AgriPost February 25, 2022

The AgriPost

February 25, 2022

Local Farmer Proud to Share the Whole Story

Mark Ronald and Nicolea Dow said their farm has gone through a few generations changing the crops but right now they are growing canola, soybeans, wheat, and experimenting with a few other things.

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By Harry Siemens While in the past tense, this February 22, farmers celebrated Canada’s Agriculture Day by encouraging Manitobans to cook an all-Canadian meal with their family and friends using seasonally sourced ingredients. The goal is to strengthen the relationship between Canadian consumers and local producers, emphasizing how important it is to eat locally-produced food from the farmer.

Nicolea Dow who farms at Portage la Prairie, MB sees Canada’s Agriculture Day is an exciting day. “A chance as a farmer to celebrate Canadian agriculture and what we do on the farm. It’s also a great opportunity for other Canadians to learn more about the

agriculture industry and something that all Canadians can be proud of,” said Dow. “And as farmers to all join together and thank Canadians for choosing Canadian products.”

She farms east of Portage la Prairie as part of a 1,400-acre multi-generational family grain farm alongside her father Kelly Ronald and brother, Mark Ronald which has been in the family since 1948. In addition, Mark runs an egg layer operation.

“It’s gone through a few generations changing the crops but right now we’re growing canola, soybeans, wheat, and experimenting with a few other things,” said Dow. “We normally grow corn, but with the climate conditions lately, we’re swapping that out to try out peas this year.”

Her grandfather Bill Ronald worked tirelessly as the Sugar Beet Growers president for over 30 years. Stepping into those roles as a board member for Manitoba Canola Growers there is a bit of a family heritage there, cherishes the comments from people who worked with her grandfather.

For the Ronald farm, 2021 was challenging. “Putting seed in the ground, mostly everything into dust yet blessed with a few timely showers of rain early on to get the crop up and growing,” she said. “I think it would be safe to say that in my short career of farming, it was the most difficult season so far.”

The challenges persisted all season and it’s a bit discouraging when a farmer watches her

fields dry out first to see the crop develop too early and too fast she said. However, there were some unexpected yields in wheat and the corn crop yielded better than anticipated.

“That’s paired with the current high grain prices; it was a fine year on paper but certainly challenging in the field,” said Dow. For 2022 one of the big decisions is to drop corn from the rotation because not only did the corn suffer during the prolonged drought cycle but rotationally crops grown after the corn had suffered too.

Wanting to conserve moisture and with very high fertilizer prices, the Ronald farm chose to take a break from corn this year switching to peas and exContinued on page 2...

Ag Insurance Payouts, Crop Values at New Highs

By Elmer Heinrichs The 2021 season will generate around $650 million in payouts due to low yields during the drought and the resulting higher prices will mean that is followed by a record $4.66 billion in crop insurance coverage for the 2022 growing season.

That $4.66 billion in coverage is based on farmers insuring crops on 9.8 million acres of land, Manitoba Agriculture Minister Derek Johnson told the Keystone Agricultural Producers (KAP) in a pre-recorded video during KAP’s online annual meeting recently.

Crop insurance coverage for 2022 is expected to average a record $463 an acre, compared to $321 in 2021. That’s a 44 per cent increase.

The Federal-Provincial AgriInsurance program is risk management tool for Manitoba farmers to protect against production shortfalls and quality losses caused by natural perils. The program is administered by Manitoba Agricultural Services Corporation (MASC).

Under the Canadian agricultural partnership, Agri-Insurance premiums for most programs are shared 40 per cent by participating producers, 36 per cent by the government of Canada and 24 per cent by the Manitoba government. Administration expenses are paid 60 per cent by Canada, 40 per cent by Manitoba.

The hail insurance program, administered by MASC outside the scope of the partnership, will see increased coverage levels for 2022. Maximum hail dollar coverage is increasing to $400 per acre from $300 per acre, based on higher expected gross revenue for most crops. The 2022 premium rates are the same for most risk areas and expected coverage will increase to $1.5 billion from $1.1 billion.

“With a wide-spread drought across throughout the province, 2021 was a difficult year for many Manitoba farmers,” agriculture minister Derek Johnson told the KAP meeting. “We’re proud to increase our support to the agricultural sector as we value its strength as a driving force in our economy,” he added.

February 25, 2022

The AgriPost

Local Farmer Proud to Share the Whole Story Continued from page 1...

Kelly Ronald, Mark Ronald and Nicolea Dow farm at Portage la Prairie.

panding soybean acres. These crops require less moisture which should help with some moisture conservation she added. “Who knows what the year ahead has, but that’s the theory and also helping out on the fertilizer front as well,” said Dow. Dow remembers ten years ago in her university years how much of the farmer conversations were about a desire for the public to be more interested in their food.

“Many conferences and articles with the focus about the need, I think advocate was the word that came out of that

time,” said Dow. “It’s amazing how in 10 years there’s a shift from where we were then to where we are now and the public has a keen interest in where their food comes from.”

Now she talks with people who have not grown up on a farm or in a rural area. But they do care a lot. “And as farmers, we need to do a good job of telling our story,” she said.

Yes, it is about farmers feeding the world and something to be proud of. However, farmers may sometimes forget to talk about the stewardship of the land and the environment because most farms in Canada are family farms and in families for generations. “It’s one of those primary values that get ingrained in you from

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generation to generation, is that value to take care of what you have.”

As a farmer, tell people what a farmer does, not just about what food they grow but everything else that comes with it said Dow. “And those values that farm families have about taking care of the land in our family for generations and want it to continue,” she added.

Farmers are both very humble but proud of what they do and contribute. “Canada’s Agriculture Day is just one of the opportunities to share the story about what we do and hopefully engage other Canadians that maybe don’t come from a farm and help them to be proud of the agriculture industry that Canada has as a country, “ said Dow.

Mark Ronald and Nicolea Dow alongside their canola field near Portage la Prairie see Canada’s Agriculture Day as one of the opportunities to share the story about what we do and hopefully engage other Canadians that do not come from a farm and help them to be proud of the agriculture industry that Canada has as a country.

The AgriPost

Twitter Survey Has Mixed Reaction on Rail Movement for the Prairies

One Twitter survey respondent on rail movement said, “I’ve contracted most remaining grain for Feb-April delivery and movement is pretty much when we want. That said., if movement is a concern in an abysmal crop year I’m very concerned when we hit it out of the park next year.”

By Harry Siemens The Agricultural Transport Coalition (ATC) represents the coalition of a jointly-funded 5-year Growing Forward two initiative to enhance the competitiveness of the agriculture supply chain.

The ATC members include the Alberta Wheat Commission, the Canadian Canola Growers Association, the Canadian Oilseed Processors Association, the Inland Terminal Association of Canada, the Manitoba Pulse & Soybean Growers, Pulse Canada, and the Western Grain Elevator Association.

However, the Coalition paints a pretty bleak picture of grain movement. The ATC numbers show CN and CP supplied a combined 57 per cent of hopper cars ordered in Grain Week 24.

There was an expected drop in grain movement following the flooding in BC but weeks later, and not much improvement.

A farmers’ survey on Twitter about the grain movement showed a mixed reaction.

THE GOD OF AG, said “There isn’t very much grain left to move.”

Rob Stone of Davidson, SK said, “The companies are maybe dusting off crib-

bage boards. Not much is going on.”

“I’ve contracted most remaining grain for Feb-April delivery and movement is pretty much when we want.

That said. If movement is a concern in an abysmal crop year I’m very concerned when we hit it out of the park next year,” said Brian Kennedy with the Alberta Wheat and Barley Commission for Week 26, February 8.

Quorum said, “Outages and cold temperatures have had a lasting effect.”

Jon The Fringe Timmerman who farms at Swan Lake, MB, said, “No problems with grain shipments for his farm.”

Andrew Dalgarno at Newdale, MB said, “No significant issues up here.

Especially on major commodities.” He added, “Had a delay moving soybeans up here. I couldn’t haul it when the elevator originally wanted it in October. Then had to wait three months until their next soy train. But I had the opportunity earlier.”

Jason Hildebrand at Boissevain, MB said, “In my immediate area I would not say it’s a huge concern; it’s a constant state of awareness but haven’t seen huge delays. But, not to say

it isn’t an issue elsewhere.”

Ron Krahn at Rivers has the same experience but has not recently moved much grain. But both February contracts have moved in a timely matter he said.

Landon Friesen at Crystal City said the grain that’s getting picked up, “Seems to be moving slowly.” Trains in North Dakota where he hauls his wheat are slow but nothing out of the ordinary.

Ken Foster at Arborg, MB does see a problem there. The biggest problem is a lack of grain due to the drought. There are a lot of empty bins in the Interlake he noted.

Eldon Klippenstein at Altona said they have not moved much lately, “But they can move their grain reasonably quickly when filling the grain contacts.”

Blake Duchek@ BDuchek·Esterhazy, SK said, “Everything we had contracted has moved.

Wheat was two months behind delivery dates on some of it. The first time we have ever had that happen. Great movement on canola though; everything on time and even some contracts delivered 710 days early.”

Jake Hofer with the one of the colonies near Portage la Prairie said, “If you got

Michael Harms at Mather, MB has not had a problem getting grain to elevators or the crushers yet with the Submitted photos Boundary Trail Railway Company ( BTRC) short line.

something to haul in our area the grain buyers have room.”

Jerrod Peters@zeefarmer of Swift Current, SK said, “Pulse crops here had had issues with movement. Sourcing containers is the biggest problem.”

Günter Jochem St. Francois Xavier, MB said, “No problem here, we have 85 per cent of our grain delivered. The remaining 15 per cent will be early summer movement for us.”

Jeff Elliott at Grandview, said, “Farmers are doing ok in his area. Only one small contract from January isn’t delivered. My primary wheat buyer has stated they were behind on some car allotments.”

Michael Harms at Mather, MB has not had a problem getting grain to elevators or the crushers yet. “I know one elevator in Killarney MB had a train pushed from Tuesday to Monday the next week. So it might be a lack of grain to move instead of the movement of the grain.

It might be a major problem if we had a normal crop.”

Chad Collins at Darlingford, MB said, “Grain movement is only a concern in a single concrete elevator.

