Issuu

2nd Section

2020

Mercury LEADER The Tofield

THE LAMONT

From football to farming, Kevin Lefsrud’s newest venture has culinary enthusiasts sitting up to take notice Leslie Cholowsky Viking born and raised, Kevin Lefsrud grew up on the family’s centennial farm, where they’ve been for the past 117 years, going on to play football in the CFL for seven seasons, with the Edmonton Eskimos and Montreal Alouettes, and winning three Grey Cups. When his football career ended with two concussions in a five-week period, Lefsrud, who had been farming in the football off season, returned to the farm full time. Lefsrud says, “I lost about a year and a half of memories from that period immediately afterwards,” and says he is losing more memories all the time. Kevin says his wife, Kyla, has helped him to regain his overall health, and helps him every day maintain his mental health today. “She points out what I need, she helps me out more than anything.”

He always enjoyed splitting his time between the farm and football for the challenges each brought. Now his focus between farming and a new family venture producing honey liquor products is helping him keep his brain occupied. Kevin, Kyla, and sister Lynette now operate Section 35 Farm Distillery, with Kevin taking the lead role in production and development. The name of the company is a throwback to their pioneering ancestors who settled in the Viking area in 1903, a tribute to the Lefsrud homestead on Section 35. Lynette says, “Section 35 is very special to me - it is a way for me to be in business with my family and to stay connected to our roots as fourthgeneration Albertans – farmers and business people. “I love that I get to work with my brother and promote Alberta-made products at the same time.” At present the company has two

very popular products: Wildflower is a vodka-like liquor, sitting at 36 per cent alcohol by volume, made only from honey distillate and water, and Bad Teacher, a blend of honey distillate, apple juice, vanilla, brown sugar, nutmeg, and cinnamon. About five or six years ago, neighbours Mike and Dustin Yaremcio approached him about putting some bee hives on some of his land. “Bees and canola go together, so I agreed immediately,” he says. Rent came in the form of honey, which soon started to pile up. “There’s only so much honey and toast you can eat.” He says it was around that point that he started fooling around with meads and honey wines with Mike and Dustin. “We weren’t very good at that,” he said. An unfortunate byproduct of these products was awful hangovers, too, taste testers reported. The trio started looking at other See LEFSRUD Page 9

Three-time Grey Cup winner and fourth generation farmer in the Viking area, Kevin Lefsrud, along with wife Kyla and sister Lynette, has started Section 35 Farm Distillery.

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Page 2 - 2020 Agriculture Section (The Community Press, Weekly Review, Tofield Mercury, Lamont Leader) - March 25, 2020

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2020 Agriculture Section (The Community Press, Weekly Review, Tofield Mercury, Lamont Leader) - March 25, 2020 - Page 3

We encourage you to come look at the bulls at the Snider Cattle Services Farm near Viking anytime before sale day! lot 1

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Page 4 - 2020 Agriculture Section (The Community Press, Weekly Review, Tofield Mercury, Lamont Leader) - March 25, 2020

Farmers worried about coronavirus, grain producers could be hit hardest BY JOHN MATHER Farmers are an essential service and they are doing all they can to stay healthy. For John Chomiak, he’s worried about a farm auction coming up. “We’ve got our annual bull sale coming up on Saturday (Mar. 28)” he said. “And while we are online we’re only allowed to have 50 people in the sale itself.” It’s certainly an influence on the numbers that can be in a gathering so that’s an issue. He said most of his family usually attends the sale, but because of the restriction on number only two will go this year. In addition, he said, the 4-H kids have been raising their cattle to sell at the end of April and all those sales have been cancelled. “Now the kids and their parents will have to sell those animals on

their own.” He added many auction sales could be hampered by the social distancing rules. “I know one fellow who had a sale recently and only 38 people came

had always been a large lunch associated with the sale. “That has had to be cancelled so the social aspect of the sale is gone.” Chomiak has about

any way,” he said. “They have to be careful. I can now take my animal to the vet clinic and I can pick it up, but I can’t go in with it. “I’m hoping I won’t need a vet very often

The farm has more than 1,500 calves and cows. “We use veterinarians from as far away as Westlock,” he said. “But we just maintain our distance as required.” Chomiak added one

Cattle keep warm and graze on a pile of straw at Mallica Farms near Skaro, Mar. 21. Farmers in the area are worried about the coronavirus outbreaks, but getting last seasons crop off is also a concern. Most are currenty benefitting from the drop in the cost of diesel fuel. out,” he said. “Apparently he had a good turnout on line, but it’s still risky right now.” With Chomiak’s sales still scheduled for this Saturday, he said there

200 cattle on his farm right now. “We were testing the bulls and the vet came with his own assistant and we had to stay away and we couldn’t help in

right now.” For Mark Mallica of Mallica Farms near Skaro it’s business as usual. “We just can’t shut the doors down.” He said of the cow/calf operation.

the biggest impacts on farming operations right now that he sees is the price of fuel dropping. “The price of diesel is a big saving for farmers right now,” he said.

Chomiak farms on a century farm south of Mundare that has been in his family since his grandfather homesteaded the area in 1901. Chomiak feels the grain farmers will be more affected by the coronavirus pandemic. “It’s harder to move the grain and they still have crop in the fields from last year,” he said. Neil Woitas who farms near Bruderheim agrees. “At the seed cleaning plant in Willingdon,” said Woitas, “You now drive in and the guy unloads your trailer and hands you a slip of paper through the window and you drive away. There’s virtually no contact. And in Josephburg the one guy stands fairly far away and directs you.” “I don’t know what will happen if this carries on when it comes to getting seed,” he said. “It’s going to be hard.

A Salute to our Agricultural Community, Farmers and Ranchers for all of your hard work and dedication!

