COPC members).
Contact Karen at email@organicpei.com or 902-894-9999 for more information.
Livestock
Feeder cattle prices remain firm
Western Canadian feeder cattle prices were relatively unchanged from week-ago levels, although larger groups of quality cattle were priced $3-$5 higher. Most auction barns reported small packages on offer with a larger variance in quality. However, there was limited slippage, even on late stragglers. MORE
Six ways to keep your cattle wormer working
Resistance among internal parasites to broad-spectrum cattle wormers is emerging in Canada and experience in other countries leaves no reason to believe the problem won’t worsen. MORE
Cattle tumble in technical selloff after contract highs
U.S. live cattle futures fell more than one per cent on Tuesday, reversing from earlier life-of-contract highs on pressure from investment fund and technical selling, traders and analysts said. MORE
Cattle Prices Higher on Start of W23
Cattle prices were higher on Monday, 5 June, and higher still on the open yesterday as market participants try to reconcile expectations for softer prices post Memorial Day with the reality of choice cutout values going the other way, reports Steiner Consulting Group, DLR Division, Inc. MORE
Beef Exports Moderate in April; Remain Well Above Year-ago Levels
In April, US red meat exports slowed moderately from the red-hot pace established in March but were still significantly higher year-over-year, according to statistics released by USDA and compiled by USMEF. MORE
Kentucky supplier recalls more than 22,000 pounds of beef
The U.S. Department of Agriculture says a Kentucky-based food distributor has issued a recall on more than 22,000 pounds of ground beef and other beef products due to possible E. coli bacteria contamination. MORE
PCR Testing Can Eliminate BVD Persistently Infected Cycle
New research shows PCR’s higher sensitivity can reduce economic impact of false-negative results in infected calves MORE
New Guide Helps Producers Reduce Livestock Losses
A new guide has been developed to help beef and sheep producers use disease information recorded during inspection at the abattoir as a tool for assessing the health and welfare of their livestock on farm. MORE
Maple Leaf Pursuing Ambition to Become Most Sustainable Protein Company
Maple Leaf Foods has announced its ambition to be the most sustainable protein company on earth, based on a sweeping set of principles and an expansive sustainability agenda that has yielded substantial advancements in nutrition and environmental impact, elevated animals care, and step-changed the Company’s investment in social change. MORE
Local Impact of New Rules Governing Veterinary Antimicrobials Still Unclear
The President of Canadian Association of Swine Veterinarians says the local impact of new rules governing the use of antimicrobials in livestock production will become more clear once they’re incorporated into provincial legislation MORE
Pork Checkoff Publishes New PRRS Initiative Research Book
The National Pork Board’s new porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) virus research booklet is now available. MORE
Pork Exports Moderate in April; Remain Well above Year-ago Levels
In April, US red meat exports slowed moderately from the red-hot pace established in March but were still significantly higher year-over-year, according to statistics released by USDA and compiled by USMEF. MORE
Thai Pig Farmers Cry Foul Over US Import Plan
Thai pig farmers are opposing any plan to allow pork imports from the US. MORE
Protest Ends as Pig Farms Shut Down in Kerala Village
The 109-day stir of the residents of 17 mile near Kallanod in Perambra has come to an end after Koorachund gram panchayat ordered closure of 17 illegal pig farms. MORE
China’s Meat, Produce Prices Continue to Retreat
Prices of meat and vegetables continued to drop in major Chinese cities last week, official data showed Tuesday. MORE
Shepherding new leaders in Ontario’s sheep industry
What began as a grassroots education program for Ontario lamb producers quickly transformed into leadership development for the future of Ontario’s sheep industry. And the future is looking good, according to Ontario Sheep Marketing Agency’s (OSMA) General Manager, Jennifer MacTavish. MORE
Atlantic Stockyards Market Report – June 1 – HERE
*Scroll down to find current report
Ontario Cattlemen’s Association Market Report – Tuesday, June 6 HERE
Potatoes
KEEPING POTATOES ALIVE: WE’VE GOT YOUR “BACKUP”
Housed in Canada’s centre of excellence for potato research along the Saint John River Valley in Fredericton, N.B., Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s scientists maintain a living library of nearly 180 potentially high-value potato gene resources. Canada’s potato gene bank, or Canadian Potato Genetic Resources, is part of an international commitment to global food security. MORE
WIREWORMS – KNOW THEM, CONTROL THEM
A key hurdle in managing wireworms is that different species can have different responses to control measures. MORE
Red River Valley Potato Industry Connected to Angola
Andrew Robinson is a familiar face in the Red River Valley potato industry. Now some of the players in Angola’s potato industry know him, too, and that could lead to closer ties between the African country and the Red RiverValley. MORE
AAFC / InfoHort Potato Reports HERE
USDA – Daily National Potato and Onion Report HERE
Crops
North American grain/oilseed review: Canola ends mixed on Tuesday
ICE Futures Canada canola closed mixed on Tuesday. MORE
