Doing What You Do Well Leads to Opportunities
Lorraine and David Hamblin propel Red River Seeds forward
THE NEW GENERATION OF HANDLING
Introducing the new 2045CR Conveyor and the TL1346 Auger from Meridian. The 2045CR is more than a ‘Canola Capable’ machine. It features an upgraded drive roller, a 12,000BPH capacity, and with only five rollers, it has fewer moving parts than the competition.
The revolutionary TL1346 is our largest Truck Load Auger, and features the new Meridian Hydraulic Drive. Equipped with a 74HP diesel, suspended flighting with hanger bearings, and a hydraulic drive, this is our fastest, quietest, and safest auger yet.
CAZADO™ DUAL- MODE
FOR WILD OAT CONTROL IN WHEAT.
The future of herbicide is here.
With group 1 and group 2 modes of action, CAZADO™ is the first and only graminicide for wheat that controls wild oats AND herbicide resistant wild oats in one product.
It’s not science fiction. It’s the breakthrough you’ve been waiting for.
BREAKING THE CYCLE OF WILD OATS
For decades, wild oats have posed a significant challenge to wheat growers.
With a strong presence in countless fields across Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba, they’ve become the most pervasive weed in Western Canada. As many growers have experienced first-hand, their rapid, tough-to-control spread can significantly reduce yields and ROI.
Most wild oats fall into one of three categories: nonresistant, resistant to Group 1 herbicides, or resistant to Group 2 herbicides. This resistance leaves growers caught in a costly, frustrating cycle. Applying a Group 1 herbicide may leave behind Group 2-resistant wild oats, forcing a second round of application. If the weeds return, the grower won’t know which group they belong to, leading them to repeat the process and spend additional time and money.
To complicate matters further, wild oats sprout early and spread quickly, making it tough for even the most proactive growers to stay ahead of the problem. It’s been a serious issue with no clear solution, especially in wheat.
Canada's
first dual-mode SOLUTION TO WILD OATS IN
WHEAT
Crop protection leader ADAMA has just introduced CAZADO™ herbicide. It’s the only graminicide for wheat in Canada that controls Group 1-resistant, Group-2 resistant and non-resistant wild oats. With two full doses of both active ingredients (pinoxaden and thiencarbazone-methyl), CAZADO™ offers wheat growers a new, simplified approach to wild oat control.
“CAZADO™ is the result of Canadian ingenuity, developed for and with Canadian farmers," said Cornie Thiessen, General Manager, ADAMA Canada. "As one of Canada's fastest-growing agricultural companies, we understand the unique challenges facing our farmers, and we're proud to provide solutions specifically for Western Canada's agricultural community.”
CAZADO was developed over seven years. Its quality testing included three years of small-plot research followed by 2024 product field trials with 44 farmers across the Prairie provinces through the PMRA Research Authorization
program. Those trials found the product performed as good or better than competing products 93% of the time.
"Our science and our trials prove that CAZADO™ provides crop safety, unprecedented weed control and reliability in wheat crops," said Ambrely Ralph, ADAMA Herbicide Portfolio Manager. "Its unique active ingredient mixture and formulation, using canola oil instead of petroleumbased products, not only enhances its effectiveness and proactively should delay future onset of herbicide resistance but also reduces its environmental impact."
The efficacy of CAZADO™ has been validated through numerous third-party contract research organizations across Canada, confirmed Rob Bahry, Innovation, Research & Development Manager at ADAMA Canada. “We’ve rigorously tested CAZADO™ under a variety of growing conditions, examining different soil types, moisture levels, and other variables to ensure it meets the highest standards of performance and reliability for growers.”
The importance of PROACTIVE CONTROL
Now that CAZADO™ is here, it’s important to note that the key to protecting yields lies in staying on top of the problem.
The longer wild oats are left to grow, the more they steal essential nutrients, sunlight, and other resources, ultimately hindering wheat growth. Acting early with a strategic herbicide application of CAZADO™ is the most effective way to defend a field. In short, the time to plan for better results is now.
CAZADO™ will be available to Western Canadian growers through preferred retailers for 2025 spring wheat applications. With limited supplies, growers are encouraged to place their orders early on through ADAMA retailers. Additional information on the product can also be found at cazado.ca
CAZADO.CA Be proactive: Ask your local retailer about CAZADO today.
KEVIN HURSH
TOM WOLF
SCOTT SHIELS
PAUL KUNTZ
TAMMY JONES
Kevin Hursh, P.Ag.
Kevin Hursh is one of the country’s leading agricultural commentators. He is an agrologist, journalist and farmer.
Kevin and his wife Marlene run Hursh Consulting & Communications based in Saskatoon. They also own and operate a farm near Cabri in southwest Saskatchewan growing a wide variety of crops.
Kevin writes for a number of agricultural publications and serves as executive director for the Canary Seed Development Commission of Saskatchewan and the Inland Terminal Association of Canada (ITAC).
X: @KevinHursh1
New Input Pricing Tool for Farmers
It’s amazing no one has thought of it and implemented it before now. A new concept called ClearCost seems like a great way for farmers to access the best prices for their fertilizer and fuel, while allowing retailers a way to identify new demand.
There are already a whole host of brokerage companies bringing grain buyers and sellers together, but nothing like this has taken hold on the input side of the farming equation.
Some producers will always be loyal to a particular input supplier. Perhaps they patronize the supplier because it’s local or because they appreciate the agronomic advice provided. There’s also a degree of loyalty to co-ops whether in the Federated Co-op family or UFA.
However, for a lot of producers, the main types of fertilizer as well as diesel fuel are commodities to be purchased at the lowest price and they have the on-farm storage to take large deliveries. Increasingly, producers are paying for agronomic advice and not getting it from their retailers. On inputs, they are simply looking for the best price and an assurance of delivery as requested.
That’s what ClearCost aims to deliver. One of the minority owners and the person promoting the new platform is Grant Kosior. Kosior was previously a founder and co-owner of Global Ag Risk Solutions. That insurance product has been sold to Hub International and Kosior has moved on to this new venture.
Here’s how ClearCost works. Farmers access the app from clearcost.ag and list what they want. For example, let’s say a farmer is looking to buy 300 tonnes of urea (46-0-0) fertilizer delivered to the farm between April 10-20.
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Lisa Johnston
Design
Cole Ottmann
Regular Contributors
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Tammy Jones
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Scott Shiels
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Sales
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The farmer remains anonymous, but the request and the general location is released to sellers. Sellers bid on the business. You’d think local sellers would have an advantage, but product is steadily on the move from one location to another and pricing can vary significantly from one retailer to the next.
The farmer is under no obligation to accept the lowest bid, but if he or she decides to proceed, 25 per cent of the purchase price goes into a secure account at one of the major banks. Once the deal is completed, the seller pays a service fee to ClearCost. No fee is paid if no deal is completed. There is no cost for farmers to use the system. Neither sellers nor farmers pay a subscription fee.
