May 6, 2014

OPEN LETTER TO THE GOVERNMENT OF NEW BRUNSWICK . . . RALLY FOR OUR FOREST . . . GRAND RASSEMBLEMENT POUR NOS FORETS

OPEN LETTER TO THE GOVERNMENT OF NEW BRUNSWICK
Much of the controversy around the Forest Strategy announced in March by the government concerns reductions in protected areas and the effect of these reductions on wildlife. At the same time, a  significant part of the province’s forests, the 30% owned by 40,000 New Brunswick families, has  wood available for sale that industry is not buying.  The government has missed a real opportunity to limit the controversy over encroachment on protected areas and at the same time, to re-establish a balance between Crown Land and woodlot owners in how they share the market for the timber used by the province’s forest products industry.

Each year, the government publishes a breakdown of the origin of wood used by the forest industry in New Brunswick: how much came from Crown Land, industrial land, woodlot owners, and imports. We have taken a careful look at these figures. The story they tell is of a serious detrimental  imbalance.

For 30 years after the government first declared the principle of a fair balance between Crown Land and woodlot owners (1974-2004), woodlot owners sold industry a remarkably stable share of the wood it used: on average, 25% (+/- 4%), for all but 2 of those 30 years, when it reached 31%. The actual volume went up and down somewhat reflecting good and bad years for the industry, but it was also very stable: between 2 and 3 million m3 per year. That’s a lot of wood: an average-sized truck load is about 30 m3, so two million m3 is the equivalent of more than 65,000 truckloads, worth about $100 million.

Then, in 2005, things changed drastically for woodlot owners. Not only did the volume of sales drop as mills closed in the midst of a severe crisis in the industry. The woodlot owners’ market share percentage  dropped by over half, to less than 12% on average, and it has stayed at that level ever since. This has been a loss of $50 million or more annually for much of rural New Brunswick. During these years, Crown wood sales showed barely any decline in volume at all, and it did this by displacing woodlot owner wood and increasing its share of the market to more than 50%, for the first time since 1974.  

Yes, we are aware that the industry has been through some tough years and we share the relief felt by many New Brunswickers that it is now seeing better days. Our point is: woodlot owners took nearly the whole brunt of the downturn and even with a major market upturn in the industry in recent years, they are still stuck at 12% of the market. Even imports of wood from outside the province have supplied a bigger share of industry’s needs in five of the nine years since 2005, according to the government’s figures.

The problem did not start with the present government, but it has not fixed it either. The new Forest Strategy was a great opportunity to do so. Industry was asking for big concessions. What better time to re-establish the long standing requirement to strike a fair balance between the  volume of timber the industry gets from Crown Land and the amount it buys from woodlot owners?

We urge the government to take advantage of this opportunity and at the same time, do the right thing: fix this problem.

Signed by:
Former Ministers of Natural Resources:
Morris Green (Tel: 365 7847)
Jeannot Volpé (Tel: 740 4232)
Past Presidents, NB Federation of Woodlot Owners:
Peter deMarsh (Tel: 367 2503)
Ed Perry (Tel: 434 4199)

RALLY FOR OUR FOREST
Jobs Don’t Grow on Stumps! Stop the Forest Giveaway! When: Tuesday, May 13, 12:30pm Where: N.B. Legislature, Fredericton, NB
The New Brunswick government’s new Forestry Strategy proposes to slash the proportion of public forest set aside to protect nature. Ignoring peoples’ concerns about how the public forest is managed, the government has gone ahead and signed contracts with J.D. Irving and other forestry companies, giving away a valuable public resource for years to come. These contracts were signed behind closed doors, and it reminds us of the time another government tried to sell NB Power out from under us. The proposed Forest Management Agreement set to be signed by July 1st would effectively implement the Memorandum of Agreements signed with J.D. Irving and the forestry companies and would be effective for the next 25 years. No Forest Management Agreement! New Brunswickers prefer to see a transition to a forestry industry that respects ecological limits – and especially preserves the endangered Acadian forest, and a strategy to build resilient communities, meaningful employment and healthy and diverse forest in our backyards. Woodlot owners and workers must be given a viable shot at making a living here without having to pack up for Alberta. Aboriginal treaties and rights must be respected. The forest of New Brunswick on traditional Wabanaki territory, where lynx roam, northern flying squirrels glide, warblers and vireos sing and brook trout swim in sheltered streams, is in trouble. It is up to all of us to protect them. Please attend and bring your friends. Bring your signs and symbols that demonstrate what you think. Let’s make this rally colourful and loud! Organized by the Conservation Council of New Brunswick and the NB Federation of Woodlot Owners. Endorsed by Peninsula Restoration/Ossekeag Publishing. To add your organization’s name to the list of endorsers of this rally, contact forest@conservationcouncil.ca. For more information, contact Tracy Glynn, the Conservation Council’s Forest Campaigner, at 506 458-8747 or forest@conservationcouncil.ca.

