The president of the Canadian Federation of Agriculture will be featured on a podcast in February discussing the domestic agriculture industry and the challenges it faces. The podcast with Ron Bonnet is part of the “Business Coach” Series produced by BMO. Host Ian Portsmouth will be talking to Bonnet about Food Freedom Day, regulatory issues, adapting to markets, consumer preferences and more.  The podcast is available at http://www.bmo.com/podcast/en/?businessCoach113     ...

The PEI Agriculture Sector Council is looking for more readers from the industry to meet the demand from schools during Canadian Agriculture Literacy Week, February 26 to March 3, 2012. Council Education Co-ordinator Wendy Weatherbie said there are openings for readers for: Belfast, Vernon River, and Summerside.  There has also been a request for a couple of French presentations in Summerside.  “This is an excellent opportunity to educate Island youth about the importance of the agricultural industry,” Weatherbie said. Anyone interested is asked to contact Weatherbie at  calwpei@yahoo.ca or 892-1091.   ...

Canada’s trade policy must begin from one basic premise: the objective should be to protect existing markets and expand, to the benefit of this country, trade opportunities elsewhere.  Concern is growing that the Harper government has failed on both counts. From the trade perspective, the events of 2012 could be as significant as those of 1989. The likely agreement between Canada and the European Union on a Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) and the effort to enter into negotiations for a Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) could be transformational events rivaling those of the FTA’s with the US and trilaterally with Mexico. The ...

Markets are extremely dynamic with an abundance of variables. Knowing how to navigate through this is a farmers' best tool in gaining a competitive edge in the marketplace. Now more than ever, consumer preferences dictate markets. Consumer trends have significant influence on our success, what we produce and even how we produce. There's heightened interest among consumers in the environmental, ethical and health aspects of production. Retailers are responding to this, implementing their own standards based on consumer demands that farmers need to meet if they want to sell their products. To thrive in this environment, business as usual won't ...

There is no question a resolution passed during the annual meeting of the PEI Federation of Agriculture will generate plenty of discussion in the months ahead.
The proposal from long-time potato grower Morley Wood asks the province to increase the ownership limits under the Lands Protection Act. While there have been some minor changes to the act over its 35 year history, the bar has not moved from the upper limit of 1,000 acres for individuals and 3,000 acres for corporations. The major changes in the last three and a half decades have been to include leased land in the total and, more recently, to exclude environmentally sensitive land.
The resolution wants the limits increased to 1,500 acres for individuals and 4,500 acres for corporations. I understand the reasoning for the request-- today’s farms are bigger and three and four year rotations require more land.

Ten groups in rural Atlantic Canada, including three in PEI, will receive money from the AgriSpirit Fund of Farm Credit Canada. The federal Crown corporation is spending $83,200 on the Atlantic projects as part of $1 million to 120 rural community groups across Canada for capital projects. The Ellerslie Home & School Association receives 10,000 to purchase playground equipment while the Municipality of Breadalbane will receive $5,800 to construct a community kitchen. The Vernon River Home and School Association will get $5,000 to purchase a playground structure. The FCC AgriSpirit Fund annually awards rural community groups between $5,000 and $25,000 for community ...

All-terrain vehicles trespassing on farm property should be hit heavily in the pocketbook for any damage they cause. That was the overwhelming sentiment of a resolution that passed easily during the recent annual meeting of the PEI Federation of Agriculture. The resolution calls on the provincial government to increase fines under the Trespass to Property Act from $200 to $500. The maximum fine under the act is $2,000. They also want the Off Highway Vehicle Act changed to require the owners of all such vehicles, (commonly known as ATV’s) to carry liability insurance. They are also suggesting ATV’s should be plated and ...

Canadian producers are keeping up with the times when it comes to the use of mobile technology. Farmers have been as quick to purchase a smartphone (29%) as other Canadians (30%), according to a recent Farm Credit Canada (FCC) Vision Panel study. It’s the same story for tablet use. Six per cent of producers own a tablet, as do 6% of Canadians. Tablet adoption is expected to be highest among current smartphone users. More than half (53%) of Canadian producers who own a smartphone today plan to buy a tablet within two years. With a strong web connection, these devices ...

Members of the public are invited to design a Logo for the 100th Anniversary (1913-2013) of the PEI Women's Institute. A cash prize of $100 will be awarded to the winner.  Deadline for submission is March 31. Additional information is available online at http://www.womensinstitute.pe.ca or through the WI office - Tel: 902-368-4860, email: wi@gov.pe.ca or visit: Royalty Centre, 40 Enman Crescent, Charlottetown.    ...

Hiring contractors who are not covered by your province’s worker’s compensation plan might save a little money but it could ruin your farm business. Helping farmers and ranchers reduce the risks in their operations is the core message of the theme Plan • Farm • Safety, a three-year focus for the Canadian agricultural safety campaign. In 2010, the campaign promoted "Plan" with safety walkabouts and planning for safety. Last year, the focus is on "Farm" including implementation, documentation and training. And in 2012, emphasis will be on "Safety" including assessment, improvement and further development of safety systems. Some farm operators mistakenly ...