Mayor, Council & Staff

VERMILION WAINWRIGHT

VEGREVILLE S T. P A U L

LAMONT CONSORT

Webb’s Machinery is proud to announce they are now the New Holland Agriculture Dealer in three new locations – Wainwright, St. Paul and Consort. We are very pleased to serve our present customers and look forward to serving our new customers. During this outbreak of Covid-19, Webb’s locations will remain open to the public for regular business and we will continue to provide you with the products you need. We thank all of our customers – past – present and future for their business and support – please be careful & stay healthy! Your dedication, planning and year round work is appreciated. THANK YOU to our agricultural community. To w n o f L a m o n t M a y o r, Council & Staff

2020 Agriculture Section (The Community Press, Weekly Review, Tofield Mercury, Lamont Leader) - March 25, 2020 - Page 5

Annual forages for grazing, silage or greenfeed Annual forages can also be used for high quality silage or greenfeed to add to next winter’s feed supply. “By seeding annual pastures, producers can give stressed perennial pastures a rest,” explained Karin Lindquist, forage and beef specialist at the Alberta Ag-Info Centre. “If those pastures are rested early in the spring and following rain, they can produce good amounts of growth later in the summer. However, if used early in the spring, those stressed pastures will be a huge disappointment this grazing year.” She said that seeding annuals needs to be done as early as possible if the goal is to graze the field. They need about six

weeks to grow before they are ready to graze. “We advise producers to hold off grazing annual cereals until the seed rows have filled in to ensure the plants are well established,” Lindquist said. “Barley or oats will give the fastest growth and the earliest grazing readiness. Winter cereals are slower to establish for grazing, but they have the benefit of growing more uniformly all summer and fall.” She added that winter cereals may even be used next spring in some areas, depending on grazing management and over-wintering conditions. “You can add to this mix or replace the winter cereal with some of the other annuals offered –

forage rape, annual legumes, warm-season grasses, turnips and radishes – for later or even fall-winter season use for silage or grazing in dry conditions,” Lindquist stated. “Seeding a mixture of spring and winter cereals may work the best as they are often easy to find. A properly balanced seeding mixture of spring and winter cereals for grazing can increase dry matter yield. It’s the same case with other annuals in place of winter cereals.” With each year’s growing conditions varying from the last, having a diverse forage mix ensures a more stable yield, but only if the forage mix is properly balanced to grow what’s desired. Lindquist said that

most forage seed companies now carry these diverse annuals but booking early is the key to getting what will work best for your particular goals. “Talk to them and ask for information so you can make the correct mix decisions for your purposes,” Lindquist added. If a producer is seeding a spring-winter cereal mixture for grazing, she recommends that the seeding rate is about 150 per cent of a normal stand. “In a 1:1 spring-winter cereal mix, seed threequarters normal seeding rate of the spring cereal and three-quarters normal seeding rate of the winter cereal,” she said. “Alter the mix accordingly to promote earlier

or later forage growth. The same principle would follow with the diverse annuals or cocktail mixes.” The brassicas should be low enough that nitrate issues or too-high sulphur levels are not an issue. Italian ryegrass needs more moisture than winter cereals, so it will not work as well in drier areas. Consider soil test results, moisture potential and projected yields when planning fertilizer application. Fertilizing after each grazing will increase yield. Grazing rotationally allows rest and recovery time for the plants, which will lead to higher yields in annual pastures. Lindquist mentioned that it is important to

supplement livestock with a high calcium mineral that contains magnesium when grazing cereals, especially as the pasture matures. “Magnesium is not highly palatable, so its consumption needs to be carefully monitored. We suggest starting the animals on the mineral at least 1 week before going out to graze. That way, the animals have adequate levels of magnesium in their system to prevent tetany, which can be triggered by the lush vegetative growth.” According to Lindquist, calcium deficiency can be an issue with cattle herds grazing cereal forages and when grain is fed. Continued on Page 6

Thank you farmers for all your hard work!

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Page 6 - 2020 Agriculture Section (The Community Press, Weekly Review, Tofield Mercury, Lamont Leader) - March 25, 2020

Continued from Page 5

“The brassicas and annual legumes address the need for a high quality forage that has higher calcium levels. Cereal feedstuffs tend to be higher in phosphorus, so the calcium-phosphorus ratio is thrown out of balance. Calcium and magnesium supplementation is crucial.” She added that if a cow herd only eats a cerealbased forage diet during summer or winter-feeding, they will need a balanced mineral supplementation for rebreeding and to prevent grass or winter tetany. “A balanced trace mineral supplementation is important if brassicas are being fed to offset potential high sulphur levels.”

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Wishing our farmers the best in the 2020 growing season!

Thank You to our Producers, who are there no matter what!

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2020 Agriculture Section (The Community Press, Weekly Review, Tofield Mercury, Lamont Leader) - March 25, 2020 - Page 7

Bee species, canola crops work well together in summer Patricia Harcourt The Canola Council of Canada wants farmers to know they can work together with the bee population. Bees apparently love canola as the flowers on this crop plant produce high amounts of nectar with good sugars for production of honey by the bees. The nutritional balance of amino acids, protein, and fats is found in the large amounts of pollen, and bees can feed efficiently on the many blooms in a field. The up side for farmers is that having bees in a canola field can increase crop production by producing quality hybrid seed. As well as higher yields, it promotes uniform flowering and earlier pod setting, the council states. There is also an increase in the number of pods per plant, seeds per pod, and the weight of the seed itself. There are many beekeeping operations in the local counties and municipal districts. And bees are doing well in Canada with more than 722,000 colonies in 2015, up from 600,000 in 2000. More than 70 per cent of these colonies are in Western Canada, where canola is one of the most important crops. Says the Canola Council, "Beekeepers seek out canola fields because they are such a good nectar/pollen source, and canola growers know it is in their best interest to protect this mutually beneficial relationship." The council says canola honey is "preferred by customers. The light colour and mild flavour make canola honey a top

choice in the marketplace. Beekeepers seek out canola fields because they are such a good nectar/pollen

source and canola growers know it is in their best interest to protect this mutually beneficial relation-

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Farmers continue to provide inexpensive and abundant food for Albertans through their modern production technology. We celebrate with pride in the accomplishments of our local farmers. We salute the dedicated men and women of our agricultural industry. Their commitment to produce a thriving variety of crops and livestock requires long hours, risk and hard work. Our hats go off to you! ~ Staff and Management

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Farmers, thank you for all that you do! ~ Irma Mayor, council, staff and residents

Page 8 - 2020 Agriculture Section (The Community Press, Weekly Review, Tofield Mercury, Lamont Leader) - March 25, 2020

Manual labour shouldn’t mean manual trauma National Farm Safety Week was from March 14-20, 2020. Keeping that in mind, it’s important to focus on issues that our “unsung heroes” face on a regular basis. Farmers and agricultural workers of all stripes are unsung heroes in our daily lives. Their

efforts to provide the nation with crops, livestock and sustainable sources of food require hard work that often includes specific safety risks. As a result, specific safety precautions must be taken. During the safety week, the Canada Safety