GRAND RASSEMBLEMENT POUR NOS FORETS
Les emplois ne poussent pas sur des souches!  Arrêtez de liquider notre forêt! Date : Le mardi 13 mai 2014 à 12 h 30 Lieu : L’Assemblée législative à Fredericton, N.-B.
La nouvelle stratégie forestière du gouvernement propose de réduire de façon significative une partie de la forêt publique mise en réserve pour la protection de la nature. Le gouvernement ne tient pas compte des préoccupations de la population sur la façon dont la forêt publique est gérée; il a pris les devants et a signé des contrats avec J. D. Irving et d’autres entreprises forestières, cédant ainsi une précieuse ressource publique pour les années à venir. Ces contrats ont été signés à huis clos et cela ressemble étrangement à la fois où un autre gouvernement avait essayé de vendre Énergie NB derrière notre dos. Les Néo-Brunswickois veulent plutôt une transition vers une industrie forestière qui respecte les limites écologiques, qui préserve la forêt acadienne menacée et qui présente une stratégie visant à bâtir des collectivités vibrantes, à offrir des emplois intéressants et à préserver une forêt saine et diversifiée que tout le monde peut admirer. Les propriétaires de boisés et les travailleurs forestiers doivent profiter d’un plan viable pour gagner leur vie sans avoir à s’exiler en Alberta. Les droits ancestraux ou issus de traités des peuples autochtones doivent être respectés. La forêt du Nouveau-Brunswick, située sur le territoire abénaquis, qui permet entre autres au lynx de rôder, au grand polatouche de planer, aux fauvettes et viréos de chanter et à l’omble de fontaine de nager à l’abri dans les ruisseaux, est menacée. C’est à nous tous qu’il revient de les protéger. Passez le mot et joignez-vous à nous avec votre famille et vos amis. Apportez vos pancartes ou affiches qui démontrent ce que vous pensez. Faisons en sorte que ce rassemblement soit coloré et bruyant! Organisé par le Conseil de conservation du Nouveau-Brunswick et la Fédération des propriétaires de lots boisés du Nouveau-Brunswick. Pour ajouter le nom de votre organisation à la liste des adhérents de ce rassemblement, communiquez avec nous à l’adresse suivante : forest@conservationcouncil.ca. Pour de plus amples renseignements, communiquez avec Tracy Glynn, militante pour la protection des forêts du CCNB, au (506) 458-8747 ou à :forest@conservationcouncil.ca.

May 5, 2014

REMINDER TO REGISTER FOR FOUR SEASON FARMING . . . CASA PARTNERS WITH SYNGENTA TO DEVELOP “DRESS FOR SUCCESS” . . . THINKFARM LOOKING FOR COORDINATOR . . . N.S. TAX & REGULATORY CONSULTATION IN TRURO

REMINDER TO REGISTER FOR FOUR SEASON FARMING
Source: ThinkFarm
he registration deadline for the first session of Four Season Farming is May 7. The workshop will be held on Wednesday, May 14 at Blue Heron Farm, Gardiner Mines, Cape Breton from 10 am – 3 pm. The registration fee is $25 HST included and includes your lunch. (read more) 

CASA PARTNERS WITH SYNGENTA TO DEVELOP “DRESS FOR SUCCESS”
Source: Canadian Agricultural Safety Association 
The Canadian Agricultural Safety Association (CASA) and Syngenta Canada Inc. have partnered to develop free educational tools to help educate producers, farm workers, and the general public about the importance of safe pesticide handling through the use of appropriate Personal Protective Equipment. (read more)

THINKFARM LOOKING FOR COORDINATOR
Source: Career Beacon
ThinkFarm is currently looking for a coordinator to provide support to beginning and transitioning agriculture and agri-food businesses in Nova Scotia. To see more about the employment opportunity check out this Career Beacon link. (read more)

N.S. TAX & REGULATORY CONSULTATION IN TRURO

Source: NSFA
There will be a consultation meeting on the Nova Scotia tax and regulatory systems on Friday, May 9 at 2:30 pm at the Annapolis Boardroom, N.S. Federation of Agriculture in Perennia Park, Bible Hill. To help foster an informed conversation about the tax system in particular, the Department of Finance has prepared a short overview document. (read more)

May 2, 2014

SMITING THE MITE TO SAVE THE BEES . . . WITH CALVES AT $2, ATTENTION TO DETAIL PAYS DIVIDENDS . . . GO SLOW ON FRACKING, SCIENTISTS WARN . . . BEWARE OF LYME 

SMITING THE MITE TO SAVE THE BEES
Source: NPR
How do you like them apples, apricots, blueberries, almonds and peaches? They all depend on bees for pollination. But over the last several years, a massive number of bee colonies have died, putting beekeepers, farmers and scientists in a bit of a panic. They’ve come up with a lot of reasons why colonies are collapsing and dwindling. (read more)

WITH CALVES AT $2, ATTENTION TO DETAIL PAYS DIVIDENDS
Source: Canadian Cattlemen
Early in the new year, I was at a local beef meeting where a group of cattlemen was discussing what they see as an issue with spring calving, that being a small but nevertheless disturbing increase in the number of open cows in the fall. The discussion included producers, extension specialists and researchers and focused on a variety of potential reasons to explain the increase without coming to any consensus as to the extent of the problem or the reasons behind it. (read more)