But has hauled to all others around and movement is on time or reasonably so. However, one neighbour has been waiting to move wheat through them for about six weeks and has no indication when that will happen.”

Andrew Dalgarno said, “Why are the railroads falling behind when there is less grain to haul? It’s because there’s no competition, and they know it will move eventually. So rail movement becomes as much of an issue in a drought year as it is in a normal year or surplus production year.”

February 25, 2022

The AgriPost

February 25, 2022

Celebrate Canada’s Agriculture Day Each Time You Eat

Read the AgriPost Online www.agripost.ca

Canada’s Agriculture Day took place across Canada on February 22 and whether you thought you participated or not, filing your mouth and stomach with food assured you did.

My dear farmer friends and all suppliers and nonfarmer friends remember what my friend and mentor Orion Samuelson said, “It is an honour to serve Agriculture, the basic industry. And if you eat, you are part of agriculture.”

On the Canadian Federation of Agriculture webpage, “Let’s raise a fork for the food we love and the people who produce it! On February

22, 2022, celebrate Canadian agriculture and food both online and with friends, family and co-workers, and let everyone know how you feel about this awesome industry.”

How you celebrate and continue to celebrate each time you taste or take a forkful of nourishing food is up to you – create your mouth-watering moments or get inspired with some delicious ideas from others and the CFA website. Just have fun, show your Ag pride and make some noise on social media for Canadian food!

Jennifer Dyck market development director - Manitoba Canola Growers Association told me it’s important to farmers because we want to showcase farmers’ pride in growing safe, affordable food for our tables to everyone in the province.

I shared with her in the interview about my tagline on Twitter and other social media avenues and we need to keep telling the story. ‘I like to tell the story of farming one farmer at a time.’

Jennifer said I think that’s exactly it. Yeah. And I like to tell the story of farming one ingredient at a time.

And today, my canola oil is a favourite of mine. And it’s the most Canadian and Manitoban ingredient and truly Manitoban. It came to be as a crop in our province when you think about its history. And I think sometimes we forget when we head to our pantry that it is our Canadian oil choice. It’s our local choice for oil.

And you see it growing out there during the summer, with the yellow flowers. And I remember when I farmed way back when, with my father and brother, and at that time it was rapeseed.

And then I became a farm journalist. And then I was there to interview Dr. Baldur Stefansson, who came up with the new canola variety at the University of Manitoba called Canola or simply Canada Oil. Jennifer said there are three ways to celebrate and because I’m writing this on Sunday, February 20, and this publication comes out on the 25th, the Day has already happened. But don’t let that stop you.

“If you make a meal using Canadian ingredients, of course, Canola and many other products that are growing in our province fit into that very well. And then if you’re engaged online it’d be great, share a picture, tag us. We’d love to hear stories about what you’ve chosen.”

Jennifer said what makes Agriculture Day special; I think it’s the farmers. I think it’s the farmers’ pas-

sion and dedication for their crops, the soil, and the food ingredients they grow for us. And I think that really for me, what makes the industry and our country so great is the farmers growing food.

Nacolea Dow a young farmer at Portage la Prairie said, “Yes, it is about farmers feeding the world true and something to be proud of. However, farmers may sometimes forget to talk about the stewardship of the land and the environment because most farms in Canada are family farms and in families for generations.

Canada’s Agriculture Day is just one of the opportunities to share the story about what we do and hopefully engage other Canadians that maybe don’t come from a farm and help them to be proud of the agriculture industry that Canada has as a country.”

Newly Launched Web Exchange Connects Grain and Livestock Producers

By Elmer Heinrichs A brand new web portal designed to connect Manitoba grain farmers and livestock producers launched on January 27.

The launch of the Manitoba Grazing Exchange (MGE) site is a joint initiative by the Manitoba Organic Alliance (MOA) and Manitoba Forage and Grassland Association.

The objective is to reestablish the historic role livestock grazing played in maintaining a healthy balance between crop removal and nutrient recycling in the Prairie ecosystem.

While farms of a century ago were mixed livestock and grain operations out of necessity, this model has gradually been replaced by specialized grain or livestock operations.

The aim of the MGE is to virtually connect farmers

who have available grazing pasture or cover crop fields with livestock owners/ranchers who are seeking grazing pasture land through an interactive map,” said Karen Klassen, MOA Executive Director and one of the scheme’s architects.

As executive director of the Manitoba Organic Alliance and a Manitou-area farmer, Klassen is well aware of the value grazing livestock can bring to a crop production system by way of increased fertility and weed management without pesticides.

These benefits are not exclusive to organic farmers.

Any farmer following regenerative agriculture principles can attest to the aim of improving soil health with the advantages of sharing their land with grazing animals.

Klassen said the process to get started is very simple.

The homepage contains a Google map, and from there, users can start the process by creating an account.

“It’s really simple, just a couple of questions to get you started, and then you find your farm on there and then make a little pin saying if you have animals or cover crops, or whatever you have; then add a bit of information about your farm, and it creates a little pin on the map, so other people can find you,” said Klassen.

Through the Manitoba Grain Exchange, Klassen said they are hoping people will be able to find people nearby, even connections they might not have expected.

“Integrating livestock onto cropland and proper grassland management is key to improving soil health and is becoming increasingly adopted by climate-friendly

farmers who are building their soil health and reducing their greenhouse gas emissions,” said Lawrence Knockaert, chairman of the Manitoba Forage and Grassland Association.

“After the recent summers we have just experienced with dry conditions in Manitoba, the connections through this website stand to become even more important as possible feed sources for livestock in times of drought,” added Knockaert.

The MGE portal is modelled after a similar project in South Dakota. The hope is that the idea will spread across the northern Great Plains because there are so many benefits that grazing livestock can offer a landscape.

Grazing recycles non-renewable nutrients such as phosphorus, improves soil

fertility and increases organic matter and improves the carbon-to-nitrogen ratio, which is a key driver of soil health. Grazing reduces farmers’ reliance on synthetic fertilizers and can help control weeds resistant to herbicides.

Programs like these can help protect pastures from overgrazing during times of drought or in the late fall when grasses are trying to build up their energy reserves for the winter. For farmers grazing provides a feed alternative in times of drought where feed stocks are low and provides livestock with a food source post-harvest.

Conservation Trust, a Manitoba Climate and Green Plan Initiative, delivered by the Manitoba Habitat Heritage Association, also supports the project.

The AgriPost

Carbon Tax Relief Proposed in Ottawa by Conservatives

By Dan Guetre

A bill to expand the carbon tax exemptions for farmers has been tabled in Parliament recently. Bill C-234, if passed, would provide farmers with relief by extending carbon tax exemptions to include grain drying and housing livestock.

Bill C-234, an Act to amend the Greenhouse Gas Pollution Pricing Act (qualifying farming fuel) is an attempt to expand the definition of eligible farming machinery and extend the exemption for qualifying farming fuel to marketable natural gas and propane.

“Canola farmers are committed to a sustainable future and have established production goals to support that commitment. I have made investments on my farm to retrofit my natural gas grain dryer, making it more energy efficient,” explained Mike Ammeter, Chair of Canadian Canola Growers Association.

“While this is an important step, farmers today simply do not have viable fuel alter-

natives available for drying grain, which is why Bill C234 is so important.”

According to many opposed to the current carbon tax legislation, the Parliamentary Budget Officer found that the added exemptions that Bill C-234 focuses on will save farmers over $1.1 billion over the next 10 years. Proponents believe that farmers who have dealt with unpredictable weather conditions and global trade barriers need these changes to ensure they have the capital it takes to reinvest into their operations.

Many commodity and livestock organizations believe with the amendments, more capital will be left in producers’ hands and will ultimately bring the results the federal government is looking for.

“Producers across Canada are working every day to improve the sustainability of their operations. This continuous improvement is reliant on the commercialization of new viable on-farm technologies that come with signifi-

cant capital expenses,” said Mary Robinson, President of the Canadian Federation of Agriculture. “This proposed legislation helps ensure farmers have the capital needed to make those investments and continue to realize the sector’s potential as climate solutions-providers.”

“Having barn heating costs subject to the carbon price is especially challenging for producers given that they are responsible for the welfare of their animals,” explained Rick Bergmann, Chair of Canadian Pork Council. “In Canada’s climate, producers have no choice but to manage the temperatures in barns to ensure the care of our animals.”

“Canada’s grain farmers welcome the introduction of this bill and appreciate the exemptions included for critical on-farm activities, including grain drying,” added Andre Harpe, Chair of Grain Growers of Canada.

“Through this relief from the carbon tax, our farmer members would have additional

capital to invest in innovative technologies and sustainable practices that reduce emissions.”

“Our farmers work hard to be at the forefront of innovation for sustainability while striving for efficiency at every opportunity,” said Brian Bilkes, Chair of Canadian Hatching Egg Producers. “Bill C-234 will provide necessary support on farms to help alleviate financial pressures and ensure capital is available to reinvest in our farm operations to continuously improve our sustainability.”

“Bill C-234 will provide the much needed exemptions for critical farming practices including heating and cooling of livestock barns and steam flaking,” said Bob Lowe, President of Canadian Cattlemen’s Association. He added that beef farmers and ranchers are continuously looking at ways to environmentally improve operations and further contribute positively to Canada’s climate change objectives.

AgriRecovery Drought Relief Program Expands for Livestock Producers The governments of Canada and Manitoba are expanding the eligibility of expenses under the Livestock Feed and Transportation Drought Assistance program by announcing the addition of extraordinary expenses producers incurred in accessing feed, water and pasture as part of the program to address the challenges faced throughout the drought in 2021.

“Canadian producers have stayed strong and resilient as they took care of their land and animals, while facing natural disasters,” said federal Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau. “Our governments recognize the need to adjust risk management programs to support them. By expanding the eligibility criteria of allowable expenses under AgriRecovery, we are helping Manitoba producers get feed to their herds and move forward through this challenging period.”

“Manitoba producers care deeply about their livestock and these programs offer a flexible and responsive approach that will help them recover from the drought

and plan for the 2022 growing season,” said Manitoba Agriculture Minister Derek Johnson. “Since the program was introduced in August, industry stakeholders have told us that the needs of producers had changed. In response, we recognized that producers need additional help with other extraordinary expenses to recover from the drought and [the] announcement addresses that expressed need.”