Council highlighted the need to keep appendages clear of moving parts in machinery. The heightened exposure that farmers have to heavy machines makes this an area in which safety has to be a high priority. “The agricultural in-

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dustry relies heavily on machinery to make jobs easier and to stay on schedule,” said Gareth Jones, president of the Canada Safety Council. “When there’s a jam, a blockage or a malfunction, there can also be a temptation to reach in and fix it without thinking. But this is where preventable injuries happen and where we need to ensure that safe operating practices remain front of mind.” Never perform maintenance of any kind on machinery that is in operation – ensure the machine is fully powered off before working on it. This eliminates the concern of unexpected movement, whether from the machine operating in-

correctly or from a jam being removed and the machine suddenly being back in motion. Here are a few more tips to apply to prevent injuries before they happen: • Identify pinch points, where two objects or more move together in circular motion, and keep appendages away. • Never wear rings while operating or repairing machinery. A machine can pull a ring off your finger at very high speeds, which can lead to the skin being torn off your finger. • Never test the temperature of gases, liquids or solids with your hands. • Sharp tools and blades, especially, should be handled with an abundance

of caution. • Wear gloves when exposed to anything that could cause chemical burns or injuries, as well as when working around anything that can cut or scrape – but steer clear of gloves around reciprocating or rotating machinery parts. Everyone feels safe up until the point of an incident, which makes it critically important to get ahead of injuries waiting to happen. Safety must be incorporated into the farm lifestyle, early and often always. Don’t let complacency or familiarity with the day-to-day operations of the farm affect your vigilance or awareness of your surroundings.

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2020 Agriculture Section (The Community Press, Weekly Review, Tofield Mercury, Lamont Leader) - March 25, 2020 - Page 9

Lefsrud Continued from Ag Front forms of honey based alcohol. “We said we had to make something that tastes better.” Lefsrud said that the licencing part of the business started in those early days of the original partnership, and took years to come about. Then he had to learn the rules, saying the rule book of don’ts is a mile wide. “There were so many factors to deal with. That’s around the time we decided to part ways while we were still all friends.” “They produce about half a million pounds of honey a year,” he says and it’s that honey that he continues to use in his production of alcohol. “There were also zoning issues, some counties allowed commercial buildings on the farm, while others then zoned the entire quarter commercial use.” Kyla was the one who eventually bought Kevin his first still, and it’s been full ahead since that point. He says it’s been a steep learning curve. “It’s really been an effort all along to keep my brain occupied. All this has been for my mental health.” He’s learned that honey flavours change depending on what the bees are eating. For his purposes, he takes the last rendering of the season, giving him the most consistent flavours unique to the flora of the Viking area. “Honey is the craziest damn thing I’ve ever worked with,” Lefsrud says. He says he’s always learned by doing, “that’s a nod to 4H,” adding that severe dyslexia is another thing he’s just learned to overcome. The search for honey based alcohol information led him to a mentor of sorts who was using honey and a still to create a vodka and an apple mix liquor. Lefsrud says, “He was generous enough to show us what to do. He encouraged me to take these products to a whole new level, he’s been a really great supporter of what we’ve been doing.” He says, “That gave us the confidence to try it on a larger scale.” Kevin says there are very few distilleries working with honey, “There are maybe 20 in all of North America.” He says most people use barley, wheat, rye, and sugar to create their alcohol. Honey ferments when you add water to it. “Wet

honey will start to ferment,” Lefsrud says, “that’s why it’s so easy to make mead. You don’t need yeast, just water.” About 21 days later, you have alcohol. He says he had to modify the stills to deal with the byproducts of distilling honey. “It’s been a five-year learning curve, and that’s still going.” Section 35 is considered a small batch producer. Lefsrud says he’s used good old farmer ingenuity to fashion canola totes into 300-gallon fermentation tanks. He uses a 100-gallon still, taking three days to go through a tote’s worth of the fermented honey mixture. “The first run is a stripping run, the second is further stripping, creating the vodka, or their vodka-inspired Wildflower liquor.” He says a third run through, with added juniper berries, would create gin. “From start to finish it’s about 25 days, using a barrel of honey, that’s 6-700 pounds, giving us 55 gallons of product.” All the bottling and packaging is done right on the farm, too. “Everything’s done by hand, nothings automated or sent away. We’re more like moonshiners, really,” he laughs. Lefsrud gives a nod to the former NDP government, under Rachel Notley, for putting through legislation that took away minimum production requirements for small brewers. “That’s why there are now so many small breweries. What that did for small businesses like mine was amazing.” Lynette says, “I’ve largely left the operations to Kevin and I focus on the sales, marketing, and finances (bookkeeping/accounting) because we are both so busy, we need to divide and conquer. “Together, we discuss the strategy of the business, what we are rolling out and when.” Section 35’s Bad Teacher liquor is created using the vodka product created by the second distilling, then adding apple juice from the Okanagan, vanilla, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Lefsrud tries to use local or Canadian ingredients as much as possible, of course including the all-important honey. “None of us are trying to get rich with this. If I can help my neighbour, and they can help us out, it’s great. A good neighbour policy helps everyone. “I found out that commercial vanilla is awful,” he adds. When he had an opportunity through the local Lutheran Church to support

fair trade produce from Uganda, he purchased 500 pounds of beans and started making his own vanilla for Bad Teacher. “That took it to a whole new level taste wise,” he says. He’s not the only one who thinks so, in 2019 Culinaire Magazine’s Alberta Beverage Awards agreed, with Bad Teacher earning Best in Class. “That really helps validate what we are trying to do.” Like farming, Lefsrud says the business is fairly seasonal, “You build up as much product as you can up to the May long weekend, with another major run before Christmas.” Section 35 uses the Alberta AGLC’s Liquor Connect program to sell their products throughout Alberta and NWT. They don’t have to worry about meeting any quotas or minimums. In addition, all three attend events throughout Alberta with tasting booths at farmers markets and fairs, and have even started doing tours through their facility. “I really enjoy that part of it,” he says. “What I enjoy is when someone tries it for the first time. There are no false impressions, your face and eyes say it immediately. I see a full, true response.” Kevin says he isn’t offended if someone doesn’t like the products. “I love their responses and feedback. That’s huge, I respect and appreciate their opinion.” For those who do like it, “There is a big ego boost, it’s very gratifying.” He says the weekend events also get him off the farm, which he also enjoys. “We do as much of it as we enjoy.” The last thing he wants is it to start to feel like work. “I do it because it’s something that brings me joy. I don’t need it as income, I don’t need it to make money. It’s not a business venture in that sense, it’s for my mental health. “This is our happy place when all hell is breaking loose.” Lefsrud says learning to make Ukrainian Kutia/ Kutya (pronounced KaChaw) with his grandmother really laid the foundation of him learning the basics of flavours, where he learned, he says, “Time becomes an ingredient.” Lefsrud says he’s working on some new products. He’s tried some honey and grain mixtures. “They didn’t work.” Section 35 is working on the development of a new spiced-rum-like liquor. “We

