October 7, 2011
Shellbrook Chronicle Page 7
Agriculture The real threat of climate change Climate change is one of those issues which held media attention for a time, and while very little has been resolved regarding its impact, is now garnering less attention because public interest is fleeting on almost everything these days. As a result, media tends to act much like a bunch of hummingbirds, flittering from one story to another in order to try to hold public attention. In the case of climate change the public has not just turned off interest in the situation, but has actually been left questioning the validity of the concern being shown. The reasons the public have been left questioning the situation are varied. To begin with climate change was initially heralded as global warming. In northern climates the thought of warmer winters isn’t exactly one which
sounds particularly threatening, and some very cold weather soon leaves people laughing at the idea of global warming. The terminology had evolved to that of climate change, but by that time public interest had waned. There is also the problem that climate change is not something anyone sees as an immediate threat. Generally the experts are talking about the real impact beginning to manifest itself more toward the middle of the century. Yes there are things happening now, a reced-
Western Canadian farmers are sowing most Prairie acres with established varieties, according to results of the CWB’s 2011-12 variety survey. Harvest and Lillian remain the preferred choice for Canada Western Red Spring wheat (CWRS) varieties among Prairie farmers. Harvest, known for improved sprouting resistance, now accounts for 17.6 per cent of total CWRS acreage. Lillian, favoured for wheat stem sawfly management, fell behind slightly to 17.4 per cent. \The survey also reveals a trend towards the rapid adoption of newer varieties with wheatmidge tolerance. Unity
VB jumped from 1.6 to 6.6 per cent of total seeded CWRS acres and Goodeve VB broke the top 10 with 3.1 per cent, up from 0.7 last year. More than 5,000 farmers participated in the CWB’s annual variety survey by indicating the wheat, durum and barley varieties they seeded in the spring. This information is used to determine how variety trends align with customer requirements for milling, baking and brewing, and to assist farmers with variety selection. Full results and online analysis tools are available at www. cwb.ca/variety. For Canada Western Amber Durum (CWAD), Strongfield remains the
strong favourite among farmers, increasing from 60.2 to 65.8 per cent of total durum acres. Shortly after its introduction in 2006, Strongfield quickly became the popular choice for its strong agronomic yield performance. For two-row malting barley, AC Metcalfe acreage declined, but maintains it status as the preferred choice, with 54 per cent of total two-row seeded acres. CDC Copeland remains the second-highest preference, with 26 per cent of acres. For six-row barley, farmers are increasingly turning to Legacy, while Tradition dropped 6.8 percentage points to capture 14.9 per cent of six-row acres.
The Canadian Cattlemen’s Association (CCA) is pleased to receive Government of Canada funding of up to $318,930 for a research project aimed at identifying bovine tuberculosis (TB) tests that are more reliable and costeffective than those presently in use. The funding from the Canadian Agricultural Adaptation Council will assist the Beef Cattle Research Council-led project to evaluate commercial tests for bovine TB developed by diagnostic companies, and identify those tests that provide a rapid, reliable
and accurate diagnosis. Rapid, simple, inexpensive blood tests for bovine TB in cattle, for use as single tests or as a panel of tests in combination, would improve our ability to detect and eradicate bovine TB, said CCA President Travis Toews. “These tests may assist in achieving the final eradication of bovine TB from livestock sooner than is currently possible with existing tools,” he said. Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz made the announcement during the CCA’s annual Fall Picnic on Parliament Hill. The
event, a perennial favourite amongst Members of Parliament (MPs) and political staffers, enables the CCA to deliver its priority policy issues directly key influencers in Ottawa. Cattle producers from across the country were at the event to discuss issues including: government funding for research and market development, activities to open foreign markets, reduction of input costs and regulatory compliance, as well as the evolution of business risk management programs.
Calvin Daniels On Agriculture
ing ice cap which could destroy polar bear populations, insect pressure in Canadian forests, and more severe weather, such as one-in-a-century storms hitting the Canadian Prairies, but the real threat seems something much more distant. In my own case, something that may hit in 2050, is a little bit more difficult to focus on since I will need to hit 90 to be there to see it. Yes there is concern for future generations, but the sharpness of the threat is still dulled. \In terms of climate change there is
Tried and true grain varieties
Funding for Bovine TB test
also something of a feeling of helplessness for the individual. When you read about governments being reluctant to take the big steps necessary to affect the factors leading to climate change, the impact of an individual seems to be of little use. \Until the world leaders in countries such as the United States, China, India and other major nations go after major greenhouse gas emitting industries, change will not happen at a rate to change the trend. What we do on an individual basis, while important as a statement of concern through selfaction, it will not make up for coal generated electric plants spewing dangerous chemicals into the atmosphere. Businesses won’t do it
without a government push. The costs of reversing emissions is simply too high and will impact bottom lines too much to be carried out voluntarily by most. The same can be said for most individuals too. We often do not make the wisest choices in terms of our environment unless pushed in that direction through tax rebates and
forced environmental fees initiated by government. Climate change is real, and until we all become more proactive, and that includes government, there is a feeling it is also inevitable, and that has the public often left trying to ignore the situation on some fanciful hope it will just go away, which of course it will not.
