AgriPost June 24 2022

The AgriPost

June 24, 2022

Despite Moisture and Bug Challenges Manitoba Crops Are Off to a Good Start

Jason Voogt, owner-operator of Field 2 Field Agronomy of Carman, MB said that overall crops look pretty good.

By Harry Siemens On June 14 the Manitoba Agriculture crop report, showed provincial seeding progress sat at 87 per cent, a 22 per cent increase from the

previous week but behind the 5-year average of 99 per cent for Week 23.

Many farms were nearing completion and moving on to custom seed for neighbours to

speed up completion ahead of another forecasted rain. High humidity has encouraged foliar disease development in dense canopy fall rye and winter wheat crops. Foliar

Submitted photo Jason Voogt

fungicide application is occurring on flag leaf and head emergence stages. Farmers had seed and fertilizer floated on many fields, particularly in the Southwest and Continued on Page 3...

FCC Ready to Work with Customers Affected by Widespread Flooding Farm Credit Canada (FCC) is prepared to work with Manitoba farmers concerned about financial hardship due to the flooding caused by torrential rainfall, snowmelt and waterway ice jams.

“Widespread flooding along the Red River, combined with heavy rain that recently blanketed parts of western Manitoba, [had] not only forced the evacuation of some communities, but has also disrupted some farm operations during this critical planting season,” said Shannon Weatherall, senior vice-president of FCC’s Prairie operations. “We want to assure customers who find themselves financially vulnerable as a result of these circumstances that FCC will work with them to explore all options for addressing any short-term cash flow problems.”

It has been an extremely challenging time for many producers across southern Manitoba, since many of the same areas also faced adverse growing conditions last year due to drought or a lack of moisture in some regions that reduced yields and created higher input and feed costs for livestock producers. During that time, FCC also provided support for customers affected by the dry weather.

FCC may consider additional short-term credit options, deferral of principal payments and/or other loan payment schedule amendments to reduce the financial pressures on producers affected by the flooding. FCC will also offer flexibility and a combination of options based on the individual needs of its customers, since each farm financial situation is unique.

“The risk of extreme weather is always top of mind for producers, but there are times when compounding circumstances can overwhelm even the strongest risk management plan,” Weatherall said. “FCC is here to provide the flexibility customers need to make it through these situations and get their businesses back on track.”

Customers affected by flooding are encouraged to contact their FCC relationship manager or the FCC Customer Service Centre at 1-888332-3301 as soon as possible to discuss their individual situation and options.

The AgriPost

June 24, 2022

Celebrating Agricultural and Food Sciences Grads at Spring Convocation The University of Manitoba Ag Grad Class of 2022 was able to join together for an in-person ceremony at the Fort Garry Campus on June 9, after more than two years of virtual learning for diploma, degree and graduate students from the Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences.

At the University of Manitoba Spring Convocation session parchments were presented to 40 Diploma in Agriculture, 122 Bachelor of Science, 38 MSc/MEng and seven PhD graduates.

Diploma medal winners include Kevin Jungbluth who received the Governor General’s Bronze Medal, an award given to the graduate with the highest academic standing in the two-year Diploma Program in Agriculture. Lacey Calder received the President’s Medal, given annually to a student who combines scholarship with outstanding qualities of leadership.

Degree program medals are presented to students with the highest standing in their program. This year’s recipients include: Hong Le Tran who received the B.Sc. (Agribusiness) Medal; Josie Meggison who received the

Outdoor grad group.

Outdoor grad group.

Lacey Calder received the President’s Medal, given annually to a student who combines scholarship with outstanding qualities of leadership.

Submitted photos

Kevin Jungbluth received the Governor General’s Bronze Medal, an award given to the graduate with the highest academic standing in the two-year Diploma Program in Agriculture.

Convocation group.

B.Sc. (Agriculture) Medal; Angelina Ding who received the B.Sc. (Food Science) Medal; and Caitlynn Danchuk who received the B.Sc. (Human Nutritional Sciences) Medal.

Molly (Kyungbin) Bae who graduated with a B.Sc. (Agriculture) was honoured with the University Gold Medal in Agricultural and Food Sciences given for the highest grade point average.

Josie A. Meggison was awarded the Lieutenant Governor’s Gold Medal, given on the basis of scholarship, personal excellence and leadership.

The Teacher of the Year

Award was presented to Martin Entz, Department of Plant Science, in recognition of teaching excellence and contribution to the students’ program of study. This award is selected by the graduating

class of diploma students.

Degree students named Kim Ominski, Department of Animal Science, as Professor of the Year, an honour voted on by the graduating class.

The AgriPost Despite Moisture and Bug Challenges Manitoba Continued from Page 1...

Crops Are Off to a Good Start

Everything is shallow-rooted, so we don’t want a major temperature change noted Jason Voogt, the ownerSubmitted photo Jason Voogt operator of Field 2 Field Agronomy.

Central regions. Agronomists estimated farmers broadcastseeded about 5 to 15 per cent of all canola acres.

Jason Voogt, owner-operator of Field 2 Field Agronomy of Carman, MB, said in South Central Manitoba a few farmers continued to seed to finish with 90 per cent done.

“Overall, honestly, the crops look pretty good,” said Voogt. “With the amount of rainfall and getting in late, cereals, canola, corn, soybeans, and peas are coming up well.

Not without challenges because those same farmers are dealing with flea beetles in canola and other bugs and pests in other crops.”

Voogt said there is good moisture for crops to grow properly. The biggest challenge is the forecasted heat and high temperatures. It is great for crop development because most are about three weeks to a month behind normal.

“Everything is shallowrooted, so we don’t want a major temperature change,” noted Voogt. “We want crops to follow that moisture and not suffer from too much extreme temperature and not get rooted down there.”

Voogt said farmers use aircraft and ground sprayers to control pests, including flea beetles and other bugs.

Some producers used planes for pest control because they were too busy seeding and getting that crop in and didn’t have time to run their ground rigs into the canola.

“Producers had to order the plane, but most of the time trying to do it by ground as far as spraying goes,” he said.

In planning before the season, some producers looked at the option of DEKALB canola, which has a different seed treatment called BUTEO. This is much more effective in controlling flea beetles he said.

“It’s not going to be the perfect or a silver bullet,” said Voogt. “So we’ll still have to, in some cases, spray those fields as well, but at least gives you quite a bit more time before you might have to do that.”

Those producers may have chosen a specific field with more flee beetle pressure but in most cases, farmers are still spraying.

With forecasted warmer and hot temperatures com-

ing, everything will happen at once he said. “Everything ready is all going to happen at once for spraying for weed control and things like that, so it’s going to be fast and furious here in the next couple of weeks,” said Voogt.

Manitoba’s Ag crop report said as farmers shifted to incrop management, herbicide application became widespread.

Repeated rains and warm soils have led to widespread nitrogen fertilizer losses via leaching or denitrification.

In-crop nitrogen-deficiency symptoms show chlorotic (yellowed) leaf margins and other signs of crop stress due to saturated soils. A drop in nitrogen prices, down approximately 30 per cent from spring highs, may encourage in-crop top-dressing. In some cases, the rush to seed crops wherever possible led to poorer seedbeds, which will impact in-season management and harvested yields. Ag retailers are dealing with inventories of returned corn seed, cancelled soybean orders, and either a tight supply or surplus of canola seed, depending on location.

Difficult Winter for Deer

By Joan Airey; Last year’s fawns were pretty thin this spring with such a hard winter for them. We have two fawns back from last summer that we didn’t see all winter. They were enjoying eating lilac leaves and nibbling on other foliage in the yard.

Photo taken by Joan Airey

June 24, 2022

The AgriPost

June 24, 2022

The Perfect Playbook for a Global Food Security Crisis

By Sylvain Charlebois Events unfolding around the world are creating the perfect playbook for a global food security crisis from climate change, a pandemic, war and nationalistic hoarding are all factors.

Climate has been affecting agriculture for a very long time. And the unpredictable nature of severe weather patterns is making the lives of our farmers more difficult.

Growing conditions have become anything but predictable in Canada and elsewhere.

The COVID-19 pandemic has weakened supply chains, making logistics more expensive when transporting food. Delays and how the virus has desynchronized the global economy have also impacted costs.

Commodity prices were rising before the invasion of Ukraine in late February, but Russia’s assault has pushed all prices to record levels.

Corn is up almost 20 per cent, and wheat is up more than 30 per cent since the invasion.

Soybeans, oats and canola are all more expensive than just a few months ago.

The conflict is impacting one of the world’s most significant agri-food production regions. Ukraine produces enough to feed almost 400 million people yearly. That’s greater than the population of the United States.

So idling an economy like Ukraine’s will have consequences. Some experts believe the world has 10 weeks of wheat supplies left due to the Russian invasion. Almost 40 nations get at least 50 per cent of their grain supplies from Ukraine.

For the longest time, global food security was very much a food distribution problem: how to get enough food to every region. We produced enough food but making it available in some regions was a challenge. Now, we won’t have enough food for everyone on Earth.

Early reports suggested that the number of hungry and malnourished people could increase by 100 million due to food shortages

following the Ukrainian crisis. But according to the United Nations’ World Food Programme, that number has risen to 220 million in 43 countries.

And some countries are halting trade – as Indonesia did temporarily with palm oil and India did with wheat – which will only lead to more famine.

Russia, affected by many sanctions, now blames the world for the planet’s heightened food crisis. That’s like blaming the fire department for a burning building. But sanctions against Russia undoubtedly have an impact on global food security.

North America, however, is in a food security bubble.

It’s not easy for us to appreciate what’s going on around the world. We find most shelves at our grocery stores full of food. Few of us can understand what other parts of the world are experiencing. But the world isn’t in a good place.

While food security is everyone’s business, the Canadian government appears to

be living in a vacuum when it comes to agricultural productivity. Canadian farmers face the most expensive seeding season in history, and reports suggest that some farmers have opted not to plant this year due to extremely high input costs. Some tax relief or additional assistance with crop insurance would have been helpful.

Meanwhile, in the US, President Joe Biden has asked Congress to approve US$500 million in aid for the farm sector in a bid to encourage US wheat producers to double-crop their fields.

But the Biden administration also temporarily allowed E15 gasoline, which uses 15 per cent ethanol blend, to be sold this summer. It usually can’t be sold from June to September – a measure intended to help reduce gas prices. So food appears to be less of a priority than fuel.

Food plays a central part in our democracies. Hungry societies will eventually break down. World order relies on highly functioning, democratic food systems.

Dr. Sylvain Charlebois is senior director of the agri-food analytics lab and a professor in food distribution and policy at Dalhousie University.

Canada must address the issue of farming productivity to increase yields to help the rest of the world. With our many protectionist measures, Canada lacks the vision needed at a time when the world needs Canadian farming more than ever. Fertilizer affordability is one component.

The planet is coming to realize how capable Russian President Vladimir Putin is at hurting as many people as possible. By invading Ukraine, Putin is weaponizing food. The conflict is crippling the port of Odessa, so Ukraine can’t get its food out of the country. Allowing food to flow out of that region should be a priority.

Take Heed - The Feds Are Not on Your Side

Farm commodity groups, farm commissions and the like seem to go along with the Feds taking away the right to fertilize crops and increasing the costs of everything because of a carbon tax. Still, suddenly, the Federal government has caught the attention of hog, dairy, and cattle producers.

Health Canada is proposing regulations that would require ground beef sold in stores to carry a “high in saturated fat” warning label.

“This could lead consumers to believe that ground beef is unhealthy when it’s a nutrient-rich, wholesome source of protein that Cana-

dians rely on,” reads the “Don’t label my beef” website.

Ground beef is a foundational food for Canadian families and a staple in households from coast to coast. Moreover, it’s one of the most affordable, convenient, and accessible sources of proteins available to Canadians.

“Now, more than ever, we must ensure Canadians access affordable, accessible, and whole, nutritious foods, like ground beef. Unfortunately, we can’t afford Health Canada’s proposed warning label on ground beef with rising inflation costs and food prices. It risks affordability and has farreaching negative economic and nutritional impacts on Canadians, especially the most vulnerable.”

Okay, so I understand that I believe it, but what I have difficulty understanding is

how so many other intrusions into productive agriculture are having the same effect on other sectors.

First, we heard from the cattle industry but the pork industry also has concerns.

Saskatchewan’s pork producers are calling on the federal government to follow the lead of other countries and exempt ground beef and pork from proposed frontof-package labelling that would require symbols indicating products are high in fat, sugar or sodium.

Health Canada is proposing the introduction of mandatory front-of-package nutrition labelling for processed foods high in sodium, sugar and saturated fat.

The Saskatchewan Pork Development Board chair, Toby Tschetter, said the implications for pork and beef producers are concerning.

Undoubtedly, I wish the grain side of our producer organizations would come

out with similar statements.