plan to call it Concussion,” he says. “I’ve had concussions in the thousands. Humour is a coping mechanism sometimes. I have no complaints, I did this to myself. “I enjoy who I’ve become in my healing process. That’s why I wanted to have fun with it.” Kevin isn’t the only one in the business who deals with the after effects of concussion. Lynette says, “I suffered a pretty significant concussion a year and a half ago while playing hockey. The recovery was a long process. “While I would never have asked to have had that concussion, I would say it has brought Kevin and I closer together. I better understand the effects of concussions and know that every day requires good mental health habits. I think I’ve become a much better support for him and in equal measure, him for me.” Another potential new product uses saskatoon berries and honey in a fruit stew. “It’s insanely good,” Lefsrud says, but the process is still giving him some issues. “Back to that never-ending learning curve, just when you think you’ve figured it out.” He says he’s also working

on developing a gin product, and even a tequila-like liquor by special request from friend Darryl Sutter. He says the support they’ve received has been phenomenal, and not just because he uses family and friends as taste testers. “I really appreciate the support our community gave me throughout my life and football career, and that they continue to give. “It blows me away, it’s so appreciated. I feel like people are looking out for me.” Lynette agrees: “I’ve had the opportunity to meet and get to know some pretty remarkable business people throughout my career. “I am very impressed by the resilience, creativity, and

focus of the many small businesses owners that are operating in the East Central region – from farmers to candle makers and everything in between. “I am proud to be a part of this and really appreciate the great work that is being done by so many people in the area. “I truly hope that even during this time of COVID19, that residents will buy local and celebrate all of these wonderful small businesses.” Kevin adds, “Our family has been around the area for 100 years, and during that time we’ve had support from the community. I can’t say thank you enough for that.”

Page 10 - 2020 Agriculture Section (The Community Press, Weekly Review, Tofield Mercury, Lamont Leader) - March 25, 2020

2020 Agriculture Section (The Community Press, Weekly Review, Tofield Mercury, Lamont Leader) - March 25, 2020 - Page 11

([SHULHQFHG - ,QQRYDWLYH - $IIRUGDEOH

ŚĞĐŬ ŽƵƚ ŽƵƌ E t ^d WƌŽĚƵĐƚƐ Θ ^ĞƌǀŝĐĞƐ ŽŶ ŽƵƌ tĞďƐŝƚĞ Ăƚ ͗

ǁǁǁ͘ŚŽůĚĞŶĐŽůŽŶǇ͘ĐŽŵ WŽƌƚĂďůĞ ƵŝůĚŝŶŐƐ͗ ^ƚŽƌĂŐĞƐ - KĸĐĞƐ - ĂďŝŶƐ - ŽƩĂŐĞƐ ĞůŝǀĞƌǇ Θ ^ĞƚƵƉ ůǁĂǇƐ ǀĂŝůĂďůĞ WĞƚĞƌ Λ ϳϴϬ-ϯϴϱ-ϴϳϵϴ

&Žƌ ůů zŽƵƌ DĞƚĂů ZŽŽĮŶŐ Θ DĞƚĂů ^ŝĚŝŶŐ EĞĞĚƐ͗ ŽŵŵĞƌĐŝĂů - /ŶĚƵƐƚƌŝĂů - ZĞƐŝĚĞŶƟĂů - ŐƌŝĐƵůƚƵƌĂů

ǁǁǁ͘ŚŽůĚĞŶĐŽůŽŶǇ͘ĐŽŵ

ĂƌŝƵƐ Λ ϳϴϬ-ϯϴϱ-ϴϴϭϵ tĞ EŽǁ ^ƉĞĐŝĂůŝǌĞ >ŝŶĞƌƐ &Žƌ͗ dƌƵĐŬƐ - sĞŚŝĐůĞƐ - dƌĂŝůĞƌƐ - ƵŝůĚŝŶŐƐ ZƵďďĞƌ >ŝŶĞƌƐ Θ WƌŽƚĞĐƟǀĞ ŽĂƟŶŐƐ

ǁǁǁ͘ŚŽůĚĞŶĐŽůŽŶǇ͘ĐŽŵ

,K> E K>KEz͗ 'ƵƩĞƌƐ Θ ĂǀĞƐ dƌŽƵŐŚƐ

dŝŵ Λ ϳϴϬ-ϯϴϱ-ϭϴϭϮ tĞ ĂŶ EŽǁ DĂŶƵĨĂĐƚƵƌĞ Θ /ŶƐƚĂůů 'ƵƩĞƌƐ Θ ĂǀĞ dƌŽƵŐŚƐ ŽŶ Ăůů ŽƵƌ WŽƌƚĂďůĞ ƵŝůĚŝŶŐƐ Θ ^ŚĞĚƐ ǁĞ ŵĂŶƵĨĂĐƚƵƌĞ ůů ŽůŽƌƐ Θ ƵƐƚŽŵ >ĞŶŐƚŚƐ ǀĂŝůĂďůĞ ZĞƐŝĚĞŶƟĂů - ŽŵŵĞƌĐŝĂů - ŐƌŝĐƵůƚƵƌĂů :ŽƐĞƉŚ ^ƚĂŚů Λ ϳϴϬ-ϯϴϱ-ϮϬϵϲ ǁǁǁ͘ŚŽůĚĞŶĐŽůŽŶǇ͘ĐŽŵ