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DEBDEN: 144.83 ac. - 30 cult. + 80 tame grass, bal. yard/slough/native grass/bush, some fencing, wells, watering trough, watering bowl, quonset, barn, shed, well gravelled yard, 3,640 sq. ft. 2 storey home. Located next to highway! DEBDEN: 159.33 ac. - 40 tame grass, bal bush/pasture/slough, perimeter fencing, dug out, new/old scale assess 9,800/680. 1 1/2 mile from Sturgeon River & Prince Albert National Park! DEBDEN: 319 ac. NE-12 (new scale assess. 25,700, 120 ac. tame grass, yard site with misc older buildings and older 2 storey house, well, 2nd very old house), SW-7 (new scale assess. 20,500, 60 ac. tame grass, overlooks Keg Lake). MONT NEBO: 608 ac. - 70 cultO+Lsome S D tame grass, bal. native pasture, wells, small lake, creek, old yard site (power & phone sites), buildings, house. PARKSIDE: 225 ac. - 152 seeded to alfalfa, borders Kinnaird Lake (1 mile of frontage), old scale assess. 10,925/160 ac. SHELLBROOK: 157 ac. - 115 grass, 42 bush/coulee/yard, fenced, wells, watering bowls, 22,600 bu. steel grain storage, quonset, calving barn, shed, corrals, other misc. smaller outbuildings, bungalow home. SHELLBROOK: 281 ac. - 161 pasture, bal. bush, fenced, dugouts, small gravel pit, old yard site, power runs through property, avg. new/old scale assess. 17,081/1,490 per 160 ac. SHELLBROOK: 762 ac. - 150 hay/alfalfa, 240 sprayed in 2010 for 2011 cultivation, 260 ac. scheduled to be sprayed SOLD in 2011, small lake, fenced with some cross fencing, avg. new/old scale assess. 46,820/4,045 per 160 ac. SPIRITWOOD: 7,960 ac. - 5,971 deeded + 1989 leased, 2,288 tame grass, bal. pasture, all fenced & cross fenced, large alleys linking several pastures, well, dugouts, many smaller lakes, hydrants, watering bowls, 7,500 bu. steel grain storage, shop, barn, corrals, 1,008 sq. ft. home. STUMP LAKE: 160 ac. - 80 tame grass, bal. creek/trees/bush/native grass, perimeter fenced, new scale assess. 39,800 per 1/4, power & phone only 1/2 mile away. Close to Prince Albert National Park & 1 Mile from Sturgeon River! STUMP LAKE: 185 ac. - 162 deeded + 23.5 leased, 145 cult, 23.5 bush, bal. yard site (power/telephone/several older buildings), dugout, well, bungalow. ½ mile of Filion Lake frontage! STUMP LAKE: 390 ac. - wells, dugouts, watering bowls, watering tires, 16,600 bu. steel grain storage, shop, barn, cattle shed, Hy Qual cattle processing facility, 1,200 sq. ft. bungalow. STUMP LAKE: 787 ac. - 159.87 deeded + 627.59 leased, 150 tame grass, bal. pasture & bush, all fenced, approx. 2 miles of Sturgeon River frontage, dugouts, seasonal creek, avg. old/new scale assess 1,155/22,220 per 160 ac. STUMP LAKE: 1,786 ac. - 1,695 deeded + 91 leased, 835 tame grass with additional 110 ac. of cultivated land, bal. native grass/bush, seven ¼s buffalo fence, bal. 4 wire barb, well, dugouts, creek, Sturgeon River spring, 10,000 bu. steel grain storage, yard site-shop, machine shed, sea can. Gravel Deposit!
For all of your buying or selling needs contact KEVIN JARRETT -- Cell: 306-441-4152
LANE REALTY CORP.
Saskatchewan’s Farm & Ranch Specialists™ Ph: (306) 569-3380
Email: lanerealtycorp@sasktel.net
To view full color feature sheets for all of our CURRENT LISTINGS - visit our website at:
www.lanerealty.com