Tschetter said pork and beef and pork cuts are exempt from this front of packaging labelling but, grind it up. Canada’s proposed changes would mean that the ground beef and ground pork would have to receive a front-of-package label.

“This assessment by Health Canada focuses on the raw product, but much of the fat from ground pork and ground pork gets removed through the cooking process,” he said.

Other countries implementing these FOP regulations chose to exempt all single ingredient whole goods including raw meat.

The advice the government of Canada provides to consumers regarding healthy food choices would only be more important to Canadians as they rebound from a pandemic and navigate through all these fears regarding food security.

“At a time when inflation and food prices are at an all-time high, vilifying a traditional popular nutrientdense food like ground pork and beef doesn’t serve Canadians well. Ground meat should be exempt from the Health Canada proposed front-of-package labellings like other nutritious foods such as single ingredient meat cuts, milk, eggs, vegetables and fruits. FOP labelling should address the nutritious priority,” said Tschetter.

Canadians need to reduce their consumption of highly processed foods.

He said producers don’t like the potential trade implications of the proposal and the message it sends to Canada’s trading partners.

“Around 70 percent of Canadian pork goes for export markets, and a warning label is not positive if you need to send anything to your trading partner.”

The AgriPost

Manitoba Seeding Wraps Up, Crops Growing Well

By Elmer Heinrichs Farmers have been working long hours to put in the 2022 crop but often found conditions that were less than ideal, and with frequent interruptions due to rainfall. But warm weather and showers are bringing about rapid crop emergence across most of the province.

Southwestern Manitoba, which hadn’t received as much rainfall, received some welcome rainfall helping farmers as they finish putting in the crop.

Warm, relatively dry weather helped push the central region seeding completion close to 92 per cent done. Most crops in the region have been planted, and emergence has been good, with some exceptions in fields where water did not drain within 48 hours.

Crops are emerging rapidly across eastern region, with good seedling survivability under flooded conditions if water could drain from the field quickly enough. Dairy farms began a limited forage

cut, with most feed intended as silage.

A concentrated push to finish seeding this past week led to a sharp increase in planted acres, with many farms in the eastern, central, and southwest regions finished seeding, while parts of the interlake and eastern side of the northwest region remain unplanted. Some has been re-seeded.

Recent rains have stopped seeding progress once again, and some farmers yet to finish planting are coming to the realization that there will be unseeded acres on their farms this year.

Estimates are that over 250,000 acres will be unplanted by the June 20 seeding deadline, some of it adjacent to the Red River, where fields have only recently seen standing water drain away.

Spring cereal seeding is nearly complete in all regions, and earliest seeded crops were now at the 3 to 4-leaf stage. Winter wheat was now in the jointing/

boot stage, with the most advanced fields starting to head out. Later seeded cereals are emerging well.

Soybeans have been planted on about 70 to 80 per cent of intended acres, and any further acres remaining have been switched to canola or wheat, with some growers choosing barley or oats as a crop or greenfeed alternative to fewer silage corn acres.

Pea acres are expected to be between 140- 160,000 acres, down from 220,000 acres in 2021 as a result of changing cropping plans due to wet fields. Dry edible bean planting progressed rapidly with 100,000 to 110,000 acres now planted, down approximately 20 per cent from the intended acreage.

Dry edible bean planting rapidly increased in mid-June, with 100,000 to 110,000 acres now planted, down approximately 20 per cent from the initial intended acreage.

As farmers shift to in-crop management, herbicide application is becoming wide-

spread, and calm conditions recently saw many spring cereal and corn fields see their first herbicide application, together with numerous applications of insecticide for beetles and cutworms.

The rush to seed crops wherever possible led to poorer seedbeds in some cases. As seeding deadlines neared, farmers put in one more push in an attempt to plant as quickly as fields dry out after the most recent rains.

Livestock have been turned out to pasture, and forage growth is generally sufficient. Biting insects and mosquitoes are becoming a nuisance for cattle. Hay fields have improved with better growing conditions, but less moisture and more heat are needed for continued improvement.

Cattle producers with highvolume forage needs were scrambling to plant silage corn, and are looking for greenfeed acres to make up an expected tonnage shortfall.

June 24, 2022

Meridian Offers New Agricultural Scholarship Award

By Elmer Heinrichs There is a new scholarship available for high school students in Manitoba and Saskatchewan.

The “Thanks for Farming Tour” has teamed up with Meridian Manufacturing Inc. to offer two $1,000 scholarships for Grade 11 and 12 students in this joint initiative.

The Meridian agriculture scholarship is meant to connect students with their communities to understand and recognize the importance of agriculture and the role it plays, organizers say.

Prospective applicants are asked to submit a one-minute video answering the question: How is agriculture important in your community?

Meridian’s Sid Lockhart said students can describe their own personal experiences and views on agriculture through the application process.

“Students hopefully will tell us how and why agriculture is important in their communities,” said Lockhart.

“Agriculture is a community in itself, the industry is constantly working together, but many people don’t understand or see how important and involved agriculture is within communities. We’re looking forward to hearing the views on this topic from our next generation.”

“We are excited to be offering the Meridian scholarships in conjunction with the ‘Thanks for Farming Tour’ events this summer,” said tour organizer Jeremy Matuszewski. “We cannot say enough about the next generation of farmers and we want to ensure they are supported in their journeys to be the next leaders in agriculture.”

The top finalists for the scholarship in Saskatchewan and Manitoba will present at the “Thanks for Farming Tour” events in their perspective provinces in July.

The deadline for applications is July 1 for Saskatchewan residents and July 15 for Manitoba residents. For its pilot year, two deserving students will be awarded $1,000 each.

The “Thanks for Farming Tour” will be in Winkler, July 27-28.

A Pressing Need for a Breakthrough in WTO Farm Trade Talks Dear Editor: The current context of record food prices and increasing food insecurity has given new urgency to the role of trade in addressing the challenges we face today.

Groups representing farmers, ranchers, food producers and exporters from Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, New Zealand, South Africa and the United States of America issued the following statement: With record food prices and ever-increasing food insecurity, it would be unimaginable for the WTO to fail to deliver a substantial outcome on agriculture at the upcoming Ministerial Conference.

Trade plays a central role in addressing food insecurity, including improving availability and access to food,

helping to meet demand for more diverse and nutritious food, and improving the predictability and stability of global food markets for producers and consumers.

That is why commitments to keep international borders open to agri-food help maintain the stability of a network of sectors that need to remain robust and resilient both for the workers they employ and for the people they feed around the world.

Since 1994, world exports of agricultural products have tripled and food systems around the world have evolved significantly. But WTO rules have not kept pace with 21st century commerce, and urgent action is required.

We urge all countries to strengthen the global trading

system by making substantial and ambitious progress in agricultural reform in the lead-up to the 12th Ministerial Conference. It is time for all WTO members to get serious about agriculture, as an ongoing lack of focus is hurting farmers, ranchers, and consumers worldwide.

Farmers are at the front lines of sustainability, food security and economic growth. Support for the new SPS (Sanitary/Phytosanitary) Declaration would be a significant first step toward reinforcing international support for transparent, science-based trade in agriculture. WTO members should support and facilitate greater access to the safe use of innovative tools and technologies and engage in a global dialogue on the growing

pressures on international food production and trade.

WTO members must address market access, tariff escalation and tariff quotas for agricultural products while intensifying efforts to eliminate market access barriers in all forms.

Throughout the pandemic, many countries have demonstrated an ability to share information about measures adopted in response to the crisis in a relatively timely and transparent manner.

These practices should be made permanent.

The WTO’s dispute settlement system plays a vital role in the rules-based global trading system. We call on all WTO members to seek an urgent resolution to the current impasse.

To make real progress, we

must engage in serious multilateral negotiation to resolve issues like market access, rules, transparency, and trade-distorting agricultural subsidies, among others.

Collective reform of domestic support can address food insecurity, increase sustainability in global agriculture, and level the playing field for all farmers.

The task ahead for all WTO members is not simple but crucial, and the stakes are high. Reinvigorating efforts to reform global trade in agriculture will lift farmers, producers, processors, workers and consumers around the world as we all play by rules that are fair, predictable and enforceable.

Signatories; The American Farm Bureau Federation, Sociedad Rural Argentina, Sociedad de Agricultores de Colombia, Federated Farmers of New Zealand, The Australian Farmers Federation, CropLife Americ, CropLife Canada, The Canadian Agri-Food Trade Alliance, Canola Council of Canada, Canadian Canola Growers Association, Canadian Cattlemen’s Association, National Cattle Feeder’s Association, Canadian Sugar Institute, AgBiz (South Africa), The Brazilian Confederation of Agriculture and Livestock, USA Rice, US Wheat Associates, American Seed Trade Association, Canadian Pork Council, Cereals Canada, Pulse Canada, Grain Growers of Canada, Food, Health & Consumer Products of Canada, Malting Industry Association of Canada, Canada Grains Council.

June 24, 2022

The AgriPost

Hog Industry Shows Some WGRF Stability in Manitoba Approves Funding to Enhance Capacity at AAFC As part of its $32 million Capacity Initiative, Western Grains Research Foundation (WGRF) has announced funding of $3.3 million for field equipment and the enhancement of phenomics capacity at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC).

AAFC has six Research and Development Centres (RDC) and eight Research Farms (RFs) within the Prairie Region of Canada. AAFC plays an integral role in accelerating agricultural research and innovation in the region.

“WGRF’s Capacity Initiative provides an opportunity to continue the great partnership work happening at AAFC and enhance some of the equipment needed for field research programs,” said Dr. Keith Degenhardt, WGRF Board Chair. “AAFC is matching the $3.3 million dollar investment by WGRF; Prairie farmers will see the results of this investment through improved crop productivity and resource use efficiency.”

Equipment purchases will be made at multiple AAFC stations and research farms across western Canada including Brandon, Indian Head, Swift Current, Morden, Saskatoon, Lacombe, Lethbridge, and Portage La Prairie.

The equipment being purchased includes multiple plot seeders, combines, sprayers, swathers, irrigation equipment as well as field-based phenotyping equipment allowing for the automated measurement of plant characteristics such as height, nitrogen content, photosynthesis and other qualitative plant growth characteristics. The combination of equipment will benefit both variety development and agronomy research.

“WGRF is an important partner for AAFC research, we’re pleased producers see the value in our work and support our capacity to carry out research across the Prairies,” said Dr. Joyce Boye, Director General for AAFC’s Science and Technology Branch for the Prairie Region. “Some of the funds will be put towards data-based tools to speed up our ability to breed wheat that can withstand the extremes of a dryer climate.”

“To maintain scientific advances at the rate required by today’s producers, it’s important for prairie-based researchers to have the tools they need to stay ahead of the curve,” said Garth Patterson, WGRF Executive Director. “WGRF is pleased to be providing funds to help support the enhancement and refresh of equipment at AAFC research stations.”

In total, twenty-four Phase 2 Capacity Initiative applications were approved by WGRF. Additional Capacity funding announcements will be made in the coming months.

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By Harry Siemens Bill Alford, the general manager of H@ms Marketing Services of Winnipeg, said the hog industry is more stable half way through 2022 compared to the start of the year.

“With all the disruptions including the weather, COVID, packing plants and otherwise, trucking hog supply and packer demand are getting very much in the balance, seasonally,” said Alford.

Prices are trading in a narrow range for hogs on cash and futures. Since February, prices rallied well in the new year and stayed relatively stable in a narrow range, around under $235 per CKG. It appears to pencil in a profit margin with peak prices for market hogs and input costs like feed grain.

Alford said feed grain prices are historically high in his lifetime, with pork prices the third highest on

record. But again, the margins are squeezed with those high input costs. However, most hog producers in Manitoba operate farrowing-tofinish operations as part of a grain and feed farm.

“I think everyone has adequate supplies to get through with most farmers budgeted to get enough feed bought ahead of time to get the new crop,” said Alford. “That’s going to be the trick. Will there be a bit of a gap between the old supply and until they can get to the new crop without needing to bring in off-farm grains?”

When asked whether there is any room to tighten up their management skills, Alford said the weaker hog producers and those who chose to leave did so in the big consolidation in 2012.

As a result, the feed prices spiked higher and higher when the US had a drought; corn went up to these levels.

“If you don’t have good ef-

ficient production, you’re just not going to make it even at high prices,” said Alford.

Hog farmers are on top of trying to get the most out of the pigs. “My experience talking to farmers, I’m not a production expert by any means, but they are engaged in the barns right now,” he said. “And they’re talking to each other, networking to try and keep production as top end as they can through all periods. High prices, low prices. Can’t take your foot off the gas, so to speak.”

Dr. John Carr has often said, “You know, it’s not about how many pigs you put out of the barn, but knowing the cost of production and how much money you’re making.”

Alford agreed it is vital to get high productivity out of the sow herd. However, with operating hog barns and grain farms, the hog producer controls both ends.