ϱϬ zĞĂƌƐ ŽĨ 'ƌŽǁŝŶŐ ͊͊ - zĞĂƌ ZŽƵŶĚ ͊͊ 'ƌĞĞŶŚŽƵƐĞ - 'ĂƌĚĞŶ WƌŽĚƵĐĞ Θ DĞĂƚƐ ĂŶĚ Ă ǁŚŽůĞ ůŽƚ ŵŽƌĞ ͙ ůǁĂǇƐ &ƌĞƐŚ͘͘ ůǁĂǇƐ ǀĂŝůĂďůĞ :ŽŶĂƚŚĂŶ Λ ϳϴϬ-ϯϴϱ-ϴϯϭϯ

([SHULHQFHG - ,QQRYDWLYH - $IIRUGDEOH

Page 12 - 2020 Agriculture Section (The Community Press, Weekly Review, Tofield Mercury, Lamont Leader) - March 25, 2020

Government allowing more loan money available for producers KERRY ANDERSON Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced on Monday that the government will increase the lending capacity by $5 billion to farmers and food producers. “Starting today, farmers and producers can apply through Farm Credit Canada for the support they need to keep food growing and get it on our tables,” he said.

Further, his office said in a statement: “this will offer increased flexibility to farmers who face cash-flow issues and to processors who are impacted by lost sales, helping them remain financially strong during this difficult time.” Via Twitter, Trudeau added: “And if you’re a farmer with an Advance Payments Program loan due before April 30, we’re giving you an

extra six months to pay it back. Because you shouldn’t be worried about covering your loan payments or making ends meet during these critical months.” Farm Credit Canada Sr. Vice President Don Anderson cautioned that these are still loans and need to be repaid. “The big part now is just having the cash to get the 2020 crop in the ground” Alberta Barley Chair

Dave Bishop added that just allowing farmers to borrow more money doesn’t fix the issues that we have today. “We need the issues fixed such as transportation, trade issues… we had the harvest from hell last fall, those are the issues that need to be fixed,” said Bishop. He added that the biggest issue for farmers presently is uncertainty.

Opportunity for agriculture to be an economic driver Agriculture’s gross domestic product in Canada could reach $51 billion by 2030, up from $32 billion today, but a report released in 2019 by RBC says the right investments in people and technology need to be made. It said Canada must embrace a skills agenda and boost innovation to capitalize on the rising demand for agricultural products around the world. “Within the coming decade, there will be about nine billion people to feed around the world – over one billion more than today,” said John Stackhouse, senior vicepresident at RBC, in a news release. “Our sector is well-positioned to supply the rising demand. Canada is consistently ranked one of the world’s top five exporters, and we anticipate trade agreements with Europe, the United States and the Pacific Rim region will enable

our producers to tap into large and fast growing markets. “Feeding a hungry world presents a historic opportunity for Canada if we can figure out how to better match people, capital and innovation in the agriculture space. We believe Canada can once again be an agriculture superpower, and do it in a way that cuts greenhouse gas emissions, and supports thousands of communities that still help to define our country.” But the report said the current shortage of Canadian agriculture workers is expected to grow to an estimated 123,000 positions by 2030 and new skills are required to manage the farm of the future, as automation and new and emerging technologies become as essential to farming as water or fertilizer. “These challenges are exacerbated by a number of structural issues.

Canada’s rural population growth has remained flat for the past 30 years, which makes it harder to address labour shortages. Additionally, the bulk of the sector’s capital is held in large, illiquid assets such as farmland and barns. And high operating costs hamper a producer’s ability to invest in new technologies. These and other factors have resulted in uneven adoption and usage of advanced technologies across the country,” said RBC. The report urges: • the federal government to convene a national skills strategy for agriculture, together with employers, workers, educators and industry groups, to plan for future labour needs; • industry groups to coordinate efforts on a bold campaign to attract and retain more youth, women, Indigenous people and new Canadians in agriculture; • Canada’s work-integrated learning strategy to incorporate agriculture as a key sector, to increase exposure for non-agriculture students across the agri-food industry; • ensure all major research and development initiatives, such as the Protein Supercluster, are linked to education and skills development; the federal government should reduce barriers to high skilled immigration to agriculture, and consider a dedicated service channel under the Global Skills Strategy; accelerate the development of

industry-wide data governance standards, in accordance with Canada’s Digital Charter, to increase access to the best data and insights on food production; fulfil the federal commitment to provide high-speed Internet to the remaining 1.5 million rural and remote households within 10 years, giving them access to online learning and cloud computing; • learn and apply lessons from countries like the Netherlands, Australia and Israel on approaches to agricultural human capital; recognize agriculture’s centrality to Canada’s future health and prosperity. Mario Toneguzzi Troy Media

SALUTE OUR

AGRICULTURAL COMMUNITY , THE DEDICATION AND HARD WORK THAT IT DEMANDS .

SPRING MOVES IN ,

WE WISH EVERYONE THE BEST .

(780) 895-7620 5012 47 Ave, Lamont, AB

A salute and best wishes to our farmers & communities, for the upcoming spring season.

L IMESTONE S TOCK FARM BULLS FOR SALE POLLED HEREFORD YEARLING BULLS GELBVIEH YEARLING BULLS BLACK & RED PROVEN 2 YEAR OLD limestone180@hotmail.com

780-896-2352

780-983-5030

2020 Salute to Agriculture! Farmers, your commitment to our health and well being is appreciated. You are the backbone of our economy! Thank you for all your hard work and dedication!

St. Michael Landfill St. Michael Regional Solid Waste Commission

780-720-9880 Hours: Tuesday to Saturday - 9:00 am to 4:30 pm www.stmichaellandfill.ca

Lamont Value Drug Mart 5030 50 Ave Lamont, AB 780~895~2411

Our pharmaceutical staff is here to support and assist you & your family with your daily health care needs and questions. Well wishes to everyone Lamont Value Drug Mart Staff

2020 Agriculture Section (The Community Press, Weekly Review, Tofield Mercury, Lamont Leader) - March 25, 2020 - Page 13 20034DD0

YaraVita PROCOTE Has Covered ®

Yu Fertilizer YaraVita PROCOTE ®

•

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•

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Delivered to growers already coated onto the fertilizer so that the micronutrients are evenly distributed.

