Local, Regional, Canadian News
Ontario cider, spirit makers get support program
Ontario’s small-scale fruit cideries and distillers are getting provincial support to help scale up production. MORE
Alberta farm workers should not get overtime pay, working group says
A group examining ways to apply employment standards to Alberta’s agriculture sector recommends that farm workers should not get overtime pay. MORE
Canadian Grain Commission seeks input on proposed user fee updates and use of surplus funds
Today, the Canadian Grain Commission launched a consultation on proposed changes to its user fees and began a discussion about potential uses of surplus funds. MORE
Ag groups tout potential of trade pact with China
Canadian ag commodity groups expect to make a case for freer trade with China during consultations now underway alongside Ottawa’s talks on a possible free trade deal with Beijing. MORE
Compensate farmers for environmental good: Ducks Unlimited
The next Agriculture Policy Framework needs to compensate farmers and landowners who embrace environmentally sustainable land management, Ducks Unlimited Canada has told the Senate agriculture committee. MORE
4R Nutrient Stewardship taking more to the web
The program, announced in 2013, is a shared undertaking by the Canadian Fertilizer Institute, Manitoba government and the Keystone Agricultural Producers. It aims to balance environmental and agricultural interests. MORE
Women in Agriculture Recognition Award
The provincial board of PEI Women’s Institute is now accepting nominations for the Women in Agriculture Recognition Award. This award, in the form of a plaque and framed photo posted at the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, is presented bi-annually to recognize an Island woman making a major contribution to the PEI agriculture industry within the last five years. Members of the community or fellow farmers are encouraged to contact their local branches to nominate women in the agriculture industry for this award. March 31 marks the deadline for this and other scholarships and awards. A complete list of PEIWI awards and scholarships are available at www.peiwi.ca or by contacting the WI Office at 902-368-4860 or wi@gov.pe.ca. MORE
Federation of Agriculture ‘Path of Profit’ Learning & Development Series
The Federation of Agriculture is excited to announce an exclusive offer to our members.
The ‘Path of Profit’ Series is a Learning Program of various Professional Development courses available to employees of any of our members. The courses are designed to improve overall business competitiveness and profitability while also upgrading staff skills. The courses are classroom based for 1-3 days depending on the course and will be delivered at our boardroom
In March /April. Dates will be confirmed ASAP.
- Succession Planning
- Tax & Financial Planning
- Professional Leadership for Managers / Supervisors / Lead Hands
- Computer Skills Upgrade – Office / Word / Excel
- Stress Management / Time Management
Seats will be on a first come first serve basis.
For further information and to sign up, please contact the office at 902-368-7289 or email Jennifer Murphy at jmurphy@peifa.ca or Robert Godfrey at rgodfrey@peifa.ca.
Livestock
Canadian Red Meat to Gain Billion Dollar Fund from CETA
Despite concerns over unresolved technical issues, CETA is expected to open up a one billion dollar market for Canadian red meat products, writes Bruce Cochrane. MORE
‘Change’ is the watchword in a warming world, says researcher
How will the Canadian cattle industry fare if global temperatures continue to rise? MORE
Seasonal strong beef demand supports feeder market
Wholesale beef values have experienced a significant rally over the past couple of weeks, which has spilled over into the fed cattle trade. Alberta packers were buying fed cattle at $274 on a dressed basis, up $2-$4 from week-ago levels. MORE
NBA: National Commercial Cattle Show Classes at Beef Expo
Plans for this year’s flagship beef event, National Beef Association’s Beef Expo 2017, are in full swing and it has been announced that there will be a total of 11 cattle classes, with four championships and a supreme championship, at the National Commercial Cattle Show (NCCS). MORE
Belarus Plans to Launch Poultry, Beef Exports to UAE in 2017
The Belarusian Agriculture and Food Ministry plans to launch the export of poultry and beef to the UAE in 2017, BelTA learned from head of the Foreign Economic Activity Department of the Agriculture and Food Ministry Aleksei Bogdanov. MORE