On the surface, one might ask why an input supplier would participate when they have to pay a service fee. However, acquiring business involves a sales force and a marketing budget, so conventional business also comes with a cost. ClearCost gives them an opportunity to bid on new business.
Fertilizer blends can be bid the same way as straight urea or phosphate. Diesel fuel is also a natural for this sort of system. Eventually Kosior says ClearCost may get into seed and crop protection products, but it will start with fertilizer and fuel.
Incentives will be provided for truckers who agree to GPS
Lots of great ideas run into unforeseen snags and never reach their potential, but this concept seems to have a great deal of merit. It appears to be a win-win for both farmers and retailers.
tracking, so farmers can track the progress of their delivery. Uber started this long ago, allowing people to follow the progress of their taxi on their mobile phone. It would be nice to know if the incoming load of fertilizer is still two hours away or whether it’s due to arrive in half an hour.
Lots of great ideas run into unforeseen snags and never reach their potential, but this concept seems to have a great deal of merit. It appears to be a win-win for both farmers and retailers.
Check it out at clearcost.ag.
Scott Shiels
New Year, New Administration
Well, the new year is in full swing and with it comes all kinds of new issues to face, and hopefully many positives in the world of agriculture!
The biggest influence in the market right now is definitely political. There is tremendous uncertainty surrounding the new U.S. administration, and on our side of the border, we are facing a massive shift towards a much more agriculture and business-friendly government soon to be taking over. Let’s start with our neighbours to the south, and what the change in leadership there means to our markets.
By Angela Lovell
Scott Shiels grew up in Killarney, Man. and has been in the grain industry for 30 years. He has worked with Grain Millers Canada for 10 years and manages procurement for both conventional and organic oats for their Canadian operation.
Scott is an elected board member for Farm and Food Care Saskatchewan and sits on several other committees on both the organic and conventional sides of the oat industry.
Scott and his wife Jenn live on an acreage near Yorkton, Sask. Find out more at www. grainmillers.com.
While Donald and his party are definitely the better option for business and the economy, the uncertainty his brand of politics brings to the table definitely keeps everyone holding their breath. Threats of huge tariffs on imports from Canada, whether idle or not, certainly impact our commodity markets. Ever since his announcement back in November that he would be putting a 25 per cent tariff on imports from Canada (unless we can significantly improve border security), there has been an overarching bearish sentiment to our commodity markets. The thought of a 25 per cent hit to agricultural products moving south to our biggest trading partner has everyone in the industry on the edge of their seats these days. Accordingly, grain prices have slipped lower across the Prairies, in anticipation of the tariff implementation. Even the USDA’s very bullish January production report only led to a brief window of opportunity as futures rallied following its release.
MAKE WEEDS FEEL THE BURN.
Our homegrown innovation gets the tough ones.
Designed specifically for Western Canadian growers, Smoulder® herbicide helps incinerate tough weeds at pre-seed timing, to give cereal crops a cleaner start. It takes out emerged broadleaf weeds, including biotypes of kochia resistant to Group 2, 4 and 9 chemistries. Smoulder also controls winter annuals and perennials, like narrow-leaved hawk’s beard, dandelion and Canada thistle. And it keeps flushing weeds out with its extended residual activity. Go to agsolutions.ca/Smoulder and get ready to make weeds feel the burn.
directions.
On our side of the border, constant calls for nonconfidence votes and a massive drop in the polls for our federal Liberal government have led to a somewhat resignation by the prime minister. A promise to step down once they have chosen a new leader is by no means a resignation, however the certainty that our government will change to a Conservative one by fall at the latest has breathed all kinds of optimism into Canadian agriculture, as well as into Canada as a whole. The thought of potentially
At the end of the day, there are huge changes happening on both sides of this equation, and in reality, if done right, both Canada and the U.S. will benefit from these new administrations.
having a federal government that cares about us out here in the West once again has producers, and those of us on the industry side of the desk, optimistic about the future. Having a leader, and a government, that can relate to the Trump administration should enable us to increase and improve trade with the U.S., and will strengthen the bond between our countries. As much as both sides have professed to not need the other, the reality is that Canada and the U.S. would both suffer tremendously with any further tariffs or trade disputes. As our largest trading partner, with over $3.6 billion in goods and services crossing the border each day, neither country wants to see any kind of long-term negative pressure on the relationship.
At the end of the day, there are huge changes happening on both sides of this equation, and in reality, if done right, both Canada and the U.S. will benefit from these new administrations. For farmers, and the rest of us in the agriculture industry, the best thing that can happen is the move to a new government here in Canada, and the sooner the better.
Until next time…
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I would also argue that regardless of which government would have been in power, inflation, high rates and housing would have been an issue. I understand the carbon tax has inflated prices, but the rise in the cost of living is not due to a carbon tax. That does not mean we should keep it. I am just demonstrating we would have had inflation pressure, regardless.
The reason I am confident in making these statements is because when you look at the rate of inflation and the rise of interest rates in other countries, it mirrors what has happened here. I looked at the U.S., U.K., France, Sweden, Italy, Germany and Australia. All of those countries had similar inflation rates at the same time as Canada, and all had similar increases in interest rates. Some of those countries have right leaning governments and some have left leaning governments.
The change in government will make you feel better if your team wins, but I don’t think it can change the financial success of your farm. A corn grower in Nebraska will be happy that Trump won, but if that corn grower is to be successful in 2025, it will be because he is a good producer, he is a smart marketer, he got rain when needed, the marketplace wanted his product, he used risk mitigation tools to transfer his risk and he is overall a good manager. It will not be because of Trump. This is the same for a canola grower in central Alberta. His or her past success was not because of the Liberals and future success will not be because of the Conservatives. It will be because he or she is a great farmer.
Another issue with changes in government is there is often not much that can change. If we look at our domestic economic situation, there are many programs entrenched into our society that are tough to reverse. If we think a Conservative government will be able to reduce spending and therefore cut taxes, I would argue that may not happen. If you look at some of the spending priorities of the Liberals in the past nine years, they have created programs that will be difficult to alter. Programs like $10-a-day childcare, the enhanced Child Tax Benefit, Pharmacare and the Canadian Dental Care Plan are all programs that Canadians have come to rely on and have built budgets around. These are expensive social programs that would not fit a Conservative agenda, but I bet they will not go away if the Conservatives form the next government.
As agricultural producers, we must be forward-looking and ready to adapt to the changes that will result from new governments. We need to be aware of the impacts on each of our farms. We need to lobby for the policies that will protect our industry. We need to have risk mitigation strategies to shield us from as much negative impact as possible. These are all things good managers do.
We must also realize that the success of our farm, or the demise, will most likely rest directly on our shoulders. My message is simple: do not look for someone to blame when things do not go as planned on your farm, and also, take some credit and celebrate the things that have gone well.
