March 9 - Closing Markets

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-> ONTARIO PORK REPORTS:
TOTAL SALES = 17,461
FOR A = 2 DAY TOTAL OF = 42,674
THAT'S = down 2,391 FROM LAST WEEK.
THE AVERAGE PRICE WAS = $1.38/kilogram
THAT'S up a cent from Monday
THE U-S NATIONAL COST PRICE = $74.31 U-S, DRESSED WEIGHT
That's up $1.07
FORWARD CONTRACT PRICE FOR June-July DELIVERY IS $153.15
WHICH IS down $1.55
ESTIMATED SALES FOR Wednesday = 18,000
AT = $1.38/kilogram

-> ON THE CHICAGO BOARD OF TRADE:

CORN FUTURES:
March down 5 and a half at 3.58 and a half
May down 6 at 3.69

SOYBEAN FUTURES:
March up 1 at 9.41 and a half
May down a half at 9.47 and a half

WHEAT FUTURES:
March down 6 at 4.78 and a half
May down 5 and a half at 4.89 and a half

-> FROM DAUPHIN FEED AND SUPPLY, THE 48% SOYBEAN MEAL QUOTE, F-O-B HAMILTON = $325/tonne

-> CLOSING LOCAL GRAIN PRICES FROM SNOBELIN FARMS:

Note there's a basis change for old corn and for old and new soys.

09 CROP CORN = down 1 at 3.69/BU
2010 CROP CORN = down 6 at 3.87/BU
2011 CROP CORN = down 9 at 4.03/BU

09 CROP SOYS = up 5 at 9.23/BU
2010 CROP SOYS = up 2 at 8.63/BU
2011 CROP SOYS = up 1 at 8.71/BU

09 CROP SOFT RED WINTER WHEAT = down 5 at 3.95/BU
2010 CROP SOFT RED WINTER WHEAT = down 6 at 4.22/BU
2011 CROP SOFT RED WINTER WHEAT = down 4 at 4.99/BU

Local Food Key Ag Reference In Throne Speech

The one reference to agriculture in this week's provincial throne speech talked about creating new opportunities to buy local food.
Agriculture Minister Carol Mitchell says the government sees it as an opportunity for the province's farmers.

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Mitchell says in some countries the retailers share information with the agricultural community to help line up what's being produced with what consumers are asking for.

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She says local processors can help match what farmers are producing with what consumers want to buy.

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Creating new opportunities to buy local food and opening up new markets outside the province were the key references to agriculture in this week's provincial throne speech.

Major Expansion For Western Fair Farm Show

Big changes for this year's Western Fair Farm Show.
The show is expanding into the new Western Fair Agriplex facility.
Spokesperson Heather Blackwell says that means a big boost in exhibitors.

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Blackwell says the Agriplex expansion also allows for some ride-and-drive and more hands-on exhibits.

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Blackwell says they've also got a Vintage Machinery show set up for opening day.

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Other new events at this year's show include a rodeo on March 11th and 12th.
The Western Fair Farm Show runs March 10th to the 12th in London.

Organic Funding From Ottawa

The federal government is putting 170 thousand dollars into the organic sector.
The Organic Trade Association is getting about 118 thousand of that to participate in international trade shows, develop promotional materials and build a long-term international strategy for the organic sector.
The Canadian Organic Growers Association is getting almost 50 thousand dollars to develop a strategy for determining how current on-farm food safety systems can best meet the specific needs of organic agriculture.
The federal government says the Canadian organic retail market was valued at close to 2 billion dollars in 2008.
That's a 66 per cent increase from it's 2006 value.

Field To Table Nutrition Month Theme

A major Canadian food service provider is playing a big role in Nutrition Month.
Compass Group Canada has about 14 hundred cafes and cafeterias in schools, businesses, hospitals and other institutions across the country.
Spokesperson Donna Bottrell says they see the annual March Nutrition Month campaign as a great educational opportunity.

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Nutritionists are using Nutrition Month to push the value of food products from right here in Canada.
Bottrell says one of the points they want to make with consumers this month is that frozen vegetabls can be more nutritious than fresh during the winter months.

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She says part of the effort will include passing along important food facts to consumers.

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Bottrell says some this year's Nutrition Month packages will also include recipes showing how to spice up some of the healthy food choices for those who assume anything healthy has to be boring.

NDP Critic Says Budget Bad News For Family Farms

The federal NDP Agriculture Critic says the recent federal budget ensures that the number of family farms in this country will continue to decline.
Alex Atamanenko says the Conservatives appear to be oblivious to the fact that farm income programs are still failing to be bankable and responsive to farmers needs.
He says the budget showed no commitment towards a national food strategy and fails to nurture the local food movement.
Atamanenko is also critical of what the Conservative government calls it's determination to providing a marketing choice to barley and wheat producers.
He sees that as an attack on the Canadian Wheat Board - an attack he says will be welcomed by U-S grain companies eager to replace Canadian wheat, durum and barley in our export markets.

Scholarships To Explore Ag Topic Of Your Choice

Here's a chance to get some money to explore topics of your choice in agriculture, land management, horticulture or the food chain.
Applications are now open for the 2011 Canadian Nuffield Farming Scholarship.
They're due the end of April.
The 15 thousand dollar scholarships are awarded to enthusiastic individuals between the ages of 25 and 45.
The scholars have to complete their projects within two years of the award and are required to travel and study for a minimum of two months in total.
You can get more information and application forms through the Nuffield Canada website - www.nuffield.ca.

4-H Lottery Winner From Perth

A St. Marys man is the winner of a 4-H lottery.
Bob Ready of St. Marys took first prize in the Gateway to the North lottery draw held by the Region 1 4-H Council.
His prize is a utility vehicle donated by Kubota Canada.
Proceeds from the lottery will benefit delegates attending the Northern Ontario Outdoor Leadership Adventure Camps in July.
The five camps are open to delegates from across the province, 40H members and their friends ages 10 to 21.
You can get a registration form for one of those camps through the 4-H Ontario website.