Mbc140206

Carman slaughter expansion

FEbruary 6, 2014

True North Foods set to open

by March » Page 3

Patience pays on grass Beef profits double with older animals » Page 15

SERVING MANITOBA FARMERS SINCE 1925 | Vol. 72, No. 6

KAP celebrates 30 years with record number of members

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More data demanded on railways’ grain traffic

Farmer’s Voice publication will be inserted in the Manitoba Co-operator

An expanded data set is expected to help shed light on the current backlog

By Shannon VanRaes co-operator staff

I

t hasn’t just been farmers reaping the benefits of this year’s bumper crop, Keystone Agricultural Producers (KAP) has also seen significant growth.

“KAP membership has exploded,” said KAP president Doug Chorney. “We’ve had our biggest year-over-year resurgence in our membership, and that’s something to celebrate — especially on our 30th See KAP on page 7 »

Federal Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz (l), shown here with Pulse Canada CEO Gordon Bacon, pledges to seek enhancements to Canada’s Grain Monitoring Program to improve the frequency of reporting on the grain supply chain. Photo: Dave Bedard

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ederally mandated reporting on grain traffic on Canada’s two main railways is now expected to show the flow on a weekly rather than monthly basis.

Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz dropped into Winnipeg Monday for

meetings with members of the industry-led Crop Logistics Working Group (CLWG) and accepted a number of “early recommendations” on improvements to the grain-handling system.

Out of those, he proposed to require an “expanded range of metrics and reporting frequency” from the Grain Monitoring Program, which Edmonton-based Quorum Corp. runs on Ottawa’s behalf.

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Quorum, which has run the program since 2001 under joint contract to Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and Transport Canada, previously reported monthly grain-handling data on a quarterly basis. It will now be asked to provide monthly data on grain movements, broken down on a week-bySee RAIL DATA on page 6 »

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2

The Manitoba Co-operator | February 6, 2014

INSIDE

Did you know?

LIVESTOCK Making grazing greener

Temperature swings hard on insects

Shifting beef finishing from the feedlot to the pasture

The research is changing how scientists view the effect of climate change on plants and animals

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University of British Columbia release

CROPS

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Low supplies may boost flax Council president sees 20 per cent acreage increase

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FEATURE Farming better through radio Canadian organization helps farmers in Uganda

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CROSSROADS A braille garden Partially sighted gardener uses all her senses

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Editorials Comments What’s Up Livestock Markets

any species of insects, including a wasp commonly used for biocontrol in Canada, are at risk due to increasing dramatic temperature changes related to global warming.

Increasingly extreme swings in temperature may put some insects at higher risk than previously thought, according to a new study published today in the Proceedings of the Royal Society of London.

An international team of scientists tested the impact of temperature patterns on 38 species of insects and analyzed the results along with historic climate data and projections for 2050 to 2059.

They found that when only the mean temperature rise is considered, insects flourished in the warmer environments.

However, when accounting for the variation in highest and lowest temperatures, insects were negatively impacted.

“This study changes the way we think about climate change vulnerability of plants and animals,” says study coauthor Mary O’Connor, an

Muscidifurax zaraptor, a wasp commonly used for biocontrol in Canada, are among the species that would not benefit from warming, a University of British Columbia study says. Supplied photo

assistant professor in the University of British Columbia’s dept. of zoology.

“Until recently, we believed that tropical species were more at risk of extinction because generally they cannot tolerate increasing temperatures. We also thought that many plants and animals in colder climates like in Canada could better tolerate warming,” says O’Connor, who is also associate director of UBC’s Biodiversity Research Centre.

“But when we add changes in daily and annual temperature swings to the mix, species in colder climates are in no better shape to weather climate change.”

O’Connor adds that species such as the stable fly St o m ox y s c a l c i t r a n a n d Muscidifurax zaraptor, a wasp commonly used for biocontrol in Canada, are among the species that would not benefit from warming, contrary to previous predictions.

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Grain Markets Weather Vane Classifieds Sudoku

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3

The Manitoba Co-operator | February 6, 2014

NEWS

Dairy farmers optimistic that losses will be covered

By Shannon VanRaes co-operator staff

Manitoba Dairy Farmers is working with TransCanada Pipelines to ensure there won’t be any tears over last week’s spilt milk.

Approximately 300,000 litres had to be discarded after a portion of a natural gas pipeline near Otterburne exploded on Jan. 25, leaving 4,000 homes and nearly 200 barns without heat.

The disruption also closed two dairy processors — Parmalat in Grunthal and New Bothwell — leading to a backlog of milk that couldn’t be processed.

“Discarding milk was the last resort,” said David Wiens, chairman of Dairy Farmers of Manitoba.

“That first day we were filling everybody’s milk silos... then we were also making arrangements with some of the plants in Saskatchewan and Alberta to receive our milk, and of course trying to organize equipment to haul it.”

In total, roughly 600,000 litres were shipped out of province.

Wiens said the discarded milk represents about $240,000 for dairy producers in the province. Dairy Farmers is still calculating the cost of hauling milk out of province, but the chairman estimated transportation costs to be about $3,000 per trip.

So far, talks with TransCanada have been positive, he said. “ We’v e b e e n q u i t e pleased with TransCanada’s openness to discussing the financial losses and compensation... at this point everything looks promising in terms of being compensated,” Wiens said.

TransCanada spokesman Davis Sheremata said they are working toward settling all reasonable direct costs.

“I can’t give you a timeline but we are working as quickly as possible to get all expense claims settled with impacted individuals and businesses,” he said.

Roughly 70 dairy operations were directly affected by the outage, but because dairy is a supply-managed commodity, producers across Manitoba share the brunt of any loses, Wiens added.

But the set of circumstances that led to the milk losses is unlikely to be repeated. “ We’v e e x p e r i e n c e d all kinds of things in the past, nothing ever to this extent… what we experienced here was really a perfect storm.”

The recent closure of a Saputo processing facility in Winkler also compounded the problem, leaving dairy farmers short a processing facility to begin with, he added. shannon.vanraes@fbcpublishing.com

New Carman beef slaughter plant targets spring opening Rising cost of trucking means the future belongs to small regional slaughter plants, says owner

By Daniel Winters co-operator staff / brandon

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onstruction of Manitoba’s first new federally inspected slaughter plant in decades is steaming along, and its owner expects 50-75 head of cattle per week to start coming down the ramp early this spring.

“The engineers tell me we’re going to be killing cattle by the end of March,” said Calvin Vaags, owner of the slaughter plant being built just north of Carman.

“I’m a bit of a pessimist, so I’ll say April, and then we’ll have a federal stamp in there by the end of May or June.”

Formerly known as Plains Processors, the new facility will be renamed True North Foods.

Ethnic markets looking for halal and possibly kosher-slaughtered meat will be a major driver for the plant that is aiming for 1,000 head per week at full capacity. Vaags also believes that organic and grass-fed products could be dovetailed into similar niches.

In an update at Ag Days, Vaags invoked the dark days of the BSE border closure that began in 2003.

As a rancher running cattle and a feedlot on 2,800 acres, that crisis showed a “definite need” for a local, federally inspected plant that would be able to get commodity beef, elk, bison and small ruminants not just in a box, but out to markets, at least outside of the province and “hopefully” around the world.

Vaags’ foray into the beef retail and wholesale market started with a venture called The Carver’s Knife in Winnipeg at the same time, and led to him becoming Plains Processors’ biggest customer by 2008.

“They wanted me to buy the plant. At first, I said, ‘Absolutely not.’ But then they made me an offer I couldn’t refuse, so I

Plains Processors will be renamed True North Foods, and will be able to slaughter 1,000 head a week at full capacity.

Photo: Laura Rance

“We will be providing a service.

We will slaughter the animals, package it to your specs, then put a box around it with your label on it and then it’s your baby again.”

‘Sweet spot’ Calvin Vaags

ended up owning a slaughter plant as well,” said Vaags.

But six months later, he realized that owning a provincially inspected plant offered a dismal future, and began investigating the possibility of gaining a federal stamp from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.

Now, plans are in the works for European Union certification, as well as China, the United States, and “any other market around the world.”

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panel walls up, and slaughter equipment being moved in, Vaags has taken pains to make sure that it will accommodate multiple species and meet international specifications.

“We will be providing a service. We will slaughter the animals, package it to your specs, then put a box around it with your label on it and then it’s your baby again,” said Vaags.

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His goal was to hit the “engineering sweet spot” for the Manitoba market. Not too big and expensive, but small enough to be built on a budget that makes it viable.

The plant’s killing floor and processing line will be able to process even the largest bulls, because Vaags recalls how during the depths of the BSE crisis such animals had to be shipped to Montreal — the only facility that could, or would — handle them.

The design is based on Vaags’ own cattle-handling experience as well as the animal welfare principles espoused by animal behaviourist Temple Grandin.

The plant’s traceability system will be able to track all pro-

duction right from the CCIA ear tag to the individual packages of meat heading out the door, he added. That way, if a food safety issue arises, it can be quickly pinpointed and specific products recalled in a timely fashion without wasting large volumes of production.

Shipping raw commodities away to be processed by others has long been the default strategy of Manitoba’s agricultural economy, but Vaags believes that the Carman plant with 80 workers is a necessary step towards keeping more valueadded profits at home.

“I’m a big believer in small regional plants. Times have changed. The cost of moving animals around is way higher than it used to be. That’s the key that makes everything different,” said Vaags.

He noted that trucking costs to Nebraska, for example, have risen from just over two cents per pound 15 years ago to “a full 10 cents” today.

“Big plants trying to draw 5,000 head per day from a 1,000-mile radius — that’s not sustainable.” daniel.winters@fbcpublishing.com

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The Manitoba Co-operator | February 6, 2014

OPINION/EDITORIAL

Celebrating 30 years

A

t the banquet for Keystone Agricultural Producers 30th anniversary annual meeting last week, former president Earl Geddes and former vicepresident Robert McLean were trading stories about the organization’s formation. That involved driving around the country, knocking on doors, hoping to be invited in and then leaving with a cheque.

Some of those doors were knocked on John Morriss with some trepidation, knowing the person Editorial Director on the other side to have strong opinions, and not necessarily in favour of a general farm organization. But even some of those prospects provided not only a cheque, but words of encouragement.

Thirty years later, KAP is still going strong, and even had an increase in membership last year. That support is well deserved, and congratulations are in order to the many who have put so much time and effort into the organization over the years.

Getting KAP started was not a slam dunk. The Manitoba Farm Bureau had blown apart with a long history of infighting, especially over the Crow rate. The same happened to the Saskatchewan Federation of Agriculture and to Unifarm in Alberta. Though farmers in those provinces have managed to revive general farm organizations, the depth and breadth of support is nothing like that in Manitoba.

That’s been partly due to the debate over the wheat board, over which KAP might also have blown itself apart. But it didn’t, partly because it never lost sight of the fact that there is more than one issue in farming. It’s one thing to get all riled up over a single hot-button issue. It’s another to grind away at the less sexy but equally important ones — nutrient management, fuel prices, education taxes — the list goes on. Those issues are where KAP has done some of its most important work, and work which benefits all farmers. That’s a point to remember when it comes time to renewing your membership, or requesting a checkoff refund. You might not agree with KAP’s policy on a certain issue, but there’s more than one issue in agriculture.

And if you don’t like a policy, you can attend a local meeting and say so, or even run for district representative yourself.

That democratic process in itself is a benefit for the farm community. The end of the Pools left a vacuum, which was the educational process of attending and participating in meetings under Robert’s Rules of Order. That’s not only important for internal farm policy discussions, but also for training good farm representatives to the broader community.

There’s one area for improvement — it would be nice to see more women involved. We’ll watch for more of them at next year’s annual meeting, as KAP moves into a well-deserved fourth decade.

All for one, one for all

T

he change to the Canadian Wheat Board represented one of the biggest changes ever in Prairie agriculture, and the fallout will continue for some time yet. That includes determining who will represent the wheat and barley growers and their industries, and how they will do it.

You can be excused for being confused about the number of old and new organizations that are now in the mixture. There are wheat and barley commissions in the three Prairie provinces. There’s the Grain Growers of Canada, which represents several commodity organizations. There’s the Canada Grains Council, which represents the grain trade as well as some of the same commodity organizations.

Then there are the organizations with technical or research capability — the Western Grain Research Foundation and the Canadian International Grains Institute. Their future will partly depend on the provincial wheat and barley commission checkoffs.

It’s one thing to have a provincial organization with a john.morriss@fbcpublishing.com

focus on agronomic issues.

Marketing and promotion are another matter. Customers don’t buy Alberta wheat or Saskatchewan wheat or Manitoba wheat. Grain from all three is blended at terminals. Nor can any of the provincial organizations actually sell anything — that’s up to the grain companies.

So as the provincial wheat and barley commissions get underway, let’s hope that they work together. There’s no point in duplicating agronomic research. And when it comes to marketing and promotion, it should be an “all for one and one for all” approach. There is no point in promoting one province’s grain over another, and the customer contacts should be left to the grain companies, the Canadian Grain Commission and the Canadian International Grains Institute (Cigi). And since the grain companies now selling Canadian grain sell for the competition as well, it will be especially important to support the CGC and Cigi as “honest brokers” of information on customers’ requirements.

Let’s get the facts right on CWB

By Jeff Nielsen

T

he Friends of the CWB (FCWB) is attempting to redefine history, court decisions and the various acts of Canadian parliaments.

The Canadian Wheat Board (CWB) Act of 1998 outlined a corporation with farmers making up the majority of the board of directors. Several lawyers paid by the CWB, clearly defined to these directors, “the CWB and its assets and liabilities belong to the Government of Canada.”

Some ideologically driven individuals have blatantly misrepresented this to western Canadian producers.

The FCWB continues to deny the Supreme Court of Canada ruling refusing to hear an appeal of Justice Perlmutter’s decision.

Concerning the democratic voting argument in the CWB Act, Perlmutter states, “The wording of s. 47.1 refers to the addition or subtraction of particular grains or types of grains from the marketing regime.”

Justice Daniele Tremblay-Lamer’s Nov. 29, 2013 ruling striking down FCWB’s $17-billion class-action suit states “the government cannot be said to have acted wrongfully by enacting the (Marketing Freedom) Act and there has been no deprivation of property. Losing the single desk to changes in the CWB regulatory scheme is not enough in itself to claim a loss of a property interest.”

In terms of CWB property or assets, funds for renovations of the building and refurbishment of the rail cars (which extended the life of these depreciating assets) came from remortgaging these assets. Any value would simply be the difference between market value and the amount of the mortgage, which is most likely, very little.

Purchase of the lakers was a decision of the board of directors. The federal government refused to approve financial support. Even when lawyers defined clearly that the CWB, its

OUR HISTORY:

liabilities and assets were owned by the Crown, the majority of elected directors decided to use the pool account to purchase these ships.

The contingency fund allowed the CWB to build a reserve to backstop programs. The CWB earned more from Producer Payment Options after payments to farmers, which was deposited into the contingency fund, according to the act.

These retained earnings were not pool account funds. These assets were not taken from farmers; farmers who signed on to the programs were paid in full.

The Government of Canada invested close to $350 million to allow the new CWB to fulfil its obligations including staff changes, pension funding and contractual agreements. This ensured that no monies were taken from farmers during the transition to a voluntary corporation.

Any suggestion of misappropriation of farmers’ money lies squarely on some directors who abandoned their legal responsibilities like the duty of care and duty of loyalty owed to the CWB and its marketing of grain.

This is the real scandal. These directors are responsible for the millions of dollars of farmers’ money wasted attempting to prove their superiority over the Government of Canada which created the CWB Act. I did not want to be associated with what I viewed as a misappropriation of farmers’ money. These decisions were at the heart of why I resigned. Some might like to recoup costs from those who held back change, but most, including myself, want the new CWB part of a competitive grain industry.

The real justice is the people challenging change have to use their own money now. They do not have access to farmers’ money to fund their political battle.

Jeff Nielsen farms near Olds, Alta. He was formerly an elected member to the Canadian Wheat Board’s board of directors.

March 1984

T

his ad for Fusilade grass herbicide was in our March 8, 1984 issue — Fusilade was manufactured by Chipman, which was later absorbed into Zeneca and in turn into Syngenta.

In that issue we reported a special committee had been formed to determine whether a new general farm organization could be formed to replace the embattled Manitoba Farm Bureau. Interim MFB head Bert Hall had met with Agriculture Minister Bill Uruski to discuss the possibility of legislation to allow an organization based on regional elections as well as representation from commodity groups.

The MFB was on life support following the withdrawal of Manitoba Pool Elevators and United Grain Growers over the contentious issue of the Crow rate, and that week we also reported that Federated Co-operatives had withdrawn from provincial farm federations in Western Canada.

Among the questions was whether membership in the new organization should be compulsory, with the option of designating fees to a charity instead. We reported that he National Farmers Union was opposed to compulsory membership.

The efforts to build a new organization resulted in the formation of Keystone Agricultural Producers, which held its 30th annual meeting last week.

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The Manitoba Co-operator | February 6, 2014

COMMENT/FEEDBACK

Food Freedom Day — celebrate and support the Canadian value chain Forty per cent of consumers put their money where their mouth is paying for local food

By Ron Bonnett

E

Letters

very year the Canadian Federation of Agriculture (CFA) calculates the calendar date when the average Canadian has earned enough income to pay for his or her annual grocery bill, coined ‘Food Freedom Day.’ This year, Food Freedom Day falls on February 7.

As Canadians, we enjoy a safe and abundant food supply thanks to all the players along the value chain. For this year’s FFD, we chose to focus on celebrating the Canadian value chain and Canadian products, as we feel supporting the Canadian brand is important now more than ever.

We continue to see that a strong portion of the population places great value in buying local, Canadian products. A survey sponsored by Farm Credit Canada demonstrated that 95 per cent of respondents agreed that buying locally grown food is a priority or preference; however, only 43 per cent are willing to pay more for local products.

A study done by the George Morris Centre shows that while it has been documented that 80 per cent of consumers will choose local food over alternatives, recent research suggests that 40 is a more realistic percentage of consumers who prefer local food.

From these reports, we see that the concept of buying local Canadian products is important to Canadians,

Consumers are seeing more imported processed foods on supermarket shelves than ever, a trend that hurts Canadian processors and producers. photo: thinkstock

but when it comes to making the decision at the grocery store, other priorities come into play.

Cost factor

Cost is often noted as a factor. While this can certainly be appreciated as budgets for many are tight, it’s important to consider the larger picture.

Canadian consumers enjoy a domestic food industry providing some of the lowest food costs in the world. In a 2012 comparison of food-at-home budget shares conducted by the USDA, Canada was found to spend the thirdlowest share of its total expenditures on food in the world, behind only the U.S. and Britain. According to Statistics Canada, Canadians are expected to have spent 10.6 per cent of their disposable income on food in 2013.

We welcome readers’ comments on issues that have been covered in the Manitoba Co-operator. In most cases we cannot accept “open” letters or copies of letters which have been sent to several publications.

Letters are subject to editing for length or taste. We suggest a maximum of about 300 words.

Please forward letters to Manitoba Co-operator, 1666 Dublin Ave., Winnipeg, R3H 0H1 or Fax: 204-954-1422 or email: news@fbcpublishing.com (subject: To the editor)

Maintaining such low costs alongside the high labour, environmental and food safety standards Canadians value is a challenge for Canada’s farmers, and they certainly welcome it when Canadians recognize these high standards, quality and the economic benefits of buying Canadian products.

Decisions at the grocery store have a significant ripple effect. As an example, in 2008, every dollar spent at Ontario’s farmers’ markets, created an average of $3.24 worth of economic activity in the provincial economy. Whether you’re buying from your community, your province or from elsewhere in Canada, you are supporting and strengthening the Canadian value chain.

It’s encouraging that research continues to find that Canadians are increasingly loyal to buying local food products, particularly fruits and vegetables, cheese, beef, and poultry. What about packaged, processed and valueadded Canadian goods?

Processors challenged

Canadian food processors continue to innovate, providing a wealth of new products that meet the dietary and lifestyle needs of Canada’s increasingly health-conscious shopper.

However, 2012 research by the Canadian Agri-Food Policy Institute has found that Canada is importing more and more processed foods. Since 2004, Canadian food-processing imports have increased by approximately 60 per

Farmers can certainly relate to Larry Weber’s frustration with the current grain-marketing and transportation situation, but it is confusing, (Manitoba Co-operator Jan. 30, 2014).

He states, “Everything changed Aug. 1, 2012 when the Canadian Wheat Board’s sales monopoly ended.” Based on his anti-single-desk rhetoric, prior to its loss, one would think he’d be living his dream, extolling the efficiencies and transparency of the open market. And best of all, farmers have marketing freedom. Interestingly, in his Ag Days presentation, he strongly urged farmers to work together to create some balance in the grain industry. “It doesn’t matter if you’re on the left side or the right side, come together at least once for God’s sake,” he states.

Based on his complaints about grain buyer greed, lack of competition in transportation, obscene basis levels, lack of transparency in shipping information, and the poorly functioning futures markets, he might soon be urging farmers, with the assistance of federal government legislation, to form an institutional marketing organization which could address many of the issues he raises.

He may even recommend that it be directed by elected farmers and called the ‘One Desk.’ This, he might advance, would give farmers clout in dealing with the railways, grain companies and international marketing forces instead of competing with each other for price and access. What a novel idea.

Bill Toews Kane, Man.

Ron Bonnett is president of the Canadian Federation of Agriculture and a cow-calf producer near Bruce Mines, Ont.

The Agricultural Growth Act — growth for whom?

Plant breeders have ‘rights,’ but farmers only have the ‘privilege’ to save seed

By Jan Slomp president, national farmers union

What next? A farmer-owned marketing agency?

cent, while exports have stagnated. The result is less room on the shelves for Canadian options.

Not only that, but the Canadian foodmanufacturing industry is facing real challenges, with plants closing across the country. Since 2007, more than 80 food-processing plants have closed in Canada, with Heinz and Kellogg’s being the most recent examples.

When you realize that these companies purchase approximately 35 per cent of the market that Canada’s farmers produce and as an industry, employ approximately 290,000 Canadians, you begin to see how interlinked the Canadian value chain is.

It also perhaps becomes clearer as to why we need a plan, a long-term vision, for our food supply and food system. This is something the CFA strongly believes in and has developed with stakeholders along the value chain, a National Food Strategy.

In observing Food Freedom Day, we celebrate a Canadian value chain that continues to offer us high-quality products produced to the highest standards.

It’s also an opportunity to draw attention to what’s needed to keep our food and agriculture sectors strong. Let’s make a commitment this year to buy Canadian when we can, and to stay informed about our food system.

O

n December 9, 2013, Omnibus Bill C-18, the Agricultural Growth Act went to Parliament for first reading. Passing Bill C-18 would make Canada compliant with UPOV ’91, a much more restrictive form of Plant Breeders’ Rights than we currently have. The second part of the act will prepare Canada’s regulatory regime for fast-track approval of feed or food additives, drugs or other inventions that are already approved in jurisdictions we trade with. Bill C-18 also opens the door for farmers to tap into multi-year advance payments secured by crops in storage or grown in the future.

After a groundswell of farmer-led opposition to adopting UPOV ’91 in 2005, the Liberal government of the day let it quietly die, as it became clear that farmers would be drastically restricted in their ability to save, reuse, exchange and sell seed. The Canadian public clearly demanded that genetic resources remain a public good.

Before reintroducing UPOV ’91 through Bill C-18, Agriculture Minister Ritz has been actively spreading the myth and managing to convince many farm organizations and commodity groups that saving seed is enshrined in this bill. It is obvious that UPOV ’91 gives plant breeders significantly more “rights” and tools for royalty collection, while farmers’ seed-saving right is reduced merely to “privilege.”

A privilege was typically given to peasants by feudal lords, and could be arbitrarily and unpredictably retracted.

A closer look at the text of Bill C-18 reveals that indeed, it talks about a farmer’s ability to save seed. When storing that saved seed however, the farmer needs the permission of the holder of the Plant Breeders’ Rights (PBR) — which may or may not be given. Of course the breeder has the right to charge royalties as well.

Bill C-18 in fact also empowers government to remove, restrict or limit the farmer’s seed-saving privilege by passing regulations, a process that can happen quickly and without public debate.

UPOV ’91 has many provisions for royalty collection after a crop has been harvested, when seed is cleaned in seed-cleaning plants or when a crop is moved off the farm for sale at elevators and other points of transaction, in the year the crop was harvested or any year after that.

Canada should reject UPOV ’91 and defeat Bill C-18.

Instead, we should reinforce our public plant-breeding programs. With the continued allocation of farmer checkoff dollars, there will be ample funding for essential variety development. There is absolutely no need to grant transnational plant breeders more tools to extract excessive funds from farmers. Adopting UPOV ’91 may result in some genetic improvements of crops, but at significantly higher costs than a public breeding system — which benefits the whole Canadian economy. UPOV ’91 would result in significantly higher costs for farmers and growth in profits for Bayer, Monsanto, Dow and Syngenta and other seed and chemical companies headquartered outside of our country.

6

The Manitoba Co-operator | February 6, 2014

FROM PAGE ONE RAIL DATA Continued from page 1

week basis.

Where a Jan. 21 announcement of a new working group to turn up new efficiencies in the grain supply chain was meant to look at grain logistics in the longer term, “what we’re addressing today are some of the problems we’re facing today,” Ritz said at a press conference.

The new reporting requirements call for weekly “order f u l f i l m e n t i n f o r m a t i o n” including car orders placed by all grain companies; car orders accepted by railways; car orders “actually placed” by railways and cancellations of orders.

The tightened program also calls for reporting of weekly loads on wheels by carrier; the covered hopper car fleet size in grain service for both main line carriers by class of service, also weekly; weekly port terminal unloading performance, such as unloads at each port, details on arrival and unloading time at terminals, and “constructive placement dwell.”

It further calls for data on railway grain traffic to Eastern Canada, the U.S. and Mexico, such as volumes, loaded transit times and cycle times, as well as on U.S. grain traffic to Prairie destinations and Prairie grain traffic shipped to port via containers.

More detailed reporting “will facilitate better communication between supply chain participants, improve predictability through a better understanding of supply chain variability, and support improved planning, thereby reducing overall costs to the supply chain,” the government said.

Meeting with railways

The changes call for information from “all aspects” of the supply chain, not just the railways, Ritz said.

The railways, he said, “have to be transparent in why, when they’re asked for 150 cars (at an elevator), they only deliver 100… (When they say) ‘That’s

“(Railways) “have to be transparent in why, when they’re asked for 150 cars (at an elevator), they only deliver 100…”

Outbreak in Ontario heightens risk that virus deadly to piglets could spread to Western Canada

By Daniel Winters CO-OPERATOR STAFF

GERRY RITZ

what we’ve always done,’ that’s not good enough.”

Ritz said he would be meeting with representatives of Canadian National and Canadian Pacific Railway (CN, CP) later Monday, and noted both companies “have alluded they can do better.”

On top of the CLWG’s early recommendations, Ritz said the department “look(s) forward to seeing its comprehensive report in the near future.”

Dennis Thiessen, a Steinbach-area farmer and director with Grain Growers of Canada, said in a release that the CLWG’s early recommendations “make sense and they are needed at this time.

Improving the frequency of reporting and better communications with industry, railways, government and farmers at the table is what is needed to get the grain moving.”

Noting last year’s record crop and higher yields, GGC president Gary Stanford of Magrath, Alta. said in the same release that with “new technologies and better and more sustainable farming practices, there is no doubt that farmers’ yields will continue to increase.”

While recognizing a severe winter and increased competition for track space from other commodities such as oil, “we need to highlight the reality of larger grain volumes to the railways going forward as this will have an impact on future movement by rail,” he said. daveb@fbcpublishing.com

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Manitoba pork industry to step up PEDv fight

A

ll sectors of Manitoba’s pork industry are being urged to step up their vigilance and biosecurity measures especially regarding transportation, now that porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDv) has been detected in Ontario.

Last Friday the Manitoba Pork Council held a town hall-style conference call aimed at keeping the industry abreast of the situation. Chairman Karl Kynoch said that it’s important to keep the perception of heightened risk in perspective.

“Since the virus has broken out in Ontario, it has really come to the attention of producers,” he said. “But Ontario is a 24-hour drive away, we’ve got to remember that this virus is only five hours away in Minnesota.”

Kynoch urged the industr y to work together to fight the virus, adding that if a neighbour’s farm does get infected, “they are not the enemy.”

Dr. Glenn Duizer, Manitoba’s acting chief veterinarian, said that although PEDv is not a provincially reportable disease, its resemblance to transmissible gastro enteritis (TGE), which is, means that any suspicious cases should be reported.

“If you see something on your farms that is suspicious, such as a sudden change in diarrhea in feeders or nursing pigs, please contact your veterinarian right away,” said Duizer, adding that to encourage early reporting, the province will pay for 100 per cent of the lab testing costs.

Starting Feb. 3, the OCV will be working with slaughter plants, assembly yards and truck wash stations to establish an effective surveillance program.

Creating zones

If a positive case is discovered in Manitoba, the authorities will notify all stakeholders and take steps to contain the outbreak on the infected farm by creating a zone within which all other producers will be advised to immediately ramp up their biosecurity, said Duizer.

“You have the right to turn away a truck from your farm if it is not cleaned to your satisfaction,” he said, adding that the trucking industry has agreed to segregate trucks running pigs across the U.S. border.

All nearby herds or those that have had contact with the infected site will be tested to prevent its spread.

If multiple farms are infected, efforts will focus on maintaining the flow of feed to the farm and pigs to slaughter in an efficient, biosecure manner while helping the farms recover.

Duizer added that the province will not release private details about infected sites to the public, and he emphasized that PEDv is not a food safety issue, poses no risk to human health, and presents no threat to other species.

Dr. Doug McDougald, chair of the Ontario Swine Health Advisory Board, said that PEDv was first confirmed in his province on Jan. 23.

The number has since risen to four infected sites that include a trucking yard, an assembly yard, and one positive sample taken from a killing plant.

On Friday, he noted that “no new cases” had been found in the past two days despite aggressive tracking and investigations.

“For the producers who are going through this, we have to give them our understanding and support because this is a pretty brutal situation that they are going through,” he said.