Liability and Risk Management: What to Know
As
the agricultural industry continues to grow and evolve, insurance policies are keeping pace
By Lisa Kopochinski
Every company in every industry requires successful liability and risk management. And the farming industry is certainly no exception. Farm insurance policies can vary widely, so selecting the right one requires careful consideration.
“Farms today are diverse, with operations ranging from grain and cattle to seed production,” says Melonie Johnson, commercial lines manager at MMI Insurance, with offices in Calgary, Edmonton, Lethbridge, Grande Prairie and La Crete.
“Additionally, farming methods differ – some farms are high-tech, using drones and advanced machinery, while others stick to more traditional approaches. When choosing insurance, it is crucial for farmers to communicate clearly with their insurance brokers about their operations and management practices. Not all policies cover every aspect of farming.”
For example, many standard policies exclude aircraftrelated activities. If drones or planes are used for spraying or other tasks, these may not be covered unless a specialized aviation policy is in place. This highlights the importance of detailed conversations with insurance brokers to ensure no coverage gaps.
“Insurance plays a key role in managing farm risks, and farmers should regularly review their policies,” Johnson emphasizes. “As farms grow and evolve, insurance needs may
change. Taking the time to consult with an insurance broker and update coverage ensures the policy continues to reflect the specific needs of the farm.”
As the agricultural industry continues to grow and evolve, it’s important to know if insurance policies are keeping pace with this expansion. And if not, what needs to be considered?
“While insurance has adapted to advancements in technology, there are still areas that require attention to ensure comprehensive coverage for modern farms,” says Johnson. “Insurance has expanded beyond basic fire protection for buildings and equipment. Today, farms can purchase cyber insurance to guard against digital threats. This coverage protects farms from cyber incidents affecting email, text, online banking and smart farming tools. Precision equipment enhances farm productivity but also exposes farms to cyber risks, such as hacking and data breaches.”
Sarah Scott is vice president of commercial insurance at Wawanesa Insurance. With the company’s roots in farming, she says they understand each operation – whether crop production, livestock or mixed – is unique.
“Farmers should review their insurance policies annually with their broker to ensure they address the distinct requirements of their farm, such as equipment limits, outbuildings and
liability coverages. We’re proud to work with operations of all types and sizes, offering comprehensive tailored coverage to ensure nothing critical is overlooked.”
What About Cybersecurity?
Every company – farming operations included – require cybersecurity to protect digital information and the systems that store and transmit it. This involves various technologies and processes to defend against cyber-threats. Examples of incidents impacting farms include phishing emails; fraudulent texts and calls; ransomware demands; and network breaches.
Additionally, potential targets of cyberattacks on farms consist of production, financial and customer data; wireless sensors; automated machinery; autonomous and semiautonomous vehicles and equipment; and heating, refrigeration, lighting and ventilation controls.
“Beyond cyber risks, automated technology can malfunction, which is typically not covered by general insurance policies,” explains Johnson. “Farms can purchase equipment breakdown coverage to protect against losses from power surges, mechanical failures and refrigeration system breakdowns.”
Additionally, for farms that raise livestock, insuring animals can mitigate income loss caused by unexpected events. Livestock insurance can cover various animals – from beef cattle to show horses – serving as an essential risk management tool.
Scott says as the agriculture industry evolves, flexibility is key as it allows insurance policies to adapt as farms expand, diversify or take on new ventures.
“With the increasing frequency and severity of natural catastrophes, such as hailstorms, it’s also important to choose a policy that focuses on these risks, among others, with an insurance provider that offers proactive risk
“Farms can purchase equipment breakdown coverage to protect against losses from power surges, mechanical failures and refrigeration system breakdowns.”
- Melonie Johnson
management advice. This kind of partnership can make a significant difference by helping to minimize losses before they occur, giving farmers peace of mind.”
The Role of Loss Control
Loss control services, offered by many insurance companies, help farms identify and address potential risks. This proactive approach reduces the likelihood of loss and improves overall farm safety.
Working with an insurance broker is important as they play a crucial role in helping farms choose appropriate coverage based on their specific operations. Brokers assess the type of farming and management practices to recommend policies that provide the best protection.
“By staying informed and working with knowledgeable brokers, farms can ensure they are adequately protected against both traditional and emerging risks,” says Johnson.
Adds Scott, “We’re dedicated to making life easier for farmers. That’s why we constantly seek ways to modernize our farm products, so they remain relevant in an everchanging world.”
Michel’s EZ Lift
TAKE THE CRANKING OUT OF YOUR TRAILER
LANDING GEAR
• Quick. Easy Install • Use a 12V cordless drill to operate your landing gear
• Can be used for the heaviest of loads such as oversize equipment
• EZ Lift will lift as much as you can crank by hand
• Michel’s offers 2 different brackets to cover most trailers. Some trailers may require specialized brackets that Michel’s will custom-build
• Safely monitor loading of graintrailer from inside your cab
• Less trips up and down a potentially slippery ladder
• Automatic lifts and lowers when rolling tarp system
• High-quality wireless camera and monitors
EZ Opener
• Grain auger and conveyor kits, as well as cameras for all different applications
• EZ Opener • Operates using the 200 Series wireless remote
• Set chute limits when programming
• LED indicator flashes when chute is opening
• Chute position feedback • Can be mounted on either side of trailer
Michel’s Camera Arm
Michel’s EZ Lift
Michel’s Camera Arm
Tammy Jones B.Sc., P.Ag
Tammy Jones completed her B.Sc. in crop protection at the University of Manitoba. She has more than 15 years of experience in the crops industry in Manitoba and Alberta, with a focus on agronomy. Tammy lives near Carman, Man., and spends her time scouting for weeds and working with cattle at the family farm in Napinka.
Discovering New Herbicide Tools
If the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, and expecting different results, then weed management relying solely on herbicides might be considered insanity. Given that the discovery of new modes of action and the rate of commercialization of new herbicide molecules has slowed to a snail’s pace while new cases of herbicide resistance continue to rapidly evolve, other weed control tactics are seemingly the only options for the future. Dr. Franck Dayan from the department of agricultural biology at Colorado State University is a little gentler with his wording, suggesting that the misuse of herbicides resulting in herbicide resistance is “the tail wagging the dog.”
Dayan was one of the speakers who participated in the plenary session of the Manitoba Agronomists’ Conference in December 2024, which focused on herbicide resistant weed management. While speakers in the session discussed tillage, cover crops, resistance testing and other strategies to combat herbicide resistant weeds, Dayan spoke about new herbicide discovery. The good news: there are several novel approaches being utilized to provide new tools for weed management.
