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SERVING MANITOBA FARMERS SINCE 1925 | Vol. 73, No. 4

Producers urged to test feed for ergot contamination Last year’s wet spring has left a potential deadly legacy

By Alexis Kienlen staff

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rgot-contaminated feed is on the rise and producers need to be testing to avoid poisoning their livestock.

“Last year at this time, we were running 20 to 40 samples a month for ergot — we’ve had days this year where we run 40 samples, and lots of them are high concentration,” said Barry Blakley, a professor at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine in Saskatoon and a supervisor in the college’s Prairie Diagnostic Services laboratory.

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Province promises new supports for smaller farmers and processors The report says support to grow food-processing sector must extend to all sizes of players

By Lorraine Stevenson co-operator staff

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Farmers like Karen Friesen, who are engaged in small-scale food processing and direct marketing, are encouraged that the province has committed to helping their sector prosper. Friesen and her husband Jonathan operate Valleyfield Acres near Morden, selling farm-raised vegetables and preserves. Photo: Lorraine Stevenson

new report aimed at supporting local producers and small-scale processors is being praised as an important step towards fostering a better working environment for new entrants to farming and food processing.

Advancing the small scale, local food sector in Manitoba, a path forward, a 65-page report that includes 21 recommendations, was released last week by Agriculture, Food and Rural Development Minister Ron Kostyshyn, as part of a new five-point strategy to help grow the province’s food-processing sector.

The report follows several months of public consultations, interviews and surveys with a variety of direct marketers and small farmers.

“Manitoba has accepted all of the recommendations and will be working with our partners to move this important part of our agricultural economy forward,” he said in a release.

Ko s t y s h y n i n i t i a t e d t h e project last spring amid growing tensions between startup processors and government inspectors over food safety regulatory compliance and enforcement issues.

See SMALL SCALE on page 6»

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The Manitoba Co-operator | January 22, 2015

INSIDE

Did you know?

LIVESTOCK

Rural kids like milk better (especially if it’s free)

Replacing barley with wheat Cracked wheat is a suitable alternative for barley in cattle rations

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School milk consumption dropped by almost half when chocolate was not available Staff

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CROPS More than meets the eye Soil is teeming with microorganisms that promote plant growth

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FEATURE Grid farming Growing crops on a grid pattern instead of in rows can improve yields

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CROSSROADS

ids drink more chocolate milk than regular milk when offered a choice, and rural kids drink more milk than urban kids when it’s offered free.

That’s the conclusion of “Impact of the removal of chocolate milk from school milk programs for children in Saskatoon, Canada,” a paper published Jan. 14 in the journal Applied Physiology, Nutrition, and Metabolism.

The researchers analyzed milk consumption in four urban and two rural elementary schools in the Saskatoon area. They measured both the number of milk servings chosen and the amount wasted. At some schools milk was free and at others for sale.

“Overall, phases (when both types were available) had significantly more students choose to drink milk when CM (chocolate milk) was available; further, more chose to drink CM than plain milk,” the researchers report.

They say that overall, more urban than rural children chose chocolate milk when both types were available.

“However, once the urban schools offering milk for free were removed from analysis students in rural schools consumed significantly more milk (when both types were available).

In both analyses urban students wasted more of the milk they purchased,” the researchers report.

Overall, when only regular milk was available, consumption dropped 41 per cent. The

Research proves that he likes it better than the white stuff. Photo: Thinkstock

researchers note that while schools might want to limit chocolate milk sales because of unhealthy levels of fat and sugar, that raises concerns over whether it might limit intake of important nutrients. They suggest further study into whether children would accept chocolate milk with less sugar.

The project was supported by Dairy Farmers of Canada.

Catching criminals The rural Crime Stoppers program is now 30 years old

4 5 8 16

Editorials Comments What’s Up Weather Vane

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Livestock Markets Grain Markets Classifieds Sudoku

READER’S PHOTO

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ONLINE Visit www.manitobacooperator.ca for daily news and features and our digital edition. (Click on “Digital Edition” in the top right corner.) At our sister site, AGCanada.com, you can use the “Search the AGCanada.com Network” function at top right to find recent Co-operator articles. Select “Manitoba Co-operator” in the pull-down menu when running your search. photo: Eva krawchuk

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The Manitoba Co-operator | January 22, 2015

Commercial feed mills to be covered by CGC security When governing the grain commission Gerry Ritz says ‘if it ain’t broke don’t fix it’

By Allan Dawson co-operator staff

“My direction to them (CGC) is find a way to incorporate feed mills.”

I

f Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz gets his way, farmers who sell to feed mills will be protected under the proposed Canadian Grain Commission’s (CGC) producer payment security program.

“My direction to them (CGC) is find a way to incorporate feed mills,” Ritz said in an interview Jan. 9. “The direction is, yes, they will be covered. The grain commission’s homework is to find what is the best way to do it.”

Last month, when CGC discussed amendments to the Canada Grain Act contained in Bill C-48, the Modernization of Canada’s Industry Act, officials said they would consult the industry about adding feed mills. While there will be talks, the plan is to include feed mills along with grain companies under the legislation, Ritz said.

“We need to look at how we incorporate them (feed mills)... to make sure farmers receive the majority of their money when they deliver,” he said.

“In my mind it is more the commercial-size ones (feed mills) — the ones that actually buy from producers. I’m not talking about a farm-only or Hutterite-only feed mill. I’m talking about the big guys that buy from farmers...”

Currently, feed mills are exempt. Only western Canadian grain buyers licensed by the CGC are obliged to post security to cover what they owe farmers for delivered grain.

Lobbying

The Keystone Agricultural Producers (KAP) started lobbying to include feed mills after Puratone, a Manitoba feed mill and hog-producing company, went into creditor protection in September 2012. Grain farmers were owed an estimated $1.5 million for unpaid-for grain.

Major changes to the grain act and CGC were proposed in 2012 and took effect Aug. 1, 2013 as part of a controversial 457-page omnibus bill. They included making inward inspection at export terminals voluntary, and if requested, carried out by private providers, not CGC inspectors.

That’s also when the government compelled the CGC to cover its operating costs. With that came higher CGC fees charged to grain companies and farmers, although they would be much higher had inward inspection not been made optional.

But not all the changes the government had said it wanted were included in the 2012 legislation, including changes to the CGC’s mandate and governance.

C-48 does change the CGC’s mandate to operate for the good of Canada, not just farmers.

Gerry Ritz

I said was there has got to be a way that is more user friendly... All of these costs tend to migrate right back to the farm gate and farmers bear them so if there is a more efficient, effective way of providing a backstop, which is required, then we have to look at it.”

Wheat class review

Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz says he wants commercial feed mills that buy grain from farmers to be covered under the Canadian Grain Commission’s producer payment security program. photo: allan dawson

But there had also been talk of re p l a c i n g t h e t h re e g ove r n m e n t appointed commissioners who oversee the CGC with a president/chief executive officer.

“I’m a firm believer in if it ain’t broke don’t fix it,” Ritz said when asked about the apparent shift in policy.

“We’ve got a good working relationship across the spectrum with the three commissioners. Each one brings different expertise to the fore. To limit that to a president and some other people under him doesn’t have the same effect.”

Tradition

Governments have traditionally tried to appoint commissioners that represent the grain industry, farmers and the three Prairie provinces. There’s usually at least one farmer, or former farmer, serving as a commissioner. Currently chief commissioner Elwin Hermanson and assistant chief commissioner Jim Smolik have farmed in Saskatchewan and Alberta.

Murdoch MacKay, the third commissioner, headed terminal operations for United Grain Growers.

Ritz has often said he opposes regulations, but C-48 includes some new ones, including a proposal to license companies that load and ship grain in containers. Farmers will be required to declare the variety of grain they deliver to an elevator — something elevator

1+1=3

companies already require — plus the bill, if passed, will make it easier for the CGC to issue fines.

“Well there’s good regulation and then there is other regulations that wrap layer after layer on the onion,” Ritz said when asked about the proposed new rules. “We’re dealing with a set of regulations here... that are actually welcomed by the industry and by our buyers.”

And he’s right. The Western Grain Elevator Association wants the grain act to include variety declarations.

The legislation will also allow the CGC to change its security program.

Instead of requiring grain buyers to post security, it wants grain companies to contribute to a fund that would cover defaults.

Ste. Rose du Lac farmer Rob Brunel suggests farmers should pay into the fund directly since they’ll pay indirectly through grain companies. That way, he contends, farmers would have more control over the fund and ensure they are getting good value.

That’s not far off what Ritz proposed several years ago, triggering mostly a negative response from farmers.

“I think there’s been a lot of growth when it comes to the industry and the changes that have been put in place over those eight years since 2006,” Ritz said. “I was never a proponent of scrapping everything completely. What

Although it’s not part of C-48, the CGC says it wants to consult with the grain industry about its wheat classification system. It is seen by many, including the CGC, as an important tool in ensuring Canadian wheat customers are well served, while helping the grain system run efficiently.

Ritz said he supports a review.

“Wheat buyers are looking for many different types of wheat for many different end uses, he said.

“It’s no longer just No. 1 hard red that buyers are looking for. They are looking for some utility-type wheat, some that have to be reclassified in order to pick up the ability to use them in some of the blends these customers are asking for.”

Canada’s variety registration system — also seen by many as key to wheat quality control — is still under review.

A year ago the Prairie Recommending Committee for Wheat, Rye and Triticale streamlined its operating procedures.

Asked if he is satisfied with the change Ritz replied: “I think the only complaints I’ve heard is how long it takes (to bring a new variety to market)...

I’m not sure there’s a way we can speed that up. There are some people who want to have their day and their discussion. It is what it is. If at the end of the day there’s a quicker way to do it we will certainly welcome that.”

The proposed changes to the grain a c t a n d t h e re c e n t l y m a d e o n e s are partly a response to ending the Canadian Wheat Board’s marketing monopoly Aug. 1, 2012, Ritz said.

“It’s a matter of doing them pragmatically... and doing them efficiently,” he said.

“No one farms the way they did five years ago and to force them to maintain the same old way of grading has to be looked at as well. The whole evolution of the process is well underway.” allan@fbcpublishing.com

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The Manitoba Co-operator | January 22, 2015

OPINION/EDITORIAL

Paperwork versus field work

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any readers may find themselves shouting out a hearty “heck, yeah” to this week’s release of the Canadian Federation of Independent Business annual survey of what farmers think of paperwork.

In a nutshell, not much, which isn’t surprising. After all, who among us does the happy dance at tax time or when Statistics Canada calls during supper?

Laura Rance But the comments CFIB members proEditor vided when responding to the annual survey are cause for reflection, not so much because of what they tell us about the regulatory burden on farmers, but rather farm operators’ state of mind.

“Farmers are burnt out by excessive government regulations, confusing forms and bad customer service,” the CFIB says in the report to be released this week. The report “also found that onethird of agribusiness owners would not advise their children to start a business given the burden of government red tape.”

According to CFIB, 63 per cent of farmers say red tape delays are a drain on their business, compared to 56 per cent of small business owners generally.

Sixty-four per cent of survey respondents said red tape reduced their productivity, 86 per cent said they found it stressful, 63 per cent said it discouraged their business from growing and 35 per cent said they would discourage their children from starting a business.

Among the comments from farmer respondents are these: “The StatsCan surveys are ridiculous and always come at our busiest time of year,” said one member.

“Regulatory burden is crazy... (We) have to jump through hurdles to get answers to some of our questions. This impacts our business by higher stress levels and financial burdens,” said another.

“It takes more time to deal with all the regulations than it takes to operate the farm anymore. Makes me wonder why anyone would want to farm,” an Ontario farmer said.

“Many of the programs ask for the same information over and over again which they already have on file. It gets frustrating and futile,” said another.

If it’s any consolation, this year’s survey results are modestly lower across the board from 2013.

It must be noted that while the CFIB blames regulatory burden solely on government, much of the regulatory oversight in the farm business today is imposed by industry. Farmers routinely sign contracts with seed and input suppliers, which tie their hands operationally and which subject them to routine audits and followup.

Participation in those technology use contracts and government programs is voluntary, so farmers can choose not to sign on the dotted line. The fact that so many of them participate implies they see value there for their businesses.

To the extent that farmers are required to report, apply or otherwise deal with government bureaucracy at higher proportions than other businesses, it could be because they benefit from business risk-sharing arrangements that are not available to other businesses.

Manitoba farmers on average received just under $30,000 from program payments in 2013 and $43,000 in 2012. Over a five-year period between 2007 and 2011, those payments averaged $25,000, which was close to half of the average net operating income.

The red tape involved may be frustrating, but there are few activities in business — at least legal ones — that can generate that kind of return for a few hours of paperwork.

And what’s “red tape” for some is “due diligence” for others — farmers don’t want those programs threatened by accusations that it’s lacking.

We don’t doubt that farmers feel frazzled at times by bureaucratic bungling, when it occurs. But perhaps a bigger source of stress is the increasing diversity of decisions involved with day-to-day operations. Farmers can’t or won’t outsource some of those management functions.

This point was noted in a recent Conference Board of Canada analysis of farm businesses in Canada. “Managerial specialization is key to business growth, but its development is often hindered by a farm operator’s unwillingness or inability to delegate and manage,” the report said, noting one factor is a lack of qualified farm labour.

“Both of these issues speak to the need for farm managers, themselves, to undergo more training in management and leadership — and to implement the workplace standards and practices that will help attract a new generation of smart, ambitious, and enterprising Canadians to farming.”

The CFIB survey respondents cited above appear to fall into the category of operators who are still trying to do it all.

We recognize it’s not easy to find good help and that many farm businesses lack the financial capacity to outsource.

But on the farm these days, the paperwork is just as important to the bottom line as the field work. It’s doubtful farmers would want that to change. laura@fbcpublishing.com

Wheat yield to decline as temperatures increase International group combines models to increase accuracy of predictions University of Florida release

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or every degree Celsius that the temperature increases, the world stands to lose six per cent of its wheat crop, according to a new global study led by a University of Florida scientist. That’s one-fourth of the annual global wheat trade, which reached 147 million tonnes in 2013.

Senthold Asseng, a UF professor of agricultural and biological engineering, used a computer model approach to reach the finding of temperature increases and wheat production.

“We started this with wheat, as wheat is one of the world’s most important food crops,” said Asseng, whose team’s study was published online Dec. 22 in the journal Nature Climate Change. “The simulations with the multi-crop models showed that warming is already slowing yield gains, despite observed yield increases in the past, at a majority of wheat-growing locations across the globe.”

For 20 years, scientists have been trying to estimate the effects of temperature increase and climate change on various crops and on wheat production, which accounts for 20 per cent of calories consumed globally.

But different research groups came up with different results.

By pooling models, as part of the global Agricultural Model Intercomparison and Improvement Project (AgMIP), scientists found they can better predict the impact of warmer tempera-

OUR HISTORY:

tures on wheat yield, said Asseng, an Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences faculty member.

Asseng led a group of 50 scientists from 15 countries who devised an ensemble of computer models to increase the accuracy of their predictions. They worked with 30 wheat crop models and tested them against field experiments. In those experiments, average season temperatures ranged from 15° to 32°C, or 59° to 89.6°F. The ensemble of models consistently simulated crop temperature responses more accurately than did any single model.

In the past 100 years, global temperatures have risen by more than 0.6° and are projected to increase by 2° to 4°C by the end of the century, according to the International Panel on Climate Change.

New heat-tolerant wheat cultivars and crop management are needed to counteract the projected yield decline, and crop models will play a major role in developing new research strategies for that, said Asseng.

January 1886

T

he January 1886 issue of The Nor’-West Farmer and Manitoba Miller introduced readers to a breed of Dutch cattle known either as Holstein or Friesian. “The cows have large paunches and need plenty of food, and thrive best on grass of rich meadow bottoms and would be well adapted to the larger part of Manitoba.”

“A few of these cattle are now in this province, and doubtless the rapid growth of the dairy interests will see an equal interest in this desirable breed and its grades.”

The issue quoted an editorial from the Northwestern Miller in Minnesota.

“It may be sad news to the London miller that a large number of Manitoba farmers have formally requested the government to assist them in securing soft spring wheat for seed. They assert that there are varieties which yield well and which will ripen fully 10 days earlier than the Scotch fife now grown, so that all danger from early frosts will be averted. This may be true, but we assure our Manitoba neighbours that they will do well to let soft spring wheat alone. They may get an earlier harvest and a fair-size crop, but the wheat will rarely sell for more than Scotch fife which is not too badly frosted, while it will smut and absorb other diseases, so that in the end they will suffer greatly from the proposed change.”

5

The Manitoba Co-operator | January 22, 2015

COMMENT/FEEDBACK

How not to fail at Twitter Five things I’ve learned from hashtag #farm365 so far

By Stefan Signer

I

have recently realized how increasingly important it is that we farmers engage the consumers, tell our story, and educate about where our food comes from. This is not a traditional strength of farmers, but a task we must become proficient in, in our increasingly urban culture.

I met Andrew Campbell at the Manitoba Dairy Conference where he promoted “Ag-vocacy” and the need to educate and connect with the consumer. His project is to post a picture every day under the hashtag #farm365.

It didn’t take long for animal rights activists and militant vegans to attack the positive message from farmers to consumers. And so my first lesson:

Activists are shameless

There is simply no “off limits.” In pursuit of a livestock-free utopia, the end justifies the means, and respect and decorum are cast aside. This frees them to rudely interrupt the Twitter conversation between farmers and consumers.

Because society doesn’t share their beliefs, it necessitates the activists’ need to interject propaganda wherever possible. With two people discussing food and farming, it’s incredibly rude for someone to interrupt, calling the farmer a murderer. Yet, to activists on Twitter, it’s just the beginning. Animal agriculture is equated with the holocaust, rape, and exploitation. The target audience is the uninformed consumer, who has never seen a farm, and doesn’t see the absurdity of the accusations.

Activists are better at Twitter than farmers

Letters

When their message is not accepted they tend to get louder, nastier, and

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.

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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)

Production system a factor in disease Regarding the Jan. 8 article in the Manitoba Co-operator about a third strain of PEDv discovered in Minnesota, as long as producers continue to raise animals in the confines of being factory assembled, as so many hogs are in our modern society today, there will continue to be diseases and viruses.