“Western Canada is in a unique position to prevent PEDv from infecting your herds, and if it does you have the opportunity to contain and eliminate it.”

Trucks greatest risk

Research has shown that the estimated 5,000 potentially cross-contaminated trucks entering the region from U.S — and now Ontario — packing plants present the greatest risk.

Despite “fabulous participation” from the industry that began in November, he believes that delays in implementing a surveillance and detection program is to blame for the failure to keep the disease out.

“In my estimation we were three weeks too late,” said McDougald.

South of the border, the outbreak is “rapidly escalating” due to the difficulty of washing trucks in sub-zero temperatures and the widespread use of recycled water.

“Estimates are that as much as 30-40 per cent of the sow herd inventory in the U.S. is infected, with four million pigs lost and counting,” said McDougald, who added that losses amount to $300 million to $500 million.

The virus is not believed to be airborne, and he cited as proof that out of 118 nursery and finisher groups in a three-mile block in northwest Iowa containing a total of up to 150,000 pigs, only eight groups have come down with PEDv in the herd since June.

Despite being located in the most concentrated area of hog production in North America, McDougald quoted the owners of the facilities as crediting their biosecurity protocols covering everything from foot traffic, to pig transport and feed deliveries for minimizing the spread despite having repeated outbreaks “all around them.”

“That’s clear proof that good biosecurity measures can keep this out,” said McDougald.

Clinical signs

Early clinical signs in growing pigs and finishers range from mild diarrhea to watery, explosive emissions.

“It can be non-explosive, lower-prevalence diarrhea, which may make it slower to detect early cases. It’s easy to walk by, but if we walk by it we reduce the early detection time,” said McDougald.

As of Jan. 30, a vaccine import protocol has been created to allow Canadian producers access to a new vaccine that produces a more consistent immune response in naive and endemic herds.

Although an estimated 800,000 doses have been used, field data is still being gathered, and early signs show that in naive herds, it can only reduce losses, not eliminate infection.

“It will not be useful in an outbreak,” said McDougald.

In response to a producer’s question about whether border officials could do more to ensure that all trucks returning from the U.S. are not just cleaned, but also disinfected, he said that it will be up to the industry to close that possible “biosecurity gap.”

PEDv can survive for up to 48 hours on a dry surface, but so far, there are no signs that the disease can be spread by wildlife, nor have there been any reported mutations, said McDougald.

Kynoch said that producers must remember that they are “the strongest defence” against the virus.

“It is up to you to take charge and enforce a strong biosecurity protocol on your farm.

It’s up to you to stop those truckers and demand to know if they have been washed and disinfected properly,” said Kynoch, who noted that some truckers in the U.S. have balked at disinfecting their trailers over the extra $12-$14 cost.

Producers, truckers and other concerned parties with questions are being urged to call Mark Fynn, animal care specialist with MPC at (204) 235-2302. daniel.winters@fbcpublishing.com

7

The Manitoba Co-operator | February 6, 2014

Mechanical processing arm receives award

KAP Continued from page 1

Zhoda barn manager honoured at Banff Pork Seminar Banff Pork Seminar release

“We’re really great at communicating to all the people who are already members, now we are going to broaden our distribution to people who are potentially not members.”

Doug Chorney

WHAT’S UP Please forward your agricultural events to daveb@fbcpublishing.com or call 204-944-5762.

Feb. 11: Webinar: Growing Hemp on the Prairies. To register, visit www2.gotomeeting.com/regis ter/409671562.

Feb. 24: FCC workshop: How to benefit from agricultural cycles and economic trends, 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., Victoria Inn, 3550 Victoria Ave., Brandon. For more info or to register visit http://www.fcc-fac.ca/en/ LearningCentre/workshops_mb_e. asp.

Feb. 24-25: Wild Oats Grainworld 2014 conference, Fairmont Winnipeg, 2 Lombard Pl., Winnipeg. For more info visit wildoatsgrainworld.com.

Feb. 25: Seminar: Growing Hemp on the Prairies, 10 a.m. to noon, Carberry.

Lunch provided. To register, email Laura.Telford@gov.mb.ca.

Feb. 25: FCC workshop: Minimize taxes and maximize purchasing power, 1-4 p.m., War Veterans Community Hall, 119 Sixth Ave. N., Swan River. For more info or to register visit http://www.fcc-fac.ca/en/ LearningCentre/workshops_mb_e. asp.

Feb. 25-27: Canola Council of Canada annual convention, San Antonio, Texas. For more info visit www.canolacouncil.org.

Feb. 26: Seminar: Growing Hemp on the Prairies, 10 a.m. to noon, Food Development Centre, Portage la Prairie. Lunch provided. To register, email Laura.Telford@gov.mb.ca.

Ad Number: SEC_OATS_14_T Publication: Manitoba Co-operator Size: 3col x 133 6”x 9.5”

he stresses that the organization will remain editorially independent.

“That’s part of our strategy, reaching out to the non-members,” he said. “We’re really great at communicating to all the people who are already members, now we are going to broaden our distribution to people who are potentially not members.”

He added that once people are aware of the work KAP does, and the benefits of having a general farm organization, more people may be drawn to it.

“We think that will be the next step in growing our membership base,” Chorney said.

Feb. 26-27: Manitoba Young Farmers Conference, Canad Inns, 2401 Saskatchewan Ave., Portage la Prairie.

For more info call 204-825-4245 or email danielle.cabernel@gov.mb.ca.

March 4-6: Canadian Horticultural Council annual general meeting, Delta Grand Okanagan Resort, 1310 Water St., Kelowna, B.C. For more info call 613-226-4880 or visit www. hortcouncil.ca.

March 4-7: Canadian Cattlemen’s Association annual general meeting, Westin Ottawa, 11 Colonel By Dr., Ottawa. For more info visit www. cattle.ca.

Produced by: SeCan Product/Campaign Name: SeCan Oats - Stride /Big Brown Date Produced: December 2013

anniversary.”

Membership in the general farm policy organization has reached 4,095, up from 3,368 one year ago, he said.

“That’s an increase of 727 members, we’re really proud of that,” said Chorney.

He said there’s no one reason for the increase in membership, but noted that producers are recognizing the value of the work done by the organization.

“It’s a combination of things,” said the KAP representative.

“We’ve done a lot to work with our checkoff collectors, and we’ve done a lot to work with our members — who are maybe disenchanted with the organization — to make sure they understand the value of the organization and what we do.”

And last, but far from least, Chorney said the large crop and excellent yields have also brought more producers back to the organization.

“We grew a crop everywhere last year, as opposed to 2011 when 25 per cent wasn’t planted or was flooded out,” he said.

“When farmers are successful, usually farm organizations reap benefits from that and I think that’s part of it as well.”

Chorney doesn’t believe the same leap in numbers will occur next year, but he doesn’t believe that membership has plateaued either.

“Our plan is to keep growing,” he said.

And to reach new audiences KAP’s publication, the Manitoba Farmer’s Voice, will soon be distributed as in insert in the Manitoba Co-operator, although

The developer of a tool that improves handling for baby pigs at processing and improves the health and well-being of farm workers has been awarded the 2014 F.X. Aherne Prize for Innovative Pork Production by the Banff Pork Seminar. Helmut Janz, a barn manager for Maple Leaf in Zhoda, Manitoba, received the award for his invention called the “piglet processing arm.”

As a hog barn manager, Helmut Janz recognized the need for a better way to process baby piglets when he saw employees suffer repetitive stress injuries as a result of performing piglet processing tasks. His piglet processing arm gently and safely holds the animal and allows it to be pivoted and rotated during the handling process. This makes the processing of piglets safer by eliminating the potential for repetitive stress and strain injuries on the employees.

The beauty of the design lies in its simplicity. It is constructed out of six simple, standardized, easyto-source, low-cost parts. A universal joint similar to what is used on power takeoff shafts on tractors serves as the basis for the device. A holding plate for the piglets is attached to that and mounted on the processing cart. Various trial designs led to improvements in the final product. Foam inserts were added to cradle the piglet and a Velcro strap SEC_OATS_14_T.qxd 12/28/13 10:47 PM Page 1 was added to easily hold the piglet in place.

Helmut Janz (l) Aherne Award winner and Dr. Michael Dyck, chair of the F.X. Aherne prize committee.

The processing arm is designed to attach to a processing cart. It can be adjusted for height of employee and can be used easily by both rightand left-handed people.

The arm is now used by 40 people in 20 barns across the Maple Leaf system. This means the processing arm will be used on approximately 1.5 million piglets annually.

The award is named after the late Dr. Frank Aherne, a professor of swine nutrition and production at the University of Alberta in Edmonton and a major force for sciencebased progress in the western Canadian pork industry.

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March 5: FCC workshop: Top four traits of a successful farm manager, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Canad Inns, 2401 Saskatchewan Ave., Portage la Prairie.

For more info or to register visit http:// www.fcc-fac.ca/en/LearningCentre/ workshops_mb_e.asp.

March 7-8: Direct Farm Marketing Conference, Steinbach. For more info call MAFRD in Portage la Prairie at 204-239-3362.

March 8: Ecological Farming Day: “It all begins with the seed,” University of Manitoba Ian N. Morrison Research Farm, Carman. For more info call 204474-6236.

April 28-29: Advancing Women: Life Skills for Leadership-Women in Ag Conference, Deerfoot Inn, 100011500-35th St. SE, Calgary. For more info visit www.advancingwomencon ference.ca.

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The Manitoba Co-operator | February 6, 2014

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10

The Manitoba Co-operator | February 6, 2014

LIVESTOCK MARKETS Cattle Prices Winnipeg

January 31, 2014

Cattle sector enjoys some long-awaited price strength

Steers & Heifers 125.00 - 131.75 D1, 2 Cows 75.00 - 82.00 D3 Cows 70.00 - 76.00 Bulls 84.00 - 90.00 Feeder Cattle (Price ranges for feeders refer to top-quality animals only) Steers (901+ lbs.)

125.00 - 157.00 (801-900 lbs.)

150.00 - 167.50 (701-800 lbs.)

160.00 - 185.00 (601-700 lbs.)

175.00 - 198.00 (501-600 lbs.)

185.00 - 224.00 (401-500 lbs.)

200.00 - 230.00 Heifers (901+ lbs.)

110.00 - 125.00 (801-900 lbs.)

130.00 - 148.00 (701-800 lbs.)

140.00 - 158.00 (601-700 lbs.)

150.00 - 170.00 (501-600 lbs.)

155.00 - 189.00 (401-500 lbs.)

170.00 - 190.00

Heifers

Alberta South $ 140.00 - 140.00 – 75.00 - 90.00 65.00 - 79.00 88.95 - 88.95 $ 148.00 - 162.00 154.00 - 170.00 165.00 - 180.00 175.00 - 196.00 187.00 - 208.00 195.00 - 220.00 $ 128.00 - 145.00 140.00 - 159.00 149.00 - 167.00 158.00 - 176.00 164.00 - 186.00 170.00 - 195.00

($/cwt) (1,000+ lbs.)

(850+ lbs.)

(901+ lbs.)

(801-900 lbs.)

(701-800 lbs.)

(601-700 lbs.)

(501-600 lbs.)

(401-500 lbs.)

(901+ lbs.)

(801-900 lbs.)

(701-800 lbs.)

(601-700 lbs.)

(501-600 lbs.)

(401-500 lbs.)

Futures (January 31, 2014) in U.S. Fed Cattle Close Change February 2014 142.15 -1.77 April 2014 140.53 -0.07 June 2014 132.23 0.00 August 2014 130.28 -0.07 October 2014 133.20 0.00 December 2014 134.35 0.23 Cattle Slaughter Canada East West Manitoba U.S.

Feeder Cattle January 2014 March 2014 April 2014 May 2014 August 2014 September 2014

Local and U.S. buyers are buying cows for herd expansion Phil Franz-Warkentin

Ontario $ 113.35 - 157.13 124.95 - 151.12 78.19 - 78.19 78.19 - 78.19 105.14 - 105.14 $ 145.84 - 168.09 140.75 - 172.17 150.65 - 184.14 153.42 - 199.25 160.97 - 206.73 157.61 - 210.34 $ 142.48 - 1479.70 132.81 - 152.73 123.72 - 167.13 132.12 - 168.57 140.67 - 177.47 144.65 - 181.36

Close 171.68 168.70 169.10 169.43 170.68 170.09

Change 1.31 -1.17 -1.25 -1.39 -1.29 -0.67

Cattle Grades (Canada)

Week Ending January 25, 2014 54,085 12,511 41,574 NA 597,000

$1 Cdn: $0.8994 U.S. $1 U.S: $1.1119 Cdn.

COLUMN

(Friday to Thursday) Slaughter Cattle

Slaughter Cattle Grade A Steers Grade A Heifers D1, 2 Cows D3 Cows Bulls Steers

EXCHANGES: January 31, 2014

Previous Year­ 46,352 10,529 35,823 NA 625,000

Week Ending January 25, 2014 589 23,139 17,455 683 595 10,795 47

Prime AAA AA A B D E

Previous Year 604 19,160 14,040 478 599 10,724 18

CNSC

W

inter weather and a natural gas pipeline explosion limited activity at some Manitoba cattle auction yards during the last week of January, but prices for what did move remained strong.

The Grunthal Livestock Auction Mart lost its heat due to the pipeline explosion in nearby Otterburne, and had to cancel the Jan. 28 sale. The heat is back on, and activity will be back to normal at the southeastern auction yard the first week of February.

Over in the southwestern corner of the province, the show still went on at the weekly sale in Killarney, but cold temperatures kept the numbers on the smaller side during the week, said Allan Munroe of the Killarney Auction Mart.

For what was moving, “it’s absolutely incredible,” said Munroe on the prices being offered. “Every week you think ‘it can’t get any higher,’ and then it gets steadily higher… This thing has legs under it.”

He was unsure how long the strength would last, but for now “everything has lined up” for the cattle sector. Munroe said the weaker Canadian dollar, continued weak-

ness in feed grain prices, and strength in the U.S. cattle futures market were all supportive for the Canadian sector.

The good prices were leading to an increased demand for bred cows, as both local and U.S. buyers were looking to expand their herds, said Munroe. “It’s not guys just looking for five or six, they’re looking for 40,” he added.

The logistical issues that continue to plague the grain sector by slowing movement out of the Prairies are also being felt in cattle. Munroe said some mixed farmers with grain stuck in their bins are choosing to keep their cattle and put some pounds on at home, rather than sell for the time being.

Meanwhile, there are other people running into cash flow issues who are moving more cattle “because they can sell cattle, but they can’t sell grain,” said Munroe adding “the mixed guys are struggling right now with what to do.”

Looking ahead, Munroe expected numbers to remain really strong through February, but thought activity would slow down by March. “Why would they keep cattle until the mud comes, when they don’t have to?” he asked.

Phil Franz-Warkentin writes for Commodity News Service Canada, a Winnipeg company specializing in grain and commodity market reporting.

Hog Prices Source: Manitoba Agriculture

(Friday to Thursday) ($/100 kg) E - Estimation MB. ($/hog) MB. (All wts.) (Fri-Thurs.)

MB. (Index 100) (Fri-Thurs.)

ON (Index 100) (Mon.-Thurs.)

P.Q. (Index 100) (Mon.-Fri.)

Current Week 173 E 162 E 164.95 165.90

Futures (January 24, 2014) in U.S. Hogs February 2014 April 2014 May 2014 June 2014 July 2014

Last Week 169.19 158.21 160.05 161.55

Close 86.38 93.63 101.73 103.35 102.15

Last Year (Index 100) 168.39 155.77 157.04 159.70

Change 0.81 0.67 1.43 1.25 1.60

Other Market Prices Sheep and Lambs $/cwt Ewes Choice Lambs (110+ lb.)

(95 - 109 lb.)

(80 - 94 lb.)

(Under 80 lb.)

(New crop)

Winnipeg (00 head) (wooled fats) — Next Sale is Feb. 5 —

Chickens Minimum broiler prices as of May 23, 2010 Under 1.2 kg................................... $1.5130 1.2 - 1.65 kg.................................... $1.3230 1.65 - 2.1 kg.................................... $1.3830 2.1 - 2.6 kg...................................... $1.3230

Turkeys Minimum prices as of February 9, 2014 Broiler Turkeys (6.2 kg or under, live weight truck load average) Grade A .................................... $1.910 Undergrade .............................. $1.820 Hen Turkeys (between 6.2 and 8.5 kg liveweight truck load average) Grade A .................................... $1.890 Undergrade .............................. $1.790 Light Tom/Heavy Hen Turkeys (between 8.5 and 10.8 kg liveweight truck load average) Grade A .................................... $1.890 Undergrade .............................. $1.790 Tom Turkeys (10.8 and 13.3 kg, live weight truck load average) Grade A..................................... $1.795 Undergrade............................... $1.710 Prices are quoted f.o.b. farm.

Toronto 73.85 - 103.17 171.55 - 177.12 178.78 - 187.43 174.08 - 205.70 177.50 - 218.08 —

SunGold Specialty Meats 35.00

Eggs Minimum prices to producers for ungraded eggs, f.o.b. egg grading station, set by the Manitoba Egg Producers Marketing Board effective June 12, 2011.

New Previous A Extra Large $1.8500 $1.8200 A Large 1.8500 1.8200 A Medium 1.6700 1.6400 A Small 1.2500 1.2200 A Pee Wee 0.3675 0.3675 Nest Run 24 + 1.7490 1.7210 B 0.45 0.45 C 0.15 0.15

briefs

Fed cattle prices continue to support feeder market

By Jerry Klassen

Read Jerry Klassen’s cattle market commentary every Monday on the Co-operator’s website Strength in fed cattle prices in Alberta reached up to an astonishing $148.50 per hundredweight (cwt) last week, which spilt over into the feeder complex.

Larger volumes of heavier feeder cattle are coming on the market, with backgrounders liquidating fallplaced calves, but this did little to stem the upward momentum.

Overall, feeder cattle were extremely volatile, selling $5-$15/cwt higher depending on location relative to seven days earlier.

Non-feature 850-pound mixed steers sold for $164/ cwt off the backgrounding

lot in southern Alberta. By the end of the week, black Angus-based steers weighing just over 750 lbs. were quoted at $180/cwt landed in a Lethbridge-area feedlot.

Alber ta pen closeout prices for fed cattle are a p p rox i m a t e l y $ 2 5 / c w t above break-even prices with margins nearing record highs. Most cattle feeders have been in the business long enough to know this will not last and coffee shop chatter suggests larger operations are pulling in the reins on replacement cattle purchases. I watch the smart money (which is not me) — and when these gentlemen say prices are too high, the prices are too high. A little jump in cash barley, from $152 to $156 delivered Lethbr idge, along with weaker beef wholesale prices, causes a defensive tone amongst large operators. These feeders don’t want to be squeezed during the summer with June live cattle futures trading at

a $9 discount to the April contract.

The weaker loonie continues to underpin all sectors of the Canadian cattle market with the interest rate spread widening between Canada and the U.S. The Canadian dollar will correct over time by trading sideways or correct with a small bounce; however, I’m looking for steady selling of the Canadian dollar against the greenback over the next couple of months.

I’ve actually received a few calls from grain farmers (who have never fed cattle) asking if this is the time to place feeders in a custom feedlot. I guess it has been a long, cold winter and with limited grain movement, farmers are looking for opportunities. This is a sure sign that the highs are near for feeder cattle. Don’t get caught up in the hype that the industry is running out of cattle, for the average consumer doesn’t care about inventory reports but rather switches to another protein product.

Goats Kids Billys Mature

Winnipeg (head) (Fats) — — —

Toronto ($/cwt) 70.59 - 280.63 — 102.96 - 211.31

Horses <1,000 lbs.

1,000 lbs.+

Winnipeg ($/cwt) — —

Toronto ($/cwt) 10.00 - 36.00 23.16 - 37.32

Looking for results? Check out the market reports from livestock auctions around the province. » PaGe 14

11

The Manitoba Co-operator | February 6, 2014

GRAIN MARKETS Export and International Prices

column

Crop backlog on Prairies a turnoff for canola buyers The soybean outlook may also prove bearish for canola Terryn Shiells CNSC

I

CE Futures Canada canola contracts were higher during the week ended Jan. 31, lifted by sentiment that the market was oversold and due for a corrective bounce.

The sharp downswing in the value of the Canadian dollar helped to encourage some buying during the week, and may prevent canola futures from dropping significantly lower — but the bias is still pointed lower in the market as long as Canada’s grain-handling system continues to be backlogged.

Day after day, canola futures continue to be undermined by logistics issues, because they are slowing usage of the crop and increasing ending stocks.

The size of the 2014-15 canola crop will be a big determining factor in how long the logistics problems remain, but many people believe it won’t sort itself out until at least 2015.

Canola is looking undervalued compared to other oilseeds — but it doesn’t seem to matter because buyers are put off by the long amount of time it’s going to take to receive their orders because of the logistical problems.

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada released its first outlooks for 2014-15 during the week, pegging canola area at 21.62 million acres, up from 19.94 million acres in 2013-14.

Assuming an average yield, AAFC estimated 2014-15 canola production would total 16 million tonnes, which is below the 18 million tonnes grown in 2013-14, but still very large historically.

Total production of all principal field crops is expected to be lower than 2013-14, at 82.28 million tonnes, but above the 76.72 million grown in 2012-13.

If the crop is large next year as well, it may take even longer to sort out the Canadian grain-handling system, and keep prices low for an extended period of time.

Soybean futures in Chicago were starting to look like they’ll break lower soon, which may also be bearish for canola going forward.

The futures were only slightly weaker during the week, but as South America’s crop comes off, prices are expected to start to fall.

The harvest in Brazil has started in some of the earliest-planted areas, with yields being reported as excellent. Weather in Brazil and Argentina was mostly favourable during the week.

Once large supplies are available from South America, the fear is that China will start to cancel some of its previously made U.S. soybean orders, resulting in increased U.S. supplies.

The large U.S. supply situation for corn continues to overhang Chicago corn futures, but strong export demand helped to push prices higher during the week.

The trend going forward seems to be sideways for corn, as the market is waiting for fresh news. How large South America’s corn crop actually ends up being will help move the market going forward.

Chicago, Kansas City and Minneapolis wheat futures were all weaker, but managed to rebound after hitting fresh contract lows earlier in the week.

The large global supply situation continues to be bearish for wheat futures, and will likely overhang prices for the rest of the crop year.

But the bright spot is that export demand for U.S. wheat seems to be picking up due to the low prices, with the U.S. Department of Agriculture confirming better-than-expected export sales for the week ended Jan. 23.

Terryn Shiells writes for Commodity News Service Canada, a Winnipeg company specializing in grain and commodity market reporting.

Last Week

All prices close of business January 31, 2014

Week Ago

Year Ago

Chicago wheat (nearby future) ($US/tonne)

203.38

NA

287.03

Minneapolis wheat (nearby future) ($US/tonne)

219.45

NA

319.36

Coarse Grains Chicago corn (nearby future) ($US/tonne)

170.66

NA

285.24

Chicago oats (nearby future) ($US/tonne)

267.15

NA

230.19

Chicago soybeans (nearby future) ($US/tonne)

468.49

NA

525.47

Chicago soyoil ($US/tonne)

817.39

NA

1135.35

oilseeds

Winnipeg Futures ICE Futures Canada prices at close of business January 31, 2014 barley

Last Week

Week Ago

March 2014

126.50

127.00

May 2014

128.50

129.00

July 2014

128.50

129.00

Canola

Last Week

Week Ago

March 2014

430.20

425.20

May 2014

440.40

435.00

July 2014

449.00

443.80

Special Crops Report for February 3, 2014 — Bin run delivered plant Saskatchewan Spot Market

Spot Market

Lentils (Cdn. cents per pound)

Other ( Cdn. cents per pound unless otherwise specified)

Large Green 15/64

22.00 - 23.00

Canaryseed

Laird No. 1

19.50 - 22.00

Oil Sunflower Seed

Eston No. 2

16.75 - 19.00

Desi Chickpeas

19.00 - 21.00 — 19.00 - 20.00

Field Peas (Cdn. $ per bushel)

Beans (Cdn. cents per pound)

Green No. 1

9.30 - 11.00

Fababeans, large

—

Medium Yellow No. 1

4.85 - 6.25

Feed beans

—

Feed Peas (Cdn. $ per bushel) Feed Pea (Rail)

5.00 - 5.50

No. 1 Navy/Pea Beans

42.00 - 42.00

No. 1 Great Northern

60.00 - 60.00

Mustardseed (Cdn. cents per pound)

No. 1 Cranberry Beans

64.00 - 64.00

Yellow No. 1

34.00 - 35.75

No. 1 Light Red Kidney

55.00 - 55.00

Brown No. 1

33.00 - 34.75

No. 1 Dark Red Kidney

60.00 - 60.00

Oriental No. 1

27.30 - 28.75

No. 1 Black Beans

40.00 - 40.00

No. 1 Pinto Beans

35.00 - 35.00

No. 1 Small Red

For three-times-daily market reports from Commodity News Service Canada, visit “Today in Markets” at www.manitobacooperator.ca.

Source: Stat Publishing SUNFLOWERS

No. 1 Pink

— 40.00 - 40.00

Fargo, ND

Goodlands, KS

19.15

18.15

32.00* Call for details

—

Report for January 31, 2014 in US$ cwt NuSun (oilseed) Confection Source: National Sunflower Association

Snow should protect U.S. winter wheat More cold expected, but snow cover should be sufficient to prevent damage Reuters

F

orecasts for the U.S. Plains and Midwest call for frigid temperatures this week and a mid-week storm that should bring more snowfall on the heels of snows that fell this past weekend, an agricultural meteorologist said Monday.

The snow should protect dormant winter wheat crops from injury as temperatures drop below 0 F (-18 C) on Thursday and Friday morn-

ings, said Drew Lerner of World Weather Inc. But the cold and snow will further complicate the movement of grain and livestock, especially barge traffic on frozen Midwestern rivers.

“The rivers and streams will continue to be pretty much locked up with ice for a while. We shouldn’t see any melting for at least a week,” Lerner said.

A storm system Monday night through early Wednesday was expected to drop two to six inches

of snow across the southern Plains hard red Winter Wheat belt, with localized amounts of eight to 10 inches, said Drew Lerner of World Weather Inc. The same storm should produce three to 10 inches of snow in the Midwest, with the highest amounts in a narrow band across Indiana and Ohio.

In the storm’s wake, temperatures should fall to the negative teens F (-25 to -28 C) on Thursday and Friday in parts of Kansas, north-

ern Missouri and northern Illinois.

“It’s going to be cold this week, that’s for sure. But unlike these other weeks, I don’t think we’ve got any real serious issue” with freeze damage to wheat, Lerner said.

We e k e n d l ow s d ro p p e d below 0 F in parts of northwestern Kansas but only in areas that had snow cover, Lerner said.

Other regions

In South Amer ica, week-

end rains brought four inches of rain to southeastern Cordoba in Argentina, and six inches to Uruguay.

Storms should persist in the region this week, with less rain in far southwestern and northern Argentina, Lerner said.

Most of Brazil’s corn and soy areas will see net drying conditions this week, Lerner said, stressing some late-season soybeans. Some farmers might be reluctant to plant second-season corn behind soybeans, Lerner said.

12

The Manitoba Co-operator | February 6, 2014

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H USB A N DRY — T H E SC I E NC E , SK I L L OR A RT OF FA R M I NG

New forage research could make grazing ‘greener,’ says Nuffield scholar Nuffield scholar serves up tidbits of cutting-edge cattle research gleaned from first leg of ‘hair-on-fire’ world tour

PHOTO: ©THINKSTOCK

By Daniel Winters CO-OPERATOR STAFF / BRANDON

N

uffield scholar Clayton Robins is a man on a mission.

On his quest to discover the secrets of dense-energy forages, which the Rivers-area rancher hopes will help the beef industry shift its production model from the feedlot to the pasture, he’s so far covered 49,000 km and 64 meetings with academics, ranchers and researchers in eight countries.

“The last seven weeks was a full-on, Mach-8, hair-on-fire tour. I hardly got any sleep,” he said, adding in a presentation at Ag Days that his travels are only half done.

What is a dense-energy forage? Robins describes it as cattle feed that is highly digestible, well-above-normal sugar levels, and — a new wrinkle — higher in fat.

Robins believes that high-sugar grasses are the key to boosting ranching profits. By grazing richer grass, the cattle increase their dry matter intake due to increased palatability and digestibility, and higher sugar levels lead to an increase in protein conversion efficiency in the rumen because bacteria are better enabled to metabolize ammonia.

That in turn translates into a significant drop in methane production, urine nitrogen content, and also nitrous oxide emissions.

“There’s a big greenhouse gas benefit from a grazing system that we always seem to get hammered on as a negative part of the cattle feeding cycle,” said Robins.

At Aberystwyth University-IBERS in Wales, he met researchers who are

working on “super-high-sugar” Italian ryegrass varieties that are able to maintain levels of up to 15 to 20 per cent sugar well into the fall.

They are also working on “high-fat” grasses to boost livestock gains based on the power of fat, which has 2.5 times the “punch” of sugars.

Most prairie grasses offer just two to 2.6 per cent fat, but the Welsh researchers have developed conventionally bred varieties with over 4.2 per cent omega-3 fat content.

Increased milk

Feeding trials in Wales have found that the new high-sugar grasses offer a six per cent increase in milk production, 25 per cent increase in dry matter intake, and a 20 per cent increase in average daily gains in both beef and lambs.

Methane production is largely driven by the interaction between one type of rumen bacteria and protozoa.

When rumen acidity increases, the protozoa die off.

That means super-high-sugar grasses could slash rumen greenhouse gas emissions by up to 30 per cent.

“It’s almost like they’re eating grain out there, except it’s grass growing in a field,” said Robins. “That should lead to subclinical acidosis, but they’re not seeing it.”

Even the best rumen microbiologists in the world can’t explain why, but it is suspected that subtle changes in the grass fibres as they are digested are keeping the cattle from getting sick.