New H1N2 Influenza Strain Shows Signs of Spreading
A veterinary Pathologist with the Western College of Veterinary Medicine reports an emerging H1N2 strain of influenza, first detected in 2013 in Manitoba, has begun to spread throughout western Canada, according to Bruce Cochrane. MORE
2017 Pork Act Delegates Elect Candidate Slate, Approve Advisements
The US pork industry held its annual business meeting, the National Pork Industry Forum, 1-3 March, in Atlanta. At the meeting, Pork Act Delegates ranked eight candidates for the National Pork Board and submitted the list to the US Secretary of Agriculture. MORE
Improving Animal Health Feedback to Producers
A large project aiming to improve the ability of producers to monitor disease prevalence in their livestock, and make informed on-farm decisions to manage the health status and improve productivity and profitability is nearing completion of its first stage. MORE
EU Pig Prices: Quotations Range from Unchanged to Slightly Positive
Spring is awakening on the European slaughter pig market. MORE
Low-path bird flu turns up in Wisconsin turkeys
The U.S. has reported an outbreak of avian flu on a farm in Wisconsin, the second in the country in less than a week although the virus found this time is considered less virulent, the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) said on Tuesday. MORE
Atlantic Stockyards Market Report – March 2 – HERE
*Scroll down to find current report
Ontario Cattlemen’s Association Market Report – Tuesday, March 7 HERE
Potatoes
Canada Releases 15 New Varieties
Genomic tools are increasingly used to identify favorable traits and speed up the breeding process.
Reds, a wedge with an edge, and a super storer are among this year’s new potato selections from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. MORE
Proper Storage Preparation is Key
For the best chance of long-term storage success, potato tubers at harvest should be dry, disease free, and uniformly 48 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Reality is rarely so kind, however. MORE
Nitrogen Proves Healthy for Soil
An Iowa State University (ISU) report shows applying nitrogen fertilizer at certain levels to various crops helps maintain carbon in the soil, bringing a range of environmental and production benefits. MORE
Soil Health Advocate Pushes New Approach
Even as the process of writing a new farm bill begins, with the Senate Agriculture Committee holding its first public field hearing recently in Manhattan, Kan., some innovative growers are dropping out of the farm program entirely over requirements they say are too restrictive. MORE
Wilbur-Ellis Acquires Minnesota Agribusiness
Wilbur-Ellis Agribusiness, a leader in precision agriculture technology and the distribution and marketing of plant protection, seed and nutritional products, announced last week it had acquired the assets of Innovative Seed and Consulting, LLC, a full-service agribusiness retailer headquartered in Claremont, Minn. MORE
Soil Test Provides Important Information
The Haney Test is an integrated approach to soil testing using chemical and biological soil test data. MORE
Accessing Agriculture’s ‘Big Data’
For several years, growers have been using technology to measure yields, monitor plant growth, and adjust the application rates for seed, fertilizer and pesticides. These practices are accumulating massive amounts of data—also referred to as “big data.” MORE
Indian potato farmers see cold stores hike prices by 20%
Potato farmers in India, who have been suffering through a difficult time, have yet another thing to worry about. Local cold-store owners have increased the storage charges by about 20%. MORE
Cambodia to create potato hub in Mondulkiri province
Cambodia’s eastern Mondulkiri province will become the country’s first hub for potato growing after a successful pilot project, researchers say. MORE
China recognizes potatoes as fourth staple in Five-Year Plan
China predicts huge growth thanks to potatoes, with the current Five-Year Plan recognizing the crop as one of the country’s four staple foods alongside rice, grains, and corn. The government plan is to focus on these staples in order to ensure the Chinese of food safety and security. MORE
AAFC / InfoHort Potato Reports HERE
USDA – Daily National Potato and Onion Report HERE
Crops
North American grain/oilseed review: Canola declines in front contracts