GO SLOW ON FRACKING, SCIENTISTS WARN
Source; The Globe and Mail
Canadians face a Pandora’s box of potential environmental and health risks as the oil industry charges forward with hydraulic fracturing techniques that are needed to unlock vast natural gas and oil deposits across the country, says a new report for the federal government. In a 260-page study to be released Thursday, the expert panel concluded that there simply isn’t enough known about the impacts of hydraulic fracturing – or fracking – to declare it safe, and that key elements of the provinces’ regulatory systems “are not based on strong science and remain untested” while there is virtually no federal regulation. (read more)

BEWARE OF LYME
A resolution introduced in Province House this week proclaims May as Lyme Disease Awareness Month. Although ticks can be active all year, depending upon the temperature, the spring and fall are their most active times. Black-legged ticks have now been found in all areas of Nova Scotia. No matter where you live, you might come in contact with a black-legged tick. Although not all ticks carry disease, the percentage that do is steadily climbing. To confuse matters even more, Lyme disease is not the only disease that ticks can carry. Veterinarians are seeing higher incidences of Lyme, anaplasmosis and bartonellosis. Other things can also be transmitted, making an accurate diagnosis next to impossible. Therefore, prevention is key. If you see a tick, keep it and send it off for testing. That way, you can find out what it was carrying (depending upon the tests under taken. Because of the large number of people dealing with tick-borne diseases in the province, a Lyme support group has recently been started. The next meeting is May 12 at 7 pm at Bedford Masonic Hall. All are welcome. Donna Lugar, N.S. representative, Canadian National Lyme & Associated Diseases Society, Bedford. (read more)

MAY 1, 2014

PED ON THE WANE IN ONTARIO . . . FARM EQUIPMENT AUCTION . . . INVITATION TO ATTEND FARMERS’ MARKET SPECIAL EVENT . . . FRACKING PANEL TO INCLUDE LAW EXPERT

PED ON THE WANE IN ONTARIO
Source: Better Farming
Despite having the most confirmed cases of porcine epidemic diarrhea of any province in Canada, Ontario is gradually winning the battle against the piglet-killing disease, says the provinces’s deputy chief veterinarian. (read more)

FARM EQUIPMENT AUCTION
Source: NSFA
Retirement auction for Bonnie Sutherland (River John Holsteins), Friday May 9, at 12 noon. Selling all equipment including: late model John Deere tractors, hay/forage equipment, tillage, barn equipment, tools, etc. For a complete auction listing in the coming days (items will be added daily), or to register for live internet bidding please go to the Jardine Auctioneers website. (read more)

INVITATION TO ATTEND FARMERS’ MARKET SPECIAL EVENT
Source: ThinkFarm
Please accept this invitation to attend Cultivating Economy, a celebratory event and the official release of the 2013 Nova Scotia Farmers’ Market Economic Impact Study. Hosted by Farmers’ Markets of Nova Scotia on Thursday, May 22, 9:30am in the Upper Courtyard of the Brewery Building (1496 Lower Water Street, Halifax). (read more)

FRACKING PANEL TO INCLUDE LAW EXPERT
Source: The Chronicle Herald
Nova Scotia’s Hydraulic Fracturing Review Expert Panel is adding a legal expert. A release from panel chairman David Wheeler, the president of Cape Breton University, said the decision comes following feedback from stakeholders and subsequent discussion by the panel. Constance MacIntosh, the director of Dalhousie University’s Health Law Institute and an associate professor with the Schulich School of Law at Dal, joins the panel. (read more)

APRIL 30, 2014

FARMERS AND FRACKERS WRANGLE FOR WATER . . . TRACTOR SAFETY COURSE FOR YOUTH . . . SLOW FOOD NOVA SCOTIA’S SPRING SUPPER . . . A RECIPE FOR HEALTHY CALVES

FARMERS AND FRACKERS WRANGLE FOR WATER
Source: NPR
California’s drought has developed an interesting relationship between farmers and oilers: California oil wells produce more water than oil, and Chevron filters that water and sells it to a local water district. Interest in the technology is growing in the Central Valley, but high costs and uneasy relations between oil and agriculture might get in the way. (read more)

TRACTOR SAFETY COURSE FOR YOUTH
Source: Dal Faculty of Agriculture
Extended Learning at Dalhousie Agricultural Campus will be hosting its annual Tractor Safety Course for Youth, May 17 and 18. Deadline for registration is May 2; register early as there are limited spots. (read more)

SLOW FOOD NOVA SCOTIA’S SPRING SUPPER
Source: NSFA
Slow Food Nova Scotia is hosting the 5th annual Spring Supper: the down home, no fuss, culinary event of the season! Featuring an oyster reception, followed by a locally sourced six-course meal paired with Nova Scotia wines – prepared by the newly formed East Coast Chefs Collaborative. May 3, Wentworth Recreation Centre, 6:30pm reception and 7:15pm dinner. Tickets: $110 general public and $100 Slow Food members. (read more)