Robins added that cutting-edge researchers he has met are looking at not just the cattle genome, but also interactive relationships with the

Clayton Robins offers a sneak preview of what he’s learned during the first leg of his Nuffield scholarship at a grass-fed beef seminar at Ag Days. PHOTO: DANIEL WINTERS

genomes of the new grasses as well as those of rumen “bugs.”

Genetics

Genetics appear to have a stronger role in rumen efficiency than previously thought. Experiments have shown that if the rumen contents from one cow are transferred to another, the rumen microflora population in recipient quickly reverts back to its original state.

“That was mind blowing to me. We can influence those populations with feed and environmental factors, but if it’s driven by genetics, there’s a lot to it,” said Robins.

His head brimming with new ideas from the Nuffield-sponsored travels, Robins is ready to try out at least one of them on his own ranch this summer.

Because Brix testing shows that

plant sugar levels vary at different times of the day, he believes that measurable improvements in weight gain might be achieved by only allowing the cattle to graze when the grass is the sweetest, say from noon until 8 p.m., in a strategy known as “restricted grazing.”

The next leg of his journey will see him travel to the United States, Australia and New Zealand.

A former research technician at the Brandon Research Centre, Robins believes that the next step forward for the cattle industry will be taken by producers who are prepared to position themselves as “environmental entrepreneurs” who specialize in raising “greener” and more nutritious beef and dairy cattle on a foragebased diet. daniel.winters@fbcpublishing.com

13

The Manitoba Co-operator | February 6, 2014

column

Understanding factors affecting sow longevity A speaker at the Banff Port Seminar analyzes the differences between two farms with different average longevities Bernie Peet Peet on Pigs

H

igh replacement rates for first- and secondparity sows have skewed current parity structures on many sow farms towards younger, less productive females, Dr. Billy Flowers of North Carolina State University told the recent Banff Pork Seminar. He said that as a result, herd productivity is being limited because females are culled before they reach their peak periods of reproductive efficiency.

Current research by Flowers and his team involves comparing conditions and management practices on two similar farms, one with high and one with low sow longevity. While the study is not complete, it has already revealed several factors which are thought to be related to the levels of sow longevity.

The comparison involves two, 2,400-head commercial sow farms that receive replacement gilts from the same gilt multiplication system, which eliminates any effect on longevity of management prior to delivery.

“The definition being used for sow longevity is the proportion of sows that produce six litters,” Flowers said. “The high-longevity farm typically has 26 per cent of its sows reach their sixth parity, while only 12 per cent of sows produce six litters on the low-longevity farm.”

Although the results are preliminary, there are some interesting trends developing between the high and low sow longevity herds.

“After sows were rebred after their first lactation, the highlongevity farm still had 78 per cent of the gilts in production while the low-longevity farm only had 58 per cent,” Flowers said. “The majority of this difference appears to be related to the proportion of gilts and

Dr. Billy Flowers speaking at the Banff Pork Seminar.

first-parity sows that were bred — 98 per cent of the gilts that were delivered to the highlongevity farm were bred and entered production compared with only 83 per cent of their contemporaries on the low-longevity farm.”

Farrowing rates for first-parity sows were comparable for both farms, he said. There was only a four per cent loss of sows from weaning to rebreeding on the high-longevity farm compared with a 12 per cent loss over the same time frame on the lowlongevity farm. This trend continued during the rebreeding of sows after weaning their second litter.

“It appears that factors related to breeding in general and how sows are managed during lactation play significant roles in differences between the two farms in terms of sow longevity,” Flowers suggested.

Age of detection boars

One difference between the two farms that is likely related to differences in culling of young females is the age of boars used for estrus detection and how they are managed.

The high-longevity far m uses 14-month-old boars and

collects them per iodically after heat checks. In contrast, the low-longevity farm uses boars that are older than 24 months without ever collecting them,” Flowers said.

“Boars on the high-longevity farm appear to have increased libido and both the sows and gilts show enhanced standing reflexes compared with the low-longevity farm. This, in turn produced higher mating quality scores.”

Bred females consistently show more intense initial standing reflexes and accept semen better on the high-longevity farm, Flowers said. Examination of the ovaries of gilts culled because they were never bred indicated that they did ovulate at some point but their estrus was not detected.

“Routine collection of boars used for detecting estrus appears to have a positive effect on behaviours associated with high levels of libido and stimulation of estrus behaviours in gilts and sows,” Flowers said.

Another difference between the two farms is that, on the high-longevity farm, a single person is responsible for breeding all the gilts and, after breeding, moving them to their

The high-longevity farm assists sows to farrow, leading to less incidence of retained placenta or dead piglets.

gestation stalls. On the lowlongevity farm, these tasks are performed by different members of the breeding barn staff.

The researchers note that movement of gilts into gestation stalls takes less time on the high-longevity farm. A subsequent behavioural test, which measures a pig’s interaction with farm staff, showed that there were fewer, but longer, interactions between the person managing gilts on the highlongevity farm, indicating less fear.

“The significance of these observations remains to be determined; however, it is tempting to speculate that if they are representative of animals that are calm while being handled by workers, then this could have benefits not only in breeding, but during farrowing and lactation as well,” Flowers said.

Sow s a re a s s i s t e d f a i r l y aggressively during farrowing on the high-longevity farm compared with the low-longevity farm. “It is interesting to note that the high-longevity farm has fewer sows with a retained placenta or dead piglets and fewer sows that experience transient decreases in

feed intake during the lactation period,” Flowers said. “It will be interesting to see if these trends continue. If they do, then it would be tempting to speculate that, in this production system, failure to assist sows leads to increases in retained piglets, which, in turn, could affect their feed intake temporarily later in lactation.”

Decreases in feed intake between five to seven days have been shown to change important physiological aspects associated with resumption of reproductive activity of sows after weaning, including their subsequent fertility, he notes.

As the study continues, and the sows move into later parities, it is expected that more differences in management that can be linked to longevity will emerge between the two farms.

“Hopefully, this information will provide a blueprint of sorts that production systems can use to develop their own management checklists for improving sow longevity,” Flowers said.

Bernie Peet is president of Pork Chain Consulting of Lacombe, Alberta, and editor of Western Hog Journal.

U.S. weekly PEDv reports increase The outbreak is increasing costs and reducing production

By Meredith Davis reuters

C

onfirmed cases of a deadly pig virus spreading across the U.S. Hog Belt jumped by 215 to its highest weekly increase since it was discovered in the country in April 2013, according to USDA’s National Animal Health Laboratory Network.

NAHLN announced the rise in cases of porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDv) on Jan. 28.

Each diagnostic case as defined

by U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) could represent multiple animals at either a single farm site or several locations.

PEDv, which causes diarrhea, vomiting and severe dehydration, is transmitted orally and through pig feces, but does not affect humans. Older pigs have a chance of survival, but the

virus kills 80 to 100 per cent of piglets that contract it.

The virus has led to increasing costs for hogs, and at least one major maker of pork products has said it hurt the company’s bottom line. The chief financial officer for Hillshire Brands Co., the Chicago-based maker of Jimmy Dean sausages and Ball Park hotdogs, said Jan. 30 during a conference call on second-quarter earnings that input costs were higher than expected partly due to increased sow prices. Average prices for live sows rose nearly 28 per cent in the last year, according to U.S. Department of Agriculture data.

“We watch very closely the number of new reported cases and we’re very hopeful that one of the vaccines that are being developed will work,” CFO Maria Henry said during the call.

Chicago Mercantile Exchange lean hog futures deferred month contracts have risen on concerns the virus will decimate summer hog supplies.

Tyson Foods Inc. said Jan. 31 the virus will decrease pork production by two to four per cent.

As of Dec. 1, 2013, USDA data showed the nation’s hog herd at 65.9 million head, down one per cent from the previous year.

Analysts attributed much of the loss to the spread of the fatal virus. The total number of confirmed cases has increased to 2,692 in 23 states Sales as ofManagement: the week OBI that ended on Jan.Rob 25.Holowaychuk 780.916.2628 Nearly 40 per cent of the cases Holowaychuk were confirmed inMark Iowa, the top 403.896.4990 U.S. pork-producing state.

There are no official figures for pigs lost to PEDv but up to four million pigs may have died from the virus, according to industry analyst estimates.

R R PLUS SIMMENTALS

R B

Ross LeBlanc & Sons Box 1476 Estevan, SK S4A 2L7

M C

Marlin 306.634.8031 Cell 306.421.2470

R

Ross

306.421.1824

Jason

306.421.9909 gement: Sales Mana

Sales Management:

OBI

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R PLUS SIMMENTALS Rob Holowaychuk Sales Management:

OBI

OBI

Ross LeBlanc & Sons RobEstevan, Holowaychuk Box 1476 SK S4A 2L7

Rob Holowaychuk 780.916.2628

Marlin 306.634.8031 Holowaychuk Cell Mark 306.421.2470

Mark Holowaychuk 403.896.4990

Jason

780.916.2628

Ross 403.896.4990 306.421.1824 306.421.9909

OBI

780.916.2628 aychuk Mark Holow Rob Holowaychuk 403.896.4990

780.916.2628

Mark Holowaychuk 403.896.4990

PLUS SIMMENTALS SIMMENTALS RRPLUS Ross LeBlanc & Sons

Ross LeBlanc & Sons Box 1476 Estevan, SK S4A 2L7 Box 1476 Estevan, SK S4A 2L7 Marlin 306.634.8031

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OBI Rob Holowaychuk 780.916.2628

Rob Holowaychuk Mark Holowaychuk 780.916.2628 403.896.4990

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14

The Manitoba Co-operator | February 6, 2014

LIVESTOCK AUCTION RESULTS Weight Category

Ashern

Gladstone

Grunthal

Heartland

Heartland

Brandon

Virden

Killarney

Ste. Rose

Winnipeg

Feeder Steers

Jan-28

Jan-28

Jan-28

Jan-30

Jan-29

Jan-27

Jan-30

Jan-31

No. on offer

1,530

669*

NO SALE

1,320

2,186*

260*

2,126

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

Over 1,000 lbs.

900-1,000 800-900

n/a

n/a

n/a

140-152

144-158

n/a

n/a

n/a

140-168.50

148-167.50

n/a

147-166

154-164 (166)

n/a

155-166

n/a

700-800

150-178.50

155-182.25

n/a

160-178

160-174 (178)

165-177

165-183

n/a

600-700

165-197.50

165-189

n/a

173-195

173-196 (202)

180-197

175-203.50

n/a

500-600

170-200

160-216

n/a

180-215

184-203 (208)

185-206

180-217

n/a

400-500

180-223

180-236

n/a

190-229

195-233

190-220 (229)

185-225

n/a

300-400

n/a

175-212

n/a

195-237

n/a

n/a

185-204

n/a

900-1,000 lbs.

n/a

n/a

n/a

120-135

124-138

n/a

n/a

n/a

800-900

n/a

110-150

n/a

135-150

139-149

n/a

130-150

n/a

Feeder heifers

700-800

135-165.75

120-156.25

n/a

145-158

147-160

150-159.50

140-164

n/a

600-700

140-173.50

135-168.50

n/a

158-170

150-170

160-170

150-175

n/a

500-600

148-183.75

150-174.50

n/a

165-180

158-182

165-177 (181)

160-183

n/a

400-500

151-183

150-187

n/a

170-185

163-186

165-185 (191)

160-186.50

n/a

300-400

n/a

145-152

n/a

175-190

n/a

n/a

145-192

n/a

No. on offer

400

n/a

n/a

191

n/a

n/a

259

n/a

D1-D2 Cows

72-80

60-84

n/a

74-86.50

72-78

60-70

55-86.50

n/a

D3-D5 Cows

62+

n/a

n/a

62-72

45-71

n/a

n/a

n/a

Age Verified

80-89

n/a

n/a

n/a

74-80 (82)

72-77

n/a

n/a

Good Bulls

Slaughter Market

80-94

80-87.25

n/a

85-94

87-96

83-94

84-94

n/a

Butcher Steers

n/a

n/a

n/a

110-120

112-119.50

n/a

n/a

n/a

Butcher Heifers

n/a

n/a

n/a

108-118

110-117.50

n/a

n/a

n/a

Feeder Cows

n/a

n/a

n/a

75-85

75-86

75-83

n/a

n/a

Fleshy Export Cows

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

Lean Export Cows

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

* includes slaughter market

(Note all prices in CDN$ per cwt. These prices also generally represent the top one-third of sales reported by the auction yard.)

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15

The Manitoba Co-operator | February 6, 2014

Patience pays with grass-finished beef Retail-level profits for 30-month-old beef more than double that of 18-month-old beef

By Daniel Winters co-operator staff / brandon

“An animal at 18 months is immature, and has a higher bone-to-mass ratio.”

I

n the grass-finished beef business, keeping a yearling an extra year is worth the wait.

In fact, one could hardly afford to do otherwise, because those extra 12 months can mean the difference between profit and loss, Jim Lintott told a presentation on grass-fed beef production at Ag Days.

Lintott, a grass-finisher and marketer from Oakbank, used a detailed production cost analysis spreadsheet developed by retired provincial forage specialist Fraser Stewart to show “actual, not made up” numbers from his farm. They show the total cost of finishing, processing, and marketing a forageonly beef animal at 18 months stands at $1,112 per head.

At 30 months, the number is only slightly higher at $1,275.

But on the other side of the ledger, there’s a huge difference when comparing the retail value of the two because the extra beef on the older animal is where the lion’s share of the profits come from.

Even though the older animal weighs only 175 pounds more, carcass yield at 30 months is 67 per cent, compared to 46 per cent at 18 months for an 800- to 1,000-pound animal.

That means cut-out meat for the older animal amounts to 432 lbs. versus 250 lbs. for the younger.

Jim Lintott

Jim Lintott produces and markets grass-fed beef at Oakbank. file photo

“An animal at 18 months is immature, and has a higher bone-to-mass ratio,” he said.

Lintott pegged the on-therail price for the younger animal at $2.25/lb., mainly due to the higher chance that it would grade only AA, while a 3 0 - m o n t h a n i m a l “a l m o s t always” fetches 10 cents more per pound at AAA. At 18 months, the retail margin for the producer comes to $647, while the 30-month-old amounts to $1,543 — almost $900 more — after the $300 cost of wintering the dam is factored in for both.

“It’s all about the difference in the yield on the carcass,” said Lintott.

Selling 18-month-old grassfinished animals at typical

live weight, wholesale prices wouldn’t be worth the extra effort, he said, and if he didn’t have a retail market available, he would have to use a separate, lower-cost production system for those animals.

Marketing is key

The difference lies in the marketing. Lintott sells grass-finished strip loins and rib-eyes for $17.79 per pound and tenderloin for $21.19/lb.

“I can’t keep it in stock,” said Lintott, who added that the prices reflect sales of vacuumpacked, frozen individual cuts sold at the farmers’ market.

Much of the difficulty in finishing animals earlier is due to the slower pace and higher cost of fattening animals on forages

in the dead of winter without high-energy rations such as barley. On his ranch, commercial fertilizer used to maintain the energy values and yields of annual ryegrass is a major expense, but ranchers with access to cheaper alternatives such as lower-cost hog manure may enjoy an advantage.

“The total is skewed because a younger animal requires higher-quality feed all the way through its life,” he said. “You can’t just take out the grain.”

Lintott, who often buys slaughter animals from other producers, doesn’t hesitate to buy even older animals up to 36 months, so long as they are well finished.

Ken Vaags, who admits that his “designer cow” experiment in grass-fed beef production is still a work in progress, is intrigued by the possibility of marketing older animals, even up to 42 months old.

After a lifetime of believing that in finishing cattle, “younger is better,” he recalled being “floored” by an article in the

Ken Vaags photo: daniel winters

Stockman Grass Farmer that reported that the highest-priced beef in France comes from a four-year-old steer.

“That just blew all my categories,” said Vaags. “The next-highest price is for a four-year-old heifer that has had one calf.”

Besides tasting “beefier,” the older animals also finish easier on forage, he added.

He was initially ner vous about potential eating quality issues with 3.5-year-old animals, but so far the beef has been well received by his growing customer base.

“When I give them the choice, they want the 42-month-old,” said Vaags. daniel.winters@fbcpublishing.com

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16

The Manitoba Co-operator | February 6, 2014

WEATHER VANE

Instant info.

With the Manitoba Co-operator mobile app you can stay up to date on all things ag.

Download the free app at agreader.ca/mbc

“ E V E R Y O N E T A L K S A B O U T T H E W E A T H E R , B U T N O O N E D O E S A N Y T H I N G A B O U T I T.” M a r k Tw a i n , 18 9 7

Weather pattern beginning to shift Issued: Monday, February 3, 2014 · Covering: February 5 – February 12, 2014 Daniel Bezte Co-operator contributor

L

ast week’s forecast didn’t play out exactly as expected as the high pressure expected to dominate our region, bringing cold weather, sunshine and light winds, took a more westerly path. This kept the coldest air to our west, but it also allowed wind speeds to remain a little higher, making it feel pretty darned cold. We also saw a few weak disturbances slide through the area as they rotated around the large area of low pressure situated over northeastern Canada.

For this forecast period we are going to see another large area of arctic high pressure build southwards, following a similar path as last week’s high. The centre of the high should be over Alberta and Saskatchewan by Wednesday.

This places us on the eastern side of the high which translates into northwesterly winds in the 15- to 25-km/h range. With highs only expected to make it to around -20 C we’ll once again be dealing with cold wind chills.

Winds will become lighter later in the week as the high slowly drifts by to our south. We should

see plenty of sunshine and temperatures will begin to moderate towards the weekend, with highs

by Friday or Saturday pushing the -12 to -15 C range. Farther to our west the ridge of high pressure that has been so dominant this winter is expected to collapse as a strong area of low pressure builds in and takes up residence off the coast of northern B.C. This low will then become the controlling factor for our weather starting next week, as it spins off pieces of energy, sending those eastward across the Prairies and northern plains. The first of these systems is expected to track across central and northern regions on Tuesday or Wednesday, bringing milder weather along with a chance of some snow. With the main low staying in place off the coast it doesn’t look like we’ll see any surges of arctic air as the pattern switches to a more active, westerly one.

Usual temperature range for this period: Highs: -20 to -4 C Lows: -31 to -13 C Daniel Bezte is a teacher by profession with a BA (Hon.) in geography, specializing in climatology, from the U of W. He operates a computerized weather station near Birds Hill Park.

Contact him with your questions and comments at daniel@bezte.ca.

WEATHER MAP - WESTERN CANADA

1 Month (30 Days) Percent of Average Precipitation (Prairie Region) December 30, 2013 to January 28, 2014

< 40% 40 - 60% 60 - 85% 85 - 115% 115 - 150% 150 - 200% > 200% Extent of Agricultural Land Lakes and Rivers

Produced using near real-time data that has undergone initial quality control. The map may not be accurate for all regions due to data availability and data errors.

Copyright © 2014 Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada Prepared by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s National Agroclimate Information Service (NAIS). Data provided through partnership with Environment Canada, Natural Resources Canada, and many Provincial agencies.

Created: 01/29/14 www.agr.gc.ca/drought

This issue’s map shows the total amount of precipitation that fell across the Prairies during the month of January compared to the long-term average. Looking at the map you can see how high pressure situated over far-western North America brought dry conditions to western and southern regions, with the exception of the foothills region of Alberta. Several lows sliding down the eastern side of the ridge brought near- to above-average amounts of precipitation to northern and eastern regions of the Prairies.

Cold continues through January Environment Canada and The Old Farmer’s Almanac both called it right

By Daniel Bezte CO-OPERATOR CONTRIBUTOR

A

fter a brutally cold December, I think it’s safe to say that most of us were looking forward to warmer January weather, even though in the back of our minds we knew that January is usually the coldest month of the year. January started off where December finished, with brutally cold weather along with some heavy snow.

Then temperatures warmed up and we all thought that the cold weather was over and we would be treated to mild weather for the rest of the winter. Oh, we should have known better!

Between Jan. 9 and 19 we saw 11 days of nice winter weather, well, at least mild winter weather, before the c o l d we a t h e r m ove d b a c k in to finish off the month. I don’t think it was the intensity of the cold weather that seemed to wear on us, but rather the number of days we had with high winds. I don’t know about you, but I’ll take a sunny, cold day with no wind over a mild, windy winter day pretty much every time.

Looking back at the daily reports for January, I counted 23 days in the Winnipeg

region that had wind gust over 30 km/h, Brandon had at least 26 days and the Dauphin region came in at around 24 days. Add to the wind a little light snow every day or so and you end up with a cold, snowy and blowy month.

When we look at the month’s averages it may surprise some of you to find out that we were not that cold.

Yes, we were below average, but not by much. Dauphin re p o r t e d a m e a n m o n t h l y temperature of -18.5 C which was about -1.2 C below avera g e. T h e B r a n d o n re g i o n re p o r t e d a m e a n m o n t h l y temperature of -18.8 C which is only 0.9 C below average.

Finally, Winnipeg came in around -19.0 C which is about 1.2 C below average. I say that the Winnipeg region came in around the -19 C mark because the main weather station at the airpor t was missing several days of data.

After examining the hourly data for the missing days and comparing it to the data from the weather stations located in downtown Winnipeg at The Forks, I came up with that value.

Above average

Precipitation during the month was above aver-

age over eastern and northern regions, while south and s o u t h we s t e r n re g i o n s s a w below-average amounts. With the exception of the heavy snow that fell Jan. 3, most of the snow during the month came from a long series of clipper systems ripping through our region travelling from the northwest to the southeast. Each of these systems dumped anywhere from one to seven or eight cm of snow. The difficulty in determining exact amounts of snow was that the snow was usually accompanied by high winds and blowing snow.

Even with the best equipment and training it is tough to determine true snow amounts when so much blowing snow is occurring.

T h a t s a i d , h e re a re t h e totals from our three centres.

Winnipeg, using the downt ow n Fo r k s l o c a t i o n , h a d 33.8 mm of water-equivalent snowfall, which is well above the average of 20 mm. Brandon reported 24.4 mm which was five mm above average.

Dauphin also came in slightly above its average of 17.5 mm with a January total of 20.6 mm.

If we try to summarize the month based on the data from these three locations, January

was colder and wetter than average.

Were any of the long-range forecasts correct? Both Environment Canada and the Old Farmer’s Almanac called for below-average temperatures a l o n g w i t h a b ov e - a v e ra g e amounts of precipitation. The Canadian Farmers’ Almanac called for near-average temperatures and precipitation and I had called for belowaverage temperatures with near-average amounts of snow. That means the nod has to go to EC and the Old Farmer’s Almanac.

What’s coming?

That leaves us with February’s forecast. According to EC, February is going to be colder than average across pretty much all of southern and Central Canada. On the precipitation front, it is calling for near-average amounts.

Looking at the Old Farme r ’s Al m a n a c’s f o re c a s t , i t looks like the cold weather is going to continue for at least another month or two. It also looks like we might be in for a big storm sometime in February as it is predicting wellabove-average amounts of snow.

The good folks over at the Canadian Farmers’ Almanac

are calling for below-average temperatures in February as they mention cold or ver y cold weather all month long.

They do not mention much about precipitation until the last couple of days, so I would have to say below-average amounts, unless they are also thinking that a big storm will hit us late in the month.

Fi n a l l y, h e re a t t h e C o operator, I’m going to call for near-average temperatures along with near-average amounts of precipitation. If you take a look at the forecast you’ll see that it looks like we might be undergoing a shift in our weather pattern around the middle of the month to a milder pattern that is much more typical for late winter.

Should this pattern shift o c c u r, t h e s e c o n d h a l f o f the month will see near- to above-average temperatures.

Along with bringing in milder weather, we’ll also see an increased chance of storm systems coming up from the southwest. These storm systems are often associated with the potential to bring significant snowfalls. Whether a big storm system will develop and then actually affect our region is anyone’s guess, but the potential is definitely there.

The Manitoba Co-operator | February 6, 2014

17

T:10.25”

CROPS h u s b a n d r y — th e sci e n c e , S K I L L O R A R T O F F A R M I N G

Low flax supplies seen as boost to acreage

Oats/corn spread narrows in as oats rise

Flax might be a good option for Alberta, says council president

The futures price may be high, but country bids are not

By Phil Franz-Warkentin Commodity News Service Canada

Flax council president Will Hill sees a 20 per cent increase in acreage this year. file photo

By Brandon Logan Commodity News Service Canada

T

he positive sentiment towards planting flax seems to be growing across the Prairies, according to Will Hill, president of the Flax Council of Canada, adding that there is likely to be a big acreage increase this year.

“From what I heard at CropSphere in Saskatoon, it sounds like people are thinking that pricing of flax will be good relative to the other commodities, so we’re looking forward to an increase in acreage,” he said. “It’s really all over the map, but I think we’ll see it at least 20 per cent up from last year.”

According to Statistics Canada, 1.035 million acres of flax were planted in 2013. If area does increase by roughly 20 per cent, acreage in 2014 would sit at 1.242 million acres.

Ag Canada recently projected flax seeding at 1.236 million acres.

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“I think growers have had really good success with flax the last couple of years, and I think people are always looking at alternatives.”

WILL HILL

Flax Council of Canada president

Hill said the success seen by recent flax crops, along with lower input costs, have farmers looking at it as a strong alternative crop.

“I think growers have had really good success with flax the last couple of years, and I think people are always looking at alternatives,” he said. “It’s a lower-input crop than others, so I think the farmers are quite excited about it. Plus, the whole crop moved last year. We took

carry-out down fairly low last year, so that’s a plus.”

Some of the biggest growth came in Alberta, where acreage and production nearly doubled in 2013-14 from a year earlier.

“Alberta doesn’t have quite the same alternatives as the Manitoba farmer does in terms of soybeans, corn and some of the other crops.

They need an alternative oilseed in their rotations to canola,” Hill said, when describing why acreage was up in this year and possibly next year. “Plus, they’re close to the marketplace in China and they have a freight advantage there. I think all those things there are coming together to where the farmer in Alberta is viewing flax as a good alternative. I think we’ll see them grow more next year.”

As of Jan. 27, Johnston’s Daily grain price report has new-crop flax bids valued at $10.50 to $10.75 per bushel.

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T:15.58”

Oats futures at the Chicago Board of Trade are currently at their strongest levels relative to corn since 2006, as Canadian logistics issues have caused nearby oats contracts to jump higher while corn values hold steady.

The March oats contract gained 16 U.S. cents per bushel on Tuesday, Jan. 28, to close at $4.1675 per bushel, only 15 cents below the March corn contract. At this time a year ago, corn was trading at closer to $2 per bushel above oats, which was more in line with historical averages.

Oats futures also continue to trade at an inverse, with the nearby months above the more deferred positions.

“It doesn’t mean there are higher prices in the country, as there are very few people actually buying oats,” said Ryan McKnight of Linear Grain in Carman, Manitoba on the relative strength in oats futures. His company was still buying oats “as we can get freight for them,” but he noted that actual bids were very low compared to the futures given the difficulties securing freight.

Fund buying and the fact that oats stocks in futures delivery positions are tight were playing a part in taking oats futures to “unhealthy highs,” added McKnight. While North American oats supplies are large overall, the “oats are not in the futures delivery warehouses, so the threat of delivery isn’t there... If oats futures were set up the same way as canola, we’d have low oats futures and full carry.”

18

The Manitoba Co-operator | February 6, 2014

NEWS

Cargill buys into Ukraine company ULF is a major producer of eggs, grain, meat and sugar KIEV / REUTERS / Ukraine’s leading agriculture group Ukrlandfarming said Jan. 13 that U.S. agriculture giant Cargill had bought a five per cent stake in the Ukrainian firm.

The deal took place in late 2013, Ukrlandfarming said in a statement, without disclosing the value of the stake.

Ukrlandfarming (ULF), Ukraine’s major producer of eggs, grain, meat and sugar, said the two companies wanted to enhance and develop their relationship in search of significant business opportunities.

“The agreement with Cargill indicates an important step for Ukrlandfarming in developing our international presence and export potential,” Ukrlandfarming CEO Oleh Bakhmatyuk said in a statement.

Several other projects, including logistics, are being discussed between Cargill and Ukrlandfarming, said the Ukrainian company, which has a London-listed offshoot called AvangardCo. It said ULF was working with Cargill’s grain division to satisfy Cargill’s particular needs for grains in Ukraine, while Cargill for its part was providing financial terms to ULF which allowed Cargill to secure supply.

Cargill has been active in Ukraine for over 20 years, operating two big sunflower oil plants and several silos.

The company is among the largest exporters of Ukrainian grains and sunflower oil.

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Many ‘little hammers’ best for organic weed control, says Maine expert If tillage kill rate averages only 69 per cent, that still leaves plenty for next year

By Daniel Winters CO-OPERATOR STAFF

C

ontrolling weeds in o rg a n i c s y s t e m s i s a bit like balancing your chequebook, except that the goal is to get the (seed) bank account as low as possible. “ When managing annual weeds, the important thing is the seed bank,” said Eric Gallandt, a weed ecologist in the latest webinar of this spring’s Western Canadian Organic Webinar series.

Gallandt, who hails from the heavily forested northeastern state of Maine, said that aside from some large potato and dairy operations, most of the farms in the state are diversified vegetable growers, of which 380 are certified organic.

Driving the account down to lower levels requires “many tiny hammers” aimed at minimizing “credits” to the bank that arr ive via weed seed “rain.” That could include timely weed control tillage, s h o r t - s e a s o n c ov e r c r o p s to pre-empt weed growth, or using winter cereals to increase crop competition with summer annual weeds.

Other tools in the tool box capitalize on “debits” to the seed bank through accelerated weed seed decay, germination, burial or predation by rodents, birds or bugs.

Relying solely on tillage is problematic, because the results are highly variable, said Gallandt.

Tests in 70 locations in a field using condiment mustard as a “surrogate weed” found that a four-row, S-tine harrow killed anywhere from zero to 100 per cent of the weeds.

“In 25 per cent of the locations, the efficacy was below 50 per cent,” he said, adding that variance might be due to soil conditions.

Weed density

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Also, the research showed that the kill rate average of 69 per cent per pass was the same no matter if the weed density was low or high. That means areas with a greater weed problem tend to produce more survivors, and increasing the intensity of tillage doesn’t always result in better weed management over time.

Sa m p l e s t a k e n f r o m h i s region found that the germinable seed bank ranged from zero to 30,000 seeds per square metre. The mid-range was 3,000-10,000, but many farms were much higher.