To make the comparison to the novel technologies, Dayan first reviewed traditional herbicide discovery, which has relied on biological activity assessments. Agrochemical companies use their research and development capacity to synthesize chemicals and conduct whole-plant screens. A chemical company may be able to screen as many as 60,000 new molecules per year with the hopes of finding active ingredients that are effective, safe and affordable. Based on research conducted for CropLife International by AgbioInvestor, the cost associated with bringing a new active ingredient to market is now over US$300 million and takes more than 12 years between discovery and registration. The same study showed that in the late ’70s, the cost for bringing a new active ingredient to market was about $24 million. So, with increased costs and less research oriented ag companies, the herbicide discovery machine needs an overhaul.
In an overview of some of the novel approaches being taken to build new herbicides, the technologies being employed are complex and integrate machine-learning and artificial intelligence. Dayan describes numerous startup companies as using “advanced computational, bioinformatic and imaging platforms” to be able to consider natural and synthetic compounds with speed and accuracy. One company uses microscopic plants and phenotyping to screen over three-quarters of a million synthetic and natural compounds for new modes of action and environmentally and toxicologically safe herbicides. Other companies are looking at plant proteins as an opportunity for developing new tools.
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Following are three scenarios being explored:
1. Targeted protein degradation (TPD). This involves developing PROTACs, or proteolysis-targeting chimeras, which are synthetic molecules that tag essential proteins to be destroyed by the plant itself.
2. Interfere with protein-protein interactions (PPI). Two herbicides groups that seem to act as PPI disrupters are auxin mimic herbicides and paraquat. Screening for molecules to interfere with PPIs has only recently been possible with artificial intelligence, allowing for 3D modelling that replaces crystalizing proteins and X-rays to compute structures.
3. Apply toxic peptides to bind to proteins. Dayan notes that the peptide strategy might be the one most easily relatable since the ag industry has been using a peptide analogue in field applications for years: glufosinate (Group 10 herbicide).
[A more complete description of some of the science listed here can be found at Duke, SO, et al, (2024). New Approaches to Herbicide and Bioherbicide Discovery. Weed Sci. doi: 10.1017/wsc.2024.54.]
In comparison to traditional herbicide development, the size of the databases, the complexity of the algorithms and the ability to utilize machine learning is allowing for speed and efficiencies that were previously unattainable. Assessments are no longer reliant on whole plant symptoms and guesses as to how the plant was impacted. For instance, target site resistance has been explained as the ends of an electrical cord. The herbicide works if it can plug into the target site, but a mutation would prevent all herbicides with that mode of action from “plugging in” or binding to the target site. Now target sites are rendered with 3D imagery and there is more understanding of how each active ingredient interacts or disrupts plant processes. This means future tools will be designed with the hopes of preventing resistance development by targeting processes with lower odds of random mutations conferring resistance.
These future herbicides will focus on inhibiting proteins, enzymes and metabolic pathways in the plant in previously unimaginable ways. Not only will the tools allow predictions of interactions at the protein level, by knowing plant and cell structures, there will be efforts to enhance penetration, translocation and temperature stability. Dayan estimates that some of these herbicides will be commercially available in about 10 years. That being said, it would be the definition of insanity if we think the next set of tools being developed will be the silver bullet to solve our weed woes. These tools will also need to be used in a responsible way so that we don’t end up tail wagging the dog some more.
Doing What You Do Well Leads to Opportunities
By Angela Lovell
Sometimes, diversification isn’t about jumping headfirst into something totally new, but about focusing on what you are already doing and doing it better. At the same time, you have to stay open to opportunities, which often present themselves as a result of being good at what you do.
That is certainly the case for David Hamblin of Red River Seeds in Morris, Manitoba. When he and his wife Lorraine took over the family seed farm in 2009, he had a passion for business and a vision of growth.
“One of the unique things in farming is that there’s lots of different ways to do it really well, and some people do it with their mechanical aptitude, others with their agronomics and some do it with business ability,” he says. “I always gravitated to the business side. I like the challenge of growing and seeing where we can take new opportunities. It’s satisfying to be able to add some value to your own farm through other avenues, but also to add value to farms around the area as well.”
Switching gears
Hamblin is the third generation on the family farm –originally a grain farm – started by his great-grandparents in the 1930s, then taken over by his grandparents, parents and uncle, who added the seed side in the 1980s.
Since taking over, the Hamblins have increased the farm’s
acres from 2,000 to 4,200 and grown the seed and grain side of the business substantially, establishing Red River Seeds in 2012. Seeing the trends that were happening in the industry with the introduction of new crops like soybeans and corn, Hamblin knew it was time to switch gears.
“Traditionally, in the pedigree seed business, the focus for seed growers had been on wheat, oats and barley, but corn was starting to come into southern Manitoba,” Hamblin says. “Our thoughts were that cereal acres would continue to shrink, and so we needed to get into the seed business in a bigger way.”
Red River Seeds became a sales representative for Pioneer Hi-Bred, and the Hamblins began putting their energy into building their retail seed business with a unique marketing strategy. Southern Manitoba is not a traditional corn growing area, so many farmers wanted to try the new corn hybrids that were coming out but didn’t want to make the investment in the specialized equipment – planters, corn headers, grain dryers – required to grow it. So, the Hamblins invested in that equipment and custom planted, harvested and dried the corn for the farmers.
“We were able to give the opportunity to growers who wanted to try corn, with the intent that if they decided they wanted to continue in corn, they would invest in some of
Lorraine and David Hamblin with their children, left to right, Erin, Claire, Addison, Paige and Luke.
“If you are too focused on what you are doing today in your business, you can miss what’s happening around you. If you have more of an outside view of trends that are going on in the industry, things tend to present themselves.”
- David Hamblin
their own equipment. Then we would plant for other farmers who wanted to try it, and continued to grow the seed retail business that way,” Hamblin says.
Building for the future
Over the next few years, Hamblin added 650,000 bushels of grain storage, a grain drying system, a seed cleaning facility with an optical sorter, 24,000 square feet of equipment cold storage, and 3,000 square feet of office space on the farm. This expansion was driven by the rapid growth in the seed side of the business but also helped solve labour issues on the farm once Hamblin’s parents retired in 2009.
“We had one full-time employee, but we needed more help in the busy seasons,” he says. “But what would we do to keep people invested all year round? We built the seed cleaning plant with the intent that it would give us winter work for farm labour, and like a lot of things, we didn’t build just for today, but for tomorrow, so that’s why we built such a big plant.”
It turns out that decision was the right one, because when FP Genetics brought out its new hybrid rye varieties, Red River Seeds became the first distributor in Western Canada. It was the start of exponential growth and more diversification for the company.
“Growers had tremendous early success with hybrid rye in the first number of years,” Hamblin says. “But it was evident that the grain marketing system was not there for a crop like rye, which had traditionally been a niche crop. Growers were getting significantly higher yields, but were frustrated about how to market their grain.”
So, Red River Seeds got into the grain marketing business as well.
David Hamblin of Red River Seeds in Morris, Manitoba.