A RECIPE FOR HEALTHY CALVES
Source: thebeefsite.com
Professor Bob James of Virginia State University emphasizes that getting calves off to a good start hinges on a successful colostrum program and cleanliness. Ask nearly any calf caregiver and they can recite the colostrum mantra, says Dairy Nutritionist Prof James.  Feed high quality colostrum. Levels exceeding 50g of IgG/liter are considered good quality. The Brix refractometer provides a quick method for testing colostrum on the farm. Values exceeding 22 indicate good quality. (read more)

APRIL 29, 2014

HOMEGROWN SUCCESS NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS . . . STOP GENETICALLY MODIFIED WHEAT IN CANADA . . . THE CHAMPAGNE OF MEATS . . . HOW TO CONTROL GRASSLAND WEEDS

HOMEGROWN SUCCESS NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS
Source: SPANS
The Department of Agriculture’s Homegrown Success Program is now accepting applications and the program guidelines are available online. Please note that there have been some significant changes to the Program: The overall funding cap has been reduced and the percentage that will be funded on projects has been reduced to 50 percent or less. Applications will no longer be approved on a first-come-first-served basis. Applications will be accepted up until April 30. They will be evaluated based on the project. (read more)

STOP GENETICALLY MODIFIED WHEAT IN CANADA
Source: Canadian Biotechnology Action Network
In 2004, genetically modified (GM – also called genetically engineered, GE) wheat was rejected by farmers and consumers across the globe, and yet industry is now working to prepare the way for GM wheat. On May 14, 2009 industry groups in Australia, Canada and the US pledged to “work toward the goal of synchronized commercialization of biotech traits in our wheat crops.” (read more)

THE CHAMPAGNE OF MEATS
Source: Modernfarmer.com
In the fabled Black Forest, along Germany’s southwest border, there is a ham cold cut so special someone gave it a museum. The meat spends several weeks in giant brining jars, before being “afterburned” in a dry-cure room, then smoked and hung for up to 50 days in an aging chamber. Roving inspectors check for locally sourced softwoods in the smoke towers. Each slice is a coveted shade of deep pink, and redolent of fir and sawdust: this is high-end charcuterie. By European law, only licensed butchers working in the region can manufacture Black Forest ham.  Thousands of the continent’s tastiest consumables – from Stilton to Newcastle Brown Ale – are protected this way. Using so-called “geographical indications”, the EU has long tried to extend these safeguards beyond its borders. But in America, Black Forest ham can still be found in everything from Subway sandwiches to Tyson packages (with the charming “Smoked Black Forest Ham and Water Product”) – with nary a thought to a German forest. (read more)

HOW TO CONTROL GRASSLAND WEEDS
Source: thebeefsite. 
Controlling grassland weeds such as ragwort, thistles and docks remains a priority, with new industry figures showing that, at its worst, chickweed can reduce silage yields by 65 percent.  This month, UK levy board DairyCo has said that grassland weeds, particularly when they reach density levels of 10-20 percent in swards, will have a significant effect on sward production. There is a direct correlation between dock and spear thistle ground cover and grass yield every one percent increase in ground cover results in a one percent decrease in grass growth, according to DairyCo Research and Development Manager, Dr Debbie McConnell. (read more)

APRIL 28, 2014

APRIL FLAVOURS DINNER . . . CAN WAL-MART REALLY MAKE ORGANIC FOOD CHEAP FOR EVERYONE? . . . BEFORE THE BEES ARE GONE . . . AN OPPORTUNITY TO MINGLE WITH NOVA SCOTIA MLAS

APRIL FLAVOURS DINNER
Source: ACORN
April Flavours Dinner presented by Friends of Agriculture Nova Scotia. We are excited to once again be celebrating local food created by local chefs. The dinner is on Wednesday, April 30. 6pm, at the Louis Millett Community Complex in New Minas, N.S. (read more)

CAN WAL-MART REALLY MAKE ORGANIC FOOD CHEAP FOR EVERYONE?
Source: NPR
It could be another milestone in organic food’s evolution from crunchy to commercial: Wal-Mart, the king of mass retailing promising, is to “drive down organic food prices” with a new line of organic food products. The new products will be at least 25 percent cheaper than organic food that’s on Wal-Mart's shelves right now. (read more)

BEFORE THE BEES ARE GONE
Source: Avaaz.org
Right now, billions of bees are dying. Already, there are nowhere near enough honeybees in Europe to pollinate the crops, and in California – the biggest food producer in the U.S. – beekeepers are losing 40 percent of their bees each year. We’re in the middle of an environmental holocaust that threatens all of us, because without pollination by bees, most plants and one-third of our food supply are gone. (read more)

AN OPPORTUNITY TO MINGLE WITH N.S. MLAS 
Source: NSFA The Nova Scotia Federation of Agriculture is pleased to have the opportunity to host a reception for MLAs on April 30, 2014 from 6 to 8pm. The event is open to members of the Nova Scotia Federation of Agriculture, but there is limited space and we do need to provide a list of attendees so please RSVP by Tuesday, April 29 (to Shelly MacKenzie) info@nsfa-fane.ca

