The Agri Post
Eight Year M-Cool Battle Over By Les Kletke The World Trade Organization (WTO) has issued a final ruling confirming that US mandatory country of origin labeling (COOL) discriminates against live US imports of Canadian cattle and hogs within the scope of the Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT). Under the TBT, WTO members cannot create obstacles to trade which are unnecessary or which, amount to arbitrary or unjustifiable discrimination or a disguised restriction on international trade. On 18 May 2015, the WTO Appellate Body issued its “compliance report” stating the recordkeeping and verification requirements of the amended COOL measure impose a disproportionate burden on producers and processors of livestock. This burden cannot be explained by the need to provide origin information to consumers. In addition the exemptions under the amended US COOL measure supports a conclusion that the detrimental impact of that measure on imported livestock does not stem exclusively from legitimate regulatory distinctions. The WTO further summarized in its key findings that the panel had noted that between 57.7% and 66.7% of beef and between 83.5% and 84.1% of pork muscle cuts consumed in the US convey no consumer information on origin despite imposing an upstream recordkeeping
burden on producers and processors that has a detrimental impact on competitive opportunities for imported livestock. The fourth and final ruling ends an eight-year battle initiated by the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association challenging the 2007 US labelling law. Dave Solverson, President of the Canadian Cattleman’s Association called it “incredibly important and a historic part of the Canadian Cattle industry. With a final ruling from the WTO affirming the Canadian beef industry’s right to fair market assess firmly in hand the CCA urges the US Congress to final repeal COOL on red meat.” Manitoba Beef Producer President Heinz Reimer said, “Although not unexpected, we are pleased with the WTO’s ruling. We have long maintained the COOL is a discriminatory practice and the WTO’s decision makes this clear once and for all. If the US were to repeal COOL, there would be immediate positive impacts for producers in Manitoba and across Canada. Reimer made a point of thanking the Federal government for its continued effort in the process. It is unclear if the US will take the required actions after the decision and Reimer is confident the Canadian government will take the steps required to move the process along. That might require retaliatory tariffs against a
May 29, 2015
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They Won’t Back Down By Les Kletke
Ag Minister Gerry Ritz is being applauded by farm groups for taking the American legislation regarding Country of Origin Labeling to the WTO.
previously determined list of U.S. products. The Canadian Pork Council (CPC) had a similar view of the ruling. “The WTO has confirmed this discrimination for the fourth time,” said CPC Chair Rick Bergmann. This is the WTO’s final judgement and it is comprehensive and compelling there is not
Rick Bergmann of the Canada Pork Council says the move to stop COOL legislation is good for Canadian Pork producers.
wiggle room.” He is hopeful they will act on the measure. “The United States has now lost four times,” he said. “Congress must accept the reality and act as a responsible WTO member and a leading force in trade liberalization.” The CPC worked together with the Federal government and the Canadian Cattlemen Association to bring about the challenges against the COOL legislation in the 2008 Farm Bill. The Canadian livestock industry estimates the damage done by the COOL legislation at a billion dollars annually. The CCA alone said its cost in fighting the legislation is $3.25 million but Solverson said that this is minor in comparison to the hardship the legislation has caused Canadian beef producers.
While the World Trade Organization (WTO) handed down a ruling against Country of Origin Labelling (COOL) not all US farm groups are willing to accept the decision. House Agriculture Committee Chairman Michael Conaway introduced a bill to repeal COOL legislation for beef, pork and chicken products saying it was a target response to the WTO ruling. “Conaway is misleading Congress and the American people,” said Bill Bullard, CEO of R-CALF. “Conaway’s bill is another. More than a siren call by the one per cent. He is trying to coerce the public into support something that will ultimately cause them harm.” R-CALF has been one of the strongest supporters of the COOL legislation during the 8-year battle between Canadian and American cattlemen. Bullard points out that Conaway’s bill also calls for the removal of chicken meat from the COOL legislation. “This is proof that Conaway’s bill is not a target response to the WTO but he is exploiting the WTO ruling to support the multinational meat packer’s decade long effort to hide the origins of food from consumers. Bullard bases none of his arguments on benefits to the
Bill Bullard is the president of R-CALF and does not believe the battle over COOL is done simply because the ruling is against the US.
American consumer or that any meat products from Canada or Mexico provide a threat to food safety in the US. He does not dispute that the decision follows the law of the WTO agreement. The only case that he makes against the agreement is that the presiding official at the WTO hearing Ricardo Hernandez was in a conflict of interest position because he has represented Mexico in international traded litigation and was the lead council to the Mexican government in the past two WTO disputes. “This is the tip of the iceberg in the problems that Congress created by ceding a huge swath of US sovereignty to the unelected and unaccountable WTO tribunal,” Said Bullard. “What Conaway is doing is a travesty and we hope that the majority of members will quickly see through it.” The majority of farm groups in the US appear to have accepted the ruling and are waiting to see what the impacts
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The Agri Post
Making Space on the Plate for Pulses By Harry Siemens Pulse Canada hopes that designating 2016, as International Year of Pulses will spotlight the health benefits, spark additional research and increase attention to hurdles that cause trade disruptions. While pulse conventions, pulse crops meetings are focused on supply and demand, market signals, and production techniques, the recent Global Pulse Confederation annual convention held in Las Vegas in April focused more on health issues. Gordon Bacon, Chief Executive Officer of Pulse Canada said going forward it is about featuring what the agricultural industry and the health communities know is the healthy addition to the normal daily diet. “On an international level, we just unveiled to the pulse industry in advance of unveiling a public campaign in November,” said Bacon. “A new international logo for pulses and the tagline is, The Future of Foods. “We really believe that we have the opportunity in the pulse industry to catapult to be the ingredient of attention on a global basis.” He said the reasons are, the timing is right for beans, lentils, peas, chickpeas, and for pulses around the world to get the recognition they deserve, as not only a protein source, but also more importantly, something that will make a difference for health. The main health factor he wants to talk about is blood sugar control, which is key in diabetes. “This is a pandemic around the world in the developing countries, and certainly related to obesity problems which aren’t just restricted to North America, but India the Middle East, and increasingly even in China with the younger generation,” said Bacon. “We have the opportunity to position pulses as
Gordon Bacon, CEO of Pulse Canada
being something that provides some value to society in addressing one of our key priorities and that’s health. And how the link to food and health can really be emphasized with the role pulses can play.” He said much of the discussion in Las Vegas was not about traditional supply and demand of pulses but turned to talk on how the industry can unlock this potential to move these crops from commodities to key ingredients that impact health. “I think everything in life is greatly influenced by the timing,” said Bacon. “We’re coming together with 2016 being declared by the United Nations as the International Year of Pulses. We’re continuing to see focus on health and non communicable disease health problems like blood sugar control, diabetes and cardiovascular disease.” He said they are seeing more and more on a global basis with new product launches that contain pulses to compliment the cereal base. “I think this is our future looking for ‘space on the plate’ and an understanding at the consumer level as to why this is important,” said Bacon. “On eating whole beans, we have decades of research in terms of what the health benefit is, but we haven’t come up with creating new excitement for the new generation of bean eaters.”
The Agri Post
Some Bright Spots in Federal Budget By Les Kletke The biggest break for farmers in the last Federal budget may be for those leaving the business. The lifetime Capital Gains Exemptions for farmers has increased from $813,600 to $1,000,000. While the move does little more that keep pace with increasing land prices, at least one farm group welcomed the announcement saying that it would help with family transfers. “These tax measures help facilitate the transfer of the family farm to the next generation and will encourage more young people to take up farming,” said Levi Wood, President of the Western Canadian Wheat Growers Association. A reduction in the small business tax rate from 11% to 9% was also welcomed by Wood, who said that many farms fall into the small business category and any reduction in tax rate is welcome.
Levi Wood, president of the Western Wheat Growers Association welcomes the increase in Capital Gains Exemptions in the latest federal budget.
He was most pleased about the government’s commitment to a strong trade agenda through the Trans-Pacific Partnership and the increased funding for the Market Access Secretariat. “We thank the Federal government for reducing the tax burden on farmers and other small businesses. These tax measures and the measures to promote trade will strengthen the farm economy and lead to greater investment on the parries.” The pork industry voiced
the same support for the attempts at increased trade. “The Canadian swine industry is very supportive of expanding trade and cooperative activities that would help to improve the trading climate and competitiveness of Canadian Pork,” said Canadian Pork Council Chairman Rick Bergmann. “We are very supportive of the Canadian government’s trade agenda and efforts to secure agriculture market access.” “Pork farmers across Canada share the same abiding commitment to providing consumers a safe, nutritious and affordable food supply,” said Bergmann. “Canadian pork is exported to over 140 countries and I am pleased that we have a common interest with the federal government and commitment to enhance competitiveness, drive innovation and promote the long-term growth and sustainability of the Canadian swine indus-
try.” The Canadian Federation of Agriculture (CFA) while supporting the expanded trade initiatives rated the increase in Capital Gains Exemption as the brightest spot for agriculture. “One of the most significant items for agriculture in this budget is the increase to the Lifetime Capital Gains, which CFA has been advocating for some time. Last year’s budget saw a small increase in this area, but the funds allocated this year will have a meaningful impact,” said Ron Bonnett, President of the CFA. CFA was not entirely pleased with the budget, as they would have liked to see more money allocated to research and a clearer indication of where allocated money will be headed. The CFA pre-budget submission touched on research priorities to increase funding to climate change adaption and risk management as well as ecological goods and services but felt these were not specifically addressed in the budget.