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“A big thing that my parents did for me was allowing us to do our own thing and make mistakes. Looking back, I wish we would have started delegating more things off to our team earlier.”
- David Hamblin
“We started finding some markets for it, and began exporting rye grain, originally our own, and then for our local seed customers,” he says.
It turned out to be an excellent fit for the company, but also for local growers and the industry. Red River Seeds became the leading rye buyers and processors in Canada.
“It transformed our business in a big way into becoming
more of a grain business than just a seed retail on a grain farm,” Hamblin says. “We are now up to 11 employees, and it has been an exciting kind of growth because we have been able to provide some unique opportunities for some growers that they may not have had otherwise. And our end-use customers appreciate the closeness that we have to the customer, especially today, where everybody likes to know more about where things are coming from and where the supply chain is.”
Focusing on the business
Hamblin completed an agricultural business degree at the University of Manitoba – something that gave him a solid foundation to come back to the farm and contacts to build on. Lorraine, also a University of Manitoba graduate, practiced as a pharmacist until 2013. She had kept her pharmacy licence for a few years as Red River Seeds got its start, but over the years, it became clear the business needed her full time.
Hamblin also credits his parents for helping instil a passion for business. “As a kid, the worst thing we could ever say was we were going to dress up for Halloween as a farmer in a straw hat and overalls,” Hamblin says. “My parents would say, ‘You need to put on a suit’ because that’s what farmers need to be.”
Over the years, the Hamblins have added additional grain storage, a grain drying system and a seed cleaning facility with an optical sorter.
Hamblin is the first to admit that looking at the big picture has been the most important thing in the farm’s growth and success.
“If you are too focused on what you are doing today in your business, you can miss what’s happening around you,” he says. “If you have more of an outside view of trends that are going on in the industry, things tend to present themselves.”
While it’s important to take a measured approach, and assess the risks and benefits of pursuing opportunities as they arise (which may not result in pursuing them at all), it’s equally important to be decisive when needed because opportunities don’t stick around forever.
“Sometimes, if you think there’s an opportunity there, there probably is but you typically are not the only person who’s going to recognize it,” he says. “If you wait until it’s the perfect time, or the right time, usually those opportunities aren’t there anymore. Sometimes, you just have to take the leap and figure it out as you go.”
You don’t need to bet the farm
While it can be daunting, diversifying into something new can bring more value to the farm, and doesn’t always mean huge risk. In fact, it can offer some insurance against bad
times on the farm by generating other, more stable, income streams.
“One of the unique things in agriculture is there’s often opportunities that don’t require huge capital investment,” Hamblin says. “There are success stories of farmers who’ve manufactured some new technology in their shop. They didn’t buy a manufacturing company for $20 million. It is often a nice synergy with the farm, and something that gives you diversification, so if the farm doesn’t have a great year, you have some other business to continue and vice versa.”
The Hamblins’ five children – Erin (15), Addy (13), Claire (12), Paige (10) and Luke (6) – may or may not take on the farm operation or one of the other businesses some day, but if he has one piece of advice for them, it’s to learn how to delegate.
“A big thing that my parents did for me was allowing us to do our own thing and make mistakes. Looking back, I wish we would have started delegating more things off to our team earlier,” he says. “We have great people, and any time you can give those people more responsibility it just allows your business to grow better as you can spend time where your business needs it to be spent.”
Red River Seeds has become a leading rye buyer and processor in Canada under the leadership of David Hamblin and his wife Lorraine.
Canadian agriculture and food needs more talented people.
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Continuity Planning Will Save a Generation
The ultimate guide to successful and affordable planning is easier than you think
By Nerissa McNaughton
It’s a familiar story. The farmer has worked hard all his or her life. Maybe even inherited the farm from parents or grandparents. Now with advancing age there is retirement to consider. One or two of the kids stayed and worked the farm. One or two left for a different life. How does it all get divided up? Who has time to even think about all that or pay for the lawyers and accountants to handle it? There are crops to plant and livestock to manage. This continuity planning thing will work itself out, right?
No. It does not. Without actively participating in continuity planning, all that is left behind is a family and farm in ruin.
Derryn Shrosbree, founder of 33seven, knows this scenario all too well. He opened his firm to help families with a proven, tax-advantaged, affordable and best of all – easily obtainable – solution that keeps the farm, the family and everyone’s sanity intact.
“The biggest hurdle is psychological,” says Shrosbree of why so many farmers opt out of sucession planning. “It comes with a feeling of ‘I am now obsolete on the farm. The farm that I built, I spent my life’s work on and now that I’m transitioning out, I feel that I am no longer needed on the farm,’ which is exactly the opposite of what actually is happening. You are definitely needed.”
Shrosbree is both a farmer and a family man, with 103 acres of market garden and three children – one on the farm and two off. Therefore, he stands by the 33seven tag line with experience and confidence: ASK A FARMER WHO KNOWS™. Shrosbree continues, “The second reason [hurdle] is that farmers look at next year’s canola crop, what has to go in, getting the soil ready, etc. Farmers prioritize the urgent at the expense of the important. Continuity is important, but next year’s crop is urgent. Yes, next year’s crop is important, but what’s more important is the stewardship of your farm and the continuity of your farm and your legacy. Farmers kick the can down the road. I’ll do it tomorrow; and before they know it, they are 75. Now the important has become critical. Without continuity planning, the farm will be encumbered with debt, there will be a loss of acreage and there will be a family breakdown.”
Continuity planning starts only when the farmer realizes that doing nothing will result in a disaster.
“You’re not diminishing the farm, you’re growing it,” Shrosbree says. “Knowledge plus experience equals wisdom. The farmer is wise. He has knowledge and experience, and that wisdom needs to be transferred to the next generation.”
OK … but how? Shrosbree is happy to share the answer.
“You dear farmer, will be doing one transition in your life. I do one transition per month, for 10 months of the year. For 15 years, I have done 10 per year – that is 150 transitions. I have done it so many times that there is no scenario that I haven’t seen and that I cannot handle. We only onboard 10 families per year to ensure we provide them with the best possible, most experienced, error-free results. We do not make mistakes about your future.”
He continues, “The answer is the Farm Liquidity Solution (FLS). Most farmers are asset rich and cash poor; they keep investing in more land, equipment, etc.”
What is the FLS? It is solutions that include accounting, legal and structuring options:
• The Tax-Free Zone
• Business/Farm Evaluations
• Estate Freezes
• Family Trusts
• Offshore Financial Instruments
“Knowledge plus experience equals wisdom. The farmer is wise. He has knowledge and experience, and that wisdom needs to be transferred to the next generation.”
- Derryn Shrosbree
The following explores one of these options to provide a quick and easy aspect of continuity planning and estate equalization.
The Tax-Free Zone:
Step 1: The farm purchases permanent tax-exempt life insurance on the key person (the farmer). The farm is the owner and beneficiary of the policy.