ICE Futures Canada Tuesday: Canola futures prices mostly higher, barley unchanged HERE
Bringing back flowers to the field
An initiative to increase biodiversity and pollinator habitat on golf courses is making its large-scale farm debut this summer. MORE
General Mills Funds Sustainable Ag Research
Cascadian Farms and parent company General Mills have partnered with The Land Institute to incorporate organic Kernza in their commercial lines of cereals and snacks.Kernza is a perennial grain developed by The Land Institute from intermediate wheatgrass, and it is related to annual wheat. MORE
Lower U.S. corn acres raise optimism for Manitoba growers
A wet spring in the U.S. has forced many farmers to switch out corn acres in favour of alternative crops — a practice that could potentially raise prices for Manitoba farmers, an industry watcher said. MORE
Spring wheat climbs on dry weather worries
Chicago wheat futures rose about 1.5 per cent Tuesday and Minneapolis spring wheat traded above US$6 a bushel for the first time in nearly two years on deteriorating spring wheat ratings amid hot and dry weather in the northern U.S. Plains, analysts said. MORE
Egypt’s wheat imports again uncertain as ergot ban looms
An Egyptian court has decided to reinstate a zero tolerance policy on common grain fungus ergot, lawyers on the case told Reuters on Tuesday, plunging trade with the world’s largest wheat importer back into uncertainty. MORE
AM markets: grains tick higher, but ‘explosion’ not seen yet HERE
PEI Grain Elevator Prices – HERE
Grain Farmers of Ontario – Daily Commodity Report HERE
More Futures Prices HERE and HERE
General Interest
Vice president’s wife installs beehive at official residence
Vice-President Mike Pence’s wife, Karen, has opened their government residence to more than a few new inhabitants: honeybees. At least 15,000 of them. MORE
JBS sells LatAm units to Minerva
JBS SA has agreed to sell plants in Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay to rival Minerva SA for US$300 million, as the world’s largest meatpacker seeks cash to weather a corruption scandal that caused a spike in funding costs. MORE
AGCO Awarded U.S. Communities Contract
AGCO Corporation, a worldwide manufacturer and distributor of agricultural equipment, has been awarded a three-year cooperative contract with two additional one-year renewal options with the U.S. Communities Government Purchasing Alliance. MORE
Regular Updates
Weekly PEI Agriculture Market Reports – June 2 HERE
Rayglen Market Comments – May 31 HERE
Ontario Farm Market Summary – Thursday, June 1 HERE
AgWeather Atlantic HERE
Today’s Local Weather – HERE
Meetings and Events
PEI COPC Organic Farm Tour
PEI COPC will be hosting a one day organic farm tour on Wednesday, July 6th from 8:30 a.m. to 5:15 p.m..
Local media, social media guests, COPC staff, PEIDAF Minister and Deputy will be attending the tour of five COPC member farms, including: Dexter Cattle Company, Square One Organics, Red Soil Organics, Heartbeet Organics, and Schurman Family Farm.
Transportation and lunch are provided.
Seats are limited and tickets will be on sale beginning next week ($25 each or $20 for COPC members).
Contact Karen at email@organicpei.com or 902-894-9999 for more information.
3A Airbrakes Test Facilitation
***UPDATE–WE ARE NOW TAKING NAMES FOR OTHER DATES THAT MAYBE OFFERED FOR 3A TRAINING IF INTERESTED PLEASE GET YOUR NAME ON A WAITING LIST FOR THE NEXT TRAINING SESSIONS!! WE MAYBE OFFERING SESSIONS IN JULY, AUGUST & SEPTEMBER***
From field to road…do you have employees that drive your trucks, but don’t have their licenses?
We are looking for experienced drivers that would like to obtain their Airbrakes and Class 3A license.
The PEI Agriculture Sector Council will be facilitating these two courses through JVI and Access.
This project will be processed through the Canada Job Grant and Skills PEI.
Draft Schedule:
Day 1- Airbrake theory
Day 2- Review of Airbrakes and Airbrake test (written on site), Preform a pre-use inspection
Day 3- Driving and Testing for Class 3A (time scheduled test on site)
Day 4- Driving and Testing for Class 3A (time scheduled test on site)
Requirements- must have valid truck driving experience, but not licensed & Medical completed and returned
Lunch will be provided
For more details on registration requirements, contact Laurie at 892-1091.
Registration is now open, limited seating available. To sign up, contact the PEI Agriculture Sector Council at 892-1091 or e-mail info@peiagsc.ca
Agricultural Youth Green Jobs Initiative
The Agricultural Youth Green Jobs Initiative has been approved for a 2 year period. Applications will be accepted starting April 26, 2017.
The program is designed to hire youth aged 15 to 30 for internships of up to 12 months. It will be of interest to producers and organizations working in the agriculture industry and interested in implementing agriculture projects that are environmentally beneficial.
Producers operating a farm or ranch can hire a young person to implement an environmentally beneficial project in their operation.
Agricultural organizations, such as watershed groups and companies providing environmentally beneficial services can access the program to support an environmentally beneficial project their organization is implementing. Research organizations can receive funding to support their agricultural research that benefits the environment.
For an application form and more details on the program, please visit: Agricultural Youth Green Jobs Initiative