Under the Canadian Agricultural Partnership, the Livestock Feed and Transportation Drought Assistance program was established to help producers purchase and test feed for livestock to maintain their breeding herds, including through the transport of purchased feed from distant locations.

“Manitoba Beef Producers thanks the federal and provincial governments for listening to our concerns about how to make the programs more reflective of the many different types of strategies producers have had to use to source critical feed and water resources for their livestock,” said Tyler Fulton, president, Manitoba Beef Producers. “These important

additions will better address the wide array of extraordinary costs arising due to the drought and will help mitigate some of the negative financial impact it is having on producers.”

Many producers have obtained feed and maintained their herds through baling extra acres, renting extra pasture, hauling water and other extraordinary measures.

Among the additional extraordinary costs now covered are expenditures related to rentals of additional crop or pasture acres, temporary fencing for supplemental grazing, hauling water, harvesting extra acres or hauling self-produced feed from distant locations.

Eligible animals under the Livestock Feed and Transportation Drought Assistance program include breeding animals of beef and dairy cattle, horses raised for pregnant mare urine, sheep, goats, bison and elk.

Producers must support a minimum of 10 animals to qualify for assistance. The program covers feed, feed transportation and related extraordinary expenses incurred between June 1, 2021,

and March 15, 2022. The Livestock Feed and Transportation Drought Assistance program has processed more than 1,200 claims and will accept new claims until a deadline of April 15.

The Livestock Feed and Transportation Drought Assistance program complements two other AgriRecovery programs offered to producers. The Herd Management Drought Assistance program helps producers replace breeding animals culled due to drought. The Livestock Transportation program offers assistance to producers facing extraordinary costs to transport breeding animals of beef cattle, sheep and goats to alternate locations to feed, up to 1,000 km. Both programs are part of the Canadian Agricultural Partnership with funding shared on a 60-40 federalprovincial basis.

For detailed program information, producers can contact their AG-MASC Service Centre or call toll-free at 1-84-GROW-MB-AG (1-844-769-6224). They can also visit manitoba.ca/agriculture/canadian-agricultural-partnership/business-riskmanagement-programs.

February 25, 2022

Lending Limits Increased for Manitoban Producers The Manitoba Agricultural Services Corporation (MASC) is increasing limits on several lending products to help the province’s producers manage demands of farming in today’s economy.

“Our government recognizes the economic pressures on producers as they strive to succeed in the competitive world of agriculture, despite the challenges presented by last year’s drought and the impact of the ongoing pandemic,” said Agriculture Minister Derek Johnson. “In response, MASC has increased lending limits to provide our farmers, especially the younger generation, with financial options that give them greater flexibility in managing, establishing or expanding their operations.”

MASC’s lending programs provide Manitoba’s agricultural producers access to credit with reasonable interest rates and flexible repayment terms. The corporation provides direct loans and stocker loans, and guarantees loans made by private-sector financial institutions to help create and expand farming operations in rural Manitoba, thereby supporting the transition to the next generation of farmers. Limits were last updated in 2018.

Effective April 1 the direct loan limit will increase to $4.25 million from $3.5 million, reflecting increased land values and operating costs. Loans may be used to purchase agricultural land and buildings, agricultural equipment, breeding livestock and quota for supplymanaged commodities. They may also be used for construction or renovation of farm buildings, greenhouses and nurseries, consolidation and refinancing of debt, and financing operating expenses.

Limits on stocker loans, which provide producers with short-term financing for the purpose of purchasing feeder cattle and lambs or as a cash advance on their retained feeder animals, are also being increased. As well, effective April 1, stocker loan limits will increase to $750,000 from $500,000. With Manitoba’s beef herd reduced significantly because of recent drought years, increasing the lending limit to $750,000 from $500,000 provides an excellent tool to help producers rebuild their herds, the minister noted.

Limits on the Manitoba Livestock Associations Loan Guarantee program, which encourages feeding cattle in the province thereby providing several economic spinoffs, will increase to $750,000 from $500,000 and association limits will increase to $12 million from $8 million, both as of April 1.

“By providing lending programs, our government further supports and encourages the sustainability, development and diversification of agriculture and the rural economy of Manitoba,” said Johnson. “These changes will help ensure that MASC’s lending products remain relevant to producers and that capital is available. Supporting growth in the agricultural industry is important as it is a key driver of our provincial economy.”

For more information, contact an AG-MASC Service Centre or go to masc.mb.ca.

The AgriPost

February 25, 2022

Those Beneficial Crops Used to Make Biofuels Climate change is one of the top issues of our time.

Wind power, solar energy and electric cars grab a lot of

headlines as solutions. Biofuels hold promise too, as part of a varied approach to our energy needs.

According to Matt Herman of the National Biodiesel Board, “Biofuels are a low-carbon fuel option that we can use to make a difference right now. Many regions are already using ethanol as part of their gasoline supply systems.

In California, biodiesel and renewable diesel made up over 25% of the fuel used for diesel engines in 2020.

Some crops are better suited than others to be processed into biofuels.”

There are two main sources of biofuels corn and soybeans.

One of these carbohydrate winners is corn when it is used for biofuel generation because of its capacity to make a lot of carbohydrates from sunshine. It’s categorized as a “C4” plant, which means it is very efficient at taking sunlight and creating carbohydrates. Other C4 food plants include sorghum and sugar. Grasses, like miscanthus, are also grown as biofuel sources.

When processed into biofuels, carbohydrates become ethanol.

While mainly carbohy-

Soybean oil can be used to make a variety of industrial products, including biodiesel and renewable diesel.

Due to the growing demand for protein from soybeans, we produce more vegetable oil than we can consume. This extra oil has opened the door for the cost-effective production of biodiesel, and soon, sustainPhoto Credit: National Biodiesel Board able aviation fuel from soy oil.

drate, the processing of corn to ethanol still provides a significant amount of protein for animal feed and carbon dioxide for a variety of industrial applications.

Soybeans are another crop used to make biodiesel and renewable diesel, particularly from the oil generated by soybeans. Soybeans are also nitrogen fixers, which mean they can be beneficial for the soil. In addition, soybeans contain proteins, which can be separated out in process-

ing. Due to the growing demand for protein from soybeans, more vegetable oil is produced than consumed.

This extra oil has opened the door for the cost-effective production of biodiesel, and soon, sustainable aviation fuel from soy oil.

Renewable diesel is a different fuel than biodiesel but is made from the same fats and vegetable oils. Renewable diesel is a hydrocarbon produced through chemical processes such as

hydrotreating. This method uses high pressure hydrogen to remove the oxygen, which is converted to water. After more steps, the resulting product is chemically identical to petroleum diesel.

Because a different process is used for processing soy, different byproducts called renewable propane and renewable gasoline are made. These two products can reduce greenhouse gas emissions compared to petroleum.

Funding Received for Commercialization of Airless Ag Wheel Citing innovation and growth, the Province of Manitoba is investing in a Winnipeg based business to help them to commercialize an airless tire used in agricultural pivot-irrigation systems.

Evolution Wheel has grown from two employees a couple of years ago to a team of 18 and has just received an investment of $100,000 through the Innovation Growth Program (IGP). “…the IGP Program through the province of Manitoba acts as a growth accelerator for our company,” explained Derek Hird, owner, Evolution Wheel.

“Developing new products and bringing them to market is a long, difficult process that takes a significant amount of time, money and effort before it is self-sustaining.”

The IGP provides up to $100,000 in cost-shared non-repayable financial assistance to eligible Manitoba small and medium-sized enterprises to assist them with development and commercialization of innovative products or processes.

“Our Innovation Growth

Program is designed to help Manitoba entrepreneurs to develop and commercialize new innovative products,” said Economic Development, Investment and Trade Minister Cliff Cullen. “Our government is committed to supporting these businesses and others like them to accelerate their growth and strengthen their financial position so they can create jobs and se-

cure future investments.”

The IGP was launched in June 2019 to augment the Manitoba government’s existing suite of business supports under Manitoba’s Economic Growth Action Plan.

The minister also noted small businesses are encouraged to apply for the current intake by March 15. To apply, visit gov.mb.ca/jec/busdev/financial/igp.

Airless tire used in agricultural pivot-irrigation systems.

The AgriPost

AG Industry Focused on Retaining Profits and Sustainability

By Harry Siemens A coalition of national farm organizations has urged the rapid adoption of Bill C-234 to provide relief and maintain competitiveness for Canadian farmers and ranchers.

On news that Bill C-234, An Act to amend the Greenhouse Gas Pollution Pricing Act had its first reading in the House of Commons, the Agriculture Carbon Alliance (ACA) commended MP Ben Lobb (Huron-Bruce) for bringing forward this urgently-needed legislation on behalf of Canadian farmers and ranchers.

At the recent virtual AGM of the Manitoba Canola Growers Association, Rick White, president of the Canadian Canola Growers Association (CCG), described how several national farm groups formed the ACA. It now boasts 14 national farm groups representing every major commodity from export-oriented to supply-managed.

“To ensure that governments recognize Canadian farmers’ sustainable practices through a policy environment that maintains their competitiveness supports their livelihoods and leverages their critical role as stewards of the land,” said White on the proposed change.

In particular on carbon emissions and pricing he said.

The CCG realized that no one farm group or commodity group could be influential enough on its own. Consequently they felt it necessary to unite every major national farm group in Canada under one banner for agri-environmental advocacy launching the ACA in March 2021.

White said the Private Members Bill C-234 covers onfarm exemptions from carbon pricing for critical farming practices, including grain drying, heating and cooling livestock barns and greenhouses, steam flaking and irrigation.

The ACA will support the bill through a dedicated advocacy strategy that involves direct lobbying of parliamentarians committee appearances to get

Rick White president of the Manitoba Canola Growers Association said they are working to ensure that governments recognize Canadian farmers’ sustainable practices through a policy environment that maintains their competitiveness, supports their livelihoods and leverages their critical role as stewards of the land.

Zoom photo

this bill passed.

The CCA works on the Clean Fuel Regulations (CFR) at the political policy and technical levels. The Environment and Climate Change Canada leads this policy development, benefiting canola as a feedstock.

