AgriPost April 26 2013

The Agri Post

April 26, 2013

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April 26, 2013

The Agri Post

The Agri Post

April 26, 2013

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“Super Crop Week” May Be a Possibility

By Les Kletke

meetings by including combine or drill seminars along Plans are in place to concen- with the meeting,” said Sirski, trate more of Manitoba’s ex- “A larger meeting like this tension information to a spe- would draw more people and cific site and period, coordi- hopefully people would nating organization meetings choose to attend the annual and workshops into a single meeting of an association major event. they are a member of.”

Ernie Sirski, of the The second benefit would Manitoba Canola Growers be the possibility of bringing Association, said it makes in high profile speakers. “We sense for more commodity could bring in the best from groups to get together at the across the continent or same time and place. The around the world if we have a Canola Growers took the ini- bigger budget that an event tiative to invite other com- like this would generate.” modity groups to a meeting He also cites the time facin March with the discussion tor, “Many farmers are telling at the concept level. me they don’t have time for a “We invited the groups to a lot of meetings during the meeting in Portage in March winter and this would conand the discussions were centrate the meetings in a about if this could work,” he shorter time that fellows said. “The follow-up was a [would] know about in admeeting in Carman in April vance.” where the staff of the assoHe also likes the opportuciations got together to dis- nity for farmers to network at cussion the logistics of a pos- a major event. “There are so sible event.” many things that are common He said that he is hopeful to more crops and we can Organizers are hoping to build on the popularity of the Special Crops Symposium held in February and sponsored by the Corn, Pulse that a major event could be- learn from each other. Preci- and Sunflower growers associations. Plans are to expand in the current Winnipeg location for 2014 but then the event may need a bigger location.

Photo Courtesy of 100 Acres Woods Photography come a reality in 2014 and the sion seeding is not an issue only way that could happen only for canola growers, it is if the other groups joined applies to every crop.” forces with the corn, pulse Saskatchewan and Alberta and sunflower groups that have already gone this route already hold their meetings and the events have proven Les Kletke together in what is billed as extremely popular by includthe Special Crops Sympo- ing a trade show, educational Danny Penner wants farmers to talk about the idea of amalgamating farm groups to use check-off dollars more sium. seminars and association effectively. Penner first proposed the idea with a letter writing campaign to farm papers, which caused a significant Sirski said there are three meetings in one place. stir. main reasons he would like to Sirski acknowledges that a As he prepares for spring seeding, he acknowledges that his campaign to bring farms groups together may be put see a major event for the place to accommodate the on the back burner. He has addressed several groups this winter and said support has been strong from individuals crops sector, the first is the kind of event he is talking but weaker behind closed doors. potential to have more mem- about may be a challenge but “I have not had one individual tell me that it is not a good idea,” said Penner who farms at Halbstadt. “But when bers attend the annual meet- for the first year is confident they get to the Board Room no one wants to make a move that would be the end of their organization.” He is hopeful ing. that joining forces with the that farmers will be discussing the possibilities this summer and brings it to the delegate floor of their organizations “We have been fortunate to Special Crops Symposium is next fall. have better attendance at our a start.

His suggestion at this time is to form a Western Canada Oilseed organization, a Pulse and Special Crop organization, and a Cereal Organization.

“The cereal organization could administer wheat, barley and winter wheat check offs,” with a chuckle he added. “I know that is a stretch.” His ultimate goal would be that the three groups would then work together in an umbrella organization that would address larger issues like infrastructure and government policy. He questions that current practices can continue for much longer, “With fewer farmers and most of them producing a variety of crops it makes sense to join forces.”

He has already met with the Grain Growers of Ontario, a group that was formed from the amalgamation of the corn, soybean and wheat growers associations.

“That took ten years,” he said. “I hope we can move more quickly in western Canada and then we can start talking to the group in Ontario.” He said the Ontario group has already made some gestures to Quebec to include soybean

By Les Kletke production there. In western Canada, he sees the expansion of corn production as the possibility of yet another association.

Manitoba farmers got another farm group that represents “I have met with the Manitoba Corn Growers and said, don’t let Saskatchewan start another corn growers associathem with the intension to determine where their check-off tion.

Let’s start to work together from the ground up,” said Penner. dollars will go. At a time when some farmers are advocating He has support from an individual in Alberta who was involved in the farm group accreditation process and who a reduction in the number of farm groups and moving to has offered his support in that province. more concentrated efforts to save costs and draw a signifiPenner is hopeful that, while policy takes a back seat to production in most farmers’ minds over the summer, they cant number of producers to meetings, the Manitoba Wheat will spend some time thinking about the possibility of uniting so that they are ready to raise the issue at annual and Barley Growers Association is coming into existence. meetings next fall and winter.

Don Dewar of Dauphin, who chairs the group, said it was born out of necessity and not because growers were unDewar said the initial intent was to include winter cereals separate regarding the crops, Saskatchewan has chosen to happy with representation. and oats in the group but they have elected not to be a part “With the changes that came about last August with the set up separate organizations for Wheat and Barley.

Danny Penner, who began a letter writing camping this of the process after attending the initial meeting. “They loss of the Canadian Wheat Board single desk there was a need for an organization to administer the check-off dollars past winter to amalgamate groups, said he has been asked to thought they might be lost in the larger organization and for wheat and barley. A check-off of 35 cents a tonne of run for a place on the board of the new organization and is decide to continue on their own.”

He said groups are waiting on its articles of incorporation wheat and 50 cents a tonne of barley was levied when pro- considering it.

Dewar said he is not opposed to Penner’s idea of a larger and will then proceed to form a formal group with a board of ducers sold their crop. That money was directed to research group with broader mandates and could see the benefit but directors. “We are hopeful the certifying body sees fit to and market development efforts. recognize the group without going to a referendum of pro“Alberta has been working towards a Wheat Commission also sees some problems with achieving it. ducers.” A referendum is normally required for a group funded “The Oat Growers are happy with their organization and for several years,” said Dewar. “They already had a Barley Commission in place. Other provinces have similar organiza- the results they are getting,” said Dewar. “It is a western by check-off but he is hopeful the government will allow tions but Manitoba and Saskatchewan did not.” While Canadian crop and they would not see the benefit of joining them to proceed because of the need for administration and having no competing group in its place.

Manitoba has joined it is on the condition moneys be kept the Ontario Grain Growers.”

Talking About Joining Check Check-- Off Forces

Another Farm Group Forms “Out of Necessity”

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April 26, 2013

The Agri Post

We Needed This... Really The most popular (printable) comment regarding the snow delivery of mid-April was, “No we didn’t need this,” followed closely by the second most common, “Nobody needed this.” I beg to differ. A later spring and later snowfall is exactly what western Canada needed.

If we had had a normal, or even worse, early spring the potential for a crop failure in western Canada would have been staggering. You see, with an early spring the soybean and corn acreage in Saskatchewan next year would have been frightening, and odds are that conditions would return to normal and the yield would be low to nonexistent.

I had the privilege of attending the Crop Production Show in Saskatoon this last January along with an opportunity to speak at a meeting sponsored by the Saskatchewan Institute of Agrologists. My invite to speak carried the assumption that I had the recipe for a guarantee of 40-bushel soybean and 100-bushel corn, the crops that are moving westward and could easily see sizable acres in the province known for its wheat production.

To say I was overwhelmed by the intentions of Saskatchewan farmers would be like saying the April snow event was a dusting. I could not believe how many farmers were “going to try a section of beans or corn this year”. Yes, I know that farms have increased in size but a section is a big trial of a crop when your only experience is what the seed salesperson told you.

I disappointed my sponsors by saying that Saskatchewan is not Iowa and they are not going to take over production of those two crops for the North American market, but we have a way of hearing what we want to hear and I was quickly dismissed as a naysayer. Mother Nature has a way of delivering a message that farmers cannot easily dismiss, and snow in mid April would fall into that category. I can only think of what acreage in 2014 would be of those crops if the “section or two trials” had produced reasonable yields. There would have been a shortage of seed of both crops for 2014 and things would have gotten out of hand, but imagine the result when the crop didn’t materialize. Yes, things will get back to normal and that is no rain in August in Saskatchewan or large parts of it. It will rain again in Iowa and the prices of corn and beans will fall, and already has.

That wreck would have been disastrous, so maybe this snow is “just what we needed” for the good of western Canada, even though it did steal a month from the calendar, a month we will never get back.

There is Always Sun or Rain Somewhere With pig numbers up slightly, supplies of corn stocks up, farmers intending to plant fence post to fence post, and the winter-like weather hanging on to some extent, all eyes turn to the weatherman, at least those with a sound track record.

I met Dew Lerner several years ago in Saskatoon where I heard him speak, interviewed him, and found out that he has a good record of accomplishment, especially for western Canada.

Lerner, Senior Agri-meteorologist with World Weather Inc., said seeding will get off to a late start this spring and expects a bias to cooler temperatures to continue in Manitoba for a number of days, but temperatures could start to bounce around late-April.