He encouraged hog producers to protect their margins considering last year’s short crop in western Canada emptying the grain bins.

Nobody wants to stick their neck out too far to manage their price risk or take advantage of high crop prices.

“But, as you get some confidence, get the seed in the ground, and I know it’s wet in certain areas and dry and others, but, you know, as you get more confident, start looking at hedging both sides, your feed and your hog price, especially in the fourth quarter,” said Alford.

The fourth quarter is yielding some great prices for hogs. While the margins at these current inputs are not great, maybe break even to a few dollars.

“That’s what we want to see you guys focus on,” said Alford. “That’s always a tough period in any marketing year, including the fall and winter months.”

Hog producers met in Swift Current, SK for a Hams Marketing producer meeting in March 2022. Bill Alford, the general manager of H@ms Marketing Services, said the disruptions including the weather, COVID, packing plants, trucking, hog supply and packer demand are getting very much in balance.

Photo by Harry Siemens

WGRF Commits to Ag Research Capacity at U of M As part of its $32 million Capacity Initiative, WGRF announced funding of $2.8 million to help purchase field and analytical equipment to enhance crop research capacity at the University of Manitoba (U of M). The equipment being purchased will be used for multiple types of crops, soils, and research questions.

“WGRF is pleased to be making this substantial in-

vestment at the U of M,” said Dr. Keith Degenhardt, WGRF Board Chair. “The U of M is a leader in training, research and innovation for farmers in western Canada.

Access to modern equipment that incorporates new technologies and allows additional measurements to be made will have an immediate impact on the quality and quantity of research conducted at the U of M.” “We welcome the support

of WGRF for this critical infrastructure, which will immediately bolster the capabilities of our researchers as they work to develop sustainable and resilient cropping systems and practices that directly benefit Western Canadian producers,” said Digvir Jayas, UM vice-president (research and international).

“The purchase of this equipment will expand the research and innovation

potential of the University of Manitoba’s large multidisciplinary crop research team, while also maximizing the value of WGRF’s future research investments,” said Garth Patterson, WGRF Executive Director.

In total, twenty-four Phase 2 Capacity Initiative applications were approved by WGRF. Additional Capacity funding announcements will be made in the coming months.

The AgriPost

Grain Markets Settling Down

Although some acres will not be planted this year and some reseeding has already occurred such as this canola field, Jonathan Driedger with LeftField CR said the vast majority of the crop will be planted.

Submitted photo Jonathan Driedger

By Harry Siemens With volatile grain markets over the last 18 months, Jonathan Driedger with LeftField CR said, “It feels like things have, let’s call it settled down a little bit, maybe for lack of a better term.”

Driedger said especially looking back a few weeks when there was tremendous uncertainty in western Canada about how much crop would go in the ground because it was getting late for planting. However, the vast majority of the crop did and will get in he said noting that some acres inevitably will not be planted.

For those individual farms, that is a difficult situation.

Overall though the bulk of western Canadian acres will be planted.

“There’s an element where the market has settled having a better sense of direction and position,” said Driedger. “But, also, happening in many different places globally where the market has priced in the problems; maybe stop getting worse and have improved.”

Driedger said there is no doubt that there is still much weather ahead for the US corn and soybean and crops in western Canada.

Yet, while having drifted a little lower, crop prices are

still very high. The current pricing does have a little downside, but it is within the context of how incredibly high these prices are still today.

When asked about farmers’ attitudes towards forward pricing at these high prices, keeping in mind the issue of non-crops in 2021, he said farmers are reluctant forward sellers, certainly up till this point.

Memories of how dry it was in 2021 and until the snow melted followed by heavy rains this spring farmers are understandably cautious about their production outlook.

“Everyone was looking at how bullish these markets were and all the uncertainty and saying, I think there’s a lot of feeling last year of having sold too early,” said Driedger.

Many factors slowed farmers selling considerably up to this point. “I wonder how much that might end up picking up with crop in the ground, getting established, maybe the markets levelling off as you look into western Canada,” he said. “But, on the other hand, I could see farmers’ selling picking up, which may contribute to some market heaviness.”

In summing up Driedger said even if these markets

do drift lower, and that’s not a certainty, there is still a lot of weather to come.

There is also geopolitical uncertainty, the whole environment, and the broader macroeconomic environment, which is highly uncertain.

“But even if we drift a little bit lower, I think just try to remind ourselves and everybody how high prices are, assuming we have a better crop in western Canada this year than we did last year,” said Driedger.

The market’s tight prices remain however are still incredibly high and may not revisit those previous peaks. “Be careful not to allow it to skew our judgment about decisions and how to navigate that in our farms or businesses, or if you’re an end user and so forth,” he said. “We will have a bigger crop, inevitably, that should put some pressure on prices.”

Risk management will be necessary, whether it is a farmer, an end user, or anybody at different spots in the supply chain.

“It’s a very uncertain environment that we’re in, and that’ll continue to be the case, even though production, I think, looks like it will be better for most farms this year,” said Driedger.

June 24, 2022

The AgriPost

June 24, 2022

Dairy Farmers of Manitoba Develop Their Leadership from Within

David Wiens (inset), the chair of the Dairy Farmers of Manitoba, said their success is from appointing dairy farmers to the advisory committee with leadership capabilities and offer training. For dairy farmers it’s about a stable demand. You can’t turn off and on the tap because it’s about cows.

Photos by Harry Siemens

By Harry Siemens The Dairy Farmers of Manitoba (DFM) will have a new chair following the AGM in December of this year and the process for choosing that person is well on its way.

David Wiens of Grunthal, MB became chair in 2006 and was first elected to the DFM board in 1995 will step down after completing this term.

Wiens became a director with the Dairy Farmers of Canada board in 2009 and vice-president in 2011.

DFM has a process for succession planning that includes getting people the proper training. There is a strong executive in place, with other board members

receiving leadership training but not only at the board level.

“We appoint dairy farmers to our advisory committee with leadership capabilities and offer training,” said Wiens. “As a result, most of our members elected to the board have come through that committee a very positive development in our industry over the last few years.”

Farmers who want to be on the advisory committee must complete a resume and apply. The board reviews and selects people that appropriately fit the requirements of that role. Once on the committee, they can take the leadership training pro-

grams and participate in national policy conferences to meet people at that level and understand how the industry works at a national level.

This advisory committee does not only prepare people for the board and executive but offers advice to the existing board members on policy development in Manitoba. That also helps keep the board grounded and in close contact with the grassroots dairy farmers in the province.

Other provinces have expressed interest in this system.

“Our board members have presented how our structure works to various other provinces because of the inter-

est in how we created the advisory committee to the board,” said Wiens.

Some of the issues at local producer meetings of DFM focused on the Milk Marketing Report, which indicates some of the milk consumption trends. For example, when the pandemic started, many food service industry players including restaurants, hotels and others shut down in part or significantly reduced their business. As a result, people staying at home replaced much of the milk and dairy products consumption, and retail sales and dairy products increased.

“As things opened up and returned to some normalcy

previous trends are returning,” he said. “It’s going to take a while for demand trends to settle out, but in most areas is fairly stable to a slight decline.”

The Canadian Dairy Commission’s projections over the following years indicate an overall one-and-a-half to 2 per cent annual increase in demand for dairy products.

“We’re in that in-between phase right now,” said Wiens. “So certainly production-wise, we are fairly strong.”

In western Canada, the push is on to a greater variety of processing. Manitoba has a reasonably good mix, but the industry needs more variation throughout the West.

MDI Holdings Corp. officially opened its new stateof-the-art dairy processing facility creating 67 new skilled jobs in the city.

For example, MDI Holdings processes milk protein concentrates in Winnipeg a joint venture of BC-based Vitalus Nutrition Inc. and Ontario-based Gay Lea Foods Co-operative Ltd. MDI Holdings is short for Manitoba Dairy Ingredients Holdings Corporation.

The $100-million dairy facility which opened in 2017, processes milk from Manitoba and western Canada. The facility has a milk processing capacity of up to 180 million litres.

It will produce a full range of high-value milk proteins, including MPC 85, MPI 90 and buttermilk powders and butter.

Wiens said this is what the dairy industry needs more of in western Canada.

“We need to have a wide range of processing because the demand doesn’t go up and down in every category simultaneously. So the more diversified it is the more stable the demand is,” said Wiens.

For dairy farmers, the more stable the demand, the better it is for producers because the last thing dairy farmers want to be doing is having to pull back in production and then two months later, all of a sudden, the processors need much more milk.

“Because, of course, as you know, turn on or shut off the taps on the farm,” he said. “I mean, it’s about cows.”

The AgriPost

New Design Prevents Broken Needles from Entering Food Chain

By Harry Siemens Food security, biosecurity, and food health are always important, even more so when a country relies heavily on exports.

The Canadian pork industry exported just under 70 per cent of its pork production, netting 1.488 million metric tons of exports in 2021 valued at about $5.09 billion.

This means that Canadian pork production relies on export markets managed with great care. Canadian pork has a good name abroad. China takes one-third of Canadian pork exports, Japan 18 per cent and the US 25 per cent.

The impact of a broken needle would significantly endanger food safety and a needle fragment would devastate lower export markets.

The US company Neogen working in food and animal safety knows the risks of broken injection needles. After listening to meat exporters, processors, veterinarians and producers Neogen has developed a new injection needle that is difficult to break and visually detectable because it cannot move into the muscle if it should break.

“If it breaks it will remain on top of the animal. But easily seen and extracted by the technician or veterinarian who did the injection,” said Arian de Bekker, animal protein account manager, Neogen in Winkler.

The new D3X needle is a variant of the D3 injection needle used worldwide in livestock farming, with D3 representing detectable, durable, and dependable. The D3X needle is expected to be

available in early fall, providing the industry with enhanced food safety security.

Greg Hastings senior director of business development at Neogen said that 22 years back a major US pork processor approached Neogen about an issue with broken needles in the plant.

“With the lack of detectable needles, the industry was searching for a solution to address the dangers and implications of metal fragments showing up on a consumer’s plate,” said Hastings.

The result was the original D3, a thick-walled needle designed to be highly detectable at the processing plant.

Fast forward 20 years the next level of needle detect ability moved some of the responsibility from the processor to the farm.

“We wanted to make a needle that would be visually detectable on the farm regardless of equipment, training or experience,” said Hastings.

What makes this needle different and safer was the result of studies that looked at why needles break, where they break, and how they break.

It showed that it’ is because of overuse. The continual bending and straightening of that needle will weaken it and cause it to break.

“Vaccinating a pig is not the best job in the world.

You’re doing hundreds if not thousands of pigs at a time,” said Hastings. “You’re getting into your rhythm. The last thing you want to do is slow down and chase a broken needle.”

After doing some computer analysis modelling that replicated thousands of injections, it was determined that most times the needle broke at the cannula/hub juncture.

“And if you think about it, that makes sense because that’s the weakest point,” noted Hastings.

Instead of changing the breakpoint of the needle, the engineers added a highly visible extraction collar that extends beyond the breakpoint.

It also has fingers (or prongs) on the extraction collar. If the cannula bends, breaks or is compromised in any way, those fingers will flex out and give a visual indicator to the vaccinator.

“This means it’s time to change that needle. But under the worst case scenario, if the needle does break, the extraction collar prevents that broken cannula from going subcutaneously where the vaccinator can’t extract it.”

Hastings said Neogen is a food and animal safety company, committed to protecting the global food supply.

“We’re involved with controlling the vectors of disease transmission, and in the case of D3X, eliminating the impact of broken needles and the potential damage to the safety and credibility of the food chain,” said Hastings.

Neogen is also deeply involved in genetics and using genome identification to improve breed selection of the animal. He said they are committed to improving animal and food safety from the farm gate to the dinner plate.

Arian de Bekker, animal protein account manager, Neogen in Winkler said with the new D3X needle that if it breaks it will remain on top of the animal’s skin.

Submitted photo

June 24, 2022

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June 24, 2022

The AgriPost

Cruisin’ for Deals

Special Feature

June 24, 2022

June 24, 2022

Special Feature

Cruisin’ for Deals

The AgriPost

Public Recognition of the Dangers Posed by Wild Pigs Builds

Dr. Wayne Lees the Coordinator of the Manitoba Invasive Swine Eradication Project said people recognize the need to take control of wild pigs.

The name wild pigs are all-inclusive to describe any pigs not in captivity or outside the fence.

By Harry Siemens Dr. Wayne Lees, the Coordinator of the Manitoba Invasive Swine Eradication Project, said people recognize the need to take action with wild pigs.

Wild pigs destroy cropland, pastures and harvested crops, inflict significant environmental damage, and carry diseases that put domestic pigs at risk. In addition, wild pigs eat just about anything from small birds and mammals to deer and are considered the most destructive invasive large mammal on the planet.

In response, Manitoba Pork, in partnership with the federal and provincial governments launched an initiative to involve the public to bring wild pig populations under control.