For example, mainly due to canola’s carbon intensity properties and extensive scalability in the western Canadian processing sector, four of the five new processing plants announced in 2021 referred explicitly to the potential renewable fuels as a significant market factor influencing investment decisions.

In addition, the CFR will sit on top of the provincial biofuel policies from BC to Quebec, which covers 93 per cent of diesel used in Canada.

The final package will have both the regulation and the new complete life cycle analysis tool used to determine how feedstocks, such as canola, will fit in low-carbon fuels. Getting their carbon intensity score, would be very important to determine the eligibility of the Canadian canola.

“We’re working closely with Canola Council of Canada and the Canadian Oilseed Processors Association and broader associations like forestry, Canadian fuels, biofuels associations, etc. and specific major commodities in the fuel industry on several remaining issues concerned with the proposed CFR,” said White.

White said the CCG wants

It is vital not to undermine the Pest Management Regulatory Agency to ensure farmers’ competitiveness, said Rick White president of the Manitoba Canola Growers.

to ensure that farmers access effective and responsive risk management tools. “It’s a key priority for us here at CCG,” he said.

He noted that the current $3 billion Ag policy framework under the Canadian Agricultural Partnership will expire at the end of March 2023. After an agricultural ministers’ conference in Guelph, the ministers aim to sign the partnership agreement for the following five-year framework at their 2022 annual meeting in Saskatchewan in July.

CCA is working with other farm groups to ensure governments understand the need to invest in business risk management programs for farmers because the risk has changed over the last decade.

“We’re asking the governments to increase investments in the next policy framework to reflect ongoing inflation and the broader public policy expectations on environmental demands placed on Canadian producers,” said White.

He stressed that the government must incorporate science-based decision-making across all regulations and programs. One example is the Pest Management Regulatory Agency [PMRA] change that added a new independent expert advisory committee. “It’s vital not to undermine but to ensure farmers’ competitiveness because this agency authorizes and regulates pesticides in Canada,” said White.

One of the objectives identified in the strengthened climate plan is to reduce fertilizer emissions by 30 per cent below 2020 levels by 2030.

“To achieve our [canola] production targets, 52 bushels per acre and 26 million tons of production, it is essential that the emissions reduction plan focuses exclusively on emission reductions,” said White. “And not the use of nitrogen; and any government plan shall not erode farmer competitiveness.”

February 25, 2022

Eligible Producers to Receive Compensation for Unpaid Deliveries to Pipeline Foods Eligible producers who were not paid for grain delivered to Pipeline Foods, ULC will be fully compensated through the Canadian Grain Commission’s Safeguards for Grain Farmers Program.

Following a review of individual producer claims, the Canadian Grain Commission determined that there were 49 eligible claims for unpaid deliveries to Pipeline Foods, ULC. The Canadian Grain Commission will issue compensation totalling over $2.2 million from the company’s security to these producers.

Pipeline Foods, LLC from the US and its subsidiaries, including Pipeline Foods, ULC in Canada, filed for bankruptcy protection in July 2021 and subsequently ceased doing business. Pipeline Foods, ULC had one grain dealer licence and 2 primary elevator licences located at Gull Lake and Wapella, Saskatchewan.

The AgriPost

February 25, 2022

Cow-Calf Producer Sees His Way Through

By Harry Siemens On February 7 at 7 pm Warren Graydon who farms near St. Malo, noticed something peculiar with a pregnant cow. He brought her into the barn to monitor with a security camera from inside his home.

Around 10:30 he noticed something different via the camera, went to the barn to check and discovered the feet and the head of a calf.

His wife Vanessa who operates Graydon Veterinarian Corporation with clinics in Ste. Pierre-Jolys and Vita came out to help just in case, and after pulling out the first calf, she said, “Oh, do you think there’s another one?”

“I’m like, ah, no, that calf’s big. First calf, heifer, no way. There’s not another

one in there.”

She goes, “I’m going to check anyway.”

She checks and said, “There are feet and a head here.”

Consequently two healthy baby bull calves were born.

Warren runs a cow/calf mixed with a bit of grain with 225 plus mother cows and generally backgrounds the calves until the middle of February. “We’re right around the corner [February 8] from shipping the backgrounded calves while keeping replacement heifers,” said Warren.

After leaving for ten years, he returned to the farm 15 years ago and slowly took over the farm with some land still to buy from his father Cliff, but most transferred to him.

Twin bull Calves born on the Graydon farm near St. Malo, MB.

While primarily a oneperson show for Warren, his wife Vanessa operates two veterinarian clinics, it is usually a team effort by the family with some hired help.

“A little bit of cash crop, but most of the grain land is now cow food. My pasture land, I’ve been slowly refencing and breaking it up, more marginal land,” said Warren. “So I’m using that for cow food and my good land, I take out of cow food and put back into cash crop and try to survive in this game we call farming nowadays.”

Fortunately they received rain that many other places did not. The rain was only about half an inch to threequarters of an inch but it made the difference he said.

“We always got the timely slight showers to keep the pastures going, and I rotate my pastures quite regularly to try and not burn them up and keep the cattle going,” said Warren.

Despite the scattered showers the feed still came up short. “I made a deal with a local dairy that made some feed that they can’t use and I can and I’ve got feed they can use, and we’re doing a bale swap.”

Warren applied for AgriRecovery on the Drought Assistance Program with the Ag & Rural Development but did not fully agree with the rollout or the program setup. He said that Alberta and Saskatchewan, everybody there received $200 a cow. “They didn’t have to submit invoices but give the number of mother cows, bulls bred heifers, and they cut them a check for $200 a bull cow and bred heifer,” He said.

In Manitoba, the cattle producer in Graydon’s experience has to do everything backwards. Proof of cows, proof of feed bought, submit the invoices and bank statements to receive approval for AgriRecovery on a Drought Assistance.

“I can see how some people would hesitate not to do this when some people are paying up to $115 to $120 a bale for slough grass that only weighs a thousand pounds,” said Warren. “The cost of production on that bale, I don’t care if you have brand new iron, is like $45 but supply and demand prevail.”

He bought pellets mixed them into the total mixed ration [TMR] to supplement the ration and have some

Warren Graydon runs a cow/calf mixed with a bit of grain operation with 225 plus mother cows and generally backgrounds the calves until the middle of February.

Photo supplied

carryover for next year just in case. “I also use a medicated mineral with a product called Rumensin that flushes my cows of coccidiosis, that helps with calving,” he said.

“It’s like cheap insurance, not having cows with coccidiosis.”

Rumensin is an antibiotic and balances the stomach feeding at a rate of no withdrawal time for meat or milk withdrawal.

“It levels out the enzymes in the stomach and balances the stomach to improve feed conversion. So you can feed them less premium feed but still X amount of dry matter a day, which is around 35 to 40 pounds depending on the

style of cattle,” said Warren.

He said it is alright to feed with more straw than premium alfalfa in this case and then cattle still gains the same amount of weight.

“If you can feed a mineral at 12 cents per head per day and gain between a half a pound and 0.7 of a pound per day, just by feeding 10 to 12 cents mineral, cheap feed per gain,” said Warren.

Warren Graydon’s wife Vanessa operates Graydon Veterinarian Corporation with clinics in Ste. Pierre-Jolys and Vita, MB

The AgriPost

Government Funding Targets Animal Health and Disease Management The governments of Canada and Manitoba are funding $680,900 under the Canadian Agricultural Partnership to support two major projects aimed at protecting animal health and managing disease in the provincial pork industry.

“Our government is pleased to support these projects that involve a proactive approach to protecting animal health in our provincial pork industry, ensuring the quality of the industry and our ongoing competitiveness in international trade,” said Manitoba Agriculture Minister Derek Johnson. “The targeted, risk-based surveillance of these projects allows for rapid disease detection resulting in a more effective response, which in turn reduces adverse effects to the overall health, welfare and trade aspects of the sector.”

“Canadian pork producers take great care in ensuring the health of their animals,” said Terry Duguid, MP for Winnipeg South. “We know how important it is to help farmers reduce the risk of disease transmissions to keep their herds safe, protecting our environment, ensuring these businesses remain strong

and remain internationally competitive.

Investments like these ensure Canadian pork products continue to be internationally recognized as high-quality and sustainably produced.”

The Invasive Swine Eradication Initiative Project will help mitigate the threat of disease spread by invasive pigs, particularly the highly contagious African Swine Fever (ASF), to commercial herds by seeking out, corralling and euthanizing invasive swine, thereby protecting herd health and the province’s natural resources.

Manitoba is developing a draft strategy for invasive swine management and will soon seek feedback from industry, interest groups and the public.

The Manitoba High Traffic Facility Swine Disease Surveillance Project is a continuation of the governments’ efforts to address the risk of porcine epidemic diarrhea (PED) over the past seven years. It will allow more time to evaluate fully the mitigation efforts taken by the swine sector that have decreased the occurrence of PED. Both projects contribute to a

strong foundation for managing risk, which is important in building industry resilience to support the objectives of the Manitoba Protein Advantage Strategy.

“Animal diseases, like PED virus and ASF, not only have a significant economic impact, but a lasting impact on the mental health of farmers,” said Rick Prejet, chair, Manitoba Pork Council. “Reducing the risk and spread of animal disease is paramount to the long-term success of Manitoba’s hog sector, and we are delighted to be working collaboratively with the provincial and federal governments on these two projects.”

The hog sector is Manitoba’s third-most important commodity in terms of farm cash receipts, at $1.1 billion.

Manitoba ranked number one in Canada with over 8.2 million hog and pig sales in 2020.

Pork production in Manitoba is highly integrated from genetics; feed manufacturing and specialized services through processing. Expansion of barns, feed mills and processing facilities is underway, with great attention to sustainability, animal welfare, food safety and quality.

Bibeau Named Co-Chair of International Meeting of Agricultural Ministers Canada’s Minister of Agriculture has been appointed cochair of a meeting this fall of global agriculture ministers.

Marie-Claude Bibeau, Canada’s Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food will join fellow co-chair Damien O’Connor, New Zealand’s Minister for Trade and Export Growth, Minister of Agriculture, Minister for Biosecurity, Minister for Land Information, and Minister for Rural Communities to lead discussions at the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) in Paris, France, November 3-4, 2022.