Mixed Reaction to Wheat Board Buyers By Les Kletke As expected farm group reactions to the latest announcement by Ag Minister Gerry Ritz about a further move to complete privatization of the Canadian Wheat Board (CWB) are mixed. The groups seem more intent on maintaining their philosophical viewpoints than evaluating the move on the basis of impact it will have for Canadian farmers. The National Farmers’ Union (NFU) a staunch supporter of the CWB said the announcement of the joint venture with the CWB, Bunge Ltd., and a Saudi agricultural and livestock investment company, SALIC Canada, is a transfer of wealth away from Canadian farmers to foreign investors. “With this the Conservative government has accomplished the biggest transfer of wealth away from farmers in the history of Canada,” said Jan Stomp an Alberta farmer and NFU President. Closer to home, Manitoba NFU Board Member Ian Robson agrees and questions the transparency of the transaction. “Where is the report of accountability? This is our money and taxpayer dollars. The whole deal has been brokered in complete secrecy,” said Robson. “The government has refused to release the CWB’s complete financial statements after dismantling the single desk selling system. The new entity known as G3 Global Grain Group is privately held and does not publish financial statements.” Long time opponent of the single desk selling system, Western Canadian Wheat Growers Association (WCWGA), welcomes the move saying the deal will bring new capital into the Canadian grain industry. “The deal will strengthen the CWB’s ability to compete for farmers’ grain,” said Levi Wood, President of the WCWGA. He says this equity investment by G3 will give the CWB the ability to build more high throughout grain handling facilities on the prairies. “Given the constraints of our rail network, having additional grain handling capacity will be a welcome development,” said Wood. “Increasing system capacity will improve our industry’s ability to meet customer needs in a timely basis, and give farmers a further marketing outlet for their grain.”
A Farmer Trust will be set up and own 49.9% of the new partnership. Farmers will be allocated $5 in equity per tonne of grain delivered. When the trust reaches $250 million or after 7 years, G3 can buy it out. The trust will be managed by three appointed trustees with one having a seat on the Board. Grain Growers of Canada (GGC) welcomed the announcement of the G3 partnership saying the investment will make the CWB a major player in the global grain market. “Grain Growers have supported the return to marketing freedom for Canadian grains,” said Gary Stanford, GGC President, “We welcome the CWB’s role in the Canadian commercial grain trade and believe this is the next stage in the life of the organization and will help enhance the companion and choice for farmers. The organization is pleased to see that pooling continues to be offered through the CWB and says it will enhance the marketing choice of farmers.
Organic Sector PPushes ushes Forward on Global Branding and PPromotion romotion The Federal Government has committed funding of $785,660 to the Canada Organic Trade Association (COTA) to help promote the Canadian organic sector and increase the visibility of the Canadian organic brand in international markets. Canada now ranks as the fifth largest organic market worldwide and is home to over 4,500 organic farms, and more than 1,000 organic processors and handlers. Canada has signed organic equivalency agreements with the US, EU and Japan. The funds will enable COTA to attend international conferences and trade shows and lead outgoing missions to raise awareness of Canadian organic products in key markets in Europe, US, Asia and South America.
May 29, 2015
US - COOL continued... Continued from page 1 of the proposed legislation will be. Many packers were opposed to the COOL legislation saying that it increased their costs and made it difficult to acquire the cattle they need to run efficient kill floors. The American cowherd is at a historic low in numbers and faces several years of rebuilding, most cattlemen are concerned with rebuilding the industry rather than placing road blocks to product entering the country.
Get RReady eady for Higher Prices on US Imports Farmers, consumers, food, beverages, confectionery, pharmaceutical, natural health product and cosmetic manufacturer’s should prepare themselves and plan accordingly for higher prices on US imports. On May 18, the World Trade Organization (WTO) Appellate Body rejected the US arguments in its Mandatory Country of Origin Labelling (M-COOL) appeal and that the labelling is not about food safety or traceability. Both Mexico and Canada are free to request authorization from the WTO to determine the level of damage. Once the WTO arbitrator issues a decision, Canada will be free to request formal authorization from the Dispute Settlement Body (DSB) to retaliate. Once granted, Canada has indicated that it will impose a 100% surtax on US imports in its efforts to recoup losses arising from MCOOL regulations over the past 8 years. The Canadian Government expects to be in a position to impose tariffs by the fall 2015. The surtax is an extra duty that can be used over and above the customs duties, on goods that originate in a specific country when Canada’s financial position and its balance of payments are such as to require special measures. It is a non-refundable tax on tax for Canadian importers and even if the product was non-dutiable or taxable before the surtax implementation, the extra tax will need to be paid when a product crosses the border. The Canadian government has stated that the surtax would be rescinded in the event of US compliance with their WTO obligations or in the event of a negotiated solution to settle the losses. The Canadian import list is far reaching and certainly designed to recoup losses quickly among a broad group of importers. Canadian Import List Targeted for the 100% Surtax (partial list): - live bovine and swine, meat of bovine and swine other than ham and shoulder and cuts - cuts of offal, fresh or chilled of spent fowl - prepared meals of spent fowl, prepared meals of specially defined mixtures other than in cans or glass jars - cheese excluding fresh unripened or uncured, whey or curd, grated or powdered, processed, blue-veined or containing veins produced by Penicillium roqueforti - fresh apples, cherries, other than sour - semi-milled or wholly milled rice, whether or not polished or glazed - glucose and glucose syrup, containing in the dry state at least 20% but less than 50% by weight of fructose, excluding invert sugar, other fructose and fructose syrup, containing in the dry state more than 50% by weight of fructose, excluding invert sugar - chocolate and other food preparations containing cocoa, preparations in blocks, slabs or bars weighing more than 2 kg or in liquid, paste, powder, granular or other bulk form in containers or immediate packings, of a content exceeding 2 kg, chocolate and other food preparations containing cocoa, chocolate ice cream mix or ice milk mix; chocolates; chocolate coated nuts and other confectionery - Pasta, whether or not cooked or stuffed (with meat or other substances) or otherwise prepared, such as spaghetti, macaroni, noodles, lasagna, gnocchi, ravioli, cannelloni; couscous, whether or not prepared - Prepared foods obtained by the swelling or roasting of cereals or cereal products (for example, corn flakes); cereals (other than maize [corn]) in grain form or in the form of flakes or other worked grains (except flour, groats and meal), pre-cooked or otherwise prepared, not elsewhere specified or included - Bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits and other bakers’ wares, whether or not containing cocoa; communion wafers, empty cachets of a kind suitable for pharmaceutical use, sealing wafers, rice paper and similar products - Orange juice, frozen - Tomato ketchup and other tomato sauces - Ethyl alcohol and other spirits, denatured, of any strength - Articles of jewellery and parts thereof, of precious metal or of metal clad with precious metal - Other tubes, pipes and hollow profiles, welded, of circular cross-section, of stainless steel - Parts of stoves, ranges, grates, cookers barbecues, braziers, gas-rings, plate warmers and similar non-electric domestic appliances, and parts thereof, of iron or steel - Wooden office furniture
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May 29, 2015
Farmers Love Their Animals, But… The English language often comes up short in terms of great communication. Still, it is the tool we have to work with even though there are other languages that provide so many more options. Greek for example has 6 different words for love and the different types of love. We need to have more descriptive terms for love and that is just for the love of animals never mind when we start with people-to-people relationships. Just a few weeks ago, a promoter of Canadian cheese told me that farmers love their animals and that is why there is a heart on the ads for Canadian dairy products. Farmers love their animals and know that if they are treated well they will produce more, and ultimately that is better for the bottom line. Farmers don’t just treat their animals well because of the bottom line; I believe they actually care about their wellbeing for other reasons. What scares me is the kind of love for animals that I see in grocery stores, parks and Facebook. Is it just me and the connections I have on Facebook or have people lost touch with reality and the line between people and animals. The amount of pictures I see with people dressing up their dogs or cats in sweaters and hats makes me shudder. The most frightening thing is the amount of people who refer to their pets as their children and call themselves parents. This is really scary, I grew up in a generation where the phrase referring to your mother as a female dog was very offensive, but today I hear it from many people who seem relatively sane in other areas of their life. Personally, I would be offended if you referred to an animal as one of my offspring but people do it in public and on Facebook all the time. My fear is that when the line between people and pets is blurred it will continue to move to the point of encompassing all animals. In my view, the jump to thinking your dog or your cat is your child is far greater than from your dog to the cow. If I was a member of PETA I would be rubbing my hands with glee, if people think dogs are their children, then it is an easy transition to dogs are similar to sheep, which are similar to pigs, which are indeed almost the same as cows. If you think that is farfetched, explain the dog being your child thing to me. My fear is that with this group of people who think their pets are their children the back door is open for PETA to convince them that eating meat is a bad thing, and having animals in captivity is a horrible restriction on their spirit. Add to the mix that most of these people who have animal children are of a mature age and it gets even scarier. These are people who grew up in the age where there was a clear difference between animals and people but the lines have blurred and that is not a good thing. Watch for it, how many people you see thinking their pet is human.
