Farm focus november

Farm Focus of Atlantic Canada

© copyright 2012

Vol. 41 No. 11

PM40064924

November 2012

Published Monthly

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HST Inc.

THIS MONTH

Where is 4-H now?

By NANCY RALPH Mary Lester wasn’t shy expressing her feelings about 4H at its 81st annual meeting held earlier this year in St. John’s, Newfoundland & Labrador.

Full story Page 14

Perennia Innovation Centre officially opens in Bible Hill

By HARRY SULLIVAN Truro Daily News [Bible Hill, NS] - Experimental farming efforts in Nova Scotia took a step forward today (Oct. 12) with the opening of the new Perennia Innovation Centre in the former AgriTECH Park.

Full story Page 2

Minas Basin Pulp and Power mill to close

By ASHLEY THOMPSON Hants Journal Minas Basin Pulp and Power Limited’s mill in Hantsport (Nova Scotia) is closing in mid-December.

Full story Page 3

Johne's disease control in Atlantic Canada reaches milestone Johne's disease control in Atlantic Canada recently achieved a significant milestone. More than 60 per cent of the approximately 700 dairy herds in the region have enrolled in a surveillance and management program to reduce disease impacts.

Full story Page 6

New Brunswick releases biomass resource maps

The 2012 inductees into the Atlantic Agricultural Hall of Fame are: (back row from left): Case van Dyk, Robert Thériault and Mary Lester. In the front row is Bert Dykerman. Profiles on the inductees can be found on pages 9, 10 and 11. (Photo courtesy of the Hall of Fame)

Vegetable growers endure odd weather season

By DAN WOOLLEY

A set of resource maps and an accompanying report were released Oct. 22 showcasing potential locations to develop biomass resources for energy co-generation in New Brunswick.

Full story Page 23

COLUMNS Capital Ideas .............................................................25 The Cultivator ............................................................19 Nutrient Management Corner ..................................... 7

Maritime vegetable growers endured some very wide swings in weather conditions in 2012.

"We’re just finishing potatoes today (Oct. 26), Buzz Harvey of Harvey’s Big Potato in Maugerville, New Brunswick reported.

His potato harvest was "a middling yield" with about 25-30 acres in storage and the potatoes are small this year. Because of wet soil conditions it has been tough harvesting them.

Harvey said it took about two hours to fill just

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one wagon, rather than the usual 45 minutes.

He had nice carrots this year; but there was a lot of cracking in those harvested most recently. " I have never had that before."

Harvey said his cauliflower and broccoli dried up during the prolonged summer dry spell.

The grower believed he got through the dry period as well as he did because of his farm’s location on low-lying interval land next to the Saint John River.

Harvey seeded tomatoes on four different dates during the spring, the latest on May 10.

He expected that last planting to ripen by early September; but it ripened at the same time as the three earlier plantings by mid-August.

He had a good yield of squash, but porcupines, ground hogs and deer harvested a lot of it. Black bears also helped themselves to his sweet corn and he lost the last acre just before harvest to bear predation.

Eddie Dykerman, his brother Gerald and nephew, Travis, farm nearly 300 acres at Brookfield Gardens near North Wilshire, Prince Edward Island Continued on page 7

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• November 2012

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www.atlanticfarmfocus.ca • THE FARM FOCUS

Perennia Innovation Centre officially opens in Bible Hill

Maxim Marchand had a wonderful time at this year’s Maritime Fall Fair and is already making plans for 2013. Max, who lives in Halifax, is the son of Craig Marchand and Hailey Bishop. (Photo: Contributed)

By HARRY SULLIVAN Truro Daily News [Bible Hill, NS] - Experimental farming efforts in Nova Scotia took a step forward today (Oct. 12) with the opening of the new Perennia Innovation Centre in the former AgriTECH Park.

The $9.2 million facility is intended to provide a facility for Nova Scotia entrepreneurs to help them develop and launch bio-resource products in the marketplace, build their businesses and create jobs.

"These companies recognize the bounty of our land and our sea and the potential to create new products or new technologies," said Rosalind Penfound, the province's deputy minister of agriculture and chairwoman of the Perennia board of directors, during grand opening ceremonies held at the site Friday morning.

"And we recognize the potential of these companies to help our agriculture and other industries to be profitable and sustainable, which is good for all Nova Scotians," she said.

Beth Densmore, president of the the Nova Scotia Federation of Agriculture, which is based in Truro, described the facility as being "a good step forward for agriculture" in that the innovation centre will be available to test new ventures and products to help reduce the

burden of setup and lab expenses for agricultural entrepreneurs.

"I've seen both the challenges and the opportunities that are out there for farm families," said Densmore, of farmers who are attempting to develop value-added products from their operations.

"Many times however, great ideas and product development are halted by expensive start up costs, particularly in research and development. Having the innovative centre available to test new ventures and products will be good for our agricultural entrepreneurs," she said.

The facility is designed as a business incubator to help companies that work with plant, animal or marine-based resources to create new products. It is housed in a 25,000square-foot, environmentally friendly building in Perennia Innovation Park and leases space that can be custom designed to meet clients' needs, as well as labs and other spaces that can be used on a fee-for-service basis.

The centre was built with $5.9 million in provincial funding and $3.3 million in federal funding, including money from the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency and the federal-provincial AgriFlexibility agreement.

A variety of initiatives are currently underway at the site, including the development of such products as a hot pepper fish sauce (popular in west Africa), blush natural fruit drinks made from strawberry/rhubarb and grapefruit/rhubarb combinations, paints that use extracts from weeds for colouration, cheese and seaweed products and genetic work aimed at improving breeding rates in cattle, to name a few.

"They'll put their heads together, they'll chew on those ideas and they will say 'I wonder if we can do this or that,'" Agriculture Minister John MacDonell said, during the event, of Perennia's clients.

"Together, they will take their ideas and sketch out the possibilities. They will innovate, trying this and tweaking that until eventually they make a discovery that creates something new. They bring the idea to life."

At point, the creation of such ideas will be accelerated, refined, packaged and prepared for launch it into the market place, he said.

"And with every step they take, they are helping to strengthen Nova Scotia's agriculture industry."

Perennia Innovation Centre facts: The centre is a 25,000 sq.-ft., environmentally friendly facility designed to support the commercialization of primary agricultureand marine-based inputs into high-value chain products.

It's aim is to help bio-resource companies with such things as determining feasibility of their products to producing small runs and full commercialization.

Total cost for the centre is $9.2 million of which $5.9 million was through provincial funding and $3.3 million in federal funding.

Nova Scotia has approximately 4,000 farms, which employ 5,200 people.

The province's agriculture brings in nearly $540 million in farm cash receipts annually as well as $229 million in international exports.

THE FARM FOCUS • www.atlanticfarmfocus.ca

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Minas Basin Pulp and Power mill to close

By ASHLEY THOMPSON Hants Journal Minas Basin Pulp and Power Limited’s mill in Hantsport (Nova Scotia) is closing in midDecember.

Incoming Mayor Rob Zwicker says he was informed that the board of Scotia Investments Limited felt it was no longer “feasible” to keep the mill running on Nov. 1, the same day employees were notified of the decision.

“It’s a pretty sad day in the town,” Zwicker, an engineer with CKF Inc., said in an interview.

He says the closure will impact 135 jobs, but there has been talk that as many as 40 people may be able to find work “across the street” at CKF. “I just want (people) to know that Scotia Investments, basically the Jodrey family, have been great employers for this area for a number of years. They’re not cutting and running, they’re working to get employment for their employees, they’re doing the best that they can.”

Zwicker estimated that Minas Basin Pulp and Power pays about $275,000 in taxes to the Town of Hantsport annually. For a town already coping with the significant reduction in tax revenue that resulted from the closure of Fundy Gypsum, Zwicker admits losing yet another major employment centre within the town is troubling news.

“It has the potential to put further burden on the town and then we’ll have to work through that.”

He says his “heart goes out” to the employees impacted by the closure.

A memo Scotia Investments Limited distributed to employees Nov. 1 says it has been a struggle to keep the mill open for this long.

“With last year’s restructuring of operations and adjusting of the workforce, many have remained hopeful that, together with some recent improvement in pricing, the mill could be competitive. However, after several years of challenge, the board has concluded that it is time to recognize that the mill is at the end of its cycle,” the memo, signed by President and CEP Archie MacPherson, reads.

“Long term sustainability cannot be achieved. Like most other mills in this sector, we continue to experience marketplace challenges, increased competition (using newer, more efficient technology) and rising costs of operation.”

The memo says Scotia Investments will attempt to assist the impacted employees through the transition.

“We are in touch with our own member companies and other employers throughout the entire region, as many of our employees have qualifications that would be considered by others to be valuable assets.”

The memo to employees says Minas Basin Pulp and Power’s energy division will continue, and its sister company, CKF. Inc, is in line for an expansion.

“It is important to note that we are not leaving the paper or packaging industry,” the prepared statement says.

“We are re-focusing within the paper sector on those areas in which we can confidently succeed.”

Wayne Folker, Hantsport’s outgoing mayor, says it is his understanding the buildings used

by Minas Basin Pulp and Power will not be sold.

“Most taxation revenues are from buildings only now… machinery and equipment tax was eliminated so the new council will have to sit down and discuss this with the owners and their representatives and so on as to what the implications on the taxes will be, but I’ve been told that the buildings will still be there so there probably will be tax revenue continued with those,” he said in a brief phone interview Nov. 1.

Folker, who worked for Scotia Investment’s Hantsport-based companies for 49 years, said he was “taken aback” when he learned the 85year-old mill was closing.

“It’s quite a shock to all of us, especially on the heels of Fundy Gypsum and what went on there… we’ll just have to wait and see when the smoke clears as to what’s going to be involved and just how it’s going to affect us.”

Hants West MLA Chuck Porter issued a press release criticizing the NDP’s jobsHere initiative the afternoon word spread of the mill’s impending closure.

“Today we have 135 new examples that prove the NDP’s jobs plan has been a complete and total failure,” he said.

“The Minister of Economic Development’s suggestions that his jobs plan is working is a

slap in the face to the workers who have lost jobs.”

Thousands of jobs have been lost outside of Halifax in the last three years, Porter notes in the release. He cites high taxes and rising power costs as cause for concern.

“My thoughts today are with the workers and their families who have received terrible news,” the Conservative MLA continues in the prepared statement. “Hope for the future is hard to come by while our province keeps going in the wrong direction.”

The late R.A. Jodrey founded Minas Basin Pulp and Power Company Limited in 1927.

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EDITORIAL

• November 2012

www.atlanticfarmfocus.ca • THE FARM FOCUS

EDITORIAL:

Foodbank use continues to grow The harvest is completed and the land is ready for its winter sleep. But despite the crops and their impressive yield, sadly, the number of Canadians who depend on foodbanks continues to grow.

The Food Bank Canada’s Hunger Count 2012 report said 882,000 people rely on foodbanks every month— and 38 per cent of them are children. That’s an increase of 2.4% from last year.

Reverend Charlotte Ross told the Amherst Daily News that she’s seen an increase in the number of pensioners depending on the foodbank. ’”Many of these people are on fixed incomes, but prices are continuing to increase,”’ the Amherst Food Assistance Network head said.

While younger people were leaving for the jobs in the west others, ”especially older clients”, quickly replaced them. ’”No one wants to use the food bank, but there are situations when there is no other choice,”’ Ross said.

In March, 23,561 Nova Scotians were assisted by foodbanks; 32.6% were under 18. That’s up 4.7% since 2011.

Over the last four years the number of people relying on foodbanks in the province has risen by 39.3%.

The increase in foodbank use in Prince Edward Island was 10% higher in March than it was a year ago and the numbers have grown 17.8% since 2008.

A total of 3,406 Islanders used foodbanks in March—34.1% of them children.

In four years the number of New Brunswickers who depend on foodbanks has climbed 24.8%.

In March, 19,524 visited foodbanks—32% were children.

That’s up 5.6% from 2011.

The numbers have dropped in Newfoundland & Labrador. While an estimated 27,044 people used a foodbank in March, that number is down 1,598 (5.6%) from last year.

But 38.8% of the users were children.

The Hunger Count report noted that across the country almost 93,000 people used a foodbank in March for the first time.

It pointed out that for most Canadians the foodbank is an emergency resource utilized for a short period of time.

The report made 5 recommendations for federal and provincial governments to: • Increase affordable housing • Increase social investment in northern Canada • Ensure adequate pensions for our most vulnerable citizens • Invest in supportive, quality social assistance programs • Act to address the decline in well-paying jobs While the numbers of foodbank users has increased so has the work of those determined to alleviate that need. We’d like to salute all the organizations, all the companies, and all the people who fill foodbank shelves.

Thank you.

FCC Drive Away Hunger collects over 1.4 m pounds of food and $760,000 Farm Credit Canada has concluded its most successful Drive Away Hunger program to date, with more than 1.4 million pounds of food and $760,000 raised for food banks nationwide. The support of a record number of partners (393), schools (307), as well as hundreds of volunteers and thousands of generous Canadians were critical to the program’s success.

All 100 FCC offices across Canada collected food and cash donations throughout the duration of the campaign. As part of these efforts, tractor tours took place in New Brunswick, Alberta, Quebec, Ontario and Saskatchewan and at FCC’s corporate office in Regina.

“I’m so pleased to announce that in the Atlantic provinces, we raised 48,460 pounds of food and $29,814 for food banks across the four provinces,” Faith Matchett said. “Food collected

during the tour ranged from pasta to cereal, soup and canned vegetables. FCC is grateful to Atlantic citizens for their generous help and contributions.

It is always a privilege to tour through the communities and witness firsthand the enthusiasm shown to those who struggle to put food on the table. We applaud the agriculture community for giving and engaging wholeheartedly once again,” the FCC Vice-President of Eastern Ontario and Atlantic Operations noted.

In conjunction with Drive Away Hunger, FCC donated $50,000 to Food Banks Canada. Half will be dedicated to the Rural Support Program that provides additional support and resources to food banks based in rural communities. The remaining $25,000 will be used by Food Banks Canada to support individuals and families who use food bank services.

PUBLICATIONS MAIL AGREEMENT NO. 40064924 RETURN UNDELIVERABLE CANADIAN ADDRESSES TO CIRCULATION DEPT.

Bee Industry Act changes A change to Nova Scotia’s Bee Industry Act will help beekeepers safely import hives to pollinate fruit and berry crops.

"Berry and fruit growers have told us they need more bees to pollinate their crops," Agriculture Minister John MacDonell explained.

"Our Pollination Expansion Program is helping, but it will take time and may not fully meet demand. We may need to import bees

as well, and that means doing more inspections."

The Department of Agriculture allows beekeepers to import hives under strict controls.

Imported hives are inspected to ensure the bees are healthy. Any with pests are sent back.

The change will give the department the ability to charge fees to cover the cost of inspecting imported hives.

The opinions expressed on this page are not necessarily those of Farm Focus, its owners or its advertisers.

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Johne's disease control in Atlantic Canada reaches milestone Johne's disease control in Atlantic Canada recently achieved a significant milestone. More than 60 per cent of the approximately 700 dairy herds in the region have enrolled in a surveillance and management program to reduce disease impacts.