The scary part of his comments is that while he suggests the area will have some warmer days, melting some of the snow it will get cold going through the cycle once again. The positive side to that is the snow will not melt all at once, preventing serious flooding, but it’s also going to make the melting season longer.

While many farmers, at least those further west and north in Manitoba, don’t often plant before the end of April, those in the southern half of the Pembina Triangle do.

However, Lerner said it might well be the end of April before some areas see their topsoil, never mind planting.

While speaking with another friend, G Chandrashekhar of Mumbai, India, on Monday morning he said that after three consecutive years (2010, 2011 and 2012) of bad weather in some other parts of the world there is a decline in the production of major field crops such as corn, wheat and oilseeds leading to elevated prices. What does 2013 hold for the global agricultural market participants?

As I’ve mentioned many times, that used to be a million dollar question way back when.

Today, Chandra said it is the multi-billion dollar question everyone is asking.

He sent me an article he wrote earlier this year that said the external environment is still decidedly weak. Economic slowdown all over is palpable. Worried over unabated inflation, especially food inflation, central banks in emerging economies are still unwilling to ease the credit squeeze of the previous two years, even as some of the major industrial economies continue to encourage an easy money policy.

He said expect supply response in 2013, reasonably expecting a marked supply response to three years of elevated farm goods prices. Producers will invest in their crops with improved nutrient application and farm management.

But, as others are saying, if the drought of 2012 repeats in the Midwest U.S. all bets are off as the world will face a serious supply crunch and prices will rise to unprecedented levels, resulting in demand rationing.

As always, in 42 years of farm coverage and living on a farm and farming in some years before that, we don’t lose or gain a crop in April or May. They usually need rain throughout parts of the growing season to develop properly, and if the global warmers are right, [the temperature has actually remained static for 20 years, says one report] the sun will melt the snow, dry out the soil, and the clouds will form, and the rains will fall somewhere.

The planet keeps adding people, and the land base remains the same, except for some smaller areas where they clear more land.

Warm Enough?

This year’s late spring has people once again joking about Global Warming. “Where the heck is it?” they ask, while chuckling and zipping their jackets up to their chins. Most realize that one abnormal season doesn’t make any kind of a major trend. However, after 34 years of hearing that a climate apocalypse is right Penners around the corner, reality is Points finally catching

by Rolf up with the Penner predictions and showing us how rolfpenner@agripost.ca far out they really were.

In the March edition of the Economist, a great chart compares a range of average global temperatures predicted by computer models favoured by the warming mongers with actual temperatures. Not only is the climate facts landing at the very lowest levels predicted, it looks like they will be falling below even that in the very near future.

Equally troubling for the climateers is that the oceans, one of the most likely places they claim the warming might be hiding, are not co-operating with their theories, either. In the just-mentioned Economist article, another chart shows that ocean temperatures have also failed to warm up as much as projected.

Author, political commentator, and policy scholar Steven F. Hayward puts it this way: “While climateers continue to beat the drum that each year is among the hottest since Satan opened his first furnace at Hades Hostel for Hapless Heathens, there has been an embarrassed silence, if not outright denial (heh), that temperatures have flattened out over the last 15 years.”

In Forbes magazine, Harry Binswanger puts the timeframe of the warming scare into perspective: “Remember 1979? That was the year of ‘We Are Family’ by Sister Sledge, of ‘The Dukes of Hazard’ on TV, and of ‘Kramer vs. Kramer’ on the silver screen. It was the year the Shah was forced out of Iran. It was before the web, before the personal computer, before the cell phone, before voicemail and answering machines. But not before the global warming campaign.” He goes on to say, “In January of 1979, a New York Times article was headlined: ‘Experts Tell How Antarctic Ice Could Cause Widespread Floods.’”

The very nature of the kind of predictions the warming fanatics have made since then meant it would take decades before we could verify the claims. And it has. As Binswanger points out, “I’ve grown old waiting for the promised global warming.” Literally, “I was 35 when predictions of a looming ice age were supplanted by warm mongering. Now I’m 68, and there’s still no sign of warmer weather.”

“So here’s the state of play of climate science a third of a century into the global warming hysteria,” said Robert Tracinski, another veteran in tracking the alarmists. “They don’t have a reliable baseline of global temperature measurements that would allow them to say what is normal and natural and what isn’t. Their projections about future warming are demonstrably failing to predict the actual data.”

Tracinski also references another recent attempt to resurrect the famous “hockey stick” graph from Al Gore’s propaganda movie, “An Inconvenient Truth”: “And now they have been caught, yet again, fudging the numbers and manipulating the graphs to show a rapid 20th-century warming that they want to be true but which they can’t back up with actual evidence.”

This “theory” of man-made global warming should have been thrown out the window a long time ago. It’s got more holes in it than a Texas road sign. We should at the very least stop calling it “science”.

The Agri Post

CFA, a Collaborative Approach to Agriculture Over the years, and especially in the past few months, we have heard reports in the news and by those outside of the Canadian Federation of Agriculture (CFA) membership that accuse the CFA of being a supply-managed organization. Others argue we place too much emphasis on trade, while some question if our focus is too central Canada, western grain or remote rural-centric.

To those accusations of who we are, I proudly answer an emphatic ‘YES’ to all of the above. CFA is an organization that is supportive and proud of supply management and all orderly marketing tools, and the role they play in securing producer returns. CFA is an organization focused on exports, proud of the high quality products Canada sells internationally through its grains, oilseeds, sugar beets, horticulture

By Ron Bonnett and livestock members at the CFA table, directly or within each of our provincial general farm organizations. And yes, CFA is focused on the issues of central Canada, western Canada, eastern Canada and the remote areas in between.

CFA is Canada’s largest national general farm organization. As such, we appreciate that not every issue will affect everyone at CFA directly or equally. But in 1935, the CFA was formed to provide a strong, collective voice for farmers to work for the betterment of all farmers and to improve the socio-economic situation of all farmers. And some 78 years later, that objective has not changed. Our objective is obtained through a variety of initiatives. These initiatives encompass a broad spectrum that has a direct impact to the bottom line of our members and every Canadian farmer. These include work not just on trade, which is key, but on other areas that impact farmers directly, like the owner use pesticide program, species at risk, business risk management tools, crop insurance, taxation issues, water use, climate change, regulatory reform, food safety and farm safety to name but a few.

Our objective is to ensure the sector as a whole is profitable and viable not just today but for the long-term. We at CFA strive to make that happen not on the backs or expense of others in the industry, but collectively and by working in partnership along the entire food supply chain. We do it by working with not only Agriculture and AgriFood Canada, but with Health Canada, Environment Canada, Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Canadian Food Inspection Agency and Industry Canada - and our provincial members strengthen that approach by working in collaboration with their respective provincial ministries to bring a common vision and hopefully to agriculture in this country.

So, if working for the betterment of the entire agri-food sector is a fault and if understanding the complex inter-relationships between commodities, sectors and regions is wrong, then we are guilty and happily so, but at CFA, we will not be convinced that alone you can be stronger than working collaboratively together.

Ron Bonnett is CFA President and a Cow/Calf Operator.

April 26, 2013

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Taking Action Now for Shortage of Feed and Flood Concerns

By Tod Wallace With the long winter we have been experiencing, many pastures around the province are not going to be ready for grazing anytime soon. Add to that the threat of spring flooding and many beef producers are left wondering what may happen even when those pastures start to green up.

Manitoba Beef Producers (MBP) and Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives (MAFRI) have fielded calls with questions about stretching forage supplies through to spring pasture. The need to plan ahead to ensure feed availability is even more critical considering the potential for flooding this spring and the potential for herds to become isolated during this time.

Looking at the big picture, there is a shortage of hay in Manitoba. This stretches throughout the entire province but it is certainly felt most critically in the southeast areas that were hit by drought conditions last year, as well as near the lakes that experienced reduced yield and acreage due to the 2011 flood.

Lower quality forages or a combination of feed and straw is usually the first thing that comes to mind when considering alternatives to hay. Some things need to be kept in mind when supplementing with straw. Rumen compaction may occur if straw is fed alone with no readily available energy and/or protein supply for the rumen microbes. Producers should also keep in mind that in the last trimester of pregnancy a cow’s nutrient requirements increase significantly. Therefore, it is important to either provide higher quality feed in the form of good quality alfalfa hay or increase protein and energy supplementation.

Roughages like straw do not contain sufficient levels of nutrients. However, in combination with the use of grains, by-products, protein supplements and mineral/vitamin premixes, the demands of livestock can be met.

It is critical to supply all of the nutrients the animals need in order for them to maintain good health, body condition, high reproductive rates and desirable weaning weights.

There are some options available to increase feed energy. Ammonisation of straw would run approximately $20 to $25 per bale, increasing protein by 6 percent to 7 percent. Liquid molasses runs approximately $8.75 per bale. When administered correctly and distributed evenly throughout the bale, adding molasses may increase protein by 1.6 percent on a 1,000-pound straw bale, from 5 percent to 6.6 percent. The energy total digestible nutrient (TDN) on that bale will increase 2.3 percent, from 49 percent to 51.3 percent.