ICE Futures Canada canola closed mixed, but mostly lower on Monday. MORE
ICE Futures Canada Monday: Canola futures prices mixed, barley unchanged HERE
Scientists studying how to make poorer soils perform better
As Canada steadily loses top-quality farmland to urban sprawl, Agriculture Canada scientists are studying ways to make poorer soils perform better in co-operation with foreign researchers. MORE
Soy, corn fall on Brazil crop expectations
U.S. soybean futures dropped 1.1 per cent on Tuesday to their lowest in more than a week on rising expectations for a Brazil harvest already forecast to be a record, traders said. MORE
Soybean bulls may not find a friend in U.S. crush
The United States has crushed an unprecedented amount of soybeans since the harvest began last fall, but there have not been as many buyers as processors had hoped for, and this could end up burdensome on domestic soybean supply. MORE
AM markets: grains dip as data loom. But is Brazil too dry? HERE
PEI Grain Elevator Prices – HERE
Grain Farmers of Ontario – Daily Commodity Report HERE
More Futures Prices HERE and HERE
General Interest
The effective leader
It’s not every government department that has a deputy minister who makes a point of having coffee with staff in the morning. But then, not every deputy minister is John Knapp. MORE
Greek farmers clash with police in Athens during reforms protest
Greek farmers clashed with police in central Athens on Wednesday when a protest against tax and pension reforms mandated by the country’s multi-billion-euro bailout turned violent. MORE
Regular Updates
Weekly PEI Agriculture Market Report – March 3 HERE
Rayglen Market Comments – March 1 HERE
Ontario Farm Market Summary – Tuesday, March 7 HERE
AgWeather Atlantic HERE
Today’s Local Weather – HERE
Meetings and Events
Cattle Producer’s Spring District Meeting
The theme of the meeting is Exploring New Market Opportunities
We invite everyone to come out and hear about opportunities that may be beneficial for your operation.
Tuesday, March 7, Rm106 +107, Farm Centre, Charlottetown – 7:00pm
Thursday, March 9, Linkletter Community Centre – 7:00 pm
District meetings offer a forum for producers to meet with their Directors and discuss topics relating to the beef industry.
We will be happy to answer any questions that you may have. If you have concerns we will be happy to discuss possible solutions with you.
We hope you can make it to one of the above locations.
Open to registered members of the PEICP
For more information, please call the PEICP office at 902-368-2229
Winter Pruning Workshop for Apple Production
March 8th, 11 am – 3 pm
Beamish Orchards
Get insights and hands-on tips from an organic apple grower’s experience with Island orchardist Mike Beamish of Beamish Orchards and Deep Roots Distillery. MORE
Organic Transition Workshop: Field Crops
March 9th, 9 am to noon
PEI Farm Centre, Charlottetown
With organic grain prices on the rise, and new, practical research that shows yields on par (or even better than) conventional: choosing organic is a wise choice! It can’t hurt to learn about the opportunity, and we hope you’ll share this opportunity with your fellow farmers! Speakers and experts will be 100% Islanders, including several Island Organic Field Crop farmers. Knowledge shared will be practical and applicable to your Maritime Farm. MORE
See Canada’s top speakers
FCC Forum is your chance to re-energize, get inspired and network with business owners and operators like you. Bring family, friends, business partners – it’s free for anyone in agriculture. Over 7,000 people attended last year, so get your seat early and register today!
Saturday, March 11 – 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Moncton , New Brunswick (lunch included) MORE
THE SOIL SESSIONS
Join the PEI COPC in the morning to examine and interpret a number of Cornell Soil Health Test results from local farms and hear from our own local farmers and experts how their management practices may impact soil health and performance. In the afternoon, we’ll be joined (via video conference) by Dr.s Kristine Nichols and Andrew Smith from the Rodale Institute. They’ll provide field crop and vegetable systems expertise and share their knowledge of soil health.
Wednesday, March 15 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Holland College Centre for Applied Science & Technology
Cost is $50 for PEI COPC members and $60 for non-members and includes lunch.