Lees said there is a growing recognition of the damage these animals cause. One of the issues includes the way

pigs root in the ground. As a result, they can destroy a pasture, newly planted crops, or a potato field very quickly.

“It looks like a rototiller went through it,” said Lees.

“You can imagine too, as the wild pigs wallow in waterways, how much mud they would stir up and how much damage they would cause to a waterway as they try to control their body temperature in the hot weather.”

“If we were ever to get infected with one of these foreign animal diseases, such as African Swine Fever, the fact that there are wild pigs in the environment would make disease control extremely difficult,” explained Lees.

Lees said there is a good diagram of the tracks of wild pigs compared to deer tracks at the squealonpigsmb.org website. The tracks look similar, but there are some distinct differences. Wild pig tracks are coffee bean shaped

curved inwards while deer tracks are heart shaped and longer.

These animals reproduce very quickly having up to two litters per year and anywhere from four to twelve piglets in each litter. Once they get established in an area, the population can rise very quickly.

Wild pigs come in different sizes and colours, but are mostly brown or black with coarse, bristly hair. They can grow 3 feet high and 5 feet long and weigh 300 kg.

Males typically have larger heads and tusks.

He said the term “wild pigs” is a general term that includes the Eurasian wild boar. These wild boars and their offspring have interbred with domestic pigs and sometimes produce highbred wild boar and feral pigs. The name wild pigs are all-inclusive to describe any pigs not in captivity or outside the fence.

The “Squeal on Pigs” campaign raises public awareness of the threat of invasive wild pigs on the landscape and cropland. It has two goals to create awareness and encourage people to report sightings of wild pigs or the signs related to wild pigs throughout Manitoba.

Control efforts are currently focused in the Spruce Woods Provincial Park area in Manitoba as well as in other provinces. “We’re asking folks in other provinces to gather their experiences and information to build a coordinated effort across the country,” said Lees.”

To report wild pigs go to squealonpigsmb.org, or call 1-833-spot-pigs (1-833776-8744) toll-free number to help build a picture of where these pigs are and where to put more intensive surveillance or control measures.

June 24, 2022

ASF Outbreak in Wild Boar in Italy Underscores the Ease of Movement

By Harry Siemens Dr. Egan Brockhoff, the Veterinary Counsel with the Canadian Pork Council, said discovering African Swine Fever (ASF) in a wild boar in Italy should remind how easily this virus can move.

ASF genotype II appeared in a group of wild boar in northern Italy and new cases continue in wild boar in Germany. This virus, primarily a human-driven virus, is making giant geographical leaps occasionally and causing a lot of concern throughout the world.

“The discovery of ASF genotype II in those wild boars in northern Italy underscored for me how this virus can take large geographical leaps,” said Brockhoff. “The closest known positive to that location was approximately 800 km away. So again, we’re in a situation where human and human activities present a risk.”

People need to be conscious of this because the virus can now come across the ocean and move within the American hemisphere shown in the Dominican Republic and Haiti.

“We do have a wild pig population in Canada and they are at risk, just like our backyard, just like our commercial pigs, all three classes or categories of our pigs potentially exposed,” stressed Brockhoff .

It would be highly concerning if Canada’s wild board population contracted ASF because there is no control of the feral pig population and would be the most challenging population to manage and control. So Canada must do everything possible to keep this virus out of Canada and ideally out of all North America he said.

Dr. Brockhoff said this big jump into Italy should serve as an important reminder that this virus is a human-driven disease and people need to be careful not to be the ones carrying the disease.

Industry and government continue daily on both sides of the fence efforts to keep the virus out of Canada, and planning and preparedness for what to do if the virus enters the country.

“Every time we add a country or we add a region, it just continues to complicate things,” said Brockhoff.

“For example, with the middle of winter here and a lot of Canadians and people from around the world want to go to those warmer spots for a vacation so there is potential exposure from many different fronts.”

Canada continues to put in efforts at the borders including more detector dogs and still has significant restrictions, awareness campaigns at airport and at the traveller level. “I spoke with several international guests that attended the Banff Pork Seminar who mentioned it’s good to see the Canadian signage at our airports but must remain vigilant if we’re going to keep this virus out.”

Dr. Egan Brock off the Veterinary Counsel with the Canadian Pork Council said the discovery of ASF genotype II in wild boars in northern Italy underscores how this virus can take large geographical leaps since human activities present the risk.

Dr. Wayne Lees said information gathered through the website, squealonpigsmb.org, or through the 1-833-spot-pigs toll-free number will help build a picture of where these pigs are and where to put more intensive surveillance or control measures.

Submitted photos

Dr. Egan Brockhoff stressed that because Canada does have a feral pig population, all pigs are at risk from African Swine Fever.

Submitted photos

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June 24, 2022

The AgriPost

The AgriPost

Gold Strike Produces “Rich Strike”

By Brenda Hunter By now, pretty well everyone, even those who don’t follow horse racing, has heard of Rich Strike, the come-from-behind winner of the 2022 Kentucky Derby.

In the days that followed the epic win, it was revealed, that the mother of this longshot winner, was a Manitoba product.

His dam, Gold Strike, was bred, born, raised and started near Brunkild, MB and went to Assiniboine Downs (ASD) in 2004 as a two-year old under trainer Blair Miller, originally of Russell, MB. Miller immediately sensed that she was something special.

“She was a very smart, nice moving filly that we knew was a special horse pretty much as soon as we started training her,” he said. “She was just a classy horse from day one, and we knew she was gonna be a good one.”

Gold Strike had her share of victories over the years.

As a two-year old under Miller, she won two stakes’ races from three starts including the Debutante Stakes by 15 and a half lengths, and the Buffalo Stakes for Manitoba-bred two-year-olds.

She was named Canadian Thoroughbred Horse Society (CTHS) Manitoba-bred Champion that same year, and the following year, was

Rich Strike’s dam, Gold Strike, was bred, born, raised and started near Brunkild, MB and went to Assiniboine Downs (ASD) in 2004 as a two-year old under trainer Blair Miller, originally of Russell, MB. Photo by Brenda Hunter

CTHS Manitoba-bred Horse of the Year.

Seeing her success at the track in Manitoba, the decision was made to send her to Woodbine Racetrack in Toronto, allowing her to compete at a higher level and for larger purses. At three years old, she went to Woodbine where she continued her racing success. She won the most prestigious race for fillies in Canada, the Woodbine Oaks, for her owner, Harlequin Ranches (yes, of Harlequin Romance fame, and also of Manitoba descent).

Gold Strike also held her

own against the larger, stronger and faster-maturing male horses.

“She also ran 4th in the Queen’s Plate, against 3year-old male horses,” Miller said of the mare’s racing prowess. “There was no way we could know that she would produce a Kentucky Derby winner, but good fillies often turn into good mothers that produce good races horses.”

Gold Strike was retired from the racing circuit to become a broodmare in 2008 and was eventually purchased by the legendary Calumet Farms of

Kentucky, themselves eighttime Derby winners.

In 2018, they line bred the 16-year-old mare to their stud, Keen Ice, the only horse to have ever beaten American Pharaoh. It produced the double-bred Smart Strike foal, Rich Strike, who now seems to be living up to his name. But it wasn’t always this way.

It is rumored that Calumet reportedly raced Rich Strike as a 2-year-old, coming in dead last, so entered him in a low-level claiming race as a 3-year-old to cut their losses.

As a last-ditch attempt to

June 24, 2022

make good in the thoroughbred racing industry, he was purchased for only $30k by semi-retired Oklahoma oil man, Rick Dawson. And the rest, as they say, is history.

“It’s pretty cool to know I trained the mother of a Kentucky Derby winner,” said Miller, proud but humble, who, over the years, has won all the major races at ASD except for the Winnipeg Futurity and the Manitoba Derby, and has clocked over 500 wins. “Not many have done that, nobody in Manitoba, that’s for sure. There have been other people [from Manitoba] connected to horses that have run in the race, but none have won.”

The entire scenario, from Rich Strike gaining eligibility into the Derby due to a lastminute scratch of Ethereal Road by well-known trainer, D. Wayne Lukas, right down to the come-from-behind finish in the most exciting two minutes in sports, by a rookie jockey, completes a mostdramatic Cinderella story.

“Rich Strike ran the perfect race and got the perfect trip in the Derby,” said Miller.

“It was a phenomenal ride [by the jockey] to guide him down the rail right out of the gate and lose hardly any ground the whole race considering he broke from post position 20. I think he [Rich Strike] was just primed and ready to run that day and everything played out perfectly

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for him to win. I am not sure we will ever see that performance from him again, but I hope I’m wrong.”

In fact, Miller did not even realize that it was Rich Strike that had manoeuvred through the pack to slip into third position on the rail.

He misread the number and thought it was the number 2 horse, who he had bet on in a back stretch pool. Miller was not alone. It seemed that no one was even aware of Rich Strike’s movement in the backfield. By the time the announcers realized he was there, he’d found another gear as he passed the two leaders winning by threequarters of a length.

“I see this horse coming and I’m going, that’s the two, I might win the pool,” Miller told CBC of his reaction as he watched the race unfold.

“And then he went by and I said ‘holy crap, that’s the 21, that’s Gold Strike’s baby.’

So that was pretty exciting.”

He continued. “It’s a real fairy-tale story for that horse to win that race, it really is. It just doesn’t happen.”

With 80 – 1 odds going into the race, Darren Dun, CEO of Assiniboine Downs couldn’t agree more. “Shocker. Incredible rally and a real rags to riches story. So happy for the people connected.”

Thank you, Gold Strike.

You just showed the world what “Made in Manitoba” is really all about.

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The AgriPost

June 24, 2022

World Pork Expo Reconnects Canadian and US Pork Producers

By Harry Siemens

Manitoba Pork Council’s chair, Rick Bergmann at the re-opening of the farm meeting circuit outlined the state of the Canadian hog industry and where it is going in global scene following the World Pork Expo (WPE).

Bergmann said producers’ cost of production is extremely high due to feed costs and as labour shortages continue, the industry will face challenges. In addition, Ontario does not have enough processing due to Quebec’s processing reduction.

“The Government of Canada wants to put front-of-pack labelling on beef and ground pork which is very negative [and] communicated with the Federal Minister of Ag recently,” said Bergmann.

While attending the WPE in Iowa, Bergmann he said that a meeting with the National Pork Producers Council, discussing the importance of trade and keeping North America free of African Swine Fever (ASF) as time well spent.

The trade between Canada and the US pork industries is vast. Therefore, it is essential to cultivate and grow that trade and focus on issues that could impact the industry negatively.

The pork supply chain had a tough go from the impact of COVID in Canada and the US. Bergmann said while the pandemic impacted the US and Canadian pork sectors differently, it highlighted how producers, on their farms and in their barns look after their animals, providing

a source of protein for the world to consume.

“It’s a testament to their fortitude despite the challenging times caused by the restrictions and the pandemic,” said Bergmann.

He said that society realizes maybe how sensitive the whole food chain is. “When we have issues or challenges on the farm that prevent us from looking after and raising our animals, there will be that direct impact at the supermarket,” said Bergmann.

The ASF discussion on how to keep the disease from entering Canada is vital.

“The reality is if we face the devastating disease like that entering Canada, it would certainly impact the supply chain on the port side as it would here in the US.” There are many things in

common between the business model in Canada and the US. “We often say the only difference is this invisible line at the 49th parallel that separates us, but the businesses are so interconnected and similar,” he said.

Bergman said in the advent of ASF; both countries have a beehive of people working on prevention and preparedness.

“We collaborate in different forums and update each other on what we’re doing, how we’re doing it, and some of the wins and challenges,” said Bergmann. “It helps us improve at what we do, which is a testament to our relationship.”

“The relationship between the two industries has evolved favourably in the last 15 years, turning from

Manitoba Pork Council’s chair, Rick Bergmann (right) and Brad Hennen from Fast Genetics at the World Pork Expo.

Submitted photo

a business relationship to a friendship,” he said. “That’s a testament to good collaboration.”

World Pork Expo saw many Canadians participate either at the trade show or as producers looking at technology.

“That’s a testament to the interconnectedness of the two countries in the pork sector, so it’s a time to celebrate,” added Bergmann.

“For Canadians, it was three years since we came to the WPE.”

The AgriPost

Economist Forecasts Little Growth in US and Canadian Pork Industry

By Harry Siemens Dr. Steve Meyer, an economist with Partners for Production Agriculture told the World Pork Expo in Des Moines, Iowa in June the number one hot topic for hog producers is the high cost of production. This includes global grain prices driven by energy policies with renewable diesel compounded by the invasion of Ukraine.

“And of course, we got record high grain prices, high production cost driven by demand and not crop failures,” said Meyer. “That won’t change much for the next couple of years.”

On the flip side Dr. Meyer said pork demand is strong, even though exports are slightly down a robust domestic pork demand is keeping prices in the black so far.