We have received questions about feeding alternative feeds such as hemp screenings, pea flour, and oat hulls. These will all work in beef cow rations but they need to be formulated correctly.

If you are experiencing feed shortages and possible flood concerns, now is the time to seek professional advice on your situation. Contact Manitoba Beef Producers (MBP) or Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives (MAFRI) for assistance regarding supplementing your dwindling hay supplies and plans for transporting cattle in a flood situation.

In certain situations, you need to market livestock such as feeders, stockers and replacement heifer calves now prior to a complete exhaustion of feed. It is critical that these decisions be made prior to concerns of malnutrition arising.

Producers, please help your fellow producers. If your neighbour is nearing the end of their feed supply, maybe you can be of assistance. It may be as simple as discussing the feed alternatives that are available. Options must be explored before animal care becomes a concern.

If you are facing a feed shortage, poor pasture conditions, or impending flood challenges, consider your options and start making a plan now. If you need assistance, please call your local MAFRI GO Office or MBP and we will try our best to help you find the answers you need.

Tod Wallace is with MAFRI’s Beef Livestock Knowledge Centre.

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The Agri Post

April 26, 2013

Shifting Gears on the Fly in the Field

By Les Kletke At least one Manitoba farmer has changed his plans on trying a new crop this year and will leave the soybean trial until 2014.

Mel Nesbitt farms at Foxwarren and had planned to try some beans this year, but with the delay in seeding, said that plan will be put on hold for a year.

Nesbitt cited two reasons, the first being the late spring and delay in the soil warming up to the point where he would be comfortable planting beans but the other and perhaps more important is that things will get hectic when he has access to his fields.

“We know that it will be mid-May before we get on the fields and then things are going to be pretty

busy,” he said. “It is not the time to be trying a new crop and especially when we would be trying to get seeding equipment adjusted to a new crop.”

He did not count on the new crop being a major part of his return for this year but wanted to gain some experience with the crop and see if it fit in his rotation, but that is now a year down the road.

“There have been some fellows growing the crop in the area and I wanted to get some experience with them before I committed a significant acreage to soybeans,” he said.

While he planned on gaining some experience with a 40-acre field trial, he will put it on hold and stay with the traditional crops he has grown in the past.

“We have had good success with canola long term and wheat has been a staple for us for a lot of years so we will keep the acreage there. The forty acres was not a significant acreage in our operation so that doesn’t change much.”

Estimates for soybean acres in Manitoba were expected to reach record levels this year after returns last year showed them to be a profitable crop on many farms but the total acreage in Manitoba may be reduced as spring comes later and the soil temperatures remain below recommended temperatures for seeding anything.

“You can be seeing much when the ground is still covered in snow,” said Nesbitt and that is the case for much of the province as May approaches.

Report Shows Economic Strength in Agricultural Sectors is Essential The annual Overview of the Canadian Agriculture and Agri-Food System, a report released recently by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC), shows the strong contribution of the agriculture and agri-food sectors to Canada’s economy.

“Farm performance overall continues to remain strong as the industry becomes more competitive, innovative, and profitable,” said Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz. “The report shows that the agriculture and agri-food sector continues to be internationally focused, which is why our government continues to place such a strong emphasis on opening new and maintaining existing markets.”

Using historical data up to 2011, the Overview shows that the farm and food sector displayed robust performance in 2011, enjoying high farm income levels, record levels of government investment in agriculture-related research and development, strong market receipts, and strong performance of agricultural exports.

Highlights in the report show that agriculture and

agri-food system continues to make a significant contribution to Canada’s gross domestic product (GDP) and employment, directly providing one-ineight jobs, employing 2.1 million people, and accounting for 8 percent of total GDP, or $101.1 billion.

There are also shifting consumer and societal demands that are influencing changes throughout the agriculture and agri-food system. Consumers are seeking more variety, more convenience, and more environmentally friendly and healthier food choices, as well as foods that reflect consumer values such as in organic and halal products.

Relative to other countries, Canadians enjoy some of the lowest food costs in the world, with spending on food and nonalcoholic beverages from stores accounting for just under 10 percent of personal household expenditures, which is higher than in the U.S. (6.6 percent) but lower than in France (13.5 percent).

One of the top manufacturing industries in Canada is the food and beverage processing industry.

The mix of crops and livestock production is evolving, reflecting changes in the types of products consumers are demanding and changing market prices and conditions. Non-durum wheat has been overtaken by canola, and planted soybean area increased between 2006 and 2011.

Federal, provincial, and territorial government spending in support of public research and development in agriculture and agri-food is important for the future productivity growth and competitiveness of the sector. The spending has increased over the past four years and it is expected to reach $561 million for the 2011-12 fiscal years.

The Overview provides basic information about the agriculture and agri-food sector, tracks how the sector performs over time, and reflects the challenges and changes that have occurred in recent years. It reviews in detail the whole value chain, covering not only primary agriculture and input suppliers but also food and beverage processing, food distribution, consumer trends, and government investment.

Slow Spring Will TTak ak oll akee its TToll

By Les Kletke Many of the province’s dairy farmers have given up on the possibility of a third cut of hay this year because of the unseasonably late spring.

“We know that we are not going to get a third cut this year,” said John Peters, who milks about 80 cows on his farm near Steinbach. “We know that the first cut is going to be so late that even with good weather after that we will be lucky to get a second cut this year.”

Peters said that he has enough feed to carry him through but not everyone is that fortunate, “I had a good crop last year and was able to get it up in good condition so I have enough feed but anyone who had a short crop last year is going to be struggling.”

He said that normally cows would be going out on pasture in May and that is not going to happen this year. Not only does it impact the amount of feed that producers will use this spring, it shortens the possible production for fall.

“It is a double whammy, we are not getting out on pasture in the spring and hay land is not producing an early cut but we also have to be aware that when the first cut is this late we are fortunate to get a second cut, never mind a third,” said Peters.

Increased feed costs have resulted from the short crop in the U.S. as grain prices moved up and protein for rations became more expensive.

“We already paying more for the protein portion of the ration,” he said. “Now if we are going to be having cows on feed longer our feed costs are increased dramatically.”

Peters has not taken any measures yet but he said that the late spring could mean that he holds on to fewer replacement heifers as feed becomes a great issue, “That is a short term measure with long term implications.”

He is confident that he will have enough feed to carry him through but said many of the provinces dairy farmers are not as fortunate.

“I like to have an extra supply on hand for years like this but that is going to be used up this spring and I know that I will not get the extra feed to replenish the extra this year. That means we will be going into the winter with enough feed at best but not a lot of extra. This is not going to be a big hay year.”

The Agri Post

April 26, 2013

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April 26, 2013

The Agri Post

Winter Wheat Doing Well

By Les Kletke The province’s winter wheat crop is still asleep and that may allow it to withstand the late spring better than spring seeded crops. While fields would normally be greening, in late April, they have not yet broken dormancy and the crop should not be hurt by the late spring.

According to production guides, from the winter cereal association the crop can withstand the longer period of dormancy, which is much less damaging than early thaws and freezing.

The crop received good snow cover last fall and that should have protected it from winter temperatures.

Late spring seeding is expected to reduce yields in most spring-seeded cereals and farmers look at mid to late May as the earliest opportunity to get on fields. Research shows that yields drop with later seeding and drastically with June seeding, which is a reality in many areas of the province this year. The winter wheat crop that was seeded last fall had average conditions to establish and went into winter in good condition.

With the snow cover, it is expected to do well.

The prime concern will be the staging of the crop that normally has a jump on disease challenges because of its earlier start in spring. That will not be the case this year as the crop begins regret at the time that spring cereals are traditionally emerging and the crop will be at susceptible stages when wind borne diseases attack.

The crop, which has escaped fusarium challenges in other years, may be staged to be susceptible this year.

MAFRI recommendations are to get on the field as early as possible and provide a nutrient program and weed control that gives the crop the best advantage after the long winter. Producers may find that a challenge this year as fields dry and they make every attempt to get seed into the ground as soon as possible.

Winter wheat seeding was off somewhat in Manitoba in 2012 and while few producers are concerned about fall seeding at this time it is likely the crop will see a decrease in seeded acres in 2013 because of the late harvest and expected busy times on Manitoba farms when the crop normally goes into the ground. Recommended seeded dates are in September and many producers are expecting to be in a busy harvest season in September as spring seeding is pushed back to the second half of May.

The Agri Post

April 26, 2013

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The Agri Post

April 26, 2013

Hoof Beats of Hope

By Joan Airey Ten months ago, the Manitoba Chapter of Christian Cowboys announced they were in the process of purchasing a five-year-old registered Quarter Horse Gelding called “Regalo” (Spanish for ‘gift horse’).

Some of the best cowboys in Manitoba volunteered to train and ride Regalo and even brought Regalo to numerous rodeos and horse

events over the past months.