“If you are in this situation, it means that you are going to have to cultivate more and kill 70 per cent with 30 per cent surviving. You just keep doing that until you get an acceptable density of weeds,” he said.

Seeding rate and size

To speed that process, Gallandt has looked at various “multiple-stress” approaches

Tests showed tillage took out 69 per cent of the weeds, but the rate was the same for both high and low densities.

“This white thread stage is important, and if you can nail it, it’s awesome.”

ERIC GALLANDT

that look beyond just killing weed seedlings by tillage.

Enhancing crop competition via heavier cereal seeding rates is one strategy. When attempting this, it’s important to remember that seeding rates based on seed mass must take into account the varying size and weight of individual seeds. For example, Harvard cultivar wheat seeds average 45 mg per seed, while Red Fife is much smaller, at 26 mg/ seed.

To hit a target of 45 seeds/ sq. ft., you need almost 200 pounds per acre of Harvard, compared to just 112 lbs./acre for the smaller-seeded Red Fife.

Most seeders are designed to place seeds close together in long, narrow rows that leave room for weed growth in between.

But to boost crop competition, a team of equipment engineers led by Jacob Weiner at Denmark’s Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University developed a precision seeder that planted seeds in a wide uniform grid pattern with the aim of minimizing the empty spaces that could be taken over by weeds.

Criss-cross seeding

Comparison trial results were promising with a significant reduction in weed pressure, but the equipment is still experimental, said Gallandt.

Some farmers have duplicated the seeding arrange-

ment by seeding in a criss-cross pattern, or using a broadcast unit on the front of the tractor that dispersed one-third of the seed, and the remaining two-thirds via the drill behind it.

Both pre- and post-emergent tine harrowing to control early flushes of weeds in cereals is a popular choice, but although it appears to have 95 per cent efficiency at the white thread stage and 75 per cent for those in the cotyledon stage, being too aggressive risks injuring the young crop even at increased seeding rates.

“This white thread stage is important, and if you can nail it, it’s awesome,” said Gallandt.

“But there are occasions when there doesn’t appear to be a net benefit to crop yield.

You’ve got to balance the negative effect of damaging crops with the positive effect of reducing weed density.”

Soil disturbance that occurs when seeding fall cover crops risks burying and protecting surface weed seeds from critters that might eat them, he noted.

Howe ve r, s t u d i e s o f t h e effect of predators on weed s e e d s h a v e s h ow n m i x e d results. Test plots that left crop and weed residue on the surface in fall instead of seeding a cover crop or doing tillage in the hope that mice, birds or bugs might deplete the seed bank, showed impressive results only one year out of three.

Gallandt spoke in the second organic webinar scheduled for the noon hour this spring. Next up on Feb. 11 is a one-hour talk entitled “Growing hemp on the Prairies,” followed by, “The plant’s role in soil fertility management” on Feb. 18. To sign up, contact chantal.jacobs@gov.sk.ca. daniel.winters@fbcpublishing.com

19

The Manitoba Co-operator | February 6, 2014

COLUMN

Soybean oil weighing on canola values The downturn in soybean oil prices occurred four months prior to the downturn in canola David Drozd Market Outlook

SOYBEAN OIL MONTHLY NEARBY Chart as of January 29, 2014

I

n the past 12 months, soybean oil futures values have slid 31 per cent, which in part has contributed to a 36 per cent decline in canola futures prices.

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada is estimating Canadian farmers produced a record 18 million tonnes of canola in 2013 and is forecasting a record three-million-tonne carr yout for the 2013-14 crop year.

Meanwhile, there are private analysts predicting canola ending stocks could be 20 to 30 per cent higher than this. Regardless of the final tally, this year’s bumper crop has created logistical challenges in moving this record volume of grain to market, which is pressuring basis levels and weighing on cash prices.

Global production of wheat, rice, corn and soybeans is also forecast to be record high this year and as a result commodity prices are trending lower.

Chart patterns provide early indications of a change in trend.

The monthly nearby soybean oil futures chart provided not one, but two reversal patterns that alerted traders to an impending downturn in prices. The first occurrence was when a twomonth reversal materialized on Sept. 30, 2012 and soybean oil was 52.18 cents per pound. This

was followed by a second twomonth reversal, which developed on Feb. 28, 2013 when soybean oil was 48.82 cents per pound.

As illustrated by the downtrending channel in the accompanying chart, soybean oil has been sliding lower for the past 12 months, with values slipping to a 3-1/2-year low at 36.91 cents per pound.

The downtur n in soybean oil prices occurred four months prior to the downturn in the canola market. On June 30, 2013, canola was $609.80 per tonne when a two-month reversal materialized on the monthly nearby canola futures chart, signalling an end to the bull market rally.

On the first month, the market advances to new highs and closes very strong. The fol-

lowing month, prices open unchanged to slightly higher, but cannot make additional upside progress. Quantity selling appears and prices begin to erode. By month’s end, the market drops to around the preceding month’s low and closes at or near that level.

Market psychology

The two-month reversal is a sudden change in sentiment.

On the first month the longs are comfortable and confident as the strong market reinforces the expectation of greater profits. The second month’s activity is psychologically damaging.

It is a complete turnaround from the preceding month and serves to shake the confidence of many who are still long the market. The immediate outlook for prices is abruptly put

in question, so longs respond to weakening prices by selling in order to cut their losses.

Following the two-month reversal, futures prices on the long-term monthly nearby soybean oil and canola charts broke a major line of support (A) in June 2013, with prices trending lower ever since. The canola futures market has lost $230 per tonne or $5.25 per bushel in the past eight months.

Farmers who recognized these reversal patterns, which occurred at key areas of resistance on the charts, were able to take advantage of these sell signals by locking in prices before they collapsed.

Reversal patterns that materialize on the long-term charts carry more weight than the formations that develop on the short-term charts. As a producer, it is imperative you have an understanding of when the

major trend is about to change.

Studying the long-term charts is one of the best ways to do this.

Canola producers can benefit from monitoring the soybean oil market, as reversal patterns at areas of resistance are a key component in alerting producers to a change in trend, which subsequently impacts the price of canola.

Send your questions or comments about this article and chart to info@ag-chieve.ca.

David Drozd is president and senior market analyst for Winnipeg-based Ag-Chieve Corporation. The opinions expressed are those of the writer and are solely intended to assist readers with a better understanding of technical analysis. Visit Ag-Chieve online atwww. ag-chieve.ca for information about our grain-marketing advisory service and to see our latest grain market analysis. You can call us toll free at 1-888-274-3138 for a free consultation.

Feel the

Rush

Colorado brothers guilty in 2011 listeria outbreak

The court ruled they should be punished even though they did not knowingly allow contaminated cantaloupes to leave their property

By Robert Boczkiewicz DENVER / REUTERS

A

Federal Court judge sentenced two Colorado farmers Jan. 28 to six months of home detention and five years probation for their role in a deadly 2011 listeria outbreak linked to contaminated cantaloupes.

Er ic and Ryan Jensen, brothers who are former owners of Colorado-based Jensen Farms, pleaded guilty in October to six counts of adulteration of a food and aiding and abetting linked to one of the deadliest U.S. outbreaks of foodborne illness.

“I must deliver both justice and mercy at the same time,” U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael Hegarty said during a hearing in Denver.

Explaining his reason for not sending the brothers to jail, Hegarty said he wanted to preserve their ability to earn enough income to pay restitution of $150,000 each to the families of those who died and other victims in the case.

Prosecutors said they recommended probation in the

case because of the brothers’ demonstration of remorse and their co-operation with authorities investigating the outbreak.

Both will be allowed to leave their homes for work, to attend church and for certain educational purposes under the sentence. Each brother had faced a possible maximum sentence of six years in prison and $1.5 million in fines.

The Jensens’ cantaloupes were processed and packed at a plant in Granada, Colorado, but equipment there failed to wash the melons with enough antibacter ial solution to remove listeria bacteria, prosecutors said in court papers.

U.S. health officials have reported that a total of 147 people in 28 states fell ill in the outbreak, including 33 who died. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jaime Pena, however, said in court on Tuesday the death toll was closer to 40.

Pregnant women and others with compromised immune systems are particularly vulnerable to listeria infection, which has a mortality rate of about 20 per cent

and is the third-leading cause of death from food poisoning, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta.

Pena said the magnitude and scope of the Jensen Farms outbreak was a key reason for prosecuting the brothers, even though he believed they “did not intentionally and knowingly allow adulterated food to leave their premises.”

U.S. Attorney John Walsh said in a statement the sentence “serves as a powerful reminder of farmers’ legal and moral responsibility for ensuring their product is safe.”

Before they were sentenced, the brothers each addressed the packed courtroom to apologize. “This is a huge tragedy for everyone involved, and we’re very sorry,” Eric Jensen said.

Although many farmers and ranchers across the United States had expressed outrage that the Jensens were criminally charged for the outbreak, lawyers for both sides in the case said the prosecution had led to improvements in food safety controls.

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20

The Manitoba Co-operator | February 6, 2014

Kids shouldn’t be left to cover Mom and Pop’s tax bill Succession planning is complicated, but with professionalism and respect, equity can be transferred before anyone needs to actually buy the farm

By Shannon VanRaes

“You are not your farm, you are people who have wives and husbands and children, and that is your legacy — not just the farm.”

co-operator staff

Y

oung agriculturists looking to return to the family farm will face challenges — high input costs, soaring land prices, labour shortages and transportation concerns, just to name a few.

But the biggest challenge for many fresh-faced farmers is how to work with their parents to establish a succession plan, said Cedric MacLeod, of the New Brunswick-based MacLeod Agronomics.

“There’s profitability in the industry — the challenge is how do we get that equity turned over; how do we get Mom and Dad to engage in an active process that allows us to move

Cedric MacLeod photo: shannon vanraes

Cedric MacLeod

these assets,” MacLeod told a young farmers’ forum at last week’s Keystone Agricultural Producers meeting in Winnipeg.

The first step? Good, regular communication.

“Have business meetings, have an agenda, keep minutes, make notes,” he said.

Everyone has heard the horror stories, said MacLeod, regaling the assembled youth with tales of sons and daughters who

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worked for years, only to find that they had earned no stake in the farm, no equity and no guarantee of inheritance.

“If it’s not written down, it didn’t happen,” he stressed.

If you’re working on the farm, putting in crops, harvesting, and making management decisions, MacLeod said that should be considered sweat equity — something that should count towards the long-term transfer of equity and assets. This should also be a way to reduce the amount of capital required to take over an operation when the time comes, he said.

While many new farmers talk about having problems accessing capital, the planning specialist said the real problem may in fact be access to equity.

But gaining access to the family farm still has to be a respectful process, one that recognizes the hard-won expertise and years of long hours put in by previous generations.

And if things don’t go your way at every business meeting?

“Don’t sulk, don’t drag your feet on your way out the yard... hold your head up,” MacLeod said.

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Not all responsibility falls on the next generation, however.

MacLeod said that those in the baby boomer generation need to prepare as well, and can’t expect their children to finance their tax bills or their retirement.

“You are not your farm, you are people who have wives and husbands and children, and that is your legacy — not just the farm,” he said. “Your farm is just a vehicle to produce profit, so treat it that way.”

That means the older generation can’t put every penny back into the farm either, some has to be put aside for retirement. Wealth management is as important as wealth creation, the business adviser said.

“When all is said and done, you’re going to want to have some money in your back pocket that you don’t have to drag it out of the farm and pay a bunch of tax on,” he said.

It’s a message that resonates with young farmers like Fiona Jochum, who is enrolled in an agricultural diploma program at the University of Manitoba.

“Planning is such a huge thing now, on lots of farms there are multiple generations running the operation, and it can be really difficult,” said the 19-year-old, whose family operates a 4,000-acre grain farm near St. Francois Xavier.

Jochum would like to finish university and then spend some

Desiree

21

The Manitoba Co-operator | February 6, 2014

California eyes turning off the taps The forecast for a zero allocation in 2014 is unprecedented

By Steve Gorman los angeles / reuters

A

worsening drought in California will likely force a first-ever complete cut-off this year in state-supplied water sold to 29 irrigation districts, public water agencies and municipalities up and down the state, officials said Jan. 31.

Although the state Water Resources Department typically ends up supplying more water than first projected for the year ahead, its forecast for a “zero allocation” in 2014 is unprecedented since the agency began delivering water in 1967.

The announcement came a day after the agency said that water content in the

snow pack of the Sierra Nevada mountain range — a key measure of surface water supplies — stood at just 12 per cent of average for this time of year.

That marked the lowest level recorded in more than half a century, despite a latearriving Sierra winter storm.

Barring an unexpected turnaround in California’s current dry spell, the state faces its worst-ever water supply outlook, the agency said.

Governor Jerry Brown, whose drought emergency declaration two weeks ago capped the driest year on record for the state, said the agency’s zero allocation was a “stark reminder that California’s drought is real.”

Brown urged residents to redouble conservation efforts, suggesting they avoid flushing toilets unnecessarily and to turn off the tap while soaping up in the shower or shaving.

Some 25 million people, roughly twothirds of California’s residents, and more than 750,000 acres (300,000 hectares) of farmland get some or all of their drinking and irrigation supplies from the state Water Resources Department.

The water originates from the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta in northern California, fed by rainfall and snowmelt run-off from the Sierras.

Besides the 29 local agencies that purchase water from the State Water

Project, a separate group of Sacramento Valley farm districts whose rights to delta water predate construction of the State Water Project — and are thus guaranteed — could see their deliveries cut in half for the year, the agency warned.

The other major supplier of water from the delta — and a more important one for California farmers producing over half of the fruit, vegetables and nuts grown in the United States — is the federal government’s Bureau of Reclamation.

That agency is slated to announce its initial allocation from the Central Valley Project next month, and it too is expected to be dismal.

Continued from previous page

time working in and exploring other aspects of the agriculture industry before returning to the family farm.

But she’s confident in her family’s succession plan.

“My dad actually went through the diploma program I am in, and as soon as he came out of the program the farm went through a whole succession plan and turned into a corporation and now he’s the manager,” she said, adding that although her grandfather has officially retired, he still enjoys helping out.

T h a t ’s s o m e t h i n g t h a t MacLeod said is important — finding new roles for founding generations, so that succession isn’t equated with leaving the farm entirely, or worse yet, death.

“If Dad loves driving the combine, then he should keep driving the combine,” he said.

Mark Owen has been farming for three years, along with his family, on their operation near Graysville, and agrees that all generations need to be incorporated in future plans.

“I think that a lot of people kinda forget about the fairness factor for the older generation — having that respect for them is pretty important,” said the 22-year-old university student.

“They built these farms.”

But fairness can be complicated, especially when there are siblings involved.

“They come back and they want their share, when it’s been you that stuck around and worked the 20-hour days to get the crop in and take it off,” MacLeod said. “You cannot be responsible for financing the buyout of your siblings, fair is not equal.”

However, that doesn’t mean siblings are cut out of the inheritance, it just means it will take more planning, more communication and possibly some outside expertise to make it work.

Owen has one brother, but he isn’t interested in returning to the farm and they already have a succession plan in place that takes that into account.

“I feel fairly confident in our succession plan that we’ve got going... it’s going really well,” he said.

The final message MacLeod left the young farmers with is that the time to start looking at succession is now.

“Your challenge is to identify the right process to get that equity over time,” he said. “And you want to do it while there is still time.” shannon.vanraes@fbcpublishing.com

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Coalition seeks Bipole III delay The PUB has been asked to slow development Staff

T

he Bipole III Coalition is asking the Public Utilities Board (PUB) to slow down Manitoba Hydro’s $34-billion expansion plan while it reviews the need for it and whether there are alternatives.

The coalition, which represents landowners, aerial crop protection applicators, and other opponents for the west-side route, say the forecast underpinning Hydro’s expansion plan is a vastly overstated predictor of Manitoba’s future demand for electricity.

“Using Hydro’s own records, the coalit i o n’s s u b m i s s i o n d e m o n s t r a t e s t h a t Hydro’s load forecast does not properly reflect the flattening of load growth in Manitoba over the past eight years. It is also out of line with forecasts of modest load growth in the U.S. including the northern regions into which Hydro exports electrical energy,” a coalition release says.

The coalition says its analysis demonstrates that a new plant won’t have to be in service until at least 2030, seven years beyond the date in Hydro’s plan.

staff / Talks for grain c o m p a n y Pa r r i s h a n d Heimbecker to take over the federally operated Lake Huron Port of Owen Sound, Ont., where it already runs a grain terminal, have sunk with no deal.

T h e p o r t , o n G e o rgian Bay, is one of 34 “regional/local” ports in Canada now managed

by Transport Canada’s port programs directorate, which is tasked with divesting such ports to other public- or privatesector owner/operators.

John Higham, regional d i re c t o r o f p r o g r a m s for Transport Canada’s Ontario region, wrote in a Jan. 23 letter to Owen Sound city manager Ruth Coursey that “negotiations have ended without a divestiture being concluded.”

Transport Canada, he wrote, will continue to operate the Owen Sound p o r t , w h i c h “re m a i n s available for divestiture.”

A representative for Winnipeg-based P+H wasn’t immediately available for comment on any specific reasons why talks ended without a deal.

P + H ’s G r e a t L a k e s Elevator Co. grain terminal at Owen Sound has 93,000 tonnes of grain capacity and 11 tr uck loading bins; it can handle ships up to 750 feet long, including self-unloading ships and bulkers. The facility can also load out to laker vessels and smaller oceangoing “salties.”

As local media have previously reported, the harbour bottom is filling with silt and needs dredging soon for Owen Sound to remain a viable commercial port.

Tr a n s p o r t C a n a d a , however, has previously said it plans to deal with the dredging issue only once a deal is sealed for divestiture of the harbour.

22

The Manitoba Co-operator | February 6, 2014

Dog days of winter

Republicans weigh immigration reforms Their proposal already faces opposition

By Richard Cowan and Susan Cornwell cambridge, md. / reuters

R This winter has been a good one for sun dogs, such as these taken in the Little Saskatchewan River valley near Rapid City. Photo: Linda Boys

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epublican leaders in the U.S. House of Representatives Jan. 30 proposed granting legal status to potentially millions of undocumented residents and citizenship to some children brought into the United States illegally by their parents.

The move, after months of preparing rank-and-file lawmakers for a new Republican Party approach toward immigration, was immediately met with opposition from conservatives who dominate the House.

The broad principles that were unveiled for debating immigration reform in the Republican-controlled House were aimed at gauging the party’s willingness to tackle such a controversial issue during an election year in which all 435 House seats are at stake.

Republican leaders offered up the outline during a twoday retreat they were holding with their House members at a resort on the eastern shore of the Chesapeake Bay in Maryland, about 85 miles (137 km) from Washington, D.C. During a closed-door session, House Speaker John Boehner warned, “These standards are as far as we are willing to go,” according to a source in the room.

That was a warning to President Barack Obama and his fellow Democrats in Congress that Republicans would not go along with the “pathway to citizenship” for the approximately 11 million undocumented residents that is a centrepiece of a bill passed by the Senate last June.

Instead, just a small fraction of those 11 million, the children who crossed U.S. borders illegally, would win citizenship under the House Republican initiative.

The House leaders’ plan, s p e a r h e a d e d by B o e h n e r, marked a significant shift from the Republican Party’s 2012 campaign message that focused squarely on deporting the more than 11 million people who are living in the United States illegally.

A congressional aide told Reuters that the initiative sparked a heated discussion among House Republicans, some of whom strongly disagreed with the principles.

This set of ideas has a long way to go before being translated into actual legislation that could be debated on the House floor as an alternative to a bipartisan bill that passed the Democratic-controlled Senate last June. And there were no guarantees that it would even advance that far.

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23

The Manitoba Co-operator | February 6, 2014

Outside investment in farmland not driving up prices The emergence of farmland investment funds brings more opportunities than pitfalls

By Alex Binkley Co-operator contributor

T

he purchase of farmland by outside investors offers opportunities for the agriculture community, which needs new financial tools to deal with a surge in farm sales during the next few years, the president of the Canadian Federation of Agriculture says.

High crop prices and low interest rates have driven up land prices as many farmers reach retirement age, Ron Bonnett told a Canadian Agriculture Economics Society conference.

At the same time, groups have formed to buy land as an investment, sparking concerns about outside buyers making land unaffordable for younger producers.

Bonnett said so far, investment groups own about 500,000 of Canada’s 160 million acres of farmland. “These investments could even be useful for young farmers who can rent the land.

This is an evolving situation.”

The issue could become more significant in the future if investor ownership increases markedly, he continued. Or if foreigners started buying up considerable tracts of land.

briefs

Producers urged to declare unlicensed flax varieties FCC release

The Flax Council of Canada is reminding producers that unlicensed flax varieties must be declared upon delivery into the commercial system and can receive only the lowest official grade of No. 3 Canada Western. Unlicensed varieties also have an increased chance of testing positive for Triffid.

CDC Mons and CDC Normandy were deregistered August 1, 2013.

The flax council is asking growers who have existing stocks of any unlicensed varieties including CDC Mons and CDC Normandy to contact the Flax Council of Canada to discuss marketing opportunities and asks that these varieties not be grown in the future.

The Flax Council of Canada is working with the flax industry and producers to eliminate Triffid from the Canadian flax crop through the reconstitution of certain CDC varieties and the encouragement of the use of pedigree seed in 2014.

All flax production should be tested for Triffid prior to delivery. Funding for testing under the Farm Stewardship Program ends Feb. 28, 2014.

Land prices rose more during the last five years than in the previous five years. Farmers already carry more debt for land purchases than for t h e e q u i p m e n t t h e y ow n , he said.

Tom Eisenhauer, president of Bonnefield Financial, one of the largest land investment companies in Canada, said farmers should see outside investors as partners, not just land buyers. “Our clients will be hurt as much as farmers if commodity prices decline investors. If farmers can’t afford to rent the land, then their investment won’t pay off.”

He said the presence of his company and others in the market has had a minuscule impact on land prices. They have risen steadily since the

1970s even as farm incomes rose and fell with shifting commodity prices. “Farmers were buying land even as the prices for it fell. With higher yields and more land, they could increase their production to push up their income.”

Fa r m l a n d i s a n a t t ra c t i v e investment because of projected steady demand for additional food production, he said.

Brady Deaton, an associate professor at the University of Guelph, said fears about nonfarmer ownership of land is “a red herring. Land ownership has been a controversial issue for more than a century.” Whether they rent from an investment company or a retired producer, farmers will be accessing the land they need to prosper.

In 2010, 40 per cent of farmland was rented mostly compared to 22 per cent in 1975.

The trend is similar in the Un i t e d St a t e s w h e re l a n d prices have risen faster than in Canada.

A g r i c u l t u re p o l i c y- m a k ers need to keep the trend to increased use of rented land in mind as they develop or create new programs, he urged. “Governments should be cautious about encoura g i n g f a r m l a n d p u rc h a s e s among producers.”

Bonnett noted with many p r o d u c e r s n e a r i n g re t i re ment age, there will be a large number of farm transfers in the next few years. New tools are needed to help farmers, particularly young ones, to finance the transition.

The federation has been

working on the farm transfer and tax policy issue for years, including the treatment of off-farm income. “It’s possible that investors can be useful for young farmers.

Already there are six different land ownership companies and partnerships. They bring badly needed capital into the industry and offer both lease and rental opportunities.”

CFA is working with Farm Management Canada on a Risky Business Program to educate farmers about managing their personal debt load including options for access to land, he explained. It is also working with academics on studying the implications of different land tenure regimes. “ While we can see trends emerging, not a lot of information is available about them.”

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24

The Manitoba Co-operator | February 6, 2014

Canada Beef lukewarm on effort to revamp beef industry Rob Meijer says straw man report offers an ‘interesting perspective’ but Canada Beef has its own plan for boosting the fortunes of the beef industry

By Jennifer Blair STAFF

T

he newly formed Council of Beef Leaders may be missing a key player when it meets later this winter.

“The beef industry has enough structures and organizations and committees,” said Rob Meijer, president of Canada Beef Inc. “We’re not of the view that we need yet another one.

“We are nowhere near accepting of an advisory council.”

The council is one of the key recommendations of the Straw Man Beef Industry Initiative, an effort aimed at finding a fix for some of the critical issues bedevilling Canada’s beef industry.

But Meijer said the report is just “a set of recommendations” that industry players could adopt at their own discretion.

“We take this and any other report with interest,” he said. “Where we are not at is taking the recommendations and building them into our strategy.”

The recommendations from the report echo much of the work that is already underway at Canada Beef, said Meijer.

“I see a lot of us already in the report,” he said, calling it an “indirect pat on the back.

“We’re on the right track, and I feel really good to see that in the report.”

And while the report offers an “interesting perspective” for the Canada Beef board to consider, the organization will continue to move forward with its own strategy, he said.

“At the end of the day, the provinces fund our organization, and we take our direction from the provinces,” said Meijer. “We respect the work of the straw men, but that is not who we take our direction from.”

Others supportive

The “straw men” — agri-food marketing specialist Kim McConnell and cattlemen David Andrews and John Kolk — developed the recommendations in response to a stinging critique by the Canadian Agri-Food Policy Institute, which slammed the beef industry for being complacent and lacking a strategy to succeed. Their report laid out a path for creating a “results-based” strategy to grow the national herd and make Canadian beef the “preferred” choice at home and abroad.

The report’s recommendations have been well received and have “pretty good support” from cattle feeders, said Bryan Walton, chief executive officer of the Alberta Cattle Feeders’ Association.

“We believed in this from the beginning,” said Walton.

Unlike Meijer, Walton said he welcomes the creation of the leaders’ council as a forum where “high-level, strategic perspectives” can be discussed.

“When we can come together in a meeting place and be more efficient about how we operate our various organizations, I think that’s all positive for the industry,” he said.

“Overall, I think it’s created some

opportunity for some dialogue around some important industry issues.”

Alberta Beef Producers’ chair Greg Bowie calls the process “worthwhile.”

“They’ve got the industry thinking about what needs to be done to keep moving forward,” he said.

However, Alberta Beef Producers will follow the lead of the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association (one of the other organizations invited to join the leaders’ council), said Bowie.

“The national beef industry plan is where we’d like to focus our attention,” he said.

Funding needed

One area where all players seem in agreement is on the need for increased funding.

“It is, in a global context, time that we go out there and flex our muscles. And it’s going to take a little bit more money,” said Meijer.

Funding is also a major concern for Alberta Beef Producers, which has lost revenue since the province changed the checkoff rules to allow producers and feeders to apply for a refund.

“Our funding has certainly shrunk over the last number of years,” said Bowie.

“Some type of a structure change needs to be looked at.”

But the straw men’s call for a national checkoff of up to $5 per head won’t win support until producers see more value for their dollars, said Meijer. His organization does that, he said, and directing a national levy to Canada Beef would

“We respect the work of the straw men, but that is not who we take our direction from.”

ROB MEIJER

Canada Beef Inc.

be better than provincial “clawbacks,” he said.

“We would rather that stay with us,” Meijer said. “We have all the resources and expertise, and we can provide them the regional or local support.”

Without additional funding, Canada’s beef industry will continue to struggle on the global stage.

“What we’re up against in the global marketplace is literally a David and Goliath,” said Meijer.

“We are David, and there are many nations, with their brand and marketing budgets, that are truly Goliath.”

A date for the first meeting of the leaders’ council had not been confirmed at press time. But it was announced two well-known figures in the industry had agreed to assist in a survey of senior industry leaders. The “one-on-one interviews” will be used to “evaluate alignment among the sectors” within the industry.

Consultant Jerry Bouma will conduct the interviews but will be assisted by Steve Morgan Jones, formerly director general of science partnerships with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, and Allan Preston, a former provincial assistant deputy minister from Manitoba. jennifer.blair@fbcpublishing.com

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25

The Manitoba Co-operator | February 6, 2014

Study touts Keystone’s value Work together to sell Manitoba, urges Red River Ex CEO

By Daniel Winters co-operator staff

P

Airport proximity

Attracting major shows that currently bypass Manitoba will be a key revenue driver for the proposed 200,000-sq.-ft. facility with an indoor, 5,000-seat arena, Rogerson added.

Besides being newer than its counterpart in Brandon, the newly developed Red River Ex grounds will also benefit from the nearby Richardson International Airport, as well as a more central location in the province.

But competing directly with the Keystone was never a goal, he added.

“We would never build something that will set out to harm

Neil Thomson

another facility. We would like nothing better than to partner with the Winnipeg Convention Centre and the Keystone to go after every show that’s out there,” said Rogerson.

Some regional events will still be more appropriately held in Brandon, but in recent years, having international airport service nearby has become a prerequisite for attracting many shows, he added.

As an example, he noted that if Winnipeg had enough trade

daniel.winters@fbcpublishing.com

Jared Glasman M & J Farms of Russell, Manitoba prepares his Black Simmental bull at Ag Days last month. Ag Days is one of the biggest events at the Keystone Centre, which two years ago received $3.3 million in funding over five years for repair and maintenance of the sprawling, 40-year-old, T:8.125”540,000-square-foot facility. Photo: Sandy Black

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erhaps sparked by the prospect of competition from a new Red River Exhibition facility in Winnipeg, Brandon’s Keystone Centre has released a study detailing its value to the local economy.

Its events generate more than $62 million annually, says the study by researchers from Brandon University, which was requested by the Keystone Centre’s board and general manager Neil Thomson.

“It’s a huge number, that’s for sure. It shows that investments into the facility can have a huge economic impact,” said Thomson.

While the economic impacts of specific events have been conducted in recent years, no overall study of the financial impact of the facility on the city of Brandon had been undertaken.

Thomson hopes that the number gets the attention of city and provincial funding partners for the facility built in 1974. Two years ago, it received $3.3 million in funding over five years for repair and maintenance of the sprawling, 40-year-old, 540,000-square-foot facility, which also boasts a 5,100-seat arena.

The timing of the study raises the question of whether Keystone is feeling the heat from the proposed development of a new $140-million facility on the Red River Exhibition grounds in Winnipeg.

“We are in a competitive marketplace. Events can move around,” said Thomson, who noted that the Keystone will still be the larger of the two.