The meeting’s theme, Building Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems in a Changing Environment: Shared Challenges, Transformative Solutions will be an opportunity for OECD Ministers of Agriculture to build on the existing work underway by member countries to enhance the long-term sustainability of the sector, while also working

with key partners on a collective path forward to addressing the challenges facing the global food system.

Deliverables of this meeting include exploring new challenges and opportunities facing the global food system; working towards a shared vision and goals for the global agriculture sector; setting policy principles that can help increase productivity, sustainability, and resilience in agriculture and agri-food.

“Canada’s appointment as meeting co-chair recognizes Canadian leadership in sustainable agriculture,” stated Bibeau. “We will have the

opportunity to work with international partners to ensure that we can feed a growing global population while maintaining good stewardship of the land.”

The OECD is an international organization that works with governments, policy makers and citizens to establish evidence-based international standards and find solutions to a range of social, economic and environmental challenges. The OECD Meeting of Agriculture Ministers builds on other global highlevel events and feeds into the international agenda of agricultural policy-making.

Marie-Claude Bibeau, Canada’s Minister of Agriculture and AgriFood, will co-chair an international meeting of peers in Paris.

Submitted photo

February 25, 2022

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February 25, 2022

Genetic Markers Hold Potential to Identify Resilience to PRRS

By Harry Siemens Researchers with the Western College of Veterinary Medicine have identified genetic markers that might help identify genetic lines that are more resistant to Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS).

PRRS can result in early farrowing resulting in the birth of weak infected pigs or death of the fetus even though some will escape infection.

To identify strategies to keep sows from infecting their offspring, researchers are examining the mechanisms of fetal compromise.

A Western College of Veterinary Medicine professor, Dr. John Harding said some fetuses resist infection better than others. However, the infection tends to be het-

Dr. Harding with the Western College of Veterinary Medicine said the ultimate goal is to identify genetic factors considered in breeding programs or develop therapeutic interventions.

erogeneous or uneven in the endometrium and clusters spatially within a litter so resilience might be a chance event.

If the level of virus is low in the endometrium adjacent to a given fetus, it may simply delay the virus transmission he explained.

“We understand fetuses with intrauterine growth restrictions are resistant and have lower viral load than normal growth littermates,” said Harding. He said that maybe because of a smaller placenta, there is less efficient nutrient exchange or lower rates of cell division affect the likelihood of infection. Another theory is that the amount of virus crossing the placenta or there is a lower metabolic demand resulting in a more remarkable ability to withstand the adverse metabolic consequences of infection.

There might also be a genotypic effect. “So, using a genomic approach, we have identified several genetic markers related to fetal resilience,” said Harding. “We are exploring these in terms of specific genes involved and how any specific mutation or variant might change fetal metabolism to result in greater resilience.”

Dr. Harding said the ultimate goal is to identify genetic factors considered

A Western College of Veterinary Medicine professor Dr. John Harding is researching how fetuses with intrauterine growth restrictions are resistant and have lower viral load than normal growth littermates.

Submitted photos

in breeding programs or develop therapeutic interventions.

While considering various mechanisms not fully understood their research shows the virus crosses the placenta very quickly and it suggests there is easily accessible route to cross the placenta into the fetus.

This might be hijacking an existing pathway supplying nutrients to the fetus or related to the regular movements of immune cells in and around the maternal and fetal sides of the placenta.

The virus replicates in maternal immune cells and exists in the uterine endometrium or lining he said.

“We found lots of evidence of infected macrophages replicating virus adjacent to the maternal-fetal border, as well as what looked to be ‘free virus’ probably released from these macrophages upon their destruction,” said Harding.

These macrophages are the virus factories that the virus uses to propagate while these immune cells conduct their normal surveillance activities in the maternal-fetal interface.

Dr. Harding said the longterm goal of this work is to identify genetic factors to consider when developing breeding programs or therapeutic interventions.

Flood Risk Moderate, Floodway to Operate

By Elmer Heinrichs There is a risk of moderate to major flooding in most southern Manitoba basins this spring but it’s dependent on weather conditions from now until spring melt, transportation and infrastructure minister Doyle Piwniuk said in his spring flood outlook on behalf of the Manitoba’s Hydrologic Forecast Centre February 18.

The Centre advises that, while there is a risk of major flooding along the Red River and its tributaries, including the Roseau, Rat and Pembina rivers, water levels are expected to remain below community flood protection levels at all locations.

There is also a risk of moderate flooding for most other southern Manitoba basins including the Assiniboine and Souris rivers and the Whiteshell lakes area. The risk of spring flooding is low for the Interlake region and northern Manitoba regions.

The Hydrologic Forecast Centre also reports that operation of the Red River Floodway is expected to reduce water levels within the city of Winnipeg with some operation of the Portage Diversion anticipated to prevent ice jamming on the Assiniboine River, the minister noted.

Earlier in February, the US National Weather Service in its outlook projected that “there is a high risk of major flooding along the Red River at the Manitoba border this spring.”

While minor to moderate flooding, with occasional low-end major flooding is expected across most of the Red River basin in the northern US; it increases closer to the international border.

The real decider of eventual flood risk this spring will be weather patterns over the next six to eight weeks. A snowier pattern with heavy spring rainfall combined with a quick warm-up will boost flood potential. A drier pattern with a slower spring warm-up will reduce flood risk.

This winter’s snow may also give farmers the added moisture they need to get a good start to the 2022 growing season.

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The AgriPost

New Automated Big Rig Wash Technology Being Developed

A truck inside Truck Wash Technologies wash facility that is developing new innovative technologies in an industry that has seen little technological change in 40 years.

Jyrki Koro the president of Truck Wash Technologies said there is keen interest in mitigating disease spread in animal transport which is one of the main vectors of transmitting disease from one animal to the other. Truck entering a wash facility where Truck Wash Technologies is developing new technology to clean the Submitted photos interior equally well.

By Harry Siemens Jyrki Koro, the president of Truck Wash Technologies (TWT), said new technologies designed to improve the cleaning and disinfection of swine transport trailers must be economically viable.

TWT designs and builds custom automated truck wash systems focussing on complex cleaning applications and is a partner in a Swine Innovation Porc initiative aimed at speeding up and reducing the cost of

cleaning and disinfecting swine transport trailers. The objective is to develop a system to wash the interior and the exterior.

The vehicle needs washing on the inside and the outside.

“We’ve established doing it exteriorly and we’re marrying it with some technology to clean the interior equally well,” said Koro. “Every trailer is not the same; so want to create some intelligence and flexibility to do many types of trailers.”

The goal is to minimize human

involvement in the cleaning process and find an economical and effective method he said.

There are challenges, but for biosecurity it is also about finding cost-effectiveness by lowering the cost and time to wash these vehicles. Hence, trucks are not off the road longer than needed.

“If you can put a man on the moon, you can do anything if you’ve got enough money,” said Koro adding if not economically viable, it w ill not

offer a viable business model.

The primary motivation is animal welfare. Livestock travels south and disease spreads as the current pandemic shows he noted. Because of this there is a keen interest in mitigating disease spread and animal transport is one of the main vectors of transmitting disease from one animal to the other.

Research shows the costs of euthanizing and destroying animals when infected in various industries are pretty substantial so animal welfare is first and foremost in the thought process he said.

The company is also doing complementary work to improve trailer designs to make them easier to wash developing new innovative technologies in an industry that has seen little technological change in 40 years. However, in recent years, extensive research and development, building working models, and forging critical alliances have created vehicle wash solutions never seen before in the automation of large vehicle wash.

TWT’s objective is to build the right vehicle wash system that precisely meets each customer’s needs that is flexible and user-friendly while consistently performing above that of the status quo.

The AgriPost

Sign Up for Roots to Success Risk Management Training Workshop Farm life can be unpredictable, even on the best days, weather, pests, market conditions, relationships, and more recently, COVID19 has affected not only day-to-day farm management but the future of the operation. But, with risk, also comes opportunity for those who are positioned to take calculated risks. This is why it is important to take a proactive approach to managing farm risk. And, it is why Farm Management Canada has launched a risk management training program called Roots to Success.

The training uses

AgriShield®, a state-of-theart risk management platform developed by Farm Management Canada to help farmers prioritize and address farm risk using a comprehensive approach to managing risk. By participating in the training sessions, farmers also gain free access to AgriShield®.

An upcoming virtual training session is scheduled for March 8 and 11 from noon to 3 pm. To register, farmers are invited to visit Farm Management Canada’s website fmc-gac.com/programsservices/risk-management.

“The program provides farmers with much-needed

training to identify and assess risks on the farm,” explained program manager Mathieu Lipari. “Taking a comprehensive approach is vital to understanding the connection between people, profit, the planet and policy in order to create effective plans so that our farmers are better positioned to take calculated risk and seize opportunity.”

The program is also helping Farm Management Canada establish baseline data to identify opportunities for policy and program improvements to meet the ever-changing needs of Canada’s farmers.

Funded under the AgriRisk Initiative as part of the Canadian Agricultural Partnership, the Roots to Success training program is making meaningful progress towards improved risk management for the agriculture and agri-food sector by promoting a proactive approach to managing farm risk.

Training sessions allow farmers to gain knowledge of tools and resources to make better business decisions; share best practices and lessons learned with other farmers; and start to create a comprehensive risk management plan tailored to their farm.

Do You Own Farm Equipment Over 4.8 Metres High?

If you farm in Manitoba and you answered “yes”, you require a Farm Equipment Clearance Permit from Manitoba Hydro. Apply today – it’s easy and it’s free!

What is a Farm Equipment Clearance Permit?

The permit process identifies a safe route, approved

by Manitoba Hydro, to prevent your equipment from contacting overhead power lines and electrical facilities.

The permit exists to prevent injuries or fatalities, costly repairs, and damage to the electrical system.

Why do I need a permit?

It’s for everyone’s safety.

Without a permit and following the terms and conditions, you are liable for the cost of repair to damaged Manitoba Hydro infrastructure caused by your equipment. A separate permit is required for each piece of oversized farm equipment.

How do I apply?

