Nova Scotia Weekly Market Report: July 1, 2013 to July 5, 2013

	Price (kg)	Change	Price (cwt)	Change
Hogs	$2.0599	$0.0343	$93.44	$1.56
Sows	$1.7509	$0.0292	$79.42	$1.32
Carcass Value	$205.35	$3.42

Nova Scotia Weekly Market Report: June 24, 2013 to June 28, 2013

	Price (kg)	Change	Price (cwt)	Change
Hogs	$2.0256	$0.1427	$91.88	$6.47
Sows	$1.7218	$0.1213	$78.10	$5.50
Carcass Value	$201.93	$14.23

Nova Scotia Weekly Market Report: June 17, 2013 to June 21, 2013

	Price (kg)	Change	Price (cwt)	Change
Hogs	$1.8909	$0.0080	$85.77	$0.36
Sows	$1.6073	$0.0068	$72.91	$0.31
Carcass Value	$188.51	$0.80

Nova Scotia Weekly Market Report: June 10, 2013 to June 14, 2013

	Price (kg)	Change	Price (cwt)	Change
Hogs	$1.8829	$0.0326	$85.41	$1.48
Sows	$1.6005	$0.0277	$72.60	$1.26
Carcass Value	$187.71	$3.25

Thursday, June 20, 2013 7:30 p.m. 

Alumni Theatre
Dalhousie University Agricultural Campus
Truro, Nova Scotia

Speaking from a global perspective, Ellen will challenge the audience with the question of what is possible for Atlantic Canada when we change what we eat and how we produce our food.

Ellen Gustafson (http://www.ellengustafson.com/) is a sustainable food system activist, author, innovator and social entrepreneur. She is the Co-Founder of Food Tank: the Food Think Tank, an organization that grew out of the 30 Project, which Ellen founded in 2010, and Danielle Nierenberg’s Nourishing the Planet initiative. The 30 Project has been a significant catalyst in changing the conversation about the global food system by connecting hunger and obesity. She is also the creator of the Change Dinner campaign and Health Class 2.0, which are helping individuals change the food system at dinner tables and in schools.

This free public presentation is offered as a special evening event in Cultivating Agriculture, Food and Health, a forum that will gather key players from the Atlantic region to explore the ways in which our agricultural and food systems can be re-invented to improve the health of Atlantic Canadians. The driving force behind the forum is the recognition that while food and nutrition are now linked firmly to health, there is still work to do in order to bring commercial agriculture and primary food production into the discussion.

Arrangements for the appearance of Ellen Gustafson have been made through The Guild Agency Speakers Bureau.
For more information visit our website at www.dal.ca/exl or contact:

Jolene MacEachern
Program Manager, Extended Learning
Dalhousie University Faculty of Agriculture
jmaceachern@dal.ca
(902) 893 – 5301

Over 115 individuals joined a national conference call this week to learn more about the current US outbreak of Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea (PED) virus – the first time this disease has been confirmed in North America – and to learn how best to keep it out of Canada. Organized jointly by the Canadian Pork Council (CPC) and the Canadian Swine Health Board (CSHB), the call provided an opportunity for participants to obtain the most up to date information on its spread in the US, and what Canadian stakeholders can do to help ensure it does not enter Canada.

The source of the infection and its spread are not yet known, although several investigative teams are currently working to establish how the virus came to North America from Asia or possibly Europe. The disease has severe economic impacts on hog farmers and the rest of the industry because of the high mortality it causes in certain ages of pigs.

 

The CSHB has been following this closely this since the disease was identified in the US on May 16, and had already provided four separate updates to the industry. It was felt that with a national teleconference, more current details could be shared, and an interactive approach with questions from industry stakeholders could be provided.

“We must all work together to prevent against this significant threat to our industry”, said Jean-Guy Vincent, CPC President. “The CSHB is to be commended for immediately taking leadership on this file. This teleconference was an opportunity to ensure industry players understand the threat, and what preventive measures must be taken.”

“The level of engagement from across Canada, and from all industry stakeholders, clearly demonstrates that Canada’s hog industry recognizes the risks this disease poses,” said Florian Possberg, Chair of the CSHB. “We all recognize the value of active involvement of our member organizations in facing this critical issue head on, including CPC’s partnership in organizing and hosting the teleconference.”

Besides producers, participants on the teleconference included veterinarians, genetics suppliers, processors, animal health industry reps, researchers and academia, as well as representation from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Canadian Food Inspection Agency, and the provincial Chief Veterinary Officers. Presenters on the call included technical experts from the US and Canada, and included sharing real-life experiences with this disease in China.

A series of appropriate next steps were discussed, and this work is already well underway. Extra vigilance on biosecurity is the most important approach, including ensuring trucks returning from the US are cleaned and disinfected before entering any site containing swine. Protocols for effective cleaning and disinfection of trucks are available at www.swinehealth.ca.

Given that PED can be spread by contaminated footwear, anyone returning from an infected area should ensure they follow effective biosecurity protocols – a timely reminder, given that several Canadians are expected to participate in World Pork Expo this week in Des Moines, Iowa.