Soybeans and Canola Make for an Interesting Economic Mix First off, if you hadn’t noticed yet, there is a new name for the bean and pulse crops growers in Manitoba showing again the growth of the entire pulse industry in Manitoba. I can remember back in the early 80s with one Manitoba variety doing good for
maybe one or two years, then along comes Mr. Jack Frost early and boom, the bloom came off the rose. In this, case the fledgling soybean industry. It was a bit like the corn industry that suffered almost a similar fate, but it got back on its feet because the farmers had a fallback to frozen grain corn, cutting it for silage for a thriving cattle industry. The soybeans came back too with a new name in hand, the Manitoba Pulse & Soybean Growers (MPSG)
now working together under that umbrella. The soybean is such a great crop to grow, I keep calling it the next Manitoba Cinderella crop and it will be interesting when the dust settles indeed, how many acres Manitoba farmers will plant this year. Every time I turn around to visit with another farmer from another area in Manitoba, he tells me about his soybean plantings and how many acres he’s putting in. It is absolutely fabulous. That gets me to the main point of this column, something that caught my eye and prompted my little piece on the mighty soybean. A feasibility study reveals Manitoba can support a soybean crushing facility. MPSG partnered with Soy 20/20 to initiate and co-fund the study conducted by Mercantile Venture Consulting. The MPSG likes the outcome of a new feasibility
A Power of Attorney to Protect Plant’s Access CO² Reports started to come in at the beginning of May that global levels of CO² had climbed all the way to 400 parts per million (ppm). They tended to sound ominous in the mainstream media, but Tim Ball, an historical climatologist based on the west coast, tells us it’s actually good news. “Plants are delighted that CO² levels are now 400 ppm and rising.” Writing on the popular climate change website, “Watt’s Up With That,” Ball talks about his involvement in a recent brief to the US Supreme Court that opposed the Environmental Protection Agency’s actions on CO². Speaking tongue in cheek, he had suggested seeking a Power of Attorney on behalf of plants Penners everywhere against the government’s plans to Points reduce atmospheric CO². It sounds like a publicity stunt some environby Rolf mental fringe group might stage, but the jest Penner gives one pause for thought. CO² is important rolfpenner@agripost.ca for plant growth, yet the only thing these sorts of groups promote is the planting of more trees to bring down CO² levels. They side with the argument that CO² is a pollutant, and forget that higher levels actually promote plant growth. If you want plants to be successful, why would you want to reduce an important input that makes this possible? If you look back through biological history, you’ll find that all life exists thanks to CO². Professor Ball, retired from the University of Winnipeg, points out that most plants evolved over the last 300 million years at an average CO² level of 1,200 ppm, much higher than where we are today. Modern greenhouses regularly pump CO² into their facilities, particularly in winter when ventilators are closed, to enhance plant growth. Recommendations vary from plant to plant, but for the most part saturation levels are in the 1,000-ppm range. If anything, plants in the wild are probably starving for CO². Isn’t it odd, then, that a substance so integral to plants and really to life on earth, would be labelled and targeted as “greenhouse gas pollution.” But maybe that was the point. Once you attach a negative label to something, emotions take over and facts and reason go out the window. Of course, the reason CO² has become such a villain has to do with the theory of manmade global warming. Supposedly we humans are producing too much of the stuff, and that will cause the earth’s overall temperature to rise, which can lead to all sorts of negative outcomes. The problem with the theory is that reality keeps intruding. While CO² levels have risen faster than projected, the global temperature has actually gone sideways. It’s known as the pause, or hiatus, in some circles and none of their computer models predicted it. Look at the satellite temperature record. There has been no warming for the last 18 years. Let that sink in a bit. We have people that have reached the legal age to drink alcohol and the whole time they’ve been on the planet there has been no global warming. A “wait and see” attitude would seem the most prudent strategy. We have a lot more to learn before we can really say anything for certain when it comes to climate. But when it comes to CO², we do know that plants love the stuff, and they love turning it back into oxygen. On balance, that sounds way more like a positive than a negative. The plants would probably agree. study, funded by the Canada and Manitoba governments and industry partners, which found Manitoba has the right mix of soybean production and market demand to support a soybean crushing facility. My first impulse was to say does Manitoba have snow meaning it is quite obvious to me the farmers and processing industry could ill afford not to build that plant. “We have an opportunity to provide more value to growers in Manitoba and it’s always good to have an alternative market that doesn’t rely on exports,” said Kyle Friesen, Chair of MPSG. “We want to encourage local supply and demand to keep value-added processing in Manitoba to support jobs, the tax base and economic activity.” Kyle, you are dead on.
When the old CWB controlled as much of anything they could get their hands on, processing wheat on the Prairies, forget it. Rather we shipped carloads of grain to the west coast where one railcar out of seven carried screenings that cleaners on the coast blew out and I’m not sure what they did with it. According to the study, a soybean crushing plant would bring many benefits to Manitoba producers, including easier access to the market, the ability to bypass uneven rail freight, and the capability to generate freight savings and better soybean prices. The study says a soybean crushing facility could make money, based on the growth of the province’s soybean acreage and the demand for soybean meal in the western Canadian livestock industry. Manitoba currently
produces 18 percent of all soybeans grown in Canada – more than 1.25 million acres, and the study estimates soybean acreage could quadruple in western Canada over the next decade. There are currently no large-scale soybean crushing facilities in western Canada. It will be interesting how they will accomplish this major undertaking. MPSG and Soy 20/20 will investigate potential stakeholders who may want to construct a soybean crushing facility. Wow….Why not throw Canola into the mix… Again not to belabour the point, we have at least six canola crushing plants between Altona and Yorkton, Saskatchewan, and how many flour plants? This study shows if this new plant would crush both soybeans and canola, it could do even better.
The Agri Post
Over 2,000 Acres Already Seeded for Foodgrains Bank By Elmer Heinrichs Over 2,000 acres has already been seeded for the Canadian Foodgrains Bank (CFGB) here in Manitoba. Regional Coordinator Harold Penner said that wheat, soybeans, canola, and corn have been planted and expects to see a total of about 5,500 acres seeded this spring. Penner added that they had a new project come on board this year near Glenlea, with another new project near Niverville that aims to get the urban population involved. Seeding got away early, as 40 acres of wheat were seeded for the HOPE project near Ste. Elizabeth April 25, then, the very next day 45 acres of Cardale wheat was seeded for
the HELP project at St. PierreJolys. On Monday, April 27 300, acres of Cardale wheat was seeded for the Common Ground project near Rosenfeld, on April 28 the Domain portion of the CHIPIN project was seeded to Pedigree Cardale and Minnedosa also seeded 120 acres of Cardale wheat. Also seeded on April 298 were 80 acres of wheat for the CHOICE project near Elm Creek, and 100 acres of wheat for the Louise project near Crystal City. Two-quarter sections on April 30 completed a busy month of seeding. Wheat was seeded for the new Grow Hope project at Niverville, and soybeans were seeded for the
Manitoba Farmers Increase Wheat and Barley Acres
HOPE project at Arnaud. Penner said that on May 4, the SHARE project at Morden seeded soybeans, and some more acres have gone in since then, “We now have 1,058 acres of wheat, 477 acres of soybeans, 175 acres of canola and 305 acres of corn, for a grand total of 2,015 acres seeded this spring.” He estimates that last year Manitoba grow projects were able to raise about $1.8 million. With spring here, CFGB has also turned its attention to next year’s attempt at breaking the threshing world record. “We’re just getting ourselves organized to start getting sponsorships for the event,” said Penner. “We’re certainly getting the word out there and starting to get responses from people who would like to volunteer to help.”
By Elmer Heinrichs Manitoba farmers will increase their acres in wheat and barley this year. A three per cent increase in Canada’s spring wheat acres is mainly related to the fact that some areas in western Manitoba were not seeded in 2014 because of excessive moisture. This year, Manitoba and Saskatchewan will increase their barley areas substantially, by 53 and 23% respectively. In these two provinces, the main reason for the large swing in area was last spring’s losses due to wet and flooded field conditions compared to this year’s ability to actually seed these acres. For 2015-16, the area seeded to wheat in Canada is estimated to fall marginally as a three per cent increase for spring wheat is more than offset by a 32 per cent reduction of winter wheat acres that was down due the late 2014 harvest. Durum wheat, on the other hand, is expected to increase 15.8 per cent, following on last year’s high prices and low carry-in stocks. Production is forecast to rise by 12 per cent to 5.8 metric tonnes. According to Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, in its May 2015 outlook there is an expectation for Canada’s total field crop production to rise slightly, but supply is forecast to fall due to lower stocks and imports. Canada grains and oils production is forecast to increase while exports and domestic use are forecast to decrease due to a lower supply. Pulse and special crop production is also expected to increase, but exports are anticipated to be marginally lower.
Upcoming Events: All Canada Classic Elite Ram and Ewe Show & Sale - From Wednesday, June 24 – Saturday, June 27 at the Red River Exhibition Park in Winnipeg. This is the premier event for the Canadian Purebred Sheep Industry and will be hosted by the Manitoba Sheep Association (MSA) in partnership with the Canadian Sheep Breeders Association. This annual show and sale, which rotates across Canada, will welcome 200 to 300 sheep of all breeds Agricultural Society Fair - From Thursday, June 25- Saturday, June 27 in Dauphine. Contact Sherry Beyak 204-638-4428. Manitoba Great Western Harness Racing – From Saturday, July 4 – Sunday, July 5 in Morris. Induction Ceremony – From Thursday, July 16, the annual Manitoba Agricultural Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will take place at 1:30 pm at the William Glesby Centre, 11 2nd Street NE, Portage la Prairie. Manitoba Stampede - From Thursday, July 16 – Sunday, July 19 at the stampede grounds in Morris. Stampede, rodeo championships, agricultural fair, music, food and much more. Threshermen’s Reunion and Stampede - The 61st annual Threshermen’s Reunion and Stampede from Thursday ,July 23 – Sunday, July 26, at the Manitoba Agricultural Museum 3kms south of the junction of Highways 1 and 34, at the Austin Corner. Featuring a working 20-building Homesteaders’ Village, farming demonstrations with horse, steam and gas power, vintage fashion show, home handicraft displays, heavy horse events, antique car show, live entertainment and rodeo. Cost Adults $15, Children 6 – 12, $8, Children 5 & under Free. Rodeo cost additional to Reunion. Adults $12, Children 6 – 12, $6, 5 & under Free. The Richer Roughstock Rodeo, August 7-9. HRA Rodeo, lots of entertainment for everyone, giant Trading Post, and more. Visit www.richerrodeo.ca for more info.