Perceived expectations of hope will not suffice or bring relief to this situation. The responsibility of how animals will be raised rests entirely with those who are in charge, for they, as all of us, have been given the option of making choices. Good, bad or indifferent, the consequences of those choices are theirs alone to bear.

All animals, as with humans, require fresh air, light, and freedom to move about, enabling them to remain healthy, and be free from suffering. Breathing fumes from the sewage pits below them

Our target audience is curious consumers who investigate both viewpoints.

invent statistics. Vegans are claiming success in hijacking the #farm365 hashtag because the volume of activist tweets threatens to drown out the true message. Militant activists are better organized than farmers with a global network recruited to their cause.

The negative tweets on #farm365 may outnumber the positive, but this does not mean failure. Our target audience is curious consumers who investigate both viewpoints. Activists use gruesome images of slaughter claiming to show animal abuse, but omit the context of the animal’s experience.

In reality, their death is analogous to Tony Soprano’s, sudden and painless.

Repeatedly showing bloody pictures, vegans try to associate that with food on your plate. However, just because something is unpleasant to watch, doesn’t make it wrong. Surgery is no less gory, but we accept it as a positive part of life.

When this doesn’t work, activists just start inventing ‘facts.’

“One hamburger patty uses 2,000 gallons of water,” “A single farm produces more sewage than the city of Minneapolis,” “Without animal agriculture the world could sustain 100 billion people.”

The list never ends, and the more sensationalist the better. The lack of factual or realistic basis is irrelevant; they know that repeating misinformation can plant the seed. It takes too long to honestly

in their state of captivity lowers their resistance, and elevates a short-term and unhealthy existence.

John Fefchak, Virden, Man.

Reroute the line before it’s too late The NDP government’s western route for the Bipole III project is a massive mistake that will cost Manitobans far too much. Experts at Manitoba Hydro told the NDP years ago that the right route for this transmission line is east of Lake Winnipeg. Yet the government has politicized the project, moving the planned line 500 kms to the west side of the province.

This blunder would lead to a line 25 per cent less effective in transferring hydro electricity and $2 billion more expensive than if it were routed along Lake Winnipeg’s east side. Bipole III was initially budgeted at $1.1 billion, but the price tag has skyrocketed to $4.6 billion.

The project will cost users in higher rates for years to come.

The line should be built where it can work more effectively, and where it doesn’t interfere with the rights of farm families, First Nations and communities.

This is the worst decision of any government in Manitoba’s history, and one in which the two NDP leadership challengers have followed the lead of Premier Greg Selinger. I’m calling on all three NDP leadership candidates to stand up for Manitobans and commit immediately to rerouting Bipole III to the east side of Lake Winnipeg.

address each accusation, so the lack of a response gets misconstrued as acceptance. It is only by collectively telling our story we can counter the misinformation and put synthetic egg on their face.

Society has made its decision

Animal rights isn’t really a movement or value system, it’s a religion invented by people who need a cause to feel morally superior. In a free country, one group imposing their dietary choices on others is intolerable, and so they associate the message to animal abuse. For this reason, we must remain vigilant against clear cases of animal abuse and neglect, and work to address farming practices that are indefensible in the public eye.

We cannot afford to provide them with more ammunition.

However, the idea that animals can reason, think, and fear with human capacity is a fairy tale. Mothers mourn the loss of a baby because in her mind she lost a future with that child. The cow lacks this capacity. If a calf is stillborn or lost, the cow accepts this reality and driven by need — probably eats some hay. Animals have needs, not emotions.

The doctrine that all animals are equal to humans is socially unacceptable.

Companion animals have their place at one end of the spectrum, with pests at the other. Livestock are somewhere in between. Even the activist secretly believes this. They refuse to stand up for the millions of flies and mosquitoes exterminated daily.

If there are different ‘rights’ to be afforded to animals based on their cognitive ability or cuddliness, how can any animals have human rights? In fact, the animal rights movement must conclude that humanity’s very existence strips resources from animals.

The role of pets is to be companion

This is an opportunity to reset the debate on the most important project currently undertaken by the province and Manitoba Hydro. The next NDP premier has the power to keep rates low, but only if he or she acts now and moves Bipole III to where it should be.

Brian Pallister Progressive Conservative Leader

Let’s be honest about chronic wasting disease in cervids A recent issue of the Manitoba Cooperator carried a news release from researchers at New York University regarding a successful trial of a vaccine for chronic wasting disease. Great news, but included in that release was a statement to the effect that “Up to 100 per cent of captive deer are affected by CWD.” That is blatant misinformation and very far from the truth.

CWD has been known to exist in both wild and managed environments for decades, and the most prevalent threat of wider infection is being ignored. Wild deer are by far the greatest carrier of the disease. While evidence suggests that CWD routinely affects around one-half of one per cent or less of any cervid population, there are some small geographical areas with greater infection rates in wild populations. If an endemic area has a population of 10,000 deer, a three per cent infection rate would mean 300 infected deer are free to spread the disease.

The Colorado Division of Wildlife

animals. The noble role of farm animals is to provide us with meat, eggs, milk, and countless other products. It is our role to take care of them, give them a good life and painless death. We are fortunate to live in a country with plenty of choices in what to eat, and must remain respectful of other’s choices.

Farmers are easily rattled

Farmers are quietly passionate, and when attacked, fiercely defensive of their brethren across the country. While direct confrontation is rarely useful, it is natural to respond when called a murderer, rapist, and abuser. I have seen many farmers get bogged down in an unwinnable debate with a fanatic. It is better to tune them out and focus energy on reaching those with sincere questions.

We are making a difference

In our grandfathers’ day, almost everyone grew up on a farm or had a relative who did. But as the farming population shrinks, so also the public’s connection disappears. A mere 50 years ago grandchildren learning about life on a farm was common, now it’s a rarity.

And so we are tasked with opening our barn doors and letting the world see what we do every day. It’s the spirit in which #farm365 was started, and is the spirit in which we will continue. The consumer is asking more questions about where food comes from. They want to hear from a farmer. Our job is to be polite, factual, and open. On Twitter we will certainly not be able to silence the #vegans, but in the eyes of the consumer, farmers and family farms are people with value and integrity. It is these strengths we must continue to uphold.

Stefan Signer is a dairy farmer from Kleefeld, Man.

identified CWD in a wild elk in 1981, marking the first documented case of CWD in a wild cervid. If the massive contagion theory were true, CWD — as a highly infectious and uncontrollable disease unchecked in the wild — would have wiped out all the elk in Colorado. But, the fact is that today’s elk population is as robust and strong as ever.

Hunting preserves and deer farms across the continent follow rigorous CWD certification programs with federal guidelines and oversight. Most cervid farmers collect and test samples on every deer that dies on the farm, regardless of how the deer died.

In stark contrast, wildlife officials do not test every wild deer death.

According to USDA reports and related research, we know an infected deer can carry CWD for many years without showing symptoms. We know that CWD can be transmitted by crows and other scavengers, and we know CWD can be unwittingly spread by hunters transporting infected carcasses.

And, of course, CWD-infected deer can easily walk across considerable distances.

While the media seems to focus attention on hunting preserves and cervid farming operations, the larger and more ominous threat is being ignored. Wild deer are not just the potential greatest victim of CWD; they are also the largest potential carrier.

Shawn Schafer, executive director North American Deer Farmers Association and Ian Thorleifson, president Manitoba Elk Growers’ Association

6

The Manitoba Co-operator | January 22, 2015

FROM PAGE ONE SMALL SCALE Continued from page 1

small-scale food sector wants to play an important role in promoting healthy eating while also building a vibrant food economy,” said Lees.

Ad Number: SEC_OATS_15_T Publication: Manitoba Co-operator Size: 3col x 133 6”x 9.5”

Dr. Wayne Lees, retired chief veterinary officer for Manitoba, was appointed to convene a 17-member working group that adopted the name Small A pivotal moment Scale Food Manitoba and which The report highlights the mulincluded representatives from tiple concerns brought forward Manitoba Food Processors around regulatory issues, idenA s s o c i a t i o n , K e y s t o n e tifying both an overwhelmAgricultural Producers, Food ing amount of information to Matters Manitoba, Farmers’ wade through and inconsistenM a r k e t s A s s o c i a t i o n o f cies in direction from governManitoba (FMAM) Co-op Inc., ment departments. The roles of Har vest Moon Local Food Manitoba Health and MAFRD in Initiative, Canadian Culinary the food inspection system are Federation (CCF) Manitoba, unclear to many, as is the “riskC o m m u n i t y S u p p o r t e d based” and “outcome-based” Agriculture Manitoba (CSA), approach taken by inspectors. the provincially inspected meat Many complain the rules are sector and independent small- designed to fit larger-scale operscale food entrepreneurs. ations and difficult for smallTheir report is an in-depth scale operators to implement. look at what’s motivating peoThe report makes seven speple to become direct food mar- cific recommendations towards keters, participate in farmers’ resolving some of those issues, markets and urban agriculture, including calls for developing a and start up small-scale farm- more plain language approach ing and food-manufacturing to explaining regulation, and businesses. providing opportunities to “We heard from hundreds of problem solve early in the polManitobans during our consul- icy- and regulation-making SEC_OATS_15_T_MC.qxd 12/22/14 1:33 PM Page 1 tations and it is clear that the process.

More than regulations

Lees said these are important issues to be dealt with but the report has tried to tackle more than regulatory matters.

“I think it’s more comprehensive than that, in trying to map out a plan so that the small-scale food sector can actually flourish and grow,” he said, adding that it also makes recommendations around the technical advice, business and financial tools needed by this community.

“I think it’s a pivotal moment in recognizing the small-scale food sector and the role that it plays in agriculure and food in Manitoba.”

Lees said he’s impressed with the youthfulness of participants, noting they hold the promise of bringing new people into a sector that’s otherwise losing people.

“They together represent the opportunity for the renewal of human capital of agriculture,” he said. “It’s a whole new set of people who might never have had the opportunity to participate in agriculture and food before.”

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Retired provincial chief veterinary officer Dr. Wayne Lees was appointed last spring to convene a working group and delve into the issues facing smallerscale farmers and processors. photo: lorraine stevenson

What is ‘small scale?’

The working group certainly had its challenges, not the least of which was agreeing on what defines “small scale.” It was felt no arbitrarily chosen number of acres or employees properly defines it, so instead it is characterized in the report by a variety of widely shared attributes.

Those in the small-scale sector typically are focused on healthy eating, and are creating and highly value close marketing relationships with their customers.

They tend to be “nimble” innovators because of that close association with their market.

They are also highly entrepreneurial, creating their own jobs in rural areas where none exist.

Small farmers and processors also exhibit a high degree of commitment to rural community, environmental stewardship and show intense interest in the preservation of diversity and skills in farming and food production, the report said.

feeling confident the government will act quickly on them.

“We’ve identified the problems and the types of things we think need to happen to solve them. Now they’ll have to decide what their priorities are within what we recommend.”

“We heard from hundreds of Manitobans during our consultations and it is clear that the small-scale food sector wants to play an important role in promoting healthy eating while also building a vibrant food economy.”

Dr. Wayne Lees

Barriers

However, the small-scale sector also faces numerous barriers and complicated hurdles that go beyond regulations.

“Because of their diverse, yet integrated production methods, small-scale farmers do not fit well within the present commodity-focused model of farm production advisers within MAFRD,” the report says. And while there are excellent technical resources available at the Food Development Centre (FDC) in Portage la Prairie “these can be expensive for a startup entrepreneur.”

The report specifically identifies a specific lack of inspected poultry-processing facilities in Manitoba as holding back the growth of small poultry producers and also wants the province to explore options for smallscale producers and processors within supply-managed industries.

Brad Anderson, a small-scale poultry producer near Cypress River who represented Harvest Moon Local Food Initiative on the working group, said he’s really happy with the report and liked the process that put it together.

The report has put all the issues on the table, he said, adding that a meeting with Minister Kostyshyn last week has him

Small-scale specialists

As part of its five-point strategy announced last week, the government says it plans to reassign existing staff to create a small-scale processing specialist and a small-farm production specialist, while implementing the Small Scale Food Manitoba working group’s recommendations.

Other aspects of the strategy include working with existing businesses to accelerate their growth and creating online resources and tools to support food businesses, investment in sector development, developing regulation without creating unnecessary barriers for all sizes of food processors; and increasing awareness of food production in Manitoba.

“Our goal is for Manitoba to have a food-processing industry worth $5.5 billion by 2022,” said Kostyshyn in the news release.

“To achieve this, we must identify and take advantage of opportunities for large- and small-scale farmers and processors throughout the province.”

A copy of the Small Scale Food Manitoba report is available online at www.gov.mb.ca/ agriculture. lorraine@fbcpublishing.com

7

The Manitoba Co-operator | January 22, 2015

ERGOT Continued from page 1

“The number of samples have skyrocketed since last year. What we used to do in a month, we do in a week easily.

It’s anywhere between a fiveand tenfold increase.”

Ergot is more prevalent this year because of last year’s wet spring, with Alberta the most affected province, followed by Saskatchewan and Manitoba.

The ergot fungus requires moisture to grow and invades grasses during the flowering stage, destroying the flower and replacing it with an ergot particle known as a sclerota.

Part of the rise in testing is because people are aware that ergot is a problem, and Blakley said that’s a good practice for all livestock producers to follow.

“If there are black particles in the feed, producers should get the feed tested, because it doesn’t take much to affect production,” he said.

Ergot appears as a black kernel, the same size as a wheat seed. Horses are the most sensitive to ergot as it affects their milk production, and can cause them to go lame. Sheep, pigs and cattle are also susceptible to ergot poisoning. Their milk production can be reduced or stop altogether, and they can go off feed, and lose weight.

Ergot establishes itself in ditches filled with brome, quack grass, and other grasses, and then spreads into field crops.

Ergot looks like blackened wheat seeds, and can easily contaminate feeds, causing lactation issues, lameness, and weight loss. Photo: supplied

“A lot of farmers are complaining that they see the ergot around the outside of the field, and then it slowly invades the field,” said Blakley.

No-till or low-till systems may enhance the spread of ergot. Summerfallowing or tilling grind the ergot fungus into the dirt, where bacteria and bugs break it down. With no till, the fungus stays on top of the ground where it continues to grow.

Ergot in pasture is not as much of a problem, because animals tend to graze it down before the heads come out.

S c re e n i n g s a re a c h e a p source of feed, and it’s hard to tell wheat seeds in screenings from ergot.

“Pellets that incorporated screenings last year had a high percentage and concentration of ergot in them,” said Blakley.

Ergot-filled crop can be sorted and cleaned, but dust on the grain can actually contain a bit of the fungus, which can contaminate feed.

“If there are more than five kernels in a litre of grain, B:10.25” that’s too many,” said Blakley.

One of theT:10.25” challenges is that

Barry Blakley of the Western College of Veterinary Medicine has seen a lot more ergot-contaminated feed samples this year. Photo: laura rance

ergot doesn’t grow uniformly, and there can be a lot of variation from bin to bin.

Drier conditions in 2015 c o u l d re d u c e t h e a m o u n t of ergot on the Prairies.

Municipalities can also prevent ergot from invading ditches and fields by mowing. Once a field is invaded, a producer will normally have to apply fungicides. Another option is to rotate away from g ra s s e s a n d s t a r t g row i n g other crops like canola or corn.

“Last year at this time, we were running 20 to 40 samples a month for ergot. We’ve had days this year where we run 40 samples, and lots of them are high concentration.”

Barry Blakley

akienlen@fbcpublishing.com

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The Manitoba Co-operator | January 22, 2015

Court upholds interswitching benefit for farmers Another case involving shipments out of Manitoba is pending

By Alex Binkley Co-operator contributor

T

h e Fe d e r a l C o u r t o f Appeal has upheld a Canadian Transportation Agency ruling on interswitching rates that benefit grain shipments to the United States.

The decision, released by the court in mid-January, reinforces a ruling by the CTA back in May that allowed Parrish & Heimbecker to send shipments over 20 kms of CP track from its Milk River, Alta. elevator to the Coutts interchange with the BNSF Railroad for less than a quarter of the rate CP wanted to charge.

The Western Canadian Wheat Growers and Grain Growers of Canada welcomed the ruling.

WCWG president Levi Wood said the federal interswitching provisions provide “a modest but important element of competition in the rail sector.”

Using interswitching, P&H pays $315 per car to ship to Coutts compared to the $1,373 per car CP wanted to charge. “ T h e d i f f e re n c e i n ra t e s of almost $12 per tonne improves the return on shipments to the U.S. market and gives P&H the ability to offer better pr ices to Canadian farmers,” said Wood.

In light of changes to the Canada Transportation Act extending interswitching to 160 kms from the 30 kms in effect when the agency made its ruling “improves our industry’s competitiveness, while

providing adequate compensation to the Canadian railway for its portion of the haul,” Wood added.

Bryan Rogers, Grain Growers’ executive director, said grain shippers need access to appropriate arbitration when service agreements are not upheld.

“Interswitching is a key tool in the shipping of grain within North America, allowing Canadian growers to get our grains to market as efficiently as possible,” he said.

With the P&H ruling out of the way, the attention turns to a dispute between CN and Richardson Grain over shipments from its Letellier, Man. elevator. CN has appealed the CTA’s granting of an interswitching rate to the grain

company on shipments over CN to an interchange with BNSF at Emerson. “The wheat growers hope the Federal Court ruling in the P&H case will establish a precedent and give Richardson and other companies the ability to access the BNSF network at competitive rates,” Wood said.

“The wheat growers applaud P&H and Richardson for taking these costly actions that ultimately serve them and the interests of farmers.”

In its decision, the court noted that while CP claimed there was no interchange with BNSF at Coutts, the two carriers have exchanged in the range of 90,000 cars a year there.

“The conduct of business

between CP and BNSF at this location has been governed by agreement since 1928,” the decision said. “The original agreement was revised in 2005 and is now known as the Interchange Agreement.”

The CTA was well within its competence in concluding the connection between CP and BNSF was in fact an interchange at Coutts, the Federal Court ruled.