Garth Rogerson, CEO of the Red River Exhibition Association, said that he hopes that Winnipeg’s City Hall will soon approve infrastructure plans for the 460-acre site so that construction of a new hotel, big-box retailers, a “commodity campus” for farm groups, and other attractions can proceed this summer.

The planning document has been sent back for revision five times already, he added, and a special bylaw allowing animals on the site still needs approval, he added.

“It’s really been beaten to death down there,” said Rogerson.

He said funding for the Red River Ex’s return to its “agricultural roots” will come entirely from private sources and will be based on the value of real estate on the city’s west side as well as the strength of the association’s business plan.

Memberships in the facility, which will allow voting rights for board elections, will be sold for $10 to allow broad public participation.

“It’s a huge number, that’s for sure. It shows that investments into the facility can have a huge economic impact.”

show space, it could have landed the International Holstein Show that was recently hosted by Toronto.

“The future is going out and selling Manitoba. Forget about competing against each other.

Let’s work together and get every show. Let’s go up against Regina, Toronto, Saskatoon, and Calgary,” said Rogerson.

The Brandon University researchers stated that the $62-million total is based on spending only and included the direct spending multiplier used

by Statistics Canada. When the data was applied to other spending multipliers the impact ranged from $53.6 million to $80.7 million.

The study used estimated visitor data from the three provincial exhibition fairs 2012, Wheat Kings 2011-12 season, 56 Keystone Centre events 2011-12 (including Manitoba Ag Days) and the Arabian Horse Show 2013.

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26

The Manitoba Co-operator | February 6, 2014

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MARKETPLACE Call to place your classified ad in the next issue: 1-800-782-0794

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FAX your classified ads to: 204-954-1422 · Or eMAiL your classified ads to: mbclassifieds@fbcpublishing.com

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hAyinG & hARVeSTinG Baling Equipment Mower Conditioners Swathers

Swather Accessories Haying & Harvesting Various COMBineS Belarus Case/IH Cl Caterpillar Lexion Deutz Ford/NH Gleaner John Deere Massey Ferguson Versatile White Combines Various Combine Accessories Hydraulics Irrigation Equipment Loaders & Dozers Parts & Accessories Salvage Potato & Row Crop Equipment Repairs Rockpickers Snowblowers/Plows Silage Equipment Specialty Equipment

LAnDSCApinG Greenhouses Lawn & Garden LiVeSTOCK CATTLe Cattle Auctions Angus Black Angus Red Angus Aryshire Belgian Blue Blonde d'Aquitaine Brahman Brangus Braunvieh BueLingo Charolais Dairy Dexter Excellerator Galloway Gelbvieh Guernsey Hereford Highland Holstein Jersey Limousin Lowline Luing Maine-Anjou Miniature Murray Grey Piedmontese

SpRAyinG Sprayers Spray Various TiLLAGe & SeeDinG Air Drills Air Seeders Harrows & Packers Seeding Various Tillage Equipment Tillage & Seeding Various TRACTORS Agco Allis/Deutz Belarus Case/IH Caterpillar Ford John Deere Kubota Massey Ferguson

Pinzgauer Red Poll Salers Santa Gertrudis Shaver Beefblend Shorthorn Simmental South Devon Speckle Park Tarentaise Texas Longhorn Wagyu Welsh Black Cattle Composite Cattle Various Cattle Wanted LiVeSTOCK hORSeS Horse Auctions American Saddlebred Appaloosa Arabian Belgian Canadian Clydesdale Draft Donkeys Haflinger Miniature Morgan Mules Norwegian Ford Paint Palomino Percheron Peruvian Pinto Ponies Quarter Horse Shetland Sport Horses Standardbred Tennessee Walker Thoroughbred Warmblood Welsh Horses For Sale Horses Wanted LiVeSTOCK Sheep Sheep Auction Arcott Columbia Dorper Dorset Katahdin Lincoln Suffolk Texel Sheep Sheep For Sale

Sheep Wanted LiVeSTOCK Swine Swine Auction Swine For Sale Swine Wanted LiVeSTOCK poultry Poultry For Sale Poultry Wanted LiVeSTOCK Specialty Alpacas Bison (Buffalo) Deer Elk Goats Llama Rabbits Emu Ostrich Rhea Yaks Specialty Livestock Various Livestock Equipment Livestock Services & Vet Supplies Miscellaneous Articles Miscellaneous Articles Wanted Musical Notices On-Line Services ORGAniC Organic Certified Organic Food Organic Grains Personal Pest Control Pets & Supplies Photography Propane Pumps Radio, TV & Satellite ReAL eSTATe Vacation Property Commercial Buildings Condos Cottages & Lots Houses & Lots Mobile Homes Motels & Hotels Resorts FARMS & RAnCheS British Columbia Alberta Saskatchewan Manitoba Pastures Farms Wanted

Acreages/Hobby Farms Land For Sale Land For Rent

Oilseeds Pulse Crops Common Seed Various

ReCReATiOnAL VehiCLeS All Terrain Vehicles Boats & Water Campers & Trailers Golf Carts Motor Homes Motorcycles Snowmobiles Recycling Refrigeration Restaurant Supplies Sausage Equipment Sawmills Scales

FeeD/GRAin Feed Grain Hay & Straw Hay & Feed Wanted Feed Wanted Grain Wanted Seed Wanted Sewing Machines Sharpening Services Silos Sporting Goods Outfitters Stamps & Coins Swap Tanks Tarpaulins Tenders Tickets Tires Tools

SeeD/FeeD/GRAin pedigreed Cereal Seeds Barley Durum Oats Rye Triticale Wheat Cereals Various peDiGReeD FORAGe SeeDS Alfalfa Annual Forage Clover Forages Various Grass Seeds peDiGReeD OiLSeeDS Canola Flax Oilseeds Various peDiGReeD puLSe CROpS Beans Chickpeas Lentil Peas Pulses Various peDiGReeD SpeCiALTy CROpS Canary Seeds Mustard Potatoes Sunflower Specialty Crops Various COMMOn SeeD Cereal Seeds Forage Seeds Grass Seeds

TRAiLeRS Grain Trailers Livestock Trailers Trailers Miscellaneous Travel Water Pumps Water Treatment Welding Well Drilling Well & Cistern Winches COMMuniTy CALenDAR British Columbia Alberta Saskatchewan Manitoba CAReeRS Career Training Child Care Construction Domestic Services Farm/Ranch Forestry/Log Health Care Help Wanted Management Mining Oil Field Professional Resume Services Sales/Marketing Trades/Tech Truck Drivers Employment Wanted

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Advertisers requesting publication of either display or classified advertisements agree that should the advertisement be omitted from the issue ordered for whatever reason, the Manitoba Co-operator shall not be held liable. It is also agreed that in the event of an error appearing in the published advertisement, the Manitoba Co-operator accepts no liability beyond the amount paid for that portion of the advertisement in which the error appears or affects. Claims for adjustment are limited to errors appearing in the first insertion only.

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27

The Manitoba Co-operator | February 6, 2014

AUCTION DISTRICTS Parkland – North of Hwy 1; west of PR 242, following the west shore of Lake Manitoba and east shore of Lake Winnipegosis.

Westman – South of Hwy 1; west of PR 242.

Interlake – North of Hwy 1; east of PR 242, following the west shore of Lake Manitoba and east shore of Lake Winnipegosis.

Red River – South ofHwy 1; east of PR 242.

The Pas

Birch River

Swan River Minitonas

Winnipegosis

Roblin

Dauphin

Grandview

Ashern

Gilbert Plains Ste. Rose du Lac Russell

Parkland

Birtle

Riverton Eriksdale

McCreary

Gimli

Shoal Lake

Langruth

Minnedosa Neepawa

Gladstone

Rapid City

Reston Melita

1

Carberry

Brandon

Treherne

Killarney

Elm Creek

Sanford

Ste. Anne

Carman

Mariapolis

Pilot Mound Crystal City

Lac du Bonnet

Beausejour

Winnipeg

Austin

Souris

Boissevain

Stonewall Selkirk

Portage

Westman

Waskada

Interlake

Erickson

Hamiota

Virden

�

Arborg

Lundar

St. Pierre

242

Morris Winkler Morden

Altona

Steinbach

1

Red River

Land For Sale

Bioriginal Food & Science Corp., based in Saskatoon, are looking to contract Borage acres for the upcoming 2014 growing season.

�

Fisher Branch

REAL ESTATE/RENTALS

Specialty Crops Various

FARM LAND FOR RENT

�

Durban

SEED/FEED/CROP INPUTS

Great profit potential based on yield, prices and low input costs.

Attractive oil premiums and free seed delivery and on-farm pick-up.

Flexible contracting options available as well.

For more information, please contact Carl Lynn P.Ag. of Bioriginal at:

306-229-9976 (cell) 306-975-9295 (office) crops@bioriginal.com

FARM/CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT

Combines Various

REAL ESTATE/RENTALS Land For Sale

COMBINE WORLD located 20 min. E of Saskatoon, SK on Hwy. #16. 1 year warranty on all new, used, and rebuilt parts. Canada’s largest inventory of late model combines & swathers.

1-800-667-4515 www.combineworld.com FARM/CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT

Grain Cleaners FORSBERG MODEL 14 GRAVITY table. Cleans Wheat @ 250-bu/hr, Canola & Flax @ 140-bu/hr. In good condition. $9,500.00 OBO. Phone: (204)471-3418.

AUCTIONS/ANTIQUE SALES Antiques Wanted DOWNSIZING, BUYING OLD ADVERTISING sign, Gasoline & Oil, Soda Pop, Porcelain, Tin, Calenders, pre 1920 license plates. Old Red Wing Crocks, old cans & gas pumps. Coca-Cola machines. Antique & Collectible Collections. Anything w/Advertising on it. Oak furniture, Silver Coins, Pinball Machines, old toys & Collectible tins. Kelly (204)981-9616 or cccollector@hotmail.com

AUCTIONS/ANTIQUE SALES Antiques For Sale SUN., MAR. 9TH, 10-4 MB Antique Association Sale. Browse our many tables to find a treasure.

Glassware, collectibles, Nostalgia. CanadInns Polo Park 1405 St Matthews Ave. Contact Kelly for more info (204)981-9616. Vendor spaces avail. Antiques & Collectibles (no crafts) FARM/CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT

Baling Equipment WANTED: NEW HOLLAND BALE wagons, any size. Farmhand small bale accumulator or Hoelschler fork or grabber, 8 to 18 bale size. Also, 336 or 346 or newer JD small square baler. Roeder Implement, Seneca, KS (785)336-6103.

SEED/FEED/CROP INPUTS Pedigreed Cereals Various DURAND SEEDS: CERT CARDALE, Carberry & Harvest wheat; Souris & Stride Oats; Conlon Barley; CDC Glas Flax; Mancan, Koma Buckwheat; Canola, Forage & lawn seed. (204)248-2268, (204)745-7577, NotreDame, MB. JAMES FARMS LTD AC Carberry Wheat, Tradition Barley, Souris & Summit Oats, Hanley Flax, Forage seeds, various Canola, Sunflower & Soybean seed varieties. Custom processing, seed treating & delivery avail. Early payment discount. For info call (204)222-8785 or toll free 1-866-283-8785, Wpg. LARGE QUANTITY OF CERTIFIED harvest wheat for sale, wholesale pricing & selling in truckload lots only. Also certified Newdale 2-Row malt barley. Inland Seed Corp. Binscarth MB. (204)683-2316.

PUGH SEEDS: CERT AC Barrie, Cardale, Kane Wheat, Conlon Barley, Souris Oats. Phone (204)274-2179 or (204)871-1467, Portage.

We know that farming is enough of a gamble so if you want to sell it fast place your ad in the Manitoba Cooperator classifieds. It’s a Sure Thing. Call our toll-free number today. We have friendly staff ready to help.

1-800-782-0794.

MISCELLANEOUS PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Crop Consulting

FARM CHEMICAL SEED COMPLAINTS We also specialize in: Crop Insurance appeals; Chemical drift; Residual herbicide; Custom operator issues; Equipment malfunction; Yield comparisons, Plus Private Investigations of any nature. With our assistance the majority of our clients have received compensation previously denied. Back-Track Investigations investigates, documents your loss and assists in settling your claim.

Licensed Agrologist on Staff.

For more information Please call 1-866-882-4779

SEED/FEED/CROP INPUTS Specialty Crops Various CONTRACTS AVAIL FOR CARAWAY crop production, good return potential. For more info call Giesbrecht Seed Farm Ltd (204)829-3365.

LORNE & CHRISTINE HAMBLIN are offering for sale approximately 202-acres of farmland located on River Lots 257, 259 & 261 East of PTH-75 in the RM of Montcalm, described as follows: Title #1698884/1 (Roll #’s 118025, 118150 & 118250)Title #1801487/1 (Roll #118050) Rural water is connected to these properties. CONDITIONS OF OFFER TO PURCHASE. 1) Offers must be received on or before 4:00pm on February 21, 2014. 2) Offers must be accompanied by a 5% deposit payable to Bruce Gregory “in trust.” Deposit cheques accompanying unaccepted offers will be returned. 3) Offers will be reviewed by the Vendors by Feb 24, 2014 & the party whose Offer is accepted will be contacted within 5 business days. 4) Highest or any offer not necessarily accepted. 5) The Purchaser shall be responsible for the payment of GST or shall self-assess for GST. 6) Possession shall be March 31, 2014. 7) The date of closing will be March 31, 2014, at which time the balance of the purchase price will be paid. 8) Tenders are binding upon acceptance & not subject to any conditions precedent. 9) The Vendor will be responsible for the real property taxes on the property up to December 31, 2013. The Purchaser will be responsible for 2014 real property taxes. 10) Title to the land will be transferred free & clear of all encumbrances & liens, except for: a) The following registrations: a.

Caveat 195636/1 filed by MTS pursuant to an Easement Agreement b. Caveat 196155/1 filed by MTS pursuant to an Easement Agreement. c. Caveat 2801594/1 filed by MTS pursuant to an Easement Agreement. d. Caveat 80-56842/1 filed by Manitoba Hydro Electric Board pursuant to an Easement Agreement. e. 81-18197/1 filed by Lorne & Christine Hamblin pursuant to an Easement Agreement giving access to title 1801487/1. b) All movable machinery, scrap metal & portable buildings which shall be removed by the vendor by Aug 31, 2014. 11) The deposit of 5% will be forfeited if the successful party does not finalize or complete the terms of the Agreement of Purchase & Sale. 12) The Purchaser relies entirely upon his/her personal inspection & knowledge of the land, independent of the representations made by the Vendor or the Solicitor & Agent of the Vendor. The land will be sold “as is” & the Purchaser is solely responsible to determine the value & condition of the land, land quality, land use, environmental condition & any other information pertaining to the land. Signed & sealed Offers will be received up to 4:00pm on February 21st, 2014 at: Lorne & Chris Hamblin Box 612 Morris, MB. R0G 1K0. Email offers will be accepted at chamblin@mymts.net providing deposit cheque is also received. For more information: call (204)746-3330 or email at above address The following Private Land is being offered for sale: SE 1-29-17W, NW 31-28-16W. The following Crown Lands have been approved by Manitoba Agriculture, Food & Rural Initiatives for transfer to the purchaser of the private lands listed as these lands are part of the farm unit held by Steven Sliworsky & Tracy Bartels of Rorketon, MB. NE 19-28-16W, NW 19-28-16W, SE 19-28-16W, SE 30-28-16W, SW 30-28-16W, NE 31-28-16W, SW 31-28-16W, SW 05-29-16W, NW 17-29-16W, SW 17-29-16W. If you wish to purchase the private land & apply for the Unit Transfer contact the Lessee Steven Sliworsky or Tracy Bartels at Box 83, Rorketon, MB R0L 1R0. If you wish to comment on or object to the eligibility of this Unit Transfer write the Director, MAFRD, Agricultural Crown Lands, PO Box 1286, Minnedosa MB R0J 1E0; or fax (204)867-6578.

THE FOLLOWING PRIVATE LAND is being offered for sale: N1/2 14-29-15W, E1/2 23-29-15W, NE 20-28-15W, NW 23-29-15W, S1/2 25-29-15W, SW 19-29-14W, SW 30-29-14W, SE 19-29-15W. The following Crown lands have been approved by Manitoba Agriculture, Food & Rural Initiatives for transfer to the purchaser of the private lands listed as these lands are part of the farm unit held by Lorne Bass of Toutes Aides, MB: NW 5-31-14W, SW 5-31-14W, NE 5-31-14W, SW 8-31-14W, SE 8-31-14W, NE 8-31-14W, NW 8-31-14W, SW 18-30-14W, NW 18-30-14W, SE 19-30-14W, SW 19-30-14W, NE 13-30-15W, SE 13-30-15W, SE 24-30-15W, NW 19-29-14W, NE 22-29-14W, SE 22-29-14W, SE 27-29-14W, NE 27-29-14W, NE 34-29-14W, SE 34-29-14W, NW 35-29-14W, SW 35-29-14W, SE 13-29-15W, SW 23-29-15W, NE 18-30-14W, SE 18-30-14W, NW 6-31-14W, SE 6-31-14W, SW 6-31-14W, NE 6-31-14W, NW 36-30-15W, NE 36-30-15W, SE 36-30-15W, NE 24-30-15W, NE 25-30-15W, SE 25-30-15W. If you wish to purchase the private land & apply for the Unit Transfer contact the Lessee Lorne Bass, Box 2, Toutes Aides, MB, R0L 2A0, (204)732-2481.

If you wish to comment on or object to the eligibility of this Unit Transfer write the Director, MAFRI, Agricultural Crown Lands, PO Box 1286, Minnedosa, MB R0J 1E0; or Fax (204)867-6578.

The following Private Land is being offered for sale: NE 27-23-08W, SE 16-23-08W, NE 10-23-08W, SE 27-23-08W, NW 23-23-08W, SE 23-23-08W, W 1/2 26-23-08W, NE 22-23-08W. The following Crown lands have been approved by Manitoba Agriculture, Food & Rural Development for transfer to the purchaser of the private lands listed as these lands are part of the ranch unit held by William Lazarowich of Mulvihill, MB. SE 10-23-08W , NE 16-23-08W, NE 22-23-08W, NW 22-23-08W, SE 22-23-08W, SW 22-23-08W, NE 23-23-08W, SW 23-23-08W, NW 27-23-08W, SW 27-23-08W, SE 34-23-08W, SE 35-23-08W, SW 35-23-08W. If you wish to purchase the private land and apply for the Unit Transfer contact the Lessee William Lazarowich at PO Box 2, Grp 15 RR 1 in Mulvihill, MB R0C 2G0. If you wish to comment on or object to the eligibility of this Unit Transfer write the Director, MAFRI, Agricultural Crown Lands, PO Box 1286, Minnedosa MB R0J 1E0; or Fax (204)867-6578.

in the RM of Lorne N ½ 20-6-10 WPM & SW ¼ 20-6-10 WPM approx. 374 cultivated acres, 5,300 bus, grain storage and older bins Three year lease with terms to be negotiated

AUCTION SALES Manitoba Auctions – Westman

AUCTION SALES Manitoba Auctions – Westman

Thank You!

Please Contact Larry J. Selby at

SELBY LAW OFFICE 351 Main Street Manitou, MB R0G 1G0 Phone: (204) 242-2801

FARM PROPERTY FOR SALE BY TENDER Sealed tenders in writing for the purchase of the property described below will be received by McCulloch Mooney Johnston LLP as follows: PROPERTY FOR SALE: (owned by Brian Oleson & Joanne Gudmundson): NE 7-10-21WPM approx 136 Cultivated acs NW 7-10-21WPM approx 111 Cultivated acs SE 7-10-21WPM approx 130 Cultivated acs SW 7-10-21WPM approx 156 Cultivated acs CONDITIONS OF TENDER: 1. Interested parties must rely on their own inspection & knowledge of the property. Any specific questions pertaining to the property should be direct to Brian Oleson (204)474-9782 2. Tenders must be delivered to McCulloch Mooney Johnston LLP by 2:30pm, February 25th, 2014. Please mark on front of envelope “Oleson/Gudmundson Tender.”

3. Tenders must be accompanied by a $10,000 deposit cheque payable to McCulloch Mooney Johnston LLP. Deposit cheques accompanying unacceptable bids will be returned 4. The highest or any tender will not necessarily be accepted.

TERMS & CONDITIONS OF SALE: 1. The bidder(s) whose tender is accepted will be required to complete an Agreement covering the terms & conditions of the sale 2. Possession date will be March 15th, 2014 3. The successful bidder will be responsible for all realty taxes following January 1st, 2014 (the adjustment date) 4. In addition to the deposit, the balance of the accepted tender must be paid on or before the date of closing or evidence provided that the purchase funds will be available under conditions acceptable to the Vendor. If the balance of the purchase prices is not paid by the possession date or under such acceptable conditions, the deposit paid shall be forfeited as liquidated damages & not as a penalty McCulloch Mooney Johnston LLP PO Box 450 175 Broadway St Treherne, MB R0G 2V0 (204)723-2777 Attention: Bob McCulloch

ANNOUNCEMENTS

We would like to take this time to thank Gordon & Rosalie White

Bill & Mary Reimer

April 11, 2014 | Hartney, MB

April 15, 2014 | Plumas, MB

TRI-Field Farms Ltd.

Dean & Genadri Myhre

April 14, 2014 | Teulon, MB

April 17, 2014 | Dauphin, MB

for entrusting us with their upcoming auctions

FARM LAND FOR SALE

INVITATION TO TENDER & BID BY PHONE AUCTION

for 21 FARMS Ltd. IN THE RM OF SOUTH CYPRESS *SE22-7-16W TUESDAY, MARCH 11TH - 1:00 PM *Approx 160 acres * Land is classed G05 by Manitoba Crop Insurance * Currently there is approx +/- 85 acres in Canola stubble and approx +/1 75 acres in Alfalfa

FRASER AUCTION SERVICE LTD. BRANDON, MANITOBA

BASF KNOWLEDGE HARVEST -- Join growers from your area to watch live plant demonstrations, speak to experts about what is new with biologicals & get strategies for managing herbicide resistance from industry leaders. Hear from acclaimed visionary & financial analyst Richard Worzel about the future of agriculture. Register now at www.agsolutions.ca/knowledgeharvest Feb 25th Lethbridge - Feb 27th Portage la Prairie March 4th Regina - March 6th Saskatoon March 11th Yorkton - March 13th Edmonton

CALL FOR NOMINATIONS

Licensed and bonded. P.L. License #918093. Member of M.A.A., S.A.A., A.A.A., A.A.C.

PHONE: (204) 727-2001 CELL: (204) 724-2131

www.fraserauction.com EMAIL: scott.campbell@fraserauction.com Auctioneer: Scott Campbell

To receive a tender package please contact Fraser Auction. More information is available on our website www.fraserauction.com I would like to thank you in advance for your interest in this land auction. Should you have any questions regarding this auction and or the process in which it will be conducted please feel free to contact Scott Campbell directly through cell or email.

AUCTION SALES Saskatchewan Auctions

AUCTION SALES Saskatchewan Auctions

AUCTION SALES Manitoba Auctions – Interlake

AUCTION SALES Auctions Various

McSherry Auction Service Ltd

BE AN AUCTIONEER. (507)995-7803 www.auctioneerschool.com

GUN AUCTION

AUTO & TRANSPORT

BECOME A DIRECTOR OF WINTER CEREALS MANITOBA INC. WCMI has openings for 2 positions on the producer elected Board of Directors.

Two directors will be elected for a two year term ending at the annual General Meeting in March of 2016. WCMI Directors participate in approximately 5 board meetings a year and contribute time to WCMI. Directors are called on to represent WCMI at conferences that impact the winter cereals industry.

Expenses are reimbursed to Directors.

Registered winter cereals growers interested in joining the Board can contact the WCMI business office at 1-866-472-4611 for nomination forms.

Nomination forms must be returned to the WCMI office no later than 12:00 p.m. (noon) February 26. 2014.

Note: Only registered growers may vote, nominate or hold office.

A registered grower means any grower who has had a Winter Cereals Manitoba Inc check-off deducted since August 1, 2011 . A registered grower is not eligible to be nominated as a director if he or she has requested or received a refund of the check-off since August 1, 2011.

An election (if required) will be held at the Annual General Meeting in Selkirk, Manitoba March 12, 2014.

Winter Cereals Manitoba Inc. P.O. Box 689 Minnedosa, Manitoba R0J 1E0 1-866-472-4611 | jake@wcmi.info

Close OUT GUN STORE & Personal Collection

Sat., Feb. 15 @ 9:30 am

Stonewall, MB - #12 Patterson Dr

Advertise your unwanted equipment in the Classifieds.

Call our toll-free number and place your ad with our friendly staff, and don’t forget to ask about our prepayment bonus. Prepay for 3 weeks and get 2 weeks free!

1-800-782-0794.

400 GUNS: * All Calibre’s * Modern * Vintage * Military * Restricted Hand Guns * Ammunition * Accessories * Mounts * 90% of Guns are Brand New OR New Old Stock Go to the Website for 400 Pictures and Information!

Stuart McSherry (204) 467-1858 or (204) 886-7027

www.mcsherryauction.com

AUTO & TRANSPORT Auto & Truck Parts GREAT PRICES ON NEW, used & remanufactured engines, parts & accessories for diesel pickups.

Large inventory, engines can be shipped or installed. Give us a call or check us out at www.thickettenginerebuilding.ca Thickett Engine Rebuilding.

Ph (204)532-2187, Russell MB. STEEL SERVICE TOOLBOX FOR 1/2, 3/4 or 1-ton truck, 6-compartment, 79-in wide, 8-ft long, front of box to middle of axle 58-59-in, good shape, $750 OBO. Phone:(204)669-9626.

28

The Manitoba Co-operator | February 6, 2014

BUILDINGS

FARM MACHINERY Combine – Accessories

BUILDINGS

FARM MACHINERY Parts & Accessories NEW & USED TRACTOR PARTS NEW COMBINE PARTS Large Inventory of new and remanufactured parts

HEADER TRAILERS & ACCESSORIES. Arc-Fab Industries. 204-355-9595 charles@arcfab.ca www.arcfab.ca

STEINBACH, MB. Ph. 326-2443

FARM MACHINERY Parts & Accessories

Toll-Free 1-800-881-7727 Fax (204) 326-5878 Web site: farmparts.ca E-mail: roy@farmparts.ca

GOODS USED TRACTOR PARTS: (204)564-2528 or 1-877-564-8734, Roblin, MB.

AUTO & TRANSPORT Semi Trucks & Trailers TITAN TRUCK SALES (204)685-2222 2008 Peterbilt 388 Cummins ISX 450 HP, 13 SP, 3:55 Gear Ratio, 12000-lbs Front, 40000-lbs Rear, 22.5-in Aluminum Wheels, 244-in Wheel Base, 63in Mid-Rise Bunk, Three-Way Differential Locks, 1,005,456-kms. $39,000.00

AUTOS/TRUCKS/TRAILERS Autos 1980 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL, 2-DR, 352 motor, could be easily restored. $750 OBO Phone: (204)669-9626.

CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT LINKBELT LS98 CRAWLER CRANE 50-ft. boom, CAT D318 motor, long under carriage c/w all rigging including 1 1/4-yd & 1 1/2-yd buckets for dredging gravel machine, ready to go to work, $15,000 OBO. Phone:(204)669-9626.

BUILDING & RENOVATIONS Roofing

PRICE TO CLEAR!!

75 truckloads 29 gauge full hard 100,000PSI high tensile roofing & siding. 16 colours to choose from.

AUTO & TRANSPORT Semi Trucks & Trailers

B-Gr. coloured......................70¢/ft.2

FOR SALE: 1989 MACK truck model R688ST, 350 engine, Eaton 8LL trans, 22.5 tires 60%, wet kit, A/C, not safetied, $9,000 OBO. (204)648-7136

Ask about our blowout colours...65¢/ft.2

TITAN TRUCK SALES (204)685-2222 2005 Freightliner Columbia Mercedes 450 HP, 13 SP, 3:90 Gear Ratio, 12000-lbs Front, 40000-lbs Rear, 22.5-in Aluminum Wheels, 244-in Wheel Base, 1,184,389-kms. $18,000.00 TITAN TRUCK SALES (204)685-2222 2005 IHC 9900I Cummins ISX 500 HP, 18 SP, 3:73 Gear Ratio, 12000-lbs Front, 40000-lbs Rear, 22.5in Aluminum Wheels, 244-in Wheel Base, 72-in Mid-Rise Bunk, Four-Way Differential Locks, 1,428,989-kms. $29,000.00 TITAN TRUCK SALES (204)685-2222 2005 IHC 9900I Cummins ISX 475 HP, 13 SP, 3:73 Gear Ratio, 12000-lbs Front, 40000-lbs Rear, 22.5in Aluminum Wheels, 244-in Wheel Base, 72-in Mid-Rise Bunk, 1,409,137-kms. $19,000.00 TITAN TRUCK SALES (204)685-2222 2006 Volvo 630 D12 465 HP, 18 SP Autoshift, 4:30 Gear Ratio, 14600-lbs Front, 46000-lbs Rear, 22.5in Aluminum Wheels, 240-in Wheel Base, 927,814-kms. $27,000.00 TITAN TRUCK SALES (204)685-2222 2006 Western Star 4900 Mercedes 450 HP, 10 SP Eaton Autoshift, 12000-lbs Front, 40000-lbs Rear, 22.5-in Aluminum Wheels, New 20-ft Cancade Grain Box, Remote Gate & Hoist, 1,045,311-kms. $65,000.00 TITAN TRUCK SALES (204)685-2222 2007 IHC 9900I Cummins ISX 500 HP, 18 SP, 3:58 Gear Ratio, 12000-lbs Front, 40000 lbs Rear, 22.5in Aluminum Wheels, 244-in Wheel Base, 72-in Mid-Rise Bunk, Three-Way Differential Locks, 1,356,565-kms. $37,000.00 TITAN TRUCK SALES (204)685-2222 2007 Western Star 4900SA Detroit 515 HP, 18 SP, 3:91 Gear Ratio, 12000-lbs Front, Super 40000-lbs Rear, 22.5-in Aluminum Wheels, 209-in Wheel Base, Four-Way Differential Locks, New Rebuilt Engine, 759,564-kms. $40,000.00 TITAN TRUCK SALES (204)685-2222 2009 Kenworth T800 Cummins ISX 525 HP, 18 SP, 4:10 Gear Ratio, 12000-lbs Front, Super 40000-lbs Rear, 22.5-in Aluminum Wheels, 196-in Wheel Base, Four-Way Differential Locks, 866,438-kms. $59,000.00 TITAN TRUCK SALES (204)685-2222 2009 Peterbilt 388 Cummins ISX 450 HP, 18 SP, 3:55 Gear Ratio, 12000-lbs Front, 40000-lbs Rear, 22.5-in Aluminum Wheels, 244-in Wheel Base, 63in Mid-Rise Bunk, Three-Way Differential Locks, 1,145,366-kms. $49,000.00 TITAN TRUCK SALES (204)685-2222 2010 Peterbilt 388 Cummins ISX 550 HP, 18 SP, 4:10 Gear Ratio, 12000-lbs Front, Super 40000-lbs Rear, 22.5-in Aluminum Wheels, 244-in Wheel Base, 63-in Mid-Rise Bunk, Three-Way Differential Locks, 779,362-kms. $65,000.00 TITAN TRUCK SALES (204)685-2222 2012 Peterbilt 386 Cummins ISX 450 HP, 13 SP, 3:90 Gear Ratio, 12000-lbs Front, 40000-lbs Rear, 22.5-in Aluminum Wheels, 206-in Wheel Base, Three-Way Differential Locks, Wet Kit, 168,566-kms. $79,000.00

BEEKEEPING BEEKEEPING Bee Equipment STRONG SINGLE HIVES or Nuke for sale. Call Andy Loewen (204)326-1500 or email andyloewen@hotmail.ca

FARM MACHINERY Machinery Miscellaneous

Multi-coloured millends.........49¢/ft.2

Also in stock low rib white 29 ga. ideal for archrib buildings BEAT THE PRICE INCREASES CALL NOW

FOUILLARD STEEL SUPPLIES LTD. ST. LAZARE, MB. 1-800-510-3303

FARM MACHINERY Grain Elevators 80-FT. BUCKET ELEVATING LEG w/3 phase 10-HP electric motor. Phone (204)886-3304.