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We Need to Talk About TPP It is a bit hard to tell, but Canada is part of one of the largest trade negotiations that have ever taken place. Hard to tell because not many seem to want to talk about it. Canadian reaction to the negotiations seems a bit like a fiveyear old putting their hands over their eyes and hoping noone sees them. That needs to change. I am talking about The Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) negotiations. These talks are rapidly running to the finish line. Canada is at risk of being last in the race. Canadians cannot afford to let that happen. What is at stake? The twelve countries involved in this Asia-Pacific deal make up 40 percent of the world’s gross domestic product. Canada is a trading nation. We cannot afford to take a back seat in 40 percent of the world’s economic activity. Canada has some sensitivities in the negotiations. We are not unique. Everyone one of the twelve countries around the table have sensitive domestic issues. These range from the US “Buy America” programming, sugar, cars, clothing and of course agriculture. What does make Canada unique is that the other 11 TPP partners are talking about their sensitivities, while Canada seems to be waiting. Other TPP members have indicated that Canada risks being left out of the deal completely if we don’t quickly come to the table. There is much to gain. Incomes in the Asia-Pacific region are rapidly rising. Trade between Asian-Pacific countries is growing faster than any other region in the world. Countries in the TPP are not just importing more, they are importing higher quality. This is an ideal opportunity for Canadian farmers and the entire agriculture value chain. We are very good at supplying growing economies with high quality food. Just as there is much to gain, there is much to lose. AsianPacific countries are top buyers of Canadian grains and oilseeds. For example Japan imports about 1.5 million metric tonnes of high quality wheat every year. They are one of our most consistent customers. What happens to this market if competitors like the U.S.
and Australia gain preferential access? The status quo is simply not an option. Either Canada is part of the TPP agreement and is able to participate in the region’s growth or we are left on the sidelines while our competitors gain the benefits of better market access. Canadian participation should really be a no-brainer, but Canada will likely be asked to make decisions at an inconvenient time. Inconvenient because these decisions will need to be made before October 19 (election day in Canada, for those who are not political junkies). Elections are a difficult time for political leaders to talk about sensitive issues, including sensitive trade negotiations. Elections are also an easy time for politicians to attack their opponents for making difficult decisions that are in the best interest of the Canadian economy. This is why all of Canadian agriculture, especially farmers, need to speak up and be heard. We need to remind politicians from all parties that we depend on trade. We need to ensure
Enhancements to Loan Guarantee Program Borrowing limits under the Manitoba Livestock Associations Loan Guarantee (MLALG) program have increased to ensure producers can access credit with favourable terms. The borrowing limit for the MLALG program has increased to up to $8 million from $5 million for associations and up to $500,000 from $300,000 for individual association members. The MLALG program provides producers who are members of livestock associations with more favourable financing terms than they would be able to access individually, as well as reduced handling costs due to the higher volumes of cattle sold through the associations. Producers can use the funds to purchase feeder or breeder cattle with repayment terms of up to one year and up to seven years, respectively. MLALG, which is administered by Manitoba Agricultural Services Corporation (MASC), provides a 25 per cent guarantee of the loans made by private-sector lenders to livestock associations.
that they know the large benefits that will come from TPP participation. And we need them to understand the costs associated with being left behind. Politicians who understand the benefits of trade need your support. When Canada joined the TPP negotiations Prime Minister Harper indicated a “Determination to diversify our exports and to create jobs, growth and long-term prosperity for Canadian families.” I could not agree more. It is time for Canada to get back in the race and cross the finish line with our partners and realize these benefits. Cam Dahl is President of Cereals Canada.
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Effective Fibre is Essential to Maintain Cud Chewing Dairy Cows As a ruminant nutritionist, whenever I conduct a barn-walk of a lactating dairy herd, I have a short routine to get a feeling as to how general performance is going. One of the first things that I do is watch the cows resting in their stalls and watch for cows chewing their cud. If many of these milk producers are rhythmically belching and chewing without a care in the world, I am confident with a little more investigation that their diet has adequate dietary fibre levels for good milk production. Undisturbed, a Holstein cow naturally can spend up to 10 hours a day chewing its cud. She initially chews or masticates forages, grains and other feed ingredients only long and thorough enough to swallow her mouth-full of feed. Once it passes down her esophagus and into the reticulo-rumen, food contents are mixed with ruminal fluid and microbes. Some of the very small particles are digested and their nutrients are either absorbed across the rumen wall or passed out of the rumen and along to the rest of the digestive tract. The larger material that contains mostly structural carbohydrates from forages and other feedstuffs constitutes “effective fibre”. This is the fibrous material that stimulates the rumen into regurgitating them back into the cow’s mouth, which she chews into smaller pieces and swallows them again. Cud chewing repeats itself until these feed particles become small enough to leave the rumen and enter the omasum and later the abomasum. Active rumination also stimulates the production of large volumes of saliva, which contains sodium bicarbonate that buffers volatile fatty acids produced from feed carbohydrates. It is estimated that one cow produces about 300 - 400 litres of saliva per day which buffers lactic acid produced during fermentation and thus maintain a normal pH of 6.0 to 6.5 in a healthy rumen as well as preserve a vital acetate to propionate ratio for good milk and butterfat production in the udder. A lack of active cud chewing or rumination means digestive upsets and trouble. Such digestive irregularities originate from several feed-related problems often seen in dairy barns due to a low dietary fibre. Subsequently, it can lead to serious health and performance issues in the lactating herd such as poor dry matter intakes by the early lactation cows, incomplete feed digestion, sub-clinical rumen acidosis (SARA), irreversible lameness, butterfat depression and ultimately poor milk production. To provide sufficient effective fibre to dairy cows and avoid such digestive upsets, I proceed using suitable building blocks of “effective fibre” in the overall dairy diet,
which should meet three main rules for healthy and cud-chewing dairy cows, namely: 1. The diet contains 28% NDF. 2. 75% of this NDF comes from forage sources or equivalent sources (21 – 22% eNDF) 3. Forage are chopped at a cut length of ½” to provide 15 – 20% of the dietary particles being over 1.5” long that creates a good floating mat in the rumen. These rules are also useful when I want to make simple cud-chewing improvements to existing lactation diets. For example, if I want to raise the effective fibre level of a lactation diet, I often substitute a kilo of lush alfalfa haylage: eNDF of 35% with a kilo of dried grass hay of 52% eNDF. One should remember that not all forage fibre parameters to keep cows chewing their cud are as timeless as these three rules. Case-in-point: I used to think feeding enough eNDF in a healthy dairy diet was as easy as keeping the forage to concentrate ratio between 40:60 and 60:40. This is no longer the case, given the popularity of high-grain corn silage, which yields a relative high NDF value (35 – 40%), yet contain high levels of starch (35–40%). Furthermore, producers have fed new types of highly digestible forage such as brown mid-rib (BMR) corn silage, in which they mixed with their routine silages/haylages to replace dietary energy coming from grain starch. One should also realize that there are many factors that affect any nutritional rule to satisfy adequate eNDF in dairy diets. Forage particle size is a major contributor that not only dictates time that feed remains in the rumen for fermentation, but also accounts for the number of large forage particles necessary to stimulate regurgitation and thus cudchewing. As a practical means of measuring adequate particle size of most forages and total mixed rations, the Penn State Particle Separator (PSPS) is still a good device in determining the proper cud-chewing rations fed to dairy cattle. It is divided into three screens, and a sample of dairy diet can be “shaken” into four specific particle groups and be examined as to whether diets contains enough eNDF (top screen) as well as the amount of finer feed materials in the latter screens. Although the PSPS is useful, we should probably rely on our common sense that parallel sound nutrition rules that mandate that essential levels of effective fibre must be supplied in well-balanced dairy diets. As a result of this belief, I should have no trouble seeing more cud-chewing cows in dairy barns.
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Wetland Classroom Forging Towards Reality for Rivers By Joan Airey Mike Klassen Principal Rivers Collegiate and Donna Morken are co-coordinators for the Rivers Wetland Project with Krista Reynolds Principal of the Elementary school assisting with the administration. The wetlands project was initiated when Ducks Unlimited Canada awarded a grant to Klassen. “There were many people involved in discussions about where to place the Wetland Project including a spot north of Rivers. The decision was made for the local placement of the project because it would add to the already developed Aspen Trail, lake area, and be ideal for reclamation of the old railway gravel pit. The site offers easy access for people to walk from town, for travellers and both the elementary and high school are within walking distant. It’s less than a twenty-five minute walk from the west side of Rivers. I’d love to see this facility fully operational by spring 2016 if not by fall 2015,” said Klassen. “The plan at this point is a usable outdoor classroom, three docks, three bridges, a board walk all around the Wetland area itself, an observation tower, washroom area, a parking
Wood Duck Boxes made by Rivers Collegiate Wood Working Classes are placed strategically around the wetland area.
area, and an area for science games to be played outside at this point. The plan is to improve the pathways through Millennium Park to the area as well as Interpretive Signage with QR Codes,” said Morken. “Ninety-three thousand seedlings were planted in the wetlands area by experienced aboriginal tree planters, with Tree Canada and sponsorship by CN. This was through a grant application by the Rivers and Area Community Foundation to Tree Canada,” said Morken. On June 3 through a grant with the Manitoba Hydro
Forest Enhancement Program, The Green Spot Landscaping Division will be planting eight large spruce trees on the northwest side of the Wetland Area to catch the snow that comes down a sloped area. Morken will be volunteering time to coordinate this project. Rivers students are now working on the Wetland Centre of Excellence website. The students received training in environmental instruction from Eco-Van from Oak Hammock Marsh and an instructor from Fort Whyte. As part of the project, stu-
dents were given a grant of $15,000 to for wind and solar calculations to determine what type of environmental power they will use for the classroom. They made a presentation and a video that they delivered to the Riverdale Municipal Council, Rivers Game and Fish as well as the Little Saskatchewan Conservation District. “We will host school groups wanting to learn about nature and wetlands from across Manitoba. I personally feel there is significant importance to be learned about ecosystems, ecology, nature and biodiversity through the use of a natural setting such as wetland. With approximately seventy per cent of wetlands being lost in Manitoba and nationally over the past several decades our next generations need to understand that health of natural spaces is important to the health of communities water quality, air quality, and quality of life. Not only will school groups learn on the site but use it as a recreation site. This is not a large provincial or national park we are offering but a snapshot of what the natural world has to offer. My vision is a place for youth and adults to form a bond with the wetland area to learn to respect
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A maple tree salvaged from a yard in Rivers makes excellent seating for a learning circle for students in the wetland area.
