agri digest online
DESCRIPTION
Pan-Canadian journal of issues in agriculture. Also contains agricultural fairs information and news of important eventsTRANSCRIPT
FEATURES THIS MONTHWeather! page 1
Testalinden dam collapse page 2Eat! Vancouver event success page 5Canadian fairs July to mid-Aug page 6
July 2010
For farmers, nothing is of greater importance than the weather. Longafter retirement, it still commands a great deal of attention -- witnessthe coffee shop discussions anywhere in the country. The violence
of the 2010 weather should provide fodder for a long time.
In June, I travelled across northern Montana and North Dakota viaHighway 2, close to the Canadian border, north through Manitoba,Saskatchewan, and points west in a full circle odyssey. Spring was wetnearly everywhere, but the worst trouble started June 22nd, when floodingknocked out the Trans Canada Highway and Canadian Pacific Rail lines atMaple Creek and Medicine Hat. A week later, the Trans Canada was stillclosed so I took highway 32 from Swift Current northwest to Leader andEmpress, cross-country to Brooks and Calgary. South of Leader, entirequarter sections were under water. West of the Alberta border was muchless sodden, perhaps because the land is more rolling and run-off occursmore quickly (and dumps the excess into the southern rivers that flowthrough places like Maple Creek and Medicine Hat.)
Thirty seven hundred miles and three weeks later, torrential rain, hailand tornados were still battering the west. Interior BC, with the exceptionof the south Okanagan, has received rainfall more like the monsoons on thenorth side of the Fraser River near Vancouver. The day I arrived home, adownpour in Yorkton, Saskatchewan put the downtown area under two feetof water, with large hail, heavy rain and damaging winds across the rest ofthe province. Tornados were spotted near Wynard, Saskatoon and Regina
were under tornado watch. Those storms moved into southern Manitoba by the next day, but a new batchsprouted in their wake. On July 4th, southeast of Saskatoon, a tornado rated F3, with wind speeds estimated at300 km per hour, followed on the heels of the Yorkton storm. In Manitoba, river valleys are flooded, LakeWinnipeg is near maximum capacity and Lake Manitoba is only 2.4 inches below its maximum.
To June estimates of 8.5 - 12 million acres in Western Canada not being seeded must now be added hugeseeded acreages that have been drowned out. If things dry out enough, some late seeding could provide greenfeed for the livestock industry. Otherwise, this group too will be in dire straits.
It is hard to imagine the effects of so much weather unless you are in it. We watch storms like HurricaneKatrina on the television and wonder how people live in such places. Canada has always seemed the safe andserene exception to Nature’s upheavals. Not this year. Governments and private aid systems will be strainingto alleviate the worst of the losses. For many farmers, crop insurance won’t kick in, as crops could not beseeded by the deadline. The breadbasket of western Canada will be a lot less full this year. Given that globalgrain supplies seldom are enough for more than a few weeks at a time, a monster breakdown of this sort inone of the world’s most dependable cropping areas throws food production projections into a tailspin.
What more can happen? When can we look for a return to “normal” weather patterns, if such a thing exists?For the present, all we can say for sure is “This too shall pass -- eventually” and like farmers have alwaysdone, carry on as best we can. The 1930s took a terrible toll, and Canadian farming survived. This is the ‘30sin reverse. A bowed but not beaten people will still be on the land next year... and the next......
We can alwaystalk about theweatherFran Bach, Publisher
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Cover photo - Regina, Saskatchewan, June 26, 2010 - This tractor may be sitting idle for the next few days in thevalley between Craven and Lumsden. Photo by Troy Fleece/Leader-Post, Copyright Regina Leader- P o s tThe Governments of Canada, Saskatchewan, A l b e rta and Manitoba, have just announced they will make up to$450 million ($30 per acre) available to help farmers take immediate steps to protect and re s t o re damaged cro pland. The funds will come via the A g r i R e c o v e ry pro g r a m .
Agri Digest Online can be reached at 509-573-4245 or [email protected]
The Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan (APA S )is calling on federal and provincial governments to providetimely assistance to farmers, ranchers and rural communities
a ffected by this year's excessive moisture. A PAS is also calling on theMinisters to kick start the first step in implementation of A g r i R e c o v e r ythrough the appointment of a task team.
AgriRecovery was created to provide a process to enable governmentsto "respond quickly" when a natural disaster hits and addresses gaps leftby existing programs. The program is designed to provide a "rapidfinancial response" to assist with immediate recovery from a disastersituation and to help producers quickly resume business operations after
a disaster.
"If there was ever a time when this program was legitimately needed,that time is now," stated Greg Marshall, A PAS President. "With theexcessive moisture conditions that have affected seeding inSaskatchewan and Manitoba, the widespread feeling amongst farmersand ranchers is that 2010 proves that current programs and coverage arewoefully inadequate."
The A PAS Board assessed the excess moisture situation throughoutthe province and met with the Honourable Bob Bjornerud, SaskatchewanMinister of Agriculture. Based upon discussions with the Minister and atour by Premier Wall and Minister Bjornerud, the A PAS Board is confident that provincial decision-makers are well aware of the disastrous situation facing farmers and ranchers throughout the province.
" We believe that the AgriRecovery Task Team must be activated immediately to assess the extent of the dam-age affecting unseeded acres, crop establishment and livestock production and to develop options andrecommendations for response. A PAS is eager to participate on the task team to represent the interests of allfarmers and ranchers in the province," Marshall continued. " Any program response through AgriRecovery mustbe province-wide and be available to assist both crop and livestock producers."
Farm income was projected down over 50% in Saskatchewan from last year, " reminded Marshall, referring toan Agriculture Canada release in early May of this year. "Farmers were told that they might break even if theycould deliver an average yield. Well, its clear now that it won't be close to average this year. We appreciate thegovernments' commitment to fostering long term industry strategies, but Saskatchewan farm families need imme-diate support."
Keystone Agricultural Producers (KAP) is calling on Manitoba’s Minister of Agriculture, Food and RuralInitiatives, Stan Struthers, and Federal Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz to act quickly to offer additional programming beyond existing programs such as AgriStability to assist those hit hard by excess moisture c o n d i t i o n s .
“In some cases the impact on farms is extremely devastating,” said Ian Wishart, KAP President. “We won’tknow the full extent of the damage until after the crop insurance deadline.”
Due to the recent heavy rainfalls, many farmers will not be able to seed this season. Farmers with seededcrops washed out may not be able to reseed. After losing seeded crops to excess moisture, farmers lose a larg epercentage of their incomes due to the fertilizer and seed they’ve invested. In addition to these challenges, aflood watch has now been issued by Manitoba Water Stewardship for areas of western Manitoba which havealready been affected by flooding.
K A P will continue discussions with the federal and provincial governments to ensure the concerns ofManitoba producers are acknowledged.
APAS & KAP callon governments for"rapid response"
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On a Sunday afternoon. June 13, asmall dam, high above the steep cliff son the west side of the valley -- mid-
way between Oliver and Osoyoos BC -- collapsed. This created a heavy mud slide that
crossed Highway 97 and blocked its use forthree days. Fortunately, there is a parallel route -- Black Sage Road-- for traffic to move northor south through the valley.
A hiker in the area Friday afternoon sawthe water level rising, debris and logs movingtoward blocking the large culvert in the centreof the dam. This culvert was the route by which the water left the lake, creating the creek which passedthrough valley residents' lands.
The hiker reported this to the Osoyoos Tourist office, who informed the RCMP, but somehow no checkingwas done. No alternate spillway was in place since this dam was built more than 30 years ago and had notbeen upgraded to current standards..
Five homes, plus a packing house, storage sheds, vineyards and orchards were inundated by five to six feetof mud...and fortunately, no lives were lost. Cathy Mercier, who lost her large home and Bed & Breakfast saidshe did not even know that dam and small lake was above her property.
The unfortunate aspect of this event is that dams in BC are growing very vulnerable. There are 2000 damsin BC, with 75% of them over 50 years old. The Testalinden Dam was built in the 1930s. The government hasten engineer inspectors, with only three responsible for dam inspections. These inspections should occur every5 to 10 years, depending on the age of the dam, but are they?