The goal of all this effort was the sale of Regalo at Rocking W Ranch Horse Sale in the Keystone Centre with the funds raised going directly to the Children’s Hospital Foundation. No one was disappointed as Regalo sold for $4,000 to Lorraine Dupont of Lac du Bonnet.

“Among those training the horse were Paul Unrau,

Jack Dyck, Rob Driedger, Dwaine Whitehead, and Terry and Katelyn Baker.

Numerous businesses such as Total Farm Supply, Fiske’s, Stuart Lambert Farrier Service, Action Photo Plus, and Rocking W Ranch plus too many individuals to list here donated cash and services,” said Donna Baker of Newdale, Secretary-Treasurer. “Support has been unbelievable.”

The horse was trained in a variety of disciplines with the goal of having the horse become a wellgrounded and solid horse, which anyone could ride.

Regalo was used to rope steers that needed to be doctored and herd cattle.

Regalo had the opportunity to make his debut at rodeos and he had the honour of posting the Manitoba flag in the grand entry at Heartland Rodeo Finals in Carman. He also helped out by doing the victory laps, paying tribute to the winners of the day in each rodeo event.

Katelyn Baker rides Regalo at Rocking W Ranch horse sale at the Keystone Centre in Brandon.

Volunteer Help Needed for RRed ed River Ex Sheep Demos

We need volunteers to help in educating the public about our sheep industry.

Volunteer help is essential to operate the booth at the Red River Exhibition Grounds, just east of Winnipeg, from Friday, June 14 to Sunday, June 23.

As in past years we will have, a pen with a couple of ewes and their lambs and dog herding demonstrations and our hope is that other opportunities may be added.

Please show your support and sign up for one or more 4 to 5 hour shifts by contacting by email Mitch Millar at mjmillar@mymts.net or call 204-280-0822.

The Agri Post

April 26, 2013

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The Agri Post

The Agri Post

April 26, 2013

Ag Student Seizes Great Opportunity

By Les Kletke Dylan Wiebe acknowledges that he has a unique opportunity to get involved in a family farm operation without having grown up on the farm.

Wiebe finished his first year at the University of Manitoba, School of Agriculture earlier this month and has already begun working with his uncle and grandfather on the farm near Altona.

“I see real opportunity in agriculture,” said Wiebe. “The year in the Diploma program made me more aware of the opportunities in this business, not just production agriculture.” He spent last summer working for his uncle Lloyd on the farm just west of Altona. He grew up in town and his father was not involved in the farm operation.

“I enjoyed working on the farm and working with family,” he said. “I think the best part is that I have been able to get involved with all aspects of the operation. I have been driving the tractor and working on the books, it has been good to see the entire operation.” He said that while there are other students in the program that do not have a farm background their jobs rarely give them the opportunity to see more than one aspect of the industry.

“The job opportunities are good, and we had speakers come in and talk to us about summer jobs turning into full time jobs after graduation but you don’t get to do many things at most jobs. If you are the water truck driver, you drive the water truck and that is about it. You’re not involved in other aspects of the business.”

The Door is Open

By Les Kletke Lloyd Wiebe said the door is open for his nephew to join the family farm but he has to be ready to work for his share. Wiebe’s nephew Dylan began working for his uncle on L & L Farms last summer before going off to the School of Agriculture and he is back this summer to handle “duties as assigned.” He understands that means anything that needs to be done and is happy with the arrangement.

Lloyd works with his father Henry and said the option is there for his nephew, but the role may be different from the traditional farm.

A young farmer looking to build equity in a farm operation is going to have to do it with sweat equity.

Lloyd and Dylan Wiebe at the farm near Altona. Dylan has completed his first year at the School of Agriculture and plans on working into his uncle’s farm operation.

Photo by Les Kletke

Wiebe said that he had considered the Diploma program before, but working on the farm last year and encouragement from his uncle sealed the deal.

“I had thought about it but I got some encouragement,” he chuckled. “And I went to the program with the option of going into a degree after.” The School of Agriculture, together with the Faculty, offers a program called 2+2, which allows students to transfer into the degree program after completing their diploma and receive two years of credit for their study. The credit is contingent on having a GPA above three and Wiebe achieved that.

Wiebe said that he is look-

ing forward to expanding his experience on the farm this year. “What I look forward to the most is doing different things and getting more experience.” He said he is not yet committed to the degree program after his graduation but wants to keep as many options open as possible.

He is not naive about the future. He said, “Many of us in the program have not experienced the down times. We have heard the stories but the down times are not real for us.

We see the opportunities in agriculture and want to be involved, but the reality is that we could see some tougher times in the future.”

“If we look at Dylan growing into the farm we have to expand,” he said. “There are options that don’t include more acres.” Lloyd acknowledges that it would be very difficult for the younger Wiebe to look at buying his own land or adding to the land base of the existing farm. The farm produces pedigree seed and retails it along with several other brands.

“Our seed business is doing well, and it could be an area of expansion,” said Lloyd. “Not in production but in the sales and marketing of products we already carry or might expand to.”

Lloyd is also a partner in a hog operation which he said is not doing as well as the seed business at this time, “If we survive this current downturn there might be an option for him to get involved with the management of the hog operation or at least play a bigger role in it.

Dylan said that he sees the opportunity in agriculture at this time, “but our generation has not experienced the difficult times of the 1980’s, we have only heard about them so we see opportunity.”

Lloyd has a bit more experience and while he wants to be cautious and not downplay the positive said that young farmers today have to be aware of the possible pitfalls.

“The cost of land and machinery today make it impossible for a farmer to recover from a bad year with an off farm job,” he said. “The business has to maintain itself, that might require an off farm job or some other ventures but there will be times more challenging than today.”

He said that a young farmer looking to build equity in a farm operation is going to have to do it with sweat equity.

“He will have to get involved and see the growth though his efforts of other operations,” said Lloyd. “That will allow him to get into the operation and build some equity.”

Wiebe is happy that his nephew has decided to join the family business but suggests that anyone joining a farm operation be prepared to take a role in the growth away from the bricks and mortar or land base.

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April 26, 2013

The Agri Post

Canada Unites with Mexico Over COOL Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz concluded a successful mission to Mexico where he strengthened trade ties with the new Mexican government and emphasized Canada’s willingness to address issues of common interest.

“Canada is working closely with Mexico to ensure we are both treated fairly in global markets,” said Ritz. “Our two countries have a long history of collaboration for mutual benefit. Our agricultural industries are more integrated and more interdependent than ever before.”

Ritz met for the first time with his new counterpart Agriculture Secretary Enrique Martinez y Martinez and the Secretary of Economy, Ildefonso Guajardo. They discussed issues of common concern, such as global agriculture, food production, and the negative impacts of the proposed new From left to right: The Mexican Agriculture Secretary, Enrique Martinez regulations on U.S. y Martinez, the Governor of Sinaloa, Mario Lopez and Agriculture mandatory Country of Minister, Gerry Ritz opening of the exhibition pavilion at the XIII Origin Labelling National Agriculture Outlook Forum.

(COOL). Both countries challenged COOL before the World Trade Organization (WTO), working collaboratively every step of the way. They also exchanged strategies on moving forward if the U.S. does not comply with its WTO obligations by May 23 to redesign its country-of-origin rules to satisfy the WTO ruling.

The USDA is encouraging public feedback and has a section of their site dedicated to hearing what the public says. After the comment period for the proposed rule closes on April 11, the USDA will review all comments before proceeding with a final rule.

Ritz also stressed the need for resolution of market access for Canadian beef from animals over thirty months of age in accordance with science-based international standards.

In Mexico, Ritz met with the cattle sector’s stakeholders, as well as with the grains industry. With cattle representatives, he discussed the harmful effects of the U.S. COOL on their industry, and he underscored the fact that Canada will continue to stand up for the interests of livestock producers.

Ritz reassured the Mexican grains industry of Canada’s steady supply of world-class wheat and barley following the changes to the Canadian Wheat Board (CWB) that have allowed for greater marketing choice for Canadian farmers. Ritz also discussed better predictability through a sciencebased approach to trade and the need to develop pragmatic and transparent methods to manage the low-level presence of unauthorized genetically modified crops.

Mexico is Canada’s fourth-largest export customer for agricultural products and an important economic partner. In 2012, Canada exported $1.8 billion worth of agricultural products to Mexico.

The Agri Post

April 26, 2013

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Ancient Spelt Makes a Come Back

By Joan Airey If you are looking for locally grown and processed food, Flowing Grains Inc. has started processing some new products from spelt and barley, which they grow on their Cascade Colony land near McGregor.

Spelt is an ancient grain that pre-dates modern wheat hybrids and is not likely to cause digestive issues associated with more genetically modified grain species. Spelt is low in fat and a source of iron, calcium, manganese, niacin, vitamin B6 and magnesium. Flowing Grains Inc. grows the spelt locally and stone grinds it to make a pancake and waffle mix.

