(Charlottetown, PEI)- There has been much debate over the use of biofuels taking resources away from food production and in turn raising the cost of food staples like bread and pasta. A fundraising event for the Atlantic Agricultural Leadership Program in partnership with the PEI Grain Elevator corporation, “Food vs Fuel: The Great Grain Debate” aims to bring both sides to the table for an exciting discussion around this controversial topic facing not only the agriculture industry, but society as well.

On Thursday, June 13, 2013 at the Howard Johnson Dutch Inn in Cornwall, PEI, Dr. Claude Caldwell, Professor in the Department of Plant and Animal Science at Dalhousie University and Richard Phillips, a third generation seed grain grower from Saskatchewan and the Executive Director of the Grain Growers of Canada, debate over the dilemma of diverting crops and farmland that once produced food for our family supper tables and for feed for animals, is now being produced for biofuels. Is it right or wrong?

“We’re thrilled to have Dr. Caldwell and Mr. Phillips lead the arguments for both views and will have dinner guests participate in the debate as well,” explains Lorraine MacKinnon, Chair of the Atlantic Agricultural Leadership Program.

With the world-wide demand for food increasing and the amount of available land for production is limited, should all production of cereals and oilseeds be dedicated to the production of food or left to be used as biofuels and generate alternative energy like electricity?

Food vs Fuel Dinner and Debate get underway at 6pm at the Howard Johnson Dutch Inn in Cornwall, PEI. Tickets are $60 ($25 tax receipt), available until June 6 and can be purchased online at www.agleaders.ca, by calling 506-204-5976 or at any of the 3 PEI Grain Elevator.

The Atlantic Agricultural Leadership Program develops emerging agricultural leaders to confidently shape the future of the Atlantic and Canadian rural and agricultural sectors. Through a series of workshops, seminars and study tours over an 18-month period, approximately 20 men and women working in Atlantic Canada’s agricultural and associated sectors meet to develop solid leadership skills; learn how political, cultural, social, economic and physical forces impact the agri-food industry; and, establish networks with leaders from Atlantic Canada and beyond. Proceeds from this fundraising event will go towards programming for the Class 8 emerging leaders.

Did you miss the May 4 feeder sale? Atlantic Stockyards will be holding a mini May feeder sale during their regular Thursday sale, May 30, 2013 for  producers with feeders to sell before grass. Call Sean at 902-893-9603 to pre-book.

Our AGM will be hosted at the Sunrise Merchantile, Tatamagouche, NS

Agenda:

• Welcome all New Members
• Q & A
• Update on GRUp’s Progress
• Nominations and Elections of Directors
• Sister/Brother Co-ops

We hope to see you there.  Nominations for directors will be accepted from the floor but we encourage you to please send these in advance to info@grassrootsupcoop.ca.  For more information, please visit the GRU Website

We have now officially relocated to 173 INNOVATION DRIVE, which is the new Innovation Building in Perennia Park.  This is a change from the original plan of moving to the Admin Building.

Please continue to call our regular number (902) 895-0581 or (902) 893-7455 to contact us; our phone service is temporarily setup to a mobile device so we appreciate your patience until we can establish a land line.  At this point, we do not have a concrete date of return to our offices – may be anywhere from 4-6 weeks. We thank our members for their patience during this necessary relocation.

Sale prices by lot number: MBTS 2013 Sale Results [PDF]

Sale summary by breed: MBTS 2013 Sale Summary [PDF]

Historical sale summary: MBTS Historical Sale Summary 2007 to 2013 [PDF]

Efficiency NS offers financial incentives, technical assistance and financing to make energy efficient improvements easy and affordable for your business.  We offer a range of solutions from low cost upgrades to $500,000 incentives for large projects.

Energy saving upgrades/equipment specific to the beef and dairy industries could include:

• Ventilation systems and fans (including high volume, low speed fans)
• Motors & Drives
• System Controls
• Livestock Waterers
• Heat Reclaimer Units
• Milk Pre-coolers
• Scroll Compressors
• Lighting Upgrades
• HVAC

Call Erika Wicks at 902-430-8071 or email at ewicks@efficiencyns.ca to book an initial appointment or with any questions you may have.

For sale-Purebred red angus and purebred gelbvieh cattle for sale.Cows have purebred calves or F1 cross calves,also F1 cross cows of the 2 two breeds with charolais cross calves.Fall calving cows are also available.Bulls are purebreds also and are yearlings,18 months and 2year olds-two of the gelbviehs are black.Come take a look ,we would like to help you get the most enjoyment and economic return from your farm!The Budds 506-277-1082 or kpbudd@nb.sympatico.ca

Ruth passed away in the Toronto General Hospital, Toronto ON, after 15 months awaiting a double lung transplant.

Born in New Glasgow, she was a daughter of Hazel (Archibald) Gunn, Antigonish (formerly Denver)
and the late Stewart Gunn. Ruth was employed with the Federation of Agriculture for 28 years.
She was a member of St. James Presbyterian Church, Truro. During her long illness she developed a strong and committed Christian faith. She passed on peacefully with a sure hope of where she was going.

In her earlier years Ruth was very active and participated in many activities including: Clogging, swimming, fitness, and baseball. In these activities she cemented friendships that have lasted throughout her lifetime. An extended part of these friendships was the annual “frenchy’s” trip with “the girls”. Family was always very important to Ruth and she loved each and every one dearly. She is also fondly remembered for organizing and taking her mother and her special aunts on an annual “sisters” trip. She was an avid gardener, quilter and seamstress. Her seven grandchildren were the light of her life and she was keenly interested and so proud of each of them.

She is survived by Gary, her loving and devoted husband of almost 49 years to whom her last words included “I am passing and I love you very much”; daughter, Melanie Kaiser, Truro; son, Gary “Sandy” (Darrin) Carter-Kaiser, Porters Lake; grandchildren, Caleb, Lex, Wolfgang, Reiken, Michaela, Sophie and Ava Ruth; sister, Beth (John) Dooks, Airdrie, AB; brothers, Ronnie (Ethel), Lochaber, NS, Donnie (Jenny-Lynn), Denver, NS; several cousins, nieces and nephews.

Visitation with Ruth’s family will be held from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. on Saturday, March 9 in Colchester Community Funeral Home, 512 Willow Street, Truro with funeral service on Sunday, March 10 at 3 p.m. from the St. James Presbyterian Church, 725 Prince Street, Truro, Rev. Tim Archibald and Pastor Jacquie Ross officiating. Donations may be made to the Toronto Lung Transplant Program at Toronto General Hospital or the Lung Association of Nova Scotia. A private family burial will take place at a later date in Bible Hill Cemetery. Condolences to the family may be made by visiting www.ColchesterCommunity.com