In June of 2011, Maritime Quality Milk at the Atlantic Veterinary College and the four Atlantic dairy producer boards launched the three-year paratuberculosis control strategy, the Atlantic Johne’s Disease Initiative (AJDI). Partner funding was provided by Agriculture & Agri-food Canada’s Canadian Agricultural Adaptation Program.

The program, which is voluntary and free for producers, has been well received by the industry and veterinarians. Forty-seven veterinarians, covering all areas of the region, have completed a certification program to provide in-depth, farm-specific management advice for the industry.

"We are thrilled to have achieved the 60 per cent enrolment target set by our industry steer-

ing committee," says Dr. Greg Keefe, lead scientist for the program. "Through careful financial management, we have created enough room for up to 30 more herds to enroll. After that, we will create a waiting list and add new farms as resources allow."

"The AJDI addresses an important animal health priority of the Canadian dairy industry," says Reint-Jan Dykstra, a New Brunswick dairy farmer and Chair of the Steering Committee for AJDI. "Atlantic Canada now leads the country in implementation of surveillance and management programs."

Second-year farm evaluations and management plan follow-up had begun by mid-October.

Johne’s disease affects the gastrointestinal tract of dairy cattle and can cause significant milk production losses, increased risk of culling and reduced success in breeding. For more information about Johne's disease and AJDI, visit www.atlanticjohnes.ca or consult with an AJDIcertified veterinarian.

www.atlanticfarmfocus.ca • THE FARM FOCUS

Masstown Market recognized for long service as independent grocer

By HARRY SULLIVAN Truro Daily News [Masstown, NS] – The Masstown Market (in Masstown, Nova Scotia) has been named as the recipient of a national heritage award by the Canadian Federation of Independent Grocers.

Market owners Laurie, Lisa, Eric and Wade Jennings on Tuesday (Oct. 2) were awarded the Arnold Rands Heritage Award during the 50th Annual Canadian Independent Grocer of the Year Awards ceremony in Toronto.

The awards were presented before more than 500 leading grocers, suppliers and distributors at Grocery Innovations Canada 2012, the country’s premier grocery conference and tradeshow.

Masstown Market was credited as being “more than a grocery store” by also being developed as a destination for tourists and locals alike with its full-scale service as a dairy bar, restaurant, gift shop, liquor store, Internet café, deli, garden centre, bakery and grocery store.

The market has been operated by the Jennings family for more than three decades.

Coyote pelt incentive extended three years [Truro, NS]- A provincial coyote pelt incentive program has been extended in the hopes of making communities safer from aggressive coyote behaviour.

The program will be extended by three years, said Charlie Parker, (Nova Scotia) minister of Natural Resources. The program encourages licensed trappers to harvest coyotes by offering an incentive of $20 per pelt during the regular trapping season, which runs from Oct. 15 to March 31. It has been in place since the fall of

2010.

Biologists say more trappers catching coyotes may help change the behaviour of the coyote population by reinforcing the animals' natural instinct to avoid people.

Natural Resources has released educational materials province-wide, trained 13 trappers to target aggressive coyotes in selected areas, hired a wildlife conflict biologist, and implemented the pelt incentive program.

Truro Daily News

4-Hers showed their sheep at the Prince Edward Island 4-H Rural Youth Fair. (Photo: PEI 4-H)

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THE FARM FOCUS • www.atlanticfarmfocus.ca

NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT

CORNER

By MISTY CRONEY, LP Consulting Ltd., P.Ag. Interviewing Farmers on the Impact of Improving their Soils In the spring we interviewed Phillip Burris, Green Oaks Dairy Farm on the impact of improving his soils. We will be interviewing farmers with different types of crops and livestock over the next year. They will share with you their efforts to increase soil health on their farms and the impact it had on their bottom line.

The second interview is with Jack Folkertsma, Folkerstma Farms located in Milford, Nova Scotia. Jack has 475 dairy cattle, milks 250 cows and grows forages and corn on 850 acres.

Jack started working with his nutrient management planner in 2004. During this time, a lot of changes had been implemented on the farm. The farm used to grow 100% grass forages but has changed to a 75% alfalfa/grass mixture and increased its corn production. Prior to improving soil health, Jack wasn’t able to maintain alfalfa in his fields.

The goal on the farm has been to grow top

quality feed using a range of inputs with optimum use of funds. Increasing crop protein levels has led to reducing the amount of purchased supplements required for maximum milk production.

Why did you start working with a nutrient management planner?

I originally signed up for a nutrient management plan to access subsidies. I had no idea what was involved in a nutrient management plan. Now I realize what a valuable tool it is for my farm. I can’t make good soil and crop decisions if I don’t know what is happening in my soils. I didn’t follow the first plan in 2005 very closely. I think I changed my approach to nutrient management planning when my planner and I started communicating on a regular basis. A plan doesn’t work well if we only meet every three years. Changes are happening all the time so communication is essential as it’s always a work in progress. Now we work closely together to ensure I put my money in the right places.

My planner tracks my soil health, crop yields and quality and makes changes based on this information. She also keeps me informed of various fertility inputs that are available. I keep her updated on how the crops are looking, if I change my rotation, change my manure plan, etc. If someone has a plan, but doesn’t work closely with their planner, they are missing out on the impact it can have on their farm.

Since developing a NMP and monitoring your soil levels, have you noticed a difference in your crops?

I have noticed a big difference in my cropping systems. My crop quality and yields are excellent! This didn’t happen overnight. Due

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Jack Folkertsma and Lise LeBlanc looking at his corn crop in October 2012.

to fertility/liming costs, many producers have not been maintaining, let alone building their soil levels, for many years. It takes more money and time to get your fields to optimum levels than maintaining them once you get there. I am now in the position of maintaining many fields on the farm.

It’s been an exciting few years as I don’t really know what to expect anymore! I used to think that when my feed tests showed a 17% protein we were doing well. Now, if I see that level, I am spraying out that field. I am consistently seeing low-mid 20 protein levels. My ADF and NDF show excellent quality and the TDN is providing exceptional energy value.

We’ve lowered our canola meal by 1⁄2 kg per cow per day because of our quality forage.

We direct seeded alfalfa fields this year and

took 3 cuts off them. This is unheard of on our farm. Our feed test on our second cut on the new seeded field tested at 28.8% protein!

This has a significant effect on my feed input costs.

The cost of fertilizers and lime is not cheap; do you feel that you get good returns on this input?

We can’t expect our cows to be high producers if we don’t feed them high quality feed.

We can’t afford not to fertilize and lime our fields. If you don’t put it into your fields, you won’t get it back and it will cost you a lot more in feed costs.

This year, with the high price of corn and soybeans, my soil inputs have been a great investment.

Continued on page 12

Odd weather season from the end of June until mid-September, seven days a week irrigating.

"Oh my soul! The work time it takes to move the pipe and set the pumps up and they don’t give diesel away to run those pumps."

Summer went by in a blur for him. "We were going every hour in every day to keep those pumps going."

It took an extreme amount of work and cost to keep the crop condition up as higher temperatures increased plant transpiration that required more soil moisture, Melvin said.

Dry weather also encourages insect infestations. "Our challenges with insects this year were considerably more than last year."

The drier, warmer winter of 2011-2012 intensified insect pressure because it encouraged a population increase that required a dramatic increase in insecticide use. Melvin believed irrigation and insecticide application helped ensure that his crop yield this year was average to normal.

Since the drought in the late 1990's, wells and ponds have been dug and irrigation systems installed. "We are blessed with a good, stable water supply in the Valley… when we need it."

The grower was able to meet all his customers order this year; but he has an underlying concern about risk management.

With continuing climate change, Melvin wondered about what risk management programs could be in place to address the hazards associated with extreme weather events. "This is a challenge for horticulture. Most of our crops don’t have viable crop insurance to help us manage risk."

THINK OF ATLANTIC STOCKYARDS FIRST FALL FEEDER 2012 SALE DATES – FEEDER SALES START AT 10AM Saturday November 10 • Saturday December 1

WINTER AND SPRING 2013 FEEDER SALE DATES

Thursday January 17, 2013 • Thursday February 14, 2013 Thursday March 14, 2013 • Saturday April 13 Saturday May 4 DAIRY LIVESTOCK SALE LAST THURSDAY OF EVERY MONTH please book entries by Monday prior to sale day - see www.atlanticstockyards.com for information Contact; Sean Firth, Owner/Manager Cell: (902) 670-5999, Phone: (902) 893-9603 sfirth@atlanticstockyards.com **Please note that cattle should be delivered to the sale barn by noon on Thursdays and by 1pm for sheep and goats.**

Atlantic Stockyards Limited - Truro, N.S. - sales every Thursday, special sales for feeder cattle, breeding stock and equipment phone 902 893 9603, fax 902 893 4483 or www.atlanticstockyards.com, email sfirth@atlanticstockyards.com

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Continued from page 1 Eddie said their carrot crop did very well; but they also had a problem with cracking due to "too much water: too soon."

Wet fall conditions also delayed the start of their harvest, although On Oct. 27 all of their late crops—rutabaga and late cabbage—were doing well.

During the summer the Dykerman’s had some losses in broccoli and cauliflower; but because they could irrigate they saved much of those crops. "All in all it has been a surprisingly good season for us."

The farm employs nine people year round, adding another 10-15 during the harvest. The Dykerman’s sell their produce to supermarkets in PEI and wholesalers who distribute their vegetables across Atlantic Canada and overseas.

Richard Melvin operates Melvin Farms in Canning in Nova Scotia’s Annapolis Valley. ”We had extreme, wet weather three or four weeks ago. We were harvesting, pushing and towing our tractors through the fields to keep harvesting."

Although it was a challenge it has since gotten a bit drier and "for the last 10 days or so it has been fairly good going," he said Oct. 28.

As yet there has been no significant frost in the Valley to cause damage to his large cauliflower crop.

Melvin believed climate change points to more extreme conditions in the decades ahead.

The dry period this summer created some ordeals. "In terms of maintaining the crop in good growing condition, we had to irrigate

visit: www.atlanticstockyards.com for more information OR CALL SEAN 902-670-5999 • 902-893-9603

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• November 2012

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www.atlanticfarmfocus.ca • THE FARM FOCUS

Dairy farm owner frustrated by rejections for forage production land

By FRANK GALE Western Star [Maidstone, NL] The plan for New World Dairy Inc. becoming a more self-sufficient operation by growing more of its own forage crop is running up against obstacles.

Brent Chaffey, owner-operator, said on Thursday (Oct. 18) that his farm has been rejected for yet another proposal to increase the amount of forage production for the local dairy industry in Maidstone in Bay St. George South (Newfoundland & Labrador).

The proposal was for approximately 291 hectares of land near the Robinsons Pasture Road, which had been submitted to the provincial government for an environmental assessment.

The location was about five kilometres from the Trans-Canada Highway and had it been approved, land clearing was scheduled to begin on or before April 1, 2013.

The increased forage production would eliminate the need to import the plant material used for food for grazing livestock from outside the province.

Although the minister’s decision was said to be due on Oct. 19, Chaffey said this one has been rejected and a number of others have been rejected too.

“We (farmers) keep applying for crown land lots to grow forage crop but the Department of Forestry and/or Kruger Inc. go up against these applications. It’s difficult to gain access to crown land that has any forest

management program. If it has such a program, then I won’t be successful as my crown land application is rejected,” he said.

Due to this, almost all the crown land in western Newfoundland is unavailable to farming.

With the largest dairy farm in the province and one of the largest in Canada, Chaffey said he wants to find the most suitable land and larger lots are better than others.

But the Department of Forestry and the private pulp and paper company are not the only two that he’s running into obstacles with as he said the Department of Transportation and Works is also causing him headaches.

He said he applied in other areas where there are no existing roads but where he was willing to put them in from the TransCanada Highway. He said the Department of Transportation cited the areas where these roads would meet with the Trans-Canada Highway as unsafe.

Chaffey said several of these proposed locations are right next to where there are existing roads off the Trans-Canada Highway leading to Bell Aliant transmission towers.

“Why is it safe for workers with that company to pull off or on the highway and unsafe for our workers to do so. I can’t get access to the land at these locations and don’t know why. It seems like a double standard to me,” he said.

Chaffey said only five per cent of the ap-

plications for crown land put forward by farmers get approved and he believes that’s unnecessary.

With 1,250 head of dairy cattle and 900 replacement stock baby calves up to two years old before they become a mature dairy cow, a lot of feed is required.

Chaffey explained the biggest component of the cows’ diet is forage crops, but that’s supplemented with all sorts of grains, which have more nutrients. He said the farm is better off buying the grains from elsewhere, as it’s cheaper to truck those in.

He said just like people, cows have a bal-

anced diet they need to follow to keep healthy and produce good milk.

“Its not like throwing the cows a bale of hay and just letting them go to it. It’s has to be a balanced diet each and every day,” Chaffey said.

New World Dairy Inc. ships out about 32,000 litres of milk a day from the farm and it’s directed to wherever it’s needed.

Requests were put in to the Department of Transportation and Works and the Department of Forestry for reaction to Chaffey’s comments; however, no reply was received up to Friday afternoon (Oct. 19).

Blood test to determine immune status

By JIM ROMAHN Researchers have developed a blood test that measures the colostrum antibodies in newborn pigs and calves.

Farmers can use the results to quickly iden-

tify which newborns require more colostrum.

The immunocrit test has been developed by scientists employed by the United States Department of Agriculture who work at the U.S. Meat Animal Research Center in Clay Center, Nebraska.

NOVEMBER 11, 2012

WEAR A POPPY

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Hall of Fame: Bert Dykerman Bert Dykerman has been inducted into the Atlantic Agricultural Hall of Fame.

Born in Holland in 1928, Dykerman began his Canadian story at 27 years of age, when he and his wife Ann settled in Mt. Stewart, Prince Edward Island. It was there in 1955 that his life-long passion for agriculture took root. Dykerman sought employment on a variety of farms, all the while learning of PEI’s unique climate and soil conditions. Eventually, he, Ann and their seven children would come to live in Cherry Valley, where Dykerman first farmed his own land on a mixed farm, producing vegetables, cattle, and pigs.

Bert Dykerman

After selling the farm years later, Dykerman began work on the Simpson produce farm, where he assisted with production in the summer months. During the winter months he focused on the Simpson’s seed business operation, Veseys Seeds. In 1979, opportunity knocked on Dykerman’s door when the Simpsons decided to concentrate solely on their seed business. He seized the chance to purchase the land and produce business in Brookfield, where his family now lived. Brookfield Gardens was born.

Dykerman made Brookfield Gardens a family affair when his sons, Gerald and Eddy, joined him in the operation. In the years since, Brookfield Gardens has continued to grow, it now produces 300 acres of mixed vegetables annually and employs up to 30 people during peak production. While a wide variety of vegetables are grown, including turnip, beans, lettuce and corn, the principal crop is carrots. Discerning consumers will find Brookfield Gardens products in supermarkets across Atlantic Canada and overseas.