Since last winter’s grain transportation debacle, the CTA has heard various shipper complaints about railway service. While it dismissed a levelof-service complaint from the Canola Growers of Canada, its other decisions have so far given the nod to growers and grain companies.

WHAT’S UP

Learn about risk management at the

2015 MANITOBA YOUNG FARMERS CONFERENCE

​Please forward your agricultural events to daveb@fbcpublishing. com or call 204-944-5762.

February 25 and 26, 2015 · Victoria Inn, Brandon

Jan. 29: Meat Processing Workshop, 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Food Development Centre, 810 Philips St., Portage la Prairie. For more info call Jayne at 204-461-2978 or email Jayne.kjaldgaard@gov.mb.ca.

Jan. 28-29: Keystone Agricultural Producers annual general meeting, Delta Winnipeg, 350 St. Mary Ave., Winnipeg. For more info call 204697-1140 or visit kap.mb.ca.

 FINANCIAL RISK MANAGEMENT: understanding cash flow, income and expense records, and more.

Feb. 3: Growing Opportunities with Direct Marketing Workshop, 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. , Swan River. For more info contact the Swan River GO Office, call 204-734-3417 or email Nicole.clouson@gov.mb.ca.

 PRODUCTION RISK MANAGEMENT: land and equipment investment strategies for decision making.  MARKETING RISK MANAGEMENT: what to consider to minimize risks when deciding how to market your production.  STRATEGIC PLANNING RISK MANAGEMENT: understanding margin, price and production insurance, the value of cash advances, using insurance as a risk management tool.

Feb. 4: Brokenhead River Agricultural Conference, 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m., Brokenhead River Community Hall, Beausejour.

Admission $15, lunch and draws included. For more info call 204-268-6094.

 KEYNOTE SPEAKER: Dr. John Fast, the “family business doctor” will provide insight into farm transition from generation to generation, including interaction with participants at different stages of the succession process.

Presented in part by Keystone Agricultural Producers Young Farmers Committee and Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Development. For more information visit the MAFRD website.

2015 MANITOBA YOUNG FARMERS CONFERENCE REGISTRATION Name(s):

CONFERENCE FEES (non refundable) • Early bird: $125 per person

by February 2

Address: Phone:

Fax:

Email: Special dietary request:

Send form and cheque (made out to Keystone Agricultural Producers) to: KAP Young Farmers, 203 - 1700 Ellice Avenue, Winnipeg MB R3H 0B1

• Regular: $135 per person

by February 18 • Daily: $75 per person by February 18 (no banquet) • Banquet: $50 per person

by February 18 HOTEL INFORMATION Group Name: MB Young Farmers; Group Number: 276095 Rate: $114.99 + taxes (single occupancy) – includes one complimentary breakfast $124.99 + taxes (double occupancy) – includes two complimentary breakfasts

Feb. 4-5: Manitoba Swine Seminar, Victoria Inn, 1808 Wellington Ave., Winnipeg. For more info call 204-475-8585 or visit www.manitobaswineseminar. com.​ Feb. 5: Growing Opportunities with Direct Marketing Workshop, 9:30 a.m.-3 p.m., Boissevain. For more info contact the Carberry GO Office, call 204-841-4084 or email shauna.mckinnon@gov.mb.ca.

Feb. 17-18: CropConnect Conference, Victoria Inn, 1808 Wellington Ave., Winnipeg. For more info visit cropconnectconfer ence.ca.

Feb. 23-24: Wild Oats Grainworld conference, Fairmont Winnipeg, 2 Lombard Place, Winnipeg. For more info call 1-800-567-5671 or visit www.wildoatsgrainworld.com.

Feb. 24-25: Canadian Federation of Agriculture annual meeting, Delta Ottawa City Centre, 101 Lyon St., Ottawa. For more info call 613236-3633​or visit www.cfa-fca.ca.

9

The Manitoba Co-operator | January 22, 2015

Last year was Earth’s hottest on record, U.S. scientists say UN studies show there already are more extremes of heat and rainfall

By Irene Klotz cape canaveral, fla./reuters

L

ast year was Earth’s hottest on record in a new sign that people are disrupting the climate by burning fossil fuels that release greenhouse gases to the air, two U.S. government agencies said Jan. 16.

The White House said the studies, by the U.S. space agency NASA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, showed a need for action to reduce rising world emissions of greenhouse gases.

The data showed that the 10 warmest years since records began in the 19th centur y had occurred since 1997. Last year was warmest, ahead of 2010, 2005 and 1998. The records undercut arguments by climate skeptics that global warming has stopped in recent years.

The scientists said the re c o rd t e m p e ra t u re s we re s p re a d a r o u n d t h e g l o b e, i n c l u d i n g m o s t o f Eu ro p e stretching into northern Africa, the western United States, far-eastern Russia into western Alaska, parts of interior South America, parts of eastern and western coastal Australia and elsewhere.

“While the ranking of individual years can be affected by chaotic weather patterns, t h e l o n g - t e r m t re n d s a re attributable to drivers of climate change that right now a re d o m i n a t e d by h u m a n emissions of greenhouse gases,” said Gavin Schmidt, director of NASA’s Goddard Institute of Space Studies in New York. “ T h e d a t a s h ow s q u i t e clearly that it’s the greenhouse gas trends that are responsible for the majority of the trends,” he told reporters. Emissions were still rising “so we may anticipate further record highs in the years to come.”

U N s t u d i e s s h ow t h e r e already are more extremes of heat and rainfall and project more disruptions to food and water supplies and rising sea levels as ice melts from Greenland to Antarctica.

Paris meeting in December

In December, about 200 governments will meet in Paris to try to reach a deal to limit global warming, shifting to renewable energies. China and the United States, the top emitters of greenhouse gases, s a y t h e y a re c o - o p e ra t i n g more to achieve a UN accord.

The UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) says it is at least 95 per cent probable that human activities, rather than natural variations in the climate caused by factors such as sunspots, are to blame for rising temperatures.

R ow a n Su t t o n , d i r e c t o r of Climate Research at the National Centre for Atmospheric Science at the Unive r s i t y o f Reading, said a single year did not mean

much because it might be a freak hot year.

“But the fact that now 14 of the 15 warmest years on record have occurred since the turn of the century shows just how clear global warming has become,” he said.

Even so, temperatures since 1998, a warm year, have not risen as fast as they did in the 1980s or 1990s. The IPCC has described it as a hiatus in warming.

No El Niño factor

Si n c e 1 8 8 0 , E a r t h’s a v e r age surface temperature has warmed by about 0.8 C, NASA said. The NASA and NOAA analyses showed that the world’s oceans all warmed last year, offsetting somewhat

more moderate temperatures over land.

The average temperature across global land and ocean surfaces was 0.69 C above the 20th century average, NOAA said. Last year’s warmth surpasses the previous records of 2005 and 2010 by 0.04 C, the scientists said.

The scientists noted that the record was set in a year that did not have the weather pattern known as El Niño that can heat up the atmosphere and has been a factor in many past record-setting years.

The United Nations says it is already clear that promises for emissions curbs at the Paris summit will be too weak to get on track for a UN goal of limiting global warming 2 C.

photo: thinkstock

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The Manitoba Co-operator | January 22, 2015

Seaway completes big comeback Despite a late start, the seaway nearly hit its target for shipments

By Alex Binkley Co-operator contributor/Ottawa

A

fter a month-long delay in the start of full navigation on the Great Lakes last spring, the St. Lawrence Seaway has rebounded with its best year since the 2008 recession, handling seven per cent more tonnage than in 2013.

More than 12 million tonnes of Canadian and American grain, almost 50 per cent greater than in the year before, led the way followed by healthy increases in bulk and general cargo, says statistics released by the Seaway Management Corp.

In total, the tonnage came in at 39.6 million tonnes, just a few shiploads short of the 40 million tonnes the seaway was hoping for at this time last year before the extent of the freezeup during the winter of 2013-14 became apparent.

“There can be little question that the seaway proved its value as a vital transportation artery in 2014,” said seaway president and CEO Terence Bowles.

While the seaway usually begins operation in late March, it took a major ice-breaking campaign by the Canadian and American Coast Guards to open the Great Lakes to full navigation by late April.

Blowout

Bowles called the rise in grain shipments a blowout. It was “the standout feature of the

“There can be little question that the seaway proved its value as a vital transportation artery in 2014.”

Terence Bowles

seaway president and CEO

season, as farmers and grain merchants furiously sought avenues to move the bumper crop from 2013 that had clogged rail lines.” More than nine million tonnes of grain were shipped through the Port of Thunder Bay. Other strong cargoes included iron and steel products and shipments of road salt to replenish inventories that had been severely depleted during the harsh winter of 2013. “The influx of ocean vessels into the St. Lawrence Seaway was unprecedented in recent history,” Bowles added.

“On multiple occasions in 2014, there were more than 50 ocean vessels within the Great Lakes Seaway System.”

With so much grain available to move after shipments to the West Coast were disrupted by bad weather last winter, the presence of the ocean vessels became crucial to keeping the terminals in Thunder Bay flowing.

During 2013, 3,900 ships transited the seaway. Last year, there was just nine more,

yet 2.6 million tonnes more freight was moved, which suggests few ocean vessels sailed from the Great Lakes in ballast because there was no outbound cargo.

If shipments of iron ore and coal had even matched the 2013 results, the system would have handled another 3.5 million tonnes. However, ore was off 32.5 per cent at 6.7 million tonnes while coal dipped by five per cent to 4.2 million tonnes. Fuel shipments were down six per cent to 3.5 million tonnes.

The 2014 season saw the widespread deployment of new freighters ordered by Algoma Central, CSL, Desgagnes and FedNav. “Boasting sharp increases in fuel efficiency and reductions in emission levels, these new vessels are part of a billion-dollar fleet renewal effort being undertaken by both domestic and ocean carriers,” Bowles said. “These investments underline the seaway’s enduring value and the faith of key stakeholders in its future.”

Ships and barges on the St. Lawrence Seaway. photo: thinkstock

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The Manitoba Co-operator | January 22, 2015

Fruits and veggies deserve more respect

news

Manitoba Wheat and Barley Growers to meet

widening the competitive gap.”

As well, Canada continues to import horticultural crops that are treated with the same chemicals Canadian growers will no longer be able to use, which puts producers at an additional disadvantage.

Finding enough workers is another serious challenge.

“Labour accounts for an average of more than 33 per cent of the cost of production for fruit farmers, 31 per cent of vegetable farming costs and nearly 20 per cent for potato farmers.

Continued access to foreign workers is critical to the industry’s success, Kuhl said.

“The current Seasonal Agriculture Worker Program is a long‑standing achievement in this regard and a program well worth maintaining.”

The seasonal program is supplemented by the agriculture stream of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program, he added. Changes to that program “have affected the flow of agricultural workers through the agricultural stream. In fact, one example of this situation was seen this past production season in Quebec, where a lack of available workers resulted in millions of dollars of fruits and vegetables left to rot on the trees and in the fields.”

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such as insurance or bonding schemes are not a solution.

“Anything short of Canadian fruit and vegetable growers and shippers having the same avenues of recourse available to them in Canada as in the U.S. is simply unacceptable,” Kuhl said.

He noted that progress is being made on unified licensing regimes in the fresh produce sector and that a requirement by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency that all produce sellers be licensed will greatly benefit the sector.

But the industry also faces some long-standing difficulties created by differences between Canadian and American rules. Pesticides that are approved for use in the U.S. but not Canada “create an unlevel playing field for Canadian producers.” So does large price disparities for pesticides and a recent move by Canadian regulators to discontinue several older pesticides the industry considers vital to management of pest resistance in horticultural crops.

“It is important to note that the proposed discontinuation of most of these pesticides in Canada is contrary to the recent reregistration decisions by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency that fully support continued use by growers in the U.S., further

.

photo: thinkstock

.

C

ontinued growth in Ca n a d a’s $ 1 1 . 4 - b i l lion horticulture sector could hinge on whether the federal government acts to close a widening gap in competitiveness with the U.S., the president of the Canadian Horticultural Council says.

Keith Kuhl recently told the Senate agriculture committee that while the sector’s overall economic contribution to the Canadian economy has doubled over the past 25 years, producers are feeling the strain of changes in U.S. and Canadian policy that place it at a competitive disadvantage.

“Today, farm gate sales with additional processing‑supply chains and associated financial impacts create an economic footprint of over $11.4 billion, in real GDP, according to a recent Conference Board of Canada report.”

With more than 100 fruits and vegetables in production, “the horticultural sector has been an engine for economic growth and can be a foundation for continuing job growth,” the Manitoba potato producer said. “It is a growing industry.”

However, it has made little progress in resolving its major headache, he said. Due to changes in American policy and the lack of a response from the federal government, Canadian horticulture producers don’t have comparable financial protection to their American competitors.

“The recent withdrawal by the U.S. of a preferential status for Canada is a significant blow to horticulture and is an indication for horticulture that Canada is not living up to the commitments that were contemplated within the framework” of the CanadaU.S. Regulatory Co-operation Council.

The key issue remains finding a mechanism to allow the growers “to get paid when buyers become insolvent,” he said, noting instruments

.

Co-operator contributor/Ottawa

We’re giving away 15 grand prize trips for two inspired by the fastest, most complete burndown of new Heat® LQ herbicide. The trip includes admission to the Richard Petty Driving Experience and three nights at the Mirage Hotel, Las Vegas.

To qualify for the contest watch the video at agsolutions.ca/HeatLQ/Offer, enter the PIN and complete the submission form.

briefs Ag in the Classroom wants YOU! Staff / Agriculture in the Classroom-MB is looking for Ag Ambassadors to help bring the positive agriculture message to classrooms in Manitoba during Canadian Agriculture Literacy Week.

Volunteers are needed for one hour or a half-day, full day or several days depending on availability.

The organization provides training, as well as suggestions for activities and reading material.

For more information, contact: diane@aitc.mb.ca or 204-471-9698.

Viterra helps write the Book of Agriculture The company is helping raise agricultural awareness Staff

V

iterra Inc. is partnering with Agriculture in the Classroom Saskatchewan (AITC-SK) to develop an agriculture education storybook for students in Grades 3-5 in Western Canada.

The goal is to help educate students in urban and rural areas about the importance of farming and the impact it has in everyday life, the company says in a release.

The theme of the book will focus on farm stewardship and sustainability, and will highlight modern farm practices and technologies utilized today.

The book will be the feature

book for Canadian Agriculture Literature Week, March 1 to 7, 2015. AITC-SK will work with its counterparts in Alberta and Manitoba to distribute the books to approximately 1,500 classrooms across the Prairies.

“Our ongoing partnership with Agriculture in the Classroom is part of our overall commitment to support educational opportunities and initiatives that promote agriculture and its importance to Western Canada,” said Kyle Jeworski, Viterra’s president and CEO for North America. “We’re proud to support organizations like these that strive to raise awareness of our industry to a broader audience.”

PIN:

H E AT 9 7 1

No purchase necessary. Starts Nov 1/14 (12:00 AM ET) and ends Mar 31/15 (11:59 PM ET). Open to Canadian growers who reside in 1 of the following BASF Regions: (i) Alberta (incld. Peace Region of British Columbia); (ii) Manitoba; or (iii) Saskatchewan; and who: (a) are the owner, operator or designated representative of a farm; and (b) are 21 years of age or older; and (c) meet all Richard Petty Driving Experience requirements (See: www.agsolutions.ca/HeatLQ/Offer). Online entry and full rules (including full prize descriptions, entry requirements and details on how to enter without purchase) at www.agsolutions.ca/HeatLQ/Offer. Fifteen (15) Grand Prizes available; five (5) per BASF Region (each a trip for two adults to Las Vegas, Nevada). ARV of each prize is $5000 CAD. Skill-testing question required. Odds depend on number of eligible entries per region.

Always read and follow label directions.

AgSolutions is a registered trade-mark of BASF Corporation; HEAT and KIXOR are registered trade-marks of BASF SE.; all used with permission by BASF Canada Inc. All other trade-marks are properties of their respective owners. © 2015 BASF Canada Inc.

newsprint - 240 ink density

For full terms and conditions visit agsolutions.ca/HeatLQ/Offer

Publication: Manitoba Cooperator

By Alex Binkley

Staff / The board of the Manitoba Wheat and Barley Growers Association (MWBGA) will hold its first annual general meeting Feb. 18 at 2:50 p.m., Victoria Inn and Conference Centre Winnipeg with the CropConnect Conference.

The meeting will include updates on the founding of the organization and current activities. Three directors will be elected from nominees who have declared their willingness to run prior to the AGM or are nominated from the floor.

During the week of Jan. 19 to 24 official notification of the AGM will have been sent to any Manitoba producer who has delivered wheat or barley, had the provincial deduction taken off and has not requested a refund.

If Manitoba producers have not sold wheat or barley between Feb. 1, 2014 and

Client: BASF

Policy changes are hampering the $11.4-billion sector’s growth

December 31, 2014 but intend to be a member in good standing, they will still be eligible to vote at the AGM. Any producer in this situation who would like more information can go to the mbwheatandbarley.ca website or contact the MWBGA office at info@mbwheatandbarley.ca or 204-759-2565.

Director nominees who have confirmed their intention to seek election will be posted on the mbwheatandbarley.ca website for members to review and consider.

Producers who are not registered to attend the CropConnect Conference but who would like to attend the MWBGA meeting can obtain a special pass to the meeting at the CropConnect registration table.

“We chose to hold the AGM at the CropConnect Conference because we expect many growers would already be there and we could encourage as much participation as possible in our AGM,” said vice-chair Fred Greig.

12

The Manitoba Co-operator | January 22, 2015

LIVESTOCK

Search Canada’s top agriculture publications… with just a click. Network SEARCH

h u s b a n d r y — t h e s c i e n c e , S K I L L O R ART O F F AR M IN G

MYTH BUSTED

Properly processed feed wheat doesn’t cause tummy trouble

Researchers in Lethbridge swapped wheat for barley in a cattle ration without any negative effects — but the wheat must be properly processed

photo: jeannette greaves

By Jennifer Blair staff

S

hrinking barley acres have cattle producers on the hunt for a low-cost feed option.

And feed wheat could be the answer — as long as the wheat is processed properly.