All dams must have a Water License owned by the water user. The Testalinden Dam is presently licensedto Ace Elkink who has a large ranch west of Osoyoos on Highway 3 to Vancouver.
Since February 2000, Water Act changes came into effect, making inspections and dam maintenance theresponsibility of the license holder. Was this dam checked this spring by the license holder? Coincidentally, amovie was being filmed this spring on the Elkink Ranch. Perhaps that diverted Ace's attention from hisroutines?
Editor’s note: Insurance companies are indicating that in this and similar cases, onus will likely fall on theowner of the dam and lake in question, and the liability insurance carried by the individual used to compensate other property owners affected by the dam collapse. Everyone concerned should be checking theirpolicies and talking to their insurance agents.
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http://www.bclna.comhttp://www.thehartford.com/ag
Testalinden dam collapse - a warning Elizabeth Mann, Oliver
A l b e rta wine takes gold and “Best of Ty p e ”at prestigious international competition Strathmore, Alberta, June 2, 2010 -- A l b e r t a - b a s e dberry and fruit wine company Field Stone Fruit Wi n e sis celebrating its first “Best of Type” Award in theFortified Wine Category for its recently released “BlackCurrant Dessert Wine” at the 2010 Northwest Wi n eSummit competition in Oregon, USA.
The NorthWest Wine Summit is one of the region’soldest and most popular contests, with 24 judges fromaround the world judging 1,200 wines over three days.
This new Top of Category Award puts the StrathmoreWinery on the same notable list as the venerableOkanagan-based Mission Hill Family Estate RieslingIce wine, and vineyards from Washington, BritishColumbia, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Alaska.
Field Stone also went on to win a Gold Medal for thesame Black Currant Dessert Wine, Silver Medals for itsrare Strawberry-Rhubarb Wine and its delicateRaspberry Dessert Wine, and an additional “Best ofRegion Award” for representing A l b e r t a .
Big Bear Ranch wins Stewardship Aw a r d
Williams Lake, BC, May 28, 2010 -- The BCCattlemen's Association is proud to present Rainer andGigi Krumsiek of Big Bear Ranch in Horsefly, BC withthe 17th Annual Environmental Stewardship Aw a r d .The Environmental Stewardship Award (TESA) is
presented annually by the BC Cattlemen’s A s s o c i a t i o nto recognize BC ranchers for going the extra mile inenhancing the environmental attributes of BC ranchland through outstanding management practices.
Big Bear Ranch is located in the foothills of theCariboo Mountains with hundreds of lakes and streamsin the surrounding area. The Krumsiek’s maintain afocus of working with Mother Nature to raise their livestock and grow their forage. This priority hasenabled Big Bear Ranch to implement managementpractices that exemplify the ranch’s commitment towater quality, riparian and rangeland stewardship, nutrient management and habitat conservation.
Big Bear Ranch was presented with the award at theBC Cattlemen’s Association Annual General Meetingon May 28 in Williams Lake, BC. As provincial winners, The Krumsiek’s will now be considered forthe national Environmental Stewardship Award to beannounced at the Canadian Cattlemen’s A s s o c i a t i o nsemi-annual meeting this August in Calgary.
Five students win CASC scholarshipsFive Canadian graduate students are the winners of
the 2010 Canadian Association for Studies in Co-operation (CASC) scholarships. The Canadian Co-operative Association (CCA) administers the annualscholarships, which are aimed at supporting studentresearch about co-operatives as well as students whoare actively involved in the co-operative sector.
This year's winners, who were announced at theCASC conference in Montreal on June 2, are: Amy andTim Dauphinee Scholarship ($3,000) to Neil Nunn,University of Victoria; Alexander Fraser LaidlawFellowship ($1,000) to Joel Ratcliffe, University ofOttawa; Lemaire Co-operative Studies Award ($1,000each) to Claude-André Guillotte, Université deSherbrooke, Victoria Morris, Cape Breton Universityand Lesley Voellmecke, University of Ottawa.
In addition to the monetary awards, the scholarshipwinners receive a free one-year membership in CASCand free registration at the 2011 CASC conference,which will be held in Fredericton NB next June.
The competition for the 2011 scholarships will belaunched in January. For more information about thescholarships, go tow w w. c o o p s c a n a d a . c o o p / e n / o r p h a n / C A S C - S c h o l a r s h i p s .
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Steffi & Florian Krumsiek and Rainer & GigiK rumsiek at the ranch
It was lucky year number seven for the BC Salmon FarmersAssociation, who had their best and busiest time yet at the Eat!Vancouver food show early in June.
With nearly 1,000 pounds of smoked and fresh grilled salmonhanded out as free and for-purchase samples, thousands of peoplewere able to try these delicious made-in-BC products.
"Food shows are a great opportunity for people to try our great-tasting salmon, highlight the good work of our member companiesand answer questions for people one-on-one," said Mary EllenWalling, BCSFA's Executive Director.
Industry employees volunteered their weekend to run the BCSalmon Farmers booth - handing out cup after cup of Hardy Buoyssmoked salmon and fresh grilled fillets topped with our signaturegreen curry aioli.
On Saturday alone, an estimated 30,000 people came through theshow which was held at Vancouver's new Convention Centre. About25,000 samples were given from the BC Salmon Farmers booth - withpackaged smoked salmon nuggets and fresh salmon loins selling out.
While most people were just eager to get a taste - some asked questions about feed efficiency, research into closed containment andsea lice management. With lots of industry employees on hand, therewas plenty of information to dish out as well.
"Eat! Vancouver is always a positive experience," said Walling."It's a great way to open up communication between salmon farmersand consumers so that information can be shared about our business."
Salmon farm tours offer chance to learn about local industry
There's no better way to learn about salmon farming, than by talking to the farmers themselves. That'sthe opportunity provided by the BC Salmon Farmers Association (BCSFA) with their summer public
tour program, which began in mid June.
Visitors to the farms will get to see how they operate -with lots of information to answer questions from bothlocals and visitors. It's a great way to learn more aboutthis complex and important business, while enjoying theoutdoors and meeting lots of friendly people.
The tours, which are held each Thursday from June 17to Sept. 16 depart from Discovery Launch Water Taxisin Campbell River at 9 a.m. and last about five hours.
The boat ride takes visitors through the Seymour Narrows - offering beautiful scenery and the chance to see marine wildlife suchas seals, otters and whales.
Tours include lunch and cost $45 per person. To reserve a spot,phone Minato at the BCSFA (250) 286-1636 x224.
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BC farm-raisedsalmon served upat Eat! Vancouver
BRITISH COLUMBIA
July 23 - 25 Aldergrove Fair DaysDaniel Dayette 604-856-1223
July 24 - 25 Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows Country FestLorraine Bates [email protected]
July 29 - Aug 2 100th Abbotsford AgrifairPamela Brenner [email protected]
Aug 1 Tlell Fall FairDoug Louis [email protected]
Aug 6 - 8 Chilliwack ExhibitionWendi Prinse [email protected]
Aug 6 - 8 Kiskatinaw Fair (Sunset Prairie)Joe Breti 250-843-7361
Aug 11 - 15 Dawson Creek Exhibition & StampedeConnie Patterson [email protected]
Aug 11 - 15 Prince George ExhibitionTerri McConnachie [email protected]
Aug 13 - 15 North Peace Fair (Fort St. John)Eleanor Steffensen 250-261-4899
Aug 14 - 15 Coombs FairJanet Boley [email protected]
ALBERTA
July 9 - 11 Rycroft Fair & [email protected]
July 9 - 18 Calgary Stampedecalgarystampede.com
July 14 - 17 Colonial Days, Lloydminster www.lloydexh.com
July 21 - 25 Westerner Days Fair & ExpoContact [email protected]
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All the funof the Fair!