FARM MACHINERY Haying & Harvesting – Various VERMEER REBEL BALER W/GATHERING wheels & electric tie, made less than 2,500 bales, $15,000; Also JD 6 wheel hay rake, $1,100. Phone (204)571-6258, Brandon.

Rebuilt Concaves

Rebuild combine table augers Rebuild hydraulic cylinders Roller mills regrooved MFWD housings rebuilt Steel and aluminum welding Machine Shop Service Line boreing and welding

BUILDINGS

Penno’s Machining & Mfg. Ltd.

AFAB INDUSTRIES IS YOUR SUPERIOR post frame building company. For estimates and information call 1-888-816-AFAB(2322).

Website: www.postframebuilding.com

Check out A & I online parts store www.pennosmachining.com

CONCRETE FLATWORK: Specializing in place & finish of concrete floors. Can accommodate any floor design. References available. Alexander, MB. 204-752-2069.

FOR SALE: 1 FUTURE steel building X frame model, dimension 110-ft. long x 40-ft. wide x 21-ft. high, all steel building, asking $55,000.

(204)867-2436, (204)868-1212.

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES AUTO BODY SHOP AND Equipment in Baldur MB. 60-ft x 30-ft, wood frame w/metal roof, built in 1980.

Would sell building only, Priced right.

(204)245-0165.

CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT D6C CAB LGP, NEED motor work; D7, had fire under seat; 96 EX200 LC Hitachi excavator, Q/C bucket, will take feed grain in trade. (204)352-4306.

FARM MACHINERY FARM MACHINERY Fertilizer Equipment FERTILIZER SPREADERS: 4-TON $1,500, 5-ton $4,000, 6-ton $6,000, 8-ton $7,000-8,000; Vicon 3-PH spreader $450; Valmar 240 $1,500; Valmar PT $5,500; Small Valmar $700.

Phone: (204)857-8403.

FARM MACHINERY Grain Bins 4 TWISTER 5,650-BU HOPPER bins, Rocket Aeration, $11,500 each. Will negotiate for mult bins. To be moved or would negotiate to be used on site.

Would consider renting as well. Two 5,000-bu Westeel’s on hoppers, $8,900 each. Have cross channel for aeration. David (204)746-4779.

BIG BINS & FLOORS at old prices, 20,000-56,000bu. bins holding prices until spring. NEW MOISTURE CABLES! Call Wall Grain for details (204)269-7616 or (306)244-1144 or (403)393-2662.

CUSTOM BIN MOVING Book now! Fert Tanks.

Hopper Bins/flat. Buy/Sell. Call Tim (204)362-7103 or E-mail Requests binmovers@hotmail.com

FARM MACHINERY Grain Dryers NEW MC DRYERS IN STOCK w/canola screens 300-2,000 BPH units. Why buy used, when you get new fuel efficient & better quality & control w/MC. Call Wall Grain for details (204)269-7616 or (306)244-1144 or (403)393-2662.

SUKUP Grain Dryers For Sale: 1 or 3 ph, LP/NG, canola screens. Discount pricing now in effect. Call for more info (204)998-9915

FARM MACHINERY Machinery Miscellaneous

Eden, MB 204-966-3221 Fax: 204-966-3248

Combines FARM MACHINERY Combine – Case/IH

MURPHY SALVAGE New & used parts for tractors, combines, swathers, square & round balers, tillage, press drills & other misc machinery. MURPHY SALVAGE (204)858-2727 or toll free 1-877-858-2728.

Tillage & Seeding

WISCONSIN MOTOR PARTS FOR VG4D: crank shaft, heads, fly wheel, starter, manifold & carb, $750 OBO. Phone:(204)669-9626.

FARM MACHINERY Tillage & Seeding – Various

Harvest Salvage Co. Ltd.

BOOKING SPECIALS for all makes of Harrow Tines: Mounted, Standard Draw Bars & Heavy Harrows. Ex: 9/16x26-in. straight (Degelman, Brandt, Bourgault, Flexi-coil, Riteway) 100+ $21.95/each.

3/8/x15-in. bent (Riteway, Morris, Herman) 100+ $8.60/each. Special ends Feb 14th 2014. March 2014 delivery. Call Fouillard Implement Ltd. (204)683-2221.

Tractors Combines Swathers

FOR SALE: KUHN ROTOSPIKE tiller w/crumbler, 9-ft. 6-in. wide, 3-pt., 1000 PTO, 2-SPD gear box, great for breaking land up, $6,000 OBO. (204)648-7136

1-866-729-9876 5150 Richmond Ave. East BRANDON, MB. www.harvestsalvage.ca New, Used & Re-man. Parts

The Real Used FaRm PaRTs sUPeRsToRe Over 2700 Units for Salvage • TRACTORS • COMBINES • SWATHERS • DISCERS Call Joe, leN oR daRWIN (306) 946-2222 monday-Friday - 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

JD 1770 16 ROW 30-in. planter, 1 season on discs, new chain & bearings on drive shaft, liquid fertilizer, $46,000. (204)746-4555.

FARM MACHINERY Tractors – Case/IH 1981 MODEL 1086 W/DUALS 3-PTH, Ezee On FEL. Phone (204)797-7049.

WATROUS SALVAGE

1993 7140 MFD 4-SPD reverse w/710 loader & gravel, 4 new radial tires & 60% duals, new seat, runs good, $40,000 w/loader. Phone (204)827-2629 or (204)526-7139.

WaTRoUs, sK. Fax: 306-946-2444

FYFE PARTS

FARM MACHINERY Tractors – John Deere

1-800-667-9871 • Regina 1-800-667-3095 • Saskatoon 1-800-387-2768 • Winnipeg 1-800-222-6594 • Edmonton

1976 JD 4430 QUAD Range Trans, 18.4-38 duals, good running order, $12,900. Reimer Farm Equipment, Hwy #12 N, Steinbach, MB. Gary Reimer (204)326-7000 www.reimerfarmequipment.com

“For All Your Farm Parts”

2002 JD 9120 P.S., 1,000 PTO, 3-PTH, 900 metric duals, 6,065-hrs, $119,000. Reimer Farm Equipment, Hwy #12 N, Steinbach, MB. Gary Reimer (204)326-7000 www.reimerfarmequipment.com

www.fyfeparts.com

4630, 3-PTH, FRONT WEIGHTS 20.8x42 w/hob duals; 4250 w/3-PTH; 4240 w/cab, good tires; 3010 w/48 FEL; 280, 158 & 148 loaders; F11 Farmhand FEL. (204)828-3460

2011 CASE IH 8120 Combine. 569 Sep Hrs. Field ready. Lge Tube rotor, long auger. Lux Leather cab, Pro 600 Display. Fine cut chopper, Bean concaves avail. Can store & Defer Pay until Aug 1, 2014. $234,000. David (204)746-4779.

850 JD COMPACT UTILITY tractor, DSL, 3-PTH, 2155-hrs, $4500; 2010 tractor DSL jobber, 3-PTH, VGC, 4755-original hrs, original paint, $4500.

Phone(204)522-5428.

FARM MACHINERY Combine – Caterpillar Lexion 2008 LEXION 585R COMBINE. 1,121 Sep Hrs. Ag leader autosteer/Y&M, 35-in tracks, RWA, P516 header, auto contour, HP Fdr, MAV chopper, Cebis, Sm. Grain & Corn Sieves, 2 sets APS Grates. Elec.

Hopper Fold. Excel shape. Field ready. Full dealer service history available. $239,000.

David (204)746-4779.

NEW WOBBLE BOXES for JD, IH, MacDon headers. Made in Europe, factory quality. Get it direct from Western Canada’s sole distributor starting at $1,095. 1-800-667-4515. www.combineworld.com

FARM MACHINERY Tractors – Versatile

FARM MACHINERY Combine – Accessories

CIH 820 20-FT., $1,500; 95-99 CIH 1020 25-ft., poly skids, nice start $7,900.00; 96-02 CIH 1020 30-ft., poly skids, nice start, $10,900; 010-CIH 2020 30-ft., poly skids, recond., $18,900; 07-010 CIH 2020 35-ft., poly skids, recond., start $18,900.

Reimer Farm Equipment, Hwy #12 N, Steinbach, MB. Gary Reimer (204)326-7000 www.reimerfarmequipment.com JD 216 16-FT. $1,950; JD 920 20-ft., poly skids, recond. $6,900; JD 924 24-ft. steel pts., poly skids, $4,950; JD 925 25-ft., steel pts., poly skids $4,500; 01 JD 925 25-ft., poly pts., poly skids, F/F auger, recond., $13,950; 3, JD 930 30-ft., steel pts., poly skids, start at $3,950; 2, 2003 JD 930 poly skids, F/F auger, recond. $15,900.00; 03 JD 930 air reel, poly skids, F/F auger, recond. $20,900; 04-06 JD 630 Hydra Flex, poly skids, HD auger, start at $14,900; 04-011 JD 635 Hydra Flex, poly skids, mint start at $14,900. Reimer Farm Equipment, Hwy #12 N, Steinbach, MB. Gary Reimer (204)326-7000 www.reimerfarmequipment.com

FARM MACHINERY Tractors – Ford FORD 7700 W/FEL, 7710 w/cabs & 3-PTH. Good condition, $14,000- $24,000. Phone (204)322-5614.

Combine ACCessories

93 NH 973 FLEX, PU reel, 30-ft. good working order, $8,900; 98 NH 973 30-ft., crary air reel, poly skids, $12,900. Reimer Farm Equipment, Hwy #12 N, Steinbach, MB. Gary Reimer (204)326-7000 www.reimerfarmequipment.com

NEW JD 741 FEL, frames for 20/30 series. $13,900. Reimer Farm Equipment, Hwy #12 N, Steinbach, MB. Gary Reimer (204)326-7000 www.reimerfarmequipment.com

FOR SALE:1985 836 Designation 6. Very nice condition, next to new radial tires all around, 15-spd trans, w/PTO. Asking $35,000 OBO. Phone: (204)743-2145 or (204)526-5298.

FARM MACHINERY Grain Handling

FARM MACHINERY Grain Handling

FOR SPECIAL PRICES ON YOUR TARP NEEDS

CALL VALMAR 800-665-0694 ®

ELECTRIC TARP

Our premium electric solution for semi and grain trailers.

Unique Dual Drive™ system features a 2400 lb. synthetic cable and drive line tension spring that work together to provide a powerful front and rear drive you can count on to cover heaped loads even in windy conditions.

JD 843 8 ROW, 30-in., totally reconditioned, mint $14,500; JD 893 8 row, 30-in., field ready $19,500.

Reimer Farm Equipment, Hwy #12 N, Steinbach, MB. Gary Reimer (204)326-7000 www.reimerfarmequipment.com

SRT-2® SPOOL ROLL TARP

Our premium system for grain carts and farm boxes that works with you, not against you. Spring loaded spools attached with cable create a tarp guide and hold down system that offers continuous tension, making opening and closing in windy conditions a breeze. The telescoping crank handle adjusts for multiple box applications, so there is no need to move while maneuvering the tarp and handle.

FARM MACHINERY Machinery Miscellaneous

ELECTRIC TARP CONVERSION SIDE LOCKING TARP

Loading and unloading grain is safer and more efficient than ever with the ROLTEC® Electric Conversion system from Agri-Cover, featuring the new COMMAND-10 ® remote with next-generation Zigbee® technology. It’s smart and easy to use, keeping you in control. This completely integrated system uses the same remote to wirelessly operate tarps and hoppers! Over time, the ROLTEC® Electric Conversion will pay for itself. It reduces driver fatigue, is lighter by design, and saves time allowing more trips per day.

DISTRIBUTED BY:

70 MAIN ELIE, MB R0H 0H0

Tested. Trusted. Guaranteed.

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The Manitoba Co-operator | February 6, 2014

FARM MACHINERY Tractors – 2 Wheel Drive

LIVESTOCK

STEVE’S TRACTOR REBUILDER specializing in JD tractors in need of repair or burnt, or will buy for parts. JD parts available. Phone: 204-466-2927 or cell: 204-871-5170, Austin.

FARM MACHINERY Machinery Miscellaneous 24-FT OCEAN STORAGE CONTAINER, excellent shape, asking $3850, can be delivered; 45-ft extendable Hallin semi rafter trailer, good shape, asking $3900; Case 730 gas tractor, good tires, 3-PTH, w/7-ft Allied snowblower, asking $3700; 48-ft Fruehauf semi storage trailer, good condition, asking $4000. (204)728-1861 FOR SALE: 1975 SILAGE truck Chev 366 5-SPD, 2-SPD axle, tilt hood w/attached David batch mixer (approx 4,000-lbs) w/scale, $4,000 OBO. Phone (204)672-0061 GRAINVACS BRANDT 4500, $7500; Rem 552, $3000; Rem 2500HD, $9500; Walinga 510, $950; 8x30 auger, $900; New 9-ft 3-PTH blade, $950; 10ft box scraper, $2250; 12-ft, $2450; 12-ft Leon front blade, $3500; 10-ft Leon blade, $2000; 150-bu Snowco feeder cart, $750; Sudenga weigh-wagon digital scale, $3500; Haybuster bale shredder, $6000. Phone (204)857-8403.

GRAVITY WAGONS NEW 400-BU, $7100; 600-bu, $12,000; Double compartment type & tarps available used. 750-bu Parker, $14,000; JM750, $14,500; Parker 500, $6000; Parker 616-bu, $10,500; Kilbros 375, $3000; 250-bu Daicon, $2500; Grain carts 450-1100-bu large selection priced to sell. Phoenix Harrow, $9500; Mixmills Artsway, $1500; Henke 36-in rollermill, $5000; Champion rollermill 20-in, $2000.

Phone (204)857-8403.

SNOWBLOWERS: LORENTZ HEAVY DUTY 8-ft $1,700, JD 7-ft $1,500, 8-ft single auger $1,000, 6-ft V-type $250; Skidsteer NH 865LX $12,900; 6x16 bumper pull stock trailer $3,000, 6x16 GN $3,500; Powder River squeeze chute $1,600; 10-in skidsteer tracks $750; Tractor cab $600; Balzer forage wagon front conveyor $3,000; Harsh 350 Auger feed cart $5,000. Phone:(204)857-8403.

LIVESTOCK Cattle Auctions

SEE AD UNDER CATTLE VARIOUS FOR CONSIGNMENTS

REGULAR BUTCHER & FEEDER SALE Every Friday 9AM

NEXT BRED COW SALE Monday, February 10

NEXT SHEEP & GOAT SALE Wednesday, February 19 @ 1:00 pm Gates Open: Mon.-Wed. 8AM-4PM Thurs. 8AM-10PM Friday 8AM-6PM Sat. 8AM-4PM

We have 7 to 10 local buyers and orders and 7 to 8 regular order buyers on our market.

“Where Buyers & Sellers Meet”

2 SETS 4-FT FLEXI-COIL mounted packers w/12in spacing. Call (204)662-4432, cell (204)264-0693 Sinclair, MB. WANTED: 20-FT JOHN DEERE or Morris Hoe Drill. Phone Keith (204)873-2240 or (204)825-7196.

HEAT & AIR CONDITIONING

www.winnipeglivestocksales.com Licence #1122

GRUNTHAL LIVESTOCK AUCTION MART. LTD.

Hwy #205, Grunthal • (204) 434-6519

GRUNTHAL, MB.

AGENT FOR T.E.A.M. MARKETING

The Icynene Insulation System® • Sprayed foam insulation • Ideal for shops, barns or homes • Healthier, Quieter, More Energy Efficient®

REGULAR CATTLE SALES every TUESDAY at 9 am Feb 11th, 18th & 25th

Monday, February 24th Sheep & Goat Sale with Small Animals 12:00 Noon www.penta.ca

1-800-587-4711

Sales Agent for

HIQUAL INDUSTRIES

We also have a line of Agri-blend all natural products for your livestock needs. (protein tubs, blocks, minerals, etc)

IRON & STEEL FREE STANDING CORRAL PANELS, Feeders & Alley ways, 30ft or order to size. Oil Field Pipe: 1.3, 1.6, 1.9, 1 7/8, 2-in, 2 3/8, 2 7/8, 3 1/2. Sucker Rod: 3/4, 7/8, 1. Casing Pipes: 4-9inch. Sold by the piece or semi load lots. For special pricing call Art (204)685-2628 or cell (204)856-3440.

For on farm appraisal of livestock or for marketing information please call

Harold Unrau (Manager) Cell 871 0250 Auction Mart (204) 434-6519 MB. Livestock Dealer #1111

WWW.GRUNTHALLIVESTOCK.COM

LIVESTOCK Cattle – Black Angus

LIVESTOCK Cattle Various

FOR SALE: REGISTERED BLACK ANGUS bulls low birth weight, very quiet, hand fed, no disappointments, EPD’s & delivery avail. Amaranth (204)843-2287.

FARMERS & RANCHERS

Plan to attend the bred Cow & Heifer Sale For Lazy Rainbow Ranch Saturday, February 15th, 2014 at 1:00pm Ashern Auction Mart Herd consists approx 80 Simm X heifers bred Red or Black Angus Approx 75 Simm X Cows coming w/2nd calves bred Black Simm Approx 50 Simm X Cows coming w/3rd & 4th calves bred Black Simm To start calving around February 20th For more info call: George at (204)372-6935 Buddy at (204)768-0018 Kirk at (204)768-0019 (License #1128) For further info/view pictures go to: www.globalauctionguide.com or www.ashernauction.com Note: This is a good opportunity to replace your open & older cows.

For more information call: 204-694-8328 Jim Christie 204-771-0753 Scott Anderson 204-782-6222 Mike Nernberg 204-807-0747

FARM MACHINERY Machinery Wanted

LIVESTOCK Cattle Auctions

BRED COW SALE at 10:30 am

OSSAWA ANGUS AT MARQUETTE, MB. For sale: yearling & 2-yr old bulls. Also, a couple of herd sires.

Phone: (204) 375-6658 or (204)383-0703.

Denbie Ranch and Guests Bull Sale Sat., Feb. 15th, 2014

at 1:00 p.m.

Ste. Rose Auction Mart Selling: • 25 Long Yearling Red Angus and Hybrid Bulls • 11 Two Year Old Red Angus and Hybrid Bulls • 8 Two Year Old Charolais Bulls Select Group of Red Angus and Red Angus, Sim X Heifers For info. Contact: Denbie Ranch

Denis & Debbie Guillas

Box 610, Ste. Rose, MB R0L 1S0 204-447-2473 or Cell 204-447-7608 Email: denbie@xplornet.ca

View Bulls at www.srauction.ca LIVESTOCK Cattle – Angus HAMCO CATTLE CO. 16TH Annual Angus Bull Sale, Sat. March 15th, 2014 (1:00pm) at the farm South of Glenboro, MB. Selling approx. 60 yearling & 20, 2-yr old Red Angus & 40 yearling & 2, 2-yr old Black Angus bulls. Many are AI & some are ET. Semen tested, free delivery, delayed payment plan.

Call for catalogue or view online at: www.hamcocattleco.com. Albert, Glen & Larissa Hamilton (204)827-2358 or (204)526-0705; Dr David Hamilton (204)822-3054 or (204)325-3635 STEWART CATTLE CO. & GUESTS BULL SALE 40 Black Angus bulls & 8 Simm Cross Angus bulls, 11 PB Angus Heifers, February 27th, 2014 at 1:30pm Neepawa Ag-plex, Neepawa, MB. Contact Brent Stewart (204)773-2356 home, (204)773-6392 cell. View catalogue online at www.stewartcattle.com stewartcows@wificountry.ca WWW.REDDIAMONDFARM.COM 18 MTH OLD PB Black& Red Angus bulls for sale. Check out our bull catalogue online. We guarantee & deliver.

Phone Michael Becker:(204)348-2464, Whitemouth.

LIVESTOCK Cattle – Black Angus 19TH ANNUAL CATTLEMAN’S CONNECTION BULL SALE, March 7, 2014, 1:00pm, Heartland Livestock, Brandon, MB. Selling 100 yearling Black Angus Bulls. For catalogue or more information call: Brookmore Angus, Jack Hart (204)476-2607 or (204)476-6696, email at brookmoreangus@gmail.com; quest consignor, HBH Farms, manager Barb Airey (204)566-2134, (204)761-1851, email rbairey@hotmail.com Sales Mgmt: Doug Henderson (403)350-8541 or (403)782-3888.

5 2-YR OLD/15 YEARLING Registered Black Angus Bulls, semen tested & delivered within 100-mi.

(204)741-0070, (204)483-3622, Souris.

BLACK ANGUS & POLLED HEREFORD bulls for sale. Yearlings & 2-yr olds available, natural muscled bulls developed w/high forage rations. Semen tested, delivery available. Call Don Guilford (204)873-2430.

CRANBERRY CREEK ANGUS REGISTERED bulls for sale. Sired by HF Tiger 5T, SAV Pioneer, Cranberry CRK Dynamite, Cranberry CRK Highlander, J Square S Tiger. Bulls are easy doing with great dispositions. Hand fed for longevity. Semen tested, guaranteed & delivered. Will hold until the end of April. All weights & EPD’s available. Call (204)534-2380, or cranberrycreek27@gmail.com for more info, David & Jeanette Neufeld, Boissevain FOR SALE: 2 1/2-yr old Black Angus bull, sired by Iron Mountain. Asking $2,800 OBO. Phone: (204)743-2145 or (204)526-5298.

Monday, February 10

REGULAR BUTCHER FEEDER SALE at 9:30 am

LIVESTOCK Cattle – Red Angus

This sale will feature: • 55 Black and Red Angus Cows Bred Black April, May, June Calving • 25 Mixed Cows - March, April Calving. Bred Limousin *** Balance of Cows Held Back From Last Sale Due to Storm ***

13 PB RED ANGUS open heifers for sale w/o papers, $1,200 each pick, or $1,075 each take all, can deliver. Phone (204)641-5725, Arborg.

DB MICHIELS RED ANGUS PB 2-yr old bulls for sale. Catalogue information available by email.

Yearling bulls & heifers also for sale. Contact Dale:(204)723-0288 or Brian:(204)526-0942. Holland, MB. Email: dbmredangus@gmail.com

For more information or to leave an order call: 204-694-8328 or 204-807-0747

www.winnipeglivestocksales.com Licence #1122

WWW.REDDIAMONDFARM.COM 18 MTH OLD PB Red Angus bulls for sale. Check out our bull catalogue online. We guarantee & deliver. Phone Michael Becker (204)348-2464, Whitemouth.

DENBIE RANCH AND GUESTS BULL SALE Sat., Feb 15th, 2014, 1:00pm Ste. Rose Auction Mart Selling: 25 Long Yearling Red Angus & Hybrid Bulls, 11 Two-yr Old Red Angus & Hybrid Bulls, 8 Two-yr Old Charolais Bulls, Select Group of Red Angus & Red Angus, Sim X Heifers.

For info. Contact: Denbie Ranch, Denis & Debbie Guillas Box 610, Ste.Rose, MB R0L 1S0 (204)447-2473 or Cell (204)447-7608 Email: denbie@xplornet.ca

LIVESTOCK Cattle Wanted WANTED: ALL CLASSES OF feeder cattle, yearlings & calves. Dealer Licence# 1353. Also wanted, light feed grains: wheat, barley & oats.

Phone:(204)325-2416, Manitou.

WE BUY CATTLE DIRECT ON FARM

LIVESTOCK Cattle – Charolais

We come out to your farm and price cattle towards condition and quality we pay

FOR SALE: PUREBRED CHAROLAIS bulls, 2-yr old, 1 1/2-yr old & yearlings. Polled, some Red Factor, some good for heifers, semen tested in spring, guaranteed & delivered. R & G McDonald Livestock, Sidney MB. (204)466-2883, (204)724-2811.

For more information call: 204-694-8328 Scott Anderson: 204-782-6222 Mike Nernberg: 204-807-0747

“PREMIUM PRICES FOR PREMIUM CATTLE”

www.winnipeglivestocksales.com Licence #1122

PB BULLS & HEIFER calves born Feb & Mar. Also 1 1/2-yr old bulls. Phone Jack: (204)526-2857. Holland, MB.

TIRED OF THE HIGH COST OF MARKETING YOUR CALVES??

WWW.REDDIAMONDFARM.COM 18 MTH OLD PB Polled Charolais bulls for sale. Check out our bull catalogue online. We guarantee & deliver.

Phone Michael Becker (204)348-2464, Whitemouth.

300-700 LBS. Steers & Heifers Rob: 528-3254, 724-3400 Ben: 721-3400

LIVESTOCK Cattle – Hereford POLLED HEREFORD & BLACK ANGUS bulls for sale. Yearlings & 2-yr olds available, natural muscled bulls developed w/high forage rations. Semen tested, delivery available. Call Don Guilford (204)873-2430.

800-1000 LBS. Steers & Heifers Don: 528-3477, 729-7240

LIVESTOCK Cattle – Simmental

Contact: D.J. (Don) MacDonald Livestock Ltd. License #1110

PRAIRIE PARTNERS BULL & FEMALE SALE, MARCH 11/2014 Killarney Auction Mart, 40 low birth weight, Polled power house meat machines.

Red, Black, Fullblood Fleckvieh. And also a select group of 20 PB & commercial open hfrs. View bulls on line at www.bouchardlivestock.com For Info. Or catalogue call Fraser Redpath (204)529-2560, Gordon Jones (204)535-2273, Brian Bouchard (403)813-7999, Wilf Davis (204)834-2479. For updates check our NEW website www.SimmentalBreeders.ca

LIVESTOCK Cattle Various

LIVESTOCK Sheep Wanted WTB FEEDER (204)761-3760.

20 GOOD QUALITY BLACK & Red Angus X bred heifers for sale. Start calving March 12th, 2014.

Bred w/easy calving Black Angus bull.

(204)379-2408.

30 RED ANGUS X Simm heifers bred Red Angus, exposed May 16th-Aug 9th, closed herd, all vaccinations. Also 3 Red Angus herd sires.

(204)564-2699, Inglis.

BUYING ALL CLASSES OF livestock. Phone George (204)278-3564. Dealer license #1152.

LAMBS, ALL

classes.

Phone

We Buy Sheep, Lamb and Goats Direct On Farm

For more information call: 204-694-8328 Mike Nernberg 204-807-0747

www.winnipeglivestocksales.com Licence #1122

LOOKING FOR SOMEONE TO take delivery of bred cows in March, start calving Apr 15th & feed calve & grass till Fall. Call Dale (204)638-5581, Dauphin.

WANTED: young bred cows or heifers to calve Apr.-May. ALSO WANTED: 23.1x34 tractor tires.

Phone (204)278-3438 It doesn’t get any better than this. Prepay your ad for 3 weeks and get 2 weeks free! Call today! 1-800-7820794.

Watch your profits grow!

Prepayment Bonus Prepay your regular word classified ad for 3 weeks and your ad will run an additional 2 consecutive weeks for free!

Call Our Customer Service Representatives To Place Your Ad Today!

Outside Winnipeg: 1-800-782-0794 Winnipeg: 954-1415

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30

The Manitoba Co-operator | February 6, 2014

save!

Renew early and

LIVESTOCK Swine Wanted

REAL ESTATE Farms & Ranches – Manitoba

WANTED: BUTCHER HOGS SOWS AND BOARS FOR EXPORT

P. QUINTAINE & SON LTD. 728-7549 Licence No. 1123

Specialty LIVESTOCK/POULTRY/PETS Livestock Equipment ALTERNATIVE POWER BY SUNDOG SOLAR, portable/remote solar water pumping for winter/summer. Call for pricing on solar systems, wind generators, aeration. Carl Driedger, (204)556-2346 or (204)851-0145, Virden.

HEAVY BUILT STEEL CATTLE troughs/feeders good for any feed or water, 3.5-ft x 16-ft, 500-gal. capacity, no sharp edges, weight 1400-lbs & are indesructable. Phone (204)362-0780, Morden.