People with ‘allergies’ to wheat starch commonly report that spelt is easier to digest. Spelt does however contain gluten, and people with gluten allergies (celiac disease) are likely to be allergic to spelt, which is similar to wheat and other gluten grains.

“We started processing these products a year ago and have seen demand for them growing at health food stores, such as Two Farm Kids, where they are available,” said Clarence Gross.

“Barley is a truly ancient grain grown on farms dating back an incredible 10,000 years. Personally, I find pancakes made with spelt or barley easier on my digestive system than that containing hybrid wheat flour. They contain fibre that gives me energy until noon. We process a pan- Spelt Pancake and Waffle Mix with Spelt Pancakes.

Photo by Joan Airey cake and waffle mix made with barley flour, too.

The Vita Health Food Stores in Winnipeg have asked us to supply them with barley flour, too. Co-ops in Killarney, Morden, Winkler, and Portage carry our product and Family Foods here in McGregor,” said Gross.

Last year Flowing Grains Inc. grew 30 acres of spelt but this year the acres will have to be increased to fill the demand. They grew 160 acres of hull-less barley for making flour.

“From the field to the table we strive to use only the finest quality spelt and barley to make a wholesome Pancake and Waffle Mix to feed our families and yours,” said Gross.

Flowing Grains had their products on display at the Royal Manitoba Winter Fair and they were handing out food samples. You can check out their website at flowinggrains.com.

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April 26, 2013

The Agri Post

The Agri Post

April 26, 2013

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As Plain as Black and White, or Black and Red tributorship for the Chinese made product.

“There are other machines on the market and the competition will increase but I found this a very effective alternative to conventional cleaning equipment at a reasonable price,” he said. “There will be competition but this is

By Les Kletke Andrew Syres believes that electronic eye colour sorting is the next step in the evolution of the seed cleaning business. Syres operates Southern Seed at Minto and installed a colour sorter last year. He is impressed with the equipment’s capability.

“It has increase the capacity of the equipment in my plant because I am not using it to clean as much material from the sample so material can flow through at a higher rate and the colour sorter does more of the work,” said Syres.

Explaining how the equipment works compared to the previous generation of seed cleaning that relied on the density or weight of the product he said, “It is as different as black and white or black and red when we are cleaning ergot out of spring wheat. We have the ability to adjust the equipment with three colour tints and that is what the process is based on.” In the past processes like gravity tables relied on the weight of the product or screens on the size.

“We used to have to try

Samples of Certified Newdale barley cleaned with the new equipment at Southern Seed at Minto. Andrew Syres says the electronic colour sorter has allowed him to increase the capacity of the seed cleaning equipment because he is not required to clean as much grain from the sample in the early stages.

and separate debris from the seed by weight or the size and it was difficult to get ergot from wheat or wild oats from oats but when it is based on colour those separations become so much easier,” he said.

“Ergot can be selected from wheat on the basis of colour without losing as much wheat as we had to in the past.”

He said the process also allows for the removal of contaminating crops like sunflowers in malt barley, which was a serious concern when the oil from a

small number seeds could ruin and entire batch of malt because of the oil content.

Syres expects that in the longer term the equipment will play a role as the industry moves to self-regulation.

“We are losing the field inspections because of governments trying to reduce costs and this process will allow us to provide a much better sample of clean seed at a reduced price,” said Syres.

He purchased his equipment from Intel Seeds, which has a Canadian dis-

Open Farm Day Gives Agriculture the Attention it Deserves Manitoba’s farm families are encouraged to register as hosts for the fourth annual Open Farm Day that connects the public with farmers for a hands-on experience to help them gain a better understanding of the agriculture industry and of where their food comes from, says Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives Minister Ron Kostyshyn.

“Farming is an important contributor to our province’s success and we want to show Manitobans how our farmers bring fresh produce, primary crops and a variety of livestock and other foods to consumers across the province and around the world,” said Kostyshyn. “By opening the farm gates to the public, we can showcase Manitoba agriculture and give farmers an opportunity to directly market their products.”

The deadline to register as a host is April 30. This year’s Open Farm Day is set for September 15.

Last year, 51 farms participated in Open Farm Day, attracting over 4,600 visitors.

Farm sites can include fruit and vegetable producers along with crop and livestock farms.

Agri-tourism, horticultural operations and agribusinesses related to farming are also invited to take part. Many farm families provide demonstrations, recreational activities,

tours and commentaries on farm life.

“On-farm experiences provide fun, educational activities that are welcome additions to increase Manitobans’ awareness of our province’s diverse agriculture industry,” said Kostyshyn.

Host farms will be provided with farm gate signs, posters and map brochures giving di-

rections to the participating farms. In addition, the host farms will have an opportunity to be featured in videos that can be used for additional marketing purposes.

Farmers wishing to participate in Open Farm Day can call Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives at 204-821-5322.

the way the entire industry is going as the equipment comes down in price.” Only a few years ago the price of colour sorters meant that their use was reserved for high value crops like beans.

The cost of the equipment has dropped to roughly half of what it was only a

few years ago.

“With the equipment now with two rows of cameras and a glass shield it becomes very functional for all crops and can be used to remove mould kernels from a crop like wheat,” he said.

Syres has logged 450 hours on his machinery and said he has not had a problem.

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April 26, 2013

The Agri Post

The Agri Post

Auction Season Starts with a Cold Wind

By Les Kletke The late spring has affected every aspect of the agriculture business, including the auction business.

A sale held at Rosenfeld in late April should have been competing with farmers out planting their crop; instead, it had those attending the sale having to avoid snow banks when parking on the yard.

April is prime time on the auction calendar and this year the late spring has meant smaller than usual crowds at most sales throughout the province.

“This time last year we had seeded all the wheat and were just waiting to get going on the other crops,” remarked one farmer as he waited for the line of shop tools.

Wayne Kaenhofen, who conducted the sale for Percy and Gail Shimonek, could not help but comment on the tractor and snow blower as he sold it.

“It is in good working order,” he said as the tractor started. “It is the one that he

Spring is auction season but unseasonable cold temperatures have been keeping attendance and numbers down at sales this spring.

Photo by Les Kletke

used this winter and you know that it got a good test this winter and not that long ago.” One

would-be bidder in the crowd mentioned that the tractor should be equipped with a rotary mower by this time of the year, but the conversation did not go further.

Sales prices have been lower than expected at most sales this spring and the late spring is credited with the downturn in prices.

“There should be a lot more optimism out there at this time of the year, especially after the year we had last year,” said one auctioneer from Western Manitoba who asked not to be named, “Guys aren’t coming out to sales in the same number and those that are keep their hands in their pockets.”

He estimates that prices on farm machinery may be off by as much as 10 percent from last year.

The Rosenfeld sale did not feature a line of farm machinery but did have an array of shop tools and some older equipment.

One of Shimonek’s friends said that while the date had been picked long ago, “The concern was that guys would be seeding and not come to the sale, not that they would be cold. Many people left after the household items. The weather is just not what you expect at this time of year.”

Kauenhofen’s plea to reward the fellow who bought one of the first self-propelled swathers in the province with an opening bid of $1,000 fell on deaf ears as swathing seemed a long time away.

April 26, 2013

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Good Nutrition is Key to Good Milk Production and Reproduction Reproductive rates are falling at an alarming rate in high milk producing dairy cows.

The latest estimates from much of the university and extension data shows that there is a decline of 0.5 to 1.0 percent per year among North American dairy herds. Many of these studies demonstrate that a rise in milk yield is to blame, while other research shows that high milk yield is only incidental to poor reproduction. Regardless of such debate, most people will agree that good nutrition in milking dairy cattle is crucial to good milk and good reproduction.

When dietary nutrients are well balanced in a dairy diet for milk production and reproduction, soon after calving, they help return the dairy cow back to a natural reproductive cycle soon (21 days) after calving. Initially, they (along with other internal hormones and metabolites) play a complex role upon the endocrine system of the cow, which stimulate the pituitary gland in the cow’s brain to produce special hormones that initiate the entire reproduction process.

Consequently, the non-pregnant cow has follicles; blister-like structures appear on the ovary. These follicles grow from microscopic cells producing the growing ovum (unfertilized egg) and produce more reproductive hormones. During maturation, the follicle ruptures to release the ovum to be picked up by the oviduct for fertilization by the bull’s sperm. Even under ideal conditions, of the thousands of eggs produced by the ovaries, only some of the ovulated will develop normally and have a chance to be fertilized.

Of many nutrients important to reproduction, the energy status in lactating dairy cows is the largest and first limiting nutrient that seems to affect fertility the most; despite the actual energy requirement for reproductive activity such as follicular growth, ovulation, and early embryonic development is very low. A lactating dairy cow requires less than 3MJ of metabolizabled energy (ME) compared to 60 MJ for basal body needs and up to 250 MJ for milk production during early lactation.