Available at Richardson Pioneer FORESTBURG AG BUSINESS CENTRE - 780.583.2476 (Junction of HWY 53 & 36)

Page 14 - 2020 Agriculture Section (The Community Press, Weekly Review, Tofield Mercury, Lamont Leader) - March 25, 2020

ALUS Canada projects highlight agricultural stewardship on a local scale Leslie Cholowsky ALUS Canada is an organization who supports community based, farmer-delivered projects that pays local farmers to retain and reconstruct natural areas such as wetlands, grasslands, riparian areas, and trees to rehabilitate life-support processes, such as water filtration and purification, nutrient cycling, and carbon sequestration, and help to restore declining biodiversity. Flagstaff County started ALUS Flagstaff in 2016, and their program focuses on encouraging landowners to create conservation projects for prairie potholes, wetlands, and other marginally productive farmland in the region. ALUS Flagstaff hopes to help protect habitat and water quality in Iron Creek and the Battle River Watershed. ALUS Flagstaff Coordinator Kelsey Fenton says that since starting up, eight projects have been approved with six landowners, with projects ranging from wetland improvement to forage management. Flagstaff County has provided the committee with an annual budget of $15,000 for projects that are shared 50 per cent with participants. The national organization says, “ALUS Canada is a national charitable organization that supports the delivery of the ALUS program across the country. ALUS was orig-

inally an acronym for “Alternative Land Use Services,” reflecting the concept that farmers and ranchers can use their land in an alternative way to produce ecosystem services that benefit Canadians. “Today, the program has evolved into a truly national and bilingual organization named “ALUS Canada” in both official languages.” ALUS payments are provided annually over a period of time to ensure ongoing stewardship. ALUS Canada also provides annual payments for the ongoing stewardship of the project, with the per-acre rates varying depending on the size and type of project, from $2 to $50 per acre available. ALUS is active in six provinces. Christine Campbell ALUS Hub Manager (West) says that Beaver and Lamont Counties have expressed interest in the program recently and adds, “We are in ongoing discussion, but neither is currently delivering an ALUS program.

Overbo Contracting Ltd.

Viking 780-336-2476

We Salute You Farmers!

IRMA INSURANCE SERVICES FARM - AUTO - HOME - COMMERCIAL

Kelly, Fay and staff

Food with Flair Donna, Jack and Staff

“ALUS Canada currently has a waiting list of communities who we hope to onboard strategically as capacity grows, so new programs are not likely to be established in the very-near future. “ She adds, “That said, if producers from those counties are interested in the ALUS program, we encourage them to reach out to their county's rural extension staff. “They may have complimentary programming currently available, and they may log interest in the ALUS program to determine how much interest they have from local producers.” ALUS Canada does not work directly with producers at this time. See ALUS Page 16

780-336-2282

Thanks to our farmers!

Ph: 780-754-2121 Fax: 780-754-2239 Email: irmainsurance@baughan.ca

IT IS OUR PLEASURE TO SERVE ALL AREA FARM FAMILIES.

WE THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU DO

Thanks to all our Farmers!

AND WISH YOU A SUCCESSFUL

Guenter’s Mechanical

GROWING SEASON!

CERTIFIED SEED FOR SALE

780-336-1330 Viking, AB 780-336-4944

Thank you to all the farmers

Viking Veterinary Clinic Call 24/7 780-336-4048 Follow us on Facebook. www.vikingvetclinic.com

Spring to do list: Cattle: Vaccinate cattle herd pre-breeding Semen test bulls & treat with Footrot Vaccine Vaccinate calves at branding or earlier

We salute farmers of today and tomorrow because they keep us fed. Without farmers and farming industries we would not be provided with the great variety of food we enjoy today.

THANK YOU! Staff, Management, & Board of the Irma Co-operative Association 780-754-3654

Wheat: CWRS - AAC Brandon - improved FHB resistance - excellent standability Yellow Peas: CDC Meadow - early maturing CDC Canary - improved standability, early maturity 6-Row Feed Barley: Trochu - Great option for grain or forage 2-Row Malt Barley: CDC Copeland - Strong demand by malting companies.

Pioneer Hi-Bred Canola Dealer! CALL TODAY FOR PRICES!

Horses: Deworm (fecal exams done in clinic) Vaccinate before going to shows, rodeos, and gymkhanas Dental checkups

Cats/Dogs: Deworm Make sure vaccinations are up to date Flea & tick prevention

Shop Local!

Phone: 780-336-2583 Cell: 780-385-4900 Box 296, Viking, AB T0B 4N0 Dealer for Brett Young Forage Seed

2020 Agriculture Section (The Community Press, Weekly Review, Tofield Mercury, Lamont Leader) - March 25, 2020 - Page 15

THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR HARD WORK! THE TOFIELD MERCURY & COMMUNITY SALUTE OUR LOCAL FARMERS! We would like to thank the farming communities and their families for all their hard work and dedication throughout the year!

Thank You! www.ryley.ca

D & D Septic Services • Vacuum Truck Service • Septic Tank Cleaning

T HANK

YOU TO OUR LOCAL FARMERS !

Ryley 780-663-2147 Camrose 780-679-9219

Thank You Farmers! 663-2038 Ryley

(780) 662-2454

We would like to say thank you to our local farmers!

780-662-4014

Shop Local / Shop our Website:

www.jamesbuiltsaddlery.ca

TILLY’S

B&M

PLUMBING AND HEATING INC

Thanks to our farmers for all their hard work.

JAMES BUILT SADDLERY

Family Dining & Pizza 780-662-3727

Buy one pizza get the second pizza half off! Thank you to all the farmers in the community!

God Bless 780-662-4325 or 780-662-4116

Thank you farmers for all that you do. It is greatly appreciated!

Tofield Agricultural Society We would like to wish our local farmers the best in the upcoming season!

Page 16 - 2020 Agriculture Section (The Community Press, Weekly Review, Tofield Mercury, Lamont Leader) - March 25, 2020

ALUS Continued from Page 14

In 2018 the Battle River Watershed Alliance recognized Flagstaff landowners Don and Marie Ruzicka with OTIS awards for their outstanding environment stewardship work. “As ALUS partici-

pants, they have restored native grasslands, enhanced wetlands, and planted buffer areas around them for wildlife habitat, which has triggered a resurgence of biodiversity on their farm.” Fenton says ALUS Flagstaff has worked with AWES (Agroforestry Woodlot Extension Society) and Hanna Seeds in the past on

ALUS projects in the region. “We are always looking for new projects and ideas created by landowners,” she says. With more than 800 participants nationwide, the ALUS program is currently

funding more than 15,500 projects they say. ALUS Canada channels funding donated by individuals, governments, foundations, and corporations to individual programs. “By investing it in farmers and ranchers

Good selection of Ornamental and Shade Trees, Fruit Trees, Shrubs & Perennials

Thank you, Farmers It can ttake k years off effort ff t and d planning l i tto b build ild a productive farm. Many exist today only because they have been passed from one caring generation to the next. It is our pleasure to pay tribute to the stability of our farming community and to those who have worked so hard to make it successful.