Renew your subscription to the Manitoba Co-operator for 2 years BEFORE we mail your renewal notice, and we'll extend your subscription by 2 additional months.

That's 26 months for the price of 24. OR - Renew for one year and receive 13 months for the price of 12!

KELLN SOLAR SUMMER/WINTER WATERING System, provides water in remote areas, improves water quality, increases pasture productivity, extends dugout life.

St. Claude/Portage, 204-379-2763.

MOO-MUFFS FOR CALVES, WARM, wind & moisture proof w/adjustable halters.

Phone(204)436-2535.

Call, email or mail us today!

ORGANIC

1·800·782·0794

ORGANIC Organic – Grains

Email: subscription@fbcpublishing.com MS E R : 12345 2010/12 PU B Jo hn S mi th Co mpan y Name 123 E xample St. To wn, Pr o vince, POSTAL C ODE

Bioriginal Food & Science Corp., based in Saskatoon, is actively buying Organic Flax from the 2013 crop year.

Your expiry date is located on your publication's mailing label.

If interested, please send an 8lb sample* to the following address: Attn: Sandy Jolicoeur Bioriginal Food & Science Corp.

102 Melville Street Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7J 0R1 *Please state the Variety & Quantity for Sale

For more information, please contact Sandy at:

306-975-9251 306-975-1166 purchasing@bioriginal.com

ATTACH YOUR MAILING LABEL HERE

PERSONAL

Canadian Subscribers

U.S. Subscribers

❑ 1 Year: $58.00* ❑ 2 Years: $99.00* ❑ 3 Years: $124.00*

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WE CAN HELP YOU! Find Love, have Fun & Enjoy Life. CANDLELIGHT MATCHMAKERS. Confidential, Rural, Photos & Profiles, Affordable, Local.

Serving MB, SK, NW Ontario. Call/Write for info: Box 212, Roland, MB, R0G 1T0, (204)343-2475.

*Taxes included

❑ Money Order

REAL ESTATE Houses & Lots RTM’s - AVAIL IMMEDIATELY. 3 bdrm homes w/beautiful espresso kitchens; Ensuite in Master bdrm; Main floor laundry. 1,320-sq.ft. home, $75,000; 1,520-sq.ft. home, $90,000. Also will custom build your RTM plan. Call MARVIN HOMES Steinbach, MB. (204)326-1493 or (204)355-8484. www.marvinhomes.ca Building Quality RTM Homes since 1976.

REAL ESTATE Farms & Ranches – Saskatchewan TIM HAMMOND REALTY: Shire Farm RM 92 Walpole near Moosomin, 1,280-ac featuring 610 cult. acs & 625 hay/pasture acs (300-ac could be cropped), $59,550 average 2013 asmt, Grass carries 100 pair, Yard incl: 1,180-sqft bungalow (1983), 4 bed, 2 bath. 12,850-bu. steel bin storage. Excellent water & cattle facilities. MLS 462168 REDUCED to $1,240,000. Call ALEX MORROW: (306)434-8780. http://Shire.TimHammond.ca

REAL ESTATE Farms & Ranches – Manitoba EXCELLENT LIVESTOCK FARM EXTENDING to 1,578 deeded acres with 4,425-acs of Crown Land.

All the land is fenced & the farm has very good buildings & metal corral system. The farm can carry up to 400-450 cow calf pairs. There is a small bungalow home. Tel: Gordon Gentles (204)761-0511 or Jim McLachlan (204)724-7753. HomeLife Home Professional Realty Inc. www.homelifepro.com HAY LAND 160-ACS OF Alfalfa 1/2-mi off 418 Deer Line average production last few yrs about 350 large bales; Inwood 1,020-acs ranch, only $550,000; Eriksdale 640-acs right on Hwy 68m $135,000; Dallas 1,000-acs presently hayland good for grain; 2,061-acs North of Fisher Branch 600 cult, very reasonable; 1,260-acs Red Rose 500 in hay only $360,000 offers. See these & others on www.manitobafarms.ca Call Harold at (204)253-7373 Delta Real Estate .

Homewood Farm:155-acs of Class 3 soil MCIC Class E32 Osborne Clay Soil, All Cultivated.

Call Terry Dyck, Royal LePage Top Producers. $775,000. (204)745-7700 tjdsold@gmail.com

Go public with an ad in the Co-operator classifieds.

Payment Enclosed ❑ Cheque

REAL ESTATE

❑ Visa

FARM PROPERTY FOR SALE by tender. Sealed written tenders for the purchase of property in the RM of Thompson described below will be received

by Rae Thomson- estate executor for R.H. Thomson. Tenders to be mailed to Rae Thomson- Box 394, Oakville, MB. R0H 0Y0. For the following legally described property: 1.NE 6-5-6W, approx.

156.9-acs w/2 story house & buildings 2.SE 6-5-6W, approx. 90-acs w/2 cattle shelters & hay shed. 3. SE 6-5-6W, approx. 61.9-acs 4.SW 6-5-6W, approx. 159.84-acs. 5.NW 6-5-6W, approx.

157.42-ac. 6.SE 1-5-7W, approx. 80.65-ac. 7.SW 1-5-7W, approx. 80.90-ac. 8.SW 5-5-6W, approx.

160-ac. Individual tenders to be submitted for each property #1-8. CONDITIONS OF TENDER: Interested parties must rely on their own inspection & knowledge of the property. Any specific questions pertaining to the property should be directed to Rae Thomson at (204)267-7020 or by email @rhthomsonestate@hotmail.com. Tenders must be received on or before February 28th, 2014. Tenders must be accompanied by a deposit of 5% of the amount offered, payable to Jerry Dykman, Law office. Deposit cheques accompanying unaccepted bids will be returned. Highest or any tender not necessarily accepted. TERMS & CONDITIONS OF SALE: The bidder(s) whose tender is accepted will be required to complete an agreement covering terms & conditions of the sale. Possession date will be April 2014, negotiable. The successful bidder will be responsible for all property taxes as of the date of possession. The purchaser shall be responsible for payment of GST or shall self assess for GST. MLS 1323498 160-ACS FENCED pasture, 1982 bungalow, 1056-sq.ft, Woodside, $164,000; MLS 1320867 156-acs Lakeland Clay Loam fenced, outbuildings, older home, mun. water, Gladstone $350,000; MLS 1400601 716-acs mixed farm, fenced elk, bison, cattle, 1,064-sq.ft. bung, outbuildings, 2nd yard site, McCreary $400,000; MLS 1320985 24-15-11 RM Lakeview Section of pastureland in block, fenced, 4 dugouts, $259,000; SW 9-18-15 RM of Rosedale Rdg Mtn., Erickson clay loam, ideal grain/forage. Beautiful bldg site, 2-mi to RMNP, $145,000. Call Liz (204)476-6362, John (204)476-6719. Gill & Schmall Agencies.

WELL LOCATED FARM ONLY 20-min from Virden extending to 311-acs. Approximately 240-acs is presently in cultivation & 50-acs of pasture. The farmhouse is older but is in excellent condition. First class range of farm buildings. Tel: Gordon Gentles (204)761-0511 or Jim McLachlan (204)724-7753.

HomeLife Home Professional Realty Inc. www.homelifepro.com GRANT TWEED Farm Specialist If you are Buying, Selling or Renting Farm Land You Can Benefit from my Experience & Expertise the Decisions you Make Can Have Long Lasting Impact, So Take the Time to Know your Options.

Call (204)761-6884 to Arrange an Obligation Free Consultation.

Visit: www.granttweed.com

REAL ESTATE Farms & Ranches – Pastureland LOOKING FOR PASTURE LAND to rent in South Western Manitoba. Phone (306)452-7605.

REAL ESTATE Farms & Ranches – Wanted GOOD QUALITY GRAIN & Cattle Farms wanted for Canadian & Overseas Clients. For a confidential meeting to discuss the possible sale of your farm or to talk about what is involved, telephone Gordon Gentles (204)761-0511 www.homelifepro.com or Jim McLachlan (204)724-7753, www.homelifepro.com Home Professional Realty Inc. REQUIRE FARMS FOR LOCAL & European buyers grain land with or without bldgs, sheep farms, cattle ranches, suburban properties, or just open land, acreages, houses, cottages. Call Harold (204)253-7373 Delta R.E. www.manitobafarms.ca

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We won’t pull the wool over your eyes!

WANTED: LOOKING FOR CROPLAND in Argyle, Stonewall, Selkirk, Warren, Balmoral, Grosse Isle, St Francis, Elie, & surrounding area. Please call Deric (204)513-0332, leave msg.

SEED/FEED MISCELLANEOUS Grain Wanted

SEED/FEED MISCELLANEOUS Grain Wanted

BUYING:

FARMERS, RANCHERS, SEED PROCESSORS BUYING ALL FEED GRAINS

• Competitive Prices • Prompt Movement • Spring Thrashed

Heated/Spring Threshed Lightweight/Green/Tough, Mixed Grain - Barley, Oats, Rye, Flax, Wheat, Durum, Lentils, Peas, Canola, Chickpeas, Triticale, Sunflowers, Screenings, Organics and By-Products √ ON-FARM PICKUP √ PROMPT PAYMENT √ LICENSED AND BONDED SASKATOON, LLOYDMINSTER, LETHBRIDGE, VANCOUVER, MINNEDOSA

PEDIGREED SEED Cereal – Wheat

HEATED & GREEN CANOLA

Go public with an ad in the Manitoba Co-operator classifieds. Phone 1-800-782-0794.

Specializing in: • Corn, wheat, sunflower, canola,

soymeal, soybeans, soy oil, barley, rye, flax, oats (feed & milling) • Agents of the CWB • Licensed & bonded

De Dell Seeds…

6 QTRS FARMLAND FOR RENT near Elthelbert, MB. Includes yardsite with house.

Mixed grain and hay land.

Contact Harry Sheppard. Sutton Group Results Realty, Regina, SK. C:(306)530-8035, O:(306)352-1866

Holland, MB Phone: 204.526.2145 Visit www.zegherseed.com Email: shawnz@zegherseed.com

AGRICULTURAL CROWN LANDS are presently available for rent for cropping.

These lands are situated in the Rural Municipalities of:

DE SALABERRY, GILBERT PLAINS, PIPESTONE, RITCHOT, SPRINGFIELD, SWAN RIVER, WALLACE Closing date for Cropping Tenders is 10:00 a.m. on February 21, 2014 at 308-25 Tupper Street North, Portage la Prairie, Manitoba, R1N 3K1.

Please contact your nearest Crown Lands District Office for more information or call 1-866-210-9589 A listing of Crown Lands District Offices can be found online at: www.gov.mb.ca/agriculture/ contact/crownlands.html A complete listing of Agricultural Crown Lands available for rent can be found online at: www.clp.gov.mb.ca

Brett Young - Canola’s and Forages.

Canterra - Canola’s North Star Seed - Forages Delmar Legend - Soy beans

Early Booking, Early Pay, and Volume

A Season to Grow… Only Days to Pay! TIRES

Toll Free: 888-974-7246

Knee high...

my eye!

Licensed & Bonded 0% Shrink Farm Pick-Up Available Planting Seed Available Phone (204)747-2904

• Buy Used Oil •• Buy Buy Batteries Batteries ••Collect CollectUsed Used Filters Filters • Collect • CollectOil OilContainers Containers • Antifreeze

DAME USED OIL & FILTER DEPOT

Southern,Southern Eastern, and Manitoba Western Western

Manitoba

Tel: 204-248-2110

CERISE RED PROSO COMMON MILLET seed.

Buy now to avoid disappointment. 93%+ germination, 0% Fusarium Graminearum. Makes great cattle feed, swath grazed, dry or silage bale. Very high in protein. Energy & drought tolerant. Sold in 50-lb bags. 2000+ satisfied producers. 11th Year in Business! Millet King Seeds of Canada Inc. Reynald (204)526-2719 office or (204)379-2987, cell & text (204)794-8550. Leave messages, all calls returned. www.milletkingseeds.com reynald@milletking.com

FOR SALE: ALFALFA, TIMOTHY, Brome, Clover, hay & pasture blends, millet seed, Crown, Red Prozo. Free Delivery on Large Orders, if Ordered Early.

Leonard Friesen, (204)685-2376, Austin, MB.

We BUY used oil & filters Collection of plastic oil jugs Glycol recovery services Specialized waste removal Winter & Summer windshield washer fluid Peak Performance anti-freeze ( available in bulk or drums )

The only company that collects, recycles and re-uses in Manitoba!

888-368-9378 ~ www.envirowestinc.com

Proud Supporter of Manitoba Businesses & Municipalities

FOR SALE: ORGANIC SAINFOIN seed. Called “Healthy Hay” in Europe. (sainfoin.eu) An ancient, non-bloating, nutritious, low input, perennial forage loved by all animals. Better flavored meat & dairy.

(306)739-2900 primegrains.com/prime-sainfoin.htm jhusband@primegrains.com

COMMON SEED Various CORN SEED, $25/ACRE Lower cost Alternative for Grazing & Silage High Yield & Nutrition –7 to 9-ft Tall– Leafy 2200 to 2350 CHU’s Open Pollinated Varieties Phone:(204)723-2831

2013 Malt Contracts Available 2013 Malt Contracts Available Box 238 Letellier, MB. R0G 1C0 Box 238 Letellier, MB. R0G 1C0 Phone 204-737-2000 Phone 204-737-2000 Toll-Free 1-800-258-7434 2013Toll-Free Malt Contracts Available 1-800-258-7434 2013 Malt Available Agent: M &Contracts J Weber-Arcola, SK. Box 238 Letellier, MB. R0G 1C0 Agent: MLetellier, & 306-455-2509 J Weber-Arcola, SK. Box 238 MB. R0G 1C0 Phone Phone 204-737-2000 Phone204-737-2000 306-455-2509 Phone Toll-Free 1-800-258-7434 Toll-Free 1-800-258-7434 Agent: M & J Weber-Arcola, SK. We are of farm grains.

Agent: Mbuyers & J Weber-Arcola, SK. Phone 306-455-2509 Phone 306-455-2509

MALT BARLEY

Call For Pricing

Common Forage Seeds

*6-Row* *6-Row* Celebration Celebration&& Tradition Tradition We buy feed barley, feed wheat, WeMALT buy feed barley, feed wheat, MALT BARLEY BARLEY oats, corn & canola oats,soybeans, soybeans, corn canola *6-Row* *6-Row* Celebration&&Tradition Tradition Celebration COME SEE US IN COME SEE US AT AT AG AG DAYS DAYS IN We buy feed barley, feed wheat, CONVENTION HALL We THE buy barley, feed wheat, THEfeed CONVENTION HALL oats,soybeans, soybeans, corn & & canola canola oats, BOOTH corn 1309 COMESEE SEEUS USAT ATAG AG DAYS DAYS IN IN COME THECONVENTION CONVENTION HALL HALL THE BOOTH1309 1309 BOOTH

Old & New Crop Confection & Oil Sunflowers

Dell Seeds…

De DellDeSeeds…

Real Corn…Profit Ready!

Real Corn…Profit Ready!

• Buy Used Oil NOTRE

MALT BARLEY BARLEY MALT

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NOW BUYING

SEED/FEED/CROP INPUTS

WANTED: 4, 17-IN. LIGHT truck rims for 2003 Ford 150 with or w/o winter tires. Phone (204)367-4649

www.delmarcommodities.com

De Dell Seeds

967 Valetta St., London, ON, N6H 2Z7

P: (519) 473-6175 F: (519) 473-2970

www.responsibletechnology.org

Dell Seeds DeDeDell Seeds 967 Valetta St., London, ON, N6H 2Z7 967P:Valetta St., London, ON, N6H 2Z7 (519) 473-6175 F: (519) 473-2970 P: (519)www.responsibletechnology.org 473-6175 F: (519) 473-2970 www.responsibletechnology.org SEED/FEED MISCELLANEOUS Hay & Straw 180 LARGE ROUND TIMOTHY straw bales, $17 each; Purebred Red Angus Bull, born Jan 30th 2011, birthweight 75-lbs, $2400.

Phone:(204)372-6588.

• Vomi wheat • Vomi barley • Feed wheat • Feed barley • Feed oats • Corn • Screenings • Peas • Light Weight Barley You can deliver or we can arrange for farm pickup.

Winnipeg 233-8418 Brandon 728-0231 Grunthal 434-6881 “Ask for grain buyer.”

DAIRY BEEF & HORSE hay for sale in large squares, delivery available. Phone (204)827-2629 or (204)526-7139 FOR SALE 1ST & 2nd cut alfalfa hay. 100-200 RFV in 3x3 medium square bales. Harry Pauls (204)242-2074, (204)825-7180 cell, La Riviere, MB. HAY FOR SALE. 5X5 round bales of grass mixed hay. (204)646-4226.

LARGE ROUND FIRST CUT alfalfa/grass bales. 46 bales, 1,400-lbs, $50/bale. Phone:(204)685-3024.

MacGregor, MB. LARGE ROUND WHEAT STRAW bales, trucking available. Phone:(204)325-2416. Manitou.

For Pricing ~ 204-325-9555

NOW BUYING Confection and Oil Sunflowers, Brown & Yellow Flax and Red & White Millet Edible Beans

SEED/FEED MISCELLANEOUS Grain Wanted

SEED / FEED / GRAIN SEED/FEED MISCELLANEOUS Feed Grain LESS FUSARIUM MORE BOTTOM LINE. Farmer directed varieties. Wheat Suitable for ethanol production, livestock feed. Western Feed Grain Development Co-op Ltd. 1-877-250-1552 www.wfgd.ca

1-204-724-6741

Andy Vanderveen · Brett Vanderveen Jesse Vanderveen

It Grow!

Make more withwith Make money more money COMMON SEED Non-GMO crops!

Non-GMO crops!

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37 4th Ave. NE Carman, MB R0G 0J0 Ph. (204) 745-6444 Email: vscltd@mts.net

**SERVICE WITH INTEGRITY**

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Toll Free 1-888-835-6351 Deloraine, Manitoba

Licensed and Bonded Grain Brokers

Head Office - Winkler (888) 974-7246 Jordan Elevator (204) 343-2323 Gladstone Elevator (204) 385-2292 Somerset Elevator (204) 744-2126 Sperling Elevator (204) 626-3261

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Non-GMO and Watch

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5 LOCATIONS to serve you!

* Pasteur - High yield CWRS Wheat Other Crops • New Cardale!

• Conlon Barley • Carberry • Souris Oats • Glenn • Lightning Flax • Kane • Meadow Peas • Harvest • Red Millet

IS ENOUGH OF

Advertise in the Manitoba Co-operator Classifieds, it’s a Sure Thing!

“ON FARM PICK UP”

WeNewwon’t pull the wool GP Class Wheat over your eyes!

PEDIGREED SEED Oilseed – Various

FARMING

*6-Row* Celebration & Tradition We buy feed barley, feed wheat, oats, soybeans, corn & canola

nitoba

SEED/FEED MISCELLANEOUS Feed Grain

PEDIGREED SEED

COME SEE US AT AG DAYS IN THE CONVENTION HALL BOOTH 1309

es Containers

REAL ESTATE Land For Rent

2013 Malt Contracts Available Box 238 Letellier, MB. R0G 1C0 Phone 204-737-2000 Toll-Free 1-800-258-7434 Agent: M & J Weber-Arcola, SK. Phone 306-455-2509

D OIL OT

De Dell Seeds…

31

The Manitoba Co-operator | February 6, 2014

WE BUY OATS Call us today for pricing Box 424, Emerson, MB R0A 0L0 204-373-2328

Licensed & Bonded Winkler, MB.

New 30.5L-32 16 ply, $1,995; 20.8-38 12 ply $765; 18.4-38 12 ply; $789; 24.5-32 14 ply, $1,495; 14.9-24 12 ply, $486; 16.9-28 12 ply $558, 18.4-26 10 ply, $890. Factory direct. More sizes available new and used. 1-800-667-4515. www.combineworld.com TOOLS S20 HYD MEC BAND saw; Metal lathe; Milling machine. Call (204)352-4306.

TRAILERS Livestock Trailers EXISS ALUMINUM LIVESTOCK TRAILERS 2013 Stock on sale - only three units left. Mention ad & receive a $1,000 rebate on 2013 models. 7-ft wide x 20-ft, 18-ft, 16-ft lengths. 10 Year Warranty. 24-ft available in March. SOKAL INDUSTRIES LTD. Phone: (204)334-6596, Email: sokalind@mymts.net

TRAILERS Trailers Miscellaneous ADVANTAGE AUTO & TRAILER: Livestock, Horse & Living quarter, Flat deck, Goosenecks, Tilts, Dumps, Cargos, Utilities, Ski-doo & ATV, Dry Van & Sea Containers. Call today. Over 250 in stock. Phone:(204)729-8989. In Brandon on the Trans-Canada Hwy. www.aats.ca

CAREERS Help Wanted FULL-TIME FARM EMPLOYEE WANTED for larger Potato, Grain & Cattle farm. Employees duties would have emphasis on Cattle: Helping w/calving (day-shift only), feeding, bedding, etc. Experience w/Cattle, Machinery & Class 1 would be an asset.

Willing to train motivated person. Competitive wages & medical benefits available. Located 5-mi N of Carberry on HWY 5. Phone Trent Olmstead: (204)476-6633 or Fax resume to:(204)834-2175.

GARDENER/HARVESTER REQUIRED FOR VEGETABLE farm near Carman, MB. Duties may include seeding, transplanting, hoeing, harvesting, washing & packing vegetables. Outdoors, stoop labour, variable hours, minimum wage. Full-time April through September. Dufferin Market Gardens, phone (204)745-3077, fax (204)745-6193.

HALARDA FARMS IS SEEKING a full-time/yr round employee to work in crop production & w/cattle. Class 1 drivers licence an asset but not required. The successful applicant will be self-motivated & a team player. No experience needed.

Competitive wages & an extensive health & benefit package offered. Halarda Farms is a modern large mixed farm located in the Elm Creek area. E-mail resume to office@halarda.ca or fax to (204)436-3034 or call (204)436-2032.

HELP WANTED: F/T HELP for a large grain farm in Southeast SK. Looking for an honest, reliable person w/experience in operating & servicing farm equipment, mechanically inclined & 1A license would be an asset. Competitive wages based on experience, housing is available, excellent opportunity for a young active family. School & shopping 15-min away. Please provide 2 references. Fax resume (306)449-2578 or e-mail triplebfarms@starband.net or call (306)449-2412 (evenings)

MORE SELECTION, MORE OFTEN, MORE DEALS. R E V O 30,000 PIECES OF AG EQUIPMENT!

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32

The Manitoba Co-operator | February 6, 2014

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33

The Manitoba Co-operator | February 6, 2014

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Search Canada’s top agriculture publications… with just a click. Network SEARCH

loc a l, nationa l a nd internationa l news

Farming better in Uganda — with Canadian help An organization founded by a CBC broadcaster now helps millions of farmers in 38 countries in Africa

By Anne Cote co-operator contributor / kampala, uganda

U

ganda has some of the most fertile land on Earth and is home to thousands of smallholder farmers who feed the country relying on just two basic tools — a machete and a hoe.

In some ways their situation is similar to that of Prairie homesteaders early in the last century, who also relied on hand tools and animal power. But, thanks to the work of a Canadian organization, Ugandan farmers have an advantage over the Prairie pioneers — an opportunity to learn better farming techniques through the medium of radio.

Farm Radio International (FRI) was founded in 1979 by CBC farm broadcaster George Atkins. While on a tour in Africa, he discovered broadcasters were providing information on topics such as how to replace spark plugs on tractors — good information if you own a tractor, which most Ugandan farmers don’t.

When Atkins returned to Canada he started preparing scripts that contained information relevant to the challenges and problems faced by African smallholder farmers.

FRI senior consultant David Mowbray manages communications and training programs. He said that because Ugandan radio agriculture programming in the 1970s was so out of touch with smallholder farmers, they stopped listening and clung to the practices and myths handed down through the generations.

Atkins developed a “participatory” format — interview local farmers about the topic, back up their stories with expert knowledge, then facilitate a dialogue between the on-air people and the listeners.

Mowbray said the format still works today.

“We tell real stories... that’s a winning formula all over the world,” he said. “We know farmers need to hear from a farmer they trust.” In Uganda that’s farmers who work the soil with a hoe and harvest the crop with a machete, he added.

Training the trainers

Today FRI has 500 radio station partners in 38 African countries, and while it continues to provide regular scripts on improved farming practices, it’s working with African broadcasters to train them on how to provide relevant radio programming for farmers.

Askebir Gebru, country director at the FRI Uganda office, explained the approach over a cup of tea at a Kampala hotel.

“We train trainers, we don’t hire them,” he said. In Uganda FRI has provided training to 10 radio stations which broadcast in six languages in 13 districts, Gebru said.

Women farmers

In a good year, Ugandan farmers can feed their immediate family and have some produce left over to sell to middlemen who travel the main roads buying food for the city markets. This money goes to provide clothing, medical care and an education for the children. The Ugandan government does not supply medical care and public school opportunities are limited.

Every month each of the 30 women in the Del Agro group put money into a pot. They draw a name and present the winner, who can use it to invest in an improvement on her own farm, to pay school fees or help another woman start a business of her own. The money is hers to distribute, or invest, wherever she wants and it’s not repayable. Photos: Anne Cote

Cheap, simple and effective

Members of the Zibulatudde Katente farmers’ group meet every Sunday to listen to a farm radio broadcast.

A trip to a local farmers’ group demonstrated how the FRI radio programming format impacts their lives.

It took almost an hour to travel the washed-out roads to the 10-acre farm owned by Agness Kalya, chair of the Zibulatudde Katente farmers’ group, about 30 kms from dusty downtown Kampala.

The group is made up mainly of women working on small farms. Mowbray said women provide 60 per cent of the agricultural labour in Uganda.

Kalya is responsible for recording the weekly agriculture broadcast on a portable radio supplied by FRI to share with the group when they meet on Sunday.

Then she facilitates a group discussion about the week’s topic.

Paschal Mweruka from the Ugandan office of FRI, the guide and interpreter for the day, said the Katente group is particularly active in promoting crops that improve family health and increase farm income.

In October, eight women in the Katente group were guests on a local radio program. They performed a song they wrote to promote the health benefits of orangefleshed sweet potatoes (OSP) and how to grow them.

OSP is rich in vitamin A and grows well in the local soil. A single vine clipping, something else Kalya and the other women sell at market, can produce up to 12 kilograms of OSP. That’s 24 to 36 kg of nutrition per year in just one hill of

One of FRI’s campaigns promotes the planting of orange-fleshed sweet potato, which is high in vitamin A. A single vine clipping can produce up to 12 kilograms.

potatoes. That goes a long way towards feeding the 14 people that make up Kalya’s family.

Mweruka said it wasn’t easy to convince local male farmers to grow the vitamin-rich crop, despite evidence that vitamin A deficiency causes blindness and contributes to early childhood deaths. The myth that OSP caused sterility in men was deeply embedded in the local culture, which reveres large families.

So how did the women, in a male-dominated culture, change the men’s attitude?

Mweruka said radio played an important role. The local station, a recipient of FRI training, developed a program to dispel the myth. They invited a farmer who grows and eats OSP and had fathered several children to talk about the financial success of the crop. They invited a medical doctor to talk about the benefits of vitamin A and provide scientific evidence that OSP did not cause sterility or impotence. Then they opened up the phone lines so listeners could ask questions.

The women in the Katente group said as they learn more about farming through the radio broadcasts and gain peer support, they feel empowered. They believe they can talk knowledgeably about the OSP crop and teach other farmers how to grow it.

The brightly coloured wind-up battery radios FRI provides to farmer groups have a number of practical features: • Inexpensive at $54 each; • Simple to operate; • Small, lightweight and easy to store; • Wind-up lever for charging; • Solar panel for charging; • A cellphone charging station which means farmers without electricity don’t have to travel kilometres to recharge their phones; • A recording chip for playback enabling groups to meet at a convenient time rather than the live broadcast time and to replay the information if they choose to; • A simple wire antenna long enough to be strung across a road or to the top of a tree to pick up radio signals.

Kalya said she’s planning to clear another part of an acre next year to plant more OSP. She’s calculated that effort will provide 500,000 Ugandan shillings (C$210) in revenue over the year and after input costs she’ll be left with 250,000 shillings, an amount equal to the salary of a local preschool teacher.

A visit to a second group, Del Agro Business Enterprises Limited, showed how the women are embracing farming as a business, not just a means to feed their family.

They’ve developed an agro-tourism site with a hostel to increase their income and fund community development.

Anne Cote is a Winnipeg freelance journalist who last fall took part in the Exposure-4-Development tour organized by International Federation of Agriculture Journalists and Dutch-based Agriterra.

34

The Manitoba Co-operator | February 6, 2014

GMO critics protest Monsanto meeting; shareholder resolutions fail Pressure comes as more states are considering mandatory GMO labelling

By Carey Gillam REUTERS

C

ritics of genetically modified crops protested at Monsanto Co.’s annual shareholders’ meeting on Jan. 28, calling for the w o r l d’s l a rg e s t s e e d c o m pany to provide a report on contamination in non-GMO crops and to stop fighting

“There is a recognition that we need to do more.”

A woman in Los Angeles holds a sign during one of many worldwide ‘March Against Monsanto’ protests held last October. PHOTO: REUTERS/LUCY NICHOLSON

We want to hear from you!

The challenge - should you choose to accept it - tell us how you and your family look after the environment on your farm. From recycling ag packaging, oils, lubes, tires, and batteries to returning obsolete pesticides and livestock medications for safe disposal - we want to whear your story… and the more innovative, the better!

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mandator y labels on foods containing GMO ingredients.

The requests came in the form of two shareholder resolutions that were backed by environmental, food safety and consumer activists groups. They claimed that more than 2.6 million members support their efforts.

The resolutions come at a time of heightened debate over the spread of genetically modified crops. Outside the meeting at Monsanto’s headquarters in suburban St. Louis, Missouri, about two dozen protesters waved signs criticizing the $15-billion agrichemical and seed company, and one man was arrested.

“We are asking for shareholders to vote in favour of transparency,” said Margot McMillen, a Missouri farmer and member of the executive council of the National Family Farm Coalition who introduced one of the resolutions.