He said high feed cost starts with the subsidy requirements for low emission diesel and renewable diesel in the US is driving demand up for soybean oil. This is driving the price of soybeans forcing corn prices to increase to compete for acres resulting in a record cost of production in the pork industry.

In addition, the cost of other inputs is up. Lycine, vitamins, transportation, all of those costs went up to push up the overall cost of production this year too.

“So my model put the average producer in the United States somewhere near a dollar a pound carcass weight, US dollars on the cost of production today,” said Meyer.

“Only three years ago the cost of production was 64 cents a pound of carcass weight.”

Meyer said African Swine Fever (ASF) killed nearly a quarter of the hogs in the

Dr. Steve Meyer an economist with Partners for Production Agriculture told the World Pork Expo in Des Moines, Iowa that record high grain prices and high production cost is driven by demand, not crop failures.

world starting with China in 2018 which has half of all hogs and probably half of the hogs died in China.

“That changed the dynamic of Chinese being in our market and any market for imports at that time,” said Meyer. “One problem is that we still don’t know what’s happening in China. We don’t have very good data, but ASF has impacted us.”

ASF impacted Europe with Germany excluded from the Chinese market. For Canada and the US, ASF hit the Dominican Republic and Haiti, which are not very far away.

Puerto Rico is a huge concern for the US because the world restrictions on program diseases would treat Puerto Rico as a state of the US. “If we got it in Puerto Rico, the buying countries could say nope, we’re not taking any US pork and that would be a huge disaster,” said Meyer.

ASF has a lasting effect on these trade relationships just, as it’s become endemic in China. “I’m concerned the whole thing with ASF and the coronavirus and everything else in China has really hurt Chinese supporting demand and how long that might be the case,” he said.

He stressed that Canada, the US and Mexico must keep this disease out.

The long-term impact of COVID has changed how meat processors operate their plants; the biggest lasting impact will be mechanization.

“To my knowledge, I don’t think any robot has ever caught coronavirus,” he said.

“Plants are looking at places to mechanize and reduce their dependence on a labour force that’s fragile and smaller in the case of the United States.”

Meyer said Proposition 12 in California would raise the price of pork for Californians. Packers are making

deals with producers to pay them more for pigs that will produce Prop 12-compliant pork and passing the cost to Californian consumers.

The record-high cost of producing pork in Canada and the US will put the onus on hog farmers to remain healthy and keep their capital together. Still, it will not be very profitable this year and probably not next he said.

These costs are going to stay in place and depend on the strong demand, up 6 per cent domestically.

Meyer said he does not see any significant growth because there is not enough slaughter capacity. A few plants could add a shift, but there is a labour shortage.

“We have a company that wants to build a new plant in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, but who’s going to work in it?” asked Meyer. “And so there are a lot of question marks about future growth.”

Manitoba’s U-Pick Produce Ready Soon

By Elmer Heinrichs Strawberries are now in bloom, and picking of these delicious red berries will get underway very soon, usually in late June, or at the beginning of July.

Angie Cormier of Cormier’s Berry Patch, said it looks like strawberries could start between July 1 and 10, with some variation through the province; Saskatoons possibly about July 15 followed by raspberries and sour cherries.

So now is the perfect time to start planning out your

trips to the different farms you may want to visit this year. We Manitobans are lucky to have an abundance of amazing farms that offer fresh berries.

To make it even easier for you, Prairie Fruit Growers Association lists the best strawberry picking farms, their locations and activities they have to offer so you can decide which ones to add to your summer bucket list.

Many of these farms offer U-Pick, which allows you to buy a basket and pick your own berries. They also typi-

cally offer pre-picked berries so you get to enjoy the fresh-picked berries without having to pick them yourself.

Strawberry crops are ready each year at the end of June or beginning of July, for about two to four weeks each summer. Rhubarb, raspberries, blueberries and saskatoons are also available now or will be very soon.

The strawberry season in our province is short, but oh, so sweet. If you’ve only ever tasted strawberries from the grocery store, you

really should make a point of heading out to the many U-pick farm options that are available. The berries are smaller, but the burst of flavour from these little gems is unrivalled by their jumbo supermarket cousins.

Freshly picked strawberries are extremely perishable so it’s recommended that you put them in the fridge or freezer as soon as you get home. They should be eaten within two to three days.

But these berries can also be used for cooking, and they can be frozen for later use.

June 24, 2022

Knowing Your Hail Insurance Options We are in the middle of another unique growing season. The switch from drought to flood has been flipped in many areas and the cost of seeding a crop is at record levels. You could sit on your deck and calculate these expenses, but you’d be donating blood to the local mosquito population if you sit outside. Even though there is lots of diversity this year for farm start up, there is still hope that this year will work out great.

Along with the added costs of planting a crop this year, there is the potential for high revenue from crops if they can be harvested and sold. The old adage of buying $100 or $200 per acre to cover your expenses is no longer sufficient to cover the expenses of planting the crop, so you may want to consider purchasing private hail insurance.

At Rempel Insurance, we continue to offer private hail insurance for growers across Manitoba through our Dale’s Hail division. This allows us to offer multiple companies, high limits of coverage and solutions to match your hail insurance needs.

While we could run through multiple options, rates, and strategies for insuring your crop, the three main strategies used by farmers to protect their crop are: Option 1: Full coverage through private hail companies represented by Dale’s Hail. If you buy early while all of the hail companies still have township limits available in your area, you will get access to the best rating available. Most farms are purchasing $300$400 per acre as a starting point for most cereal crops and buying higher amounts for the higher-valued crops, depending on the potential revenue generated by those crops.

Option 2: Use deductibles to your advantage. This allows you to save premium, share a small portion of the risk with the insurance company, but set up your coverage to respond in the event of a large loss. Deductibles can save you substantial premium dollars and some insurers offer a disappearing deductible structure in the event of a substantial claim, which means you get the benefit of the premium savings and also the catastrophic coverage in that scenario.

Option 3: Combining coverage through the government crop insurance program with excess layers of coverage through private hail insurers, to provide adequate coverage limits. Some farms automatically include hail insurance as part of their annual crop insurance purchases through the government program. We see many farms buying excess layers of coverage in addition to the MASC base coverage layer; allowing for higher limits and the competitive benefits of the private insurance market, along with the ease and familiarity of the government program.

We are glad to walk through your options and strategies to find the hail insurance coverage to fit your needs. At Rempel Insurance, we are proud to represent private hail insurance companies across Manitoba and provide options for your farm. Contact us today!

David Schmidt is an Account Executive at Rempel Insurance Brokers in Morris, MB, specializing in insuring farms and businesses across Manitoba and Saskatchewan. Call or text (204) 746-2320 Email davids@rempelinsurance.com. Web www.rempelinsurance.com

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FCC Supports Beef Sustainability Program Farm Credit Canada (FCC) has created a new offering to attract and recognize Canadian beef producers certified to sustainability standards set by the Canadian Roundtable for Sustainable Beef (CRSB).

The FCC Sustainability Incentive Program will provide a payment to FCC customers who are CRSB Certified through CRSB’s Certification Bodies including Verified Beef Production Plus, Where Food Comes From Canada, and the Ontario Corn Fed Beef Quality Assurance Program.

“Canadian producers are already expert stewards of the land and livestock, and the beef sector has been a leader in demonstrating their sustainable practices through the CRSB,” said Todd Klink, FCC’s vice-president of marketing. “We are pleased to work with the CRSB to recognize FCC customers who have already achieved their certification and to encourage additional producers to become certified.”

The payment to customers, made by FCC, will be calculated as a portion of their lending with FCC to a maximum of $2,000 per year. Certified producers are welcome to re-apply for the incentive payment each year for the life of the FCC Sustainability Incentive Program.

For customers who are already CRSB Certified, applying for the program is a simple process at fcc.ca/ sustainabilityprograms. That is also where producers interested in becoming certified and taking advantage of the incentive payment can find more information.

“The Canadian Roundtable for Sustainable Beef applauds FCC for seeing the benefits of CRSB Certified beef production practices,” said Anne Wasko, CRSB chair and co-owner of Bar 4 Bar Land and Cattle Inc. “The Canadian beef industry is continually evolving for the benefit of people, animals, and our planet.

Thanks to the sustainable practices demonstrated by CRSB Certified beef producers, we have seen tremendous environmental stewardship and a high standard of animal care, which leads to a thriving beef industry today and for future generations. Sustainable practices will help achieve the ambitious long-term goals set by the industry,” she said.

In a group of certified beef producers who participated in an earlier pilot of the Sustainability Incentive Program there was high praise.

“This will be a great program for producers like us and for the cattle industry,” shared one FCC customer who entered the program. “We invest a lot in our operation, and it is important to be recognized with something in return.”

The CRSB certification program involves an on-going audit process with its partners to ensure operations are meeting its sustainability standards based upon five principles, including natural resources, people and community, animal health and welfare, food, and efficiency and innovation.

“There is an increasing demand from consumers for certified assurances of sustainably-raised beef,” Wasko noted. “Canadian farmers and ranchers care about the environment, and we will continue to do what’s right to conserve our land and our animals, and to meet the needs of the present without compromising those of the future.”

“FCC already has lending solutions to support our customers’ sustainable practices. Launching this program with the CRSB is another way to support the industry on its sustainability journey,” said Klink.

“While collaborating with the CRSB on this program is the first partnership of this kind, FCC has the intention of building incentive programs for other sectors in the future.”

For further information go to crsb.ca.

The AgriPost

Beware of Liver Fluke Invasion on Wet Pastures

By Peter Vitti Eventually, most of the high water across Manitoba will recede in the upcoming weeks, if they haven’t already. Once cattle can be returned to these once flooded pastures, its ground will probably be water-soaked, which will likely expand the territories of many cattle parasites across the province.

One of which is the common deer liver fluke. To combat this invasive species, beef producers should look for signs of liver flukes in their cattle, know the options of treating affected cattle and even employ some protocols to prevent it.

The funny thing is that many producers with infected cattle don’t even realize that their cattle have liver flukes.

That’s because its symptoms are general in nature such as weight loss, reduced body condition, anemia and chronic diarrhea. In addition, cattle are susceptible to clostridial diseases such as blackleg and red-water diseases, which can affect animals on their own and may not be associated with liver flukes.

Consequently, a friend of mine that operates a 100-beef cow operation near the US border, told me that he never saw a liver fluke, before he butchered for home-use, a young heifer that broke her leg. When he eviscerated her and removed her liver; a few flat-worms that were about 3 inches long, 1 inch wide and flat-enough to see through, tried to escape. With the help of his vet, they identified it as the deer liver fluke (fas-

ciola magna).

Deer liver flukes live most of their lives in wet lowland regions, which includes muddy areas and those areas with existing surface water often found cattle pastures. All of which accommodates its life-cycle, from the time the fluke egg is initially shed in the manure of infected cows onto pasture until a new generation of fluke eggs takes about 16 to 24 weeks.

Subsequently, there are four major stages from fluke egg to hermaphroditic (contain both sex organs) adult liver flukes, which ultimately reside in the bile duct of cattle: 1. Egg stage – eggs are shed in the manure of the beef cow from adult liver flukes.

2. Miracidium stage – eggs hatches into free-swimming, ciliated larvae called the miracidium. Within hours of hatching, the miracidium finds and penetrate snails living on wet pastures.

3. Cercariae stage – Within the snail, one miracidium develops into hundreds of tadpole-like 2nd larvae stage. After they leave their snail host, attach to grass and becomes encysted metacercaria.

4. Adult stage – The grazing cow ingested the encysted metacercaria contaminated grass. Once ingested juvenile liver flukes are released from metacercaria capsules; penetrate intestinal wall and burrows their way to and through the liver, which takes up to 8 weeks. These fluke larvae enter the bile duct, where they mature into

The liver fluke life cycle.

egg-laying adults to repeat the cycle.

Treatment of liver flukes in cattle comes down to a few flukicides; Albendazole (Valbazen), Corsulon (Ivomec Plus), and Triclabendazole (United Kingdom). The first two flukicides are only effective against mature adult liver flukes. Triclabendazole is the only product effective against very early immature flukes (two-weeks old) through adulthood. There is no available flukicide treatment against shed eggs in cow manure.

For example, Albendazole is to be drenched for its first treatment for confirmed fluke infections in cattle in autumn. This is to remove any build up of adult flukes that matured over the grazing season and when snails are dominant and less of a transmission threat. A second treatment is then given again in the following April/May, which reduces the number of egg-shedding adults before letting cattle out on pasture.

It is noted that Albendazole should not be given to any pregnant cow or replacement

Submitted photo

heifer during the first 45 days of gestation; otherwise it may cause early embryonic deaths.