Canadian Fairs - July to mid August
July 23 - Aug 1 Capital Exhibition, EdmontonNorthlands 780-471-7210www.capitalex.ca
July 30 - Aug 1 Carmangay 100th Celebration, Fair & Sports DayEdith Svanes [email protected]
Aug 5 - 7 Vegreville Country FairCathy Freed 780-632-3950info@vegrevilleagsociety.cawww.vegrevilleagsociety.ca
Aug 5 - 8 Bentley Fair & RodeoJanis Bickford [email protected]
Aug 6 - 8 Barrhead BlueHeron FairLynn Down [email protected]
Aug 6 - 8 Valleyview Fair & RodeoJoAnn Clarke [email protected]
Aug 7 Buffalo Fall FairMarc Schonhofer 403-379-2272
Aug 7 87th Lougheed Ag FairGail Ness 780-384-3755
Aug 7 Minburn & District Ag Society Bench ShowShey Andrews 780-593-2153
Aug 7 - 8 Rochester Fair DaysEdith Anderson 780-698-3971
Aug 7 - 8 Manyberries Country FairShari Reimer [email protected]
Aug 7 - 8 Ashmont Heritage DaysJenny Bespalko [email protected]
Aug 10 - 11 26th Round Hill Bench ShowConnie Prost 780-672-8905
Aug 11 - 12 Hanna & District Fall FairMaureen Tyers [email protected]
Aug 14 - 15 Mayerthorpe & District Ag FairLeota Heaven 780-648-2144
Aug 14 - 15 Ponoka County FairJennifer Heift 403-392-8622www.ponokaagsociety.ca
SASKATCHEWANMost Saskatchewan fairs are operated by local agsocieties. Contact them for details.
July 3 Mortiach Fair
July 3 Stoughton Fair
July 4 - 6 St. Walburg & District Fair
July 5 - 7 Weyburn Exhibition http://www.weyburnagsociety.com
July 7 - 10 Yorkton Exhibition http://www.yorktonexhibition.com
July 10 Ogema Fair
July 14 - 17 Lloydminster Colonial Fair Days http://www.lloydexh.com
July 17 Creelman Fair
July 19 - 21 Nipawin Exhibition http://www.nipawin.com/exhibition
July 22 Mayfield Fair
July 22 - 23 Perdue Fair
July 23 Abernethy Fair
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http://www.armstrongipe.com
July 23 - 25 Melfort Exhibition http://www.melfortex.com/
July 24 Glenavon Fair
July 24-25 Carlton Trail Fair
July 30-31 Connaught Fair
July 30 - Aug 1 Kelvington Fair
July 31 - Aug 1 Turtleford Fair www.turtlefordagsociety.com/
July 31 Nokomis Fair
Aug 1 - 2 Rosthern Fair
Aug 3 - 7 Prince Albert Exhibition http://www.paexhibition.com/
Aug 4 - 8 Queen City Exhibition, Regina
http://www.evrazplace.com/
Aug 6 - 8 Radisson Fair
Aug 7 Golburn Fair
Aug 7 - 8 Invermay Fair
Aug 7 - 8 Shaunavon-Admiral Fair
Aug 10 - 15 Saskatoon Exhibition http://www.saskatoonex.com/
Aug 11 Shand Fair
Aug 14 Moosamin Fair
Aug 14 - 15 Vanscoy & District Fair
MANITOBA
June 30- Jul 1 GlenboroGeraldine & Rudy Kovar 2 0 4 - 8 2 7 - 2 6 6 1
July 1 - 3 Dauphinwww.dauphinfair.ca
July 3 - 4 HollandJoyce Elder 204-526-2005 orTerry Early 204-526-2263
July 3 - 4 CarberryAlex Christison 204-834-3772
July 3 - 4 ManitouHugh Waddingham 204-246-2105
July 6 - 7 RiversAlice Fast 204-328-7512
July 8 - 10 Carman (Dufferin)www.carmanfair.ca
July 9 - 10 Crystal City-ClearwaterDean Buchanan 204-873-2661
July 9 - 12 Souris/Glenwoodwww.sourismanitoba.com/organized-events
July 10 - 11 MinnedosaBruce Sharpe 204-867-7503
July 10 - 12 Portage Industrial Exhibitionwww.portageex.com
July 14 - 16 Virdenwww.virden.ca &
click on Upcoming Events
July 16 - 18 DeloraineDallas McGee 204-747-3177
http://www.fallfair-rodeo.com
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http://www.bcfairs.ca
http://www.goatkeeper.ca
July 16 - 18 Gilbert Plains/GrandviewBonnie Kasper 204-548-2327w w w. g i l b e r t p l a i n s . c o m / r e c r e a t i o n
July 16 - 18 Selkirk (St. Andrews/ Clements)Erin Park 204-886-3686www.selkirkfairandrodeo.com
July 18 - 19 Oak RiverIvy Heapy 204-566-2104
July 20 StrathclairWendy Harder 204-365-2607
July 21 Shoal LakeDonna Jenkins 204-759-3367
July 22 HamiotaLinda Wilson 204-764-2642
July 22 - 25 Morris Arden Ross 204-746-2552www.manitobastampede.ca
July 23 HardingBonnie Kent 204-838-2241
July 23 - 24 Reston (Pipestone/Albert) 100th Anniversary FairSharon Henderson or JeffPringle 204-662-4477
July 24 Oak LakePat Baker 204-855-2030
July 24 PlumasDoreen Smith 204-386-2881
July 24 DugaldBill Paulishyn 204-866-2806
July 24 - 25 Cypress RiverYvonne Jansen 204-743-2103www.cypressriver.ca/events
July 24 - 25 MiamiJan Moody 204-435-2288
July 27 ElkhornSharon Henry 204-845-2622
July 29 - Aug 1 Austin Threshermen's ReunionSandra Head 204-637-2354 www.ag-museum.mb.ca
July 29 - Aug 1 Swan River ValleyColleen Immerkar 204-734-3718
July 30 - Aug 1 St. PierreRoger Robert 204-347-5856
www.stpierrejolys.com/tourism/tourism
July 31 - Aug 1 KillarneyGladys Mason 204-523-8495
www.killarneyagriculturalsociety.ca
Aug 1 - 2 McCrearyDave Benson 204-835-2519
Aug 6 - 7 BirtleSharron Wilander 204-842-3419www.birtle.ca/events
Aug 13 - 15 GladstoneValerie Emerson 204-385-2523
Aug 13 - 15 WinklerPeter Penner 204-326-8444
www.winklerharvestfestival.com
Aug 14 KelwoodLise Munro 204-967-2550 (exhibiting only)
Aug 14 TeulonEileen Campbell 204-886-2642 or Ralph Trombo 204-886-2098
Aug 14 - 15 WawanesaDave Mooney
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Visit our website at http://www.coombsfair/fairfor prize book, admission& judging schedule
or contact the Fair Office at 250.248.4478 or [email protected]
Join us!AU G . 14 & 15th, 2010
Ford Road, Coombs BC
Fairs since 1913!