Dykerman understands that innovation is a key element to success in the agriculture industry. He demonstrated his commitment to innovation soon after purchasing his first farm in Cherry Valley, when he became the first Island farmer to use a precision turnip planter. The efficiency of this innovative piece of equipment was instrumental in production. So efficient in fact, that Dykerman and his sons were able to finish their planting early and spent weeks each spring custom seeding turnip fields for fellow farmers throughout Eastern PEI. Dykerman also believes that co-operation and collaboration between farmers is essential, and nowhere is this more evident than in the founding of the PEI Vegetable Growers’ Co-Operative. As a founding member,

he worked with his fellow producers to establish a central desk selling agency in order to achieve higher turnip prices for all PEI producers. The format of the co-operative has changed over the years, but it continues to provide root crops to markets in Canada, the United States, the Caribbean, Europe, and Scandinavia.

Dykerman’s desire to improve the lives of farmers extends beyond PEI to Kenya, where he has been involved with Farmers Helping Farmers since 1989. He and Ann have traveled to Kenya and spent weeks working and living on local farms to evaluate programs

administered by the organization. The Dykerman’s have championed this cause in their own region, encouraging others to become involved and engaged in global issues. In June of 2012, Bert, Ann and the Dykerman family were honoured by Farmers Helping Farmers when they were made honorary life members.

Giving back to the community is a belief strongly held by Dykerman and his family.

One program in which they have been heavily involved is Kids in the Country, led by the Charlottetown Christian Reformed Church, (which the Dykermans were key in estab-

lishing). Kids in the Country provides innercity youth the opportunity to work and live on farms. The Dykermans opened their own home many times, demonstrating farm life and the values it teaches.

Dykerman and Ann continue to live in Brookfield and he is as passionate as ever about agriculture, actively monitoring his greenhouses and fields.

Bert Dykerman was nominated to the Atlantic Agricultural Hall of Fame by the PEI ADAPT Council in recognition of his valuable contributions to agriculture in PEI and to farm families in PEI and abroad.

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Hall of Fame: Robert Thériault Robert Thériault of Drummond, New Brunswick has been inducted into the Atlantic Agricultural Hall of Fame.

Thériault grew up in the 50’s on a mixed farm in Drummond, the northern most point of the province’s potato belt. After attaining his Business degree in 1967 at University of Moncton, he gained experience through a variety of employment opportunities, but never lost sight of his real dream - farming. In 1976, he purchased a mixed farm near Drummond where he produced potatoes and seed grain.

By 1979, he began specializing in seed grain production, cleaning, grading and marketing.

Expansion of his operation and production capacities occurred through the 1980`s and 1990`s with the installation of seed grain storages, cleaning facilities, buildings and equipment in response to increased production and demand for quality seed.

More land was purchased in 1996 and the farm expanded its rotation practices on the basis of a land exchange with potato growers in order to promote better crop rotation practices in the area.

By 2003, Thériault`s son Eric joined the operation which led to the incorporation of Eastern Grains Inc. Today Eastern Grains Inc. is well known in the region for the production, processing and marketing of quality seed grain and oilseeds to Maritime, Maine and Quebec farmers.

Thériault is well known for his efforts in promoting the importance of soil conservation and

Agricultural Alliance of NB. He remains active as a director on the Alliance board and as a member of the Canadian Seed Institute, Maritime Branch of the Canadian Seed Growers Association and the Minister’s Round Table on Agriculture in NB. More recently Thériault has served as a board member of the Eastern Canada Soil and Water Conservation Centre working on the creation of a new Applied Technology Centre for Atlantic Canada. In 2006 he received a Farm Credit Corporation innovation award, and the NBIA 2010 Leadership Award from the New Brunswick Institute of Agrologists.

Thériault and his wife, Ghislaine, raised three children, Michelle, Luc and Éric. Ghislaine Thériault passed away in 1999.

Robert Thériault was nominated to the At-

Robert Thériault

the preservation of water quality. He has put many sustainable practices in place on his farm over the years. Given the rolling terrain in his region, these measures have included the use of diversion terraces, grass and rock lined waterways, under-seeding, crop rotation, reduced tillage and other best management practices.

Not only is Thériault a leader in conservation farming, but he is also an active agricultural and community leader. He has served on many agricultural boards and is recognized for his contributions to the New Brunswick Agricultural Council, New Brunswick Grain Commission, and the Atlantic Grains Council. He has served as president of the Fédération des agriculteurs et agricultrices francophone du N-B. and the

Hall of Fame: Mary Lester

Mary Lester

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lantic Agricultural Hall of Fame by the Agricultural Alliance of New Brunswick in recognition of his service to industry and his dedication to the preservation of our soil and water resources.

Thériault a grandi dans les années 1950 sur une ferme mixte située à Drummond, le point le plus au nord de la zone de production de la pomme de terre de la province. Après avoir obtenu un diplôme universitaire en administration de l’Université de Moncton en 1967, Thériault a acquis de l’expérience grâce à divers emplois, mais il n’a jamais perdu de vue son rêve ultime – l’agriculture. En 1976, il fait l’achat d’une ferme mixte près de Drummond où il cultive des pommes de terre et des grains de semence.

Continued on page 26

Mary Lester of St. John’s, Newfoundland & Labrador has been inducted into the Atlantic Agricultural Hall of Fame.

Lester is described by her customers, her friends and her colleagues as someone who always makes time for others. This tremendous quality serves her well in her roles as producer and volunteer, and cultivates a deep connection with her customers and the youth of NL. Lester was born into farming life in 1952 in the community of Kilbride. As the oldest of nine children, she learned the value of working hard. While she loved this way of life, her path changed when she became a nurse. But agriculture was in her blood, and upon marrying John Lester in 1972, the couple moved to Prince Edward Island and worked their own farm. Like many Newfoundlanders, Lester felt drawn home, and moved to the St. John’s area in 1983 where she created a home with her husband and four children. The couple began producing vegetables for the retail market, but she was not satisfied with this lifestyle.

In 1992, Lester re-invented herself once more and began selling their fresh farm produce at a roadside stand. Their Brookfield Road stand generated keen interest in the community to such a degree that she launched Lester’s Farm Market in 1994. This market provides the St. John’s and Mount Pearl communities with not only produce but the opportunity to connect with this ambi-

tious and kind woman. In the years since its inception, the market itself has grown incredibly in both size and the variety of products offered.

In addition to offering produce, Lester imparts knowledge of agriculture, a cheerful smile, and valuable advice. She is known for her kindness to children and her respect for older generations. Her commitment to agriculture shines through during school tours and her interactions with customers. Besides her commitment to Lester’s Farm Market, she is dedicated to a variety of agricultural organizations. She has served on the executive of the Provincial Farm Women Organization, having been a member for 25 years. During this time, Lester has organized conferences, Farm Field Days, and travel exchanges, all while promoting agriculture throughout NL. Her commitments to the NL Federation of Agriculture has seen her sit as Executive Member Director of Horticulture, and serve on the provincial Agriculture Awareness Committee.

NL youth have benefited immensely from Lester’s extensive involvement in the 4-H program. As a leader, judge, fundraiser, and Executive Council member her considerable commitment to 4-H has enabled hundreds of youth to learn by doing. She has served as an Organizational Leader in the 4-H Challenging Pioneers Club since 1984, dedicating 27 years of her life to engaging and empowering youth. Because of Lester’s belief in the importance of agriculture and educating our young people, 4-H participants have attended camps, international exchanges, leadership conferences, and competitions. As part of the Provincial 4-H Council she has helped establish new clubs and developed policies to advance the agricultural mandates of the organization.

Of the many adjectives used to describe Lester, she can be most proud of these: generous, daring and ambitious, kind, amazing, and knowledgeable. Her dedication to the farming community has made her a well-respected producer and elevated the reputation of Lester’s Farm Market.

Mary Lester was nominated to the Atlantic Agricultural Hall of Fame by the Sheep Producers Association of Newfoundland and Labrador for her dedication to her customers and the youth of Newfoundland.

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Hall of Fame: Case van Dyk Case van Dyk of West Caledonia, Nova Scotia has been inducted into the Atlantic Agricultural Hall of Fame.

Entrepreneur. Innovator. Family man.

Community leader. van Dyk deserves each and every one of the titles provided by colleagues and friends. Born in Holland in 1931, he grew up working the family farm, learning the dairy and tree fruit trade. Upon immigrating to Canada in 1954 with his wife Riek, he worked odd jobs for three years to raise a down payment for his own farm. In 1957, the van Dyk family purchased a small mixed farm in West Caledonia, where for 10 years he marketed his own milk and vegetables door-todoor. After a shift in production and with great effort and determination, he developed the farm into a 200-sow farrow to finish operation.

Case van Dyk

In the late 1960’s, van Dyk turned his agricultural sights towards the blueberry industry.

He gradually accumulated fields until he had amassed over 600 acres of blueberry land and 400 acres of forest. He began developing his fresh berry business in a rented garage, but within a few years a new, modern fresh pack facility would house the operation. The innovative facility became the heart of production that handled 45-50 tonnes of fresh wild blueberry sales. The remaining tonnage was sold for freezing.

Promoting the nutritional value of the blueberry has been a special passion for van Dyk. From this grew the idea for a premium product that would eventually be found in kitchens around the world. Van Dyk’s Health Juice Products was founded in the late 1990’s, and now processes nearly 150 tonnes of wild blueberries for juice sales in Canada, Taiwan, Korea, China and the United States. His signature product, van Dyk’s 100% Pure Wild Blueberry Juice, is just as promised – the pure juice of Grade A wild blueberries without added sugar, water or preservatives. van Dyk partnered with researchers at Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada and the National Research Council to develop a product that would maintain the high nutritional value of the original fresh fruit, while also being safe and shelf stable. His pioneering product has been recognized on the world stage, taking home the award for Best New Juice Innovation at the 2005 World Juice Congress in Madrid, Spain.

In addition to this prestigious honour, van Dyk has been recognized with numerous awards: 2011 Nova Scotia Wild Blueberry Producers Recognition Award, 2010 Canadian Liver Foundation Liveright Award for best beverage, 2010 Lunenburg-Queens Chamber

of Commerce Business Entrepreneur Award, and the 2008 Nova Scotia Institute of Agrologist’s Outstanding Farm Family Award, to name just a few. While he remains humble about his achievements, he can be proud of these significant acknowledgments.

Going hand in hand with the fresh berry market and an appetite for producing innovative, healthy products is van Dyk’s latest venture. He is presently conducting research on utilizing blueberry pomace, a by-product of the juice making process. Blueberry lovers the world over look forward to tasting his newest innovation. van Dyk recognizes the ongoing contribu-

tion of his large family, and acknowledges that without their support, the van Dyk blueberry story would not have been possible. Van Dyk’s family of supporters includes nine children, 19 grandchildren, and one great grandchild.

Education is vitally important to the farmer, and he is proud that all of his nine children acquired post-secondary education. van Dyk’s life outside of business and family exemplifies his commitment to his community. He has been involved in municipal politics as a Queens County Councillor (19731984), sat on the St. Jerome’s Church Parish Council, has chaired and been a member of the North Queens Federation of Agriculture,

and continues to be actively involved in the North Queens Board of Trade. He has also served the educational community of Queen’s County, sitting on both the municipal and regional school boards. Always willing to give his time, van Dyk’s other involvements include the fire department, AgraPoint, being a longtime blood donor, the Blueberry Growers of NS, and the Radio Farm Forum.

Case van Dyk was nominated to the Atlantic Agricultural Hall of Fame by the Lunenburg/Queens Federation of Agriculture in recognition of his entrepreneurial spirit, commitment to agriculture, and his passion for innovation.

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Sparkling wine study funded

Salish™ introduced to apple lovers

The Nova Scotia wine industry received almost $70,000 in federal funding to help it explore the market potential for producing sparkling wine using the traditional French method for champagne.

This investment of nearly $70,000 will help the Winery Association of Nova Scotia (WANS) study consumer awareness and preferences for premium sparkling wines produced using the traditional double fermentation method. With a growing number of provincial wineries interested in sparkling wine production, the results of this research will help the industry assess market potential domestically and internationally.

“The Nova Scotia wine industry continues to grow in volume and reputation for quality

The Salish™ is the newest apple on the market.

It debuted Oct. 13 at the annual University of British Columbia (UBC) Apple Festival.

The Salish™ is tangy, juicy and very crisp.

It is medium-sized, with a pinkish red blush over a yellow background colour. The apple has characteristics that appeal not only to consumers, with its high quality appearance, texture and flavour, but also those that Canadian apple growers seek, such as its late harvest date, good storage and shelf life, high yields and good growth habits for high-density orchards.

Previously only known as SPA493, the Sal-

wines,” said WANS CEO Nick Jennery. “We are truly fortunate to have this assistance to augment the sizable capital investments being made by industry to produce quality, unique wines that are 100% Nova Scotia.”

MP Greg Kerr (West Nova) made the announcement in Wolfville Oct. 6, on behalf of Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz, as wine enthusiasts and grape industry professionals celebrated Nova Scotia’s 7th Fall Wine Festival. This annual festival includes grape stomps, winemakers’ dinners, and wine education seminars. and much more.

The federal funding is through the Canadian Agricultural Adaptation Program (CAAP) that is delivered by Agri-Futures Nova Scotia.

ish™ apple was developed and tested by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) scientists, in partnership with the Okanagan Plant Improvement Corporation (PICO).

Like all AAFC varieties, this new apple was developed using traditional cross-pollination methods. It originated from a cross between ‘Splendour’ and ‘Gala’ cultivars made in 1981 at AAFC’s Pacific Agri-Food Research Centre (PARC) in Summerland, British Columbia.

Once the desired characteristics had been yielded by AAFC scientists, PICO worked extensively in testing and evaluating the new variety with growers.

Nutrient management Continued from page 7 If you want a good quality yield, you need to ensure that your fields have high pH (we aim for 6.5-7.0) and feed lots of potash. There is quite a difference in trying to grow crops on a 5.8 pH and a 6.8 pH. In the past, we focused more on nitrogen and didn’t feed enough of the other nutrients.

We use a combination of wood ash, N-Viro soil amendment and commercial fertilizer to maximize our nutrient/soil pH inputs. We started using wood ash about 2 years ago and have seen a big response. We think it’s because of the large amount of potash in wood ash combined with other nutrients and a boost in pH. N-Viro has grown very good corn yields because it provides lots of nitrogen and other nutrients as well as increases pH at the same time.

It takes more work to apply wood ash and NViro so you need to change your management program to ensure you have the time for applying a lot of tonnage. Based on phenomenal crop performance, it is well worth the effort.

What is your fertility plan for your forages?

We look at the soil tests to make proper nutrient decisions. We fertilize for all cuts and try to apply wood ash, especially if we take a third cut. You’re removing a lot of potash when taking 3 cuts. I also ensure I feed it sulfur and boron.

What is your fertility plan for your corn?

Corn needs a lot of fertility. If you want a full cob, you need to feed it lots of potash. I try to apply about 170-180 kg/ha of nitrogen to maximize my yield.

Any final words on looking after your soil pH and nutrient levels?

We had a great year this year. Although we had 3 fantastic cuts, not everyone did. By building my fields to optimal levels, we were able to take advantage of this great growing year.

ALTERNATIVE BEDDING PROJECT TOUR Earlier I wrote about an alternative bedding project funded by the RRFB (Resource Refund Recovery Board that uses waste C&D wood fiber and wallboard. Don Anderson, the Atlantic Vet College and I are part of the project and the results are looking very good. We will be having a tour of the two farms that are using this bedding, Jack Folkerstma and Bob Wilson, on November 28.