“There was a feeling out there that you probably couldn’t feed more than 50 per cent wheat in the diet because wheat is quite rapidly digested in the rumen of cattle,” said Tim McAllister, principal research scientist in ruminant nutrition with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada in Lethbridge.

“We were able to, both in a backgrounding and a finishing phase, replace all the barley with wheat without any negative consequences.”

The use of feed wheat in cattle rations has been growing in Western Canada as a result of its increasing availability, demand has been restricted because of the belief that diets high in wheat cause rumen acidosis and bloat, said McAllister.

That’s a myth, he said. The “No. 1 factor” that contributes to wheat-related digestive upsets is the degree of processing.

“If the wheat was properly processed — whether it be temper rolled or dry rolled to the point that the kernels were just cracked in two — we found that the wheat was efficiently utilized without any problems with digestive upset,” said McAllister.

“If it was overprocessed, that could start to increase the likelihood of acidosis or bloat occurring.”

Usually, less than two per cent of cattle are susceptible to developing clinical acidosis, he said. “You’d still have to have the proper protocols in place in terms of pen checking and monitoring,” said McAllister. “If you were to have problems, the most likely factor responsible for that would be the processing of the wheat to too fine a particle size.”

‘Viable alternative’

As barley acreages start to shift to canola, identifying wheat as another potential feed source

“There is the question out there in Western Canada that if we’re not feeding barley to our cattle, which is still the foundation of the industry today, then what are we feeding to them? And wheat is a viable alternative.”

Tim McAllister

is “quite valuable for the feedlot industry,” said McAllister.

“There is the question out there in Western Canada that if we’re not feeding barley to our cattle, which is still the foundation of the industry today, then what are we feeding to them?” he said. “And wheat is a viable alternative.”

Aside from the digestibility of

properly processed wheat, feed wheat generally has higher energy and protein content than barley, he said.

“When it was properly processed, we could potentially replace all the barley in the diet with feed wheat and not have any negative consequences on animal growth,” said McAllister.

And with environmental conditions downgrading large volumes of wheat, the availability of feed wheat has gone up, while prices have gone down. “(Cost savings) are a big component when you’re talking about feed wheat,” said McAllister.

E v e n s o, c a t t l e f e e d e r s choosing wheat over barley going forward will likely be the exception, not the rule, he said.

“If barley is cheaper and available, I think it would still be the preferred grain source to keep them on throughout the entire feeding period. It’s just less likely to cause complications.”

But if the price of wheat is sufficiently low, “that risk is worth taking,” said McAllister.

“The cost of diet and the cost of gain is going to be that much lower, and the production that much more profitable.” jennifer.blair@fbcpublishing.com

13

The Manitoba Co-operator | January 22, 2015

Chipotle’s pork plight could hurt first-quarter results

I’m all ears

Audits found the supplier was non-compliant with company welfare standards reuters

C

hipotle Mexican Grill Inc.’s decision to suspend purchases from a pork producer that ran afoul of its animal welfare rules could bolster its reputation with diners, but threatens sales and profits this quarter.

The burrito chain’s move caused a supply shortfall that is hitting about one-third of its roughly 1,800 U.S. restaurants.

Diners choose braised pork “carnitas” as the protein in about seven per cent of all burritos, tacos, bowls and salads sold at the chain, Miller Tabak + Co. analyst Stephen Anderson said.

Anderson said the move should strengthen Chipotle’s relationship with diners, many of whom like its “food with integrity” policy that focuses on using organic produce and antibiotic-free meats when those ingredients are available.

“It shines their halo, but it has the potential to affect first-quar ter” results, said Anderson, who expects most Chipotle customers to switch to alternate proteins.

Citing the risk of lost sales, Anderson lowered his growth forecast for sales at established restaurants to 10 to 10.3 per cent from 11 per cent.

The supply crisis underscores the clash between the U.S. agriculture industry, commodity traders, food companies and American consumers, who have become increasingly concerned about what happens to their food before it reaches their plates.

Chipotle made the decision Jan. 9 to cease buying pork from the unidentified supplier after one of its own auditors found “inconsistencies” with

The sign for Chipotle Mexican Grill’s restaurant is seen in Westminster, Colorado. Photo: REUTERS/Rick Wilking

company standards requiring that pigs be raised with access to the outdoors or in deeply bedded barns.

Chipotle also bans the use of antibiotics, but that was not the issue in this case, spokesman Chris Arnold said. Arnold declined to name the producer.

Chipotle would not say how much pork it buys each year. It is not sure how long the shortages, which are largely confined to the eastern United States, will last.

Niman Ranch, Chipotle’s biggest pork supplier, will increase its shipments until further notice, said Jeff Tripician, an executive vice-president for the farm. “They will start receiving 15 to 20 per cent more pork from us on Monday,” he said, noting that the extra product will come from Niman reserves. “It won’t solve their problem but it will help.”

Fi n d i n g a d d i t i o n a l s u p plies may be challenging for Chipotle, given that hog and beef herds in the United States have remained small, resulting

A donkey peers through the falling snow. photo: suzanne paddock

Diners choose braised pork “carnitas” as the protein in about seven per cent of all burritos, tacos, bowls and salads sold at the chain.

Support price for skim milk powder drops March 1 The decrease reflects lower operating costs for dairy producers Staff

T

Stephen Anderson

Miller Tabak + Co. analyst

in high prices for both organically and conventionally raised beef and pork.

While animal rights activists heralded Chipotle’s decision to suspend the supplier that violated its rules, others were dismissive of supply chain squeeze having much impact on the broader food or farming sector.

“It sounds like the problem can be fixed as soon as they take the little pigs for a walk,” said James Burns, president of Chicago-based JBS Trading Co., a commodities brokerage firm.

he support price for skim milk powder in Canada will drop from $6.4754 per kg to $6.3109 effective March 1, the Canadian Dairy Commission has announced.

The support price of butter will remain unchanged.

Support prices are the prices at which the CDC buys and sells butter and skim milk powder to balance seasonal changes in demand on the domestic market. They are also used as references by provincial marketing boards to price industrial milk.

For dairy producers, this decrease in the support price should translate into a revenue decrease of 1.8 per cent or $1.49 per hectolitre for industrial milk used to make products such as yogurt, cheese, and skim milk powder.

“This reduction follows a decrease in the cost of producing milk in Canada in the last year. This cost decrease can be seen mostly in feed, milk transportation, fuel, and interest paid,” says Randy Williamson, chairman of the CDC. “We are optimistic that this price reduction will help grow the demand for dairy products.”

The margin received by processors for butter and skim milk powder purchased by the CDC, as well as the carrying charges collected by the CDC to pay for the storage of normal butter stocks, will remain unchanged.

New formulation of Grazon It will be available this year Staff

Dow AgroSciences has released a new formulation of Grazon that offers improved handling and lower use rates for the 2015 season.

Grazon XC contains a new formulation of 2,4-D, which significantly lowers the required use rates, the company says in a release.

Grazon XC is an effective tool for controlling a wide spectrum of pasture-invading trees including aspen, birch, willow and poplar. It also controls broadleaf weeds that inhibit grass production, including Canada thistle, dandelion and spotted knapweed.

The liquid formulation can be applied as a broadcast application or as a spot spray using a backpack sprayer. Grazon XC will be available for purchase through agricultural retailers beginning in February.

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14

The Manitoba Co-operator | January 22, 2015

Water break is over

Now it’s back to work grazing corn for this herd.

photo: jeannette greaves

COLUMN

REGISTER TODAY!

36TH ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING & PRESIDENT’S BANQUET February 5-6, 2015 | Victoria Inn, Brandon, MB REGISTER AT WWW.MBBEEF.CA OR CALL 1-800-772-0458.

KEYNOTE SPEAKER:

THURSDAY FEB. 5

Dan Ohler “Thinkin’ Outside the Barn”

MORNING

Choose from two Breakout Sessions: • Capitalizing on New Market

Opportunities THURSDAY FEB. 5

KEYNOTE SPEAKER:

Dan Ohler “Thinkin’ Outside the Barn”

MORNING • Panel Discussion: The Changing of Canada’s Beef Industry Choose from two BreakoutFace Sessions: and the Opportunities it TRADESHOW Presents • Capitalizing on New Market Opportunities Come see the new ‘Gadget Corner’ • Updates frommove Nationalmy • Programs and initiatives that can highlighting new technology for the Organizations operation forward beef industry • Programs and initiatives that MORNING can move my operation forward

TRADESHOW

NOTES: AFTERNOON • Corner’ There will be a Verified Beef • Come Openingsee remarks from the new ‘Gadget highlighting REGISTER TODAY! Production workshop Friday Agriculture Minister Ron new technology industry All producers welcome.

TH for the beefafternoon.

Kostyshyn Please contact the MBP office to • AFTERNOON MBP Business register.

36 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING & PRESIDENT’S BANQUET

• |Association of Manitoba Community February 5-6, 2015 Victoria Inn, Brandon, MB • •Resolutions Debate Opening remarks from Agriculture Minister Pastures’ Annual General Meeting REGISTER AT WWW.MBBEEF.CA OR CALL 1-800-772-0458.

Ron Kostyshyn February 4, Victoria Inn Brandon EVENING 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

MBP Business • •President’s Banquet

• Resolutions KEYNOTE THURSDAY FEB. 5 Debate SPEAKER: MORNING WE ENCOURAGE ALL PRODUCERS AND BEEF INDUSTRY STAKEHOLDERS TO ATTEND. EVENING

Dan Ohler “Thinkin’ Outside the Barn”

2015-01-08 3:29 PM

FRIDAY FEB. 6

Opportunities

FRIDAY FEB. 6

MORNING • Programs and initiatives that • Panel Discussion: The Changing can move my operation forward Face of Canada’s Beef Industry MORNING and the Opportunities it TRADESHOW • Panel Discussion: The Changing Presents Face Comeof seeCanada’s the new ‘Gadget Corner’ Beef Industry and the • Updates from National highlighting new technology for the Organizations

Opportunities it Presents beef industry • Updates from National Organizations AFTERNOON • Opening remarks from Minister Ron •Agriculture There will be a Verified Kostyshyn

NOTES:

NOTES:

• There will be a Verified Beef Production workshop Friday Beefafternoon.

Production workAll producers welcome.

Please contact the MBP office to afternoon. All producers welcome. register.

shop Friday Please contact the MBP offi ce to register.

• Association of Manitoba Community • Resolutions Debate Pastures’ Annual Pastures’ General Meeting • Association of Manitoba Community February 4, Victoria Inn Brandon Annual General Meeting February 4, EVENING 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

• President’s VictoriaBanquet Inn Brandon 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

• MBP Business

WE ENCOURAGE ALL PRODUCERS AND BEEF INDUSTRY STAKEHOLDERS TO ATTEND. 00498.MB_Beef_MBCoop_Ad.indd 1

M

emo to 4-H club reporters: Be sure to email your reports to us at daveb@fbcpublishing.com or fax to the Co-operator (att’n: Dave) at 204-954-1422.

Rivers Beef

FRIDAY FEB. 6

Choose from two Breakout • President’s Banquet featuring Sessions: 00498.MB_Beef_MBCoop_Ad.indd 1 pitalizing onspeaker New MarketDan Ohler • Cakeynote

4-H reports

2015-01-08 3:29 PM

December started off with the annual Christmas party. Members curled, exchanged gifts and enjoyed pizza at the Rivers Curling Club on Dec. 5. The evening was entertaining as they added fun mystery rules into their curling game. The club also participated in the Rivers Parade on Dec. 6.

The following Saturday all members brought their 4-H projects to the Brian English farm for our important weigh day; all animals are weighed to provide the starting weight for their 4-H year. This weight is then subtracted from the animal’s project end weight in June and is divided by the number of days in between.

The end result tells each member how much weight their animal gained per day during the 4-H year.

Club speeches were held on Jan. 4. Winners included Layton Veitch (junior), Zach Veitch (intermediate), and Rachel Veitch (senior). Kate-Leigh Heapy won the junior one-person visual and Kassidy Heapy won the intermediate oneperson visual. Naomi Best and Alice Rooke are also eligible to attend the Brandon Zone Communications at Crocus Plains Secondary School on Feb. 12.

Judges for the evening were Lorrie Dyer, Leslie McFadden and Corina Lepp.

On Jan. 18, our club is scheduled to gather at the Keystone Center to clean equipment in

Reid Teetaert (r) of Farm Credit Canada presents grant cheques to Rivers 4-H Beef Club head leader Brian English. Photo: Rivers 4-H Beef Club

preparation for Ag Days. This is an annual fundraiser for our club.

Br ian English, our head leader, accepted grants from Reid Teetaert of Farm Credit Canada to help fund lectures and field trips for our beef club.

Brian also accepted a grant on behalf of the Brandon 4-H zone, from FCC, to help fund the Outstanding Senior Member awards and the zone communication awards. Thanks to FCC for its generous support of 4-H! The club’s next meeting is Feb. 1.

— Kate and Kassidy Heapy

Happy Rock Horseshoes

On Nov. 19 the club held its monthly meeting at Gladstone United Church. We discussed what we could do for our Christmas party and what we could do for someone else at Christmastime. Everyone agreed we would bring baking and make trays of goodies to

give to someone who would enjoy it this Christmas.

Heather and Gail talked about a horse’s keen sense of smell. We played a game in which we had to smell five items with our eyes closed and guess what they were. The smells were lemon, mint, lavender, coffee grinds and horse manure. Many people guessed correctly. After we worked in our project books, we had hot chocolate and cookies.

On Nov. 30 we had our Christmas party at the Westbourne Longburn Community Centre.

We played a number of games and went to see how to harness a workhorse at Bryan Davies’ farm. For dinner we had a potluck. After dinner we delivered some baking to people at First Crossing Courts. Everyone had lots of fun and it was an amazing Christmas party!

Our next meeting will be Jan. 21 at the Plumas Legion Hall.

Happy New Year!

— Madison Teichroeb

Yourmobile smartphone Instant info. With the Manitoba Co-operator app you can just got smarter.

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15

The Manitoba Co-operator | January 22, 2015

LIVESTOCK AUCTION RESULTS Weight Category

Feeder Steers

Ashern

Gladstone

Grunthal

Heartland

Heartland

Brandon

Virden

Killarney

Ste. Rose

Winnipeg

Jan-15

Jan-13

n/a

Jan-15

Jan-14

Jan-12

Jan-15

Jan-16

800*

195

n/a

493*

101

515

1,832

750*

Over 1,000 lbs.

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

180.00-207.00

900-1,000

n/a

n/a

n/a

215.00-228.00

210.00-226.00

n/a

210.00-225.00 (231.00)

200.00-228.00

216.00-235.00

n/a

n/a

225.00-240.00

224.00-238.00

n/a

225.00-245.00 (248.50)

215.00-237.00

No. on offer

800-900 700-800

220.00-257.00

210.00-250.00

n/a

245.00-265.00

240.00-260.00

235.00-252.00

225.00-250.00 (255.50)

220.00-248.00

600-700

240.00-286.00

270.00-282.50

n/a

270.00-291.00

260.00-282.00 (285.00)

260.00-285.00

260.00-295.00 (308.00)

235.00-280.00

500-600

286.00-333.00

270.00-313.00

n/a

285.00-323.00

282.00-319.00

275.00-300.00

275.00-318.00 (326.00)

260.00-307.00

400-500

n/a

290.00-336.00

n/a

325.00-355.00

315.00-330.00 (339.00)

285.00-314.00

275.00-330.00

275.00-325.00

300-400

n/a

300.00-333.00

n/a

350.00-370.00

325.00-356.00

345.00-382.00

295.00-315.00

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

185.00-207.00

n/a

n/a

200.00-195.00

800-900

n/a

n/a

n/a

200.00-220.00

210.00-225.00

n/a

200.00-217.00

200.00-227.00

700-800

200.00-220.00

n/a

n/a

225.00-235.00

215.00-230.00

n/a

200.00-232.00 (238.00)

210.00-235.00

600-700

222.00-254.00

200.00-250.00

n/a

243.00-267.00

230.00-260.00

235.00-266.00

225.00-245.00 (250.00)

220.00-248.00

Feeder heifers 900-1,000 lbs.

500-600

244.00-277.00

245.00-299.00

n/a

265.00-299.00

265.00-280.00 (288.00)

260.00-284.00

260.00-280.00 (287.00)

230.00-265.00

400-500

n/a

290.00-329.00

n/a

285.00-315.00

285.00-315.00

270.00-300.00

270.00-315.00 (323.00)

225.00-278.00

300-400

n/a

300.00-337.00

n/a

315.00-345.00

n/a

315.00-346.00

285.00-300.00

245.00-300.00

300

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

250

Slaughter Market No. on offer D1-D2 Cows

118.00-129.00

n/a

n/a

118.00-132.00

113.00-126.00

102.00-108.00

117.00-129.00 (131.00)

117.00-124.00

D3-D5 Cows

100.00-118.00

n/a

n/a

100.00-117.00

104.00-112.00

n/a

105.00-118.00

107.00-116.00

Age Verified

130.00-145.50

90.00-132.50

n/a

n/a

119.00-131.00

110.00-121.00

n/a

n/a

Good Bulls

140.00-156.00

100.00-145.00

n/a

140.00-158.00

137.00-150.00

135.00-145.00

130.00-148.00 (155.00)

135.00-144.00

Butcher Steers

n/a

n/a

n/a

158.00-165.00

158.00-165.00

n/a

n/a

170.00-173.00

Butcher Heifers

n/a

n/a

n/a

157.00-164.00

156.00-164.00

n/a

n/a

168.00-172.00

Feeder Cows

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

125.00-139.00

125.00-140.00

n/a

120.00-130.00

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

Heiferettes

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

125.00-149.00

125.00-140.00

* 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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16

The Manitoba Co-operator | January 22, 2015

WEATHER VANE

Android-able.

The Manitoba Co-operator mobile app is available for Android mobile phones.

Download the free app at agreader.ca/mbc

“ E v er y o n e tal k s ab o ut the weather , but n o o n e d o es a n y thi n g ab o ut it . ” M a r k Tw a i n , 18 9 7

Milder weather should win out Issued: Monday, January 17, 2015 · Covering: January 21 – January 28, 2015 Daniel Bezte Co-operator contributor

T

he fragile weather pattern I talked about last week seems to have stabilized for the time being, which means more nice winter weather ahead.

