CFGA WELCOMES NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR . . . HOW NOW BROWN COW: SMALL FAMILY DAIRIES STILL EXIST . . . P.E.I. EXPORT LEADER IN ATLANTIC CANADA . . . DEADLINE FOR AGRISTABILITY APPROACHING . . . OTHER NEWS OF INTEREST...

CFGA WELCOMES NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Source: AtlanticFarmer.com
The Canadian Forage & Grassland Association (CFGA) is pleased to announce Cedric MacLeod, of Fredericton, New Brunswick has been selected as their new Executive Director. “We are very excited to have Cedric coming on as our Executive Director,” says Doug Wray, CFGA Chair. “He brings a strong background in forages, and experience working in organizations to successfully advance their goals and agendas. We look forward to his leadership as we promote the forage and grassland industry and address the challenges and opportunities going forward.” (read more)

HOW NOW BROWN COW: SMALL FAMILY DAIRIES STILL EXIST
Source: TheBullvine.com
“Of everything I do, this is my favorite,” says Ryan Sloop as he walks down a stock lane, leading a group of Brown Swiss from his family’s dairy to one of the farm’s many grazing pastures. The herd follows behind him, eager to get to a fresh stand of grass. Zealous though they are, all of them are trained to follow Sloop’s lead. When he reached the entry to that morning’s paddock, Sloop steps aside and let the cows stream into the pasture. When they settle down to graze, Sloop appraises the action. “That’s a good sound,” he says, “Heads down – grass going in, milk coming out.” (read more)

2015 Event Prize and Sponsor Award Recipients (pdf)

P.E.I. EXPORT LEADER IN ATLANTIC CANADA
Source: Journal Pioneer
David Chaundy, senior economist for the Atlantic Provinces Economic Council (APEC) said the Island’s success is because of its diversity. “Aerospace and pharmaceuticals would be the ones that would stand out,” Chaundy said. The fledgling forestry industry had little impact on P.E.I.’s export market but did in other Atlantic Provinces. “We’ve done a couple of report cards because P.E.I. didn’t get impacted by the decline in the forestry,” Chaundy said. “It’s not suffered some of the decline that some of the other provinces have and because it’s more diverse in some of the non-resourced based, it’s benefited in terms of that.” (read more)

DEADLINE FOR AGRISTABILITY APPROACHING
Source: NSFA
AgriStability is a margin-based program that allows producers to protect their farm operations against large declines in farm income. A program payment is triggered when a producer’s margin (allowable revenue less allowable expenses) in the program year drops below their average margin from previous years (historical reference margin). Existing participants should have already received their Enrolment Notice in the mail while new participants are required to contact the Program Administrator by April 30 to request to participate in the AgriStability program. (read more)