Step 2: Premiums are paid using the farm’s cash flow or retained earnings.
Step 3: The policy is the collateral for the loan.
Step 4: The loan’s proceeds are reinvested into the farm to generate income. Therefore, farmers have no opportunity cost of dollars. They do not have to choose between growing the farm or equalizing the estate, a.k.a. not ruining the family when they die.
Step 5: Upon the passing of the farmer, the death benefit pays off the loan. The remainder of the death benefit is paid out to the family.
Shrosbree discusses how the Tax-Free Zone solution works by offering a real-time example.
“I go to a farmer and I say, ‘Hey, how are you doing?’ He says, ‘I’ve got an issue. I’ve got a 10,000-acre farm and four children, two on farm, two off farm. How do I divide this?’ A farm is not a pie. You cannot cut up a farm in four ways and give each child two-and-a-half thousand acres. The farm will fail.
“Let’s just say that farm’s worth in easy math is $20 million. So, there will be $5 million per kid … but the two on-farm children have worked for eight years on the farm. They drive the same truck, they share a pair of dungarees and they share a hat. They have never taken a dime out of the farm. The two off-farm children live in Toronto and do whatever they want.
“Now it is time to reconcile the farm and the children. ‘I love my children equally. I want to give them an equal amount of money when I die.’ This is noble, but it’s not fair. In this day and age where a farm that was worth $400 an acre is now $4,000 an acre or more, there is simply no way you can divide it up dollar-for-dollar equally.
“It will wreck the family, which means the two brothers who have worked tirelessly for a decade on the farm and have taken nothing will never have supper again with the two brothers who left the farm and expect a cash payout for doing nothing on the farm.”
What options does a farmer have?
Option 1: The farmer can sell acreage, which makes the farm economically unviable.
Option 2: The farmer can take on additional debt to pay off the off-farm children’s inheritance.
Option 3: The farmer can choose to do nothing.
Shrosbree notes that at this point, most farmers lose hope and simply choose to do nothing.
“When you do nothing, be very, very clear in your mind, you’ve made a decision. The do-nothing option results in those four children not having Christmas dinner together ever again. Now that farms are so valuable and are worth so much money, with big money comes big problems. Whereas before the children in Toronto couldn’t care less, when the farm was worth a million bucks. Now the farm is worth $20 million, and attitudes have changed towards farming. All of a sudden, the non-farm children living in Toronto become very interested in farming … or more specifically, very interested in the money from farming.”
He reiterates again that there is a solution; one so easy and effortless that most doubt its effectiveness. For those who take the few moments to learn about it, however, the daunting issue of continuity is solved – no matter how many children are involved and whether or not they farm.
“With the FLS, the farmer essentially buys a ‘tax-free zone,’” says Shrosbree. “It’s an equalization tool that gives the off-farm children money. When the key holder dies, there’s an insurance proceed that pays off the off-farm children. They get cash and the on-farm children get the acreage. It’s not going to be dollar-for-dollar equal, but it will take it to a level where it is fair and where the farm can afford it.”
Why isn’t everyone doing this?
“Math is easy. Emotions are hard. Humans are not rational,” he sighs. “I spend 80 per cent of my time listening to people
tell me they don’t have time or don’t want to have this conversation. The remaining 20 per cent is implementing the solution for the people who overcome their resistance and listen. I feel like I’m handing out a gold bar, and most people simply say no and walk away. Just overcome that fear. Overcome the notion that ‘meh, the kids will be fine.’ No, they won’t. They absolutely will not.”
He concludes bluntly, “I think often of my favourite quote from Yellowstone, ‘Horses and cattle may be how the West was won, but death and taxes are how we are going to lose it.’ There is a solution for both. I have the solution for farm continuity. I have the solution to reduce or eliminate taxes. So, make a choice. Doing nothing is a choice.”
The reason why Shrosbree cares so much and works so hard for farmers is intensely personal.
“Why do I care? Because my story is so very similar to many other farm families. We were a family of five – three brothers and two sisters – when my father passed away. We were left with a huge tax bill. One of my brothers and one of my sisters took the cash inheritance and refused to pay my father’s tax liability. So, the three of us ended up paying the entire tax bill
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whilst the other two took the money and left us hanging. This action split the family into two parts. The three siblings who paid our father’s tax bill still have supper together and the two who did not pay, well I presume they have supper together, but they certainly don’t have supper with us.
“This entire situation was 100 per cent avoidable if my father had done continuity planning. By doing nothing, you make a choice. By procrastinating, you make a choice. Which of your choices will your family inherit? Will you leave behind pain and a tax liability? The ball is in your court. Do something or embrace and accept the consequences for your family.”
Shrosbree’s father made a choice and that choice was to do nothing. It had an impact on the farm, the finances and most devastatingly – the family. It had an impact on Shrosbree in that he never wanted anyone else to have to go through that nightmare. He spent countless hours and energy on finding a legal, viable, workable solution that is scalable and obtainable for all business owners, and especially for farmers.
If you are interested in this solution, ASK A FARMER WHO KNOWS™.
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Black Smoke in the Distance: Combine Fires – Part 2
By Braden Hursh
There is no way of knowing if it will be your combine, your neighbour’s outfit or a producer working miles away, but statistically speaking, as long as farmers across the Prairies operate their combines for extended periods of time during the hottest and driest parts of the year, there will continue to be fires.
Combine fires can be a producer’s worst nightmare, especially during the harvest rush, but with proper preparation, these fires can be less impactful – or avoided – completely. At the end of the day, planning and prevention will dictate how a fire can impact your operation.
In the last edition of Farming For Tomorrow, we highlighted the experiences of two different producers from across the Prairie provinces with total-loss combine fires. In this article, we will explore common misconceptions, ways to plan ahead, how to keep insurance up to date, and how to help prevent combine fires from happening altogether.
Common Misconceptions
Are Combine Fires Happening More Often?
To understand how and why combine fires start, it is important to address common misunderstandings producers may share. In conversations with farmers from across the Prairies, I have heard several individuals tell me that combine fires are happening far more often these days than they used to.
With the shocking photos and videos of combines worth over a million dollars filling the social media feeds of
producers, it is very easy to understand why people think newer combines are more likely to have fires than older models. With sites such as TikTok, Facebook or X promoting posts with the highest levels of engagement, a farmer’s algorithms will continue to send similar content they have interacted with in the past.
But according to Blair McClinton, farm segment director at SGI (Saskatchewan Government Insurance), there has not been any remarkable increase or decrease in fires from a year-to-year perspective. “Statistically speaking,” says McClinton, “the numbers we have do not point to any real increases. But if you were to tell me that there is going to be three weeks of 35 C weather in August and September, I will guarantee you there will be an increase in fires on farms.”
Do New Combines Have a Higher Rate of Fires?