For this forecast period, we’re kind of caught between wellabove-average temperatures to our west, thanks to a strong area of low pressure off the coast of Alaska combined with a ridge of high pressure over the western U.S., and colder temperatures to our east.

These two systems should work together to keep most of the arctic air shunted to our north and east, keeping our temperatures, for the most part, on the mild side.

Under this pattern the overall flow across our region will be from the northwest. There will be several weak areas of low pressure that will break off from the West Coast low, then ripple southeastward in the flow. Predicting the timing and strength of any of these lows will be difficult, but due

to the nature of the current weather pattern all the lows should remain weak. As each low approaches, temperatures will moderate, possibly to near or even above the 0 C mark.

Behind the low we’ll see quick shots of cooler air; how cool will depend on the strength and exact path of the preceding low. Right now it doesn’t look like we’ll see any strong pushes of cold air.

The first low looks like it will track through on Thursday and Friday with a second low moving through late in the weekend. It now looks like a third low will follow quickly on the heels of the weekend system, moving through late Monday.

Looking further ahead, the weather models are still not showing any strong storm systems affecting our region right through to the early part of February.

Usual temperature range for this period: Highs, -21 to -5 C; lows, -31 to -15 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.

Global Annual departure of temperature from average, 1880-2014

This issue’s map shows global temperature anomalies from 1880 to 2014 according to the U.S. NOAA, comparing each year to the average between 1901 and 2000. It’s easy to see just how warm the planet has been since around 1980. I don’t think I need to say anything more.

Heavy snows and record warmth Last year is now documented as one of Earth’s warmest years on record

By Daniel Bezte co-operator contributor

A

fter I sent in last issue’s article I realized that I didn’t provide a summary for the entire year for 2014, so the first order of business for this issue is to fix that omission. Using Winnipeg’s, Brandon’s and Dauphin’s data to represent what the weather was like across agricultural Manitoba, 2014 was cooler and drier than average over central and eastern regions, while it was cooler and wetter in the west. All three areas reported a mean yearly temperature about 1.5 C below average. Winnipeg reported around 455 mm of precipitation for the year, almost 70 mm below average. Brandon recorded nearly 590 mm of precipitation in 2014 which was over 110 mm above average. Dauphin was the wettest spot, with almost 620 mm of precipitation, a good 135 mm above average.

With that omission taken care of, the next order of business is to take a second l o o k b a c k a t D e c e m b e r’s snowfall. I’ve received a couple of emails about snowfall amounts for the month of December, particularly regarding my comments that most regions saw below-average

amounts, even though some areas did see significant snowfall during the month. In my defence, I only have the data to look at, and according to the precipitation reporting sites I saw, no one reported above-average amounts. I then checked out snow cover maps to see if anything stood out, and they showed no small or large pockets of heavy snow cover at the end of the month.

So why did some areas, especially around Dauphin, have significant snowfall?

It has to do with a couple of things. First of all, the topography around that area can greatly increase the amount of snow that falls over relatively small areas. This means one area can get significant snowfall, while only 50 or so kilometres away, they report much less. A second point is that I have to rely on waterequivalent data, which is the amount of snow that has fallen and melted down to what the equivalent amount of water would have been if it fell as rain. During the winter, the number usually thrown out is a 10-to-one ratio of snow to water. That means if 10 centimetres of snow fall, that would be about one cm, or 10 mm, of water. This value is highly subjective, and in our part of the world we usually don’t see

this ratio. Rather, our ratios during the colder parts of winter tend to be in the one-to-15 and one-to-20 range. That would mean 20 cm of snow could only have about 10 mm of water. So it is possible for an area to get, say, 50 cm of snow during December, but when it is melted down it would only be 25 mm of water. This would only be slightly wetter than average, but if you looked at the amount of snow, the visual wouldn’t add up. So, for regions that saw heavier snow during December — it could have been related to topography or the moisture content of the snow, but it was probably some combination of the two.

The warmest ever

Now on to the final order of business. Earlier I mentioned it looked very likely that 2014 was going to be the warmest year in recorded human history globally. Well, the numbers are now in, and in fact 2014 was the warmest year ever recorded. Global temperatures for the year, as measured by NOAA and NASA, were 0.69 C above the 20th century average and broke the previous record years of 2005 and 2010 by 0.04 C. The Japanese meteorological service has also rated 2014 as the warmest year on record.

The only other widely cited

Our ratios during the colder parts of winter tend to be in the one-to-15 and one-to-20 range, so 20 cm of snow could only have about 10 mm of water.

agency to report on global temperatures, the United Kingdom meteorological office, has not yet released its data. That said, this is one of the first times all of the different agencies have agreed it was the warmest year ever recorded.

Reliable global records go back about 135 years, and when looking at those records, nine of the 10 warmest years have occurred during the 21st century — in other words, during the last 14 years. Sometimes it’s hard for us to believe what is going on globally when our part of the world has been one of the few places that has seen below-average temperatures.

My comment on this is twofold.

First, the more I talk to people, especially farmers, the more I start to realize people are beginning to understand the global nature of weather and that what is happening in one area is not indicative of what is happening in other areas. Unfortunately, I still run into people who have

trouble understanding this and simply create their perception of the planet based on what is happening around them.

My second comment on this ties in with an interesting forecast made by the U.K. Met Office in regards to global temperatures in 2015. For the first time I can remember reading, a well-known forecasting institute has predicted the upcoming year will likely break the previous record for global temperatures. What effect will this have on us? Personally, I have a hard time believing our current pattern of colder-than-average temperatures will continue. In fact, looking at the temperature records over the last seven months, with the exception of November, we’ve either seen near- or above-average temperatures. Does this mean we’ll see well-above-average temperatures this year? Not necessarily, but I do think Mother Nature is loaded in favour of this happening sooner rather than later.

The Manitoba Co-operator | January 22, 2015

17

T:10.25”

CROPS husba 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

There’s life in that there dirt

Farmers need to be aware of the vast world beneath their feet — healthy plants depend on it

By Shannon VanRaes co-operator staff

“So what can you do to grow soil organisms?

Rotate wisely.”

I

®

Mario Tenuta

Mario Tenuta speaks at the Manitoba Forage Seed Association’s annual conference in Winnipeg. Photo: Shannon VanRaes

Ot h e r p l a n t s t u r n t o m yc orrhiza for assistance, which changes the root structure of a plant. Crops with heavy mycorrhizal activity will have roots that are both thicker and stubbier.

“They kind of in essence give up exploring and let the fungus

explore for them, the fungus becomes an extension of their root system,” Tenuta said.

That fungus then obtains phosphorus for the plant, while also contributing to soil aggregation, which is important for drainage and aeration, he said.

The best example of this might

be flax, which depends heavily on mycorrhiza.

“With flax a lot of its phosphorus acquisition is actually through mycorrhiza, regardless of the soil’s phosphorus,” said Tenuta. “ Whereas other plants, such as rye and buckwheat, they’re dependent on it, but if the soil test phosphorus is high enough, they’ll give up on the fungus.”

Then there are plants that don’t rely on mycorrhiza, in fact they diminish their numbers.

“Some plants like canola, or anything in the mustard family, doesn’t use mycorrhiza, they acidify the soil with their roots, which produce organic acids to solubilize phosphorus,” Tenuta said.

And that means crop rotation needs to factor in how plants and micro-organisms interact.

“So what can you do to grow soil organisms? Rotate wisely,” said Tenuta, adding you never want to follow canola with flax. “ W h y ? T h e f l a x w o n’t g e t enough phosphorus, because the mycorrhiza will have not been fed and promoted in terms of their growth by the canola,” he said.

High biomass crops, reduced tillage and perennials can also help to improve soil health, but don’t expect to see results overnight. It takes about a decade for improvements to show up on soil tests, although visual signs may appear sooner.

Improved soil with higher levels of organic matter will drain better, be darker in colour and crumble well, Tenuta said. shannon.vanraes@fbcpublishing.com

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T:15.58”

t just might be that the most important living beings on any farm aren’t found in the barn — but in the soil.

Bacteria, mycorrhiza, fungi, nematodes and even earthworms are key to understanding and promoting plant growth, University of Manitoba soil scientist Mario Tenuta told the Manitoba Forage Seed Association’s annual conference in Winnipeg last week.

“We have to think, not just about growing the plants, but about growing soil and microorganisms and feeding soil,” he said.

And those organisms and m i c r o - o r g a n i s m s a re n’t j u s t important, they’re also numerous. “ T h e n u m b e r s a re i n c re d ible, in just a millilitre of soil, just a little pinch of soil in your palm, there are more organisms in terms of numbers than all of the humans on earth together, that is how incredibly small they must be, and then we have the fungi and other organisms, and those higher critters too,” Tenuta said. “If we were to take a hectare of soil and grab all the bacteria, fungi, nematodes and weigh them, it would come down to the equivalent weight of 20 head of cattle.”

Perhaps the best-known example of the symbiotic relationship between micro-organisms and plants is the relationship between soybeans — a legume — and the rhizobia bacteria that allows it to fix nitrogen.

“When the bacteria are associated with the (soybean) plant they can fix a lot of nitrogen, soybeans fix 150 kgs of nitrogen per hectare easily… but the same bacteria free, living in the soil, and not in a nodule, contribute less than a kilogram, they need to be tacked into a root,” said the researcher, adding that the plant provides the bacteria with what it needs to survive, so that it can provide nitrogen.

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The Manitoba Co-operator | January 22, 2015

Field trials continue on grass seed growth regulator

India eyes wheat exports

Work is underway to expand the availability of Syngenta’s Parlay

It could sell around two million tonnes

By Shannon VanRaes

By Naveen Thukral and Mayank Bhardwaj

co-operator staff

singapore/new delhi/reuters

I

t’s been years in the making, but the Manitoba Forage Seed Association is one step closer to expanding the label of a much-requested plant growth regulator. “ We’v e d o n e s m a l l - p l o t work up until now, and this c o m i n g s e a s o n w e’re s t i l l going to be doing small-plot work, but also we are looking to do some field-scale trials,” said Kevin Gulay, research manager for the organization, which recently held its annual conference in Winnipeg.

The product in question is Syngenta’s Parlay. Gulay said these trials are the most important project the producer organization has worked on over the last few years. This year’s trials will add additional nitrogen to the product to see if yield will increase. “ T h i s i s a re a l l y u n i q u e product right now. There are other growth regulators, but none of them are registered (in Canada),” he said. Other regulators are registered in the U.S. Syngenta Canada was able to register the plant growth regulator for growers of turftype perennial ryegrass seed last winter, with BrettYoung as the distributor. Research done by the Manitoba Forage Seed Association was key to the successful registration.

“Now we’re trying to get a label expansion for Parlay so that it’s registered on all grasses grown for seed, so we’re going to be doing more work in 2015-16 on different grass species,” Gulay said.

Grass seed producers have been looking for something to assist with lodging, which makes har vesting difficult.

“By adding the Parlay, the

A

Kevin Gulay (l) talks to seed growers at the Manitoba Forage Seed Association’s annual general meeting in Winnipeg. Photo: Shannon VanRaes

plant doesn’t grow as tall, and it’s not going to lodge,” he said. “You also get better pollination, less disease pressure, and it ends up resulting in easier swathing and you get a better yield.”

He said it’s possible that the product has already been registered in the United States because that country’s registration process requires less research data in some cases, than Canada.

“Also, and this is just my opinion, but obviously the U.S. is a bigger market, so there is probably more to gain there,” Gulay said.

The association is also w o rk i n g o n re s e a rc h i n a number of other areas.

“This past season we also did some crop fertility work,”

“One of the problems with grass seed crops is that they lodge really bad when you’ve got high nitrogen rates.”

Kevin Gulay

he said. “Projects involved different nitrogen timing in grass seed production, looking at fall timing versus spring timing, versus a split application. In most cases we found the split application yielded higher than either the fall or the spring application by itself.”

There were also trials done on broadcast phosp h o r u s o n p e re n n i a l r y e -

grass, which showed no yield increase.

“We’re doing herbicide trials as well, which we’ve been doing for many years, looking at things like Canada thistle control in alfalfa, foxtail barley in grasses,” he said, adding that this coming season will also see trials commence on pre-emergent herbicides. shannon.vanraes@fbcpublishing.com

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Check out the guidelines and worksheets for resolutions on MCGA’s website www.mcgacanola.org or call Liz at 204-982-2122 for the guidelines and worksheets.

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by February 2 2015 at 4:30 pm. Forms can be faxed to 204-942-1841 or emailed to rossb@mcgacanola.org.

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rally in global wheat prices and a looming tax on Russian exports have set the stage for a resumption in India’s overseas sales, although cheaper European supplies could provide stiff competition to the South Asian nation.

Exports by the world’s No. 2 wheat producer after a six-month gap could cap benchmark wheat prices which soared 20 per cent in the past quarter on worries over Russian supplies.

“India is in a unique position to make the best out of the export curbs put in place by Russia which was exporting wheat similar in quality to Indian wheat,” said a trader with a leading global trading company in New Delhi.

Russia, a key wheat exporter, plans to introduce a duty of at least 35 euros ($41) per tonne on shipments from February to curb a rise in domestic prices.

India could sell around two million tonnes of wheat between February and July to Asian buyers as Russian supply dries up, traders and officials said.

While this is small versus a global trade of around 160 million tonnes, it is important for Southeast Asian millers looking for prompt shipments.

“Importers such as Indonesia, Vietnam, Malaysia and Bangladesh will be taking Indian wheat because of the freight advantage over European cargoes,” a Singaporebased trader said.

Southeast Asian buyers pay a freight rate of $12 to $15 a tonne to get wheat from India and up to $30 to get grain from Ukraine.

There has been talk among traders that India could start issuing tenders to sell wheat from reserves from February. Government stocks were at 25.1 million tonnes as of Jan. 1, more than three times the target.

India is set to procure wheat from farmers at about $230 per tonne this season, 3.7 per cent higher than last year.

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The Manitoba Co-operator | January 22, 2015

Will it or won’t it? Producers discuss Roundup Ready alfalfa Customer preferences should count when assessing new technology

By Shannon VanRaes co-operator staff

I

t’s b e c o m e a p e re n n i a l issue for forage seed growers. Will or won’t Roundup Ready alfalfa be released in Canada?

The question loomed large at the Manitoba Forage Seed Association’s annual conference in Winnipeg last week, where the issue was raised no less than four times.

“We basically feel that there isn’t a need for it, our market for alfalfa is strong because we don’t have Roundup Ready alfalfa,” said association president, Kyle Willis. “ We feel that it’s going to ruin the seed market for alfalfa.”

But he added that the association isn’t taking issue with the science behind the genetically engineered crop, rather its concern is with market acceptance.

That sentiment was echoed by Kurt Shmon, president of Winnipeg-based Imperial Seed.

“As a seed company, our take is that we want market acceptance prior to its release, and by market acceptance, I mean the European Union accepting it, Russia accepting it, China and so on and so forth. A lot of the seed we produce in Canada moves into those markets,” he said.

that exists, is that our science-based decision process does not take economic harm to existing markets into consideration, there is no requirement to look at market impacts,” said Shmon, adding the government could change that, if there was a political will to do so.

Where’s the demand?

He also questions where the d e m a n d f o r t h e i n t ro d u ction of this product is coming from.

“Currently there are claims, and I use the word claims, that there are some producers asking for this product in Eastern Canada. I myself have been in the industr y since 1986, in the public eye since 1991 and have been very vocal on the roundup since 2008 and I have yet to have

CWB releases first new-crop price projections

By Commodity News Service Canada

“In China they are saying, well it’s all political, well it doesn’t matter what it is. The truth is that you can’t ship it there.”

Kurt Shmon

a producer come up and tell me that this is a fit for their farm,” he said.

What it comes down to for Shmon and others, is providing what the consumer wants, regardless of why they want it.

“In China they are saying, well it’s all political, well it doesn’t matter what it is. The truth is that you can’t ship it there,” he said. “So if it’s a political reason, or if it’s a health reason, or whatever they choose, you still can’t

briefs

ship it there, it’s just that plain and simple, so what matters to us is what the customer wants, and if the customer wants it, you have to supply it.”

And judging from the current situation in the U.S., that won’t be possible if Roundup Ready alfalfa is released in Canada.

“The longer we keep it out, the better,” Willis said.

CWB, formerly known as the Canadian Wheat Board, released its first Pool Return Outlooks (PROs) for the upcoming 2015-16 crop year on January 12.

Global wheat and coarse grain ending stocks are projected to increase in 2015-16, contributing to an underlying bearish tone to the 2015-16 markets, said the release.

However, the weaker Canadian dollar provides an offsetting effect. As a result, the Canadian dollar projected pool returns are overall not dramatically different from values for the 2014-15 winter pools, said CWB.

shannon.vanraes@fbcpublishing.com

Sales affected

Bo t h p o i n t e d t o i s s u e s i n t h e Un i t e d St a t e s , w h e re Roundup Ready alfalfa contamination issues have affected international seed a n d h a y s a l e s. Mo n s a n t o has been targeted by several lawsuits south of the border related to the release of the genetically engineered seed.

Forage Genetics International has registered Roundup Ready alfalfa in Canada and is able to legally sell it. But so far the company has stuck to test plots in Quebec and Ontario.

Willis believes lobbying by groups such as the Manitoba Forage Seed Association has h e l p e d c o m p a n i e s re a l i z e that releasing the seed will be extremely detrimental to producers, sellers and exporters.

But other than work to convince companies to hold off on releasing the modified seed, the seed grower isn’t sure there is much more that can be done. “ T h e g ov e r n m e n t h a s n’t really said it’s taken a position on it, other than that it has allowed registration of varieties,” Willis said. “But just like any other GMO, if they meet guidelines they can be registered, it’s just whether a company distributes it, and most companies realize the consequences if they do, so we’re kind of hoping the companies will see the bigger picture.”

However, others would like to see the Canadian government do more to protect the interests of producers when it comes to the registration of new genetically engineered crops.