Again, identification of liver fluke infection is going to play a major role in its effective treatment. Rather than rely on egg counts, some British sheep and beef specialists have been collecting blood samples of suspect herds and test for specific antibodies triggered by liver flukes. While such tests show promise in liver fluke identification, they point out that these antibodies only indicate cattle exposure, not active infection. There also might be inference from Clostrial antibodies, which yields false “positive results”.

Regardless, this is the step in the right direction and valuable information. If one or two animals show a positive result, then the producer should work with their veterinarian to determine its validity and need for further testing. In this way, it should dovetail into a more effective treatment program against invading liver flukes on pasture.

Year of the Garden 2022

By Joan Airey As I write this I just checked our rain gauge and it reads over two inches at noon June 14 while others in our municipality received over four inches. We’ve had a few half-inch showers this week so crops and gardens have lots of moisture.

Before I started writing I checked Facebook to see how our vicinity was doing with the last twenty-four hours precipitation. East of Rivers, there are roads under water and some washed out and another person reported roads under water northwest of Rivers.

I tried a few new varieties of tomatoes this spring one I’m really hoping works

out is the Long Keeper. I’ll keep you posted as to if it works or not. I grew a Long Keeper variety I bought from T & T seeds about 20 years ago and we had tomatoes until Christmas. Last year the ones I grew ripened early as my other tomatoes but it could have been the hot dry season. I have my Kozy Coats around half of my tomatoes and wish I’d put them around. The mosquitoes chased my out of the garden when I was transplanting the last eighteen plants.

One of my favourite websites is Sage Gardens Greenhouse. They mentioned a cucumber H-19 Little Leaf.

This parthenogenesis selec-

tion does not require any type of pollination to produce fruit so indoors or out it delivers high yields. I plan to try them indoors this winter. Another tomato I’d like to try is Woolly Blue Jay which they showed in their newsletter and it more than likely some members of my family won’t eat it because it’s not totally red. If you visit their website they have some interesting podcasts and lots of info for gardeners in their free newsletter.

We have been enjoying numerous meals of fresh asparagus and rhubarb desserts. My tomatoes were not planted out until June because of cold temperatures and a garden too wet

to work. With all the rain we’ve received it isn’t lacking moisture we just need heat now.

Chase and Blake are competing in the 4-H pumpkin growing contest so we have been reading up on growing giant pumpkins. Doug Johansson who works at Trestle Greenhouse in town suggested they just let one pumpkin grow on a vine so that the plant puts all its growth into the one pumpkin. He also mentioned that the pelleted carrot seed T & T Seeds sells works great and makes it easier to space your carrots and less thinning is required.

Hope everyone has a good gardening season!

The AgriPost

Cleanfarms Moving Ag Plastic Jug Recycling to Manitoba Ag Retailers Cleanfarms, the stewardship organization that collects used agricultural plastics for recycling, announced it is changing its recycling drop off locations in Manitoba where producers take empty 23L and smaller plastic pesticide and fertilizer containers.

The recycling collection system is gradually transitioning from sites at municipal transfer stations and landfill facilities to collecting empty jugs at Manitoba agricultural retail operations.

The transition to Ag retailers is being phased in over three years. The first phase is starting with municipal collection sites that, even though open to receive empty containers from producers, have had little or no containers dropped off there for the past few years.

Cleanfarms Executive Director Barry Friesen said there are several reasons why the change to Ag retailers makes sense.

“Transitioning to a retailbased collection for the jug program shifts responsibility to accept empty containers from Manitoba municipalities to the Ag industry, which harmonizes the collection system across Canada. In all other provinces except Manitoba and Alberta, we collect empty containers at Ag retailers,” Friesen said. Alberta will be transitioned on the

same three-year schedule.

Friesen noted that collecting small Ag pesticide and fertilizer containers at Ag retailers makes recycling the empty containers more convenient for producers.

“For one thing, having Ag retailers accept empty containers means we have more drop off locations with longer operating hours,” Friesen said. “For another, producers can return small and large bulk containers to a location that they already go to on a regular basis. It makes recycling easier for most growers.”

Currently, producers return empty bulk containers, 23L to 1000L drums and totes to Ag retailers while they take smaller empty containers to municipal collection sites for recycling.

Friesen said another advantage of the revised drop off system is that when producers go to Ag retailers to purchase crop input products, they can get a free large plastic bag that makes collecting, storing and transporting small empty containers more efficient. The bags hold about 45 empty containers each.

“Producers like the plastic bags,” Friesen said. “They make managing empty containers simple. In provinces where we’ve been using plastic bags for a while, recycling rates have increased.

Cleanfarms is transitioning Manitoba collection sites for recycling empty pesticides and fertilizer jugs to agricultural retailers. Current use of collection sites at municipal transfer stations and landfills will be discontinued gradually over next three years. Check for jug recycling Photo Submitted Cleanfarms locations at Cleanfarms.ca.

Bags make it easier to manage empties so producers bring back more of them for recycling. This works quite well.”

Cleanfarms is also making it easier for high-volume generators of empty jugs such as aerial applicators, landscapers and large acreage farms to recycle more containers.

Operators can arrange for on-site pickup. Operators should email crawfordc@ cleanfarms.ca for more information.

Friesen said he’s very grateful to Manitoba municipalities for helping to make the container recycling program a successful packaging stewardship program in Canada.

“We owe our gratitude to Manitoba municipalities for giving producers a convenient location to drop off empty

containers. Now Ag retailers in those areas will step into those big shoes. Our plan is to have every Ag retailer that sells product in 23L containers accept the empty jugs from their customers to ensure producers have the same or better access to recycling.

So, it should be convenient,” Friesen said.

The phased in approach will see 10 local areas transition in early 2022. As noted, these municipal locations have not been extensively used in recent years. In case producers do go there, signage is prominent, along with Cleanfarms website information to redirect producers to the new, nearby collection sites. Ag retailer sites will open, some even before municipal sites close, to accept empty pesticide and fertilizer containers.

List of Manitoba municipal collection sites closing in early 2022.

Farmers’ Markets Open for Summer

By Elmer Heinrichs Manitobans and visitors to the province are encouraged to look for the famous farmers’ markets and roadside stands that are once again appearing in neighbourhoods and communities province-wide, providing an excellent selection of Manitoba’s fresh foods.

At farmers’ markets, local farmers, growers, and other food producers come together to sell their products directly to the public. Supporting farmers’ markets is a great opportunity to meet the people who produce some of the best food available and a chance to experience the flavours of home-

grown goodness.

As the name implies, a farmers’ market offers smaller scale farmers the chance to market their produce, incubate their businesses, and supplement their income.

Farmers’ markets are popular destinations for consumers looking to find locally grown and homemade foods.

Producers grow, pick, make and sell a variety of quality local fruit, vegetables, fresh baked goods, home preserves and unique crafts. Farmers’ markets bring together a number of producers in one location to sell their goods directly to

consumers.

It’s where consumers may go for their first fresh strawberries, raspberries or saskatoons of the season. At a market shoppers can also interact with food producers and processors to ask questions about their products.

If you’re craving some fresh jam, bread and other local goodies, you may be in luck. Enjoy farm fresh produce and delicious home baked goods produced by market gardeners, fruit and vegetable growers and local bakers.

Many farmers’ markets are open now and will run through the summer and into early fall.

The Altona farmers’ market, for example, will be opening Saturday mornings downtown under the canopy from 10 am to noon with a variety of fresh produce, including baked goods, and honey. Manitoba’s premiere farm market may well be the St. Norbert Farmers’ Market, now open year-round. It attracts Winnipeg residents and visitors from near and far.

But from Winkler, with market Tuesday evenings, to Boissevain and Killarney, and at Beausejour and Steinbach, and in many other communities, similar markets and roadside stands are open for the summer.

June 24, 2022

MFGA Green Gold Program Underway with Boost from Dairy Farmers of Manitoba Manitoba Forage and Grassland Association (MFGA)’s 30-plus year Green Gold Program is underway a bit later than usual this year due to the wet weather that much of Manitoba has had to deal with.

However, besides that frustrating delay and the challenges for impacted farmers and producers, there is great news to celebrate for MFGA. A new funding arrangement will see Dairy Farmers of Manitoba (DFM) commit up to $100,000 for MFGA over the next two years via corporate and project support, kicking off with support of the MFGA Green Gold Program, which is designed to guide the optimum cut of alfalfa based on highest relative feed value.

“This is an incredible and very unique partnership,” said Duncan Morrison, MFGA executive director. “We are humbled and grateful to have the support of DFM. The great thing is we have structured the partnership as a win-win for both organizations. We know that dairy farmers are keen to work with the soils, grasses and natural areas on their farms to help reach the net zero carbon pledge made by Dairy Farmers of Canada. We believe MFGA’s producer network, peer to peer interactions and project involvement underway and ahead are perfect to help DFM reach its goal.”

The history and connectivity between the two organizations is long and storied. Dairy Farmers of Manitoba is a long-time supporter of the MFGA Green Gold Program. Last year, MFGA featured a panel of regenerative agriculture-minded dairy farmers that really opened the eyes of many as to the great potential of soil-benefitting dairy-focused agriculture practices at the 2021 Annual MFGA Regenerative Agriculture Conference that showcased soil health, farm productivity and watershed health in Manitoba and Saskatchewan.

Dairy farmers are keen on farming practices that help meet Dairy Farmers of Canada’s (DFC) mandate of being carbon neutral by 2050 says David Wiens, DFM Chair.

“By working with MFGA on future projects around soil, grasslands, and water management, we are creating more opportunities for dairy farmers to learn and participate in projects that support these best management practices,” said Wiens. “This is also a great opportunity to kick off our partnership with MFGA’s Green Gold Program, in which we have been long time partners and supporters.”

On top of the corporate support, MFGA will look for case by case opportunities to promote and deliver programming, research, and knowledge transfer to dairy farmers (extension services) with DFM. Targeted and pitched projects will focus on water, grass, soil, carbon, and must fit with ongoing or new partnership opportunities around on-farm and applied research and projects with research potentially aimed at BMP development; farmer profitability; environmental (soil health, carbon sequestration, etc.); water models; soil mapping; and carbon models.

“We approached DFM with a proposal that centered on our shared interests, long and trusted history and our respective organizational ambitions,” said Morrison.

“There is a lot of work ahead for MFGA to realize the absolute maximum from this partnership and we are up to the task. We all want healthy soils, lands and waters and in many cases, farmers are already doing that great work individually. This partnership is going to bring us all together on key fronts, allow us to work more strategically and seamlessly and celebrate our successes together.”

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The AgriPost

June 24, 2022

Egg Farmers of Canada Introduces its NEST Egg Farmers of Canada have announced the release of its National Environmental Sustainability Tool (NEST), an innovative online tool that empowers Canadian egg farmers to measure, monitor and manage the environmental footprint of their own farm.

With the beta version of NEST, farmers can perform a sustainability assessment of their farm to understand key drivers of environmental performance, including energy and water use, while also exploring comparisons to farms in their region and across the country.

“With the growing demand and uses of eggs comes the responsibility to produce eggs sustainably, which is why our nation’s egg sector and our hard working egg farmers from coast to coast remain committed to continually improving operations and practices and why we invest in innovation and new tools like NEST,” said Tim Lambert, CEO of Egg Farmers of Canada. “The development of NEST is part of our broader, holistic vision of sustainability. As egg farming continues to grow, enabling more sustainable agriculture will continue to play a central role in securing a strong, prosperous future for the industry and for Canada.”

The Canadian egg industry has made tremendous gains to its environmental sustainability over time, with egg production emitting substantially less greenhouse gas and using less water, land and energy than it did 50 years ago. With NEST, egg farmers can remain at the forefront of implementing green technologies and new innovations.

Providing on-demand access to the latest agricultural sustainability research, farmers can use NEST to create an action plan, set sustainability goals, track progress and work towards making their farms even more sustainable.

“Innovation is essential to driving new sustainable practices,” said Dr. Nathan Pelletier, Egg Farmers of Canada Research Chair in Sustainability. “Egg farmers collect a massive amount of data on energy, feed, and water use, as well as farm operating parameters and conditions. What we’re doing is facilitating the anonymous aggregation of this information so that farmers can see where they fit in the broader spectrum of sustainability performance and consider options to further reduce their environmental footprints. And in the spirit of continuous improvement, future versions of NEST will include more detailed assessments that also take into account economic considerations and animal welfare data. It’s an exciting time to be part of Canadian agriculture.”

NEST is currently available to all registered Canadian egg farmers. Access the tool at eggsustainability.ca.

“Man of the Land” Leaves Legacy

By Brenda Hunter A sizeable new scholarship opportunity has been made available to the graduates of the Park West School Division in southwestern Manitoba thanks to a generous bequest from a former resident of Newdale, MB, that had a love of agriculture, giving back to the community, and encouraging youth.

Mr. Thomas John (Jack) Waddell passed away in the summer of 2020 at the age of 91 years, after living and farming the majority of his life in the Newdale area.