it, care for it, and learn from it thus creating memories they can pass on to the next generation,” said Klassen. The main priorities of the group over the next two years are to complete the boardwalk, docks, and outdoor classroom. They have received a lot of assistance from numerous agencies and groups including the Town of Rivers with developing the trail and creating a parking/ bus loop. “We currently offer the following that are directly linked to the wetlands, Wetland Management, Wind & Solar Energy, Sustainability, Outdoor Education, Grade 7-12 Sciences, Woodworking by creating our boardwalk,
wood ducks and bat boxes, and docks and Computer Drafting and Design, we would like to offer as dual credit,” said Klassen. “This project is a jewel with wetland and wildlife habitat conservation, a centre for environmental education for youth in all school divisions in Manitoba, secondary research through Assiniboine Community College and Brandon University. It will enrich community health, wellness, and pride while being accessible to all. It will also demonstrate sustainable living practices and design while engaging community development with local businesses, materials, suppliers and partnerships,” said Morken. Students have started building the docks and board walks around the pond and wood duck boxes are located in the area. Photos by Joan Airey
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The Agri Post
The Agri Post
Changes to Pig Code Stimulates Increasing Interest in Sow Housing Research By Harry Siemens While no surprise because hog farmers don’t really have a choice in the matter, Dr. Yolande Seddon, a research scientist with the Prairie Swine Centre said changes to Canada’s Code of Practice for the Care and Handling of Pigs has increased the interest in the implications of transitioning from conventional stall housing of gestating sows to group housing. Dr. Seddon, a postdoctoral fellow in Ethology was a speaker at the Prairie Swine Centre’s annual spring producer meetings in Niverville and Portage la Prairie. Seddon said, as farmers look to manage sows in groups questions will arise. These include how to better design the system to accommodate large groups, better promote flow and calm, what role does genetics play and how can the industry better monitor welfare. “Since interest in group sow housing, much research has gone on historically and as we’re learning more it also prompts doing more research,” she said. “We are involved in a lot of sow housing research here at the Prairie Swine Centre and one of them is in fact the Swine Innovation Porc funded research which is looking at different aspects of the way we manage the sows. This includes the mixing time of the sows.” Dr. Seddon said they are looking at free access stalls, electronic sow feeder systems and two feeding systems. The research is also looking into the impacts of flooring choices, how the sows walk and fare on it and levels of lameness. “We’re looking at how we can promote calm in the group through design of the system and use of enrichment in that system,” she said. “There is also a lot of other research going on into sow longevity out there and these are really factors that are going to influence how well we can produce sows sustainably in these new group systems and how we need to tweak the management.” President and CEO Lee Whittington of the Prairie Swine Centre said, as pork producers plan to move to group hous-
ing they must consider a range of factors from capital costs to how staff and pigs will adjust to the new system. “...producers who move into this new type of sow housing, they’ll have some concerns typically on how do I get my gilts to go through my electronic sow feeder,” said Whittington. He said there is much science behind the training of gilts for instance and how often the producer needs to move them through the system and with the least amount of labour. Whittington said it is a radically different system from what hog farmers have used in the past 25 to 30 years.
Canadian Beef Sector Has a Bright Future Demand for beef among Canadian consumers is strong, although domestic consumption has been declining over the past decade, according to J.P. Gervais, Chief Agricultural Economist for Farm Credit Canada (FCC). “Canadians like their beef and they have been willing to pay a higher price for it since 2011,” said Gervais, in highlighting a key finding in FCC’s 2015 Beef Sector Report. “The declining per capita consumption trend over the past decade suggests a number of factors are influencing consumer behaviour, but it says nothing about their appetite for beef.” According to FCC’s Beef Sector Report, Canadian consumers have been willing to pay more for beef since 2011, even while per capita consumption trended down. FCC’s Beef Sector Report projects growth in both global exports and beef consumption, driven primarily by Hong Kong, China and various emerging economies. World consumption of beef is projected to grow by 12% cent over the next 10 years, according to Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development and United Nations joint 2014 Agriculture Outlook. In 2014, Canada was the seventh largest beef exporter in the world.
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Calving Later Has Farmer Off to Good Start By Les Kletke Peter Brandt said his first calf crop for the year is off to a good start and he is happy with the choice to move to later calving even though they are still a long way from market. “I used to calve in January and February but found that it required more labour on my part and more facilities,” he said. “I chose to expand the herd but since I didn’t have any more manpower decided to move my calving later in the year.” He has a 200 cow commercial herd just south of Steinbach and he considered the implications with later calving including smaller calves at market time. “There is no doubt I have smaller calves but the lighter weights usually bring a better price so I don’t think I will be off as much per animals as I thought at first,” he said. The move to more cows also had him rethink the bulls he used. “I am not there for the cows and to help with the individual birth, so I had to choose a bull that would give me smaller calves. That will change when my herd gets older and birthing should become easier,” said Brandt. He predominately uses Angus bulls on his herd. “I have a bunch of healthy calves on the ground that are enjoying this weather,” he added. This is first year with the later calf crop and he has not yet decided how he will market the calves when they come off of pasture. “I know I don’t have the facility to background them so they won’t be staying here,” he said. “They will be going to market, and hopefully I can put together enough of them in the same size range to make a good package.” He has not yet decided on herd expansion. “Heifer prices were high last year and there is no indication that they will be lower this year,” he noted. “I might keep some of the females from this crop to go into the herd. It is a slower way of expanding but that might be what I can afford and that way I know the genetics of the herd I am building.”
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The Agri Post
May 29, 2015
Seeding End in Sight with a Tempestuous Victoria Day Storm Most Welcome
Add a Little Alfalfa to the Crop Rotation
By Elmer Heinrichs
By John McGregor, MFGA Extension Support
With sunshine, drying winds and warmer temperatures returning after the stormy rain-drenching Victoria Day weekend, it was only a matter of a few days before farmers were back in the fields preparing to put in the final third of the crop. The province’s crop report estimates overall seeding progress at 72% complete, with small variations and the Interlake region lagging slightly. In the week leading up to the stormy weekend, seeding continued through the early part of the week in the Central region, but was halted by rain and snow. Rains started on Wednesday, with much of the southern portions of the region receiving 15 to 45 mm precipitation through Thursday. However the whole region received rainfall over the weekend with total accumulations for the week ranging from, 50 to 100 mm. Snowfall was also received Sunday. There was localized flooding reported west of Altona, temperatures dipped and concerns arose about frost damage. Pam de Rocquigny, Cereal Crop Specialist with MAFRD said it would take a few days to determine if crops will need to be reseeded. “Patience is key at this point, allow three to five days for the crops to resume growth,” she said. “We’re looking for that new growth and if that happens that’s great, and if not we take a look at those plant stands and assess whether or not they’ll create that yield potential we’re looking for.” Seeding is reported as 70 to 85% complete across Central region, with Central Plains area, also Portage and Gladstone, at 50 to 60% complete and Pembina area 80-90% done. Seeding of canola ranges from 25 to 100% completed. Some producers held back on seeding canola, due to risk of frost or to spread out swath timing and harvest. Corn planting ranges from 50 to 100% done, some of the crop has emerged, and pea acres are set. Crop growth has slowed with cooler temperatures, weed growth is minimal, winter wheat and fall rye have come through winter well, and rainfall has improved hay field and pasture conditions. Eastern region reports rainfall accumulation across the district ranging from 50 to 75 mm, with higher amounts noted in central and southern areas of the region. Soil moisture conditions on crop, hay and pastureland are rated as adequate to surplus. Cereal crops along with a limited amount of canola have emerged and to date appear unaffected by the frost events at the start of the week. However, cereals and canola are now being assessed for injury after the past weekend frosts. Some soybeans have also emerged. Seeding is estimated to be 75% complete in Eastern region. All spring wheat acres, 90% of barley and oats, 75% of canola, all flax and sunflowers, 30% of soybeans, and 60% of corn are in. Across the region, the majority of hay and pasture lands are in good condition. Cattle are starting to go on pasture, and supplemental feeding is still happening. Dugouts are nearly full.
With lower commodity prices and fertilizer prices trending higher, perennial legumes such as alfalfa may have an excellent place in cereal and oilseed crop rotations. Alfalfa provides a key break in grain-crop disease cycles through its different growth habit. Annual crop diseases such as fusarium, aster yellows, scald, net blotch, blackleg and clubroot make growing annual crops a bit more of a challenge for cereal and oilseed growers. Although high prices can make up for yield shortfalls, high grain and oilseed yields depend on healthy plants with low disease levels and annual crop rotations are getting tight. A disease like blackleg can worsen in the second year, so instead of increasing the fight against crop diseases with pesticides, it makes sense to use forages for twoto-three years in an annual crop rotation. Alfalfa’s ability to capture nitrogen out of the air addresses the need for improving soil fertility. Inoculated legumes are able to capture nitrogen from the air through a symbiotic relationship with rhizobia bacteria. Nitrogen fixation amounts will vary with nodulation effectiveness, fertility, soil type, soil pH, moisture, length and warmth of growing season, etc. In as little as two to three years of perennial legume production, maximum nitrogen capture can occur. The nitrogen store produced by the legume is available to subsequent crops for a one to three-year period. The timing and length of nitrogen release to the following annual crops is mainly based on the method of removal of the legume in the rotation, and the aggressiveness of land cultivations thereafter. Nitrogen is released more slowly and more effectively over a longer period if glyphosate is used to remove the legume and followed by a zero-till cropping system. Research done by Dr. Martin Entz from the University of Manitoba further supports these findings. Entz has shown that alfalfa creates soil benefits to annual crops following it in rotation for up to 10 years after an alfalfa removal. One of the reasons for this is that these future crops have the ability to easily explore surrounding soils in search of nutrients by using old alfalfa root channels. Other benefits are likely from improved soil organic matter and the root channels that improve soil moisture penetration. With gross incomes being favourable in the grain industry for a prolonged period, it makes sense that there would be a movement towards a grain monoculture in Canada and the US. However, by introducing a perennial legume in your cereal crop rotation this would allow for more profits in future grain crops and improve overall soil quality. If forages do not fit into your marketing plan, trading or swapping fields with neighbours who have a need for alfalfa in their operation can be a good alternative.