“The biggest disconnect

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The Manitoba Co-operator | January 22, 2015

Canadian government invests $9.5 million in canola sector

Gone fishing

The funds will be matched by industry to support market development

By Commodity News Service Canada

T Ice fishermen like thse ones at Strathcona Park are enjoying the milder temperatures.

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photo: jeannette greaves

he Canadian government will invest up to $9.5 million in the country’s canola industry in order to support market access and other development activities, Federal Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz announced January 14 at the CropSphere conference in Saskatoon.

The government funding will be combined with industry contributions for a total investment of $19 million over five years, according to a news release.

The investment will support market entry and development activities aimed at increasing the consumption and value of canola oil and meal in both domestic and global markets.

This investment is being made through Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s AgriMarketing Program, a five-year, up to $341-million initiative under the Growing Forward 2 program.

“Our government continues to support what matters most to Canadians — job creation, prosperity and the economy. Our farmers grow the world’s finest canola, and we will continue to make smart investments that help our farmers stay competitive now and in the future,” said Ritz in a news release.

“The federal government’s strong and continued support is great news for the entire Canadian canola industry,” said Patti Miller, president of the Canola Council of Canada in a news release. “This investment will allow the CCC to make progress on two of our Keep it Coming 2025 strategic priorities: differentiated value in the marketplace, and stable and open trade.

“The canola industry is an important economic engine in Canada and we need ongoing investment to keep this momentum up and reach our target of 26 million tonnes of sustained market demand and production by 2025,” added Miller. “Because 90 per cent of our canola production is exported around the world, it’s critical to grow current markets and create new market opportunities too.”

PHOTO: thinkstock

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The Manitoba Co-operator | January 22, 2015

Now you just need to figure out how to plant that way Researchers say grid planting does a better job of shading out weeds Staff

P

lanting corn and other crops in a grid rather than in rows may control weeds better, say scientists writing in the journal Weed Research.

C. Marin of Jorge Tadeo Lozano University in Colombia and J. Weiner of the University of Copenhagen report on two years of tests in which maize (corn) was sown in three densities in both grids and rows.

“On average, weed biomass was reduced (by 72 per cent in the first year and 58 per cent in the second year), and grain yield was increased (by 48 per cent and 44 per cent) at the highest density in the grid pattern compared with standard sowing practices (medium density, row pattern),” they write.

The researchers say that several studies over the past decade have shown better weed suppression in wheat through a combination of increased crop density and s p a c i a l u n i f o r m i t y. Pl a n t s seeded in rows are crowded in one dimension, but farther apart in the other.

“In a uniform pattern, individual crop plants are equally crowded in both dimensions.

In t r a s p e c i f i c c o m p e t i t i o n within the crop is delayed, while interspecific competition with weeds begins sooner. This allows the crop population to shade and suppress the weeds,” the article says.

The tests were done over two years in Colombia on six-metre-square plots with three densities — five, seven and 10.5 plants per square metre.

Three varieties were used in the tests, and with some variation of weed suppression among them. The researchers hypothesize that varieties with more uniform leaf characteristics also promote more shading and weed suppression.

“In a uniform pattern, individual crop plants are equally crowded in both dimensions.”

from the journal Weed Research

“Our results suggest the possibility of developing ‘ h i g h - d e n s i t y, w e e d - s u p pressing’ varieties of maize a n d o t h e r c r o p s, b e c a u s e a t t r i b u t e s t h a t w i l l p r ov e advantageous under such conditions are not those natural selection or plant breeding to date have promoted.”

Row planting provides plenty of room for weeds to get off to a good start. photo: thinkstock

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H5N8 bird flu outbreak in Taiwan paris / reuters / Taiwan has reported an outbreak of the highly pathogenic H5N8 bird flu virus on a goose farm, the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) said Jan. 12.

The outbreak started on Jan. 8 at a farm in Da-Lin Township, Chiayi County and killed 3,683 out of 5,200 birds, the Taiwanese authorities said in a report to the Paris-based OIE. The strain is the same as in other cases found in Europe, North America and elsewhere in Asia in the past year.

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22

The Manitoba Co-operator | January 22, 2015

U.S. rolls out new Cuba rules on trade, travel

Where most fields are really small

The International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis and the International Food Policy Research Institute have used a combination of data including volunteer “crowdsourcing” to develop maps showing the location and size of farms around the world. This one shows sub-Saharan Africa. A very small field is considered less than 0.5 hectare (1.2 acres) and a small field 0.5 to 2.0 hectares. photo: IIASA/IFPRI

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Agricultural exports will gain greater access to Cuban markets

By Anna Yukhananov and Krista Hughes washington/reuters

T

he United States rolled out a sweeping set of measures on Jan. 15 to significantly ease the halfcentury-old embargo against Cuba, opening up the country to expanded travel, trade and financial activities.

Defying hardline critics in Congress, President Barack Obama made good on a commitment he made a month ago to begin loosening some U.S. economic sanctions against the communist-ruled island as part of an effort to end decades of hostility.

T h e Tre a s u r y a n d Co m merce departments issued a package of new rules that will allow U.S. exports of telecommunications, agricultural and construction equipment, permit expanded travel to Cuba and authorize some kinds of banking relations.

It w a s t h e f i r s t t a n g i b l e U.S. step to implement the changes Obama pledged on Dec. 17 when he and Cuban President Raul Castro announced plans to restore diplomatic relations between the old Cold War foes.

The new regulations, which t o o k e f f e c t Ja n . 1 6 , a l l ow Americans to travel to Cuba for any of a dozen specific reasons, including family visits, education and religion, without first obtaining a special licence from the U.S. government as was previously the case.

The revamped r ules will also make it easier for U.S. companies to export mobile phone devices and software as well as to provide Internet services in Cuba. U.S. airlines will be permitted to expand flights to the Caribbean island.

In addition, there will be a change in the definition of “cash in advance” payment required by Cuban buyers, which could help a variety of business interests, most notably U.S. agriculture, in gaining greater access to Cuban markets.

FARMING IS ENOUGH OF A GAMBLE...

Always read and follow label directions.

BlackHawk™ is a trademark of Nufarm Agriculture Inc. 40551R-0115 MC

Advertise in the Manitoba Co-operator Classifieds, it’s a Sure Thing!

1-800-782-0794

23

The Manitoba Co-operator | January 22, 2015

End-use royalties for seed may be coming Canadian seed companies need to put more resources towards developing new genetics if they want to stay competitive in the global marketplace

By Shannon VanRaes

“We wanted to create a system that would be flexible and adaptable to the needs of the marketplace, and encourage and promote competition along the value chain.”

co-operator staff

S

eed companies are eyeing end-use royalties to bring in more cash.

Speaking at the recent Western Wheat Growers conference in Winnipeg, David Hansen, president and CEO of Canterra Seeds, said that more money is needed to further the development of new seed varieties.

“If you just start putting numbers in, just for fun and examples, if we looked at $1.50 on every tonne of wheat that was delivered into the exporters, the millers, into the feed lots, etc.… we’re looking at $34 million, $37 million, $38 million in added dollars that would contribute back into that investment scene that is going to be required in order to advance our cereals business,” he said.

David Hansen

David Hansen speaks to the Western Wheat Growers.

Photo: Shannon VanRaes

Hansen said that currently the private sector only contributes to a small percentage of innovation, about five per cent.

briefs

He’d like to see that change, but said it would take more funding.

“In the area of innovation and the introduction of new genetics — where we can stay competitive — Canada is not doing very well… we’re lagging behind the rest of the world,” he said.

Ongoing meetings with stakeholders have been examining how end-point royalties might operate.

“So from this working g r o u p, a n d i t i n c l u d e d a number of stakeholders, we really tried to cover the full spectrum, we had everything from the grain handlers and shippers, to the seed companies, to the biotech industry, growers, even some of the federal government groups,” he said, adding that while t h e C a n a d i a n S e e d Tr a d e Association helped facili-

shannon.vanraes@fbcpublishing.com

Selecting the right cereal variety has never been easier

Award competition for agricultural students FMC release

Farm Management Canada (FMC) and the Canadian Association of Diploma in Agriculture Programs (CADAP) have joined forces to offer an award designed to encourage students to improve their communication and leadership skills through a national competition.

FMC and CADAP are collecting submissions from agricultural students across Canada and will award three winners with scholarships towards furthering their education in agriculture. First place stands to win $1,500!

The award is designed to help students develop their communication skills by having the opportunity to voice their opinion on a subject related to farm management.

Students are asked to submit a multimedia presentation, a video, a Twitter chat, a blog or a Wiki, responding to the following question: How can the agricultural industry best support young farmers looking to succeed in an ever-competitive and complex global marketplace?

To take part in the competition, please apply on the FMC website: www.fmc-gac.com.

All applications must be received no later than May 8, 2015.

tate the stakeholder working group, it is not part of the association.

“This is not a CSTA initiative, it’s a stakeholder initiative, we wanted to create a system that would be flexible and adaptable to the needs of the marketplace, and encourage and promote competition along the value chain, make sure that the value is generated for the entire value chain and that the system rewarded success,” said Hansen. “We certainly do know that Canada is at a crossroads. We’re hearing lots of positive signals about the potential demands for our crops and products that we’re producing here in Canada, but that doesn’t come without risk and issues we need to be challenging.”

With a broad range of high-performing wheat, durum and feed barley options, Proven® Seed ensures you have the right combination of inputs, technology and expertise best suited for your land. In fact, every Proven Seed cereal variety contains superior genetics and is designed for a unique set of local growing conditions to guarantee grower satisfaction. Talk to your CPS retailer to select the best Proven Seed cereal variety for your farm.

Learn more at provenseed.ca Proven® Seed is a registered trademark of Crop Production Services (Canada) Inc. Let’s Talk Farming™ is a trademark of Crop Production Services (Canada) Inc. CPS CROP PRODUCTION SERVICES and Design is a registered trademark of Crop Production Services, Inc. 11/14-41182-2 MC

24

The Manitoba Co-operator | January 22, 2015

LIVESTOCK MARKETS Cattle Prices

Heifers

Alberta South — — 125.00 - 143.00 110.00 - 128.00 144.15 $ 228.00 - 240.00 235.00 - 249.00 245.00 - 266.00 263.00 - 285.00 289.00 - 316.00 315.00 - 342.00 $ 205.00 - 220.00 215.00 - 230.00 230.00 - 245.00 244.00 - 262.00 265.00 - 285.00 283.00 - 310.00

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

(850+ lbs.)

Ontario $ 117.67 - 198.18 160.76 - 191.81 96.34 - 132.46 96.24 - 132.46 126.32 - 154.59 $ 218.80 - 251.58 194.04 - 253.66 204.94 - 282.49 217.80 - 297.04 234.27 - 325.21 242.53 - 333.74 $ 178.67 - 214.40 193.61 - 221.97 169.72 - 229.71 195.27 - 258.39 215.96 - 271.38 224.37 - 289.18

$

(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 16, 2015) in U.S. Fed Cattle Close Change February 2015 154.20 -9.40 April 2015 152.80 -9.62 June 2015 146.45 -6.95 August 2015 145.55 -5.42 October 2015 147.97 -4.55 December 2015 148.30 -4.65

Feeder Cattle January 2015 March 2015 April 2015 May 2015 August 2015 September 2015

Cattle Slaughter

Close 215.65 205.60 206.35 207.15 209.05 208.05

Change -9.97 -11.45 -10.07 -10.02 -10.17 -10.55

Cattle Grades (Canada)

Week Ending December 27, 2014 Canada 28,493 East 6,214 West 22,279 Manitoba N/A U.S. 391,00

Previous Year­ 29,452 5,449 24,003 N/A 432,000

Prime AAA AA A B D E

Week Ending December 27, 2014 594 13,963 8,348 338 338 4,724 115

Previous Year 335 12,431 8,837 321 183 7,090 42

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.)

PQ (Index 100) (Mon.-Fri.)

Current Week 178.00 E 164.00 E 164.35 168.05

Futures (January 16, 2015) in U.S. Hogs February 2015 April 2015 May 2015 June 2015 July 2015

Last Week 178.96 167.35 165.91 168.80

Close 75.62 78.35 84.95 87.92 87.05

Last Year (Index 100) 167.71 157.78 158.74 161.69

Change 2.53 1.60 0.47 1.08 1.10

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

(95 - 109 lb.)

(80 - 94 lb.)

(Under 80 lb.)

(New crop)

$1 Cdn: $0.8343 U.S. $1 U.S: $1.1986 Cdn.

COLUMN

(Friday to Thursday) January 16, 2015 Winnipeg Slaughter Cattle Steers — Heifers — D1, 2 Cows 117.00 - 125.00 D3 Cows 105.00 - 115.00 Bulls 130.00 - 140.00 Feeder Cattle (Price ranges for feeders refer to top-quality animals only) Steers (901+ lbs.) $ — (801-900 lbs.)

— (701-800 lbs.)

210.00 - 235.00 (601-700 lbs.)

220.00 - 255.00 (501-600 lbs.)

230.00 - 265.00 (401-500 lbs.)

235.00 - 275.00 Heifers (901+ lbs.)

— (801-900 lbs.)

— (701-800 lbs.)

200.00 - 225.00 (601-700 lbs.)

200.00 - 235.00 (501-600 lbs.)

225.00 - 255.00 (401-500 lbs.)

235.00 -265.00 Slaughter Cattle Grade A Steers Grade A Heifers D1, 2 Cows D3 Cows Bulls Steers

EXCHANGES: January 16, 2015

Winnipeg (90 Hd) Wooled Fats — — — — — —

Chickens Minimum broiler prices as of April 13, 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 January 11, 2015 Broiler Turkeys (6.2 kg or under, live weight truck load average) Grade A .................................... $1.965 Undergrade .............................. $1.875 Hen Turkeys (between 6.2 and 8.5 kg liveweight truck load average) Grade A .................................... $1.945 Undergrade .............................. $1.845 Light Tom/Heavy Hen Turkeys (between 8.5 and 10.8 kg liveweight truck load average) Grade A .................................... $1.945 Undergrade .............................. $1.845 Tom Turkeys (10.8 and 13.3 kg, live weight truck load average) Grade A..................................... $1.900 Undergrade............................... $1.815 Prices are quoted f.o.b. producers premise.

Toronto 127.81 - 147.19 214.80 - 230.23 225.12 - 247.46 228.85 - 258.47 248.90 - 317.15 —

SunGold Specialty Meats —

Eggs

Goats Kids Billys Mature

Toronto ($/cwt) 137.48 - 354.86 — 122.09 - 262.89

Horses <1,000 lbs.

1,000 lbs.+

Winnipeg ($/cwt) — —

Producers are keeping a wary eye on their feed supplies Dave Sims CNSC

“(Cattle) volumes will get a bit bigger, but not that much.”

M

buddy bergner

anitoba stockyards were busy once again as over 4,000 animals made their way to market for the week ended Jan. 16. While the volumes seemed light compared to the height of the fall run, one cattleman said they were fairly routine for January.

“We had 800, which was normal for this time of year; there was quite a few slaughter (too),” said Buddy Bergner of Ashern Auction Mart.

Action should pick up as February approaches, but it won’t be abnormally large, he said. “Volumes will get a bit bigger but not that much; there’s less cattle out there.”

Prices were firm, with bid for 700- to 800pound steers generally receiving offers in the $250 range. Light calves traded at fully steady to five cents stronger in some areas, while good action was reported on heavy backgrounded feeders by one auction mart.

Demand for animals at the Ashern market tended to come from the east and west, he added. “Not much from the U.S.; never was.”

As for feed supplies, Bergner said producers are getting by, but it is a tense situation that everyone is monitoring. “Well, it’s going to be nip and tuck; there’s no extra, I tell you.”

That said, “at one point last fall, corn was much cheaper than it is now… this allowed some farmers to buy large amounts to get them through the winter.”

Recent action on commodity markets has made feed supplies generally more expensive, he noted.

Toronto ($/cwt) 16.00 - 33.00 30.00 - 38.00

“Corn prices weren’t too bad there for a while; corn went up a little bit again, though.”

Freight costs are still a thorny issue, Bergner said, as prices for trucks are still about the same as they were last year. This has hurt some farmers who were looking to bring in feed supplies but ultimately backed off.

“There was hay (to buy) but it was miles away; freight there will kill you.”

Fortunately, Bergner said, the federal and provincial governments are assisting some producers with the cost.

The Forage Shortfall and Transportation Initiative, announced in November under the AgriRecovery program, provides up to 16 cents per tonne per loaded kilometre to transport feed and up to eight cents per head per loaded kilometre to transport breeding livestock and their unweaned calves to feed sources, according to a government release.

Producers in the Lake Manitoba and Lake Winnipegosis regions may also receive help buying feed, up to $50 per tonne.

That makes a difference, Bergner said. “(The) freight is still the same but the government is helping out.”

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

briefs

USDA approves Monsanto’s new GMO soybeans, cotton

By Carey Gillam reuters

Minimum prices to producers for ungraded eggs, f.o.b. egg grading station, set by the Manitoba Egg Producers Marketing Board effective November 10, 2013.

New Previous A Extra Large $2.00 $2.05 A Large 2.00 2.05 A Medium 1.82 1.87 A Small 1.40 1.45 A Pee Wee 0.3775 0.3775 Nest Run 24 + 1.8910 1.9390 B 0.45 0.45 C 0.15 0.15

Winnipeg (10 h) — — —

Holidays over, cattle traffic back to normal levels

Monsanto Co. received final U.S. approval Jan. 15 for herbicide-tolerant crops to be used with a new herbicide the company says will fight problematic weed resistance on farm fields, but critics say will only worsen the problems.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) said the genetically modified cotton and soybean plants are granted “non-regulated” status. Monsanto is still waiting for final approval from the Environmental Protection

Agency for the herbicide it designed to be used with the crops.

The company also is still awaiting approval from Chinese regulators to allow imports of the new soybeans.

China is a key buyer of U.S. soybeans, but the country has shown reluctance to approve imports of new GMO crops recently.

Last week, Monsanto chief technology officer Robb Fraley told analysts the company expects to have Chinese approval in time for a commercial launch in 2016.

“With the USDA announcement, these products now have received regulatory approval in both Canada and the U.S.,” a Monsanto stakeholder update says. The soybeans will also be released into Canada in 2016.