Even though he married later in life and moved to Miami, MB and then to Carmen, he always held a special place in his heart for both his former community, and his passion for farming, and these are reflected in his generous gifts.

Waddell bequeathed three charitable donations, each representing the importance of his values on agriculture/ education, community, and taking care of family: a significant amount left to Park West School Division placed in an endowment fund; a portion to the Minnedosa and District Foundation which encompasses the community of Newdale, and another to Boyne Lodge in Carman, where his sister was a resident.

But just where does the agriculture component come in to play?

“He was a ‘man of the land’,” commented Glenn Lawson, who never knew of Jack’s farming days firsthand, as he didn’t know him until after he’d married his Aunt Anne. “Quite often the conversation was slanted toward farming.”

Jack, like most farmers, even after he was retired, was always inquiring about the farm and interested in what was going on there. There’s no doubt about it, once a

farmer, always a farmer, and his questions and comments reflected his love of the land.

His passion for sowing and harvesting the crops later translated to tending his flowers and garden once he retired from the farm and moved to town.

“One of the last things he said to me was ‘don’t forget to water the plants’,” reminisced Jack’s widow, Anne, with a smile and a chuckle.

“I still have his African violets I’m desperately trying to keep alive ‘cause I’m not a plant person!”

Ultimately, Jack was a progressive thinker, in that he was thinking ahead to the future and wanted to find a way to ensure that the next generation would have the means to get educated and continue to make contributions to an industry he felt so strongly about. Perhaps because he didn’t have children of his own, he felt further compelled to provide for the youth of the area so as to foster that passion for agricultural in likeminded individuals.

“Jack Waddell would have been thinking about farming, young people and keeping the country going,” said Lawson, the executor of the Will and who from knowing Jack, imagined the intention behind the perpetual gift with respect to the many careers available in the agriculture industry.

“He thought about this.”

Even though Jack was a thinker, he rarely shared his ideas or opinions with others.

“He never told me what he was thinking,” shared Anne, who found out about the bequest, only after her husband’s passing. “One of my grandchildren said, ‘he never said too much, but once in awhile there’d be a zinger come from him in the corner!’”

His instructions were that the principal amount be invested and the annual net

Jack Waddell.

income of the endowment be used to create a scholarship awarded annually to a graduating student (s) of a Park West School Division school who has been accepted into a post-secondary educational institution (college or university in Canada) for the study of agriculture or studies directly related to agriculture.

The Jack Waddell Memorial Agricultural Scholarship will be awarded this year. The first instalment paid out to PWSD and invested in March 2021 was $70,000 with the remaining final disbursement received recently topping up the endowment to a whopping $141,035.40. In consideration of the first amount which has been accruing interest for a year now, it has created a scholarship of $3,000 to be awarded this June, with next year’s scholarship and every year following, anticipated to be approximately $6,000.

The Foundation aims to payout 4 - 4.5 percent per year on its endowed funds. It is the sixth largest out of 27 endow-

Submitted photo

ments to be administered by the PWSD Foundation.

What makes this scholarship unique is that it is available to students pursuing an education and subsequent career specific to agriculture, division wide. Other scholarships administered by the Foundation are specific to individual schools.

“Mr. Waddell believed education was very important and created this scholarship to help students stay involved in any form of agriculture,” said Dorelle Fulton, former Secretary-Treasurer of PWSD. “Mr. Waddell’s generosity toward the students of Park West School Division is extraordinary and we are extremely grateful”.

It will be the first scholarship administered by the PWSD Foundation which is open to graduates of all our schools who are pursuing a career in agriculture. “The value he felt for the importance of post-secondary education in Canadian agriculture will live on in perpetuity through this scholarship,” said Fulton.

Simple But Delicious Rhubarb Cobbler

By Joan Airey Most of us have an abundance of rhubarb in our gardens now. Let me share with you this dessert recipe I have served for years. This rhubarb dessert contains a strawberry jelly powder which is on sale this week in our local Co-op for 12 pkgs. for $10. Once a store owner told me people that shop like this are cherry pickers. I try to buy most groceries when on sale and plan my menus with one I have on hand.

You can find more recipes from my collection on my blog joanairey1.wordpress.com.

Ingredients 3-4 cups chopped rhubarb 1 cup sugar 3 oz. box strawberry gelatin 1 1/2 cups flour 2 teaspoons baking powder 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 cup butter or margarine 1 cup sugar 1 egg 3/4 cup milk 1 teaspoon vanilla 1 teaspoon cinnamon 1 Tablespoon sugar

Instructions Wash and cut fresh rhubarb into small pieces or drain thawed rhubarb. Mix with one cup sugar and gelatin. Sift flour, baking powder and salt together. Cream butter or margarine, add 1 cup sugar. Beat in egg. Add dry ingredients alternately with milk and vanilla. Blend until batter is smooth. In a well-greased baking dish, layer the fruit mixture on the bottom.

Spread the batter over the fruit. Mix Cinnamon with 1 tablespoon of sugar and sprinkle over the top. Bake at 350F for 45 to 50 minutes. Cut into squares and serve warm with ice cream, whipping cream or pouring cream over. This recipe works well with other fresh fruits like saskatoons, plums, cherries, even apples.

Vary the gelatin to suit the fruit.

The AgriPost

Balance Your Lactation Diets with High Quality and Safe Alfalfa High quality alfalfa has not escaped the high cost of other dairy feeds, and thus significantly contributes to the record-setting cost of producing milk. This spring’s foul weather has not been kind to sprouting alfalfa crops across Manitoba, either. This has resulted in a possible buildup of dangerous forage nitrates.

Despite these obstructions, producers should seek out and continue to feed highquality and low-nitrate alfalfa to promote high performance in their lactating dairy cows.

As a dairy nutritionist, I think of alfalfa as primarily a high-protein forage for lactating dairy cows. On a pure alfalfa strand, its crude protein normally ranges from 18 - 25% (dm, basis) as well as a soluble protein fraction (loosely defined as available protein that is soluble in rumen fluid) of 40 – 50 % of CP in alfalfa samples that I have reviewed.

Subsequently, I would rather add a little more homegrown alfalfa hay or haylage, when I have the dietary room in a lactation diet, rather than add purchased proteins such as soybean or canola meal.

Aside from its good protein content, high-quality alfalfa is a significant energy source for high performing dairy cows. For example, the net energy of lactation estimated for alfalfa hay with a modest feed value (RFV) of 150 is around 1.35 Mcal/kg

compared to 1.50 Mcal/kg estimated energy for typical corn silage.

Some of this dietary energy comes from alfalfa’s relatively high non-fibre carbohydrate content (NFC), which is between 25 - 30% on a dry matter basis; consisting mainly of highly digestible pectin (12 - 13%), starch (2 - 3%) and nominal sugar. The remainder is locked away in its structural fibre (35 - 40%), which is released during microbial fermentation in the cow’s rumen and rounds out alfalfa’s total energy value as well as provides substantial amounts of effective forage fiber requirements (eNDF).

Such alfalfa fibre digestion in the lactating dairy cows is rather a nutritional puzzle.

What fibre is consumed and energy released/contributing toward milk production is done rather quickly (alfalfa’s lower hemi-cellulose fiber content means more rapid rate of overall fiber digestion), but might be limited (due to its high woody lignin fibre).

Therefore, when dairy cows are fed a well-balanced diet with a high-quality alfalfa level; there is often enhanced forage digestibility and a quicker rate of passage through the cow, which lead to greater dry matter (dm) feed/essential energy (and protein) intake that should result in better milk production.

For instance, I recently substituted 2 kg of a good quality 2nd cut alfalfa hay (RFV = 173) and dialed back on an equal amount of drought corn silage on a dm, basis in a lactation diet for a 150-cow dairy. It was my intention to raise the overall dietary crude protein of the diet from 15.0 to 16.5%. Corn distillers’ grains was added to offset the high levels of alfalfa soluble proteins. The final diet maintained at least 28% NDF, with 75% of this NDF coming from forage sources (21 – 22% eNDF).

As a result, the milk cows had looser manure, while dmi increased by 0.5 kg per head, daily. Milk production went from 37.5 to 38.3 kg on a daily pickup, and yet its milkfat content dropped 0.2%.

Rather, than add 150 gram of palm fat to shore up this loss of milkfat, the producer and I decided to go back to the previous dairy TMR for the time-being.

On my own accord, this alfalfa hay formulated in this lactation diet was harvested under drought conditions, so they were incidentally sampled, tested and came back negative for nitrates. Again, this year, I am recommending new alfalfa crop samples be tested for nitrates, but not due to a lack of soil moisture, but caused by excessive cool and wet weather, which interfere with the alfalfa plant photosynthesis, which may

produce high nitrate levels rather than edible protein within its leaves.

Consequently, alfalfa forage analyzed for nitrate levels are commonly reported as Nitrate (NO3) or Nitrate nitrogen (NO3N). Dairy cattle can safely consume a diet containing nitrates that are below 0.5% Nitrate (NO3) or below 0.12% Nitrate nitrogen (NO3N) on a dry matter basis. Dairy cattle that are healthy, in good body condition and are consuming a nutritious balanced diet are less susceptible to nitrate poisoning, yet the key to safely feeding high nitrate alfalfa to dairy cattle is to mix the contaminated forage with other low nitrate forages and grains, so the resulting mixture contains a nitrate level below critical limitation.

Aside from such realities, it is on my wish-list that lownitrate; high-quality alfalfa is an integral part of many balanced lactation dairy diets, because it provides a lot of essential nutrients to promote good milk performance.

Such top-notch nutrition in any given year may change due to a host of factors, but it should be our job to test and implement its kind in the milking dairy barn.

Threshermen’s Reunion to Recall Old-Tyme Days

By Elmer Heinrichs History comes alive again at one of Manitoba’s most dynamic family festivals, from July 28 to 31 in Austin.

The Manitoba Threshermen’s Reunion & Stampede is an outstanding celebration of Manitoba’s agricultural

roots and pioneering spirit. It’s about history, it’s about community, and it’s about family.

It’s also about fun. From toddlers to seniors and everyone in between, there is something for everyone at the Manitoba Threshermen’s Reunion & Stampede. Whether it’s your

first reunion or your fiftieth, your visit to Austin will be the highlight of your summer.

The exhibitor will showcase live farming demonstrations with horse, steam and gas power, vintage fashion show, home handicraft displays, heavy horse events,

antique car show and live entertainment.

There will also be a parade of vintage farm equipment and contests such as a stooking and sheaf tying demo, and a threshing competition between gas and steam driven threshing machines.

Foodgrains Crops Seeding Underway

By Elmer Heinrichs Just as with farmers overall, community growing projects across Manitoba have been having a difficult time seeding this year’s crops. These projects seek to raise funds to help feed hungry people around the world through the Canadian Foodgrains Bank.

Gordon Janzen, representative for the Manitoba section, said that he’s aware of nine projects that have already seeded, and some have done it in unique ways.

The CHUM project with a quarter-section field south of Rosenfeld switched crops; and floated on canola and

fertilizer, and then harrowed it to complete the job.

Other projects that have some seed in the ground are the BMW group at Boissevain; CHIPIN at Glenlea; COOL near Springstein; Arborg, Killarney, the Field, near Neepawa; Bear Creek near Gladstone; and Land-

mark. Many others were hoping to seed as soon as possible.

“There’s a wide variation of conditions across the province but excess moisture is a big challenge for many this spring,” concluded Janzen, adding “a big change from last year!”

June 24, 2022

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Sustainable Micronutrient Fertilizer Reaches Commercialization A new $19 million project by Protein Industries Canada and a consortium of companies will help Canadian farmers further improve their substantiality and reduce carbon emissions through the commercialization of a new micronutrient fertilizer.

Soileos is a sustainable, non-polluting, climate positive micronutrient fertilizer created from the up cycling of pea, lentil, and oat hulls, co-products from food processing. The use of Soileos increases crop yields and improves the health of soil, while also increasing revenues to both farmers and food processors.

AGT Food and Ingredients Inc. (“AGT Foods”), Lucent BioSciences “Lucent”), NuWave Research, IN10T and Aberhart Ag Solutions are collaborating to scale and distribute this new product. The project includes the installation of a new manufacturing process for the production of Soileos in Rosetown, Saskatchewan, that, when completed, will produce up to approximately 6,500 tons per year of micronutrient fertilizer.

“Fertilizer is crucial for the productivity of the Canadian agriculture sector. With the current disruptions caused by Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine, the Government of Canada is seeking to support cost-effective and sustainable fertilizer alternatives to help secure food supply chains. By investing in the commercialization of a new micronutrient fertilizer, we are helping farmers maintain their production to feed Canadians and the world, while reducing their environmental footprint,” said Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food.