http://www.coombsfair/fair
ONTARIOJuly 9 - 12 Tweed-Hungerford Fair
July 15 - 18 Listowel Fair http://www.listowelfair.com
July 15 - 18 Odessa Fair http://www.odessafair.org
July 16 - 18 Avonmore Fair http://www.avonmorefair.ca
July 16 - 18 Lansdowne Fair http://www.lansdownfair.com
July 16 - 18 The Almonte Fairhttp://www.almontefair.com
July 20 - 22 Bayfield Fall Fair [email protected]
July 22 - 25 Delta Fair www.deltafair.com/Welcome
July 22 - 25 Dresden Exhibition http://www.dresdenex.com
July 23 - 24 Zurich Fair 519-236-4969
July 23 - 25 Beachburg Fair http://www.beachburgfair.com
July 23 - 25 Chesterville Fair http://www.chestervillefair.com
July 23 - 25 Lakefield Fair http://www.lakefieldfair.com/
July 30 - 31 Glengarry Highland Games, Maxville w w w. g l e n g a r r y h i g h l a n d g a m e s . c o m
July 30 - Aug 2 Lombardy Fair http://www.lasfair.ca
July 30 - Aug 2 Napanee Fair [email protected]
Aug Ridgetown Fair 519-674-3278
Aug 5 - 7 Kenora Fair http://www.kenorafair.com
Aug 5 - 8 Sutton Fair & Horse Show http://www.suttonfair.com
Aug 6 - 7 Wilberforce Agricultural Fair http://www.wilberforcefair.com
Aug 6 - 8 Arnprior Fair [email protected]
Aug 6 - 8 Campbellford Fair http://www.campbellfordfair.ca
Aug 6 - 8 Comber Fair http://www.comberfair.on.ca
Aug 6 - 8 Drayton Fair http://www.draytonfair.com
Aug 6 - 8 Fenelon Fair http://www.fenelonfair.com
Aug 6 - 8 Merrickville Fair http://www.merrickvillefair.com
Aug 6 - 8 Williamstown Fair http://www.williamstownfair.com
Aug 11 - 15 Canadian Lakehead Exhibition, Thunder Bay http://www.cle.on.ca
Aug 12 - 15 Aylmer Fair http://www.aylmerfair.ca
Aug 12 - 15 Navan Fair http://www.navanfair.com
Aug 12 - 15 Peterborough Exhibition http://www.peterboroughex.ca
Aug 13 - 15 Dungannon Fair [email protected]
Aug 13 - 15 Laird Fair [email protected]
Aug 13 - 15 Melbourne Fair http://www.melbourneagsociety.com
QUEBEC
July 1 - 4 Exposition de Drummond,
Drummondville [email protected]
July 7 - 11 Exposition BBQ Bellechasse, St-
Anselme http://www.expobbq.net
July 8 - 11 Exposition d'Argenteuil, Lachute
http://www.expolachute.com
July 9 - 11 Exposition agricole de Calixa-Lavallée
http://www.expocalixa.com
July 9 - 18 Exposition agricole de Trois-Rivières
http://www.expotrois-rivieres.com
July 15 - 18 Exposition agricole de portneuf
http://www.expoagricoleportneuf.com
July 19 - 25 Exposition duBassin de la Chaudière, St-Isidore http://www.expobassinchaudiere.com
July 20 - 25 Exposition de Kamouraska, St-Pascal de Kamouraska [email protected]
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July 21 - 25 Exposition de Chicoutimi www.expoagricoledechicoutimi.com
July 22-Aug 1 Expo de St-Hyacinthe http://www.expoagricole.com
July 28-Aug 1 Exposition de Rimouski http://www.exporimouski.com
July 29-Aug 1 Exposition agricole d'Abitibi, St-Felix http://www.saabitibi.ca
Aug 2 - 8 Exposition de Victoriaville http://www.expovicto.com
Aug 4 - 8 Expo de Lotbinière http://www.expolotbiniere.com
Aug 5 - 8 Exposition de la Vallée de Coaticook http://www.lefestivaldulait.com
Aug 11 - 15 Exposition agricole de Beauce http://www.expobeauce.tk
Aug 12 - 15 Exposition agricole de Bedford http://www.expobedford.com
Aug 13 - 15 Exposition d'Huntingdon [email protected]
NEW BRUNSWICK
July 21 - 25 Miramichi Ag Ex, Chatham http://www.ex-one.com
July 30-Aug 7 Woodstock Old Home Week http://www.oldhomeweek.ca
Aug 1 - 7 Westmorland County Fair, Petitcodiac http://www.wcafair.piczo.com
Aug 12 - 15 Napan Agricultural Show [email protected]
NOVA SCOTIAJuly 27–Aug 1South Shore Exhibition, Bridgewater
http://www.thebigex.com
Aug 3 – 7 Western Nova Scotia Ex, Yarmouth http://www.yarmouthexhibition.com
Aug 10 – 14 Shelburne County Exhibition http://www.shelburneexhibition.ca
PRINCE EDWARD ISLANDJun 23 - July 1 Tignish Irish Moss Festival
902-882-2414July10 - 17 Summerside Lobster Carnival
www.exhibitions-festivalspeiae.com/ summersidelobstercarnival
July16 - 17 West Point Lighthouse Festival 902-853-2436
July 19 - 26 Potato Blossom Festival [email protected]
July 29-Aug 1 Northumberland Fisheries Festival, Murray River www.exhibitions-festivalspeiae.com [email protected]
July 31 Crapaud Exhibition www.crapaudexhibition.com
July 29-Aug 1 Prince County Exhibition, Alberton www.exhibitions-festivalspeiae.com [email protected]
Aug 4 - 8 Tyne Valley Oyster Festival www.exhibitions-festivalspeiae.com [email protected]
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Across America, there is panic in the beekeeping community aswinter losses soar beyond even the high levels of the past fewyears. Queens and package bees are hard come by and off-shore
sources are not proving up well. Pollination contracts wither with lowprices for the commodities they serve. On the positive side, honey pricessurge as the threat of shortages increases. It is a topsy-turvy world, as beekeepers and researchers struggle to prioritize the many desperate needsof the industry and put a finger on the biggest contributor(s) toward the situation.
In the US, a myriad of surveys and tests are being done. Many thingshave been proposed as contributors to the situation -- chemicals, electronics, stress of long-haul trucking for pollination, poor feeding practices, poor feed quality, mites, nosema, viruses -- on and on it goes,but still nothing definitive.
A practical -- and basic -- explanation comes from bee geneticist Dr.Steve Sheppard at Washington State University, who says genetic problemsmay be at the bottom of the pile. Sheppard, working with Sue Cobey of theUniversity of California, Davis, says there are only 400 genetic "lines" inthe US, and no estimation of how closely related those 400 may be. So in-breeding is a measurable and measured problem.
Jim Bach, the Washington State Apiarist for 25 years, says he noticedthe kinds of aberrant behaviour now associated with Colony CollapseDisorder (CCD) as far back as 1969 and agrees with Sheppard that genetics is a major issue.
The litmus test for a good queen, he says, is a quiet hum within the colony and the size of her retinue -- ifthere are less than 10 worker bees surrounding her, heads pointed in her direction and antennae reachingtoward her -- she hasn't enough pheromones to keep the hive operating as it should. Bach says he has seen retinue-less queen bees approach a worker, touch antennas in a "feed me" gesture, and the worker bee simplywalk away without responding. Such a queen cannot survive long, and may help explain why so manycolonies go queenless.
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Some Americanapproaches tofinding the causeof CCDFran Bach
Queen with normal retinue Queen with no retinue
If all is well, contentment within the hive is regis-tered as a decibel level below 55. The higher the agi-tation level as the system deteriorates, the noisier itgets.
Work by David Tarpy in the eastern US indicatesthat mating of many queens is incomplete. For a sufficient amount and mix of genes to sustain a queenthroughout a normal productive life span, she needsto mate with about two dozen drones on her one mating flight. Tarvy says that in many cases there are insufficient numbers of drones in a breeding area, andthey may be too closely related. This requirement fora broad selection of genetics makes bee breeding avastly different process than that used in animals suchas cattle and sheep.
Queen breeders (sometimes termed "queen propagators" for their lack of interest in queen quality) focus on producing high numbers of queensand make no claims as to how well, or even if --should weather turn bad at the point the queens areflying -- their queens are mated. Artificial insemination controls the volume and mix of spermadministered to each queen but is useful only as a labprocedure, too difficult and time-consuming for commercial delivery, and it often damages the queen'sreproductive apparatus though it is a means of controlling genetic characteristics in a particularcross.
Work at the Tucson bee lab on pollen quality andavailability through the year is finding a wide varietyof pollens needed to maintain acceptable nutritionlevels -- much as people cannot be healthy eatingnothing but carrots.
Dr. Jerry Bromenshenk at the University ofMontana has developed a method to scope the complete range and quantity of viruses in a bee sample, revealing that viruses are much more wide-spread than previously thought, though their actualimpact remains in question.
Tracheal and Varroa mites have been held up as themain culprit in bee deaths for years now, yet no onehas been able to quantify their effect or determinehow lethal. Bees seem to be able to live with reasonable levels of both mites. While tracheal mitesseem less problematic, Varroa has numberof effects,all potentially devastating.
In brood cells, where mites lay eggs before thecells are capped, the newly hatched mites feed on thebodily fluids of bee larvae and chew at the
developing wings so when the new bee hatches,its ability to fly is compromised by deformed wings,at the same time it is deprived of physical strengthafter providing dinner for the mites during the larvalperiod.
There is conjecture, but no proof yet, that theweakening effect of Varroa, combined with viruses, isthe smoking gun.
New strains of nosema have appeared and arebeing assessed as to virulence.
Work at WSU shows over 200 chemicals in thewax of brood chambers, throwing into question theeffect of each individual chemical as well as the combined effect. While it seems obvious this willhave deleterious effects on developing brood, there isno indication it is sufficient to account for the massive losses beekeepers are seeing.