Parking will be available free at the Holland College parking lot on Grafton Street (just across from the CAST)
Contact Karen at (902)894-9999 or research@organicpei.com directly if you have any questions or would like to reserve a spot. REGISTER HERE
2017 Maritime Beef Council Annual Conference
Date: March 17-18, 2017
Location: Best Western Glengarry Motel, Truro, Nova Scotia
The Prince Edward Island Institute of Agrologists offer two awards annually to individuals whose achievements and service to Agriculture in Prince Edward Island have been outstanding.
To nominate an individual for the Recognition Award or Outstanding Agrologist Award please click HERE
Nominations to be submitted to lmurphy@pei.sympatico.ca by March 20, 2017
Women in Agriculture Recognition Award
The provincial board of PEI Women’s Institute is now accepting nominations for the Women in Agriculture Recognition Award. This award, in the form of a plaque and framed photo posted at the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, is presented bi-annually to recognize an Island woman making a major contribution to the PEI agriculture industry within the last five years. Members of the community or fellow farmers are encouraged to contact their local branches to nominate women in the agriculture industry for this award. March 31 marks the deadline for this and other scholarships and awards. A complete list of PEIWI awards and scholarships are available at www.peiwi.ca or by contacting the WI Office at 902-368-4860 or wi@gov.pe.ca. MORE
Institute of Canada (AIC) is hosting a national conference titled “Agriculture Innovation in a changing environment”
Addressing the topic of climate change and agriculture.
April 24-26, 2017 in Winnipeg, MB MORE
Atlantic Farm Women Conference
April 28 & 29 at the Delta Halifax, N.S.
Register before March 31 registration fee is $90 plus you will be entered to win your conference registration free. After March 31, registration will be $115.
To register: http://atlanticfarmwomen.weebly.com/-registration.html
Agenda on line: http://atlanticfarmwomen.weebly.com/agenda.html
Attention: Class A Pesticide Applicator Certificate Holders
To renew your pesticide applicator certificate there are three options available for you:
First Option: Renewal of your certificate by receiving Continuing Education Credits.
Second Option: Take a one day training course & write the two hour exam.
Third Option: Make an appointment to come in and write the two hour exam.
First Option:
The Department of Agriculture and Fisheries will be offering two different training days
Day A and Day B. You are required to attend one Day A and one Day B over the five year re-certification period. Only one day per calendar year can be credited.
Day A – Topics covered: General Information, Regulations, Environmental Safety, and Application Technology.
Day B – Topics covered: Emergency Response, Labeling, Professionalism, Traceability, Integrated Pest Management, and Human Health and Safety.
Your current Pesticide Applicator Certificate will remain valid until the expiry date printed on your certificate. New Class A certificates will now all have an expiry date of March 31. The fee payable for a new 5-year certificate is $75.
When you have met the requirements to renew your license, you will be mailed an application form for renewal of your Pesticide Applicator Certificate. Should you fail to attend both of these training sessions prior to the expiry date on your current Certificate, you will need to successfully complete the written examination to obtain a new certificate.
The 2017 training schedule is as follows:
Day A:
March 14, 2017 Rodd Royalty, TCH Charlottetown
Day B:
March 16, 2017 Rodd Royalty, TCH, Charlottetown
Registration begins at 8:15 a.m. All information sessions begin at 9:00 a.m. and will be completed by 4:00 p.m. Lunch and refreshments will be provided, and there is a
$ 25. fee to offset this cost.
To register for one of these training days please call (902) 368-4154.
Should you have questions or require additional detail, please do not hesitate to contact Shelley Ployer at (902) 368-4154 or via e-mail at seployer@gov.pe.ca
To register for one of these training days please call (902) 368-4154.
Third Option:
You can make an appointment to write the two hour exam by calling Debbie MacRae at
(902) 368-5024 or Thane Clarke at (902) 368-5599 at the Department of Communities, Land and Environment in Charlottetown. The cost is the same, $75.