Based upon these small energy needs, one might assume that it would be easy for a high milk-producing cow to resume a strong estrus cycle. Unfortunately, reproduction takes a very low priority in obtaining this nominal amount of energy, compared to those energy needs supplied for body maintenance and milk production. It means that early lactation dairy cows that cannot consume enough dietary energy to meet high levels of milk production are put in a “negative energy balance” (NEB) for about 6 weeks after calving. As a result, they are more susceptible to suffer from silent heats and the onset of ovulation.

Reproductive research dictates that NEB in dairy cows can adversely affect the normal development of follicles by disrupting the involvement of local and systematic production of hormones. It has been shown that when a cow has poor energy intake, there is a significant decrease in the level of specific hormones that trigger normal estrus cycles after calving. Other similar studies demonstrate that the release of large amounts of fatty acids from the breakdown of body fat is also poisonous to fertile egg cells, even if they are released during the ovulation process.

Similar to dietary energy, prolonged protein deficiencies in dairy cattle have been shown to reduce reproductive performance, but an imbalance of too much protein formulated into the dairy diet is likely to be the respective culprit. If excess dietary protein is fed above the dairy cows’ protein requirements, with the imbalance being wasted rumen, soluble protein will result in high blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and high milk urea levels (MUN), which are associated with high ammonia levels in the uterus (originating from the bloodstream).

Such unfavourable conditions are thought to lead to failure of the fertilized egg to attach to the uterine wall and therefore it is responsible for many early embryonic deaths.

Minerals and vitamins also play a significant part in healthy dairy cow reproduction. For example, a calcium imbalance or milk fever after calving is also associated with lack of smooth muscle tone in the reproductive tract, which may delay uterine involution, and increase the incidence of retained placentas that often leads to resumption of natural estrus cycles. Phosphorus is called the “breeder mineral” involved in energy metabolism and a dietary imbalance with calcium is cited in situations of inactive ovaries, delayed sexual maturity and low conception rates. Trace minerals such as copper, zinc, manganese and selenium (along with vitamin E) are activators of enzyme systems that drive reproductive processes as well as play antioxidant roles, which promote good cell health in reproductive tissues.

Meeting the current National Research Council (NRC) requirements for energy, protein, minerals, vitamins and water are generally recommended by dairy nutritionists to supply the necessary nutrients in dairy diets, not only for high milk production, but for good reproduction in dairy cattle. Here are some specific recommendations that also help promote good milk and reproduction in dairy cattle: - Set up a proper transition cow diet (three weeks before cows calve and three weeks postpartum) in order to promote good dry matter intake and a body condition score of 3.0 - 3.5 in susceptible dairy cows. Otherwise, a similar close-up group may be created.

- Increase the energy density of the early lactation cow diet. Research shows that by adding “bypass fats” to the dairy diets of dairy cows within the first 100 days of lactation reduces NEB and significantly increases pregnancy rates.

- Review protein intakes. Cornell researchers demonstrated that dairy cows fed excessive protein as little as 10 - 15 percent above natural requirements required more services per conception and had longer calving intervals than control cow groups.

- Feed a full complement of macro, micro-minerals and vitamins. Total calcium and phosphorus needs should be provided at required levels and often in a 2:1 ratio for lactating dairy cows. Insure that proper levels of trace minerals and vitamins are fed and balanced.

It is known that zinc fed in excess will inhibit the absorption of manganese and copper that could lead to “silent heats” in dairy cattle.

The above recommendations of sound dairy nutrition upon dairy reproductive performance seem to be a matter of avoiding too little or too much of any particular nutrient formulated in the dairy diet, with not much of a direct relationship once the dietary basic requirements for reproduction are satisfied. However, the perfect diet that promotes both high milk production and excellent reproduction at the same time might not even exist, but we certainly should try our best to formulate one.

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The Agri Post

April 26, 2013

Get Ready for a New Pasture Season

By Peter Vitti Beef cows graze lush pasture in order to acquire most of their essential nutrients in order to be able to maintain good body condition, nurse a hungry calf and get ready for the upcoming breeding season. The importance of meeting this higher plane of nutrition after calving cannot be understated because its failure may lead to poor calf weaning weights and a poor future calving season. Therefore, it is vital that producers prepare for each pasture season by assuring all cows eat enough nutritious grass as well as be provided with dietary supplements for any lacking essential nutrients that do not grow out of the ground.

To initiate a good pasture foundation, it is important to get a good idea as to the carrying capacity of all usable pastures; defined as the average number of cattle whose nutrient requirements can be taken from the fields without doing any serious damage. Most carrying capacities for designated pastureland are based upon soil type and condition, annual rainfall, and plant species (both native and tamed pastures) within its fence lines. Ideally, the carrying capacity of most pastureland can be determined by experience of running specific cattle numbers upon the land or by estimating the forage yields for the season.

In the latter case, one practical method of available forage estimation uses an 8' hoop, clippers and collection bags. The hoop is thrown out into the field, and all the plants within its circular area are clipped, dried and weighed.

The respective weights of these forage samples are then extrapolated onto a large field scale. From this estimated available forage yield, regeneration coefficients and cattle selection/wastage factors are implemented to determine the usable forage, that is, what the grazing cattle may actually consume.

Getting a good idea of the carrying capacity and amount of usable forage of all pastures is a good start in the preparation of meeting the nutrient expectations of a cowherd. To proceed further, it is also important to know, differentiate and encompass the concepts of stocking rate and stocking density into a grazing plan. Although used interchangeably, stocking rate and stocking density is not necessarily the same thing, but should be used side-by-side in pasturing cattle.

By definition, stocking rate is the number of cattle on the entire grazing unit for the entire grazing season. For example, 100 beef cows and 100 acres = a stocking rate of 1 cow per acre. If we divide the 100 acres into 10 x 10 acre paddocks and place all the cows in one paddock for 10 percent of the time, before moving them onto another paddock, then our stocking rate does not change, but stocking density is increased by 10 times.

Given the estimated carrying capacity of the pastureland, the number and type of cows that are to going to be placed, most beef producers should be able to calculate with reasonable accuracy the number of cattle that should be stocked on any grazed field, given present pasture conditions.

Case-in-point: a grazing beef cow after calving will largely meet the nutrient demands of maintaining a desirable body condition score (BCS), milk reasonable well, return to estrus cycling and get in-calf during the breeding season, if she has access to a daily supply of about 12 kg of moderately nutritious forage (DMI, basis). Consequently, one could expect that a particular pasture that yields 100 tonnes of estimated usable forage in a 4-month growing season should be able to support about 70 cows. A final stocking rate (and density) of the cows can be determined by dividing the actual number of cows by the number of available pasture acres.

Such information is particularly useful at the beginning, but often changes as the grazing season progresses. Prepared ranchers should effectively alter the calculated stocking rate/density because of changing forage growth conditions.

This means if rainfall is plentiful with optimal re-growth and regeneration of pasture grasses, the number of animals on a particular piece of grass might be slightly increased. In contrast, if timely rains do not come and cause a general decline in pasture quality, the stocking density of cattle might be lower in order to support and maintain the performance of an existing number of beef cows and their calves. In most years, unless pasture conditions become dire, most producers do not have to take much drastic action.

Regardless of above pasture quality in most years, beef producers should encompass a few “house-keeping” exercises: - Provide an adequate and good water source. Most beef cows drink between 40-50 litres of water per day. Many producers on the prairies have move beyond common dugout water in an attempt to find and provide a better source of water for their cowherd. With some investment, many producers have taken advantage of naturally occurring water found on their land, such as tapping into ground water by drilling a new well.

- Provide commercial cattle mineral. Pasture grass is notoriously deficient in essential minerals such as phosphorus, copper, zinc, manganese and selenium. These elements are required by all beef cows and necessary for strong heat cycles and successful conception during the breeding season. Most of the time producers provide 50-70 grams per head per day of loose cattle mineral and salt blocks near the water source.

- Use cattle lick blocks as a pasture tool. These blocks are either corn distillers or molasses-based products. They can be a good source of good nutrition, but they can also be placed in areas of pasture that cattle normally do not travel in order to increase pasture utilization. One block (90-114 kg) should be rolled out to 25-30 grazing animals.

Getting ready for a new pasture season is not particularly difficult. Whether cattle are turned out on a large sections of pasture or managed a little more closely, there should be always be enough pasture forage for beef cows to munch on. A successful grazing season is one that provides all the nutrients from these pasture grasses that beef cows need (with a little supplementation) for the entire grazing season.

Non-GMO Alfalfa is Critical for Domestic and International Markets

By Les Kletke Organic producers opposing the possible registration of GMO alfalfa cannot be blamed for opposing the modification of the forage crop, it holds a special place in the management system.

Kate Storey is with the Manitoba Organic Alliance, an umbrella organization that has individual members from the dozen or so organic associations in the province.

“Alfalfa is more than the ordinary crop,” explained Storey. “It is a crop we produce but it is also a large part of the rotation as a green manure crop worked into the field or as a feed crop from which the resulting manure is spread. If there is GMO alfalfa what does that do to any of our production.”