Please call the office (902) 792-2636 or email lise.leblanc@ns.sympatico.ca for details if you are interested in coming on the tour.

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Where is 4-H now?

By NANCY RALPH Mary Lester wasn’t shy expressing her feelings about 4-H at its 81st annual meeting held earlier this year in St. John’s, Newfoundland & Labrador.

“Let’s keep it growing!” the NL farm owner said exuberantly to delegates from across Canada, who seconded her opinion with applause.

Ensuring the organization grows is what 4H seems to be striving for.

The structure of 4-H is changing to include more people in more areas across the country.

The national 4-H council has joined forces with provincial associations to form a program called Embrace the Future. Canadian 4-H

Council President Rob Black said the goal of ETF is to increase membership in rural areas, introduce 4-H programs in urban and suburban centers, educate the general public about 4-H, attract alumni and leaders, and strengthen the 4-H experience nation-wide.

“ETF is about engaging and re-engaging all 4-H members at all stages of their 4-H experience. So, it’s getting new members involved at a young age, keeping older members, and connecting with alumni once they’re out of the program. There are thousands of alumni across Canada and many of these folks have children and grandchildren we would like to see involved with us,” Black explained.

Rob Black (left) and Mike Nowosad (Photo: Nancy Ralph) Contined on page 15

Starting this year, the Youth Advisory Committee (YAC) was granted a position on the Canadian 4-H Council board of directors. YAC members include, from left: Roxanne Montplassir (Quebec); Charles Gascon (Quebec); Michael Melnychuk (Manitoba); Jacob Works (Nova Scotia); Savannah Cheney (Saskatchewan); Heidi Pickard (New Brunswick), and Breanne Durie (Alberta). (Photo: Nancy Ralph)

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Where is 4-H now? and ensure that 4-H is a larger and more well-rounded youth development organization for the next 100 years.”

Black is enthusiastic about the YAC program. He said, “For me, the telling tale was the presentation delivered by the YAC members at our AGM, and not only hearing the absolutely heartfelt applause by the people there, but also hearing the comments from older delegates saying to them that they (the YAC members) had changed their minds about the ETF program and they now believe that it’s going to work.”

Valerie Pearson will be the next president of the Canadian 4-H Council. The executive director of the Saskatchewan 4-H office spoke about 4-H increasing the age of members to 25. She said for this older age range, the experience at 4-H is about career development and professional growth, as well as the social aspect.

“At 21, they may not have time to roll into leadership positions. But by holding on to them until they’re 25, they will hopefully then be able to move into a leadership role,” Pearson said.

“I worked in the agricultural field all my life. We’re going to be 100 years old soon, and I’d like people to know that the 4-H program is strong and growing.” She went on to say that the organization had a huge impact on her life and who she is today and that there are thousands of alumni across Canada in a similar position. Whether a person is a successful farmer or businessperson, Pearson is sure that 4-H helped many of those people achieve what they did in life. “You can encourage your kids and grandchildren to join 4-H; it’s still a vibrant program.”

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Continued from page 14 During the last year, nearly 26,000 Canadian youth were members of some 2,000 4H clubs across the country. They participated in over 44,000 projects, and were assisted by more than 8,000 leaders.

While the top projects involved beef, horses and dairy activities, 4-H’ers learned about a broad range of skills, from farm safety and first aid to photography and woodworking.

Over 300 members were involved in cake decorating projects. And 75 of the 470 members in Quebec fine-tuned their square dancing skills.

4-H has stretched into urban areas where a host of projects help members learn new skills. The age range has expanded, too, now allowing membership from age six to 25.

While a few voices of concern were heard at the convention about the ability to reach a six-year-old at the same time as young adults, overall the feeling seemed to be that 4-H can offer services to everyone in its organization.

Canadian 4-H Council Chief Executive Officer Mike Nowosad said it looks forward to embracing change and the future. The new ETF program is an opportunity to introduce leadership and skills development programming to new suburban and urban markets. “We will not forget our rural base, but in order to stop our steady membership decline, we need to go where the youth are.

Bringing in the lower age range nationally brings the entire organization in line with what some provinces are doing already.”

These aren’t new initiatives: 4-H has been working for several years to plan for future growth. They studied feedback from surveys and considered input from provincial organizations. They worked with consultants who helped them recognize the need for consistency in the organization. That’s one reason for the change in age ranges: all provinces will now have a standardized membership age.

Nowosad explained it this way: ‘Bringing in the lower age range nationally brings the entire organization in line with what some provinces are doing already.” He said the expanded age range allows 4-H to engage young adults from 18 to 25 in activities that are outside current club projects, to enhance their personal and professional development.”

Starting this year, the Youth Advisory Committee (YAC) was granted a position on the Canadian 4-H Council board of directors. This guarantees there will be a voice at all levels of the program.

YAC Chair Matthew Tweedy explained that the committee is made up of one selected member from each provincial association. “The Canadian 4-H Council Youth Advisory Committee represents youth on national working groups which help to direct the 4-H program. Because of the sponsorship of the Co-operators and the vision of the Canadian 4-H Council, youth are now able to be actively involved in decisions that will affect the future of 4-H in Canada. As 4H reaches its 100th anniversary, we are bringing new perspectives and working on exciting new opportunities for 4-H which will complement 4-H's existing offerings

2 Tantramar Court Amherst, NS B4H 4H8 Phone: (902) 667-5550 • Toll Free: 1-800-268-5550 • Fax 902-667-1077 43 Minas Warehouse Rd. New Minas, NS B4N 5A5 Phone: (902) 678-2430 • Fax: (902) 679-1837

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Prince Edward Island 4-H Rural Youth Fair results The 62nd annual Prince Edward Island 4-H Rural Youth Fair was held Sept. 7-8 at the Crapaud Exhibition Grounds.

A Skills Competition was introduced this year.

Members had a chance to try their hand at sewing, cake decorating, birdhouse building, shelter building and lawn tractor driving challenges (Kubota tractor supplied by Kensington Agri Services). Mathiew Arsenault from Evangeline was the overall winner while Sonja, an exchange 4-H'er from Finland, placed second.

The top five turkeys were auctioned off after the opening ceremony; prices ranged from $2.20-$4.20 per pound.

LIVESTOCK: DAIRY: Showmanship: Junior: 1.

Callum Bouma, Pleasant Valley; 2. Dayna Jorgensen, PValley; 3. Rikki Delaney Gallant, Evangeline. Intermediate: 1. Kyle Bouma, PValley; 2.

James Murphy, PValley; 3. Brayden Gallant, Cavendish. Senior: 1. Jillian Tweedy, Cherrycliffe; 2. Matthew Tweedy, Cherry; 3. Patti Douglas, Morell & Area. CLASSES: Ayrshire: 1. Alexzara Drake-Wood, Millview-Vernon River. Ch: Alexzara Drake-Wood. Jersey: 1. Alexzara DrakeWood. Ch: Alexzara Drake-Wood. Holsten Jr: 1.

Johanna Jorgensen, PValley; 2. Dayna Jorgensen; 3. Dalaney Welsh, Dunstaffnage-Marshfield. Int: 1. Brodie MacBeath, DunMarsh; 2. David Gormley, DunMarsh; 3. Madeline Stewart, DunMarsh. Sr: 1. Connor Mann, PValley; 2. Chris-

tiana Tweedy, Cherry; 3. Brady Thomson, PValley. Summer Yrlg: 1. Jillian Tweedy; 2. Kyle Bouma; 3. Alex Bernard, Evang. Jr. Yrlg: 1. Kyle Vanderkloet, DunMarsh; 2. Matthew Tweedy, Cherry; 3. Adam MacKinnon, Lot 16. Ch: Jillian Tweedy; Reserve: Kyle Bouma; Honourable Mention: Brodie MacBeath.

BEEF: Showmanship: Jr: 1. Jake Matheson, Grand River East; 2. Jacob MacEachern, GRiver East. Int: 1. Alana Worth, North River; 2. Emily McKenna-Ayles, NRiver; 3. Jory Donovan, Summerville. Sr: 1. James Worth, NRiver; 2. Melanie Wood, NRiver; 3. Justin Ford, NRiver. Bull: 1.

James Worth. Ch: James Worth. Steer: 1. Logan Ford, NRiver; 2. Justin Ford, NRiver; 3. Matthias

Drake, Cherry. Ch: Logan Ford; R: Justin Ford.

Angus Heifers: 1: James Worth. Yrlgs: 1. Ella Wood, NRiver; 2. Ellen Dixon, NRiver; 3.

Melanie Wood. Ch: Ella Wood; R: Ellen Dixon.

Crossbred Heifers: 1. Logan Ford, North River; 2.

Alana Worth, North River; 3. Hayley Ings, Cherrycliffe. Crossbred Yrlgs: 1. James Worth; 2.

Carter Matheson, French River; 3. Matthias Drake. Ch: Logan Ford; R: James Worth. Simmental: 1. Jacob MacEachern, GRiver East. Ch: Jacob MacEachern. Hereford Heifer: 1. Jake Matheson, GRiver East. Yrlgs: 1. Hannah Dixon, NRiver; 1. Hannah Dixon, North River; 2. Ellen Crane, GRiver East; 3. Ellen Dixon, NRiver. Ch: Jake Matheson; R: Hannah Dixon. Shorthorn Heifer: 1. Emily McKenna-Ayles, NRiver; 2.

Courtney Hogan, NRiver. Summer Yrlgs:1.

Emily McKenna-Ayles; 2. Courtney Hogan. Ch: Emily McKenna-Ayles; R: Courtney Hogan. Ch. Beef Heifer: Logan Ford; R: Jake Matheson.

SHEEP: Showmanship: Jr: 1. Nellie Wood, NRiver; 2. Ila Matheson, GRiver East; 3. Benjamin MacQuarrie, NRiver. Sr: 1. Ella Wood; 2.

Danielle Pollard, NRiver; 3. Zoie Farish, Millview-VRiver. Market Animal: 1. Melanie Wood; 2. Ella Wood; 3. Nellie Wood. Ch: Melanie Wood; R: Ella Wood. GOAT: Showmanship: 1. Ella Wood; 2. Nellie Wood; 3.Hannah Dixon. Market Kid: 1. Melanie Wood. Dairy Kid: 1. Ella Wood. Milking Doe: 1. Hannah Dixon; 2. Nellie Wood. Ch: Ella Wood; R: Hannah Dixon.

POULTRY: Showmanship: 1. Robert Schurman, DunMarsh; 2. Nellie Wood. Bantam Chickens: 1. Robert Schurman; 2. Robert Schurman; 3.

Robert Schurman. Ducks: 1. Ella Wood; 2. Nellie Wood; 3. Melanie Wood. Geese: 1. Lorina Murphy, Summe. Ch. Robert Schurman; R: Ella Wood. TURKEY: Showmanship: 1. Justin Ford; 2. Logan Ford; 3.

Ella Wood. Under 18 Lbs: 1. Grace Coles, NRiver; 2. Grace Hughes, NRiver. 18-25 Lbs: 1. Alana Worth; 2. Jamie Hughes, NRiver; 3. Ella Wood.

Over 25 Lbs: 1. Logan Ford; 2. Justin Ford. Ch: Logan Ford; R: Justin Ford.

RABBIT: Showmanship: Jr: 1. Hannah Quilty, NRiver; 2. Emily Hogan, NRiver; 3. Olivia Drake, NRiver. Int: 1. Brittany Peters, Albany; 2. Robert Larsen, Albany; 3. John Ployer, GRiver East.

FANCY: Jr. Doe: 1. Hannah Quilty; 2. Hailey Quilty. Jr. Buck: 1. Brittany Peters. Sr. Doe: 1.

William Muirhead, Cherry; 2. John Ployer; 3.

Emily Hogan. Sr. Buck: 1. John Ployer; 2. Rae Matheson, GRiver East; 3. Shelby Beaton, Cherry.

Ch: William Muirhead; R: Brittany Peters. PET: Sr. Doe: 1. Janessa MacLeod, NRiver; 2. Liam Murnaghan, Fort Augustus. Sr. Buck: 1. Hannah Peters, NRiver; 2. Sawyer Acorn, GRiver East. Ch: Janessa MacLeod; R: Hannah Peters. CANINE: Prelim: 1. Thea Stewart, Millview-VRiver; 2.

Molly Murphy, Albany. Int: 1. Jared MacPhee, Millview-VRiver; 2. Abigail Munro, MillviewVRiver. Advanced: 1. Daniel Whalen, MillviewVRiver; 2. Carley MacLean, Millview-VRiver. Ch: Daniel Whalen; R: Carley MacLean. HORSE & PONY: Showmanship: Prelim: 1. Leah Craig, Horsin' Around; 2. Lauren Ferguson, Horsin'.

Equitation: 1. Leah Craig; 2. Lauren Ferguson.

Ch: Leah Craig; R: Lauren Ferguson. Int: 1. Rebecca MacSwain, Morell & Area; 2. Hailey Hill, Horsin'; 3. Brodie Fanning-Gallant, Horsin'. Equitation: 1. Jenny Mutch, Cherry; 2. Brodie Fanning-Gallant; 3. Taylor Henry, Cherry. Ch: Jenny Mutch; R: Brodie Fanniny-Gallant. Advanced: 1.

Holly Studzinski, Morell & Area. Equitation: 1.

Holly Studzinski. Ch: Holly Studzinski.

PLANTS: Gardening: 1. John Ployer; 2. Fiona Steele, Horsin'. Ch: John Ployer; R: Fiona Steele.

Potato: 1. Liam Murnaghan. Ch: Liam Murnaghan.

Continued on page 21

THE FARM FOCUS • www.atlanticfarmfocus.ca

November 2012•

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2012 RY E VE IC N

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STRATFORD, ONTARIO, CANADA 8:00AM SHARP EST 5 30

s Hr 3

0 30

RY E VE IC N

s Hr

] New hopper bottom & detachable trailers

CIH STX375 4wd & 2010 Landoll 6230 26' disc

Cat IT28, 38 & 953C

JD 637 26 1/2' disc, coil tine harrow

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2005 Cat 325 CL excavator

Complete dispersal by unreserved auction of our own large selection of late model, high quality unused and used farm and industrial equipment, new detachable equipment trailers, new hopper bottom grain trailers and also local consignments from dealers and retiring farmers.

JD 1560 15' no till drill, Yetter markers

JD 980 36' C-tine cultivator, 6" spacing

W S LOCRE A

CIH 200 28 1/2' cultivator, combo harrow

00 22HRS

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CIH 235 & JD 1780

Equipment to be sold includes compacts & lawn equipment, vehicles & recreational equipment, lease & rental returns, tractors, spring & fall tillage, forage, haying, spraying, irrigation, planting, manure & grain handling equipment, duals and attachments as well as combines & heads, header wagons, Industrial & construction equipmen.

JD 9510, HD chopper, Green star, Mauer bin extension

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CIH 5230 and JD 1530 drill

Brillion XL144 36' packer

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CIH 235 and 275 Magnums, duals, low hours

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Y NT RA AR W

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2008 Chevy 3500HD 4wd dump truck, Meyer plow

Bobcat 430 ZHS, fast track

CIH 7220 2wd, cab, air, axle duals

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• November 2012

4 H

www.atlanticfarmfocus.ca • THE FARM FOCUS

Nova Scotia 4-H Pro Show results The Nova Scotia 4-H Pro Show was held Sept. 29-30 in Truro.