The stress factor in health issues is well known inhuman and animal medicine and applies to bees in thesame way. Any health problem, whether stemmingfrom disease, parasites, chemicals, nutrition, genetics,or physical forces, stresses the body. All of the aboveaffect bees, and we add to their stress level by haulingthem great distances on trucks. How much does thisadd to the overall stress load and is it enough to be"the straw that breaks the camel's back"?
The jury will be out for a long time on this one.The official US Department of Agriculture summation in its 2009 CCD report underlines thedearth of good answers, saying, “During the past twoyears, numerous causes for CCD have been proposedand investigated. Although the cause of CCD is stillunknown, research has lent credence to the hypothesis that CCD may be a syndrome caused bymany different factors, working in combination orsynergistically. Looking ahead, studies will focusincreasingly on combinations and synergistic effectsof factors in causing CCD.”
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http://www.iotron.com
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Ranchers from all around the province were at the Legislatureto help celebrate the occasion and raise awareness about theimportance of the BC ranching industry. Cattlemen celebrated
BC Beef Day at the Parliament Buildings by offering a beef barbequelunch to guests.
In her welcome speech at the Legislature, BC Cattlemen’sAssociation new President Judy Guichon says, “Lets make the most ofthis opportunity today, to share a meal while talking about what ranching means to British Columbia and how we can continue to bringwholesome BC beef to supper tables in the years ahead.”
Guichon thanked Premier Campbell for declaring BC Beef Day andfor acknowledging the important role ranching families play in our communities. Minister of Agriculture & Lands Hon. Steve Thomson,along with members of the Ranching Task Force and co-chair MLA Dr.Terry Lake were also recognized for giving the industry a vehicle tohave its concerns heard and addressed.
“BC Beef Day is a recommendation from the Task Force intended toraise the profile and awareness of ranching within Government,” explains Kevin Boon, BCCA GeneralManager. For over 150 years, ranching has been a backbone of rural communities around British Columbia.
(Left) BCCA President Judy Guichon presentingMinister Thomson with a cowboy hat. (Right) Awardwinning Competition Barbecue Chef Brian Misko fromthe House of Q.
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Eat beef!PremierCampbelldeclares BC Beef Day
Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz has just completed his third successful trade mission to China in less than a year. During the mission, China agreed to take the vital regulatory step to formally
lift the ban on Canadian boneless beef under 30 months (UTM) and tallowfor industrial use, effective July 3. This essential move, coming a week afterthe initial agreement for full staged Chinese market access for Canadian beef,is a clear indication of the current strong Canada/China trade partnership.
Minister Ritz kicked off his mission by serving up the first plates ofCanadian beef available in China in almost a decade at the Shanghai Wo r l dExpo 2010 with Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaelle Jean,Governor General of Canada, in celebration of Canada Day. Also on handwas Gib Drury, Board Chair of the Canada Beef Export Federation, andTravis Toews, President of the Canadian Cattlemen's Association, who rolledup their sleeves to help cook up and promote the special delivery ofCanadianbeef, as well as Canada's world-class pork in a delicious canola marinade.
The Shanghai 2010 Expo will be the first opportunity for Chinese citizensto eat Canadian beef since May 2003. In June, China announced it will initi-ate a process aimed at restoration of full access for Canadian beef in a his-toric agreement that marked the first time China has resumed imports of beeffrom a country that has had a case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy( B S E ) .
Once fully realized, the agreement will represent annual exports of $11 0million for Canadian cattle producers. The first stage of the agreement sees
China resume imports of tallow and boneless beef from cattle under-thirty-months (UTM) of age.
To celebrate 50 years of agricultural cooperation with China, Minister Ritz hosted a second barbecue in Beijing,where he presented a plaque to the Chinese Ministry of Agriculture to commemorate 50 years of agricultural cooperation that started with the first wheat shipments to China, which saved thousands of people facing famine dueto drought and marked the beginning of the strong agricultural relationship that exists between the two countries.
Building on continued interventions at multiple government levels by Minister Ritz, the Canadian Wheat Boardsigned a memorandum of agreement with COFCO, China's largest government food processors, which will doublewheat sales to China over recent years. The agreement to sell 500,000 metric tonnes by the end of 2011 is worth$130 million.
Minister Ritz continued to press his counterparts to remove access restrictions on Canada's signature canola cropand emphasized the need for Canada and China to find a long term solution to address current restrictions. MinisterRitz acknowledged progress has been made on this issue, as Canada recently secured an extension of transitionalmeasures to allow canola producers to export their 2010 canola crops to China. Canola is one of Canada's mostvaluable exports to China. For the 2008 crop, exports to China were worth $1.3 billion.
China is the world's number one producer and consumer of agriculture products. With a growing population of1.3 billion, China represents tremendous market potential for Canadian agriculture and food products. China isCanada's third-largest trading partner after the United States and European Union, with two-way trade of over 50billion dollars ($50B), including three billion dollars ($3.1B) in agriculture and food.
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http://www.penergetic.ca http://www.waterteccanada.com http://www.agri-labourpool.com
Ritz in Chinaadvancing beefand wheat deals
The Canola Council of Canada (CCC ) is applauding the news that China is extending access for canolaseed imports for one year under the current restrictions.
"This is very good news and it shows that China values its canola trade relationship with Canada," said CCCpresident JoAnne Buth. "The extension will allow Canadian farmers some access to China for the 2010 crop.This development is the result of persistent efforts in China by the Government of Canada and our industry. "
In November, 2009, China imposed a quarantine order to block the importation of Canadian canola seedtesting positive for the presence of blackleg, a fungal disease which can reduce canola yields.
For the marketing of the 2009Canadian canola crop, Chinaimplemented a transition year during which Canadian canola testing positive for blackleg canonly be delivered to a limited number of facilities. These locations are in areas whereChinese rapeseed is not grown andis meant to reduce the chances ofblackleg being transferred to thedomestic rapeseed crop. The one-year extension means deliveriescan continue to these ports.
"While the extension keeps thedoor slightly open to China, itdoesn’t open it any wider," shesaid. "We still have only very limited access, so we will continueto work with China to address theirblackleg concerns and to restorefull trade," Buth said.
Canada is undertaking cooperative studies with China toanalyze ways to mitigate thetransfer of blackleg to China’scrop, and to undertake dairy feedtrials to increase the value ofcanola meal in China.
China was Canada's largestcanola seed market in 2008-09 at2.8 million tonnes. Under currentrestrictions, Canada’s access islimited to 1.4 to 1.5 million tonnes annually. As of April 2010,Canada had shipped 1.62 milliontonnes in 2009-10, just over 1 million tonnes before November15, 2009.
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Canola industry welcomes China market extension
Promoting Canadian beef One billion and counting -- Canadian beef brand formslasting impressions
The Canadian beef brand mark is having a huge impact in the retail,foodservice and processing industries. With 66 brand license holders inCanada, the Canadian beef brand mark has had an estimated one billionimpressions in the past 12 months (an impression is a single exposure toan advertisement or display of a banner ad).
A little over 18 months ago, the Canadian Cattlemen's Association(CCA) and the Beef Information Centre (BIC), along with Canada BeefExport Federation (CBEF) and Canadian Beef Breeds Council (CBBC),developed the global Canadian beef brand mark. Its purpose was toprovide a consistent image with the identifiable attributes of theCanadian Beef Advantage (CBA), for use in Canada and abroad.
Retailers, such as Costco , Safeway and Sobeys, have embraced thebrand mark, featuring it on their Canadian beef offerings and on signageat the meat counter. The Canadian beef brand mark has also been highlypublicized by various restaurants -- for instance, Panago Pizza, BostonPizza and Arby's - on their menus, on direct mail campaigns and inadvertising promotions including television.
Health professionals learn of nutrient-rich approach forhealthier diets
The nutrient-richness of Canadian beef is recognized by dietitiansacross the country, and the Beef Information Centre (BIC) is key toensuring these health professionals are provided with factual basedinformation.
Recently, BIC introduced the Nutrient-Rich Advertorial Series in theCanadian Journal of Dietetic Practice and Research, which is distributedto 6,200 registered dietitians across Canada. The first advertorial waspublished in the spring 2010 edition, while the second advertorial isscheduled for the fall 2010 edition.