Just Say No to RR Alfalfa

By Les Kletke Ask Ian Robson about why the National Farm Union (NFU) is opposed to the registration of Roundup Ready (RR) alfalfa, and he pauses, not because he is unsure but because the list of reasons is so long he does not know which to list first.

Robson is the Regional Co-ordinator of the NFU in District 5 and farms at Deleau. He said that the reasons for not allowing RR alfalfa run the gamut from losing organic markets that already exist to losing the efficacy of the product through further development of herbicide resistant weeds.

“We know that plants are living things and the pollen will carry to other fields,” said Robson. “That will contaminate other plants and, in effect, loose an existing market for organic hay.” He said there is a good market for organically produced hay for both beef and dairy markets and that would be in jeopardy if RR alfalfa were approved.

Robson suggested a look at the science of the production would make the choice obvious.

“We have to look at things longer than the economics of one crop,” he said on the argument that RR alfalfa would allow producers to grow the crop more cheaply. “A lower cost usually means a bigger pile of the product and that means lower prices to farmers. There is not much good in that.”

Robson sites the explosion of Roundup Ready varieties in other crops and wonders if it is necessary in another crop.

“It is difficult to find a non-GMO canola variety and we are going the same way in other crops like soybeans, we don’t need more of it,” he said.

The NFU has met with MP Merv Tweed’s staff and Robson said he is awaiting the results of the meeting.

“We met with his staff and they said the decision would be based on science and we said that was good because there was a lot of science to oppose the registration,” he said.

“We are not in favour of what is termed a “technology gain”. We need to consider the longer term.”

He will not predict an outcome of any action resulting from the meeting with Tweed’s staff, but said they were sympathetic to the issue and concerns being raised.

He also asked why the crop has been bred to be GMO resistant, “It was almost impossible to kill with glyphosate from the beginning, and now [that] it has been altered this could lead to the development of the crop as a weed.”

She cites research done in the U.S. that shows alfalfa pollen travels as much as 2-3 miles in a single season and that would mean that if it were produced in Manitoba it would affect all producers.

Storey produces organic beef at her farm at Grandview and sells yearling cattle that are finished for organic beef.

“What would that do to my business?” she asked. “If there is GMO alfalfa produced in the area we know it will cross pollinate and then my beef is in danger of being considered non-organic.”

She also raises the question of organic milk production. “We have an Organic Dairy Association and they are particularly concerned by the issue.”

Storey does not advocate the cessation of all GMO crops but raises the issue of areas that allow GMO production losing access to markets.

“Europe will not buy any GMO production and with the alfalfa from the U.S. not being allowed into that market Canadians have done well servicing the organic forage market. That would be in jeopardy if GMO alfalfa is allowed in Canada.”

She has sold organic feed in the past and says the market is good for those that can service it and have built the relationship with organic dairy and beef producers, but Storey said that market might not exist after the release of GMO alfalfa.

“We don’t want to lose the market,” she said. “But we also don’t want to lose alfalfa as a management tool in organic production and the crop plays so many roles in our system.”

Manitoba Beef Producers Support Science-Based Forage Research

Manitoba Beef Producers (MBP) strongly supports scientific research and variety development that will advance the productivity and nutritional value of Canadian forages.

The statement of public support for science-based research has been prompted by protest action organized by the Canadian Biotechnology Action Network based in Ottawa that is attempting to block the commercialization of new alfalfa varieties.

“This is not just about one variety of alfalfa,” said Trevor Atchison, MBP president. “This is about maintaining a regulatory environment that supports the research that is critical to our industry.”

“Forage research must advance if Manitoba’s beef producers are to remain competitive on the world stage,” said Atchison.

“We must rely on Canada’s rigorous science-based process to certify the environmental and health safety of new forage varieties.”

Atchison continued, “Non-science issues, like foreign market access or public acceptance, should be left to the industry and market to address. This is not the realm for regulatory restrictions.”

Roundup Ready alfalfa already has been found to be safe and has full food, feed and environmental release approval in Canada.

However, because the variety is not registered it can not be sold in Canada. MBP understands that Forage Genetics International of Nampa, Idaho has not made a decision about Canadian commercialization.

“Our members are interested in new products that can help increase yields or improve profitability. Biotechnology in other crops has been very beneficial for Canadian farmers. We would certainly be interested in hearing more about the potential this technology holds for the beef industry if these same benefits exist for alfalfa or other feed and forage crops,” concluded Atchison.

The Agri Post

GenAg Buys Out Kroeker Machinery in Winkler

Former owners of Kroeker Farm Machinery Sales with the new owner-managers of genAg, who bought KMS. [L - R - previous owners Ed Heppner, Len Buhler, and Dale Manikel; new owner-managers brother and sister, Justin and Melissa Kehler.]

By Harry Siemens Genuine Agriculture (genAG) is the new shortline equipment dealer serving Manitoba farmers and to better serve their customers and increase the product line-up, genAG bought Kroeker Machinery Sales (KMS) in Winkler. Together, the two companies have more than 35 years of dedicated service in the Manitoba agricultural community.

According to a genAG company news release, all the familiar faces from KMS and the team from genAG will work together to provide ongoing friendly knowledge and service.

Justin Kehler, General Manager and sales of genAgro, said their family, his mom and dad, Glen and Sheila Kehler, Justin and his sister Melissa decided as a family to pursue the Manitoba agriculture market. While remaining coaches and moral supporters, the parents are mostly behind the scenes, while Justin and Melissa will manage and operate the new venture going forward.

“We’ve gained some momentum over the years with our overseas farm equipment export business,” said Justin in the first week of running the former KMS store. “It opened our eyes to the synergies between farming in Kazakhstan and the Commonwealth of Independent States [CIS] countries and also farming in Manitoba. The international farming community gives us a whole new passion to bring in some new lines of equipment.”

He said they would duplicate the high level of service, quality, and parts support they provide in Kazakhstan and now in Omsk, Russia, and here in Manitoba, a market they know first hand.

“We had the opportunity to buy the Kroeker Machinery Sales business,” Kehler said. “It excites us to have a new generation, new energy, new and younger group of people to see how we can enhance and serve the Manitoba farm equipment customer.”

The company is completing a new building on Hwy 3, between Winkler and Morden in the Stanley corridor, west of the Threshermen’s Museum.

“We’re hoping to move in throughout the summer with a completion date in July,” said Justin.

“We will move out of the existing former Kroeker Machinery Sales building in Winkler on Hwy 32 to one central location in the corridor.”

He said genAg, will stay with the Genuine New Holland parts and service and shortlines. There will be a renewed focus on the potato industry with the Spudnik and Garvey potato lines. KMS has a history of selling potato equipment and they will revive it.

They will also focus on the Hoersch tillage, planting, and seeding equipment, the Kioti line of compact and subcompact tractors, from 20 to 90 horsepower and the zero turn lawn equipment, Bad boy.

In 2003, the Kehler’s established CanAgro Exports in Kazakhstan under the name TOO CanAgro, employing 32 local people that run the dealership, but sourcing, loading, and shipping the equipment here in Canada.

“We take care of all the logistics, shipping to their locations or the end user, the farmer where our team of people there to provide the training and warranty support,” said Kehler. “We stock parts and support a team of technicians that sets up the equipment and warranty support.”

They have two full dealerships including shortlines in Kazakhstan, with the second location serving the potato and vegetable grower market. They most recently opened another dealership in the city of Omsk, Russia.

“At this point we do not have plans to pursue a mainline manufacturer, although we have some prospective opportunities that we could approach in the coming several years,” he said. “At this point we will go with the quality shortlines, maintain a good focus on what we can sell, back it up, and support it properly.

We will not make any mainline announcements anytime soon.”

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Prairie Seeding Delays

By Elmer Heinrichs Farmers in western Canada are preparing for a soggy spring that is delaying planting and leading them to change their crop mix amid well-above-normal snowfall.

Farmers in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba usually begin planting in late April in southern areas.

Manitoba’s Red River Valley has received above normal snowfall and anticipates some flooding with even more snow falling recently. Partial dike closures are now expected for 18 communities along the Red River Valley in Manitoba.

Farm Production Advisor Dennis Lange with the Manitoba Agriculture, Food & Rural Initiatives (MAFRI), Altona GO Centre anticipates it will be early May before spring seeding really gets going.

Farmers will be quick to start with cereals and corn, which need the heat units, then wheat followed by canola and sunflowers. They will likely finish with the edible beans and the other pulse crops and soybeans, said Lange.

Central region’s Pamela de Rocquigny, with MAFRI, said many producers will likely have a Plan B in mind in case spring weather situations are not conducive to timely planting, particularly for late season crops such as soybeans, grain, corn and sunflowers.

It is too early to say if or when those crop switches will be made, added de Rocquigny.

Morris MAFRI Production Advisor, Ingrid Kristjanson said acre increases were expected for corn and soybeans with a decline in canola acres, but at this point, it is too early to speculate a lot on changes.