CHAMPIONS: RABBIT: 4 Showroom: Julia Josma, Antigonish; Reserve: Sarah Cleveland, Digby; 6 Showroom: Jordan Vosman, Ant; R: Mary Grace McNeil, Hants; Ch. Pet: Erin Groves, Colchester; R: Olivia LeClaire, Halifax East Hants. Market Lamb: Brittany Brydon, Kings; R: Connie Vanden Heuvel, Ant; Market Steer: Connor Morse, Kings; R: Mitchell Best, Kings; Market Turkey: James Vander Sande, Ant; R: Megan Wright, Col; Dairy Showman: Andrew Eikelenboom, HEH; R: Hayley Wilson, Inverness. DOG: Handling: Kait Bates, Col; R: Sara Bellefontaine, HEH; Novice Intermediate Obedience: Jill Ann Barron, Hants; R: Nicole Matheson, Cumberland; Pre-Novice Obedience: Laura Palmer, Kings; R: Kandice Smith, Col; Ch. Novice: Sara Bellefontaine R: Miranda Cook, Lunenburg; Ch. Graduate Novice: Ardeth Morgan, Cum; R: Kait Bates; DRAFT HORSE: Mane & Tail Braiding: Charlsea Fiske, Kings; R: Michael Congdon, Col: Driving: Charlsea Fiske R: Fiona MacKenzie, Pictou; Miniature Driving: Austen Brown, Annapolis; R: Kandice Smith.

LIGHT HORSE: English Pleasure: Mimi Chaloner, Shelburne; R: Robyn van Zutphen, Inv; Western Pleasure: Emma Dickie, Cum; R: Katie Bryson, Cum; E. Dressage: Rebecca MacKeigan, Cape Breton; R: Rachael Cleaveland, Kings; W. Reining: Kaleigh Bennicke; Shel; R: Macayla Cranton, Inv; W. Trail: Jul-

lian Lockhart, Cum; R: Karleigh Bennicke; E. Road Hack: Rebecca MacKeigan R: Jenna Spencer, CB; E. Hunter Hack: Rachael Cleaveland; R: Robyn MacDonald, Cum; W. Poles: Mallory Maxwell, Queens; R: Nicole Vandyke, Queens.

DAIRY: Other Purebred Breeds: Marshall Ellis, HEH: R: Hannah Jamieson, Hants; CALF: Ayrshire: Ashleigh Benedict, HEH; R: Jacob Greenough, Hants: Jersey: Riley Masters, Col; R: Jalmar MacInnis, HEH; Holstein: Darcie Wilson, Inv; R: Sarah MacDonnell, Inv; Ch. Darcie Wilson R: Sarah MacDonnell; BEEF: Replacement Heifer: Victor Horsnell, Kings; R: Leann Lenihan, Lunenburg; Simmental: Connor Morse; R: Courtney Allison, Hants; Limousin: Brody Baker, Cum; R: Steven Arnold, Kings; Calf: Shorthorn: Heather Creamer, Cum; R: Hayley Scotland, Pic; Angus: Sarah Manthorne; Cum; R: Rebecca Gilby, HEH; Hereford: Breagh Ross, Kings: R: Breanna Curry, Cum; Other Purebred: Jacoba Rondhuis, Hants; R: Sydney Rhodenizer, Lun; Feeder Steer: Nicole Matheson, Cum; R: Ian Oliver, Ann; Ch. Jaoba Rondhuis; R: Breagh Ross. DAIRY GOAT: Heather Mazur, Lun; R: Kelsey Morehouse, HEH; CHEVON: Faith Harrison, Kings; R: Kali McLellan, Hants; LAMB: Jonah Hiltz, Kings R: Jaoba Rondhuis.

JUDGES: Beef: Sarah Manthorne; R: Emily Holman, HEH; Dairy: Hannah Jamieson, Hants; R: Jonathan Bent, Ann; Sheep: Anna Fullerton, Col; R: Keegan Hiltz, Kings: Rab-

bit: Jordan Vosman, Ant; R: Andrew Greene, Pic; Light Horse: Samantha Durno, Kings; R: Mirah Stultz Clarence, Ann; Draft Horse: Charlsea Fiske; R: Rebecca Ripley, Cum; Miniature Horse: Fiona MacKenzie R: Sydney Milne, Kings; Goats: Kelsey Morehouse R: Taylor Giffen, HEH: Poultry: Steven Maufort, Victoria; R: Kayla Graham, Pic; Waterfowl: Andrew Greene; R: Fiona MacKenzie; Dog: Carter Feltham, Queens; R: Hillary Gear, Lun; Sewing: Emily Sister, HEH; R: Sarah MacInnis, Inv; Foods: Emma Joudrey, Pic; R: Auroa Collier, Richmond; Cake Decorating: Taylor Lynk, CB; R: Emily Lamb, Kings; Crafts: Kayla Graham; R: Emma MacLean, CB; Scrapbooking: Miranda Teasdale, Ant; R: Katie Ferguson, Col; Woodworking: Kayla Graham; R: Caleb Grant, Hants; Great Outdoors; Claudine Broussard, Rich; R: Austen Brown; Floriculture: Margaret Sutherland, Pic; R: Hannah Chishlom, Ant; Garden: Meghan Redden, Ann; R: Dean Gillis, CB; Photography: Hannah Jamieson, Hants; R: Ainslie Campbell, Pic; 1st Aid: Savannah Lees, Pic; R: Karmarie Perry, Shel; Small Engine: Blake Hamilton, Hants: R: Megan Cole; Welding: Trevor Crouse, Lun; R: Jason Withrow, Hants; Computer: Justin Jamieson, Hants; R: Brent Fisher, Col. ARTICLES: Sewing: Jr: Gillian Blackburn, Col; R: Jade Butler, Pic; Sr: Carter Felthan; R: Kenzie MacNeil, Ant; Foods: Jr: Dylan Corkum, Cum: R: Amy Crocker, Col: Sr: Melody Laffin, Hants: R: Amanda Maxwell, Kings; Craft: Jr. Jillian Taylor R: Brook Village, Inv; Sr: Mandy Smith, Halifax; R: Emily Prescott, Col; Scrapbooking: Jr: Matthew MacDonald, CB; R: Kiersten Moore, Cum: Sr: Lindsay Anderson, Cum: R: Kathryn Ryan, Inv; Cake Decorating: Jr: Zoe Marshall, Dig; R: Allie Fraser, Rich; Sr: Janelle Pick, Hants; R: Joshua Sharpe, Pic; Woodworking: Jr: Clint Keddy, Lun; R: Bryce Keddy, Lun; Sr: Derek Gladney, Pic; R: Sacha Baldwin, Cum. PROJECTS/ARTICLES/ITEMS: Heritage Collection: Jr: Michael Congdon; R: Emma Cross, Ant; Sr: Kathryn Ryan, Inv; R: Mallory Maxwell; Great Outdoors: Jr: Grant Cock, Lun; R: Caden Melaren, Ant; Sr: Bryan Berk, Vic; R: Annie Riley, Shel; Small Engines: Jr: Robert Berk, Vic; R: Mitchel MacKennon, Vic; Sr: Mitchell Allen, Cum; R: Jacob van Vunderon, Ant; Garden: Jr: Austin McGarvie, Kings; R: Nicholas Clarke, Kings; Sr: Brian Berk, Vic; R: Alannah Sharpe, Pic; Floriculture: Jr: Maggie Berk, Vic; R: Emma Ranch, Kings; Sr: Valerie Delong, Ann; R: Hannah Chishlom; Photography: Jr: Bailey Campell, CB; R: Kendra Vigneom, Ant; Sr: Hannah Cook, Lun; R: Morgan McNeil, Hants; 1st Aid: Jr: MacKenzie Miller; R: Kaitlyn Kelly, Hants; Sr: Amie Riley, Shel; R: Serena Meaney, Lun; Exploring 4-H: Laura Isaacs, Pic; R: Nash Langille, Pic; Vet Science: Murray Clements, Lun; R: Andrew Greene; Welding: Jr: Nick Dytestra, Pic; R: Fiona MacKenzie; Sr: Kirk Richardson, Col; R: Eben Bruce, Ann; Computer: Jr: Jessica Carver, Hants; R: Sarah Eisnor, Lun; Sr: Brooke Hamittott, Hants; R: Brent Fisher, Col; 4-H Showcase: Jr: Brandon Jamieson, Hants; R: John George, Hants; Sr: Danielle Briand, Lun; R: Reilley Perrins, Kings.

CHAMPIONS: Poultry Trio: Felicia Graham,

Pic; R: Nicole MacKenzie, Col; Ch. Pair: Andrew Greene; R: Nicole MacKenzie; W. Equitation: Kaleigh Bennicke; R: Sydney Milne; E. Equitation: Erin Groves; R: Rebecca MacKeigan; SHOWMAN: Light Horse: Samantha Swinamer, Hants; R: Emma Ferguson, Rich; Beef: Connor Morse; R: Taylor Stewart; Poultry: Andrew Greene; R: Aimee Cross, Lun; Draft Horse: Charlsea Fiske; R: Michael Congdon; Miniature Horse: Kandice Smith; R: Sidney Patton, Col; Sheep: Brianna Sinclair, Guysborough; R: Julie Morash, Hants; Rabbit: Mukahla Dorey, Kings; R: Jordan Vosman, Ant: Waterfowl: Nicole MacKenzie; R: Derek Bellefontaine, HEH; Goat: Kelsey Morehouse; R: Jenna Waugh, Col. Tug-of-War: Pictou; R: Antigonish; Consolation: Colchester; R: Annapolis; Overall Judge: Kayla Graham; R: Andrew Greene; Livestock Showman: Nicole MacKenzie; R: Andrew Greene.

COMPETITIONS: Vegetable Prep: Jr: Maggie Berk; Sr: Bryan Berk; Floral Arranging: Jr: Maggie Berk; Sr: Kendra Kinnear, Cum; Fashion Show: Jr: Beth O’Connell, Col; Sr: Emily Prescott, Col; Bake-Off: Jr: Aurora Collier; Sr: Kait Bates, Col; Cake Decorating: Jr: Kady Forand, Hants; Sr: Emily Lamb; Craft: Jr: Beverly Booth, Cum; Sr; Rachael Berkers, Ant; Woodworking: Jr: Kaitlyn Heighton, Pic; Sr: Kayla Graham; Outdoorsman: Jr: Gracie Brinton; Sr: Amie Riley; Wool: Jr: Logan Vroegh, Hants; Sr: Abby Cook, Lun; Recyclable: Jr: McConnell Reid, HEH; Sr: Eben Bruce; Photography: Jr: Sarah van den Heuvel, Ant; Sr: Andrew Cantwell, CB; Scrapbooking: Jr: Camryn Smith, Col; Sr: Abigail Cook; Record Keeping: Jr: Brooke McNeil, Hants; Giant Vegetable: Jr: Jonah Hiltz, Kings; Sr: Marla McNutt, Col; Tractor Driving: HEH; Canadian Young Speakers for Agriculture Competition: Morgan McNeil.

Canadian Junior Beef Heifer Classic: Connor Morse; Jacoba Rondhuis; Sarah Manthorne; Victor Horsnell; Wyatt Oulton; Andrew Greene; Breagh Ross; Leanne Lenihan; Brody Baker; Spare: Makhela Sears, Cum. Provincial 4-H Beef Classic (Murray Parker Memorial): Connor Morse; Olivia Hiltz, Kings; Sydney Rodenizer; Versteeg Memorial Dairy Award: Darcie Wilson; Royal Dairy Classic: Andrew Eikelenboom; Hayley Wilson; Darcie Wilson; Sarah MacDonnell; Ashleigh Benedict; Helen Fraser, HEH; Jacob Greenough; Becky Lowe, Inv; Robin Wilson, Inv; Marshall Ellis; Spare: Emma Thompson, Ant; Reginald & Donald Scothorn Dairy Clipping Competition: 1: Nicole MacKenzie and Rebecca O’Connell; 2: Marrow Brown and Marshall Ellis, HEH; Oulton Fuels Beef Clipping Competition: 1: Danielle Stewart and Emily Ross, Cum; 2: Emily Pipes and Amanda Smith Gaudet, Cum; Sheep Clipping Competition: 1: Margaret Sutherland and Emily Sutherland; Pic; 2: Kelsey Brydon and Mahala Brydon, Kings.

TOP: Livestock Display: Colchester: Life Skills Display: Queens: Overall County: 1: Cumberland 2: Hants; 3: Halifax East Hants; 4: Victoria; 5: Antigonish; 6: Richmond; 7: Pictou; 8: Kings; 9: Lunenburg; 10: Inverness.

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THE FARM FOCUS • www.atlanticfarmfocus.ca

The importance of air

By DAN MOSELY, Perennia It can be a difficult to keep fresh, dry and cool air around cows in the barn. As the temperature drops through the fall and winter, dry and fresh air become the challenge. Humidity, a big element in Nova Scotia weather, causes wet stalls and floors and this results in mastitis, high cell count and lameness through digital dermatitis and heel horn erosion.

COW SIGNALS What do your cows tell you? Cows sticking their noses out of the door or window, or cows grouped near doorways can often be mistaken for curiosity when they are actually seeking fresh air. When this happens cows eat less and production drops. Fast breathing is one of the first symptoms of poor ventilation. A high producing cow should breathe between 10-30 times per minute. One fast breathing cow (30- 60 times per minute) might be pain, have a fever, or inflammation in its lungs. If you see more cows breathing fast the air is not good enough. Seeing a few cows standing in stalls is another signal.

This can also mean lameness, poor bedding or bad stall design. With heat stress they stay on their feet to cool off by letting the breeze go around them.

If you come out of a barn and your clothes don’t smell of manure, the ventilation was OK. The air inside should be as fresh as outside.

The ideal temperature for a lactating dairy cow is 5-15°C. It is still bearable at -25°C; however a cow is in heat stress at + 22°C. Calves need warmer air — around 18°C for the first month.

This makes it almost impossible to keep cows and calves happy and healthy in the same barn.

Where to put fans? The most important place for fans is over the close up cows (dry cows 3 weeks before calving). This is a highrisk group.

The second best place is over the stalls. A cow should lie down for 14 hours each day in a welldesigned barn. That is a lot longer than the 6 hours cows spent at the feed bunk, which should be the last place for fans. If you put fans above the stalls it would be a good idea to use a thermostat so they turn on automatically when the temperature rises above 18°C.

Fur Industry Act Nova Scotia introduced amendments to its Fur Industry Act on Oct. 31 to ensure the industry is an environmentally responsible neighbour.

The amendments allow the agriculture minister to respond to problems and help prevent them at new or established farms.

"Through a number of public consultations we heard communities when they said there were concerns associated with mink farming," Agriculture Minister John MacDonell explained. "We are taking significant steps to address those concerns by amending the act and implementing new regulations that will enable the industry to grow, while ensuring good environmental management."

The proposed regulations focus on environmental management of fur operations and concentrate on the storage, treatment and disposal of manure, waste feed and carcasses.