The Agri Post
U of M School of Agriculture Celebrates 108th Convocation Sixty-six graduates received their Diplomas in Agriculture at the 2015 convocation of the School of Agriculture held Friday, May 1, at the University of Manitoba. William Pallister of Portage la Prairie 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. Michael Wilton of Carman
was the recipient of the President’s Medal, given annually to a student who combines scholarship with outstanding qualities of leadership. Diplomas with Distinction, awarded to students
who obtain a Grade Point Average of 3.75 or better out of a possible 4.5, were presented to Lucette Badiou (Notre Dame de Lourdes), Tyler Bartmanovich (Glenlea), Luc Berard (Saint Claude), Emily Boonstra
(Meadows), Todd Friesen (Niverville), Bryan Koster (Carman), Kilian Mueller (Arnaud), William Pallister, Dexter Rempel (Gretna), Nicole Verrier (La Salle), Brent Wiebe (Altona) and Michael
May 29, 2015 Wilton. The Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences annually awards Certificates of Merit to those who have made significant contributions to the agri-food industry. This year’s recipients include soil scientist Cynthia Grant of Minnedosa, MB, and potato industry leader Keith Kuhl of Winkler, MB. Teacher of the Year Awards were presented to Terry Betker, Thea Green
William Pallister of Portage la Prairie receives the Governor General’s Bronze Medal.
Michael Wilton of Carman receives the President’s Medal
Ag Alumni Honoured for Contributions to Manitoba The University of Manitoba’s Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences recently honoured two Manitobans for their outstanding contributions to Manitoba’s agricultural community. Cynthia Grant, soil scientist, and Keith Kuhl, potato industry leader, received Certificates of Merit from the Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences at the recent School of Agriculture convocation in recognition of leadership with agricultural organizations and outstanding service to the community at large. Cynthia Grant grew up on a farm in the Minnedosa area, and completed her B.S.A., M.Sc. and Ph.D. at the University of Manitoba. Since beginning her career at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC)’s Brandon Research Centre in the early 1990s, Grant’s research and extension activities have focused on management strategies for improving fertilizer use efficiency in cereals and oilseeds in a variety of environments and cropping systems across the Canadian Prairies. Her work on soil fertility and crop nutrition has led to a national and international reputation in the areas of improving nutrient use efficiency in cropping systems and reducing the risk of trace metal toxicity. Grant has also worked with a wide variety of scientists across Canada and worldwide to learn about the interaction of nutrient supply and crop management practices with crop diseases, weed competition and soil microbial activity.
Cynthia Grant and Keith Kuhl were recognized by the U of M Ag Faculty for their contributions to the agriculture community.
As a result of this outstanding work, Grant has received many national and international awards, including Fellow of the American Society of Agronomy, Fellow of the Canadian Society of Agronomy, Fellow of the Canadian Society of Soil Science, and the Gold Harvest Award from AAFC for her outstanding science achievement. She has served as the president of the Canadian Society of Agronomy, president of the Canadian Society of Soil Science, and associate editor of the Journal of Environmental Quality. Grant maintains her ties to rural Manitoba, living north of her hometown of Minnedosa with her husband on their family farm. Keith Kuhl was born on a
mixed farm in southern Manitoba in the village of Gnadenthal. In 1960, Kuhl’s father John incorporated Southern Manitoba Potato Co. Ltd. together with Kuhl’s uncles. He completed his education in Winkler then attended the University of Manitoba where he completed his Diploma in Agriculture. Following university, Kuhl went back to the farm. In 1978, the partners decided to sell Southern and Kuhl’s father purchased a downsized version of the farm. Together with his, five other siblings they became shareholders in the newly organized company and Kuhl with his brother Douglas moved into management of the farm. In 2000 after the
untimely death of his brother, Kuhl was appointed President/ CEO of Southern. His oldest son Marlon who had just graduated with a Diploma in Agriculture joined the farm management team and his youngest son Jeremy followed the same path a few years later. In 2010, Kuhl negotiated a buyout of all common shares of the company giving him control of the company. He today owns Southern together with Marlon, Jeremy and his daughter Andrea, officially making Southern Potato a third generation company and a fourth generation farm. Kuhl has served the potato industry in many ways. He spent many years as president of the Seed Potato Growers of Manitoba, chair of the Canadian Potato Council (which is part of the Canadian Horticultural Council), and co-chair of the Canada US Potato Committee. Kuhl continues to serve as the chair of the Board of Directors of Peak of the Market. He was also appointed to numerous industry government working groups such as the Potato Bio Security Working Group, the Potato Task Force, the Potato Plant Health Strategy working group. Kuhl is also a director on the Board of IDE Canada, an NGO involved in improving agriculture and rural life in many third world countries. Today, he has turned the day-to-day activities of the company over to his sons while spending his time overseeing corporate affairs and managing the succession plan. Kuhl and his wife Karen have been married for 42 years and love spending time with their six grandchildren.
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and Gabi Sponagel-Ridder in recognition of teaching excellent and contribution to the students’ program of study. Terry was recognized by the first-year Diploma students, and Thea and Gabi were selected by the second-year Diploma students. Since its inception in 1906, the Diploma in Agriculture program at the School of Agriculture has undergone many changes and challenges to meet the evergrowing needs of Canada’s agri-food industry. Students opt for one of four programs, crop management, livestock management, business management or general agriculture, depending on their career aspirations.
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May 29, 2015
More Rain Would Be Helpful By Les Kletke Ben Peters wants more of the same when it comes to the weather. Peters said the rain on Victoria long weekend and the heat that followed is just what his alfalfa needed. “It started out to be an early spring and we thought that we would be getting that first cut off early,” said Peters. “Then things turned cool and with it being so dry the crop was off to a slow start.” Peters, at Ste. Anne, said that he got about 2 and half inches of rain over the weekend and
that got the crop off to a good start. “We got some heat the following week and that made a big difference,” he said. “We will not have the early cut that we first thought we might get but we are back on track to at least normal cutting dates for early June.” According to Peters the dry conditions of the spring had him a bit concerned but the rain he received is enough to get the crop growing. “We could handle more moisture right now, and it won’t be long before the lack of moisture will slow growth again so we will
really be looking for some more rain,” he continued. “Hopefully we get it before it is time to take the first cut.” Peters also relies on corn silage for his 200 dairy cows and said that the corn crop is off to a good if slow start. “Planting conditions were good so we got the seed in the ground in a nice firm seed bed and that helps for emergence, but it was a long time coming out of the ground as cold as the soil is,” he said. Peters has an adequate feed supply from last year but would like to put a little more away this year. “We like to have a year’s supply on hand as a backup and this year we don’t have quite that after drawing down our supply a year ago and not being able to replenish it last year,” he said. “This year it would be nice to put up a little extra and have some to sell if we could.” Peters is hopeful that with a first cut coming off in early June and good weather to re-establish the growth he could get three cuts off this year.
Reduce the Population of Horn Flies on the Backs of Grazing Cattle By Peter Vitti A few years ago, a friend in Saskatchewan asked me to help him treat his beef cows before they went on pasture with pour-on insecticide for horn flies. His job was to push up the cattle in the chute and my job was to use the applicator-gun and squirt pour-on liquid along each of the cow’s back. We ran through about 200 cows and he was amazed that we used about half of the insecticide that he had calculated. I never told him that when there were about ten cows left, I discovered the pour-on jug had a breather-hole that I fail to punch open to allow air to replace the horn fly insecticide that we were using. Two weeks later, he had to run his cattle through the chute once again, because of an “unusual heavy” infestation of horn flies out on pasture. Oddly enough, it doesn’t take that many horn flies to have a significant pest problem on pasture. A nominal count of 200 horn flies on the back of each cow or calf can: - Increase animal stress and reduce grazing time. - Decrease forage intake linked to a 20% decrease in milk production. - Encourage bunching and increased heat-stress. - Spring calves are 15-20 lbs lighter at weaning time. - Reduce cattle immune function to fight disease. - Spread of disease among cattle such as anaplasmosis. - Replacement heifers have higher rates of infertility. As seen up close, horn flies (4-5 mm) are smaller than a common stable, house or common face-fly. It is gray in colour with two dark stripes running along its body. Its head has two reddish compound-type eyes and has biting-mouth parts in which it uses to pierce and suck blood from its cattle host; taking up to 20 – 25 blood meals, daily.
As this picture (University of Wyoming) illustrates just imagine the explosive implications of 1,000 horn flies on each cow that seem even more attracted to the herd’s breeding bulls!