Also on the teleconference, the Canadian Association of Swine Veterinarians indicated that they were in the process of developing a notice for transporters, to remind them of the threat posed by this virus. Participants on the call freely offered to distribute this widely, reinforcing the high importance the industry places on this matter – and further demonstrating the value of collaboration of industry stakeholders.

The Canadian Pork Council (CPC) is a member-driven, not for profit national producer association committed to Canadian competitiveness in the global market.  It is the collective voice of Canada’s hog producers – an effective advocate on a broad range of production related issues.

The CSHB was formed to proactively address swine health challenges through leadership, coordination and support in the management of the health of the Canadian swine herd. Its members include the Canadian Association of Swine Veterinarians, the Canadian Association of Veterinary Colleges, the Canadian Centre for Swine Improvement, the Canadian Meat Council and the Canadian Pork Council.

 

Nova Scotia Weekly Market Report: June 3, 2013 to June 7, 2013

	Price (kg)	Change	Price (cwt)	Change
Hogs	$1.8503	$0.0176	$83.93	$0.80
Sows	$1.5728	$0.0150	$71.34	$0.68
Carcass Value	$184.46	$1.75

On June 19 – 21, 2013 key players from the Atlantic region will gather together on the Dalhousie Agricultural Campus to explore the ways that our agricultural and food systems can be re-invented to improve the health of Atlantic Canadians.

Cultivating Agriculture, Food and Health will challenge participants to identify actions to better link agriculture, food and health, with a focus on improving outcomes for Atlantic Canadians. While the creation of new ideas within one field may be limited, opportunities to innovate are multiplied when players from different fields intersect. Cultivating Agriculture, Food and Health will create a space for intersections between the agriculture, food and health sectors and stimulate the kind of in-depth discussions required to work towards a common goal.

The driving force behind the forum is the recognition that while food and nutrition are now linked firmly to health, and while there are many organizations currently weighing in on the discussion of agriculture, food and health, there is still work to do in order to bring commercial agriculture and primary food production into the discussion.

Downtime is limited in a two-and-a-half day program dedicated to the rigorous sharing of ideas, insights and experiences. The first two days feature a demanding, high-value schedule of thought-provoking presentations and discussions with leaders in their fields.

On Thursday evening participants will be challenged by a special public talk on the theme “Change Dinner, Change Health, Change Atlantic Canada,” with Ellen Gustafson, Co-Founder of Food Tank: The Food Think Tank. On Friday the intense program will continue with a talk and open discussion with Ms. Gustafson, and conclude with a facilitated session on “Building Bridges.”

The unique feature of the forum is that participants will work with co-influencers from across sectors to identify ways to more effectively collaborate and move initiatives forward. Facilitated sessions and post-forum follow-up and support will help participants formulate and then implement ideas and strategies generated in the forum.

The registration fee is $295 plus HST and the deadline for registration is June 7, 2013. For more information, please contact Extended Learning at the Faculty of Agriculture at 902-893-6666, or visit the forum website at: www.dal.ca/exl.

Program Announcement

Growing Forward 2/ Homegrown Success Program will open for application on Monday, June 3rd. 

Growing Forward 2 is the next 5 year commitment by the federal, provincial and territorial governments to ensure productivity and profitability for Canada’s agricultural sector. With a focus on innovation, competitiveness, and market development.   To read the provincial press release from today’s announcement, visit: http://novascotia.ca/news/release/?id=20130529001

There will be information sessions held on Monday, June 3 in an area near you.  The information sessions will be held via video equipment on at one of the locations listed below:

• Truro, Best Western Glengarry, 7 pm
• Amherst, Wandlynn Inn, 2 pm
• Antigonish, Dept. of Agriculture Boardroom, 190 Beech Hill Rd., 2 pm
• Pictou, Pictou County Wellness Centre, 7 pm (Advocate Room, 2756 Westville Rd.)
• Mabou, Mabou Fire Hall, Rte. 19,  2 pm
• North Sydney,CB Richmond Federation Building,105 Regent St., North Sydney, 7 pm
• Yarmouth,NSCC Burridge Campus (room B147), 2 pm
• Weymouth,Weymouth Library meeting room, 2 pm
• Lawrencetown,NSCC Lawrencetown (COGS) in A/V room, 7 pm
• Kentville, Cornwallis Room, Agricultural Centre,32 Main Street, 2 pm and 7 pm

Program guidebooks will not be printed or distributed.  You could obtain a copy from your regional office (contact information listed below) or watch for the program website to be updated with the 2013/14 program guidelines.  http://www.gov.ns.ca/agri/prm/programs/development_programs.shtml

Regional office contacts for Homegrown Success and the new GF2 programing are:

• Cape Breton: 563-2000 – arccapebreton@gov.ns.ca
• Eastern: 863-7500 – arceastern@gov.ns.ca 
• Central: 893-3645 – arccentral@gov.ns.ca
• Valley: 679-6006 – arcvalley@gov.ns.ca
• Western: 638-2396- acrwestern@gov.ns.ca

Nova Scotia Weekly Market Report: May 27, 2013 to May 31, 2013

	Price (kg)	Change	Price (cwt)	Change
Hogs	$1.8327	$0.0405	$83.13	$1.84
Sows	$1.5578	$0.0344	$70.66	$1.56
Carcass Value	$182.70	$4.04