The original act included a three-year grandfather period. A key amendment ensures existing farms that expand will have only six months to comply. The amended act also requires any fur farms that stop operating to clean up waste.

What fans are best? Vertical fans (large in size) move a lot of air are very quiet and have a low energy requirement. They work best in high barns that aren’t too wide (4-6 rows), with 4-5 meter (13-16 feet) open sides. They need to suck in sufficient dry air from outside. If not they will only circulate the moist air. Horizontal fans will blow air about 10 x their diameter in distance.

So, with a 1 x 60 cm (24 inch) diameter fan you need put the next fan 6 meters (20 feet) away.

Make sure you let fans bring in clean and dry air to cool the cow.

Free air is the cheapest. Build your barn on a hill for free wind cooling. Limit the number of walls in the barn and don’t put walls on the end of a row of stalls. Get as much free air as possible. Make the side openings at least 4 metres (13 feet) high and put in curtains.

WATER COOLING? In hot and dry climates people will cool cows using water soakers or air misters. Only with temperatures over 28°C might this be an option, but beware of cell counts and mastitis through bringing more humidity into the barn. In

humid climates, a safer option is water cooling on top of the roof. The water stays out of the barn and the radiation and temperature under the roof will drop. This won’t work on insulated roofs.

Open your building, buy some fans and enjoy low cell counts and higher production next summer!

Dan Mosley, Dairy Specialist, Perennia (902)896-0277, Cell (902) 890-9665 or email: dmosely@perennia.ca.

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• November 2012

www.atlanticfarmfocus.ca • THE FARM FOCUS

New Brunswick 4-H Show results

Fun, friends, scholarships, travel opportunities, and exciting challenging activities for boys and girls aged 6-25

HORSE: Cbud: Arminda Flynn, Napan; Jr: Kristina Nason, New Maryland; Sr: Kirsten Thomas, NMaryland. Ch: Kirsten Thomas; R: Ashley Storey, Kings. GOAT: Cbud: Fallon Lucas; Sr: Alex Cripps. Ch: Alex Cripps; R: Fallon Lucas. LIGHT HORSE: Cbud: Rhiannon Allen; Jr: Allyson Williamson, Robin Tait; Sr: Christina Jardine, Napan, Paige Taylor, Salis. Ch: Allyson Williamson; R: Robin Tait. POULTRY: Cbud: Nicholas Clark, River; Sr: Carrie Corbett. Ch: Carrie Corbett; R: J. R. Bowland, Kings. RABBIT: Cbud: Lydia Folkins, Kings; Jr: Keegan Pickard, River: Sr: Nicole Bell, Harvey. Ch: Nicole Bell; R: Ashley Storey. SHEEP: Cbud: Sam Smith, Kings; Jr: Mattie Geddes; Sr: Jesse Geddes, Kings.

Ch: Jesse Geddes; R: Jesse Oulton, Chi. OVERALL: Ch: Alex Cripps; R: Carrie Corbett.

CHAMPIONS: BEEF: Angus: Taylor Welch.

Charolais: Jacob McAffee. Crossbred: Ashley Black. Hereford: Meghan Black. Limousin: Jesse Thorne, Kings. Saler: Nick Lisson, Kings. Ch. Steer: Cole Hunter; Ch. Animal: Meghan Black; R: Taylor Welch. Top Beef Exhibitor: Taylor Welch. DAIRY CALF: Ayrshire: Ty Hornbrook, Kings. Guernsey: Jessica Baker, Keswick. Holstein: Tyler Parlee, Sussex. Jersey: Iian Anderson. Ch: Tyler Parlee; R: Rianne Dykstra, West. Herd: Tyler Parlee. Top Exh: Kathryn McCully. CHAMPIONS: Goat: Alex Cripps; R: Alex Cripps; Top Exh: Alex Cripps. Draft Horse High Point Exh: Cameron Hayward, NMaryland.

Light Horse High Point Exh: Jared Stevens, Napan. Bird of the Show: Jesse Oulton; R: Carrie Corbett. Poultry Exh: Carrie Corbett.

Rabbit: Sara Hall, Chi; R: Keegan Pickard, River. Top Exh: Ashley Storey. Lamb: Ch: Jesse Geddes; R: Jesse Geddes. Top Exh: Mattie Geddes. Canine High In Trial: Emily Gregory.

TOP DISPLAY/ARTICLE: Cbud: Vanessa Harris. Craft: Patrick Cullins, Northampton.

Food: Hannah Versloot, Keswick. Outdoor Living: Reilly McWade, North Tay. Photography: Michelle Perry, Kings. Scrap Booking: Cody Whyte, Napan. Woodworking: Jessica Baker. Self-Group Determined: Sarah Shaw, Rebecca Boone, NTay. COMPETITION: Speerville Newfound Oatmeal Cookie: Cbud: Hannah Versloot; Jr: Mackenzie Crisp, Keswick. 4-H Club Scrapbook: Chignecto.

BARN EXHIBITS: Beef: River Valley; Canine: Harvey; Dairy: Countryside; Draft Horse: Napan; Goat: Kings Co. Beef; Light Horse: Harvey; Poultry: Chignecto; Rabbit: Countryside; Sheep: Chignecto.

Dairy members selected for Royal Winter Fair: Rianne Dykstra; Raine Beckwith; Tyler Parlee; Graham Briggs; Kathryn McCully; Ty Hornbrook; Emma Allen; Miranda Murphy and Josee Blanchette.

Beef Members selected for Royal Winter Fair: Kyle Parkinson; Taylor Welch; Leaha Black; Will Raymond; Reggie Raymond; Jesse Thorne; Meghan Black; Ashley Black, and Josh Hunter.

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derson, Kings; Jr: Jacob McAffee, River Valley; Sr: Ashley Black. FOODS: Jr: Allyson Williamson, Salis; Sr: Alex Cripps, Kings.

PHOTOGRAPHY: Jr: Allyson Williamson; Sr: Carrie Corbett, Kings.

OVERALL JUDGING CHAMPIONS: Cbud: Rhiannon Allen; Reserve: Fallon Lucas; Jr: Jacob McAffee; R: Allyson Williamson; Sr: Meghan Black; R: Lindsay Briggs, Country. OVERALL: Meghan Black; R: Lindsay Briggs; AGRIBITION: Lindsay Briggs; R: Alex Cripps.

SHOWMAN: BEEF: Cbud: Krista Dulenty, Chignecto; A: Cole Hunter, River; B: Caitlin Brake, River; C: Reggie Raymond, Kings; D: Taylor Welch, Country. Ch: Taylor Welch; R: Kyle Parkinson, Country. CANINE: Jr: Emily Gregory, Harvey. Ch: Emily Gregory; R: Micayla Gregory, Harvey. DAIRY: Cbud: Caitlin Riordon; A: Caylin Andrews, Keswick; B: Raine Beckwith, Westmorland; C: Kathryn McCully, Sussex Holstein; D: Graham Briggs, Country. Ch: Graham Briggs; R: Kathryn McCully. DRAFT

Havey Whidden’s in Stewiacke, NS *Photo Courtesy of Atlantic Holstein News Inc. Builders of Concrete & Steel Silos and Grain Bins • Shop: 902-662-3772 • Cell: 902-893-0774

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The 32nd annual 4-H New Brunswick Provincial Show was held at the Exhibition Grounds in Fredericton on Aug. 31- Sept. 2.

Judges included: Jennifer Lemon, Troy Thomas, Robert Holmes, James Bennett, Brian Craswell, Barrie Bent, Trevor MacDonald, Brian Trenholm and Tara Cleghorn.

The NB 4-H Program recognized Kubota Canada Ltd. and Green Diamond Equipment as major sponsors for the show.

JUDGING: Cloverbud: Caitlin Riordon, Triple K; BEEF: Cbud: Rhiannon Allen, Nashwaak Valley; Jr: Katie Antworth, Countryside; Sr: Meghan Black, Countryside.

CRAFTS: Cbud: Vanessa Harris, Country; Jr: Barry Riordon, Triple K; Sr: Ashley Black, Country. DAIRY: Cbud: Fallon Lucas, Harvey; Jr: Brooke Boonstoppel, Keswick Ridge; Sr: Meghan Black, Country. DRAFT HORSE: Cbud: Rhiannon Allen, Nashwaak; Jr: Robin Tait, Salisbury; Sr: Monica Saulnier, Napan.

LIGHT HORSE: Cbud: Rhiannon Allen; Jr: Mattie Geddes, Kings Co. Beef; Sr: Carrie McCullough, Harvey; Sheep: Cbud: Iian An-

THE FARM FOCUS • www.atlanticfarmfocus.ca

4 H

November 2012•

4-H centenary highlights

By NANCY RALPH

Grace Hughes competed in the Best Dressed Animal Competition at the Prince Edward Island 4-H Rural Youth Fair. (Photo: PEI 4-H)

PEI 4-H Rural Youth Fair results Continued from page 16 CRAFTS: Jr: Seasonal Decorations: 1. Cole Scantlebury, Wheatley River; 2. Chase Scantlebury, WRiver; 3. Katie Dunn, Ft. Augustus.

Scrapbooking-One Page: 1. Selina Lowther, Albany; 2. Dayna Jorgensen; 3. Dakota MacWilliams, Albany. Felting: 1. Sophia Vessey, DunMarsh; 2. Megan Vanderkloet, DunMarsh.

Sr: Seasonal: 1. Alicia Noonan, Albany. Scrapbooking-2 Pages On 4-H: 1. Katie Vanleeuwen, PValley; 2. Krista Lee Oliver, Elmsdale; 3. Sean Larsen, Albany.

Felting-One Item: 1. Dawnielle Vessey, DunMarsh. Ch: Cole Scantlebury. NEEDLECRAFT: Jr: Easy Steps To Knit: I-Dog: 1. Rachael Martens, Millview-VRiver; 2. Robyn Turner , DunMarsh; 3. Emma MacKay, DunMarsh.

II-Mittens: 1. Selina Martens, Millview-VRiver.

III-Teddy Bear: 1. Gracee Gallant, MillviewVRiver; 2. Rebecca Martens, Millview-VRiver.

Hotdog Mitts: 1. Cassandra MacLeod, Fr River.

Sr: Crochet-Scarf: 1. Thea Stewart. Crochet Two-Mittens: 1. Hayley Ings, Cherry; 2. Jenny Mutch. Knit-Dog: 1. Lily Li, Millview-VRiver.

Ch: Gracee Gallant.

SEWING; Jr: Great Beginnings: Tote Bag: 1. Rebecca Ford, NRiver. Boxers/sleep Pant: 1. Robyn Smith, DunMarsh; 2. Alisha MacDonald, Millview-VRiver. Sew With Fleece I-Mitts/hat: 1. Ila Matheson; 2. Sophie MacDonald, GRiver East; 3. Tyler Crane, Millview-VRiver. Ii-Pillow: 1.

Katie Rose Green, Millview-VRiver; 2. Liese Ortenburger, Wh River; 3. Lydia Butler, MillviewVRiver. Sew You Want To Sew-Silly Pillow: 1.

Fiona Nicholson, Cavendish; 2. Chloe Toombs, Cavendish; 3. Alyssa Nicholson, Cavendish.

Simple Sportswear-Skirt/shorts: 1. Madison MacDonald, NRiver; 2. Jessica Pirch, MillviewVRiver; 3. Brianna MacDonald, MillviewVRiver. Sewing Plus-Shirt/blouse: 1. Nellie Wood. Fashionably You-Dress: 1. Molly Stewart, Millview-VRiver; 2. Sarah Furness, Millview-VRiver; 3.

Emma Prosper, Millview-VRiver. Quilting-Patchwork Item: 1.

Carley MacLean; 2. Zoie Farish. Sr: Boxers/sleep Pant: 1. Michael Ferguson, Millview-VRiver.

Dress: 1. Kellie-Lynn Younker, Wh River; 2. Simone Farish, Millview-VRiver; 3. Megan Peters, NRiver. Ch: Kellie-Lynn Younker.

FOODS: Jr: Food & You-Year I (Cookies): 1.

Dayna Jorgensen; 2. Reagan Bouma, PValley; 3.

Justin Larsen, Albany. Dairy (Muffins): 1. Olivia Mullins, PValley. Breads & Cereals (Pan Rolls): 1.

John Campbell, Summer; 2. Lindsay Birt, Summer; 3. Hannah Aitken, Summer. Power Foods (Energy Bars): 1. Emma Prosper. Sr: Dairy (Muffins): 1. Kevin Noonan, Albany Foods Across Canada (Potato Cake): 1. Kathi Gordon, Summer; 2. Caleb Harding, Summer; 3. Jeremy Power, Summer. Ch: John Campbell.

SELF-DETERMINED: Jr: Woodworking (Other): 1. Jordan Arsenault, Wh River; 2.

Spencer Mullins, PValley. Painting & Drawing: 1. Makayla Boswall, DunMarsh; 2. Rachel Vanderkloet, DunMarsh. Scrapbooking: 1. Grace Rooney, Cherry; 2. Tessa MacKinnon, Brooklyn-Heatherdale; 3. Hannah Cole, PValley. Others: 1. Johnathan Palmer, Lot 16; 2. Sabrina Nunn, Fr River; 3. Sabrina Nunn. Sr: Woodworking (Furniture): 1. Hayley Ings.

(Other): 1. Mathieu Arsenault, Evang. Photography: 1. Sara Gamble , Lot 16. Painting & Drawing: 1. Allie Stewart, DunMarsh; 2. Alana Jewell, DunMarsh; 3. Hillary Stewart, DunMarsh.

Scrapbooking: 1. Kathi Gordon, Summerville; 2. Jenny Mutch; 3. Hayley Ings.

Others: 1. Natasha MacLeod, Fr River; 2. Lorina Murphy, Summer; 3. Ellen Holland, Summer. Ch: Hayley Ings.

MISCELLANEOUS: Gears,gizmos,gadgets(Mousetrap Car): 1. Cody Dunn, Elm; 2. Olivia Batten, Elm; 3. Mark Corcoran, Elm. Rocketry(Rocket): 1. Cameron MacDonald, Wh River; 2.

Zachary MacDonald, Wh River. Lobster-(Trap): 1. Greg Morrison, DunMarsh. Ch: Greg Morrison. Great Outdoors A-(Bird Feeder): 1. Ethan Craig, DunMarsh. C-(Leaf Collection): 1. Bryce Doiron, PValley; 2. Robert Larsen, Albany; 3.

Allan Larsen, Albany. Outdoor Living-(Fishing Pole): 1. Locke Donovan, Summe; 2. Alec MacDougall, Summer; 3. Evan Campbell, Summer.

Outdoor Survival (Map): 1. Johanna Reid, Fr River; 2. Sarah Furness, Millview-VRiver; 3.

Trevor Whalen, Millview-VRiver. Wildlife B(Diorama): 1. Joshua Brown, Lot 16; 2. Jack Gamble, Lot 16; 3. Nick Brown, Lot 16. Ch: Bryce Doiron. Looking Good, Feeling Great (Display): 1. Bailie Campbell, Summer; 2.

Melanie Arsenault, Evang; 3. Haley Evans, Fr River. Cake Decorating (6" Round Foam Cake): 1. Janelle Arsenault, Evang; 2. Rikki Delaney Gallant, Evang; 3. Chrystel Arsenault, Evang. Ch: Janelle Arsenault.