April 25, 2014

VERMONT PASSES GMO LABELLING BILL . . . SLOW FOOD NOVA SCOTIA’S SPRING SUPPER . . . FARMLAND VALUES REMAIN STRONG . . . BC ANNOUNCES SUPPORT FOR CELLULOSE FILAMENTS RESEARCH

VERMONT PASSES GMO LABELLING BILL
Source: NPR
The Green Mountain State is poised to become the first to require food companies to label products containing genetically modified ingredients. Vermont Gov. Peter Shumlin will sign a bill state lawmakers passed Wednesday mandating that foods with GMOs be labeled as having been produced with “genetic engineering.” The bill would also make it illegal for foods with GMOs to be labeled “all natural” or “natural.” (read more)

SLOW FOOD NOVA SCOTIA’S SPRING SUPPER
Source: NSFA
Slow Food Nova Scotia is hosting the 5th annual Spring Supper: the down home, no fuss, culinary event of the season! Featuring an oyster reception, followed by a locally-sourced six-course meal paired with Nova Scotia wines - prepared by the newly-formed East Coast Chefs Collaborative. May 3, Wentworth Recreation Centre, 6:30pm reception and 7:15pm dinner. $110 general public and $100 Slow Food members. (read more)

FARMLAND VALUES REMAIN STRONG
Source: FCC
Low interest rates, growing world food demand and the resulting strong commodity prices in the first half of 2013 contributed to a continued rise in Canadian Farmland Values last year, says a recently released report. Farm Credit study showed the average value of Canadian farmland increased by 22.1 percent in 2013, with the majority of this increase occurring in the first half of the year. (read more)

BC ANNOUNCES SUPPORT FOR CELLULOSE FILAMENTS RESEARCH
Source: Newswire.ca
FPInnovations is proud to support the Government of British Columbia's contribution of $2.25 million to cellulose filaments (CF) research, as announced today by the Honourable Steve Thomson, Minister of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations. Details of the contribution were revealed at a press conference held in Vancouver, in the presence of the Honourable Andrew Wilkinson, Minister of Technology, Innovation & Citizens' Services and Mr. Pierre Lapointe, President and CEO of FPInnovations. 
This important research and innovation project represents investments to date totaling $43.1 million, including funding from Natural Resources Canada, through the Investments in Forest Industry Transformation (IFIT) Program, as well as a grant from the Québec Ministry of Natural Resources, a loan from Investissement Québec, a contribution from Kruger Inc. and funds from FPInnovations' pulp, paper and bioproducts industry members. (read more)

April 24, 2014

GROWING FROM THE HEART . . . ENVIRONMENTAL FARM STEWARDSHIP AWARD 2014 . . . SOUTHEAST N.B. BEEKEEPERS’ ASSOCIATION MEETING . . . BOLSTERED BOARD, AUDIT UPDATE FOR EXHIBITION

GROWING FROM THE HEART
Source: ThinkFarm
Growing from the Heart: Atlantic Canada’s Farmers’ Market Sector Inaugural Conference will take place in Truro on May 13 from 9 am to 5 pm. (read more)

ENVIRONMENTAL FARM STEWARDSHIP AWARD 2014
Source: NSFA
Nova Scotia Federation of Agriculture (NSFA) celebrates Earth Day today by opening the Nova Scotia Environmental Farm Stewardship award for nominations. This award recognizes the contributions Nova Scotia farmers make towards protecting the environment and making the province a better place. This is the sixth year for the prestigious Environmental Farm Stewardship Award. In 2013, the award was presented to Wild Rose Farm, Digby County. The award is a $2,000 cash prize for activities that further enhance stewardship efforts plus a painting of the farm by a local artist. (read more)

SOUTHEAST N.B. BEEKEEPERS’ ASSOCIATION MEETING
The Southeast N.B. Beekeepers’ Association (SENBBA) will be holding its semi-annual meeting Saturday May 3, 2014 from 9 am to 4 pm at the Moncton Lions Club, Moncton, N.B. In addition to the association’s business agenda, the meeting will include a Spring Hive Preparation by the Chief Apiary Inspector and an overview of beekeeping programs by a N.B. government representative. evangelinemiel@hotmail.com

BOLSTERED BOARD, AUDIT UPDATE FOR EXHIBITION
Source: The Chronicle Herald
Bruce Kennedy will find out today who will join him on the board of the Nova Scotia Provincial Exhibition Commission. The Bible Hill man, who lives in the shadow o f the exhibition grounds, has been an interim chairman since shortly after the province called the commission’s loan and took control of the property and assets in early February. Kennedy, who has worked closely with fellow interim board member Cameron MacEachern since then, awaits Agriculture Minister Keith Colwell’s planned announcement today. (read more)

APRIL 23, 2014

. . . ATLANTIC SHEEP AND GOAT INTERNAL PARISITE WORKSHOP . . . RADICAL UN REPORT PROMOTES DEMOCRATIC CONTROL OF FOOD AND AN END TO CORPORATE DOMINATON . . . GENETICALLY ENGINEERED FOODS AND YOUR HEALTH . . . STUDY CASTS DOUBT ON BENEFITS OF CORNFIELD BIOFUEL . . .