Go to hydro.mb.ca/farmpermit to complete the on-

line application. Please allow 10 to 15 days to process your application.

What information do I need to apply?

Gather the following information and supporting documents to include in your application: - Manitoba Infrastructure motor carrier permit (if required); - Legal name of the person who owns the equipment; - Description of the equipment (type, height, width, manufacturer and model number);

- An accurate route on a municipal landowner map or a hand-drawn map clearly marked with the route you will use to transport your equipment to and from fields.

Be sure to include all roads and highway numbers, field access points, approaches, and mark an X at all locations where overhead power lines cross field access points.

When can I apply for a permit?

You can apply at any time - but the earlier, the better,

so you’re ready before your busy season begins! Once issued, each permit is valid until December 31. And you’ll be reminded when it’s time to renew your permit again next year.

Cultivators and seeders are most at risk of touching overhead power lines. Prevent an accident from happening on your farm. Don’t delay - apply for your Farm Equipment Clearance Permit today!

Visit hydro.mb.ca/farmpermit for more information.

Without a permit and following the terms and conditions, you are liable for the cost of repair to damaged Manitoba Hydro infrastructure caused by your equipment.

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Homegrown Innovation Challenge Aims to Reduce Imported Fresh Produce

By Elmer Heinrichs A family foundation, wellknown in the food industry, Weston Family Foundation has launched a $33-million program to support Canada’s food system.

Launched in February 2022 the Homegrown Innovation Challenge aims to spark creative solutions and encourage new ideas to boost sustainable production of fruits and vegetables in Canada. It may also generate solutions that will allow domestic food producers to grow berries out of season.

Ultimately it is hoped that the Challenge’s successful

growing systems are transferable to other fruits and vegetables culturally and/or culinarily important to Canada.

Funding will be awarded in stages over six years to eligible teams developing tools and technologies that solve the interconnected challenges of growing produce out of season in Canada.

Weston Family Foundation chair Emma Adamo said there is an opportunity to boost innovation in the food sector by nurturing bold, game-changing solutions for agricultural producers.

“By catalyzing these solu-

tions for berries, we anticipate the creation of systems relevant to a broad array of fruit and vegetable crops, helping to position Canada as a leader in this sector,” Adamo said.

Canada is heavily reliant on imported fresh fruits and vegetables with roughly 80 per cent of fresh produce coming from climate-vulnerable areas.

In addition to the Homegrown Innovation Challenge are The Spark Awards with up to $50,000 in grants available to help develop your concept and build your team.

The Spark Awards applica-

tions are due on May 3.and are not a mandatory part of the Challenge and also you do not need to apply for one in order to apply to the Shepherd Phase.

In the second phase called the Shepherd Phase, a judging panel will pick 10 innovation teams which will be awarded up to $1 million to demonstrate a small-scale proof of concept of their system.

Shepherd Phase applications are due on December 20 and you must apply to the Shepherd Phase to be considered for future phases of the Challenge.

In the next phase starting December 2024 the top four teams selected from the Shepherd Phase will be awarded up to $5 million each across three years to build and demonstrate their system at farm scale in Canada, providing the judging panel with evidence that it has produced berries out of season during the trial.

Solutions should be reaching Technology Readiness Level 8 or higher by the end of the Scaling Phase when being submitted for final assessment.

Innovation Teams that have best met the Challenge statement, “Create and deliver a market-ready system to reliably, sustainably and competitively produce berries out of season and at scale in Canada”; by the end of this period qualify to be considered for the final prizes.

$1 million will be awarded to the best overall team and $1 million will be awarded to the team that has demonstrated the greatest breakthrough with its technology. Both final prizes could be won by the same team.

In March 2028, the single innovation team that participates in every phase ultimate winner of the Challenge could be awarded as much as $8 million, with substantial funding also available to eligible teams that progress through different stages as they develop, scale, and ready their innovations for market.

For more information on the Weston Family Foundation’s Challenges, whether your berry of interest is eligible and how to apply visit homegrownchallenge.ca or email challenge@westonfoundation.ca.

Federal Government Invests in Sustainable Clean Farm Technology Projects The Government of Canada has announced the first wave of 60 approved projects under the Agricultural Clean Technology (ACT) Program. With $17.9 million for projects across Canada, farmers and agri-businesses will have access to the latest clean technologies. This will help farmers adapt to a changing climate and boost their long-term competitiveness, all while cutting emissions. This funding is focused on three priority areas: green energy and energy efficiency; precision agriculture; and the bioeconomy.

Under the ACT Program, farmers and agri-businesses will have access to funding to help develop and adopt the latest clean technologies to reduce GHG emissions and enhance their competitiveness.

Some of the Manitoba based projects include, Baker Farms in Beausejour that will receive a contribution of up to $305,779 to install a new grain dryer; Brightstone Colony in Lac du Bonnet will receive a contribution of up to $497,997 to install a biomass boiler and biomass burner for grain dryer; Foxtail Farm in Morris will receive a contribution of up to $301,074 to install a biomass boiler; Haskett Growers in Winkler will receive a con-

tribution of up to $145,000 to install a new grain dryer and grain blower; Hylife in La Broquerie will receive a contribution of up to $266,992 to develop a mobile manure separator and will receive a contribution of up to $25,115 to purchase precision agriculture technology; Northern Breeze Colony in Portage la Prairie will receive a contribution of up to $322,371 to install a biomass boiler; O Foods Ltd. of Winnipeg will receive a contribution of up to $2,000,000 to install a bioeconomy solution and fuel switching; Oakland Colony Farms in Carroll will receive a contribution of up to $320,000 to install a new grain dryer and fuel switching; and Red River Seeds of Morris will receive a contribution of up to $234,881 to install a new grain dryer and fuel switching.

The ACT Program may provide a more favourable cost-share ratio (60:40) where the majority of the business (more than 50 percent) is owned or led by one or more underrepresented groups, which include women, youth, aged 35 or under, Indigenous groups, visible minorities and persons with disabilities. Projects and final funding are subject to negotiation of a contribution agreement.

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Western Pork Sector Faces Some Challenges on Cross-Border Feed Supplies

Toby Tschetter, Saskatchewan Pork Development Board chair, encourages other hog producers to get involved in what is going on outside the barn door and farm gate.

By Harry Siemens The Saskatchewan Pork Development Board chair, Toby Tschetter said the cross-border vaccine mandate makes accessing feed imports from the US difficult when supplies in western Canada are tight due to last year’s drought.

According to Tschetter Border restrictions aimed at slowing the spread of COVID have reduced the availability of transport drivers in Saskatchewan to move goods

back and forth across the Canada-US border.

“With more reliance on feed imports and an increased need for imported feed ingredients, we’re relying more and more on long-distance transportation this year. The biggest impact so far in Saskatchewan is the supply of some of the feed ingredients we typically import, particularly soybean,” said Tschetter.

“Unfortunately, that’s in very short supply. With the delay of loads for weeks at a time producers scrambled to keep enough feed in the bins.”

Tschette added that there is also very little canola meal to substitute with the poor crop year, which is not helping either. There have been no disruptions in any live hog shipments to date.

“The cross-border vaccination mandate that came into effect, that’s not helping the situation any and is reducing the number of Canada-US drivers that can cross the border,” said Tschetter.

He said with the number of tons of feed producers need to import from the US into western Canada because of the drought, there is no easy solution and thinks that Canada and the US removing these rules would help along with a good crop year to reduce dependence on imports.

This is his fifth year on the Saskatchewan Pork Development Board. “And as for the decision to become chair, it’s similar to my decision to join the board,” said Tschetter. “There’s stuff happening outside in the hog industry, outside of the barn door, and if you don’t go out and see that, you’re kind of liable to get stuck in a groove in the hog industry.”

As is the case with the Manitoba hog industry and the other provinces Sask Pork’s mission is to work for the pork producers to keep a positive business environment and maintain global competitiveness in the industry.

While struggling to main-

NDP Urge PC Government to Help Producers with Rising Fertilizer Costs As the cost of fertilizer hits record highs, the Manitoba NDP is calling on the PC Government to work immediately with the Federal government to ensure fairness and affordability for Manitoba producers.

“Farming families struggled a lot in the last year as extreme drought took a toll on their crop yields,” said NDP Critic for Agriculture, Diljeet Brar. “For months, producers raised their concerns about the drought but the PC government was slow to act. Now producers are sounding the alarm about the rapid increase in fertilizer prices and feed shortages, but the PCs have done nothing once again.

I’m calling on the new Minister of Agriculture to get to work right away with the Federal government to ensure our producers are paying a fair price.”

The price of fertilizer has rapidly increased in Manitoba with some producers reporting a tripling of cost.

Don Ciparis, President of National Farmers Union (NFU) said that his farm’s fertilizer prices have gone up “144-220%” from April 7 to December 13 of 2021.

The NFU has called for an

investigation into fertilizer pricing, citing market monopolization as the key driver of inflated prices. In addition to rising fertilizer costs, a feed shortage is making life harder for producers in Manitoba.

The Manitoba NDP believes the province has a role to play in working with

the Federal government to ensure a fair and competitive marketplace and support producers. On January 18, NDP Critic for Agriculture, Diljeet Brar, wrote a letter to the Agriculture Minister, encouraging him to work aggressively against anti-competitive practices in this market.

tain feed supplies in western Canada that include imports from the US, feed costs will remain high over the next while he said. He said that it is a good idea for hog producers to book all the ingredients as far ahead as possible until

closer to the new crop year in August and look at ways to save on feed costs without affecting the pigs.

He encourages other hog producers to get involved in what is going on outside the barn door and farm gate.

“And to the consumers, you’re eating a wholesome, delicious and nutritious product, some of the highest quality in the world produced by some of the world’s safest food standards,” said Tschetter.

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Wetlands Can be Canada’s Good News Story This Year

Over the past year, headlines about the environment have been bleak. Floods, droughts and fires have hit our fellow Canadians hard.

But the impacts of climate change should not make us feel powerless. Wetlands are a formidable force of nature that has our back. In 2022, they can be Canada’s good news story.

When you look at the ways in which people and communities are working together to conserve wetlands across the country, the good news flows like, well, water. Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) is celebrating some important wins here at home that are making life better for wildlife, people and communities.