ORDER NOW SPRING! DAYSLAND PHARMACY FOR Call Carol 780-888-3862 Daysland, AB (780) 374-3900

who are the stewards of Canada’s working landscape.” In total, ALUS has directed $8.1 million towards projects across

the country, affecting 23,694 acres of land, with 5,391 alone last year, and 742 farmer and rancher participants.

We’re proud to be a part of this community’s farming tradition, and we care about the well-being and continued success of our local farmers. That’s why you can turn to us for quality financial advice and assistance, from affordable ag loans and farm mortgages to everyday banking needs and retirement planning.

Vision Credit Union

cmacrae503@gmail.com

Alliance Branch 780-879-3644 Daysland Branch 780-374-3951 Killam Branch 780-385-3731 Sedgewick Branch 780-384-3912

1 mile east of 872 or 3 miles west of Hardisty on Hwy 13.

Thank You to our Loyal Customers!

From Stefan Cloutier, Manager, and the Staff

What’s different about PowerRich Fertilizer When you compare the PowerRich fertilizer program with traditional fertilizer you’ll notice 3 big differences and they are:

PowerRich, along with your present nitrogen program, provides a total fertilizer. In addition to phosphorus and potassium PowerRich also provides all of the other nutrients that are either absent from your soil or in a form unavailable to your crops.

PowerRich fertilizer uses nutrients that are all compatible with one another. PowerRich uses primary, secondary and micronutrients which are compatible and are readily available to your crop.

The third main difference with the PowerRich fertilizer program and traditional fertilizer, is that rather than applying the fertilizer all in one shot, the PowerRich program is a 3 part program that is tailored to the different requirements of your crop as it grows.

Great Northern Grain Killam, Alberta

780-385-3622

VERNON ABBOTT Agent, Strome, AB

VernPhone: Abbott Ph. (780) 376-3526 Cell: email:

(780) 679-8736 vabbott@telusplanet.net

www.powerrich.com

email: www.powerrich.com powrich@gatewest.net 1-800-491-8984

1-800-491-8984

2020 Agriculture Section (The Community Press, Weekly Review, Tofield Mercury, Lamont Leader) - March 25, 2020 - Page 17

Ag safety means being safe while kicking into high gear this spring Patricia Harcourt Spring has officially, and finally, arrived on the prairies and local agriculture producers are likely chomping at the bit to get out and start work in the fields once the snow and moisture leaves. Unfortunately for some, however, their eagerness will create a safety problem. Every year results in injuries and even death for some of those working in the

agriculture sector. Safety should always be top of mind as well as the work that needs doing because, at the end of the day, staying healthy will ensure that the work continues for another day at least. Going from dawn to dusk can cause fatigue to set in as there are only so many hours in the day to get that crop in, tend to livestock, and fix machinery that breaks down. "Too many farmers

push themselves, especially during the really busy times and long daylight hours," said Kenda Lubeck, farm safety coordinator with Alberta Agriculture and Forestry. "Personal health and safety is a worker's most valuable asset - nothing should come before." Being busy sometimes means losing touch with the signals the body sends to tell a person that something isn't quite right. Being tired can af-

fect the body in many ways, including: headaches, dizziness or blurry vision; slow re-

flexes and reactions; poor concentration and judgement; feeling irritable, moody, and short tem-

pered; and aching, weak muscles or impaired coordination. See SAFETY Page 19

Shell Oil Sale at Bruce Fuel ON NOW!

Shell Rot T 15/40 Pail $70 Spirax S4 TXM Hyd. Pail $66 plus EHC & GST

Serving Your Community Since 1906

Division of Bruce Shell (1990) Ltd.

780-688-3900

612 - 2 Ave, Bruce, AB T0B 0R0 Bulk Fuels â€˘ Oils â€˘ Ag Supplies brucefuels@mcsnet.ca

Viking Auction Market Ltd. Corner of Hwy 26 & 36 780-336-2209

ES L A S E L T R CAT A L U G E 9am R t a y a d s e every Tu

Chomiak Bull Sa le March 28 Sale at 1 pm Cliff Grinde 780-336-6333 Darcy Sheets 780-336-6485 Robert Kunnick 780-336-6301 Mel Pydde 780-933-0048 Ed McCormack 780-787-0083

www.vikingauctionmarket.ca

We would like to take this time to thank all the farmers in our region, and wish them all a wonderful year.

Page 18 - 2020 Agriculture Section (The Community Press, Weekly Review, Tofield Mercury, Lamont Leader) - March 25, 2020

It’s calving season!

It takes years of back-breaking work to develop a productive agricultural business. Knowledge gained is passed on from one generation to the next and shared in the agricultural community. The contributions of farm families add immensely to Alberta’s economic growth.

Thank you farmers!

Tofield Autobody “Collision Repair Specialists” 780-662-3432 It’s calving season at the moment as cattle farmers work round the clock to make sure that everything goes smooth. Here’s Faith Shuckburgh holding a calf a few hours after her birth. Growing up on a farm, kids are a part of the 4H Clubs and participate in various chores, including showing cattle and grooming them for the local and international shows. The Shuckburgh Farms, which specializes in Maine Anjou cattle has been in the family for more than 100 years. MOUSH JOHN PHOTO

Wishing our farmers a prosperous season! Business: 780-668-7305 E-mail: dynamitecory@icloud.com Thank you to our hard working farming community for their dedication and perseverance.

780-662-0307 #101 5116 46 Ave., Parkstone Plaza, Tofield

Four Quarters of land for sale! $390,000/quarter

$390,000/quarter

RGE RD 154 TWP RD 492 & RGE RD 155 TWP RD 492 2 quarters 2 miles East of Holden

RGE RD 160 TWP RD 482 & RGE RD 155 TWP RD 482 2 quarters Southeast of Holden

MLS®# E4129265 MLS®# E4129268 MLS®# E4129258 MLS®# E4129261

Building sites with utilities on both halves.