ATLANTIC SHEEP AND GOAT INTERNAL PARISITE WORKSHOP
Source: Dalhousie Faculty of Agriculture
All participants must pre-register by Friday April 25, 2014.Registration fee includes lunch and course materials. The sheep and goat industries in Atlantic Canada are facing unprecedented pressure from worms, specifically gastro-intestinal parasites (GIN). The goal of this interactive workshop is to bring together both new and experienced sheep and goat farmers and veterinarians for an intense, interactive day focused on: internal parasite infections, their causes and contributing factors, strategies for effective diagnosis, treatment and management, anthelmintic resistance and what this means for the sheep and goat industries. Saturday, May 10, 2014, Dalhousie Agricultural Campus, Bible Hill, N.S. (read more)

RADICAL UN REPORT PROMOTES DEMOCRATIC CONTROL OF FOOD AND AN END TO CORPORATE DOMINATON
Source: REVOLUCIONALIMENTARIA
A new report submitted to the United Nations Human Rights Council on the “Right to Food” took aim at the entire basis on which food is produced and distributed on a global scale. Reflecting the type of progressive analysis of our food system from experts like Vandana Shiva and Michael Pollan, report author Olivier De Schutter called for an undermining of large agribusinesses and an infusion of democratic control. Although the report’s recommendations are revolutionary, news of its release went largely unreported in the major U.S. media. (read more)

GENETICALLY ENGINEERED FOODS AND YOUR HEALTH
Source: GE Foods Tour
A cross-Canada speakers’ tour. Join Dr Thierry Vrain, retired genetic engineer and Tony Mitra, internationally active citizen journalist and food security activist, to discuss your concerns about GE foods, and how you can take action. Nova Scotia and PEI dates, April 24-April 30.  gefoods.tour@gmail.com

STUDY CASTS DOUBT ON BENEFITS OF CORNFIELD BIOFUEL
Source: The Chronicle Herald
Biofuels made from the leftovers of harvested corn plants are worse than gasol­ine for global warming in the short term, a study shows, chal­lenging the Obama administra­tion’s conclusions that they are a much cleaner oil alternative and will help combat climate change. A $500,000 study paid for by the federal government and re­leased Sunday in the peer-re­viewed journal Nature Climate Change concludes that biofuels made with corn residue release seven percent more greenhouse gases in the early years compared with conventional gasoline. (read more)

APRIL 21, 2014

U.S. DELAYS FINAL CALL ON KEYSTONE XL PIPELINE . . . PLANT BREEDERS RELEASE FIRST OPEN SOURCE SEEDS . . . DO YOU KNOW WHAT ANTIBIOTICS YOU’RE EATING? . . . ACOA FUNDS CROP RESEARCH

U.S. DELAYS FINAL CALL ON KEYSTONE XL PIPELINE
Source: New York Times
The State Department will delay its decision on construction of the Keystone XL pipeline until it has a clearer idea of how legal challenges to the pipeline’s route through Nebraska will be settled, State Department officials said last week. Both supporters and opponents of the pipeline criticized the delay as a political ploy aimed at punting the final call on the divisive project until after the midterm elections in November. (read more)

PLANT BREEDERS RELEASE FIRST OPEN SOURCE SEEDS
Source: NPR
A group of scientists and food activists is launching a campaign to change the rules that govern seeds. They’re releasing 29 new varieties of crops under a new “open source pledge” that’s intended to safeguard the ability of farmers, gardeners and plant breeders to share those seeds freely. (read more)

DO YOU KNOW WHAT ANTIBIOTICS YOU’RE EATING?
Source: The Globe and Mail
In health, trends rarely result in lasting change. Diets come and go, foods such as kale have a limited shelf life of popularity and no one really knows whether coffee is actually good or bad for you. The trouble lies in the association of scientific evidence, which admittedly can be contradictory, with lifestyle choices. Yet over the past few years, a health trend has emerged that may beat the odds: Antibiotic abstinence in agriculture appears to be growing and, thanks to a recent move by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, may bring “antibiotic-free” meat into the mainstream there. (read more)

ACOA FUNDS CROP RESEARCH
Source: The Chronicle Herald
The federal government is invest­ing $223,880, through the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, in a project to identify the potential to grow high-value crops in south­west Nova Scotia. “This project represents an important opportunity to diversify the economy and encourage new agricultural investments in south­western Nova Scotia," said South Shore-St. Margarets MP Gerald Keddy on Thursday. The regional climate data re­search project is a joint venture involving CBDC Shelburne, CB­DC Yarmouth and South Shore Opportunities. (read more)

APRIL 17, 2014

. . . SEEDS OF DIVERSITY . . . FARMWORKS HONORED AMONG TIDES TOP 10 . . . A GUIDE TO SPEEDY VEGETABLES . . . CORRECTED LINK TO FUNDRAZR SITE