“Canada is home to 25

per cent of the world’s remaining wetlands, which is a tremendous gift and also a tremendous responsibility,” said Larry Kaumeyer, chief executive officer for DUC. “These incredible ecosystems provide the environmental solutions Canadians need.

Wetlands are important natural tools that combat floods, droughts and other extreme weather events and we’re proud to be the preeminent conservation organization that’s delivering these solutions in communities across the country.”

To date, DUC has conserved 6.6 million acres that are estimated to provide $5.66 billion in economic benefits to Canadians every year. This includes billions associated

Jesse Nykoliation (r) with his parents Mervin and Joanne at their ranch Photo Credit: J. Nykoliation near Kenton.

with climate regulation services, water purification and storage, pollination as well as recreation and tourism.

Given the growing concerns Canadians have about the rising costs of insurance as a result of climate change, the value of wetlands cannot be underestimated.

In Manitoba, the Bars Lake Project in the province’s southwest is just one example of how DUC and local ranchers are working together to advance sustainable agriculture through wetland conservation.

A third generation Manitoba cattleman said a lack of rain made 2021 “a little spooky” but he believes a significant conservation project on his land can provide water for the herds in future years.

“In my opinion, the most important thing as a rancher is water,” said Jesse Nykoliation. “If you don’t have that, you don’t have anything. So, Ducks Unlimited is 100 per cent an ally for me.”

The Bars Lake project in the Rural Municipality of Wallace-Woodworth was the biggest investment at $460,000 and included Nykoliation’s ranchland northwest of Kenton.

DUC repaired a dam origi-

nally installed in the 1960s, replaced several culverts and rebuilt roads. The work will restore water levels to sloughs and ponds on the 5,000 acres (2,023 hectares) of pasture and cropland that Nykoliation manages with his father and mother; water critical to their 500 head of Charolais cattle.

Nykoliation has two DUC conservation projects on his ranch and he also hays DUC land. “We wouldn’t have had enough hay for our cattle during the dry years without being able to hay DUC land,” he noted.

Despite these successes, there is still much work to do.

Canada is far from receiving top marks when it comes to making good on its commitments to wetlands. For all the acres that have been conserved, even more are being lost. It’s estimated that up to 70 per cent of wetlands have been lost in southern areas of Canada and up to 95 per cent in Canada’s most densely populated areas. In addition, Canada is one of the few developed nations that doesn’t have a comprehensive national wetland inventory and monitoring system. This is a critical aspect of conservation planning that’s needed to

inform conservation action.

“To change the environmental headlines from negative to positive, Canada must ramp up investments in wetlands,” said Kaumeyer.

“When we work together, the

results speak for themselves.

They come to life all around us, evidenced in clean water, abundant wildlife and healthy landscapes. What we’re doing is working, but we must work to do more.”

A backhoe buries pipes at the DUC project at Bars Lake near Kenton, Photo Credit: DUC MB.

Workers install pipe at the DUC project at Bars Lake near Kenton.

Photo Credit: DUC

The AgriPost

Prepare Your Beef Bulls for the Breeding Season

By Peter Vitti Beef bulls make up only a small portion of the average beef herd, yet contribute to nearly all its genetic progress. Such responsibility dictates that we want to give bulls the best possible chance to be fertile and healthy, just prior to being released onto breeding pastures. This means that certain nutritional goals must be met in order for them to carry out their breeding duties, which leads to the commercial success of the cow-calf operation.

The first goal of preparing breeding bulls is to assure that mature bulls maintain a body condition score (BCS) of 5.0 – 6.0 (thin = 1 and 9 = obese) by the breeding season. That’s because beef bulls in good body condition are the most fertile (highest vital sperm count) and have the highest libido (sex drive).

In addition, sexually active bulls lose 150 – 300 lbs. by the end of the breeding season. Once they are pulled, we want to put them on a sound post-breeding feeding program that recovers lost weight and condition.

Another goal of preparing breeding bulls is segregating new yearlings and returning two-year olds from mature bulls and feed them for an optimum body condition of 5.5 – 6, but also allow them to gain weight into maturity.

For example, if a group of herd mature bulls are 2,000 lbs.; we want yearling bulls to weigh about 1,300 lbs.

(65% of mature wt.) and two-year olds weigh about

1,500 lbs. (75 – 80% of mature wt.) at the beginning of the breeding season. This growth rate of the yearlings is largely based on their adjusted autumn-weaning weight, while two-year bull performance depends upon weight-loss recovery at the end of their first breeding season. In both cases, this weight-gain is estimated to be about 2 - 3 lbs. per head, daily.

Therefore, mature bulls (3 years old and older) that come out of the previous breeding season in fairly good shape can be maintained on all-roughage diet of medium to good quality forages of 58 – 60% TDN and 12 – 14% crude protein.

Yearlings and returning twoyear olds should achieve optimum BCS plus gain a couple of pounds per day by consuming a higher plane of nutrition, namely 62 – 65 % TDN and 13 - 14% crude protein; found in good quality forage, supplemented with a few kilos of grain.

The only roadblock in meeting these NRC-based dietary energy requirements is that most breeding bulls are overwintered for about five months, which is prior to spring calving/breeding seasons. Therefore, these modest energy requirements tend to skyrocket, particular in January and February.

Consequently, I spoke to a few prairie beef producers that calve their cowherds in early March to the end of April. I asked them how they prepare their beef bulls for

The first goal of preparing breeding bulls is to assure that mature bulls maintain a body condition score (BCS) of 5.0 – 6.0 (thin = 1 and 9 = Submitted photo obese) by the breeding season.

the breeding season, particularly given this year’s winter is extremely cold. This is what they said: - # 250-cowherd: 9 – 10 bulls. Mature bulls are fed good quality alfalfa hay, only. Yearling bulls and 2year- olds get 30 lbs. of barley/corn silage plus a 14% bull grain ration. All bulls get a 2:1 breeder mineral fortified with extra trace-minerals/vitamins. All animals are well-bedded with straw and have good shelter.

- # 130-cowherd: Four mature bulls get oat and barley baled-wrapped greenfeed and no grain is fed. 3 – 4 yearlings/2-year-olds have access to these forages plus a few kilos of oat-screening pellets. All bulls get a 2:1 cattle mineral with salt. All animals are kept in dry-lots with a number of windbreaks and well-bedded with straw.

- # 270-cowherd: 9 – 10 bulls.

All mature bulls are fed a mix of barley silage and hay.

A 2:1 standard cattle mineral is provided. Older yearlings and 2-year-olds get the same diet. All cattle are well-bedded with straw and have access to poll-barns.

Once the winter weather subsides the first two producers don’t change much of their bulls’ feeding program until they go to pasture.

They might back off on the silage and screening pellets, if their young bulls become over-conditioned. The third producer switches his yearlings and 2-year-old bulls to the cowherd diet (barley silage w 5 lbs. grain, premix), just 60-days prior to their breeding season.

In each case, these beef producers feed what is tailored for their bulls. As a result, the well-being and high-fertility of their bulls has a priceless and positive impact on their cowherd’s conception rates.

Such superior reproductive performance leads to greater profits.

Manitoba Agri-Insurance Dollar Values Reach Record Highs Manitoba Agriculture is advising dollar values for many crops insured in Manitoba are mostly higher than the previous year and have reached record levels in many cases.

Total AgriInsurance coverage for 2022 is expected to exceed $4.66 billion on 9.8 million acres. This means the average coverage is estimated at $463 per acre, compared to $321 per acre in 2021. This substantial increase in coverage reflects the expectation of continued strength in commodity prices into the 2022 crop year.

“With a widespread drought throughout the province, 2021 was a difficult year for many Manitoba farmers,” said Agriculture Minister Derek Johnson. “We’re proud to increase our support to the agricultural sector as we value its

strength as a driving force to our economy.”

AgriInsurance premium rates have increased by about 10 per cent due to the reduced program surplus as a result of record payments in 2021.

Premiums per acre will also be higher for most crops due to the increased coverage.

Based on industry and producer feedback, several other program enhancements for 2022 will be included The introduction of a new Polycrop Establishment Insurance that will provide financial assistance to Manitoba farmers if an eligible polycrop fails to establish.

Polycrops are a mixture of two or more annual crops other than greenfeed that are grown simultaneously on the same acreage for the purpose of livestock feed, soil restora-

tion or green manure.

There is an increase in the indemnity level for table and processing potatoes destroyed prior to harvest from 85 per cent to 90 per cent, resulting in a better reflection of current potato harvesting costs.

The vegetable acreage loss insurance has been updated to reduce the minimum required acres for the program to onehalf from three. This will provide smaller commercial producers with an effective risk management tool.

The AgriInsurance program is a risk management tool for Manitoba farmers to protect against production shortfalls and quality losses caused by natural perils. The program is administered by Manitoba Agricultural Services Corporation (MASC).

Under the Canadian Agri-

cultural Partnership, AgriInsurance premiums for most programs are shared 40 per cent by participating producers, 36 per cent by the Government of Canada and 24 per cent by the Manitoba government. Administrative expenses are paid 60 per cent

by Canada and 40 per cent by Manitoba.

The hail insurance program, administered by MASC outside the scope of the Canadian Agricultural Partnership, will also see increased coverage levels for 2022. Maximum hail dollar coverage is increasing to $400 per acre from $300 per acre, based on higher expected gross revenue for most crops. The 2022 premium rates are the same for most risk areas and expected coverage will increase to $1.5 billion from $1.1 billion.

February 25, 2022

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Lightening Your Load Are you carrying a heavier load than normal these days? Whether it is the neverending cold, the rising costs of inflation eating away at your bottom line, or the fact that major league baseball is not happening on schedule this year, there are many reasons to feel like you are carrying an extra load. Licensed insurance brokers have no training in resolving situations like these. But we can provide advice that will help you manage risk and hopefully help you avoid an unwanted loss that can be prevented.

With the excessive amount of snow that we have already received across southern Manitoba, and approximately four to fourteen weeks of winter still left, there will be more snow before we pull out our socks and sandals combination for the spring. One area that we see losses in years like this is damage to buildings and bins caused by snow load.