The goal of the Series is to ensure registered dietitians and health professionals develop a greater understanding of the Nutrient RichFoods Index, can identify lean beef as an example of a nutrient richfood and understand the importance of counselling on the topic of nutrient density.
The CFFO Commentary ....Supporting local abattoirs to support local foodBy John Clement
June 25, 2010
The demise of local abattoirs has been a hot item in the news lately. As in the farming community,there is a rationalization going on within the processing sector and this affects both the economies ofrural communities and local markets for livestock.
Almost everyone likes the idea of local food and views local processors as an important part of making ithappen. Most credit an increase in government regulations as the culprit in the recent woes of the local abattoir. But the reality is that the situation for Ontario processors is rather complex and not simply the resultof government regulation.
Regulations are at least part of the challenge, but as in other industries, there are more than enough challenges to go around.
Lori Nichol, the Executive Director for the Ontario Independent Meat Processors, recently explained to delegates to the Provincial Council of the Christian Farmers Federation of Ontario that there are a wide variety of factors involved in the attrition of local abattoirs. They include increased regulations, but also contain a number of other items that reflect other changes in the industry. Here’s her list:
• A decline in livestock production, leading to decreased business.
• Increased overhead costs not reflected in the cost of service.
• A loss of revenue from a loss of byproduct sales (hides, bones, fat)
• Additional costs to deal with federal regulations for Specified Risk Material.
• Market access restrictions.
• A shortage of kill floor workers due to a highly labour intensive job with limited investment in automation.
• A failure amongst some processors to reinvest in the processing business.
• A lack of succession plans amongst those owning processing businesses.
• Regulatory burdens from all levels of government, including food safety, environmental and labour.
According to Nichol, the key component to success for either farmers or processors is to have a sustainablebusiness operation. That means working collaboratively with others while keeping a keen eye on the futureand the economic bottom line.
The CFFO has been monitoring the situation with abattoirs and recently recommended a few steps that canbe taken to offer appropriate support. Our organization has said that food safety goals need to be less prescriptive and more results oriented. We’ve also said that non-food safety regulations need to recognize thedifference between large-scale operations and small facilities that are often family run with little outside help.Finally, we’ve said that small processors need an appeal process they can turn to in order to challenge inspection requirements that seem onerous or unnecessary.
John Clement is the General Manager of the Christian Farmers Federation of Ontario. The CFFOCommentary represents the opinions of the writer and does not necessarily represent CFFO policy. TheCFFO Commentary is heard weekly on CFCO Chatham, CKNX Wingham, Ontario and is archived on theCFFO website: www.christianfarmers.org/index.html. CFFO is supported by 4,300 family farmers acrossOntario.
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18Bill C-474 has potential to stifle canola innovation,says Canola Commission
Abill currently being considered by the House of Commons has the potential to stifle cropinnovation, significantly impacting the future competitiveness of the canola industry and, more
s p e c i f i c a l l y, canola growers. Bill C-474 would introduce a subjective analysis of potential marketharm to the regulatory approval process for new genetically modified seeds and be counterproductive to ourinternationally-recognized variety registration system – a system which has been critical to the innovation ofCanadian canola.
Canada currently maintains a stringent, science-based variety approval system that ensures new seeds aresafe for food, feed and the environment. The type of subjective criteria that Bill C-474 seeks to implementwould breed uncertainty into the current seed variety approval process, opening the door for potentialactivist intervention and driving commercialization and investment to other countries that continue tomaintain science-based approval systems.
"Canola is the most profitable crop for many farmers in Alberta", says Jody Klassen, a director on theAlberta Canola Producers Commission and the Chair of the Market Development Committee. "Under BillC-474 we might not enjoy the varieties we have today. Those varieties bring an incredible amount ofeconomic value to the Canadian economy as well as nutritional value to consumers worldwide."
Bill C-474 passed second reading in April and was then sent to the Standing Committee on Agriculture tobe studied before it is returned to the House to be voted on at third and final reading. On June 2nd, theCanadian Canola Growers Association and the Canola Council of Canada were among the first groups invited to appear before the Committee where they warned of the severe consequences this bill could haveon the future competitiveness of the canola industry. They also spoke of the success of the Canola Council’sMarket Access Policy, a voluntary agreement that ensures new GM seed traits are only introduced commer-cially when they have been approved in all major export markets. The fact that this policy has been alwaysbeen respected since its inception in 1995 is a strong reflection that the industry recognizes and respects theimportance of being responsible about the introduction of new technologies and does not require regulationto police itself.
A copy of CCGA’s submission to the Committee can be found on the CCGA w e b s i t e .
With the House now in summer recess until September, the Committee will resume its study of the billand invite more groups to present their views in the fall. "Given the importance of this bill to the canolai n d u s t r y, it is important that Members of Parliament hear from as many canola growers as possible", addsKlassen. "MPs are now at home in their constituencies for the summer where you can contact them andexpress your concerns about Bill C-474. "
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The Manitoba Government is due to announce its preferred route for Bipole III, and farmers are veryclear -- none of the western routes are preferred by them. It is hard for us to understand why”pristine” forest is viewed as more important than productive farmland, especially against
predictions of the critical challenges we'll face concerning feeding the world in 2050.
The province tells us hydro sales are important for Manitoba’s future, and that customers will not buyhydro from Manitoba if we disturb pristine areas on the east side of Lake Winnipeg. Frankly, I think thewhole world is having to rethink what is ”suitable” energy after the disaster in the Gulf.
Perhaps Premier Greg Selinger and his cabinet could consider an option used in B.C. to obtain access for agas line through the Spirit Bear Preserve. Access was granted in return for an annual payment to the FirstNation tribe for maintaining environmental services, like ALUS, and they also have the right of ecotourism inthat area.
Given the interest in access on the east side of Lake Winnipeg and the need to create employment, it isworth approaching hydro customers again to see if alternatives such as these can lead to a win for allManitobans.
In a subsequent press release, the Manitoba government has stated that Manitoba Hydro is still working onits site selection and environmental assessment process and that the government will initiate a Crown-Aboriginal consultation before the end of the year. Potentially affected communities will be alerted to opportunities to advise officials of issues and concerns about potential effects.
Rethink Bipole III routeCommentary By Ian Wishart, Keystone Agricultural Producers President
http://www1.agric.gov.ab.ca http://www.siemenssays.com
It’s time for farmers to take a standKeystone Agricultural Producers (KAP), the Agricultural
Producers Association of Saskatchewan (APAS), Wild RoseAgricultural Producers (WRAP), the Canadian Federation ofAgriculture, the Canadian Wheat Board (CWB), and the NationalFarmers Union (NFU) are urging producers to get involved in anemail campaign to ask Prime Minister Stephen Harper,Transportation Minister John Baird, Agriculture Minister GerryRitz, and Minister of State Rob Merrifield to conduct a rail costing review as soon as possible. You can send an email auto-matically through
www.cfa-fca.ca/programs-projects/advocacy/rail-costing-review
Disbelief. Followed by frustration and, we hope, the desire to dosomething about it. That is response many western grain farmersare likely to feel upon receiving news that they may have greatly
overpaid the railway companies to ship their product. Railway earnings forhandling grain are the focus of a new study by respected rail analyst John
Edsforth. With this information, the CFA and its members have renewed the call for a full rail costingr e v i e w.
In the March 2010 study, "Estimated Contributions Earned by Railways from Handling of StatutoryGrains and Grain Products, 2007/08 and 2008/09," Edsforth concluded that the rail companies had over-c h a rged farmers and exceeded the federally-regulated revenue cap by a startling $123 million (for the cropyear 2007/08). This figure jumps to $275 million for the following crop year, 2008/2009. The study reportsthat Prairie grain farmers have paid anywhere from $4.61 to $8.81 per tonne more than what the railwayscould have obtained according to contribution levels that the Canadian Transportation Agency (CTA) haddeemed fair and adequate under the Western Grain Transportation Act. The study is based in part on CTAdecisions from 2007/08 (628-R-2008) and 2008/09 (529-R-2009).
How can farmers continue to accept this status quo? How much longer can the government justify itsreluctance to launch a full rail costing review?