Once seeding is delayed into mid-to-late May and extending seeding into June, farmers with large acreages may start to shift some of the longer season varieties to shorter season types, added Kristjanson.

“Crop types may see some changes. If that is the case, I would expect to see some increase in canola acres, but as I mentioned, it is much too early to be speculating on that,” said Kristjanson.

“Once farmers get going we’ll see some operations going 24 hours a day. It’s going to be a late planting this year, no doubt about it.”

Canada is the world’s biggest grower of canola and the sixth-largest wheat producer. But, some farmers were already thinking of tapering back canola acres in favour of cereals, especially wheat, a crop that is better suited for adverse weather and can be cheaper to plant because it uses less fertilizer than canola. It is considered a lower risk crop.

If planting season stretches too late, farmers may plant more short-season oats and barley; however, farmers will need to be careful not to plant the same crops too often or risk depleting the soil’s nutrients.

A bigger concern than overall amounts during winter may be how much snow is still on the ground, with an estimated two feet in Winnipeg. “You don’t get spring and warmed-up ground until that snow melts,” said David Phillips, Senior Climatologist at Environment Canada in Winnipeg.

On the plus side, western Canada’s soils were much drier than usual last autumn, leaving room for them to soak up some of the melting snow. Manitoba’s fertile Red River Valley was dry heading into winter and may have adequate capacity to soak in the melting snow, noted Mike Wrobleski, Agriculture Weather Specialist for the provincial agriculture department at Carman.

Manitoba’s Hydrologic Forecast Centre reported that the risk of flooding was inching up with the province approaching the “unfavourable weather scenario.” Flood forecasts report water levels on the Red River could be one foot higher than in 2009 between Emerson and Winnipeg.

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The Agri Post

Awards for Innovation and Commitment to Hog Industry The Manitoba Pork Council (MPC) has announced the recipients of its 2013 Pork Industry Awards.

The Pork Industry Awards recognize excellence in Manitoba’s pork industry and are presented annually to individuals, groups and organizations that have made significant contributions to pork production. This year’s recipients have brought focus and passion to their work on behalf of the pork industry.

The following recipients received awards as part of MPC’s AGM banquet in Winnipeg with nearly 500 people in attendance.

Jonathan Kleinsasser, Managing Director at Crystal Spring Hog Equipment, was presented with the Pork Industry Innovation Award in recognition of outstanding contributions to the provincial and global hog industry through continuous improvement and innovation in design of qual-

ity equipment for animal food production.

Henervic Farms was presented with the Pork Industry Swine Steward Award in recognition of outstanding commitment and contributions to agriculture, to the hog industry, to community and to their fellow Manitobans.

“These are very worthy recipients,” said Chairman Karl Kynoch. “They both are family operations and it’s great to see families working so hard at contributing to the hog industry. Their passion and commitment is what will help this industry thrive.”

Flood and Drought Impacts Must be Addressed Jonathan Kleinsasser, Managing Director at Crystal Spring Hog Equipment.

Henervic Farms was presented with the Pork Industry Swine Steward Award.

Your Liability for Rental Space Are you renting building space? This could include grain bins, machine sheds, and garage or office space. If you are, be sure to mention this to your insurance broker.

In the event of damage occurring, you may be required by law to cover the costs of repair. The requirement may come from the property owner or their insurance company. If there are, other occupants in the same building that also sustain damage due to your negligence you may be required pay their property damage and loss of business revenue as well.

Some policies automatically include a specific dollar amount of Tenant Legal Liability coverage but do yours and is it the correct amount?

A few examples of damage that you could be held responsible for are fire, electrical damage, water damage or collision.

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

Andy Anderson is an Associate Insurance Broker specializing in General, Life and Group Benefits for Farm, Commercial/Agri-business Ph: 204-746-5589 Tf: 866 765 3351 andya@rempelinsurance.com / rempelinsurance.com /valleyfinancial.ca.

It is almost May and most people in Manitoba are wondering when spring will actually arrive. For many people with a nine-tofive job, this is a question borne out of frustration with a long cold winter, but not one that puts their livelihoods at risk. The question is a lot more urgent for many beef producers in the province.

This has been a very long winter for the beef industry. Feed supplies were short going into the winter. A combination of the ongoing impacts of the 2011 flood and drought in southern Manitoba meant reduced production. Compounding the problem was the significant demand from the drought regions of the U.S. that sucked hay out of all parts of the Canadian prairies.

The unexpected length of winter has intensified the feed shortage problem. Producers are struggling to find adequate feed supplies to get their cattle to grass. Preparing for another flood has only compounded problems.

Both Manitoba Beef Producers (MBP) and Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives (MAFRI) have taken calls from producers looking for ways to stretch feed supplies out until pastures become available. MAFRI and MBP have been working together to try to get the message out that there are options for producers. I urge anyone still facing feed shortages to call either MBP or MAFRI to discuss the options before the problem becomes unmanageable.

We all know what caused the feed shortage. Last spring and summer there were still thousands of acres of hay and pasture land either flooded or unproductive as a result of the 2011 flood.

Feed supplies were further diminished by the drought experienced in southern Manitoba.

Affected beef producers required assistance last summer and fall, to purchase and transport hay. Many of these producers received floodwater in 2011 so that other areas of Manitoba were not flooded. They were promised compensation and they deserve compensation. It is not right that producers are being forced to contemplate liquidating their herds because the required compensation has not been forthcoming.

MBP is disappointed with both the federal and provincial governments over the lack of progress on this critical issue. We have seen both the federal and provincial budgets be introduced, neither carrying a word about compensation. There must be cooperation between the two levels of government to deliver the required forage shortfall and transportation program. Instead, they appear to be at a stalemate, blaming each other for the lack of progress. Those of you who were among the 300 plus people at the Marquette flood meeting had the unfortunate opportunity to witness this firsthand.

I want every beef producer in Manitoba to know that we have not given up on this issue. To date, we have not received an acceptable answer from our political leaders. But despite the passage of time, we know that the effects of the 2011 flood continue. We know that many of you have been impacted by the drought. And we know that the spring of 2013 has made things worse, both by its late arrival and because land is, once again, at risk of being flooded.

MBP’s key message to governments is “Manitoba’s economy cannot afford more downsizing in the beef industry.” A loss of producers and herds will cost jobs in both urban and rural Manitoba. If beef production is allowed to, decline our communities will be hollowed out and our municipalities will lose the tax base required to provide the necessary services. Supporting the beef industry is in the best interest of every citizen of Manitoba.

The Agri Post

Quilt Collection Part of Manitoba Day Celebration The Manitoba Agricultural Museum contains a wide variety of artefacts and not all of them are related to pioneer machinery. Many artefacts fall into the rural life category.

Some of the best pieces in this category are the quilts in the Canada Packers Manitoba Quilt collection.

Canada Packers Inc. came up with the idea for a collection to recognize the traditional and continuing Canadian quilting craft. The first competition was held in 1978 in Ontario, and both Albertan and Manitoba Association of Agricultural Societies Inc. (M.A.A.S) agreed to participate in this project in the early 1980’s.

Manitoba quilt makers entered quilting competitions at local fairs across Manitoba.

The winners of these local fairs competed in their districts and these winners went onto to compete in the Provincial competition that was held at the Manitoba Association of Agricultural Societies Annual Convention.

The provincial winner was declared the Grand Champion Quilt for that year, winning a monetary award and the quilt was added to the Canada Packer Manitoba Quilt Collection. Canada Packers made the quilt collection available for display to any organization, association, community group or museum in Manitoba. These groups could use the collection in conjunction with other displays of arts or crafts for charitable purposes at a community fund raising event. Canada Packers provided transportation, set-up and dismantling services at no cost to the group.

Canada Packer involvement in the project ended with the 1990 Grand Champion because the company was experiencing significant financial problems in the late 1980s resulting from the outdated hog slaughter plants it was operating. Canada Packers merged with Maple Leaf Mills with the resulting company being renamed as Maple Leaf.

At that time, the quilt collection was donated to the Manitoba Agricultural Museum.

Quilting in Manitoba has deep historical roots. Its many original, symbolic forms derived from the traditions of the people of Manitoba who possess a wide range of backgrounds.

Quilts served a variety of purposes. In pioneer Manitoba, quilts were mainly used as a bed covers and as coverings for people traveling in cold weather. Quilts often served as a means of recycling fabrics from worn blankets, clothing and other items. However not all cloth used in quilts was The 1988 Grand Champion recycled.

Quilt, “Four by Eight Stars” On May 12, the quilted by Mrs Anne Morrison Manitoba Agricultural Museum hosts an event to of Winnipeg. celebrate Manitoba Day, the official anniversary of the founding of the province. This Manitoba Day the Museum is hosting a quilt show and the Canada Packers Manitoba Quilt collection will be on display. So come on out and take in an exceptional collection of quilts. For more information contact the Museum office by email at info@ag-museum.com or contact us at 204-637-2354.

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The Agri Post