Such a heavy infestation of horn flies upon a cowherd is not uncommon when there is no program to control them. That’s because a fertilized female can lay 200 - 500 eggs per grazing season in batches of 15 – 20 eggs in fresh manure. Within 18 hours of these eggs hatching, they quickly go through larval and pupa stages and emerge as mature adults that are sexually mature by 10 to 14 days of age. Either sex of horn fly spends most of their adult life upon the back of cattle, but it is the female that leave only to lay another batch of eggs in warm cow-pies and thus completing its life cycle. Luckily, when a population explosion of horn flies occurs, there are several methods that effectively can reduce their count on cattle by as much as 90 – 95%. Most of these programs involve insecticides, such as two timeless chemicals: organophosphates and pyrethroids. Both of which kill horn flies by disrupting vital nerve functions. Another class of insecticides called endectocides (ivomectin) can also be used in a similar manner. Here are three of the most popular applications that dispense these insecticides in order to control horn fly numbers: - Ear tags – Impregnated with insecticide, one ear tag per season is recommended per cow, which is good up to five months’ horn fly control. Therefore, most people should wait until June to tag cattle to maximize ear-tag’s full benefits for tackling peak populations that occur in late-July and August. It’s also good practice for producers to alternate between organo- and pyrethrin-based tags every other year and to remove them at the end of the grazing season. Both are means to reduce the chance of insecticide resistance. Note: a new ear tag has come out that contains both of these insecticides. - Back rubbers – A back rubber is usually a big thick chain and mesh wrapped in a durable material and is treated with insecticide diluted with diesel fuel. Producers should check them on a weekly basis to see if they need recharging. If the pump-type back rubbers are used, it is a good idea to check them to assure that they are good working order. Furthermore, the standard recommendation is to set them up to force cattle to pass by them. I asked a few cattle people about this advice and most of them said that cows are more than willing to use them in order to rid themselves of horn flies. - Pour-on insecticide – Efficacy of pour-on insecticides depends the type of active insecticide used (re: endectocides) as well as its carrier liquid dispensed on cattle. For example, it has been my experience that generic types of pour-ons have had some difficulties in insecticide absorption rates upon cattle due to inert carriers that their companies employed. Different types of weather also have an effect upon duration of this application. Generally, insecticidal pour-ons have a 30 – 60 day effectiveness upon horn flies. Implementing such insecticide guidelines in your horn fly control program will significantly reduce their growing population when your cowherd is grazing. An effective plan to control horn flies on the backs of cattle will eliminate their free- ride and take the sting out of their bite upon your cattle performance and profits.
The Agri Post
May 29, 2015
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Support a Veteran’s Ride of a Life Time By Les Kletke It has been a while since the Canadian Armed Forces used horses as part of their military might, in most cases today, they are relegated to parade duty but Canadian veterans are getting a chance to get out and ride this summer. The Ride Across Canada for Veterans began in April in Victoria and will spend more than 200 days crossing the country giving veterans a chance to ride in their own community. The concept was conceived by Paul Nichols who said he
was overcome by a woman thanking him for his service in the Canadian Forces. The woman had survived 2 years of war in Bosnia and wanted to thank him for the role Canadians played. More importantly, Nichols said the ride would give Canadians a chance to see the veterans of their community and see the changing face of the Canadian military. Communities for Veterans Foundation is inviting veterans and members of the military to join them on the ride and build awareness of the veterans who have
Equipment Breakdown Can be Covered Farm and Commercial policies cover the electrical, mechanical and other equipment used in most operations for losses caused by fire, theft, collision and other events. But most property policies specifically exclude losses arising from a very common problem, equipment breakdown, which includes electrical injury (surge), mechanical breakdown, pressure explosion, rupture and cracking. So, any business operation that uses pressure, mechanical, electrical and electronic equipment (and all businesses use these) is at risk of serious financial loss, unless you make equipment breakdown coverage part of your insurance program. Kinds of equipment you might need to insure against breakdown include electronic equipment, boilers (heating and processing), telephone systems, cash registers, electrical panels, wiring of the buildings, electric motors, hot-water storage tanks, transformers, air-conditioning units and refrigeration units. Equipment breakdown insurance protects your business against sudden and accidental breakdown of machinery and equipment due to causes such as electrical arcing, short circuits, operator error, overload or burnout. Mechanical, electrical, electronic and/or equipment under pressure can all be insured to protect your business from losses caused by breakdown. This form of coverage complements your property coverage’s, providing that extra protection you need in case of breakdowns but not duplicating coverage for losses caused by other events. Coverage can be extended to provide the protection you need for income loss and extra expenses incurred due to a breakdown. You can choose the business interruption and extra expense coverage, including service interruption you need. Losses due to change in temperature causing spoilage can also be covered. Equipment breakdown insurance can be added to all insurance programs. Be sure to seek advice and purchase insurance from those who understand your business. Andy Anderson is an Associate Insurance Broker specializing in General, Life and Group Benefits for Farm and Business. P 204-746-5589, F 866-765-3351, andya@rempelinsurance.com / rempelinsurance.com / valleyfinancial.ca.
served and are making a transition back into the community. Cathleen McMahon has decided to make the entire ride and has her three children with her. “They have learned so much about our country and the individual veterans,” said McMahon from a stop in Leduc, Alberta. “I think this will be a great opportunity for the kids and for so many people across the country as they get to see the veterans who they might not even know have served.” She said the ride has attracted veterans as young as 25 and some more senior, one in his 90s. When asked, why ride a horse McMahon replied, “There is some therapeutic value in riding, and each veteran who comes out gets a riding lesson if they want but it gives us a starting point. Something to talk about, something in common.” The ride also has an official recorder who interviews the veterans about their experiences and the stories will be complied into a book at the end of the ride. “Some of the veterans want to remain anonymous and that is fine,” said McMahon. “We just want them to come out and share their story. The ride will be in Manitoba in July with stops at the Manitoba Stampede in Morris and in
The Community for Veterans: Ride Across Canada will be entering Manitoba just after the first week in July. The have stops in Morris during the Manitoba Stampede and will be greeted Richer on July 20 for a special event.
Richer as the riders make their way east along the Trans-Canada Highway. On their eastern journey, the plan is to leave from Ste. Anne and arrive in Richer on July 20 at about 1 - 2 pm at the Dawson Trail Park. The community is hosting a fun Gymkhana and a special fundraising Suds, Spud and Steak dinner at the Richer Inn. Tickets are $25 each and the hope is that everyone comes out in support of Veterans. The travellers and their support team, and veterans who participate in the ride are eating free because they are the honoured guests. Veterans can sign up for a leg of the ride and register on the website communitiesforveterans.com. Horses and lessons are being provided for those who may need a refresher on horsemanship and are in need of a steed.
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May 29, 2015
New Hog Barns Must Meet PProvincial rovincial Environmental Standard By Harry Siemens Manitoba Conservation and Water Stewardship stated that new hog barns built under a new pilot project must meet or exceed the level of environmental protection provided through the use of anaerobic digestion. Under the new special pilot project permit evaluation protocol, anyone interested in
building or expanding a swine operation in Manitoba will now be eligible to apply for a construction permit. Tracey Braun, the Director of Environmental Approvals with Manitoba Conservation and Water Stewardship, said the objective of the pilot project is to balance environmental protection with sustainability under the existing legislation.
“The legislation does allow for special permits and pilot projects to be recommended or suggested,” said Braun. “So we worked with Manitoba Pork Council to see if that was one opportunity that we could pursue under the current legislation.” The criterion the Provincial government uses is that the level of environment protection under one of these
permits would have to meet or exceed the environmental protection as in the use of an anaerobic digester. “We believe that, if a person or an entity or an organization wishes to make an application to do an expansion, they need to fill out a permit, go through that process, and be able to demonstrate to us they meet that same level of environmental protection.” She explained that it is not dissimilar to how they treat the manufacturing industry where someone may want to build a manufacturing plant. “We tell them what the standards are for environmental protection but we don’t tell them how they have to meet those limits,” added Braun. “I expect the first applications under the program to come in later this year.”
Soybeans Escape the Late Frost By Les Kletke Below normal temperatures on May 19 did little more than add stress to an already highly motivated planting situation. Bob McIntyre farms north of Portage la Prairie and he said the record low temperatures did not cause of great deal of damage to his emerged crops. McIntyre said that some canola was damaged but not enough to justify reseeding. “There is a cost to reseeding and the later crop tends not to do as well so we are going to leave the crop and hope that it recovers,” he said. “The damage was not very extensive and was not large patches of the field so I think that we are better off with what he have.” He said the dry conditions are another factor that kept him from replanting. “Things are dry and we probably went a little deeper than usual with seeding to get moisture, seeding again would further deplete the moisture, so we are not going to do that.” McIntyre said that his cereal crops did not appear to suffer any damage from the temperatures that were expected to drop to -5 °C. “We always talk about -4 being the tipping point and how a little frost won’t damage the crop but this was colder than that,” he said. McIntyre had not yet planted his soybeans waiting until after the cool temperatures. “We had waited on planting the beans and I’m glad that we did, but now conditions are good and we are going ahead,” he said. “It is always a matter of balancing the risk of frost with the advantage of seeding early. Over the years we have had much better yields when we get the crop in early so I am not going to wait too much longer.” “We survived the one scare and it caused a few anxious moments but now we have to move ahead and get the crop in the ground,” he chuckled. McIntyre has switched some of his acres away from canola this year, and he said going into the predicted cool snap, he was glad he had. “I have 320 of canola and when the temperatures were dropping that was lots,” he said. “Now it is a matter of hoping the beans will mature in the fall.”
Frost Takes Toll on Canola By Les Kletke Grant Harder who farms at Sperling is going to seed more acres than he normally does this year, and he said the seed bill is a minor setback. Harder farms 2,500 acres and was forced to reseed 320 acres of canola due to frost damage on May 19. “We knew we were taking a chance on seeding it early but in the past we have gotten away with it and the higher yields are worth the risk,” he said. “This year our seed bill will be higher because of it.” Ironically, it is not the higher seed bill that is his greatest concern. “The extra week or 10 days that we lost by reseeding could easily have a great impact on the yield than the cost of seeding,” he said. “When you get a crop in early and it gets off to a good start that shows up in the bin in fall.” He acknowledges that seeding in late May is far from the worst thing that has happened but he prefers early May. “On our heavy clay soils we have to seed when we can and conditions were good early this year so we continued to seed and we paid the price.” He said that the fields were not entirely wiped out and he made the decision to reseed the entire acreage. “It is getting later but it is still early enough to get a decent crop, there was no point in going into the field and trying to reseed patches where the damage was greatest. That just makes for an uneven crop and you can’t decide when to harvest and you are faced with quality problems,” said Harder. He acknowledged that he did get a bit of break when the weather turned better after the May long weekend. “It seemed that the weather really turned around and things dried up and we were able to get back on the field and get things in fairly quickly. We didn’t have to go as deep to get the seed into moist soil so we might see that emerging fairly quickly. It all depends on the weather; it may catch up now that the temperatures are higher.” Harder said that he did not have to reseed any of his cereals and even the blanket of snow on them did not do any damage. “The moisture might have done them some good,” he said. “We will see at harvest time, but there is a long way to go till then.”