Susan Lentz REALTOR®

780-385-5287

2020 Agriculture Section (The Community Press, Weekly Review, Tofield Mercury, Lamont Leader) - March 25, 2020 - Page 19

Safety Continued from Page 17 If these symptoms take hold, it can mean mental or physical exhaustion has set in and safety is the first thing to fly out of the window in many cases once that happens. Lubeck offers some tips to prevent this including: getting adequate sleep, eat nourishing food, stay hydrated, stop periodically

and take a break, or ease the workload with extra help. The "human factor" is what can cause farm accidents. "Your safety is about the choices you make, it just takes a moment to make a decision that could literally be the difference between life and death," she said. Another safety related issue paramount for many farmers is moving farm equipment on local roads

NOW HIRING: Seasonal Plant Labourer - Viking, AB-VIK00085

and highways to the fields where they will do the work of seeding in the spring. "The number one cause of farm related fatalities is due to machinery rollovers," said Lubeck. Brakes and tires need to be in good condition to prevent loss of control of the vehicle. That includes checking tire air pressure cuts, bumps, and tread wear. Lock a tractor's brake pedals together before entering the highway as a tractor can go into a dangerous skid if braking on one wheel sud-

denly. Heavy wagons need to be equipped with their own independent brakes. Equipment has to be made clearly visible for the travelling public to see and avoid it with the proper lighting and signage. Reflective tape and reflectors would help this during periods of dim lighting or darkness. Remove dust and clean farm equipment to increase the visibility factor, and place a "slow moving vehicle sign" at the rear of the machinery if travelling

less than 40 km/hr. Pilot vehicles should be used if the equipment is too wide to fit into one lane or tall enough to clip a power line. Also recommended is the use of hand signals between workers when moving livestock, hooking up farm implements, or dealing with an oversized load. Noise and other distractions restrict communication. "Sheer distance between workers can lead to communication breakdowns when working on a farm, said

Raelyn Peterson, farm safety coordinator with Alberta Agriculture and Forestry. "Equipment or machinery can make it impossible to hear someone, even if the person is yelling. In cases like that, hand signals can get a message across and be an effective way to communicate." Lubeck says the way to build a solid health and safety system on the farm is to identify and assess the variety of hazards that workers are exposed to on a daily basis.

Required: • Must be legally entitled to work for Cargill in Canada. • Must be able to read/write English. • Basic computer skills. • Ability to work overtime.

From seeding g to ship pping pp g g,,

• Ability to perform physical tasks that require climbing, lifting, bending/stooping, shoveling, and pulling from heights in varying climates and environmental conditions including indoors, outdoors, and dusty environments. • Ability to lift 50lbs. • Mechanical aptitude with the ability to operate, service, and troubleshoot machinery. Preferred: • High School diploma or Equivalent. • Excellent customer service skills. • Strong written and verbal communication skills. • Strong time management skills with the ability to prioritize tasks and follow up. • Able to work independently at times. • Mechanical aptitude with the ability to operate, service, and troubleshoot heavy equipment. • Previous experience working within an agricultural, industrial, or retail environment. Cargill is an equal opportunity employer and committed to providing accommodation to our job applicants with disabilities. To learn more or to apply, please visit the link below: https://cargill.taleo.net/careersection/jobdetail.ftl?job=VIK00085&lang=en

BETTER TOGETHER

Iron Creek Vet Hospital is wishing everyone a safe and successful calving season!

(780) 384-0003 • 24 Hour Emergency Service • #8 Spruce Drive P.O. Box 174

Sedgewick, AB. T0B 4C0 www.ironcreekvet.ca

Salute to Agriculture!

We’ve watched farming advance from ploughs to precision combines. Across a century of agriculture, one thing hasn’t We know relationships are the cornerstone of our business; we’re proud to be part of the informed decisions on your farm.

with a big

(780) 583-2476

Find us at

www.PARRISHANDHEIMBECKER.com

Dakota Crop Inputs Sedgewick, Alberta

Viking Grain and Crop Inputs

780-384-2265

780-336-2413

Page 20 - 2020 Agriculture Section (The Community Press, Weekly Review, Tofield Mercury, Lamont Leader) - March 25, 2020

Alberta research sheds light on how wetlands impact water quality and support agriculture For more than a decade, researcher Pascal Badiou’s expertise in water – and more specifically, what’s in the water – has been nurtured on the rich landscape of the Prairies. “Like kids and puddles – I have an unbreakable attraction to aquatic ecosystems,” says Badiou, a research scientist with DUC’s Institute for Wetland and Waterfowl Research. But it’s his recent work in Alberta’s parkland region that is providing some important food for thought for farmers, especially those who are considering draining their wetlands. “Canadian Prairie wetlands are the single-most understudied aquatic ecosystem in the world. “Our previous work in Saskatchewan and Manitoba has shown that wetlands are great at dealing with contaminants. “The Alberta-based project supported these findings and helped to quantify just how important these ecosystems are for regulating water quality and quantity.” During the last three years, Badiou and his team focused on the Camrose Creek Watershed and the Battle River Watershed, an area of land covering 30,000 square kilometres in east central Alberta. While the first two years of the Camrose Creek project had some challenges with minimal snowpack resulting in little water running off the land, the third year, with more significant snowpack, gave the team their best opportunity to monitor water headed downstream. The results were telling. Key findings of the Alberta-based research project included: -Wetland loss in the Camrose Creek watershed has greatly expanded the contributing area of the watershed. This means that more water from a larger surrounding area is coming into the watershed. While wetland loss in the Camrose Creek watershed is moderate as compared to other prairie watersheds, it is approaching a critical threshold. Continued losses will impact the watershed’s ability to handle extreme precipitation and will contribute to nutrient loading in downstream rivers and lakes. Existing wetlands in the Camrose Creek watershed provide $1.8 million in social benefits, including $1.2 million in flood benefits. (Pattison-Williams, J.K. 2018. A Business Case for Wetland Conservation in the Camrose Creek Watershed.) Prairie wetlands like those in Camrose Creek watershed are important regulators of water quality and water quantity. When wetlands are lost, the watershed’s ability to hold heavy amounts of precipitation is reduced. This contributes to flooding and increases the volume of harmful nutrients, including phosphorus, that flow downstream via runoff.

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From Flagstaff County Council and Staff