Upon reviewing the Edsforth study, the Canadian Wheat Board developed a Rail Cost Calculator thatgives individual farmers an estimate of how much they may have overpaid for transporting grain by rail (forshipping wheat, durum, barley, canola, peas, oats, flax, and other grains). The calculator is available on theCWB web site: http://www.cwb.ca/rail. Try it out, and get a better sense of what you may have given awaydue to outdated CTA costing formulas (they were last reviewed in 1992).
To date the federal government has declined our call for a costing review, saying it would only considerthe request once the current rail service review is complete. Unfortunately the service review is alreadybehind schedule. The CFA believes that both the service and costing reviews could be run concurrently.
It's time for farmers to take a stand. The CFA is urging producers to get involved by joining its emailcampaign to ask Prime Minister Stephen Harper, Transportation Minister John Baird, Agriculture MinisterGerry Ritz, and Minister of State Rob Merrifield to conduct a rail costing review as soon as possible. Yo ucan send an email automatically through our web site:
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F a r m e r sdemand costingreview of railway graint r a n s p o rt a t i o nRon Bonnett, CanadianFederation of A g r i c u l t u reP re s i d e n t
Five new reports were released June 15th that together present a new vision for how we think about, produce andconsume food. The reports offer a range of strategies to
promote local economic development and improve access to healthyand abundant locally-produced food.
The report collection, titled Metcalf Food Solutions, is the resultof an open competition led by the Metcalf Foundation, a private family foundation that has been working behind-the-scenes for thepast eight years to jump start a sustainable food movement inOntario.
From more than 40 applications, top innovators and experts wereidentified and funded to carry out five research projects to tacklefood system reform. According to the Foundation’s President SandyHouston the province’s food system – including the growing, processing, distribution and consumption of food – runs contrary tothe very essence of food.
"Food is a fundamental human concern central to our health,economy and environment and yet the system we have built around
it is complex, rigid and opaque," Houston said.
At the core of the problem is an outdated system designed for theexport market that is no longer producing local food for local
markets: Farmers are in a financial crisis. Agricultural land is fast disappearing. Food bank use is increasing andhealth is declining due to lack of access to nutritional food.
The combined solutions in the reports aim to address these issues through new, integrated approaches that spansectors and interests. One of the report authors, Sustain Ontario, was launched by the Metcalf Foundation with amandate to facilitate multi-stakeholder engagement, bringing farmers and agri-business together with health, environmental and anti-poverty groups. Their report, Menu 2020, the collection’s anchor document, offers a highlevel summary of the reports, identifying ten leading ideas that have surfaced across this burgeoning sector.
" These reports are must-reads for anyone who cares about poverty and health, the environment or economicdevelopment," says Dr. Lauren Baker, Director, Sustain Ontario – The Alliance for Healthy Food and Farming.
Overall, the recommendations are designed to build a healthy, ecological, equitable and financially viable foodsystem for Ontario. This will mean protection of rural and urban land to grow food, a thriving local food andfarming economy, jobs and infrastructure, and healthier Ontarians demanding locally-produced food.
• Rural Entrepreneurship: Investment, regulation and marketing should support new and innovative farmersgrowing and processing organic and niche products that respond directly to consumer demand thereby contributing to local, sustainable economic development;
• Return of the Cannery: A stronger regional processing sector is recommended to build a local food economy,helping Ontario’s farmers and processors benefit from and meet consumers’ growing demand for local food;
• City Gardens and Farms: Urban agriculture is recommended as a strategy to grow a sizable amount of thec i t y ’s vegetables and herbs, increasing access to healthy food for all while growing green jobs and cities;
• Community Food Centres: To r o n t o ’s The Stop presents an innovative model – a place where people cometogether to grow, cook, eat, learn about and advocate for good food– that is ripe for roll-out across the province.
To facilitate implementation of the reports’ collective recommendations, the Metcalf Foundation has committed financial support to a round table venture launching in the fall of 2010. Metcalf Food Tables willconvene a series of tactical meetings designed to forge new linkages and expedite progress.
To download the reports go to: www. m e t c a l ffoundation.com.
New solutions to fix our broken foodsystem
Metcalf Foundation releases
grant-winning reports
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In June and early July, the following announcements were made regarding program
funding by federal and provincial governments --
CO-OP REFINERY CELEBRATES 75 YEARS
May 27, 2010 - Consumers' Co-operative RefineriesLimited (CCRL), the world's first co-operatively-owned petroleum refinery, celebrated its 75thAnniversary on Thursday, May 27.
The refinery, which is part of Federated Co-operatives Limited (FCL), began operating onMay 27, 1935, processing 500 barrels of crude oil perday. Today, the CCRL Refinery Complex has a totalcapacity of 100,000 barrels per day.
CCRL is in currently undergoing a $1.9 billionexpansion which will increase its capacity to130,000barrels per day in 2012 and 145,000 barrels per dayby 2015. The refinery supplies petroleum to FCL'sco-op gas bars and cardlock operations across westernCanada.
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A WEBSITE SECTION AND A NATIONALFUTURE FARMERS NETWORK
Ottawa, Ontario, May 31, 2010 - The Minister ofVeterans Affairs and Minister of State (Agriculture),Jean-Pierre Blackburn, is producing tangible resultsfor young farmers to make farming in Canada a sus-tainable prospect for the future. Today, he is proud toannounce the National Future Farmers Network andthe official launch of a new section on the Agricultureand AgriFood Canada website devoted entirely toyoung farmers: www.agr.gc.ca/youngfarmers.
This new section responds to the issues raised atthe five round tables held by Minister Blackburn lastfall with young farmers, agricultural students, academics and other industry stakeholders to attain abetter understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing young and beginning farmers.The website section will provide better access toinformation on tools, programs and services availableto young farmers.
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NEW FARMERS' MARKET AND U-PICK GUIDEHELPS CONSUMERS LOCATE FRESH LOCAL
MANITOBA FOOD
Winnipeg, Manitoba, June 5, 2010 -- The Province
of Manitoba is providing $32,300 to the St. NorbertFarmers' Market Co-op to explore developmentopportunities that will help ensure its sustainabilityand manage future growth Premier Greg Selingerannounced today as the popular marketplace in the St.Norbert community opened for the 2010 season.
Le Marché Saint-Norbert Farmers' Market Co-op, anon-profit co-operative, first opened in 1988 and nowincludes more than 130 full-time vendors and approximately 50 casual vendors.
The Vision 2020 initiative was prompted by theneed to manage the SNFM's growing popularity andaging infrastructure, help the co-op to become morefinancially sustainable and capitalize on the changingface of the St. Norbert business zone, the premiersaid. The study is expected to cost $65,000.
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CANADA SECURES EXTENSION FOR CANOLAEXPORTS TO CHINA
Ottawa, Ontario, June 14, 2010 - Canada hassecured an extension of transitional measures socanola producers will be able to export their 2010canola crops to China. Agriculture Minister GerryRitz announced that, starting today, Canadian canolaexporters will be able to sign contracts to export the2010 crop to China.
In the fall of 2009, exports of Canadian canola seedwere impacted by import restrictions related to blackleg. At that time, Canada negotiated transitionalmeasures for the 2009 crop year. Today's announcement is an extension of that temporaryimport agreement for the 2010 crop.
Canola is one of Canada's most valuable exports toChina. For the 2008 crop, exports to China wereworth $1.3 billion.
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ARECA UNDERGOES A FACELIFT
Alberta, June 14, 201 - The Agriculture Researchand Extension Council of Alberta (ARECA) haslaunched its new and improved website with greatfanfare.
The improved website allows producers easyaccess to information and contacts on recent andongoing programs and projects carried out byARECA and its 17 member associations across the
province. These include the Sustainable GrazingMentorship Program and Regional Variety Trials aswell as the new Energy Conservation and EnergyEfficiency Project.
We are even mobile phone compatible includingBlackberry and iPhone, and we're on Facebook, sowe're never more than a click away. Check us out atwww.areca.ab.ca.
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NEW MARKET OPPORTUNITIES FORCANADIAN HONEY PRODUCERS
Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, June 18,2010 – The Government of Canada is investing in anew Canadian technology that will benefit honey producers. Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz announcedtoday that Island Abbey Foods Ltd. will receive up to$473,000 to expand operations and manufacture fullydehydrated honey-based products.