This new 50-50 joint venture between AGT Foods and Lucent, which operates as AGT Soileos, will also lead to improved efficiency of the fertilizer, particularly a shortening of the reaction time required in manufacturing to bind the plant-based fibres to the micronutrients from hours to minutes, reducing energy and water usage, and an expansion of its availability across western Canada.

“This project is an example of what happens when innovation and collaboration collide,” CEO of Protein Industries Canada Bill Greuel said. “From a chance meeting in 2019, to a pilot project that produced 1 kg of Soileos a day and tested the effectiveness of pea, lentil and oat hulls through 2020 and 2021 and now to fullscale commercialization, this project proves how important innovation is to the long-term competitiveness and sustainability of Canada’s agri-food sector, and the commitment of the industry to sustainability and the environment.”

Initial field trials of Soileos on broad-acre crops such as durum, lentils and peas demonstrated how Soileos transports zinc, manganese, and iron to plants, leading to improved protein content, yields and soil health, while increasing returns for farmers, minimizing environmental impacts, and bringing value to low-value by-products.

The addition of NuWave Research, IN10t and Aberhart Ag Solutions supports the scale-up and improves the effectiveness and availability of Soileos.

NuWave Research’s technology will help reduce the reaction time in making Soileos. The traditional process required a five-hour hold for the reaction; the application of the new technology will reduce the reaction time to minutes. This will allow faster production of more Soileos at much lower energy usage.

The inclusion of IN10T and Aberhart Ag Solutions will support the distribution and acceptance of Soileos amongst western Canadian farmers, providing distribution and sales support.

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The AgriPost

June 24, 2022

Percheron Congress Ready for “Where the World Comes Together” Event

By Brenda Hunter The World Percheron Congress (WPC) will once again be held at the Keystone Centre in Brandon, MB from July 18 – 23.

This year’s show offers a full slate of halter, hitch, youth and Percherons under saddle and boasts over $200,000 in prize money to be awarded to horsemen and women from across Canada and the United States. As well, a costume class, feed and chore team competitions, plowing matches and a barnyard pull will round out the week-long event which guarantees a top-notch, full entertainment package for draft horse enthusiasts.

The Congress is held once every four years, and alternates between Canada and the United States. The last time the Congress was held in Manitoba was back in 2004.

The idea of hosting the 18th Congress was first suggested in 2016 when a number of Manitoba Percheron breeders/exhibitors were gearing up for the 2018 WPC held in Des Moines, Iowa.

That’s when Kent Anderson, a Percheron breeder from Pilot Mound, pitched the idea to the others planning to attend

the show stateside, of hosting it in 2022.

“The group that went south and participated [at Des Moines] were very keen to move forward once they returned home,” said Donna Swanston of Virden, co-chair of the 2022 event. “Within that group were a number of young people who were very excited to see a similar event happen in their home province.”

As a result, a committee was formed and their bid was submitted to the Canadian Percheron Association for consideration. Needless to say, they were successful.

The experience of having hosted the 2004 show certainly has proven helpful in planning the details and preparing for this year’s show. Putting on a show of this caliber enlists the help and expertise of the entire draft horse community and is a testament to the collaborative effort and support it takes to put on a show of this magnitude.

“Leveraging the learnings from hosting the 2004 Congress in Brandon, along with everyone’s cooperation and effort, we are now in the final planning stages leading up to July 18,” said co-chair and 2022 Congress exhibitor,

Darcy Strain, also of Virden.

Percheron horses from across Canada and the United States will be exhibited daily in everything from conformation (halter) classes including stallions, geldings and mares, to hitch classes consisting of everything from a single cart horse right up to the eighthorse hitch. These, along with the specialty classes of youth, riding, plowing, feed team race, chore team competitions and even a costume class make it truly a show with something for everyone.

An educational seminar is planned and the committee prides itself of playing host to a “first class show and entertainment package” with a strong focus on youth.

“The draft horse industry can pride itself in our up-andcoming youth that will keep the heritage of these majestic animals for all to remember,” said Ivan Strain, of Boissevain, advertising and merchandise chair for the committee.

New to the WPC this year is the Eberglo Breeders Challenge which is a futurity-style show held in conjunction with the Congress. The WPC is also a Classic Series halter, youth cart and six-horse hitch double point’s show which

has helped attract and encourage entries of quality halter and hitch horses.

Planning so far out for this world-class show is daunting at the best of time, but has been especially challenging given the fact that COVID-19 made everything so unpredictable and difficult to manage. The World Clydesdale Show, original slated for 2021 in Brandon, was one show greatly affected by the pandemic, so much so, that they were forced to postpone their show until 2023. Fortunately, this was not the case with the Percheron Congress, and the show is going on as originally planned, however, not without some adverse effects.

“COVID has been hard on us,” said Ivan Strain. With movement across the international border at entry deadline still stymied due to ongoing travel restrictions including but not limited to proof of vaccination, it has played havoc on their hitch entries. They are, however, happy to report that 16 six horse hitches are entered and their halter class numbers are comparable to other years/shows with their largest halter class expected to be the yearling filly class at 21 entries.

The show is expected to generate in excess of $1 million dollars revenue for Brandon and area as it plays host to Percheron breeders and enthusiasts locally and from across Canada and the United States. The committee

expects to entertain a contingent from as far away as the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Guam and Manila.

It seems that “Where the World comes together” could not be a more fitting slogan for this prestigious event!

Percheron horses from across Canada and the United States will be exhibited daily in everything from conformation (halter) classes including stallions, geldings and mares, to hitch classes consisting of everything from a single cart horse right up to the eight-horse hitch. top - Photo by Brenda Hunter bottom - Submitted photo)

The AgriPost

June 24, 2022

23

Agricultural and Food Sciences Alumni Honoured for their Community Service Three Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences alumni were honoured for their outstanding professional contributions and public service at a June 2 celebration held at the University of Manitoba.

The Certificate of Merit is presented in recognition of leadership with agricultural organizations and outstanding service to the community at large. The 2022 recipients are Curtis Evenson and Laura and Henry Holtmann.

Curtis Evenson was raised on a farm south of Morden, and attended the University of Manitoba where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture degree in Agricultural Economics in 1972.

After graduation he worked for Northern Sales, a special crop company in Winnipeg where he contracted farmers for mustard seed in Manitoba and Saskatchewan and canola in North Dakota.

In 1975, Curtis and wife Pat moved south of Morris to farm with Pat’s brother Robert and after five years, they began to farm on their own. Pat and Curtis raised

Curtis Evenson

Laura Holtmann

Henry Holtmann

four children, all of whom attended the University of Manitoba.

Their children, son Craig (currently operating the farm) graduated with a Diploma in Agriculture, daughters Nancy with a Bachelor of Education & Masters in Library & Information Studies, Leanne with a B.Sc. in Agroecology and M.Sc. in Plant Science, and Shelley with a Bachelor of Nursing.

Curtis taught grain marketing at Assiniboine Community College and for several years, ran a grain elevator for Allstate Grain at Emerson.

Pat and Curtis started and operated Valley Seed Laboratory from 1986 to 2010 - a federally approved and audited seed testing laboratory. He has been a long-time member of the Manitoba Institute of Agrologists and served a term on the board. Curtis (along with Pat) became Honorary Life Members of the Manitoba Seed Growers Association in 2011.

Curtis joined the Valley Agricultural Society (VAS), host of the Manitoba Stampede (the Big M). He served on the dairy committee of the Big M, then joined the board and served as president. He was a founding member of the Manitoba Association of Agricultural Societies (MAAS) and served as president for two years and as administrator from 1990 to today.

On behalf of MAAS, Curtis administered many federal and provincial programs over the years including the Federal Fairs & Exhibition Program, the Canadian Farm Business Management Program, the Canadian Farm Safety Program and the Agri-food Research & Development Initiative (ARDI) of the Canadian Ag Policy Framework. Curtis developed and administered over 800 agreements, and paid on behalf of the governments approximately $85 million dollars to recipients while interacting with hundreds of potential and successful applicants of research projects as small as $500 and up to $3 million.

A strong supporter of his home community of Morris, Curtis has been a dedicated volunteer including as Cub Leader, Sunday School Youth Leader, and Church Board member, chair and trustee. He is a Red Hat recipient for his long involvement with the Big M. He has also been board member of the Morris Community Development Corporation and

Morris & District Handi Van, and is currently vice-chair of the Morris Area Foundation.

Today Curtis and Pat spend their time with their four grandchildren, continue to help on the farm and hope to do more traveling.

Henry Holtmann was raised on the home dairy farm in Rosser, a farm started by Henry’s grandfather who came to Canada in 1929 from Germany. Henry’s parents took over the farm in 1961 and continued in dairy with purebred Holsteins.

Laura Holtmann was raised in Winnipeg, where her passion for agriculture began in her teen years spending time on family friends’ chicken farm south in Iles des Chenes.

Henry and Laura met at the University of Manitoba, where Henry received his Bachelor of Science in Agriculture from the University of Manitoba in 1984, and Laura graduated in 1985 with her Bachelor of Science in Agriculture.

After graduation from the University of Manitoba, Henry served as a quality control inspector at Canada Packers, and then as sales representative for Western Breeders for Manitoba/Saskatchewan from 1986 to 1991.

Laura worked for Monsanto as a sales representative in Saskatchewan and then at the dairy lab at the Agriculture Services Complex in Manitoba.

Since 1995, Henry and Laura, in partnership with Henry’s brother Tony and his wife Kim, have owned and operated Rosser Holsteins Ltd., a third-generation 650cow dairy and 3200-acre grain and forage operation located in the municipality of Rosser, MB. The farm’s values include being family focused, producing quality milk, feed, and purebred Holsteins as well as advocating for the dairy farmer and agriculture, all done in a sustainable fashion. Today, the fourth generation of Holtmanns are actively involved including sons Eric and Ben, Ben’s wife Kelly, and Henry’s nephew, Joseph. Ben and Kelly, Eric and Joseph all have Diplomas in Agriculture from the Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences.

Henry and Laura are active leaders in the agri-food and local community. Henry was elected to the board of Dairy Farmers of Manitoba in 2007 and has been Vice Chair since 2012 where he serves as a key advisor on dairy

L to R: UM President Michael Benarroch, Certificate recipient Curtis Evenson and nominator Marlene Baskerville.

L to R: Nominator Karin Wittenberg, recipients Laura and Henry Holtmann and University of Manitoba Submitted photos President Michael Benarroch.

policy to both the provincial and federal governments.

Henry is also the chair of the Western Canada Milk Pool, which seeks to increase milk processing capacity across the four western provinces, and helped to establish Dairy Innovation West, a milkconcentrating facility that is expected to open in 2024 in Blackfalds, Alberta.

Henry has served as a volunteer for 4-H in his community, as Woodland 4-H Dairy Club Leader and Rosser Guys and Gals Dairy Project Leader. Henry also served on as chair of the Citizens Liaison Group on the Prairie Green Landfill in their rural municipality; and has been a director for 10 years and chair for four years with Starbuck Credit Union.

Laura has made contributions through venues committed to bringing agriculture to the public. She has served on the board and is currently President of Agriculture in the Classroom-Manitoba, an organization of volunteers that strives to help students and teachers become more agriculture literate in Manitoba. A volunteer in the Red River Exhibition Association for 21 years, Laura is the cur-

rent chair of the Agriculture and Agri-Food Scholarship committee, a member of the Red River Exhibition Farm Family selection committee, as well as member on the board of directors of the Red River Exhibition Association. Laura has also served on the board of directors of the Manitoba Agricultural Hall of Fame.

In her community, Laura worked at the Interlake School Division as an educational assistant in early year’s education. She has been involved in 4-H in various leadership roles and she has contributed her time and expertise as chair or a board member of various groups and organizations including Grosse Isle School, Warren Collegiate and Rosser Elementary Parent Advisory councils, University of Winnipeg Collegiate and Oak Park Safe Grad committee as well as Neptunes Water Polo Club. As well, Ronald McDonald House and the Ronald McDonald Family Room at Health Sciences Centre have kept Laura busy volunteering in various capacities for the last 10 years.

Both Laura and Henry enjoy representing the dairy

sector to the public, and have participated in venues such as Discover Agriculture in the City at The Forks and the Food and Farm Discovery Centre at University of Manitoba’s Glenlea Research Station. Laura and Henry, along with Tony and Kim Holtmann, were awarded the Red River Exhibition Farm Family of the Year in 1997.

Henry and Laura have both generously shared their time and expertise with their alma mater, and have both participated regularly as panellists during the School of Agriculture final presentations.

Henry has hosted numerous degree, graduate student and faculty staff tours on the farm, has contributed in lectures and has facilitated graduate student and faculty research activities at Rosser Holsteins. Laura participated in the pilot of Human Resource Course in which students are expected to develop an HR plan for their farm.

Today, Henry and Laura are actively farming with their family and are enjoying time with their granddaughter June, family, and friends.

Sharing their story continues to drive their passion for agriculture.

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June 24, 2022

The AgriPost