Photography: Jr. (3 Pics In Frame): 1. Emma MacPhail, NRiver; 2. Anna Brazil, DunMarsh; 3. Garrett MacKay, Bklyn-Heather. Sr: 1. Megan Peters; 2. Caitlin Connolly, NRiver. Ch: Emma MacPhail. Woodworking I-(Other Woods Shelf): 1. Olivia Batten; 2. Brandon MacPhee, Wh River; 3. Kelly Drake, Cherry. II-(Other Woods Stool): 1. Isaac Mutch, Cherrye; 2. Lindsay Mallett, Elm; 3. Noah Thompson, NRiver.

III-(Other Woods Bookrack): 1. Luke Oliver, Elm; 2. George Williams, Elm; 3. William Muirhead. Ch: Olivia Batten. Jr. Leadership (BookDisplay Only): 1. Michael Ferguson.

The beef team for the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair (major sponsor Cavendish Agri Services) consists of: Logan Ford, James Worth, Courtney Hogan, Emily McKenna-Ayles, Ella Wood, Ellen and Bennett Crane, Jory Donovan, Hayley Ings and Matthias Drake.

The dairy team, (major sponsor ADL) consists of: Jillian, Matthew and Christiana

In 2013, 4-H will celebrate its 100th anniversary.

The milestone was discussed at the recent annual meeting in St. John’s, Newfoundland & Labrador.

Some of the centenary highlights include: • Enbridge Canada was announced as the national sponsor of the 4-H centennial celebrations across the country.

• John Deere, Cargill, and Pioneer will be partnering sponsors of the 100th anniversary.

• A web site has been developed where anyone can send in stories about 4H, along with photos, videos, and any other documents. To share your stories, see www.4-hcanada.ca/100/en/e-history • Farm Credit Canada is sponsoring a national public-speaking competition, including a video and social networking initiative called “FCC Shout for Ag”. This program will be in addition to FCC’s existing commitment to public speaking in 4-H,

• •

•

•

•

and every club across the country will be encouraged to participate.

A national food drive has been set up with 4-H and Food Banks Canada.

A Global Youth Ag Summit will be held in August 2013 in Olds, Alberta.

Organized by 4-H Canada and Bayer Crop Science, the “Feeding a Hungry Planet” event will recognize the 100th anniversary of 4-H in Canada, the 100th anniversary of Olds College, and the 150th anniversary of Bayer, and will host 120 youth aged 18-25 from around the world. They will discuss and learn how their generation will meet the challenge of feeding the global community.

In September, a fundraising campaign was unveiled by Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show and 4-H Canada to raise $100,000 in 2013 as part of a 4H legacy fund.

MacDon Industries released a oneof-a-kind special edition self-propelled windrower to commemorate the 4-H 100th anniversary.

An anniversary gala will be held in Winnipeg on May 30, 2013.

Farm Focus of Atlantic Canada

Written by Atlantic Canadians Created by Atlantic Canadians Printed by Atlantic Canadians Right here in Atlantic Canada Read by Atlantic Canadians

For over 41 years

Reach Atlantic Canadians with your Message of products and services

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21

22

• November 2012

N E W S

www.atlanticfarmfocus.ca • THE FARM FOCUS

Potato harvest just about complete [Alberton, PEI]– There’s suddenly a scarcity of harvesters in Prince Edward Island’s potato fields. Last week’s fine weather did wonders for that.

Brian Beaton, potato specialist for the PEI Department of Agriculture estimated Monday (Oct. 29) that at least 95 per cent of the Island’s main cash crop is now out of the ground.

Of the spuds still in the ground, Beaton said some of them are in wet spots that growers will probably leave behind rather than harvest and risk breakdown in the piles.

The yield, Beaton said, “is better that we’d thought for the late varieties.”

He said they benefitted from the September rainfall. The early varieties suffered because of the dry July and August growing period. They didn’t size up like they normally would so the yield is off, he said The only slowdown to the harvesting last week was two mornings of heavy frost, Beaton said.

“A lot of fellows on the weekend were able to wrap things up,” he reported.

Greg Donald, manager of the PEI Potato Board, estimated thee harvest is about 99 per cent Island-wide.

Donald said the yield would end up close to average west of Summerside, where a little more moisture fell during the dry period.

That same region actually got less rainfall than the rest of the province when the storm clouds opened in September and October, he noted. Yield is less further east.

Overall, Donald said the yield is turning out better than what most growers were expecting partway through the growing season.

Donald recalled an east-west trip he made this fall when tractors were being towed through fields down east and growers up west were enjoying a good day of harvesting.

“It can’t go without saying that there were a lot of variables across the Island this year,” he commented.

Island peat moss catches Egyptian Consul General’s interest

By ERIC MCCARTHY Journal Pioneer [Foxley, River, PEI] – Besides mutual interest in growing tourism in their respective jurisdictions, Egypt’s Consul General in Canada and Prince Edward Island’s Tourism minister share an interest in peat moss.

In his discussions about tourism with Amin Meleika, Tourism Minister Robert

Henderson said the Consul General expressed an interest in learning more about peat moss. A huge chunk of the Island’s peat moss harvest happens in his riding so he took the Consul General for a tour of Gulf Island Peat Moss in Foxley River.

Gulf Island Peat Moss exports some of its product to Egypt and Meleika expressed an interest in seeing how it is harvested.

“I’m very surprised and very im-

pressed,” Meleika said after seeing the fields where the peat moss is harvested and the huge vacuum units that gather it up.

“It’s very impressive, and the way it’s being used for a good cause. It’s just amazing.”

Besides being used in greenhouses for growing plants like tomatoes and peppers, peat moss is also used in Egypt for storing potatoes during transport.

There were 89,500 acres of potatoes grown in PEI this year, up 3,500 acres from the year before.

Although the official StatsCan numbers won’t be available until Nov. 16, Donald suggested the supply of potatoes form Ontario east will be on par with last year.

He is expecting a higher supply in the states, though, especially in Idaho where the acreage increased by about 25,000 acres.

Countering that increase, Donald noted, is a poorer than normal European crop which could potentially create opportunity for more Canadian spuds into the Caribbean market.

Journal Pioneer

One in a million The 16 members of Clark’s Cluckers have been buying lottery tickets together for a decade. And it paid off.

On Oct. 26, one of the numbers chosen by the employees at Clark’s Chick Hatchery in Burtts Corner, New Brunswick matched a $1-million Max Millions prize.

Each of the winners received $62,500.

They also shared $2 for the TAG.

THE FARM FOCUS • www.atlanticfarmfocus.ca

F O R E S T R Y

November 2012•

23

Scotsburn sawmill reopening under new owner

By ADAM MACINNIS The News [Scotsburn, NS] – After almost a year of waiting and trying to find ways to fill his day, John MacPherson is happy to say that the lumber mill in Scotsburn (Nova Scotia) is reopening and he’ll be going back to work full time.

Since the mill closed down last December, MacPherson and the approximately 70 other people working there at the time had been waiting to hear what the mill’s fate would be.

“All you can do is just bide your time,” said MacPherson, who serves as unit president for the mill, which is represented by the United Steelworkers. “Guys picked up different odd jobs, but they never got full employment.”

Some did decide they couldn’t wait and took jobs out west, MacPherson said, but he always held out hope that the mill would reopen and has a list of 53 other people who are looking to return as well. He said ever since the mill closed he’s done everything he could to see that it reopened and was happy when he was finally called in for a meeting with Northern Pulp to discuss starting it up again.

One shift of about 25 to 30 people is expected to start late October while a second shift will be added after later, he said. Once everything is up and running again, MacPherson said it should employ about 85 people.

“It’s coming at a good time because everybody’s unemployment is running out and they’re getting anxious,” MacPherson said.

He’s talked to some people who moved out west who have indicated that they’d be interested in coming back as well.

Northern Pulp bought the mill from Ligni Bel Ltd. in August. Bob Bagdon, Northern

Pulp’s human resources vice president, confirmed the mill is opening this fall and said they would love to be making lumber by the end of October, although he was reluctant to say for sure that will be the timeline or how many people would be called back.

“We would like to open it as soon as we can, but there’s an orderly process that we need to follow,” he said.

He said they would hope to buy wood from Crown land as well as private woodlots and that the partnership with the Northern Pulp plant on Abercrombie Point and the mill should work well. Chips from the saw operation will be used at Northern Pulp.

“That business complements our business,” Bagdon said. “We’re creating efficiencies.”

There are plenty of others impacted by the mill opening as well, MacPherson said, from the people running saws in the woods, to drivers who truck the logs and businesses that sell the lumber.

Debbie Sangster, owner of Deb’s Hidden Café in Scotsburn, is also excited to hear the mill is reopening.

“It’s definitely going to give us more business,” she said. “We’re the only restaurant in Scotsburn.”

She said they noticed a significant difference in sales when the mill closed last December, but with it reopening she said she’ll be able to hire some more staff.

“All around it’s going to be positive for the community,” she said. “It’s going to bring more money into the town.”

Sangster said her business had done well over the summer, and she had expected sales to drop a bit with winter coming, but she’s sure that won’t be the case now.

“It’ll just be like summer all over again,” she said.

NB releases biomass resource maps A set of resource maps and an accompanying report were released Oct. 22 showcasing potential locations to develop biomass resources for energy co-generation in New Brunswick.

The resources maps are combined into an atlas to show the potential energy represented by the province's forest. The atlas and report, Forest Biomass to Energy Atlas of New Brunswick, was produced by the K.C. Irving Chair in Sustainable Development at the Université de Moncton, in partnership with the Department of Energy and Mines, and show the annual potential energy of the forest biomass.

Developed using existing annual allowable cut data of the forest industry, along with allo-

metric equations and biomass expansion factors, the study provides an assessment of the forest residual biomass and bark from forestry operations that would be available on an annual basis for energy cogeneration. When converted into electricity and heat, the residual biomass and bark could be used to generate 463 MW of electricity and more than 1,100 MW of heat, distributed in 17 regions of the province.

The new biomass resource maps complement existing hydro, solar, and wind renewable resource maps and can be viewed, along with the report, on the Department of Energy and Mines website. (http://www.gnb.ca/0085/pdf/en/201210BiomassReport.pdf)

Funds for western NS woodlot owners Woodlot owners in western Nova Scotia have access to $500,000 from the province to help them on their lands.

On Nov. 5, Queens MLA Vicki Conrad, (on behalf of Natural Resources Minister Charlie Parker) said woodlot owners in the western region, where the Bowater mill closed, deserve government's support.

The roads will help get forest products to market and make forest fire protection easier.

The funding is added to $1 million the province announced in July for woodlot owners. Eligible applications received in July will be reviewed on a first-come, first-serve basis.

The funding is being managed and distributed by the Forest Products Association of Nova Scotia.

The first rolls of paper came off the line at Port Hawkesbury Paper in Point Tupper, Nova Scotia on Oct. 3. (Photo: Communications Nova Scotia)

New group gives voice to woodlot owners TC Media [Summerside, PEI] — A new association for Island woodlot owners is growing in strength.

Prince Edward Island Woodlot Owners Association president Bruce Craig said the group began to form about a year-and-ahalf ago as Wood West Networks Initiatives representing West Prince. It now has 65 members from across the Island.

Craig said the association is a comprised of a variety of woodlot owners, each with concerns specific to their own operations.

“The buffer zone is the biggest concern,”

he said. “That’s always been a big one, but more so since the province has come with the new buffer zone legislation.”

About 85 per cent of woodlot land on the Island is privately owned.

“This is why (the association) is so important here, because in most places there’s a lot of Crown land but here it’s the opposite,” he said.

“Before, there was no real voice at all, none whatsoever. Now we’ve got representatives in each county. We have three members on our executive from each county, so we're wellvoiced all across P.E.I.” The Guardian

24

B U Y E R S

• November 2012

G U I D E

www.atlanticfarmfocus.ca • THE FARM FOCUS

Farm Focus Buyers Guide WE SELL AND INSTALL replacement parts to fit practically any barn cleaner, this includes chain, chute, drive units and corners. We also handle a full line of liquid manure and stabling equipment. We deliver or work anywhere in Nova Scotia.

Call TERRY or PETER SHEEHY

902-758-2002

BEEF CATTLE AND BULLS

FARM EQUIPMENT

MARITIME LIMOUSIN ASSOCIATION

Cumberland

BLUE DIAMOND POLLED LIMOUSIN Barb McLaughlin, 283 McKay Sd. Rd., Stewiacke, N.S.BON 2JO Phone 902-639-2064

BOOKS & MANUALS and

Celli-Blueberry Mowers Parts & Shipping Available 902-257-2167

CUSTOM FARM SERVICE

SEEDS

JACKSON SEED SALES LIMITED Gordon & Joyce Jackson Bridgetown, NS B0S 1C0 Telephone 902-584-3205 Fax 902-584-3954 Seed products retailer for: Maizex Seeds Inc., Quality Seeds Ltd., Silo Guard II

SHEEP MARITIME TRUSS LIMITED FAX (902) 895-7116 Floor and Roof Trusses for barns, houses and commercial buildings. Supply Open Joist 2000.

MARITIME TRUSS LIMITED, P.O. Box 518, Truro, N.S. Bus. 1-902-893-8660 Fax. 1-902-895-7116. maritimetruss@ns.aliantzinc.ca

FARM EQUIPMENT USED COMBINE PARTS SHANTZ FARM EQUIP. LTD

Canadian Katahdin Sheep Association Katahdin sheep are heavy muscled medium size, easy care meat sheep.

They have a shedding coat that does not require shearing. w.w.w.katahdinsheep.com or 902-485-5515

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Parts available. Animat Rubber Mats.

Alley Matting.

Phone 902-895-9829

CENTERBROOK LIMOUSIN Lester, Sharon Craig and Family 384 North Tryon Crossroad, North Tyron PEI, COR 1AO, Phone/Fax 902-855-2033 LINDEN CREST LIMOUSIN Manfred Zillig RR#1, Scotch Village, N.S. B0N 2G0 Phone 902-757-2928 OTHBERG LIMOUSIN Fritz & Sandra Othberg, 1749 Rte. 880 Summerfield, N.B. E4G 2L3 Phone 506-433-5245 Fax 506-433-9083

Atlantic toll free: 1-866-495-7567 www.bobcatatlantic.com

CHOWN TRACTOR PARTS New and used parts for all makes.

Sussex area NB Phone: (506) 434-4811 Fax: (506) 433-1988 Email: sales@chowntractorparts.com Web: www.chowntractorparts.com

INC. Replacement parts for Case IH, Massey Ferguson, White, Oliver, Cokcshutt, A/C, Gleaner and Kubota, as well as many shortline and after market replacement parts for all makes and models.

Courier service available.