The investment will go towards expanding opera-tions, training and introducing the products into international markets. The project is expected to create 15 jobs and increase demand for Canadianhoney, encouraging development of the CanadianApiculture sector.
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PUSHING BOAT OUT ON CANADIAN SEAFOOD MARKETING
Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, June 19,2010 - The Government of Canada is investing inmarketing focused on boosting international sales forCanadian seafood producers. Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Gerry Ritz and Fisheries and OceansMinister Gail Shea today announced an investment ofover $1 million for the Canadian AquacultureIndustry Alliance (CAIA) to promote the high qualityand diversity of their products globally.
New promotional activities will feature the highquality and safety of Canadian salmon, mussels andsablefish to increase international sales. Marketinginitiatives include a salmon public relations campaign,an in-store tasting program for farmed mussels, anindustry-wide promotional tour for mussels and outgoing missions of industry representatives.
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RESEARCH WILL BENEFITSTRAWBERRY GROWERS
Saint Laurent, Ile d’Orléans, Quebec, June 23,
2010 - Canadian strawberry growers will benefitfrom research and innovation that will improve competitiveness for the sector and boost profits forfarmers. The Honourable Jean-Pierre Blackburn,Minister of Veterans Affairs and Minister of State(Agriculture), announced today that Les Fraises del'Île d'Orléans will receive $276,875 to assess newvarieties of strawberries and raspberries and developeffective breeding processes.
The funding will help create and evaluate newberry varieties with improved hardiness and diseaseresistance. Research will also focus on developingbetter breeding and indoor growing methods that willbe beneficial to growers across Canada.
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PROVINCE SUPPORTS UNIQUE, MANITOBA-MADE HYBRID VEHICLE
Winnipeg, MB, June 24, 2010 - A unique plug-inhybrid vehicle developed in Manitoba and now beingtested in American cities will be piloted at theUniversity of Manitoba as the province supportsefforts to secure federal approval for its use onCanadian roads, Innovation, Energy and MinesMinister Dave Chomiak announced today.
The Interceptor hybrid runs on electricity from abattery pack that is recharged as needed by a gasfuelled generator while the vehicle is in operation.This is different from conventional hybrid technologythat switches between a gas-powered engine and battery power.
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FIRST USE OF NEW GREENHOUSETECHNOLOGY
Lacombe, Alberta, June 24, 2010 - A Governmentof Canada investment will introduce new technologyin greenhouse construction that will help growersremain competitive in the market by maximizingenergy efficiency and reducing the need for chemicalpesticides. Today, Member of Parliament BlaineCalkins (Wetaskiwin), on behalf of AgricultureMinister Gerry Ritz, announced that Doef'sGreenhouses will receive $2.2 million in repayablefunding to build a new five-acre greenhouse.
This project will include the installation of aVertifan vertical air circulation system, an innovativenew greenhouse technology from the Netherlands.The system rotates air from the top of the greenhouseand distributes it under the crops to maintain targeted
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temperature and humidity levels which helps theplants grow better. It will also incorporate shadescreens and innovative diffused glass that will allowfor improved climate control, energy savings andoptimal plant growth by shielding plants from over-exposure to harsh light on sunny days, and on darkand wet days will allow more of the plants to beexposed to the available light. It is expected to create17 jobs and will generate $4 million in annualdemand for greenhouse vegetables by its third year.
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ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENTSMUST SATISFYFARMERS AND CONSUMERS
Castlegar, BC , June 25, 2010 – New DemocratAgriculture Critic, Alex Atamanenko (BC SouthernInterior), says no matter how you choose to spin it,the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that Monsanto’sgenetically engineered Roundup Ready Alfalfa willremain illegal to sell or plant for quite some time.According to the ruling genetically modified alfalfacannot be sold until a full and adequate impactassessment, subject to farmer and consumer satisfaction, has been carried out by the USDepartment of Agriculture.
Atamanenko’s private members bill to rein in theintroduction of genetically engineered (GE) seedswas recently passed at second reading in the House ofCommons and is in the process of being consideredby the Standing Committee on Agriculture. The billis meant to require an analysis of potential harm toexport markets before new genetically engineeredseeds are permitted.
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COUNCIL WANTS TO HEAR FROM SMALL-SCALE FARM OPERATORS ABOUT THEIR
LABOUR NEEDS
OTTAWA, ON, June 29, 2010 - The CanadianAgricultural Human Resource Council (CAHRC) isresearching the labour needs of small-scale farms andis looking for input from farm operators acrossCanada.
Gathering labour market information helpsCAHRC understand and explain the nature and scopeof the human resource challenges being faced byagriculture today - and the issues that are anticipatedin the near future. Research results also provide valuable baseline data that will be used by theCouncil and its partners to develop a better way to
collect, survey and track the ongoing employmentneeds of farmers and develop tools and resources tomeet those needs.
Small-scale farm operators with annual grossreceipts of less than $100,000 are encouraged to participate in the short online survey located on theCAHRC website (www.cahrc-ccrha.ca). Responses tothe survey are strictly confidential and will be used toestimate labour force needs of smaller operations.Farm operators who complete the survey will also beentered into a draw for a chance to win $100.
Have Your Say...Visit www.cahrc-ccrha.ca or call1-866-430-7457 ext. 228
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CCA ANNOUNCES CATTLEMEN’S YOUNGLEADERS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM
Calgary, AB, June 30, 2010 – The CanadianCattlemen’s Association (CCA) is pleased toannounce the creation of a national youth initiativecalled the Cattlemen’s Young Leaders (CYL)Development Program. The CYL program will provide industry-specific training and mentorshipopportunities to producers between the ages of 18 and35, providing them with the expertise and businessacumen necessary to sustain the cattle industry intothe future.
The CYL program will offer a combination of formal and informal mentorship opportunities to learnfrom leaders in the beef cattle industry as well asfrom other youth organizations with a focus on mentorship. The project will set in motion a generation focused on optimizing opportunities forbeef cattle producers.
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$5M FOR TREE FRUIT INDUSTRY
KELOWNA BC, July 2, 2010 - The Governmentof Canada, in partnership with the Province of BritishColumbia, announced today an investment of $5 million to support the tree fruit industry. This fundingwill deliver real results for farmers by helping todevelop new marketing opportunities, infrastructure,and further improve orchard pest management.
The Province of B.C. announced $2 million infunding, and the Federal Government will provide aninvestment of $3 million more. This combined funding will be used for new environmentally friendly packing and storage infrastructure, marketing
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opportunities that raise the profile of fresh andprocessed apples, and to build on work accomplishedby the sterile insect release program in the Okanaganand Kootenay regions.
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GOVERNMENT ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS TOHELP MAKE CATTLE INDUSTRY MORE
COMPETITIVE
Ottawa, Ontario, July 5, 2010 – The Governmentof Canada is now accepting applications for supportthat will help the Canadian cattle industry becomemore competitive. Canadian slaughterhouses cannow apply to the Abattoir Competitiveness Programand the Slaughter Waste Innovation Program, asannounced in the 2010 Jobs and Growth Budget.
The Abattoir Competitiveness Program will make$25 million available to help Canadian cattle slaughterhouses maintain critical slaughter capacity inCanada for over-thirty-month-old (OTM) cattle whilethe industry undertakes efforts to become more innovative and competitive when dealing with
specified risk materials (SRM). Federally, provinciallyand territorially inspected cattle slaughter facilitiesthat slaughtered OTM cattle in Canada during 2009and 2010 calendar years will be eligible for supportbased on their 2010 production of SRM from OTMcattle in Canada.
The Slaughter Waste Innovation Program willmake $40 million available to help drive research,development, and adoption of innovative technologiesor processes to reduce handling costs or return profitsfrom the use or disposal of SRM. Federally,provincially, and territorially inspected cattle slaughterhouses; stand alone businesses handlingSRM; and research or engineering firms in partnership with these parties or with livestock industry associations are eligible to apply.
These programs were developed from the $500million Agricultural Flexibility fund, announced aspart of Canada’s Economic Action Plan to help thecattle sector adapt to cost pressures and improve itscompetitiveness.
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