Both shareholder resolutions failed to pass after Monsanto officials recommended rejection of the proposals.

Company officials said the global debate over GMO crops prompted them to rethink how they communicate about their products.

Chairman Hugh Grant acknowledged that the company has not done a good job winning public trust, and told shareholders at the meeting that the company was changing its approach.

“There is a recognition that we need to do more,” he said.

One of the resolutions put t o s h a re h o l d e r s s o u g h t a report on seed contamination of non-GMO crops, including costs of seed replacement, and crop and production losses, including losses associated with market rejections.

That measure gathered 6.51 per cent of the vote.

Critics say many organic and non-GMO farmers are dealing with contamination, and often chemical drift, from nearby GMO farms and should be compensated.

Monsanto executives said that the company already has stewardship practices that work to protect the coexistence of non-GMO crops with GMOs. A related shareholder resolution called on the company t o w o r k w i t h g ov e r n m e n t regulators to set a standard threshold for foods containi n g G M O i n g re d i e n t s t h a t should be labelled. That garnered 4.16 per cent of the vote.

Grant said the company supports voluntary labell i n g e f f o r t s by i n d i v i d u a l food companies but added that mandatory labelling of GMO foods could confuse and mislead consumers if there is no meaningful difference in nutrition or safety of the foods.

More than 20 U.S. states are contemplating mandatory labelling of GMO foods, and Congress and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration are being pushed to act on this issue.

35

The Manitoba Co-operator | February 6, 2014

Irish cattle chow down on Canadian corn Three-quarters of corn exports this year have headed for Ireland

By Rod Nickel and Valerie Parent winnipeg, manitoba/paris / reuters

C

anada’s bountiful corn harvest is flowing across the Atlantic into feed rations for Ireland’s cattle herd, even as exporters struggle to move other crops through the bottlenecked Canadian transportation system.

Canada, which was a net corn importer until recent years, reaped a record 14.2-milliontonne corn crop in 2013. Most of the crop stays where it is grown in the provinces of Ontario, Quebec and Manitoba to fuel ethanol plants run by Husky Energy Inc., GreenField Ethanol and Suncor Energy Inc. But from August through December, the first five months of Canada’s 2013-14 crop marketing year, exporters shipped about 185,000 tonnes of corn, with nearly three-quarters of that headed for Ireland, according to the Canadian Grain Commission.

“With the (corn) price increase over the past few years, we’ve seen acres go up in Canada, and we’ve gone to (being) an exporter now.”

Mark CumberbatcH corn trader at private Canadian grain handler Parrish & Heimbecker

“With the (corn) price increase over the past few years, we’ve seen acres go up in Canada, and we’ve gone to (being) an exporter now,” said Mark Cumberbatch, corn trader at private Canadian grain handler Parrish & Heimbecker.

Most Canadian corn sales to Ireland are for feeding cattle in the world’s fifth-largest beef exporter, he said.

Canada’s total corn exports this year are already large compared with volumes in most years of the past decade. They could fall short, however, of 2012-13 shipments, which totalled more than 600,000 tonnes due to brisk sales to the United States after its severe drought.

Corn is abundant this year, with the U.S. Department of Agriculture forecasting record global production.

Freight rates for moving crop across the Atlantic have been competitive at times with rates from the Black Sea region, giving Canadian sales to Europe an extra push, Cumberbatch said.

Greater corn supplies than the domestic market can handle have also added fuel to exports, he said.

While corn, grown largely in Eastern Canada, is flowing freely, crops like wheat, canola and barley grown in Western Canada have been harder to move.

Re c o rd We s t e r n Ca n a d a crops and frigid weather have overwhelmed railways trying to move them from the Prairies to Pacific Coast ports, leaving country elevators and farm bins full.

Eastern crops generally don’t travel as far to ports, leaving them less reliant on railways than western wheat and canola, Cumberbatch said. The St. Lawrence Seaway provides access for eastern crops to the Atlantic Ocean, although the Great Lakes are closed for shipping during winter.

Canadian corn also looks appealing to European buyers because of problems in Ukraine.

Freezing weather causing ice on roads in Ukraine has delayed deliveries of corn, also called maize, and prompted many buyers to turn to rival exporters, including the United States and Canada.

“Ukrainian maize prices have risen a fair bit and French maize

T:8.125”

is nowhere near competitive,” said a European corn trader, speaking on condition of anonymity.

“Buyers are going to look at whatever’s cheapest. It’s possible 300,000 to 400,000 tonnes of Canadian maize will be imported by the EU this season, coming in through Ireland, Britain, Scandinavia, Rotterdam and maybe even Spain.”

If Canadian farmers continue to grow big corn crops, shipments to Europe may become more common, Cumberbatch said. The Canadian transportation system is usually reliable, unlike systems in some other countries, he said.

Typically, Canadian corn exports are lacklustre. The notable exception was 2010-11, when Canada shipped 1.3 million tonnes of corn, including to destinations like Spain, due to lower European production of coarse grains that year.

briefs

CN Rail to meet with union leaders toronto / reuters / Canadian National Railway Co.’s tentative labour contract with about 3,000 train conductors, yardpersons, and traffic coordinators was rejected in a vote by union members, the railroad said Jan. 31.

CN, which negotiated the deal with the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference — Conductors, Trainpersons and Yardpersons (TCRC-CTY) in October, said it will meet with union leaders in early February to review the results and discuss how to proceed.

Meet Rhett Allison Started farming: 1975 Crop rotation: durum, lentils, oilseed, peas Favorite TV show: W5 Most hated weed: Narrow-leaved hawk’s-beard Loves most about farming: Balance between work and play Best vacation: Mazatlan Guilty pleasure: Golf PrecisionPac® blends: DB-8454, PP-3317

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36

The Manitoba Co-operator | February 6, 2014

COUNTRY CROSSROADS CON N EC T I NG RU R A L FA M I L I E S

A braille garden Partially sighted from birth, Karen Gitzel is an avid home gardener who has created beautiful gardens around her farm home, including one that has a message in braille

Carman-area Karen Gitzel created a formal garden in her farmyard in memory of her parents.

White predominates in the garden because it’s what she sees best. photos: Chelsey Gitzel

By Lorraine Stevenson

co-operator staff / Carman

A

white and wintry landscape isn’t the most pleasing sight to all eyes, but Karen Gitzel can appreciate the view — because she can see it. When the snow is gone, the black earth fields around the farm she and her husband own are also in plain sight to Gitzel who was born with partial vision.

“I see light and shapes, but only certain colours. I see black and white the best,” she says, adding that the softer light of early morning or evening is when her vision is most acute.

It’s when the sun is blazing and her surroundings are in full colour that things get trickier; colours blur together and focusing on them can give her headaches. But that hasn’t kept her from planting brilliantly coloured flower gardens around the farm home she shares with her husband and two teenage children.

Gitzel laughs when she recalls her early days as a farmer’s wife, getting a sense of her new surroundings and thinking about landscaping possibilities of her new home and yard.

“I’d cut the lawn and then I’d tell my husband everything I didn’t like about the yard, so I changed it,” she says.

Passion

She plants a large vegetable garden every year, with lots of sweet corn, potatoes, lettuce, onions and dozens of tomatoes from which she cans about 72 quarts a year.

But her flower gardens are her real passion.

One is devoted entirely to about 50 Asiatic lilies. She loves the variety because of its soft, waxy petals, and can see their profuse pinks and yellows and oranges and reds too.

“They blur and blend together, but I can see them,” she said. “I just don’t see them the way you do.”

Gitzel’s pride and joy is a large formal garden planted in memory of her parents Bert and Shirley Pietras. She began to create it about a decade ago, after her husband put in paving stone and a focal point water feature. White predominates in the extensive garden, but there is plenty of colour too — because the garden is there for all to see.

“My daughter keeps insisting it should have more colour,” she says. “If I had my way it would just be strictly white and silver.”

Braille garden

Her most recent garden is perhaps her most ambitious. Last June she planted a ‘braille garden,’ spelling out the names of each of her children and grandchildren, and her daughter-in-law. She used dozens of marigolds, and as each plant filled out and began to bloom, pruned each one to maintain a single bloom, replicating one of the small raised dots of the language created by Louis Braille.

Her inspiration, says Gitzel, was the desk work she’d otherwise have been stuck indoors doing. She studies braille with a Canadian National Institute for the Blind instructor.

“I had a homework assignment,” she says. “I figured I’d get my teacher into the garden and make her check

Karen Gitzel meticulously prunes dozens of marigolds to spell out, one bloom per plant, the names of family members, replicating the system of dots that form braille.

my spelling there. She came out and checked the garden, touching every flower.

“There were two mistakes.”

She corrects them by continuously pruning the marigolds to maintain their single bloom.

Gitzel credits her family, and the local horticultural society, the Carman Garden Club, where she’s been a member for years, for helping her become a better gardener.

Other senses

“I figured I’d get my teacher into the garden and make her check my spelling there. She came out and checked the garden, touching every flower.”

To g a r d e n w i t h o u t f u l l v i s i o n requires the engagement of other senses, and gardens engage all of them, she says. She knows a weed by how it feels, and there are so many other sensory pleasures of scent and sound to enjoy.

“I feel a lot of peace in the garden,” she says. “I love it when the phlox blooms and when the lilacs bloom.

And there’s a little robin in my tree every year that I can hear. And the butterflies.”

She works slowly, but methodically.

Where other gardeners might search for things they misplace absent-mindedly, she’s mindful of where she puts everything.

“I’m not exactly fast,” she says. “I’m very slow, and it takes me a very long time to do something. But everything is in its place and I have an excellent memory.”

That’s true for the farm home too, which she and her husband designed to ensure every door, light switch and stairs is a precise number of steps apart.

Gitzel calls herself very fortunate.

She has a specialized computer which enables her to see her screen, but those kinds of things are not affordable by everyone, she says. Many blind and partially sighted persons struggle day by day. She regularly joins a small group meeting in Morden to offer support to others without sight.

“It is only recently that people with a disability are more mainstreamed, not put in an institution or put away as being unable to do anything,” she said. “Many CNIB clients also feel reluctant to define themselves as having a disability as it makes them more vulnerable.”

Gitzel’s daughter has extensively photographed her mother’s garden and recently posted a video to YouTube.

Many of the images are taken at dusk or at night providing the viewer a glimpse of how Gitzel herself sees her surroundings. The video was done to raise awareness about the CNIB. It can be viewed at: http://www.youtube. com/watch?v=6T8tSEu2WIM. lorraine@fbcpublishing.com

37

The Manitoba Co-operator | February 6, 2014

COUNTRY CROSSROADS

RecipeSwap

Send your recipes or recipe request to: Manitoba Co-operator Recipe Swap Box 1794, Carman, Man. ROG OJO or email: lorraine@fbcpublishing.com

Just a few more (ahem) weeks until spring

PHOTO: THINKSTOCK

Raspberry Pudding

o you go out in -35 C? Neither do I. Even the most winter hardy among us are finding back-to-back days of extreme cold and risky roads an endurance test.

Winter takes its toll, and not just physically, when we begin to feel cooped up spending so much time indoors.

There are ways to make the most of winter. February is bonspiel season, and

many communities host their winter festivals this month. Our church hosts TGIF luncheons, which are a much welcome respite from eating at home alone, especially for those who can’t get out much in the cold weather.

If you’re struggling through it all, try to think of this as being winter’s last hurrah, and that time is actually running out for all the indoor winter stuff you like to do, like finishing that book or house project, or just enjoying some quiet time around the house before another busy growing season has us running in all directions.

A quiet afternoon is a great time to try a new baking recipe. Here’s a few of my own favourites this week.

Soft Molasses Spice Cake

Saskatoon Oat Muffins

If you love the taste of molasses, you will love this deep, dark cake. Dust it with some confectioner’s sugar just before serving to make it extra fancy.

This is a recipe found in Fruits of Our Labours, the Saskatchewan Fruit Growers Association’s recipe booklet. These are really tasty and chewy muffins.

You’ll want to eat more than one.

1/2 c. vegetable oil 2 c. all-purpose flour 1/2 tsp. baking soda 1 tsp. cinnamon 1 tsp. ground ginger 1/2 tsp. ground cloves 1/2 tsp. salt 1/2 c. Fancy molasses 1/2 c. light brown sugar 1 egg 2 tart apples peeled, cored and cut into small chunks

1 c. rolled oats 1 c. buttermilk 1 c. flour 1 tsp. baking powder 1/2 tsp. baking soda 1/2 tsp. salt 3/4 c. lightly packed brown sugar 1 egg, beaten 1 tsp. vanilla 1/4 c. canola oil 1 c. saskatoon berries, fresh or frozen, thawed and drained

Lorraine Stevenson Crossroads Recipe Swap

D

Heat oven to 350 F. Grease and flour a nine-inch round pan. Mix together flour, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, cloves and salt. In a medium bowl, whisk together oil, molasses, brown sugar, egg and 1/2 cup boiling water. Add to the flour mixture and whisk until just combined but don’t overmix. Add apples. Pour batter into pan and bake 40 to 45 minutes or until done.

Cool 30 minutes.

Combine oats and buttermilk in a small bowl. Let stand a few minutes. In another bowl, combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and sugar. Stir well to blend. Add egg, vanilla and canola oil to oat mixture. Mix well. Add oat mixture all at once to dry ingredients. Stir until all ingredients are just moistened. Gently fold in saskatoons. Fill 12 well-greased or paper-lined muffin cups 3/4 full. Bake at 400 F for 15 to 20 minutes. Makes 1 dozen muffins.

This is one of my favourite recipes and I cannot even tell you where I got it years ago. It’s a great way to use last summer’s frozen raspberries if you’re lucky enough to have some in your freezer. I serve this pudding with a little half and half cream — rich and fattening, yes, but so good! LS 2 pkgs. 10 oz. frozen raspberries (or about 2 c.), thawed 1/2 c. granulated sugar Cake topping: 1/2 c. butter, softened 3/4 c. granulated sugar 2 eggs 1/2 tsp. vanilla 1-1/4 c. all-purpose flour 1-1/2 tsp. baking powder Pinch salt 1/2 c. milk

Preheat the oven to 350 F. Drain the raspberries, but keep the juice; add water to the juice to make one cup and set aside.

In a greased metal pan, toss the drained raspberries with half the sugar for the topping. In a large bowl, cream the butter and add sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs and vanilla. In a separate bowl blend flour, baking powder, and salt.

Mix dry and wet ingredients together in two measures, alternatively with milk.

Scrape the batter over the raspberries.

Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, bring the juice/water mixture to a low boil and add the other 1/4 c. sugar. Pour this over the batter and bake until edges are bubbling and batter is firm and golden, about 50 minutes. Let cool before serving. Serves 8.

RECIPE SWAP If you have a recipe or a column suggestion please write to: Manitoba Co-operator Recipe Swap, Box 1794 Carman, Man. R0G 0J0 or email Lorraine Stevenson at: lorraine@fbcpublishing.com

38

The Manitoba Co-operator | February 6, 2014

COUNTRY CROSSROADS

“

I

would like to call to order,” said Andrew Jackson, gazing imperiously around the table, “the inaugural meeting of the Jackson Agricultural Corporation.”

There was a moment of silence from the others gathered there.

“Cool,” said Jennifer. “Could you please pass the ketchup?”

Andrew picked up the ketchup bottle and handed it to Randy who passed it on to Jennifer.

“I would like to thank the chairman of the Jackson Agricultural Corporation for passing the ketchup,” said Jennifer.

“You’re welcome,” said Andrew.

“How can you eat ketchup on eggs Jenn?” said Randy. “It’s disgusting.”

“Some people would say eggs without ketchup are disgusting,” said Jennifer. “I’m not one of those people. Eggs are good no matter what, but they’re better with ketchup.”

“All I can say,” said Randy, “is that I hope all of the meetings of the J. A. C. will be catered by the same chef as this one. This french toast casserole is the best breakfast dish I’ve ever had.” He raised his coffee mug. “Compliments to the chef,” he said.

“Well thank you,” said Rose. “It’s a Paula Deen recipe. It’s mostly butter and cream. And a little bread and an egg or two.

“Perhaps I should remind the rest of you,” said Andrew, “what’s supposed to happen when somebody calls a meeting to order.”

“Oh right. Sorry,” said Jennifer. “I just needed ketchup.”

“Yeah, sorry,” said Randy. “But you have to admit, this casserole is spectacular.”

“I can’t argue with that,” said Andrew.

“All right then,” said Randy. “What’s on the agenda?”

Andrew furrowed his brow. “Hm,” he said. “I guess I should have prepared an agenda.”

“The first item of business,” said Jennifer, “should be that since we elected you chairman of the board, you should pay everybody 50 bucks.”

She extended her hand. “Pay up or next time I’ll vote for Mom.” “Don’t be silly kiddo,” said Randy. “You don’t have to vote for Mom. She’s already the power behind the throne. Vote for me. I’ll throw in a cou-

The

Jacksons

BY ROLLIN PENNER

pon for a McDonald’s Happy Meal and a free popcorn at Silver City.”

“Speaking of McDonald’s,” said Andrew, “that reminds me of the first order of business, which is that Jennifer has proposed a change to the plan we made regarding who’s going to live where and with whom. In short she has decided that instead of moving in here with you and your family when Rose and I move to town, she wants to move to the city to go to university to study agricultural economics.” He paused and looked directly at Randy. “What do you think of that idea?” he asked.

“What does that have to do with McDonald’s?” asked Randy.

“Nothing,” said Andrew. “I’m just trying to get down to business.”

Randy thought for a minute and then grinned at Jennifer. “I would be curious to know,” he said, “how much your decision is based on wanting to develop a better knowledge of agricultural economics and how much is based on wanting to develop a better knowledge of your boyfriend.”

Jennifer looked momentarily surprised but then just laughed. “Let’s say 50-50,” she said.

“That seems like an honest answer.” Randy looked at his mom. “What do you think Mom?” he said.

“Well, I may be the power behind the throne,” said Rose, “but even I can’t think of a good reason to tell her not to go to university. Boyfriends come and boyfriends go, but knowledge lasts forever. Or at least till you’re in your 60s or 70s, depending on how much football you play while you’re attaining it.”

Randy nodded. “I don’t see how having someone around who has an actual education in the field of agriculture could possibly be a bad thing,” he said. “Unless that someone is my little sister and she uses her superior knowledge and education to get herself elected chairman of the board ahead of me. That would be a bad thing.”

“I’m not little,” said Jennifer.

“You’re little compared to me,” said Randy.

“The important thing, Randy,” said Andrew, “is that while Jennifer is in school, you and I will have to take on the responsibilities she would have been taking on here. Is that cool?”

“It’s cool,” said Randy. “Mostly it’ll mean you have less time to sit around the café complaining about the weather and the price of beef with all the other gentlemen farmers. You sure you’re OK with that?” he grinned.

“Yeah, whatever,” said Andrew. “Those guys at the café can get annoying after a few hours.

There’s a few of them who could have benefited from a year or two of higher education.”

Randy looked at Jennifer. “You excited?” he said.

“Totally,” said Jennifer.

“On that note, meeting adjourned,” said Andrew.

Painted-leaf begonia

These colourful plants make the extra bit of care they require worthwhile

By Albert Parsons FREELANCE CONTRIBUTOR

W

ith common names like painted-leaf begonia and fancy-leaf begonia, it is no surprise that Rex begonias are grown for their beautiful foliage. The plants do flower but they are usually not spectacular, consisting of small clusters of pink or white flowers held above the leaves on stiff stems. Many gardeners prefer to snip these off and grow the plants exclusively for foliage.

Rex begonias are native to tropical forests where they grow on the forest floor amid ferns and other humidity-loving plants in the moist, rich soil. Indoor gardeners must try to replicate these natural conditions when growing as houseplants. They perform well in the warm temperatures of the home but the challenge is to regulate the moisture they receive and to provide them with adequate humidity.

Demanding strong, indirect light, Rex begonias are also at home under the fluorescent lights of a light garden where they will further appreciate the additional warmth provided by the light fixtures. Water so that the soil is kept evenly moist but is not allowed to become wet or waterlogged. Using an airy, light, fast-draining soil will assist in keeping the soil from becoming sodden.

Sitting the pot on a pebble tray also will

These plants are grown for their spectacular foliage.

increase the humidity around the plant.

Do not mist as this will almost certainly induce mildew, which will be lethal to the plants.

Besides overwatering, using too much fertilizer also can spell doom for a Rex begonia. Use fertilizer sparingly and only at a quarter of the normal rate. Place the plants in a well-ventilated location with good air circulation and do not crowd them against other plants, although having other plants nearby will help to keep the humidity up.

Rex begonias come in all sorts of leaf sizes, shapes and colours. Leaves can be

PHOTO: ALBERT PARSONS

green, silver, red or purple and are usually beautiful combinations of several of these colours in the form of marbling, contrasting leaf margins and veining.

Some plants have pointed leaves, others roundish ones, while a few varieties even have spiralling leaves that are quite unique. The colours in the leaves are deep and rich and are indeed outstanding.

A single plant (Rex begonias grow in a mounded form) will make a great specimen plant displayed on a shelf or table, although larger ones also look good on pedestal plant stands where one can

serve as a show-stopping specimen plant. If displaying a plant in a decorative container, be sure to put an inverted plant saucer or plastic lid in the bottom to allow the pot to sit above any excess water that might collect in it.

These plants grow from shallow, knobby rhizomes. Because they are shallow rooted and prone to rot if overwatered, grow Rex begonias in wide, shallow pots. Repot and divide only after the rhizomes have spread over the whole pot and are running into the pot’s edges.

They are easy to propagate by rhizome division but can also be propagated by leaf cuttings. Simply cut the top half of a leaf and insert it into a soilless mix that has been dampened and tent the container to maintain humidity and to control moisture loss from the soil.

Alternately, bend a stem down to the soil so that a leaf touches the soil surface. Pin the leaf to the soil after making several cuts across the veins where it will come into contact with the soil.

If you want to try an outstanding foliage plant that takes just a bit of extra care, consider a Rex begonia. The colourful foliage will make the bit of extra care worthwhile. The problem will be to make your choice. Will it be the spiral green and silver one, the puckeredleafed one with the burgundy iron cross on its leaves, or the vibrant red one or…

Albert Parsons writes from Minnedosa, Manitoba

39

The Manitoba Co-operator | February 6, 2014

COUNTRY CROSSROADS

Reena answers questions Plus, here’s some tips of the week Dear Reena,

How do I clean road salt stains from my rubber car mats? I tried vinegar and it doesn’t clean very well. I can’t find any information about this in your books.

Many thanks, Cecilia

Reena Nerbas Household Solutions

Dear Reena,

Hi Cecilia,

I enjoy your books immensely, but I have an important question. Following a stem cell transplant, my immune system is compromised. Are commercial “green” products sufficiently strong enough to disinfect thoroughly? Which ingredients are the most effective and what should I be looking for? What about “homemade” products i.e. vinegar solutions?

Thank you, Patty

Begin by beating the mats with a broom to remove most of the loose dirt and dust. Next vacuum the mats until no dirt remains. Using either dish soap or carpet shampoo and water, create lather and distribute onto the salt stains and scrub with a stiff brush. Rinse and let air-dry.

Dear Reena,

I hope you can help. My oxblood leather chesterfield has some scratches at the front of one cushion. The white is showing through. Is there something I can cover it with? I really enjoy your tips. Keep up the good work.

Lynn

Hi Patty,

During the past few years there has definitely been a trend toward manufacturing products with labels that cite themselves as being, “green,” “nontoxic,” “environmentally friendly” etc.

Unfortunately there are currently no legislated guidelines as to what is allowed to be considered “green.” In fact if a manufacturer produces a product in a green bottle he can then label it green. Consumers are “Greenwashed” i n t o t h i n k i n g t h a t t h e y a re m a k ing healthier choices about cleaning products and some (not all) of the products are actually developed with more toxic chemicals than ever before. Your best bet is to look for genuine independent certification on products. You can read more about Greenwashing in my newest book, H o u s e h o l d S o l u t i o n s w i t h Gre e n Alternatives.

As for vinegar or “King Vinegar” as I like to call it, here is some interesting information. In a study by Good Housekeeping it reported that vinegar kills 99 per cent bacteria and 82 per cent mould, while some common products claiming to be disinfectants have proven to be ineffective at cleaning. Now if you take vinegar one step further and add a few drops of essential oils such as the ever-popular tea tree oil, your cleaner becomes an even more powerful antiseptic.

Another product that you can use to clean is three per cent hydrogen peroxide. This is a product that has gained in popularity because it is the

Hello Lynn, Look for genuine independent certification on products that cite themselves as being “green” or “non-toxic.” photo: thinkstock

only germicidal agent composed only of water and oxygen. Like oxygen it kills disease by oxidation and is considered the world’s safest sanitizer.

Hydrogen peroxide kills micro-organisms by oxidizing them.

In the same study by Good Housekeeping, Lysol was one of the products that scored high at killing germs. The question that you want to ask yourself is how often you want to use commercial products in your home, on your counters and throughout the air. In other words, some strong commercial cleaners do kill germs but does that really mean that they are the healthiest choice?

Baking soda and borax are great as abrasive cleaners and odour eliminators but not hugely effective at killing germs. A combination of baking soda and vinegar is a powerful choice.

The decision as to what you should use must be yours and remember that just because we see something on TV doesn’t make it true. All the best with your recovery!

Hello Reena,

We have yet to find a phosphate-free, environmentally friendly dishwasher product that does the job as well as regular detergents. Do you have any suggestions?

Thanks, Ólöf

Hi Ólöf,

When it comes to dishwasher detergent, there are a few recipes that you can use and some have shown great results. However, in most cases glasses tend to etch after several uses. Therefore, instead of replacing your commercial dishwasher detergent, pour the regular detergent from the box into a bucket and add 1/4 cup borax and 1/4 cup baking soda. Mix well and use as normal. Baking soda and borax are inexpensive and work well to save money. Also, replace dishwasher rinse agent with white vinegar and a few drops of your favourite essential oil such as lavender or tea tree oil. Both oils have effective properties that will clean the dishes and the dishwasher.

Either call in professionals to have a look at the scratches and repair them, or purchase a leather renew kit i.e. liquid leather designed specifically to repair scratches on leather. Or buy one or two containers of shoe polish and combine the colours to match your furniture. Gently rub the polish in so that the scratches are less noticeable. Buff.

Fabulous tips of the week:

• Rubber tends to darken silverware, so never put anything made of rubber in the silver drawers. Use cord or ribbon to hold silver together — not rubber bands.

• A tin muffin pan may be painted with bright enamel and used for serving drinks; glasses won’t tip over and serving is much easier.

• Save all leftover pieces of soap, either hand or laundry soap, and place in a can. Pour a small amount of water over them and put on stove. The soap will melt and form a jelly. This is ideal for handwashing dishes or clothes.

I enjoy your questions and tips, keep them coming. Missed a column? Can’t remember a solution? Need a motivational speaker for an upcoming event? Check out my brand new website: reena.ca.

Today’s pressure cookers different than Grandma’s If you’ve been hesitant to use, check out the safer modern models

By Julie Garden-Robinson NDSU Extension Service

I

have been leery of pressure cookers most of my life. Like many people of my generation, I grew up eating lots of soups and stews prepared in our family’s pressure cooker.

When I heard the sound of the jiggling weighted gauge and the soft hiss of steam escaping, I knew that dinner was going to be something with lots of vegetables or dry beans in it.

Dinner would be on the table in short order because pressure cookers cook food in about one-third of the time.

My fear of pressure cookers didn’t come from direct

experience but from family lore. Our neighbour, who was my great-aunt, made bean soup in her pressure cooker one day and blew the lid off.

Fortunately, she had left the kitchen for a few minutes, so she escaped being scalded and pelted by boiling-hot beans.

She chuckled when she told the story of finding beans stuck to the ceiling and cupboards weeks after the “explosion.” After hearing that story, I didn’t want to be anywhere near one of these devices.

Food should not fly out of pots and attack you.

Later, as a graduate student in food science, I perused the manual for the course I was

assigned to teach. I would be teaching the undergraduates how to use, of all things, a pressure cooker.

I carefully followed the directions and tried to act fearless as I showed them how to make corned beef. When the pressure gauge began jiggling and hissing, I nearly ran out of the room. The pressure cooker managed to tenderize the not-so-tender meat into a flavourful main course.

Although pressure cookers may remind us of our mothers or grandmothers, these cookers have become popular again. The models are much safer, compared with the devices introduced just before

the Second World War. They have a locking handle, safety valve and a pressure indicator that pops up when the correct pressure has been reached.

Some people use the words “pressure cooker” and “pressure canner” interchangeably, but they are two different devices. To be a pressure canner, the device has to be able to hold four upright, quartsized glass jars.

Today’s pressure cookers can be made of various sizes for different needs. You may find them in four-, five-, six- or eight-quart sizes. The smallest ones work well for singles or couples. Pressure cookers made of stainless steel will cost a lit-

tle more but provide a durable cooking pot. Aluminum pressure cookers usually cost less and weigh less but conduct heat well. However, they may stain and “pit.”

When cooking with pressure, be sure that you read the instructions carefully. Never overfill pressure cookers, especially when cooking beans.

Maybe this is the year for you to try something new in the kitchen!

Julie Garden-Robinson, PhD, R.D., L.R.D., is a North Dakota State University Extension Service food and nutrition specialist and professor in the department of health, nutrition and exercise sciences.

40

Trim: 10.25”

The Manitoba Co-operator | February 6, 2014

Trim: 15.5”

TOUGH WEEDS, MEET EXPRESS . ®

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Visit expressvideo.dupont.ca to see Express® in action – torching tough weeds like dandelion and volunteer canola right down to the roots, so they can’t grow back.

Express® brand herbicides. This is going to be hot.

Questions? Ask your retailer, call 1-800-667-3925 or visit express.dupont.ca

As with all crop protection products, read and follow label instructions carefully.

The DuPont Oval Logo, DuPont™, The miracles of science™ and Express® are registered trademarks or trademarks of E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company. E. I. du Pont Canada Company is a licensee. All other products mentioned are registered trademarks or trademarks of their respective companies. Member of CropLife Canada. ©Copyright 2014 E. I. du Pont Canada Company. All rights reserved.

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