32 Lower Truro Rd., Truro, N.S. B2N 5G6 902-895-2888 1-800-625-9992 www.centralequip.ns.ca

Central Boiler, North America’s largest manufacturer of outdoor furnaces. Classic & E-Classic Wood models and Maxim Wood Pellet & Corn model. Contact B.W.Stevens Contracting Inc./ Coles Island, NB. (506) 8633287

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LIMOUSIN Easier Calving, High Efficiency of Gain, Low Birth to Weaning Mortality, High Dressing Percentages, Competitive Weaning Weights, Premium Priced Calves. For quality Limousin breeding stock, contact:

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lems Selling cows, calves, heifers and bulls Pugwash NS, for more information call

BOOKS ABOUT TRACTORS, cars, and trucks, and gas engines. Decal sets for your older tractor and gas engine. Service manuals for many tractors and gas engines. New reproduction tractor parts for older tractors.Also wanted single cylinder gas engines and original sales literature and manuals, and parts (Magneto’s Etc.) HAUGHOLM BOOKS, RR#1, Brucefield, Ontario, N0M 1J0, Ph. 519-522-0248. Fax 519-522-0138

For Efficient Profitable Beef Production,

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REMSHEG VALLEY ACRES Herd reduction, due to health prob-

WOOD HEAT OUTDOOR FURNACES

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HILLFOOT FARMS LTD. Laurie, Joyce, Mike & Alice Horsnell, 2587 Hwy 221, Aylesford, BOP 1CO, NS Phone 902-847-9615 BLACK RIVER LIMOUSIN Michael Byrne 60 Langille Rd., RR#1 Scotsburn, N.S. BOK 1RO Phone 902-485-6731 BALMORE FARM LTD. Joe Cooper 9036 Highway 2, Great Village, N.S. B0M1L0 Phone: 902-668-2005 TOP OF THE HILL FARM John Calvin Siddal 144 Hwy. 302 South Hampton, NS, B0M1W0 Phone: 902-644-8008

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I D E A S

November 2012•

25

Achieving the impossible one step at a time Failure was never an option for Brenda vanDuinkerken.

Eleven years ago, the Prince Edward Island businesswoman set out to do what many before had tried, and failed, to accomplish – create tasty gluten-free food.

She succeeded and the story of Duinkerken Foods (www.duinkerkenfoods.com) shows what can be accomplished with determination and a strong business plan.

VanDuinkerken was 35 when, in 1994, she was diagnosed with celiac disease, a condition in which gluten in wheat, barley or rye damages the lining of the small intestine and hampers its ability to absorb nutrients. The diagnosis was a shock, and so was the remedy.

“You don’t realize how bad gluten-free foods taste until you eat them,” she says. “I missed bread the most – the products on the market didn’t have the taste or texture of real bread and you had to toast it just to make it palatable.”

Rather than eat “cardboard,” vanDuinkerken tried to avoid bread and baked goods altogether, but wasn’t successful.

“I tried but I couldn’t stay on a glutenfree diet,” she says. “By 2001, my health had hit rock bottom. I was down to 94 pounds

(30 pounds below normal) and naturally, I was feeling pretty lousy. So I decided I would make gluten-free products that were so good, people would be wowed when they tried them.”

How she went about that holds a valuable lesson for any farm manager facing a seemingly insurmountable problem. In fact, many might have described vanDuinkerken’s quest as impossible.

Take away the big three bread grains (oats are also taboo for most celiacs) and you’re left making flour from things such as potatoes, rice and tapioca — hardly a baker’s dream ingredients. But vanDuinkerken decided she would explore each and every possibility that might, even in a small way, get her closer to her goal.

“For three years I just kept baking,” she says. “I’m sure I baked a thousand or more loaves of bread. And with a lot of it, you’d take one bite and then it was into the garbage. But I was making progress and that encouraged me to keep going.”

Baking wasn’t the only thing on her todo list. VanDuinkerken and husband Wayne owned a seafood export business, and on business trips in North America and Europe, she visited ingredient makers to see their manufacturing processes firsthand. She went to trade shows; consulted nutritionists, dietitians, bakers and other

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experts; and collected data on the buying habits of gluten-free consumers and the overall market.

“Right from Day 1, we had a plan,” she says. “That’s what really keeps you going.

Our goal was to make gluten-free products taste good and that was our focus all the time.”

Step by step, she got closer to her goal.

She discovered some manufacturing processes produced flour that had a better texture when baked into bread. She learned how to adjust moisture levels so bread, muffins, or cookies weren’t crumbly. She found ways to add vitamins and minerals to fortify her products (which include potato, rice and tapioca flours and six kinds of baked good mixes).

It was three years before the vanDuinkerkens were confident enough to sell their seafood business and launch their new company. Within two years, most major Canadian grocery chains were selling her products (also distributed south of the border by Walmart’s U.S. website) and sales were soaring.

“We wanted to be unique and we wanted to wow our customers, and that’s what we’ve done,” says vanDuinkerken. “But it all comes back to the plan. It’s so easy to be distracted if you don’t have a plan, a clear focus, and an end goal.”

We all know what dogged effort can accomplish. But when confronted with a major challenge it’s easy to be intimidated, and many farmers face that situation.

Given today’s cost of land and equipment, how could you possibly double in size?

How can a young farmer get started without a big inheritance? If you’re looking for change, how do you go about leaving the kind of production you’ve done all your life to take up an entirely new type of farming?

Those are daunting undertakings, but no more than what vanDuinkerken faced.

There were other keys to her success, she notes, including keeping debt to a minimum and setting realistic revenue targets.

But the key ingredient in her baking business was a willingness to explore every available option and never stop searching for new ones.

“Every time we tried a new flour, we didn’t know what the end result would be,” says vanDuinkerken. “But I was determined and I believed that if I stuck with it, I would see results.”

Archived columns from this series can be found at www.fcc-fac.ca/learning. Farm Credit Canada enables business management skill development through resources such as this column, and information and learning events available across Canada.

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26

• November 2012

T HE CLA SSIFIE D S

When Hall of Fame: Robert Thériault you find yourself in times of trouble…

TO

5 9 ,9 4 $1

ED C DU E R

• THE FARM FOCUS

Nova Scotia Farm Stress Line

FOR SALE—1998 liquid manure spreader 12,000 litre/Joskin /self loading /rear stearing/side or rear loading /damper on pump for noise. Asking $14,995. Phone Sussex,N.B., 506-433-6511 or 506-434-1195

1-877-418-7555 Prince Edward Island Farmer Assistance Program

1-800-736-8006

Continued from page 10 En 1979, il se spécialise dans la production, le nettoyage, le classement et la commercialisation des grains de semence. L’expansion de ses activités et de ses capacités de production survient dans les années 1980 et 1990, où il procède à l’ajout de silos, d’installations de nettoyage, de bâtiments et de matériel afin de répondre à une production et à une demande grandissantes pour des semences de qualité.

En 1996, il achète d’autres terres et la ferme élargit ses pratiques de rotation au moyen d’échanges de terres avec des producteurs de pommes de terre afin de favoriser une meilleure rotation des cultures dans la région.

En 2003, le fils de Thériault, Éric, se joint à l’entreprise, ce qui mène à la constitution en corporation de Grains de l’Est Inc. De nos jours, Grains de l’Est Inc. est bien connu dans la région pour sa production, sa transformation et sa mise en marché de grains de semence et d’oléagineux de qualité pour les agriculteurs des Maritimes, du Maine et du Québec.

Thériault est bien connu pour ses efforts en vue de promouvoir l’importance de la conservation des sols et de la protection de la qualité de l’eau. Au fil des ans, il a adopté de nombreuses pratiques durables sur sa ferme. Compte tenu du relief vallonneux de sa région, ces mesures ont compris l’utilisation de terrasses de déviation et de voies d’eau gazonnées et enrochées, le contre-ensemencement, la rotation des cultures, le travail réduit du sol et d’autres pratiques exemplaires de gestion.

Non seulement Thériault est un chef de file

de l’agriculture de conservation, mais en outre il est une personnalité influente dans le milieu agricole et au sein de sa communauté. Il a par ailleurs siégé à de nombreux conseils agricoles et réputé pour ses contributions du le Conseil agricole du NB, la Commission des grains du NB et l’Atlantic Grains Council. Il a également occupé la présidence de la Fédération des agriculteurs et agricultrices francophones du NB. et de l’Alliance agricole du NB. Il est toujours administrateur du conseil de l’Alliance agricole, membre de l’Institut canadien des semences, membre de la filiale des Maritimes de l’Association canadienne des producteurs de semences et membre de la Table ronde du ministre sur l’agriculture.

Dernièrement, il a siégé au conseil d’administration du Centre de conservation des sols et de l’eau de l’Est du Canada, où il a travaillé à la création d’un nouveau centre de technologie appliquée pour le Canada atlantique. En 2006, Thériault a reçu un prix de l’innovation de l’organisme Financement agricole Canada et le prix du leadership agricole de l’Institut des agronomes du NB en 2010.

Robert Thériault et son épouse, Ghislaine, ont eu trois enfants : Michelle, Luc et Éric. Mme Thériault est décédée en 1999.

Proposé par l’Alliance agricole du NB en reconnaissance des services qu’il a rendus à l’industrie et de son dévouement à l’égard de la préservation des ressources en eau et en sols, Robert Thériault mérite amplement sa place au Temple de la renommée agricole de l’Atlantique.

AANB appoints new CEO

Josée Albert

The Agricultural Alliance of New Brunswick (AANB) board of directors has appointed Josée Albert as its new Chief Executive Officer, effective Nov. 1.

“Josée Albert brings to the position of Chief Executive Officer a wealth of experience in all areas of agriculture policy devel-

opment and administration gained from her work with the Alliance, as well as in her previous work experiences,” stated AANB President Jennifer MacDonald.

Albert obtained her secondary education at Grand Falls, holds a diploma in biotechnology from CCNB, and a Bachelor degree in Environmental Biology from the University of New Brunswick. She worked for several years with the NB Department of Environment before joining AANB. Prior to assuming the CEO position Albert was instrumental in expanding the communication activities of the Alliance, managing the Environmental Farm Plan Program, and participating in a number of policy and program initiatives.

Albert looks forward to working with farmers and farm groups in her new position to further the development and sustainability of the NB agricultural sector.

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N E W S

November 2012•

27

Sheep and beef farmers learn new ways to produce better quality product

By JOCELYN TURNER The Citizen-Record [Nappan, NS]—Beef and sheep farming was a hot topic Saturday morning (Oct. 20) during the annual Sheep and Beef Research Field Day at the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s Nappan Experimental Farm. Farmers were invited out to view presentations on how to increase beneficial fatty acids in lambs and what sort of effects different kinds of forage mixtures have on cattle.

Dr. Kathleen Glover, formerly a professor at the Dalhousie Agricultural Campus, gave a detailed presentation on the benefits of feeding sheep forage high in fatty acids.

“The primary purpose of the research was the try to improve the productivity and quality of lamb produced in the Maritimes,” she said. “In the Maritimes, we use pasture as our lamb production feed and so we really wanted to look at how pasture types would effect lamb quality and productivity but we also wanted to address the issue that lamb and meat products in general tend to be high in saturated fat.”

Glover said, for her experiment, they wanted to produce a more wholesome meat product. They grazed on two types of pastures: one high in red clover and the other high in tall fescue. After grazing for three months, they put the (sheep) in the barn and finished them on grain but gave them oil supplements during the last few weeks of finishing.

“We gave them fish oils, so that they could get the long chain omega-3 fatty acids, and we compared that to soy bean oil, and to safflower oil,” she said. “We found that certainly with the fish oil, that we could increase those long chain fatty acids but the animals didn’t grow as well.”

Although the size of the animal had a different outcome when grazed on red clover, Glover said it might not be a negative thing for farmers.

“It could mean that those animals are actually just leaner and that we have just as much carcass yield from that but it’s something we

Police say man drunk while driving tractor [Pisquid, PEI]— A Prince Edward Island man is facing a series of charges after he was spotted driving his farm tractor erratically.

Kings District RCMP Const. Brent Macumber says police were called on Thursday (Oct. 19) after drivers noticed the tractor driving in an erratic manner along Route 22 near Pisquid.

The tractor was heading into Montague.

Police spotted the drive and arrested Urban Bambrick of Donagh.

Bambrick is currently facing four charges including impaired driving, driving with a blood alcohol level over .08, operating a motor vehicle while disqualified as well as failing to abide by a condition of his probation order.

That order stated that Bambrick refrain from operating any motor vehicle, anywhere, at any time during the period of probation.

Macumber says RCMP will continue to work to keep impaired and prohibited drivers off Island roads.

The Guardian

need to investigate further,” she said. “We were certainly able to increase EPA and DHA, which are two primary beneficial fatty acids that people are in encouraged to get by eating fish and if we can put that into these products, then we would be at an advantage.”

Glover said that by grazing with more red clover, the lamb meat would have more important fatty acids going to dinner tables.

David Barrett also provided a presentation about the benefits of feeding the animals red clover but his presentation focused mainly on the benefits to their reproduction.

“Red clover has been seen as this evil, nasty plant to be feeding your sheep,” said Barrett.

“It seems like we need to rethink it because it

looks like there aren’t any general negative effects to feeding red clover to our sheep. Most sheep farmers are very reluctant to put their sheep out to pasture where there’s red clover because they have this concern about infertility problems.”

Farmer Peter MacLeod was actually in Nappan for the cattle auction across the street but found out about the presentations and was interested in picking up a few tips for his beef farm.

“Any information a fellow can find about producer profitability is worth going after,” he said.

He said the presenters were more than knowledgeable about the topics they pre-

sented and MacLeod said he was looking to take some of the practices home.

“One thing that was particularly interesting was (Glover’s) presentation on omega-3’s and omega-6’s. I have a very keen interest in food quality and cost ability to the public,” said MacLeod. “The fact that you could use those numbers to maybe promote lamb or other products that have that in there, I’m very interested in getting a hold of her and getting that information so I too can use that in speeches or presentations to promote that to other commodity groups.”

The presentations were followed by a tour around the beef research farm to give farmers an insight into the projects at hand.

MacLeod inducted into Canadian Simmental Hall of Fame William E. (Bill) MacLeod of Fredericton, New Brunswick has been inducted into the Canadian Simmental Hall of Fame.

A strong supporter of the breed in Canada, MacLeod purchased his first Simmentals in 1987. Since then he has donated a significant amount of time and effort to advancing the Simmental breed in Canada.

MacLeod served as a director of Canadian Simmental Association (CSA) for three separate terms (9 years) and was the Chair of the Promotion and Marketing Committee. In addition to his national contribution he has also served in many regional roles including treas-

urer of the NB Simmental Club, Director of the Maritime Simmental Association (MSA) and is the current treasurer of the MSA board.

MacLeod has also coordinated the Maritime Simmental Association’s Salt Water Classic Sale for the past decade.

Employed for 36 years as a teacher and school administrator in New Brunswick, he is married to Susan Jamieson-MacLeod and they have two children and seven grandchildren.

“On behalf of the CSA Board of Directors and all of its members, I am proud to make this well-deserved induction into the Hall of Fame,” CSA President Ron Nolan stated at the recent

CSA annual meeting in Truro, Nova Scotia.

“We would like to thank Bill for his many years of dedication and commitment to the Simmental breed.”

The prestigious Canadian Simmental Hall of Fame award is given to past or present CSA members who have contributed to the expansion and growth of the Simmental breed, and who are leaders not only in the breed but also in the beef industry and their community. Inductees are nominated by their fellow breeders and recognized for their involvement in their provincial association and their contribution to the CSA.

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• November 2012

www.atlanticfarmfocus.ca • THE FARM FOCUS