WHAT’S IN A NAME? HOW CHEESE BECAME A WEDGE ISSUE IN THE FREE-TRADE ERA

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Source: The Globe and Mail
Nothing like a little cheese controversy to nibble away at a nation’s notion of food culture. Americans are raising a stink in reaction to free-trade talks that led the European Union to push for the protection of popular names for cheeses with historical ties to Europe, like Parmesan and Brie. It’s like déjà-vu for cheese-industry stakeholders in Canada. Europeans say that a cheese like feta, for instance, should only come from Greece. The EU argues it “is so closely connected to Greece as to be identified as an inherently Greek product.” (read more)

DAIRY SECTOR: FIND GROWTH IN QUALITY AND NICHE MARKETS

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SOURCE: FCC
Canadian dairy producers should set their sights on continuing to serve the domestic market with quality products and pursue valuable niche markets abroad, rather than try competing for low-priced, volume-based export markets in countries such as China. That’s the word from Manitoba dairy farmer David Wiens, a vice-president with the Dairy Farmers of Canada and chair of the Dairy Farmers of Manitoba. He says a report issued last week by the Conference Board of Canada, Reforming Dairy Supply Management: The Case for Growth, is wrong for blaming supply management for lost export opportunities. (read more)

PESTICIDE APPLICATOR’S CERTIFICATION

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Source: ThinkFarm
A four-day course in preparation for writing the Pesticide Applicator's Examination. You will learn the basic principles and practices of safe use, handling, and storage of pesticides. Information will be presented about the ground application of pesticides but does not include aerial spraying. Teaching methods include classroom lectures and problem solving exercises and you will write the Pesticide Applicator’s Examination on the last day of the course. The course fee is $375 and the registration deadline is March 31. Course dates are April 14-17 in Bible Hill. (read more)

FISH FARM CULLS COST PUBLIC $138M

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Source: The Chronicle Herald
Over two decades, at least $138 million of taxpayer money has compensated Canadian fish farms for sick, culled stocks. All the culls were in Nova Sco­tia, New Brunswick and New­foundland and Labrador. Several East Coast environmental groups joined forces recently to count up the total cost o f all known pay­outs. The pattern in the numbers shows that disease is a built-in part of the aquaculture industry and has shown little improve­ment, said Raymond Plourde of the Ecology Action Centre in Halifax. (read more)

TRICKY TALKS AWAIT NEW NATURAL RESOURCES MINISTER GREG RICKFORD

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Source: The Globe and Mail
Greg Rickford will need to call on all his experience working with First Nations to resolve some of the toughest roadblocks in the Conservative government’s plan for energy and mining development. The 46-year-old MP from Kenora, Ont., was appointed by Prime Minister Stephen Harper on Wednesday to replace Joe Oliver as Natural Resources Minister. Awaiting him are brewing resource battles in British Columbia and Ontario that are both economically important and fraught with political risks for the government heading into the next election. (read more)

12,000 FARMED SALMON DIE IN POWER FAILURE

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Source: The Chronicle Herald
About 12,000 market-ready salmon died after a weekend power failure at the Sustainable Fish Farming (Canada) Ltd. land­based aquaculture site in Centre Burlington, Hants County, N.S., an official said Tuesday. “It is a bitterly disappointing setback for our undertaking as we were about to deliver these sal­mon to customers,” chief execut­ive officer Kirk Havercroft said in an interview. (read more)

UPDATE ON AQUACULTURE REGULATION REVIEW

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Source: Coastal Coalition of Nova Scotia
The Doelle-Lahey Panel has been tasked with recommending a new regulatory framework for all forms of aquaculture in the province. The Roundtable process has produced a list of issues/elements that it feels need to be addressed in a new regulatory framework. The elements were discussed by the Roundtable at its February 13-14 meeting and an attempt is underway to identify areas of common interest. The Roundtable will prepare a report of its recommendations to the Panel members Professors Meinhard Doelle and William Lahey. (read more)

TRURO STARTUP WEEKEND AGRI-FOOD

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Source: NSFA
o you have an idea that may solve a problem for farmers or food consumers? Maybe you can think of a new way to market lamb or to make money from culled fruit? Perhaps it’s an application to track farm employee hours and productivity? Or, maybe you simply have skills you want to apply to help advance innovative ideas for the local agri-food industry? Register by March 23 to secure your seat! (read more)