Monsanto developed the new soybeans and cotton

to resist a new herbicide that combines dicamba and glyphosate and which Mo n s a n t o i s b ra n d i n g as components of the “Roundup Ready Xtend crop system.” The new products are aimed at combating the millions of acres of weeds that have grown resistant to Monsanto’s glyphosatebased Roundup, which has been used extensively on the company’s biotech corn, soybeans and cotton.

Monsanto’s Xtend system drew intense opposition from many consumers, environmental and farmer groups who say using more herbicides on weeds will only increase weed resistance over the long term.

Increased herbicide use also brings increased risks of health problems and environmental pollution, they say.

Looking for results? Check out the market reports from livestock auctions around the province. » PaGe 15

25

The Manitoba Co-operator | January 22, 2015

GRAIN MARKETS Export and International Prices

column

Weakness in other oilseeds drags on canola futures U.S. wheat futures face pressure from improved weather Terryn Shiells CNSC

T

he ICE Futures Canada canola market saw some choppy activity, moving both higher and lower during the week ended Jan. 16. Prices ultimately finished slightly lower compared to the previous week, as weakness in outside oilseed markets weighed on values.

The market remains at an inverse, with the March contract seeing smaller losses than further-out months during the week — though in the cash market, delivery is starting to be deferred.

Speculative buying by the funds was a big feature of the activity during the week, as the canola market continued to outpace Chicago soybean futures. That interest was starting to back away at the end of the week, causing canola to come off its highs. Ideas that commercial demand is slowing down, as many elevators are covered for the time being, further undermined the market.

A pickup in farmer selling was also bearish. Farmers seem to be selling the futures market, rather than into the cash market, as basis levels are widening in reaction to continued upward movement in the March canola contract. Farmers are trying to sell into the March future, hoping basis levels will improve.

That may not happen, though; one broker noted grain companies are still basing cash prices off the March contract, which is normal — but they may start using the May contract sooner than usual, because of the high prices in March.

Plenty to market

Though the canola market has been strong recently, it may not stay that way. There isn’t really anything fundamental to support the market, as there is still plenty of canola left to be marketed this year.

Expectations are that, although the canola market is outpacing CBOT (Chicago Board of Trade) soybeans now, they will eventually fall back into line with their U.S. counterpart.

CBOT soybean futures saw a week of monstrous losses, down about US60 cents per bushel in the three nearby contracts.

Generally good weather for South American soybeans, very large U.S. supplies and expec-

All prices close of business January 16, 2015

Last Week

Week Ago

Year Ago

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

195.75

208.34

207.05

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

213.48

223.59

226.99

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

149.60

155.21

166.92

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

182.69

195.98

259.04

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

364.13

383.97

483.73

Chicago soyoil ($US/tonne)

727.43

740.44

832.17

Coarse Grains

oilseeds

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

Winnipeg Futures ICE Futures Canada prices at close of business January 16, 2015 barley

tations that China will start cancelling orders soon were all overhanging the market.

Chicago corn futures also moved lower during the week, despite a mostly supportive monthly U.S. Department of Agriculture crop report released during the week. USDA pegged 2014-15 corn production at a smallerthan-expected 14.216 billion bushels. Its previous estimate put production at 14.407 billion bushels.

Weakness in wheat and beans spilled over to weigh on corn, with chart-based selling and large global supplies also bearish for values.

Kansas City, Chicago and Minneapolis wheat contracts all moved sharply lower, as weather for U.S. winter wheat crops showed improvement. Continued upward movement in the U.S. dollar index was also bearish, as it caused a slowdown in demand on the export market.

The next area of focus, for all U.S. grains and oilseeds, aside from South American production, will be 2015-16 acreage in the U.S. Soybean acreage is expected to increase, as prices look more attractive than other options. Private estimates say U.S. bean acreage will increase by about two million acres this spring.

Because of recent price weakness, corn area is expected to drop by about 2.3 million acres this spring.

U.S. winter wheat area dropped to 40.5 million acres this fall, from 42.4 million in the year prior, USDA said in its Jan. 12 report.

This is leading to expectations that U.S. wheat production will drop in 2015-16, but it won’t be a huge deal because global supplies are still very large.

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

Last Week

Week Ago

March 2015

195.00

182.00

May 2015

197.00

184.00

July 2015

199.00

186.00

Canola

Last Week

Week Ago

March 2015

450.60

452.20

May 2015

446.40

448.60

July 2015

440.60

—

Special Crops Report for January 19, 2015 — 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

Canaryseed

40.50 - 41.00

Laird No. 1

37.50 - 41.00

Oil Sunflower Seed

Eston No. 2

24.00 - 30.00

Desi Chickpeas

23.00 - 24.50 — 15.20 - 16.00

Field Peas (Cdn. $ per bushel)

Beans (Cdn. cents per pound)

Green No. 1

8.30 - 9.50

Fababeans, large

Medium Yellow No. 1

7.90 - 8.00

—

Feed beans

—

Feed Peas (Cdn. $ per bushel)

No. 1 Navy/Pea Beans

26.00 - 26.00

Feed Pea (Rail)

No. 1 Great Northern

42.00 - 42.00

No. 1 Cranberry Beans

42.00 - 42.00

4.10 - 4.10

Mustardseed (Cdn. cents per pound) Yellow No. 1

31.40 - 33.00

No. 1 Light Red Kidney

53.00 - 53.00

Brown No. 1

23.80 - 25.00

No. 1 Dark Red Kidney

67.00 - 67.00

Oriental No. 1

29.50 - 31.00

Source: Stat Publishing SUNFLOWERS

No. 1 Black Beans

30.00 - 30.00

No. 1 Pinto Beans

23.00 - 32.00

No. 1 Small Red

44.00 - 44.00

No. 1 Pink

44.00 - 44.00

Fargo, ND

Goodlands, KS

19.50

NQ

Ask

—

Report for January 16, 2015 in US$ cwt NuSun (oilseed) Confection Source: National Sunflower Association

Prairie farmers to benefit from low ocean freight rates The BDI has dropped in recent months

By Terryn Shiells Commodity News Service Canada

W

estern Canadian grain farmers are expected to benefit from recent lower ocean freight rates. The Baltic Dry Index (BDI), a measurement of ocean freight rates, has dropped significantly over the past couple of months.

The BDI was quoted at 749 points on January 16, up from a low of 709 points seen earlier in the month, but well off November highs of 1,456 points.

“Our export customers, ultimately they care most about what it costs to pay for something landed in their ports, and so the cheaper that you can

get it there, the easier it is for companies to back some of that into higher prices for growers,” Jonathon Driedger, m a r k e t a n a l y s t w i t h Fa r m L i n k Marketing Solutions, said.

“It’s not an apples to apples, penny for penny-type thing. But, it cheapens the ability to move grain around, and of course transportation costs is a huge part of getting grain into end-use markets,” he added.

The lower cost also makes Canadian grain more competitive and levels the playing field with other countries that sell similar products into Asia, such as Australia.

One contributing factor to the lower shipping rates has been the drop

in crude oil, as it reduces fuel costs to run the big ships. But, the main thing that impacts ocean freight rates is supply and demand, according to Driedger.

“Ultimately it’s a combination of how much shipping capacity is there, compared to how much people want to export. Things like a weakening global economy, some concerns about China and other developing markets not growing as fast, and the recession in Europe, Japan, help reduce demand for stuff in general. So, that helps maybe free up some capacity which lowers freight rates,” he added.

Though the export pace for Canadian crops, including wheat,

canola and pulses, has been strong so far this year, it’s not necessarily because of the lower ocean freight rates.

“I don’t think it would be fair to make that direct a connection because there are a lot of things that impact export demand,” said Driedger. “There have been years when freight has been expensive and we’ve exported a lot of grain, so there are a lot of different moving parts.”

According to data from the Canadian Grain Commission, exports of Canadian grain for 2014-15 totalled 18.956 million tonnes as of January 11, up from 16.638 million tonnes at the same time a year ago.

26 1

The ManitobaCo-Operator Co-operator | January 2015 The Manitoba October 22, 6, 2011

FARMER'S

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

Selling?

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

Classification

index Tributes/Memoriams Announcements Airplanes Alarms & Security Systems AnTiqueS – Antiques For Sale – Antique Equipment – Antique Vehicles – Antiques Wanted

Your guide to the Classification Categories and sub-listings within this section.

BuiLDinG & RenOVATiOnS – Building Supplies – Concrete Repair – Doors & Windows – Electrical & Plumbing – Insulation – Lumber – Roofing Buildings Business Machines Business Opportunities

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BuSineSS SeRViCeS – Crop Consulting – Financial & Legal – Insurance/Investments Butchers Supply Chemicals Clothing/Work wear Clothing/Western /Specialty wear Collectibles Compressors Computers

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FARM MAChineRy – Aeration – Conveyors – Equipment Monitors

– Fertilizer Equipment – Grain Augers – Grain Bins – Grain Carts – Grain Cleaners – Grain Dryers – Grain Elevators – Grain Handling – Grain Testers – Grain Vacuums – Hydraulics – Irrigation Equipment – Loaders & Dozers – Parts & Accessories – Potato & Row Crop Equipment – Repairs – Rockpickers – Salvage – Silage Equipment – Snowblowers/Plows – Specialty Equipment – Machinery Miscellaneous – Machinery Wanted

TRACTORS – Agco – Allis/Deutz – Belarus – Case/IH – Caterpillar – Ford – John Deere – Kubota – Massey Ferguson – New Holland – Steiger – Universal – Versatile – White – Zetor – 2-Wheel Drive – 4-Wheel Drive – Various Fencing Firewood Fish Farm Forestry/Logging Fork Lifts/Pallet Trucks Fur Farming Generators GPS Health Care Heat & Air Conditioning Hides/Furs/Leathers Hobby & Handicrafts Household Items Iron & Steel

hAyinG & hARVeSTinG – Baling Equipment – Mower Conditioners – Swathers – Swather Accessories – Various COMBineS – Belarus – Case/IH – Cl – Caterpillar Lexion – Deutz – Ford/NH – Gleaner – John Deere – Massey Ferguson – Versatile – White – Combines - Various – Accessories

LAnDSCApinG – Greenhouses – Lawn & Garden LiVeSTOCK Cattle – Cattle Auctions – Angus – Black Angus – Red Angus – Aryshire – Belgian Blue – Blonde d’Aquitaine

SpRAyinG equipMenT – Sprayers – Various

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27

The Manitoba Co-operator | January 22, 2015

AUCTION SALES

AUCTION SALES

AUCTION SALES

AUCTION SALES

AUCTION SALES

AUCTION SALES U.S. Auctions

AUCTION SALES U.S. Auctions

AUCTION SALES U.S. Auctions

AUCTION SALES U.S. Auctions

AUCTION SALES U.S. Auctions

Retirement Concrete Construction

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 11 | 10AM AUCTIONEER’S NOTE: After 18 years in business, Doug and Cate have decided to retire and offer this excellent, late model line of trucks, and equipment. Most pieces have been purchased new with complete service records, and stored inside when not in use. Auctioneers may run two rings. For preview or inspection, please contact Doug Bladow, 701.640.0437. Major equipment begins selling at 11:00 AM. Live online bidding available on major equipment. Registration, terms, & details at SteffesGroup.com. Location: 17749 Hwy. 13, Wahpeton, ND. From Wahpeton, 3 miles west on Hwy. 13; or from I-29 Exit 23, 7 miles east on Hwy. 13.

GRAVEL TRUCKS 2015 Peterbilt 365, MX13 Paccar, 455 hp., Allison automatic, engine brake, Chalmers susp., quad locking axles, (3) air up/down steerable pushers, 18’ Oxbody gravel body with Maxle Super Dump axle, 4:30 ratio, 425/65R22.5 front tires, 255/70R22.5 pusher tires, 11-22.5 rear tires, aluminum rims, 6,534 miles 2015 Peterbilt 365, MX13 Paccar, 455 hp., Allison automatic, engine brake, Chalmers susp., quad locking axles, (3) air up/down steerable pushers, 18’ Oxbody gravel body with Maxle Super Dump axle, 4:30 ratio, 425/65R22.5 front tires, 255/70R22.5 pusher tires, 11-22.5 rear tires, aluminum rims, 8,636 miles 2007 Kenworth T800 tandem axle Super Dump, C13 Cat, 470 hp., Allison automatic, engine brake, Chalmers susp., triple steerable pusher axles, 18’ Strong Industries gravel box, 250” WB, 4:30 ratio, 425/65R22.5 front tires, 215/75R17.5 pusher tires, 11-22.5 rear tires, aluminum rims, 311,100 miles 2006 Peterbilt 379 tandem axle, C13 Cat, 430 hp., 8LL trans., quad locking axles w/air up/down steerable pusher axle, engine brake, Air Trac air ride, 16’ Bibeau gravel box, full locker, 240” WB, 3:90 ratio, 385/65R22.5 front tires, 255/70R22.5 pusher tires, 295/75R22.5 rear tires, aluminum rims, 50,916 miles, single owner 1998 Peterbilt 378, 3406 Cat, 475 hp., 13 spd., engine brake, low air leaf air ride, 16’ gravel box, pintle hitch, rear hyd., 3:55 ratio, 11-24.5 tires, front aluminum and rear steel rims, 850,500 miles, recent engine OH, used to pull pup trailer

2005 Peterbilt 379 tandem axle, day cab, C13 Cat, 475 hp., 13 spd., engine brake, low air leaf air ride, dual exhaust, dual air cleaners, dual fuel tanks, 2-line wet kit, air up/down steerable pusher axle, 260” WB, 3:42 ratio, 530,410 miles 2005 Peterbilt 379 tandem axle, day cab, C13 Cat, 430 hp., 13 spd., engine brake, low air leaf air ride, air slide 5th, air up/down steerable pusher axle, diff lock, dual exhaust, 244” WB, 3:70 ratio, 370,595 miles 2001 Peterbilt 378 tandem axle, day cab, C12 Cat, 410 hp., 13 spd., low air leaf air ride, air up/down steerable pusher axle, dual exhaust, dual fuel tanks, aluminum headache rack, 2-line wet kit, 244” WB, 3:55 ratio, 718,886 miles 2001 Peterbilt 357 tandem axle, day cab, C12 Cat, 430 hp., 13 spd., engine brake, air ride, air slide 5th, 2-line wet kit, air up/down steerable pusher axle, 224” WB, 4:11 ratio, 285/75R24.5 front tires, 519,660 miles, complete New engine 1998 Peterbilt 379 tandem axle, day cab, 3406B Cat, 435 hp., 13 spd., engine brake, air ride, air slide 5th, dual exhaust, 2-line wet kit, 220” WB, 3:55 ratio, 938,600 miles, complete engine OH recently

CONCRETE MIXER TRUCKS 2010 Peterbilt 365, ISM Cummins, 350 hp., 8LL spd., Chalmers susp., quad locking axles w/air up/down steerable pusher axle, full locker, Con-Tech Bridgemaster 11 yd. mixer, 4:78 ratio, 69,660 miles, single owner 2006 Kenworth W900L, ISM Cummins, 350 hp., 8LL trans., quad locking axles w/air up/down steerable, McNeilus Bridgemaster 11 yd. mixer, SLEEPER SEMI TRACTOR 142,700 miles, single owner 2007 Peterbilt 386, tandem axle, 70” sleeper, double bunk, C15 Cat, 475 2005 Kenworth W900L, ISM Cummins, 350 hp., 8LL trans., quad hp., 18 spd., engine brake, Peterbilt flex air ride, air slide 5th, cruise, dual locking axles w/air up/down steerable aluminum tanks, diff lock, 3:36 ratio, pusher axle, full locker, McNeilus Bridgemaster 11 yd. mixer, 115,390 602,340 miles miles, single owner NON-SLEEPER SEMI TRACTORS 2005 Kenworth W900L, ISM 2007 Kenworth W900 tandem axle, Cummins, 350 hp., 8LL trans., factory day cab, C13 Cat, 470 hp., quad locking axles w/steerable 13 spd., engine brake, AG380 air pusher axle, full locker, McNeilus ride, SS air cleaner, dual exhaust, Bridgemaster 11 yd. mixer, 137,300 dual aluminum fuel tanks, 1-line wet miles, single owner kit, 220” WB, 200,740 miles, single 1997 Peterbilt 357, 3306 Cat, 300 owner hp., McNeilus Bridgemaster 11 yd.