McClinton states the insurance industry looks at two major statistics: the frequency of fires and the severity of the loss. “Farm machinery is becoming increasingly more expensive,” he says, “but brand-new $1-million combines burn up just the same as a $200,000 10-year-old combine.”
Yet, it is worth noting that new combines burn differently from older models. Since newer models have more plastic and less metal than their older counterparts, fires can become severe, much faster, which may, in turn, lead to greater losses. If the fire is not a total loss, repairs can also be much more expensive than older models due to a higher complexity of technology such as sensors and electrical components.
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The reasons for fires during the harvest season are the same as they have always been. McClinton says, “Anything used for harvesting tends to be at higher exposure for fires because of the environmental conditions of the season. During the spraying season, we tend to see far fewer fires due to the wetter and greener conditions.”
Planning Ahead with Insurance Coverage
Whether the machinery is brand new or old enough to be your grandfather, having the right insurance is essential. Nothing on a farm is ever cheap, so having to pay out of pocket for a replacement can be a huge expense that always seems to come at the wrong time.
There are various coverage packages depending on the insurance company to choose from, but even the most basic plans will cover losses incurred due to fire. McClinton states many policies have specific exclusions for losses, especially with custom operations, so producers should discuss insurance coverage options with their broker.
Many dealerships will offer great coverage plans that can include options such as “loss of use coverage” in the event of a breakdown or a loss, but private purchases do not offer the same level of safety net. It then falls to the producer to understand what their coverage is and to ensure that their documentation is kept up to date.
To further complicate the matter, the market value of certain pieces of equipment can go up and down on a yearly basis. Because of this variability, McClinton highly recommends meeting with your insurance broker yearly to ensure coverage is at the right level and at the correct dollar evaluation for each piece of insured equipment.
“The best piece of advice I would give,” says McClinton, “is to make sure your policy documents are up to date and current with the machines you have on hand. Keep your records of serial numbers, dates purchased and understand the type of coverage you have.”
Depreciation – and the market value of machines – is important to understand. Those underinsured may be penalized during a settlement. Regular conversations with a broker and a yearly inventory can save a lot of headaches if things ever go wrong. In addition, adding any new purchases made throughout the year to coverage can usually be done over the phone.
Prevention and Planning Maintenance and Checks
The condition and care of machinery is extremely important. Limiting or removing potential fuel sources on the interior and exterior of equipment can sharply reduce the chance of ignition. Compressed air or a leaf blower can help to blow away dust, chaff, leaves and other debris. Grease and oil buildup on rotating or moving parts should be regularly scrubbed. Be sure to remove any bits of debris that have collected inside the machine, especially in the engine compartment.
Electrical fires should also be considered in prevention plans. Starter motors and heating/cooling systems draw a heavy electrical load, so watch out for overloaded electrical circuits, especially if a machine’s fuses blow regularly. Replace any frayed wiring or worn-out connectors.
Cool Down
During harvest, every day feels like a rush and delays seem like a waste of time. But taking regular breaks can be essential for both the machinery and the operator.
While refuelling, turn off the engine and wait approximately 15 minutes. This can help reduce the risk of spilled fuel igniting. After a day of harvesting, let the combine cool down. Make sure to leave the combine well away from barns, vehicles and anything
flammable. If a hot spot were to ignite, this strategy can help keep the fire from spreading further and damaging other property.
Be Ready to Douse the Flames
SGI recommends keeping a fully charged 10-pound ABC dry chemical fire extinguisher in the cab of a combine with a mounted 20-pound version on the outside of the machine, within easy reach from the ground.
An additional ABC extinguisher can be kept in other farm vehicles to be used at the first sign of smoke or a small flame. Teach yourself, employees and family members how to use a fire extinguisher well before they need it for real.
Finally, park a water truck with a pump and nozzle near the field edge of intended work. Placement of the truck is important as it will allow the people coming to help quick access, especially if you are on the opposite side of the field.
It Takes a Village
When a combine goes up in flames, there is very limited time available to prevent the fire from worsening or spreading. The field being worked on could be out of cellphone
coverage and internet access, or simply too far from any firefighting services to be of immediate help. Because of this, the first responders to most of these fires are usually family, co-workers or neighbours.
At my family farm in the southwest corner of Saskatchewan, we are a long way from a volunteer firefighting service, so dozens of farmers in the area have joined a WhatsApp group chat committed solely to community firefighting. Depending on the week, there might not be a single message in the chat, but at other times, we can receive messages like, “Combine fire. Lentil field. 20k west of Cabri. 5k north from Smith quarter.” Replies usually flood in quickly with people stating they are coming and with which kind of equipment. Water trucks, shovels, sprayers with firefighting attachments and even spray planes will rush to the area.
Your Combine Can be Replaced, But You Can’t
At the end of the day, remember that you are the most important thing to your farm, your family and your friends. Equipment can be replaced, but you cannot be.
Plan ahead. Practice prevention. Stay safe.
Tom Wolf, PhD, P.Ag.
Tom Wolf grew up on a grain farm in southern Manitoba. He obtained his BSA and M.Sc. (Plant Science) at the University of Manitoba and his PhD (Agronomy) at Ohio State University. Tom was a research scientist with Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada for 17 years before forming AgriMetrix, an agricultural research company that he now operates in Saskatoon. He specializes in spray drift, pesticide efficacy and sprayer tank cleanout, and conducts research and training on these topics throughout Canada. Tom sits on the Board of the Saskatchewan Soil Conservation Association, is an active member of the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers and is a member and past president of the Canadian Weed Science Society.
Trends in Pesticide Application
There seems to be no end to the innovation in agricultural technology. As my 85-year-old father and I walked the Manitoba Ag Days in January, we both marvelled at the massive size of equipment these days. I attend many ag trade shows, so this wasn’t my first rodeo. How could one not be amazed at the new John Deere 830-horsepower quad tractor? It is simply massive by any standard. The new Case combine weighs 50,000 pounds dry, has a 1,500-litre fuel tank, enough for 16 hours of operation of its 775-horsepower engine, and its hopper holds 570 bushels. My dad, a modern man who lives in the present and embraces change, couldn’t resist telling the sales agent that until the age of 16, he cut grain with a scythe and hauled it to our stationary thresher with horses. OK, this wasn’t in Canada, but a true story, and part of his personal experience. His generation has seen a lot of change.
At the Brandon show, I met some farmer friends who are facing the need to change their sprayer. Farming the Red River Valley, they were concerned about productivity but also weight. Finding a light machine is almost impossible. And we didn’t even talk about cost. Like the tractor and combine counterparts, sprayer manufacturers are focusing development on their largest units. That’s where the demand seems to be. But is larger also better?
At one of my first large scientific conferences, this one in the U.K., a distinguished scientist giving the keynote lecture said, “If you want to know tomorrow’s problems, you only need to look at today’s solutions to yesterday’s problems.” What are the issues caused by ever larger sprayers?