Excessive amounts of snow have caused roofs to completely collapse. We have also seen excessive amounts of snow cause damage to roof rafters that while not completely failing, are no longer structurally sound, and therefore repairs are needed in order to maintain the integrity of the building. We have seen situations where snow gets blown onto bins, whether by wind or during yard cleanup, which eventually causes the bin roofs to collapse due to the weight.

Typically, houses are engineered to such strong standards that snow load doesn’t cause structural issues to dwellings, but we have also seen countless events where excessive snow build-up causes ice damming which leads to a very different set of issues.

Did you know that not all insurance policies cover damage or collapse due to snow load? There are a few reasons for this. First, not all buildings qualify for the coverage, as certain types of structures are more prone to collapse and therefore don’t qualify. Another reason is, not all policies insure damage from snow load; named perils policies typically do not list snow-load or collapse as a covered peril. However, with most insurance policies now written on an all-risk basis, most policies will provide this coverage. This is a great conversation to have with your broker before a potential loss situation arises.

Now that you are alarmed and frantically looking out your windows at the structures in your yard, it is a good practice to monitor the amount of snow parked on your various roofs and bins.

Even if your policy covers these exposures, the challenge of simply replacing bin roofs, etc., after damage is not a quick and simple fix. The best remedy is prevention. Our suggestion is to monitor the amount of snow on your roofs and make sure to lighten the load before spring, as one wet, heavy snowfall on top of our existing load could be detrimental to your roofs.

Hang in there, the end of winter is in sight. It won’t be long before we are playing in the dirt, fishing in the ponds and working our socks and sandals tan lines to absolute perfection.

Be sure to seek advice and purchase insurance from those who understand your business!

David Schmidt is an Account Executive and Rempel Insurance Brokers in Morris, MB, specializing in insuring farms and businesses across Manitoba and Saskatchewan. Contact office 204-746-2320, text 204712-6618, email davids@rempelinsurance.com or visit rempelinsurance.com.

Read The AgriPost Online at

www.agripost.ca

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February 25, 2022

Canada Joins International Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems Coalition Canadian farmers and producers are key drivers for advancing innovation and sustainability for our country’s agricultural and agri-food sector. As part of the Government of Canada’s approach to working in collaboration with international partners to mitigate the risks of climate change and create conditions for industry to remain competitive globally, Canada has joined the Sustainable Productivity Growth for Food Security and Resource Conservation coalition (SPG).

As an outcome of the United Nations Food Systems Summit, which took place in September 2021, Canada has joined more than 15 countries, as well as dozens of academic organizations, foundations and private sector associations, in becoming signatories of the SPG, led by the United States.

The coalition will work in collaboration to develop strategies focused on accelerating the transition to more sustainable food systems through agricultural productivity growth. Its work will be informed by ideas that optimize sustainability across social, economic, and environmental dimensions, including all sectors of agriculture.

Collaboration with coalition partners will provide Canada with an international platform to advocate for research, advance innovations and technologies, and facilitate productivity growth in our own agriculture and agri-food sector.

The AgriPost

Time to Start Your Onions!

By Joan Airey This gardener is getting cabin fever; roads have been heavy with drifting snow and with last night’s snow and today’s high winds once again its best to stay home if you can. This morning I filled large pails with snow to melt for my plants and found there was no weight to the snow so I won’t have much water per pail. I do appreciate the snow as we need it for moisture to fill dugouts, wells, and moisture for pastures and fields.

Growing onions from seed is the most economical way to grow them. T & T seeds tell us it is the only way to grow unique varieties like Red Carpet and White Cloud.

Onion seeds should be started ten to fifteen weeks before you anticipate being able to transplant them into the garden between mid February and mid March depending on your zone. Onion sets are easier to plant than seeds or transplants, they grow to full sized onions quicker than seeds. T & T seeds recommend using sets for early onions and onions for winter storage to grow them from seed or buy transplants.

As I’ve said before the Gardener out of Saskatoon is one of my favourite gardening

magazines. This past issue they had an article, “Those Pesky Fungus Gnats Flew Up My Nose Again!”

They didn’t fly up my nose but I had a few. I tried cinnamon and a couple of other things and still a few are appearing and I don’t like bugs.

I’m not afraid of them but I don’t want any in my home.

The article says to reduce watering of your plants and use yellow sticky traps plus put mosquito dunks in the water you use for watering your plants.

As soon as I can get to my greenhouse I’m going to bring a five-gallon garbage can into my basement to hold melted snow and put a Mosquito Dunks into it to combat getting any more gnats. I picked up the Mosquito Dunks at our local Home Hardware.

“Four- Season Food Gardening” by Misilla dela Llana is full of information on how to grow vegetables, fruits and herbs year-round. It arrived in the midst of a storm so I couldn’t resist reading it immediately. Some ideas in it won’t work I believe here in Manitoba but you can sure increase your growing season by months.

Inside you will find food that comes from perennial

plants that you can harvest from for many years.

Also there is how to build and use cold frames and other season extenders to prolong your harvest. (I know of a lady near Winnipeg who grows lettuce in a cold frame year-round but you have to be willing to cover and uncover the cold frame several days in our cold winters.)

Seasonal maintenance and harvesting know-how from a pro to name only a few things is included in the book. I know it’s going to be a helpful resource for me. Misilla dela Llana is the host of Learn to Grow on YouTube where she shares practical tips and useful gardening information.

Another book I’m reading is The Regenerative Garden: 80 practical projects for creating a self-sustaining garden ecosystem. It tells you how to employ intensive planting to reduce weeding and watering chores, how to build self-watering planters and wicking beds to reduce water use, compost projects and systems to repurpose waste on-site.

Stephanie Rose is author of this book.

In my search for Long Keeper Tomato seeds, I found Roberta’s Tomato Seeds and More in Ontario. Her prices

are reasonable and she sells small amounts of seeds. I have never ordered from her before but I am today. You can find her at facebook.com/ tomatoseedsandmore. I want to be able to have my own tomatoes for a longer period of time.

If you are craving fresh salad you could start growing micro-greens at home as T & T seeds suggest something I haven’t tried in recent years, but friends do and local market garden Brown Sugar Produce has them available at different outlets in Brandon and near Rivers later in the season.

Both books Four -Season Food Gardening and the Regenerative Garden are full of interesting ideas. By dropping some Mosquito Dunks in any standing water used for hydrating your indoor plants, they can combat pesky gnats that can multiply and annoy you.

Photo by Joan Airey

The AgriPost

February 25, 2022

23

Revisiting Hairy Heel Warts in Dairy Cows About five years ago, I worked with a 350-dairy cow operation with a significant hairy heel wart (HHW) problem. At the time, this dairy manager often had a series of lame lactating dairy cows at different stages of this disease. It was adversely affecting: feed consumption, milk production, reproduction and the general well-being of the herd. Slowly, he

started to take steps to treat the most insidious cases, and moved-on to implement a good HHW prevention plan.

Today, he treats the odd case, which he says can be achievable at other dairy farms.

One of the things that the producer told me is early detection of HHWs is the key to controlling the future cases in his barn. As the photo shows one of his distressed cows in

Early detection of HHWs is the key to controlling future cases.

Submitted photo

the early stages of hairy heel warts, which is literally a raw hole, prone to bleeding when broken open (strawberry warts). As these growths mature, they become larger (2 cm) lesions with hair-like projections giving hairy heel wart its name.

This producer often spots the strawberry warts at milking time in the parlor. He notes the cow’s ear-tag number and then later segregates her and other few cases from the main herd. Their affected hooves are washed with a mild disinfectant and rinsed with clean water. 20 g of an antibiotic powder is applied and the hoof is wrapped with an elastic-bandage. After a few days, this wrap falls off; these once limping animals seem to be walking around and up to the feed bunk, as if nothing ever happened.

Such practical topical treatments held into place are not condoned by some dairy specialists. They say there is no hard evidence they are a guaranteed cure of HHW. First, they point out that foot-wraps get dirty with feces and urine, almost im-

mediately. Second, HHW is a bacterium in the spirochete family called treponema, which grows best under anaerobic conditions (without oxygen), in which an elastic bandage does not allow the foot to “breathe”. As a result, there is a high reoccurrence of HHW and need for retreatment.

Most people will agree that footbaths with dissolved copper sulphate are not an effective treatment for HHWs, but they are a good preventative first line-of-defense against HHW in this lactating dairy barn and most others. In this particular 350-cow situation, this dairy producer operates a split free-stall barn with about 170 fresh-cows and 1st calf heifers on one side and the remaining mid- and latelactating mature cows on the other side. One 300-litre weekly footbath is set up on each side-end of the barn and the cows are run through it for two to three milkings, after which it is disposed.

Like other dairy producers, his footbaths are prepared by adding 15 kg (33 lbs) of acidified copper sulphate

to 300-litres of water in each durable plastic tray to make up a recommended 5% final solution. In addition, each footbath is tested with pH strips in order to achieve a final pH of 3. Such low acidity ensures that a higher concentration of copper sulphate goes into solution and should achieve better hoof protection.

In a similar way, I believe that good nutrition is also good preventative medicine against HHWs by making the dairy cows’ skin around their hooves, healthier and the hoof-horn harder. So, I did instruct this dairy producer to add 4 grams per head per day of zinc methionine to his lactation dairy premix, which in turn was added to his daily milking TMR. After 7-months of zinc additions, the condition of the skin around the hooves and general hoof hardness of the cowherd were strengthened, but a definite connection in reducing the incidence of HHW in the lactating cow population cows remained inconclusive.

One thing that prove to be

a bonus against HHW this summer, was upgrading the good sanitation practices in this barn. This was done in two ways; new rubber flooring with a diamond-groove pattern and new scraper-system was installed on each side of the split free-stall barn. Plus, the new scrapersystem was run through the alleys, more frequently. As a result, the lactating cows’ hooves were notably cleaner, which helped decrease HHW to a couple of cases per month.

Such progress revisited over the last five years against hairy heel warts is an excellent honour. It shows that HHW was a significant problem and at the present is endemic (meaning HHW is still present, but controlled), which is due to this dairy producer’s quick lameness diagnosis and rapid effective treatment, yet above-all – a good preventative HHW plan.

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February 25, 2022

The AgriPost