Potato growers on P.E.I. may enjoy what Bruce Huffaker calls the “best of both worlds” in 2010—that elusive combination of a bumper crop and strong prices. The publisher of the North American Potato Market News addressed a recent meeting of tablestock growers by telephone. He told the 20 plus growers this was an “exciting time” to be in the potato business in the province. “P.E.I. crop conditions are the best in three years,” he said. “A bumper crop is possible in the Maritimes, and possibly Maine,  although they are having some dry weather right now.” ...

The road to success for the province’s grains sector lies in developing an Island brand focused on consumer ready products. That was the major conclusion of a market study commissioned by the Island Grains and Proteins Council. Consultants Peter Llewellyn and David MacKay, who compiled the document, unveiled their findings to industry at a breakfast meeting August 12. Biofuels appeared to be the future of the sector just a few years ago as oil prices headed towards $1.40 per litre. However, they have since dropped significantly and that has also resulted in less interest in the biofuels sector. The president of the Island Grains ...

Canadian milk producers sold 7.03 million kilolitres of milk and cream to dairies during the first eleven months of 2009-2010 dairy year, up 1.5% from the same period last year. Industrial milk sales, which accounted for 60.7% of all milk sold, totaled 4.27 million kilolitres. Fluid milk sales were 2.76 million kilolitres. Canadian consumers purchased 2.71 million kilolitres of milk and cream during the first eleven months of the 2009-2010 dairy year, 1.4% less than a year ago. Sales of 2% milk, the most popular, were lower at almost 1,123 thousand kilolitres. Sales of 1% milk and skim milk decreased, at 543 ...

  The Egg Producers of P.E.I. has made the following pricing order effective August 8. The minimum Canada Grade A Producer Price by the dozen: extra large $1.74; large $1.74; medium $1.62 and small $1.14. The suggested minimum Canada Grade A Wholesale Carton Price: extra large $2.36; large $2.33; medium $2.21; small $1.73. The minimum Canada Grade A Spot Price: extra large $2.23; large $2.20; medium $2.08 and small $1.60. ...

The enhancement of business management skills, in order to manage and even find opportunity in  challenging global conditions, is the basis behind the George Morris Centre’s Executive Development Program. The Executive Development Program(EDP) is like a mini MBA but focused directly at businesses within the agriculture, food and rural sectors, so it is ideal for men and women who want to build and evolve their businesses, but are unable to devote months on end to study. The course instead consists of four intensive four-day sessions held over eight months in different locations across Canada. The first module runs from October ...

  Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada is extending the application deadline for the initial phase of the Abattoir Competitiveness Program to August 27, 2010 to allow eligible recipients more time to take advantage of the program. Announced on July 5, 2010, the program is making $25 million available to help Canadian cattle slaughterhouses maintain critical slaughter capacity in Canada for OTM cattle while the industry undertakes efforts to become more innovative and competitive when dealing with SRM. For more information on the Abattoir Competitiveness Program and how to apply, visit www.agr.gc.ca/acp or call 1-877-290-2188. ...

  Nominations close August 27 for the PEI ADAPT Council 4th Annual Taste Our Island award. This prestigious and much sought after award recognizes the Island's best innovative chefs and restaurateurs who are supporting our local food system. Prince Edward Island’s bountiful and delicious harvest is part of what defines our land, heritage, and culture. Supporting local food strengthens the local economy and ensures we have a secure source of high quality produce. Nominees should be someone who has built effective relationships with farmers, wholesalers and distributors in order to help sustain a regional agricultural food system in new, innovative and effective ...

  The Canadian Pork Council (CPC) is confident the recent announcement by the Minister of Agriculture, Gerry Ritz and Minister of State for Agriculture, Jean-Pierre Blackburn, will go a long way to help Canada's recovering livestock sector to address their concerns about the immediate repayment of the loans made through the Advance Payment Program (APP). "The emergency advances under the APP provided a critical means of assistance when the hog industry was under unbearable economic pressure," says CPC's President Jurgen Preugschas. "This announcement will further strengthen our industry by providing producers the opportunity and time to review their cash flow, manage their ...

  The federal government recently showcased the safe, delicious and high-quality foods that Canadian farmers produce at a breakfast hosted by Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz at the Calgary Stampede. Ritz was joined by Agriculture Parliamentary Secretary Pierre Lemieux and industry leaders, who rolled up their sleeves to assist a selection of top Canadian chefs in cooking up the feast and spreading the word about Canada’s world-class agriculture products. "We know Canadian farmers grow and produce the best food in the world and we’re not shy to say it," said Ritz. "Our Government maximizes every opportunity, like the tremendous Calgary Stampede, to ...