These heavy machines compact soil. They consume more fuel. Yes, they carry larger tanks and wider booms. But the question is: are they doing a better job with pesticide application and pest control?
New technologies always carry promise in many forms: more capacity; greater comfort; better warranties; improved user interfaces. All of these are important, but we need to have an objective measure of performance for weed or disease control. And that is where the problems with large machines can begin.
Nobody wants to lower their standards. Or admit that they have. We have to ask: is that what’s happening in the spraying business?
Let’s look at a few measures, starting with spray drift. This one has been an interesting ride.
Spray Drift Trends
In the 1970s and earlier, spray drift was an unavoidable consequence of spray application. Spray nozzles were little more than elliptical holes machined into a piece of brass, and the spray pressure required to push liquid through the lines was high enough to create a mist whose movement was outside of the applicator’s control. All one could do was avoid breezy weather. Fortunately, cropping was not yet very diversified, herbicide options were few and crop damage was usually not visible. We did not yet measure pesticide residues in the environment.
In the 1980s and 1990s, we saw the first revolution in application: the introduction of rate control and low-drift technologies. A computer that measured the sprayer’s speed and liquid flow rate could adjust the flow to meet the desired application volume, exactly. And the spray was protected from wind by shrouds that enveloped the boom, or was emitted through new nozzles designed to reduce drift by a factor of four. These were big improvements in accuracy and safety.
The party didn’t last long. The gains in drift control were quickly undone by the move to high-clearance self-propelled sprayers beginning in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Such sprayers drove more quickly and had suspended (not wheeled) booms with height twice or three times the previous norm. Spray drift was rising once again.
Yes, low-drift nozzles are being used and are here to stay. As are low-drift adjuvants. But the higher boom needed to combat boom sway and the faster travel speed created long trailing plumes of driftable droplets, leaving the applicator with no control and at the mercy of prevailing weather conditions. We have been calling for better boom stability, with little to show for it in terms of availability. And we have also called for applicators to limit their speed, again with limited success. Fact is, these machines are smooth and powerful, and are advertised as such. Much ground needs to be covered. Why crawl along?
Drift Score: We are causing more drift than we were 20 years ago.
Deposit Uniformity Trends
In-crop spray deposits were not commonly measured in the
1970s and before due to a lack of available equipment. Sprays were evaluated with stationary booms and patternators. This was done for quality control on the nozzles and to ensure boom height and nozzle spacing were adequate. Since travel speeds were low, rarely exceeding five miles per hour due to rough fields and poor suspension, it was assumed the lab studies translated to the field.
The air turbulence caused by heavy high-clearance sprayers required that we measured swath deposits under actual field conditions. These ‘dynamic’ patterns revealed a new trend: the dispersal of the spray cloud in the turbulent wake of large objects such as tires and tractor units, and also booms. It is another example of a backward step. Turns out patterns could be quite non-uniform with high booms and fast travel speeds regardless of the quality of the nozzles.
On the positive side, the emergence of pulse width modulation (PWM) has created a pressure stability across any given field, meaning the droplet size of our sprays is relatively constant. Speeding up and slowing down no longer changes the pressure and consequently the spray droplet size and pattern stay essentially constant. But PWM requires a slightly higher boom for proper nozzle overlap and blending of the pulsed spray cloud, predisposing the spray to turbulent displacement of a large, fast sprayer. PWM also does not place a strict speed limit on the sprayer, with the 30 per cent or so headroom of the 70 per cent duty cycle available for speed whenever desired.
Deposit Uniformity Score: Our spray deposits are less uniform than they were 20 years ago.
Figure 1: Larger tires, necessitated by heavier equipment, introduce aerodynamic challenges that affect deposition uniformity.
Productivity Trends
There are a number of driving forces behind increased machine size, but the major one is the ability to cover more ground on any given workday. It is undeniable there is a labour shortage in agriculture and a single individual needs to do more. Larger equipment helps tremendously.
Greater productivity supports the underlying tenets of good agronomy, that is, doing the right thing at the right time. One simply can’t afford to miss the window where the pest is most susceptible and the crop’s yield potential can be maximized.
Even smaller equipment can gain productivity when logistics are examined and optimized. Activities such as tendering spray water, filling, cleaning, even transporting often take more time than necessary. And there are many small activities, such as uploading jobs or entering the information manually. For someone spraying 120 acres per hour, each minute wasted is two acres. For tasks repeated many times a day, that can add up.
The three-inch transfer pump and inductor has spawned a tender trailer industry that has done more for productivity than the 400-horsepower sprayer with a 1,600-gallon tank.
Wider booms are also gaining popularity. Ironically, it is European imported sprayers that are pushing the boom width envelope beyond the 133-foot size, to 160 feet and even 180 feet. Yes, these sprayers need to travel more slowly, but that saves fuel, reduces turbulence and drift, and makes lower boom heights a real possibility. Syngenta U.K. coined the term, “Low, slow, and covered.” It’s a good one.
Especially on farm operations, where a single individual is responsible for all tasks, these changes bear fruit. I know one operator who has installed water tanks on some of his outlying land. He keeps them full when the weather is poor for spraying and never has a long trip for water on a spray day.
Productivity Score: Our sprayer productivity is significantly higher than it was 20 years ago.
Efficacy
This one is harder to judge because a lot of things are happening simultaneously. We have more pesticide products at our disposal. We also have resistance issues, and our surveys are showing that more weeds and diseases, and larger areas of them, are resistant to herbicides every year. The resulting escapes are more the fault of our agricultural practices in general, and less the immediate fault of the quality of the application.
We also have other challenges owing to soil compaction, residue management, and in some cases, delayed seeding or spraying due to farm sizes growing faster than equipment productivity.
On the whole, efficacy has remained remarkably constant, and a large part of the credit for this has to go to the chemistry itself and the product rates that are being used. Simply put, it’s possible to cover up small errors with a slightly higher rate. But that’s not efficient.
The industry has also been paying more attention to water quality (hardness, bicarbonates, etc.) and is offering information and adjuvant solutions for many of them. These practices help maximize the performance potential of the herbicide pass.
Efficacy Score: Pesticide efficacy is declining due to resistance, but poor application practices are covered up by pesticide rates and improved adjuvants.
The Lesson
It’s important to be objective about the direction of trends, not just in terms of spraying but of our agricultural practices in general. We ought to adopt practices and equipment that improve the quality of the work we are doing and the care we are taking of our resources. This is not easy as farmers face pressures of productivity, and equipment manufacturers cater to market segments that are most profitable. But as we evaluate new technologies, we would be wise to look beyond the immediate benefits communicated by manufacturers, and make sure that we are in fact improving efficacy, efficiency and the environment.
Figure 2: Deposit uniformity has become more of a problem with faster driving speeds and higher booms.