SEEDS OF DIVERSITY
Source: Seeds of Diversity
Seeds of Diversity is a Canadian volunteer organization that conserves the biodiversity and traditional knowledge of food crops and garden plants. Seeds of Diversity is the source for information about heritage seeds, seed saving, plant diversity, garden history and your own garden heritage. (read more)

FARMWORKS HONORED AMONG TIDES TOP 10
Source: FarmWorks
Tides Canada named FarmWorks Investment Co-operative Limited among its Tides Top 10 - a national annual award honouring some of Canada's most innovative social change efforts that inspire people to take action, think in new ways and make the world a better place.
We chose them for: Creating meaningful partnerships with investors and with loan recipients, businesses and other lenders - partnerships that contribute to the growth of food-related enterprises across Nova Scotia. (read more)

A GUIDE TO SPEEDY VEGETABLES
Source: NPR
Yes, it is true that gardening requires patience. But face it, we live in an impatient world. And gardeners everywhere were depressed by the brutal and endless winter. (True story: The polar vortex killed my fall kale crop!) So we are understandably eager to get sowing. And to see results by ... well, if not next Thursday, then maybe mid-May? (read more)

CORRECTED LINK TO FUNDRAZR SITE
Source: fundrazr.com
On March 26 two organic farms in southwestern Nova Scotia were hit so hard by the spring “weather bomb” that their newly built greenhouses were completely destroyed. Winds of over 140km per hour also ruined newly planted crops and seedlings inside the greenhouses of Whippletree Farm (near Annapolis Royal) and Wild Rose Farm (near Weymouth), causing a total damage of more than $35,000. “Acts of God” of this kind, are not covered by their farms’ insurance policies. (read more)

APRIL 16, 2014

. . . FORENT ENERGY BAILING FROM N.S. . . . INTRODUCTION TO FOOD FOREST GARDENING . . . COMMUNITY LAUNCHES CAMPAIGN TO HELP STORM-DAMAGED ORGANIC FARMS . . . SCOTSBURN COMPLETES SALE TO SAPUTO

FORENT ENERGY BAILING FROM NOVA SCOTIA
Source: AtlanticFarmer.com
Forent Energy CEO Richard Wade cites the province’s independent review of fracking for creating uncertainty for investors. The review is scheduled for release this summer. Energy Minister Andrew Younger says Forent, and other oil and gas exploration companies will be free to come back and bid on resource blocks after the decision is announced.

INTRODUCTION TO FOOD FOREST GARDENING
Source: Community Forests International 
Join us on May 28 for a tour of CFI’s Food Forest Garden, Sackville Community Garden, Sackville, N.B. and a demonstration of how to use perennial plants to provide food and habitat in the image of a natural woodland. Participants will enjoy a brief introduction to perennial food gardening and a discussion about food security and climate change in our region. We will then get our hands dirty with spring clean-up and care of the forest garden - including mulching, weeding and composting. (read more)

COMMUNITY LAUNCHES CAMPAIGN TO HELP STORM-DAMAGED ORGANIC FARMS
Source: fundrazr.com
On March 26 two organic farms in southwestern Nova Scotia were hit so hard by the spring “weather bomb” that their newly built greenhouses were completely destroyed. Winds of over 140km per hour also ruined newly planted crops and seedlings inside the greenhouses of Whippletree Farm (near Annapolis Royal) and Wild Rose Farm (near Weymouth), causing a total damage of more than $35,000. “Acts of God” of this kind, are not covered by their farms’ insurance policies. (read more)

SCOTSBURN COMPLETES SALE TO SAPUTO
Source: Chronicle HeraldScotsburn Co-operative Ser­vices Ltd. announced Monday it has completed the sale of its fluid milk division in Atlantic Canada to Montreal-based Saputo Inc. The Pictou County co-operative said it will continue to operate its ice cream and frozen novelty business across Canada. “This is good news for our co-operative members who will see immediate and long-term benefits from Scotsburn’s growth and innovation strategy focused on ice cream and frozen novelty products," Doug Ettinger, presid­ent and chief executive officer at Scotsburn, said in a news release. (read more)

April 15, 2014

. . . THINKFARM HAS A NEW LOOK ONLINE . . . RECORD BEEF PRICES MAY LEAD GRILLERS TO CHEAPER CUTS . . . REVIVING A LOST TRADITION IN THE NORTHEAST. . .  SLOW LIVING SUMMIT 2014

THINKFARM HAS A NEW LOOK ONLINE
Source: ThinkFarm
Our website has been reformatted to make it easier to find the information you’re looking for. We’ve also added new content on the farm purchase process, including two video case studies of Misty Hills Farm, a dairy farm in Antigonish county, and Broadfork Farm, a market garden in Cumberland county. (read more)

RECORD BEEF PRICES MAY LEAD GRILLERS TO CHEAPER CUTS
According to federal government figures, beef prices are at their highest levels in almost 30 years. The average price of choice-grade beef in February was $5.28. Numbers aren’t out yet for March or April, but they’ll be high as well. “We're in record territory actually,” says David Anderson, a professor of agricultural economics at Texas A&M University. (read more) 