CALL FOR PROPOSALS: FOOD SECURE CANADA’S 8TH ASSEMBLY

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Source: Food Secure Canada
No matter where you stand in the food system or the food movement, we want to hear from you! Co-hosted with the Food Action Research Centre (FoodARC) in collaboration with ACORN and the NS Food Security Network, Canada’s food movement will gather in Halifax this year for its biennial feast of food and ideas – the first in Atlantic Canada! November 13-16, 2014 Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. (read more)

ACHIEVING OPTIMUM PASTURE RESULTS

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Source: Ont. Ministry of Agriculture and Food
It is at the beginning of the pasture season that you can take the steps to optimize pasture performance on your farm. Pasture is the lowest cost feed source available, and the opportunity for improved production is significant on most farms. A well-managed pasture will be very competitive with any other crop use that you might consider for that land base if the forage and livestock are both well managed with a good rotational system. (read more)

GM CROPS: UK SCIENTISTS CALL FOR NEW TRIALS

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Source: BBC
A new report on genetically modified (GM) crops, commissioned by the prime minister, calls for more UK field trials and fewer EU restrictions. The Council for Science and Technology (CST) wants “public good” GM varieties to be grown and tested in the UK. It says GM crops should be assessed individually – like pharmaceuticals – taking potential benefits into account. (read more)

FUNDING AIMS TO HELP PRODUCERS ENHANCE BUSINESS SKILLS

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Source: FCC
Farm Management Canada (FMC) has received over $4 million to help them strengthen producers’ business skills and build farm management capacity. A federal news release states FMC will use the funds to deliver leading-edge resources and tools through various print and online channels and by working with provincial and territorial governments and with industry to identify and fill gaps in farm business development information and resources. The investment is made through Growing Forward 2’s AgriCompetitiveness program. (read more)

INCOME TAX TIME ON THE FARM

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Source: ThinkFarm
Tax Time on the Farm, a ThinkFarm workshop, will be held on Monday, March 24 from 6-9 pm in Berwick and on Tuesday, March 25 from 6-9 pm in Bible Hill. This workshop was designed for beginning farmers who don't work with an accountant but reports from the pilot offerings in Cape Breton are that it would be useful for farmers at any business stage, including those who work with a bookkeeper or accountant. The registration fee is $11.50 ($10+HST). (read more)

WHO SAYS FOOD PORN HAS TO BE DOMINATED BY JUNK FOOD?

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Source: NPR
It’s one of our guiltiest pleasures on the Internet, and though some of us may not like to admit it, chances are, we’ve done it. Some are even addicted. That's right, we’re talking about the endless consumption and distribution of food porn. Photos of fatty foods like grease-laced bacon and glistening donuts abound to satisfy our virtual cravings, yet their healthier counterparts – fruits and veggies – just haven’t been getting as much love online. But why should the junk food guys have all the fun? (read more)

TALK MUST LEAD TO ACTION ON FARM SAFETY

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Source: UFCW Canada
The Canadian Agricultural Safety Association (CASA) and the Canadian Federation of Agriculture (CFA) have set the theme as “Let’s Talk About It.” Yet, once again these two industry lobby groups have excluded from the conversation direct calls for legislative and regulatory safety provisions for the agriculture sector. It is a fatal and shameful exclusion in the face of the facts the industry and governments are well aware of. (read more)

BULLS ALL AROUND: GOOD NEWS FOR CATTLE PRODUCERS

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Source: Agriculture.com
Is the cattle cycle swinging back around to the high side? Recent record-high cattle prices will likely start making that happen soon, says one longtime livestock economist. It’s been a while since cattle herd numbers have been as low as they are now; more than 60 years to be exact, according to Purdue University Extension ag economist Chris Hurt. Specific to the beef herd, it's at its smallest since 1962 and in the seventh year of the most recent downturn in numbers. (read more)

MINISTER OLIVER CALL CANADA A 21ST CENTURY ENERGY SUPERPOWER

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Source: Natural Resources Canada
The Honourable Joe Oliver, Canada’s Minister of Natural Resources, today attended the East Coast Energy Conference where he delivered a speech highlighting the Canada-U.S. energy relationship and Canada’s enormous potential as an energy superpower. During his address, Minister Oliver emphasized Canada’s interest in enhancing North American energy security, jobs, and environmental protection. (read more)