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Animals Take Shape on Canvas By Les Kletke Lynda Toews knew that animals were a large part of the rural way of life; she did not know how large a part until she moved to rural Manitoba 5 years ago. She grew up in Winnipeg and spent some time in the summer visiting her relatives in rural Manitoba, “Where animals were a part of life, but then I would go back to
Winnipeg.” Toews currently has an exhibit, which runs through June 20 at the Canadian Mennonite University at 600 Shaftesbury. The collection of 50 paintings depicts farm animals along with a booklet providing the background on how the painting developed. “I wanted to tell the story of the painting,” said Toews. “So I had to include a bit about the animals in the painting and the people whose life they were a part of.” She said the research of the A Place in the Kingdom project has brought her into the agricultural community. “I started out to collect the stories for this project and got to know more people and the role that animals and specific animals played in their life,”
Pembina Valley Was Dry Soaking up that Downpour By Harry Siemens Despite heavy rains in southern Manitoba, in some cases three to four inches during the May long weekend, the previous exceptionally dry fields soaked most of it up, except for some areas that were from the spring thaw. Kurt Ginter of KR Crop Check in Winkler said that while soil testing last fall and they found it dry up to two feet down, the driest in the last 18 years. “When testing the soil, dry conditions can be tough in some of the courser sands. They just don’t stay in the probe or they don’t allow much movement to get the probe into the ground because it is so dry,” said Ginter. “In 18 years of soil testing we kind of found that last year was probably the driest year we’ve ever experienced. Last fall being one of the driest falls we can remember in our books anyway because there was very little moisture to speak of.” He said that with the very light snow accumulation during the winter and not more than 1 to 1 1/2 inches of spring rains, the ground really has not had a chance to recharge. Dr. Tim Ball, a retired Professor in the department of Geography at the University of Winnipeg and an historical climatologist said that farmers have continued to make changes in their tillage and seeding practices. “Had they not, the drought of 1988 would have been much more severe than the one in 1936 - 37, but the consequences not nearly as dramatic,” said Ball. Farmers are taking some other steps, first battling those strong winds that turned fields into dust bowls, especially in the areas with little to know stubble. “Trying to keep dirt on the field is a challenge because it is pretty light and fluffy out there on the surface so lots of soil has moved with the winds this spring,” said Ginter. He said farmers were tilling to try to keep things from blowing when the winds came up by trying to conserve moisture with no tilling as much as a normal spring would allow. “Trying to conserve moisture and not stirring the ground until you absolutely have to when putting the seed in the ground is one strategy they’re using,” he added. In deference to Dr. Ball’s comments, farmers keep adapting and making changes as the climate and weather patterns dictate. “We see more no-till drill systems running, trying not to turn the soil and dry it out even more. Even last fall, farmers left stubble unworked to trap some snow and not keep things exposed to the wind.” While Ginter reads about farmers in the US cutting back on input costs to save money and try to cut losses in some cases or even eke out a small profit with lower commodity prices, he thinks they need to do so with caution. “Those farmers are trying to optimize dollars by cutting back on fertilizer. You’re sacrificing some yield potential by doing that, but there is an economic curve there, too,” he said. “We can’t have a luxury of having lots of fertilizer sitting out there if there is no moisture to grow the crop, then the fertilizer remains in the soil.” His company tries to forecast, and it is a bit of an expectation on what the anticipated yield is, based on the current conditions. Ginter and his crew of three full-time employees deal mostly with the local crops and production of those crops. He sees every client having different needs when it comes to the advice they provide.
said Toews who earned Fine Arts and Education degrees at the University of Manitoba. She has also done commissioned works. “I had two clients who are cousins, and unknown to each other each commissioned a painting of them milking the cows at home and spraying some milk into a waiting cat’s mouth,” she said with a chuckle. She has also done a portrait of a friend’s favourite dog. If there is a need of a portrait for a great herd sire or mother cow, Toews is ready to go to work said. “I would love to get more involved with the agriculture community,” she said. “The Place in the Kingdom project made me aware of role animals have
played but I would like to paint specific animals that have had a role as individuals in farm operations.” Toews can work from existing photos of specific animals but in many cases takes photos of the subject to capture the detail. This year she went to the Royal Winter Fair in Brandon and spent time in the heavy horse barn photographing the giant horses. “I was looking for the right shot of a horse, particularly the neck and the curve of the neck,” she said. “When I came upon a Clydesdale lying down in its stall, you don’t see that very often so I took advantage of the situation and took a bunch of photos. We’ll see if it turns into a painting.”
Lynda Toews has gained an appreciation of farm animals after marrying Gary Brown and moving to rural Manitoba. Her collection of A Place in the Kingdom features farm animals of various type and description.
The Agri Post
The Cockshutt Plow Company One of the Biggest Cockshutt became one of the most successful Canadian farm machinery manufacturers before disappearing in a series of buyouts. In its heyday, Cockshutt sold farm machinery not only in Canada but also in the US, England, Scotland, Australia, South Africa and many other countries. James Cockshutt started the Brantford Plow Works in 1877 and built plows, scufflers and stoves. He also experimented with chilled iron moldboards and shares. His sulky plow the J.G.C. Riding Plow proved to be a success in western Canada. Unfortunately, he passed away in 1885 due to tuberculosis. The Brantford Plow Works was then reorganized into the Cockshutt Plow Company and one of James brothers took the helm of the company. With the opening of the west to settlement in the early 1880s, demand for plows was strong, particularly since Canadian import tariffs at that time protected Canadian manufacturers from American. Cockshutt eventually went on to build 130 plow models. By 1905, the Cockshutt Company had introduced the Cockshutt Engine Gang Plow, which was meant to be pulled by steam engines or the large gas tractors being introduced. This was the first successful gang plow built and was sold in large numbers. Entire trains of 30 to 40 cars were loaded with engine plows every week for six weeks and went west in 1906. The success of this plow resulted in many Cockshutt engine plows surviving to this day. By 1910, the Cockshutt Company had purchased 27 % of the shares of Frost and Wood and Cockshutt purchased the Adams Wagon and Brantford Carriage companies. Frost and Wood built haying and harvesting equipment including binders. Cockshutt also purchased equipment such as threshing machines, balers, grinding mills and potato diggers from Ontario manufacturers such as the Waterloo Separator Company, Admiral, Goold, Shapley and Muir, and Apinwall. This equipment was then sold through Cockshutt dealers. Through the 1920s, Cockshutt distributed Hart Parr tractors however this relationship ended in 1928. Cockshutt then arranged to sell Allis-Chalmers tractors under the Cockshutt name. But in 1930 Oliver, which had purchased Hart Parr, began building tractors for sale by Cockshutt, which were painted and badged for Cockshutt. Cockshutt continued to sell Allis-Chalmers tractors up to 1933. Also in the 1930s, Cockshutt developed the combine tiller, a cross between a disc plow and a oneway disc that also had a seed box mounted on the machine. As this machine could cultivate and seed all in one operation, preserving field moisture and lowering costs, sales were good. Cockshutt acquired the remaining shares of Frost and Wood in 1933. The Frost and Wood plant in Smith Falls, Ontario was finally closed in 1955 with manufacturing operations being consolidated to Brantford. Through the early 1940s, Cockshutt worked on the development of their own tractor line, a swather and a self-propelled combine. The Number 2 Cockshutt pull type swather was introduced in 1941. The Number 2 was a lightweight machine allowing operation in wet conditions, which the other, heavier swathers did not. The result was that Cockshutt rapidly gained 60% of the Canadian swather market. Cockshutt in 1946 rolled out the Cockshutt 30 tractor that introduced the live power take off avoiding the problems of the clutch-activated power take off used in tractors up to that time. The model had a very streamlined appearance, which is still attractive today. Cockshutt rapidly added a 20, 40 and a 50 to the tractor line up. A combine also appeared in 1946 that was equipped with a variable speed drive and bomber style tires. Cockshutt combines rapidly gained a reputation for low threshing losses and a clean sample in the tank. In 1958, Cockshutt introduced the 540, 550, 560 and 570 tractor models. Raymond Lowey, the famous industrial designer, contributed the striking sheet metal design to this series of tractors. However, the tractor line was no longer developed as outside interest’s wrestled control of the Cockshutt Plow Company from the Cockshutt family in 1957 and renamed the company the Cockshutt Farm Equipment Company. In 1961, the company was sold to the White Motor Company that also owned Oliver. The Cockshutt tractor line was discontinued and Cockshutt began selling Oliver tractors painted and badged for Cockshutt. However, Cockshutt combines were recognized as a superior combine design so Oliver combines were discontinued and the Cockshutt combines were kept in production. The combines sold into the US were painted and badged for Oliver. Over time, the Oliver and Cockshutt names were discontinued and the machinery line became known as White and later as WFE. The farm machinery business underwent a lot of turmoil through the 1990s and after a complicated series of transactions; the White line of equipment was merged into Agco by 2001. The Expo at the 2015 Threshermen’s Reunion features the Cockshutt family of companies. The Manitoba Agricultural Museum’s 12 bottom Cockshutt engine plow participated in the world plowing record. If you have equipment built by Cockshutt or Frost and Wood, you should consider bringing it to the Cockshutt Expo. You can contact the Museum office at 204-637-2354 to make arrangements.
The Cockshutt Plow Company also built seeders as well as plows. This Cockshutt seeder ad from 1904 shows the ‘shoe” or opener options that a farmer could obtain on a Cockshutt seeder, double disc shoe, single disc shoe and drag shoe. The ad also contains two endorsements of Cockshutt seeders. Both W.B. Reynolds of Deloraine and John Dickson of Morris had purchased Cockshutt seeders with double disc shoes and were well pleased with their purchases.
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