REVIVING A LOST TRADITION IN THE NORTHEAST
Source: Modern Farmer
Jonathan Stevens wants to know the farmers who grow his food. So when he and his partner, Cheryl Maffie, opened Hungry Ghost Bread, an unassuming bakery in Northampton, Massachusetts, in 2004, they decided to source many of their ingredients locally. This included most of the fruits and vegetables used in their pastries and also their staple ingredient, the foundation of every loaf of whole-grain bread to emerge from their wood-fired oven: the flour. (read more)

SLOW LIVING SUMMIT 2014
Source: StrollingoftheHeifers.com
Registration is now open for the 2014 Slow Living Summit, taking place June 4-6 in downtown Brattleboro, Vermont. The Summit is a unique intergenerational conversation about life, health, happiness, money, community, soil, soul, food, arts, and story. (read more)

April 14, 2014

. . . REGISTER FOR THE ATLANTIC FARM WOMEN’S CONFERENCE . . . N.S. INSTITUTE OF AGROLOGISTS ANNUAL AWARDS . . . MUD FEVER . . .  CANFAX LAUNCHES CATTLE MARKET APP

CANFAX LAUNCHES CATTLE MARKET APP
Source: FCCCanFax has developed the first domestic cattle market smart phone application built specifically for Canadian cattle market information. “There’s lots of market apps that show futures information, but nothing that gives you Canadian specific prices,” says CanFax manager and senior analyst Brian Perillat. “This uses futures prices for cattle and the Canadian dollar, but then takes in a whole bunch of CanFax benchmarks around basis levels and cost of production, etc., that produces a truly Canadian price.” (read more)

MUD FEVER
Source: Equine Guelph
Scratches, greasy heel, dew poisoning, dermatitis – no matter what you call it, it irritates your horse’s skin and like any bacterial infection it has potential to do much deeper damage. Skin which is exposed to wet conditions on a continual basis can result in a breakdown of the protective barrier of epidermis, allowing bacteria to invade which results in infection. (read more)

NOVA SCOTIA INSTITUTE OF AGROLOGISTS ANNUAL AWARDS
Source: N.S. Institute of Agrologists
The banquet was held at the Best Western Glengarry, in Truro, N.S., following the Institute’s AGM. Congratulations are extended to the very deserving recipients this year: Outstanding Farmer, Quita Gray and Scott Whitelaw of Sugar Moon Farm; Honourary Member, Dirk van Loon; Distinguished Life Member, Jim Goit; Distinguished Agrologist, Dale McIsaac; Outstanding Young Agrologist, Brad McCallum; C.A.Douglas Award, Dr. Erin Smith. (read more)

STILL TIME TO REGISTER FOR THE ATLANTIC FARM WOMEN’S CONFERENCE!
Source: Atlantic Farm Women
In the past, Farm women sought out these conferences as a unique way to work collaboratively and help move agriculture forward. Organizers plan to pair some serious discussions with some light and fun activities!  They promise to send you home stuffed with new knowledge and rejuvenated to continue in this industry!  April 25 (evening) & 26, 2014, Moncton, N.B. (read more)

STROLLING OF THE HEIFERS WEEKEND

Source: StrollingoftheHeifers.com
Join us in beautiful, historic Brattleboro, Vermont for a weekend of activities honoring farmers and celebrating local food, all built around our signature event, the world-famous Strolling of the Heifers Parade, Saturday, June 7 at 10 am sharp! All Strolling of the Heifers events are rain or shine! The heifers don’t mind the weather, the farmers are working in all kinds of weather, and we will be honoring and celebrating them this weekend, regardless of weather! (read more)

BANNING TRADITIONAL ANIMAL SLAUGHTER, DENMARK STOKES RELIGIOUS IRE

Source: NPR
In a conflict that pits animal welfare against religious rights, Denmark has ordered that all food animals must be stunned before being killed. The move effectively bans the ritual slaughter methods prescribed in both Muslim and Jewish tradition. (read more)

SPCA SEIZE ALMOST 900 SHEEP FROM SASK FARM

Source: The Western Producer
The Saskatchewan SPCA seized a record number of animals in a single case April 1. Close to 900 sheep and four dogs were removed from a farm in the Rural Municipality of Key West, near Kayville, Sask. (read more)

TIGHTER SUPPLIES DON’T HINDER FEBRUARY RED MEAT EXPORTS

Source: Beef Producer
Double-digit growth to Mexico kept U.S. pork and beef exports afloat in February, even as higher prices and tight supplies continue to surface, USDA data compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation showed Monday. (read more)

CHANGES TO AGRICULTURAL LEGISLATION PATENTLY ABSURD

Source: NFU
The Agricultural Growth Act, Bill C-18, is currently before Parliament. It is an omnibus bill amending nine separate pieces of agricultural legislation. The changes vastly increase corporate control of seed and will result in higher seed costs for farmers in the future. (read more)