2005 Peterbilt 385 tandem axle, mixer, air up/down pusher axle, diff day cab, C13 Cat, 410 hp., 10 spd., lock, 4:63 ratio, 151,500 miles engine brake, Air Trac air ride, 1997 Peterbilt 357, 3306 Cat, 300 air slide 5th, dual exhaust, dual hp., McNeilus Bridgemaster 11 yd. aluminum tanks, full locker, 3:70 mixer, air up/down pusher axle, diff ratio, 370,894 miles lock, 4:63 ratio, 173,000 miles 2005 Peterbilt 379 tandem axle, ext. 1997 Peterbilt 357, 3306 Cat, 300 hood, day cab, C15 Cat, 475 hp., 13 hp., McNeilus Bridgemaster 11 yd. spd., engine brake, low air leaf air mixer, air up/down steerable pusher ride, air slide 5th, dual exhaust, air axle, 4:63 ratio, 157,800 miles up/down steerable pusher, diff lock, 1995 Peterbilt 357, 3306 Cat, 300 222” WB, 3:55 ratio, 602,710 miles hp., McNeilus Bridgemaster 11 yd. mixer, air up/down pusher axle, 5:29 ratio, 166,000 miles, New drum, gear box & hyd. pump

PUMPER & CONVEYOR TRUCKS 2001 Mack tandem axle pumper truck, E7 Mack, 9 spd., air up/down steerable 3rd pusher axle, spring ride, 32M Zboom, custom-made insulated pipe wraps, 220” WB, 425/65R22.5 front tires, 385/65R22.5 pusher tires, 11-22.5 rear tires, aluminum rims, 1,317 pump hrs., 4,105 engine hrs., 112,140 miles, new pipe in 2008, single owner Approx. 400’ asst. size extra pipe, hose, & clamps for Mack pumper truck 2007 Sterling Condor tandem axle cabover, C13 Cat, 430 hp., Allison automatic, Haulmax susp., Putzmeister TB80 conveyor, feeder belt replaced 56 hrs. ago, 856 total belt hrs., 258” WB, outriggers, selfcontained washer, 425/65R22.5 front tires, 11-22.5 rear tires, aluminum wheels, 30,200 miles, single owner 2007 Sterling Condor tandem axle cabover, C13 Cat, 430 hp., Allison automatic, Haulmax susp., air up/down steerable pusher axle, Putzmeister TB110 conveyor, 1,904 belt hrs., outriggers, self-contained washer, 298” WB, 425/65R22.5 front tires, 275/70R22.5 pusher tires, 11-22.5 rear tires, aluminum rims, 45,000 miles 2000 Ford F750 single axle, 3126 Cat, 6 spd., spring ride, Putzmeister TB50 conveyor, 1,140 belt hrs., concrete hopper, self-contained washer, 264” WB, 11-22.5 tires, outside aluminum rims, 87,900 miles, single owner BELLY & SIDE DUMP, & PUP TRAILERS 2011 R-Way quad axle belly dump, 51’, tarp, air ride, air up/down rear (2) axles, 33 ton cap., 385/65R22.5 Super Singles on aluminum rims, single owner 1E9BF51H8BS448339 2009 R-Way quad axle belly dump, 51’, tarp, air ride, air up/down rear (2) axles, 33 ton cap., 385/65R22.5 Super Singles on aluminum rims, single owner 2009 R-Way quad axle belly dump, 51’, air ride, air up/down rear (2) axles, 33 ton cap., 385/65R22.5 Super Singles on aluminum rims, single owner 2007 Sidump’r SDR325 tri-axle trailer, 36’, air ride, 11R22.5 tires on steel rims, single owner 2005 Sidump’r SDR325 tri-axle trailer, 36’, air ride, air load scale, 11R22.5 tires on steel rims, single owner, New main cyl.

2003 Midland SK2100 tandem axle pup trailer, 14’ gravel dump box, 19-1/2’ pole, spring ride, 11-24.5 tires on steel, single owner DROP DECK & RGN TRAILERS 2011 Jet drop deck, 53’, 5’ beavertail, flip ramps, spread axle, air ride, dump valve, 5’ aluminum box, sliding winches, 255/70R22.5 tires on steel rims, single owner 2007 Jet drop deck, spread axle, 53’, 5’ beavertail, flip ramps, air ride, dump valve, sliding winches, 5’ aluminum box, 255/70R22.5 tires on steel rims, single owner 2008 Terex Load King RGN tri-axle trailer, non-ground bearing, 55 ton, air ride, 26’ well, hyd. detach, 102” swing out, air up/down (3) axles, plumbed for stinger, no pony motor, custom-built fenders, 255/70R22.5 tires on steel rims, single owner

PRIME CONCRETE INC.

Doug and Cate Bladow, 701.640.0437 or Brad Olstad & Tadd Skaurud of Steffes Group, 701.238.0240, 701.729.3644

1996 Caterpillar CP433C sheep foot roller packer, EROPS, vibrator control, leveling blade, 66” drum, 14.9-24 tires, 2,614 hrs., S/N5HK31094 2012 Hamm HD12VV smooth roller packer, double smooth 48” drum, center lift point, 92 hrs., single owner, S/NH2002602 DOZER 2012 Hamm HD12VV smooth roller 2007 Caterpillar D6K LGP dozer, packer, double smooth 48” drum, 6-way 11’ blade, AccuGrade ready, center lift point, 121 hrs., single 30” pads, 3,613 hrs., owner, S/NH2002597 S/NCAT00D6KEDHA00309 2012 Hamm HD12VV smooth roller packer, double smooth 48” drum, ARTICULATING DUMP TRUCK center lift point, 144 hrs., single 2002 Caterpillar 730 articulating dump truck, C11 Cat, 300 hp., heat, owner, S/NH2002128 A/C, engine block heater, 5,582 hrs. ROBOTIC WHEEL POLISHER 2013 VIS robotic wheel polisher, EXCAVATOR & ATTACHMENTS 480v, 3 phase, 293 hrs.

2008 Caterpillar 320DL excavator, 2 spd. travel, engine block heater, OTHER TRUCKS aux. hyd. on boom, hyd. quick 2007 Peterbilt 335 single axle, C7 coupler, 48” heavy duty bucket Cat, 330 hp., 10 spd., engine brake, w/teeth, 1,686 hrs., single owner, spring ride, diff lock, 14’ Curry Supply S/NCAT032DDJPHX01186 mechanics service body, Autocrane 2010 Solesbee hyd. thumb for 320 Titan Model 10006H crane, hyd. excavator, single owner outriggers, 275 gal. fuel tank w/high Smooth cutting bucket, 72”, for output pump & hose reel, Bobcat 320DL excavator, single owner welder/generator w/95 hrs., hyd. drive air compressor, complete set MINI EXCAVATORS mechanics tools, 4:78 ratio, 11-22.5 & ATTACHMENTS tires, aluminum outside rims, 6,395 2011 Caterpillar 305.5D CR mini excavator, enclosed cab, heat, A/C, miles, single owner 2000 Peterbilt 357, C12 Cat, 395 aux. hyd., 24” bucket, long stick, 2 spd. travel, mechanical coupler, 338 hp., 8LL trans., engine brake, quad locking axles w/air up/down pusher hrs., single owner Bucket, 36”, for Caterpillar 305.5D CR axle, 22’ flatbed, IMT 52’ knuckle boom crane, max. 10,000 lb. lift, 2005 Caterpillar 305CR mini pintle hitch, (2) toolboxes, 4:11 ratio, excavator, open station, aux. hyd., 24” bucket, 2 spd. travel, mechanical 385/65R22.5 front tires on aluminum rims, 11-22.5 rear tires on steel rims, quick coupler, 1,651 hrs., complete 40,450 miles, single owner New engine w/115 hrs., 1998 Peterbilt 357 tandem axle S/NCAT00305V0GT01673 water truck, M11 Cummins, 330 hp., 2009 Caterpillar H550 hammer 8LL trans., Chalmers susp., 232” WB, concrete breaker, custom-built 4,000 gal. water tank, front, side, & metal rack, fits 2005 Caterpillar 305 rear sprayers, hose reel on back, mini excavator, single owner 5:38 ratio, 11-22.5 tires on steel, BOOM LIFT 425/65R22.5 tires on aluminum, 2011 JLG 450AJ Series II boom 131,000 miles lift, diesel, 45’, 4WD, cold start, 1990 Peterbilt 379 single axle, 3176 generator, 33-15.5-16 tires, 726 hrs., Cat, 325 hp., 13 spd., air ride, SS S/N300146904 air cleaners, dual aluminum fuel tanks, 4,000 gal. SS tank w/hyd. lift TRACTOR LOADER BACKHOE 2003 Caterpillar 420D tractor loader hoist, HydroVac water vac system, 222” WB, 3:36 ratio, 11-22.5 tires, backhoe, 4WD, cab, heat, extendaluminum wheels, 460,000 miles a-hoe, 1.4 yd. bucket, 30” bucket, 19.5-24 tires, 340/80R18 tires, 1,812 2009 IHC 4300 single axle, DT466, 250 hp., Allison automatic, air ride, hrs., S/NCAT0420DPFDP09997 30’ van body, translucent roof, hyd.

TRACK SKID STEER LOADERS lift gate, warehouse racking, roll& ATTACHMENTS up door, 275” WB, 11R22.5 tires, 2013 JD CT323D track skid steer outside aluminum rims, 292,650 loader, cab, heat, engine block miles, doesn’t require CDL heater, foot controls, 2 spd. travel, 1998 IHC 8100, M11 Cummins, 280 quick tach, 84” bucket, 389 hrs., single hp., 9 spd., spring ride, 24’ van body, owner, S/N1T0323DBHDG240934 roll-up door, 256” WB, 11-22.5 tires, 2013 JD CT323D track skid steer steel rims, 515,732 miles loader, cab, heat, engine block 2011 Ford F450 crew cab dually, 6.7 heater, foot controls, 2 spd. travel, liter Powerstroke diesel, automatic, quick tach, 84” bucket, 338 hrs., single 2WD, 9’ flatbed w/lumber rack and owner, S/N1T0323DBCDG240967 toolboxes, electric trailer brakes, (2) Small hoppers for Putzmeister 225/70R19.5 tires, 51,500 miles, telebelt, custom-built for skid steer single owner loaders 1991 IHC 4900 single axle, DT466 2000 Worksite Pro HB50 hyd. diesel, 7 spd., 14’ Frontier contractor concrete breaker, skid steer loader body, fold-down sides, spring ride, mount, single owner pintle hitch, rear air, 190” WB, McMillen posthole auger, skid steer 11-22.5 tires on steel rims, shows loader mount, flat-face hyd. couplers 253,000 miles w/15” bit PICKUPS 24” bit for hyd. posthole auger Virnig rock grapple, 84”, 6” space, 2 2008 GMC Sierra, 1/2 ton, reg. cab, hyd. cyl. on grapple, skid steer loader 5.3 liter, automatic, 4WD, 8’ box, Rhino lining, 75,000 miles, single mount, single owner owner Skid steer loader snow bucket, 6’ 2008 GMC Sierra, 1/2 ton, reg. cab, (2) Sets pallet forks w/backrest, for 5.3 liter, automatic, 8’ box, Rhino skid steer loaders lining, 102,000 miles, single owner Pallet forks, for skid steer loader (3) Quick tach hitch movers, for skid 2007 GMC 1 ton dually, crew cab, Duramax 6.6 liter, automatic, 2WD, steer loaders flatbed w/lumber rack & toolboxes, PACKERS 87,900 miles 1998 Caterpillar CS433C smooth 2000 Chevrolet, 1/2 ton, 5.3 liter gas, drum roller packer, 66” drum, automatic, 4WD, 154,880 miles vibrator control, 14.9-24 tires, 1,975 hrs., S/N5HK65166 WHEEL LOADER 2005 Caterpillar 950G II wheel loader, heat, A/C, ride control, engine block heater, 4.5 yd. bucket, VEI scale, 23.5-25 tires, 4,585 hrs., S/N0950GJAYL02067 Large hopper for Putzmeister telebelt, custom-built for wheel loader w/vibrator

OTHER TRAILERS 1993 Fruehauf dry van, 53’, air ride, tandem slider, lights, converted into insulated job trailer w/warehouse racking, 250 gal. LP tank, Reznor 50,000 BTU heater Enclosed dry van, 40’, storage only 2008 ABU tandem axle bumper hitch tilt bed trailer, electric brakes, toolbox, single owner 2006 ABU tandem axle deckover pintle hitch trailer, 20’, dovetail ramp, electric brakes, toolbox, single owner 2001 ABU tandem axle deckover pintle hitch trailer, 20’, dovetail flipup ramps, pop-up rear deck, electric brakes, toolbox, single owner 2011 Jensen tandem axle bumper hitch enclosed trailer, 18’, 4’ side door, fold-down ramp door, electric brakes, single owner 1998 Fechtner heavy duty tandem axle bumper hitch trailer, 16’, Knaack toolbox, single owner 1998 Jensen tandem axle bumper hitch enclosed trailer, 24’, electric brakes, rear swing doors, 4’ side door, racking inside, single owner 2006 United enclosed V-nose tandem axle trailer, 12’, with Maxforce 3330 basement waterproof spray system, 3/8”x150’ psi heavy duty hose, 31 hrs., single owner CONCRETE GRINDING & POLISHING EQUIPMENT (2) 2013 Barracuda XJ6 concrete grinders, 230v, 3 phase, single owner, S/N758, S/N757 (2) 2013 IPC Eagle pulsating vacs, 4-wheel carts, gauges, 15’ hoses, 220v, 1 phase, single owner, S/N25054, S/N25055 2013 XPS PB-1050 turbo vac, 16 gal. tank, 140 cfm, single owner, S/N10503760 2014 Genie edging grinder, DeWalt grinder, single owner 2013 Machine Mach I Genie grinder polisher, 220v, 1 phase, single owner, S/NXPSCG500-E001 2013 Pioneer Eclipse Cleanstar 20 scrubber, battery w/charger, single owner, S/N130100191 2013 Pioneer Eclipse burnisher, 28”, LP power, single owner, S/N76204 Inventory of polishing diamonds, resins & burnishing pads (3) Spools 150’ wire, 3 phase w/couplers & cart 150’ cord, 220v, 1 phase 300’ ext. cord, 12-3 w/spool Junction box, 220v, 3 phase, single owner (2) Crusader high volume air fans, single owner DeWalt grinder, 7”, single owner Metobo handheld grinder, 7’ w/dust hood, single owner TRACTOR 2014 JD 4720, open station, eHydro, 1 hyd., aux. rear hyd., 3 pt., 540 PTO, front weight pkg., 27-10.5-15 front turf tires, 44-18:00-20 rear turf tires, 65 hrs., single owner, S/N1LV4720HKDH916496 LASER EQUIPMENT Trimble GL622 laser transmitter, tripod, grade stick (2) Trimble GL522 laser transmitters, tripods, grade sticks Trimble Leica Rugby 320SG laser transmitter, tripod, grade stick OTHER EQUIPMENT To Include: Grading Box, Box Blade, Snow Pusher, Generators, Service Tanks, & More GEN SET, LIGHT PLANT, & GROUND HEATERS 2006 Caterpillar XQ80-2 gen set, 3054C engine, 100 kva/80 kw, 4,681 hrs.,

on Migs tandem axle trailer, S/N00C44CXYC00563 2005 Baldor Pow’R Lite light plant, Lombardini diesel motor, 6 kw, (4) 1000 watt lights, on trailer, 782 hrs., single owner (2) Thawzall ground heater trailers, diesel, EM200 boiler, (5) 500’ zones, hose w/power reel SCREEDS Somero S-15M concrete laser screed, Kubota diesel, (4) spare smooth tires on rims, 65 hrs., single owner Morrison screed, 42-1/2’ w/hyd. winch on each end, Honda GX160 motor Morrison screed, 40’ w/hyd. winch on each end, Honda GX160 motor MBW power screed head Black Beauty screed power heads w/(4) aluminum screeds (3) 2” screed pipes, 15’, 18’, 21’ COMPACTORS & PACKERS MBW walk-behind plate compactor, Honda gas motor MBW plate compactor, Honda GX160 motor Multi-Quip MVC-88VHG plate compactor, Honda GX160 motor Multi-Quip Mikasa plate compactor, Honda GX160 motor Wacker BS600 jumping jack packer, 2 stroke Wacker BS600 jumping jack packer, 4 stroke MBW jumping jack packer, Honda 4 stroke motor (4) Neuson Wacker BS60-2I jumping jack packers, 2-stroke motors TROWELS 2010 Wacker Neuson CRT36-26A ride-on overlapping power trowel, double 36”, Honda GX690 engine, 95 hrs., S/N5951857 2007 Wacker CRT36-24A-E ride-on overlapping power trowel, double 36”, Honda 24 hp., 119 hrs., S/N5737310 2001 Wacker CRT48-25K-H ride-on overlapping power trowel, double 48”, Kohler 25 hp. motor, 1,775 hrs., S/N5264988 Bartell B436 walk-behind power trowel, 36”, Honda 5.5 hp.

Bartell B424 walk-behind power edging trowel, Honda GX120 motor (2) Bartell walk-behind power trowels, 36”, Honda 5.5 hp. motor MBW walk-behind power trowel, 46”, Honda 8 hp. motor Multi-Quip J36H55 walk-behind power trowel, 36”, Honda GX160 motor Multi-Quip walk-behind power trowel, Honda GX160 motor Multi-Quip walk-behind power trowel, 46”, Honda GX270 motor Terex walk-behind power trowel, Honda 5.5 hp. motor OTHER CONCRETE EQUIPMENT To Include: Concrete Saws, Jet Pneumatic Jack Hammers, Pull Wagons, Tubing Staplers, Poly Roll Applicators & Misc. Concrete Tools Including: floats; handles; brushes; knee pads; wire tie guns; misc. hand tools; trowels; edgers; Max cordless rebar tie guns; Hilti hammer drills; cordless drills; stake pullers; rebar benders & cutters; levels; tape measures; chalk lines; rebar chairs; handheld pneumatic hammers; etc.

FORMS & RELATED EQUIPMENT Large Assortment of Shop Equipment, Inventory & Misc.

Items

Steffes Group Inc., 2000 Main Avenue East, West Fargo, ND 58078 | Brad Olstad ND319, Scott Steffes ND81, Bob Steffes ND82, Ashley Huhn ND843, Eric Gabrielson ND890, Randy Kath ND894 | 701.237.9173 | SteffesGroup.com TERMS: All items sold as is where is. Payment of cash or check must be made sale day before removal of items. Statements made auction day take precedence over all advertising. $35 documentation fee applies to all titled vehicles.

Titles will be mailed. Canadian buyers need a bank letter of credit to facilitate border transfer.

28

The Manitoba Co-operator | January 22, 2015

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

BUILDINGS

BUILDINGS

Birch River

Swan River Minitonas Durban

FARM MACHINERY Machinery Miscellaneous

Combines

DISCS JOHN DEERE 637 rock cushion 35-ft new notched blades on front, $39,000; Wishek 842 26-ft, $39,000; Rippers DMI 5 shank, $8,900; 7 shank, $10,500; Degelmen 14-ft rock rake PTO, $9,500; Degelmen scoop type rock picker, $3,000; Melroe auto reset plows 7 & 8 furrow, 10 x 70 Westfield auger w/swing bottom, $2,500; 7 x 40 Westfield electric motor, $1,000; 8 x 32 Farm King electric motor, $1,000; Leon 12-ft front blade, $3,000.

(204)857-8403.

COMBINES Case/IH 2008 CIH 8010 4WD combine.(it will drive as far as a track machine in mud), 30-ft flex draper, very low hrs 800-hrs, $200,000 OBO. (204)871-0925

COMBINES Accessories

Winnipegosis

Roblin

Dauphin

Grandview

Ashern

Gilbert Plains

Russell

Parkland

Birtle

Riverton Eriksdale

McCreary

Langruth

Neepawa

Gladstone

Rapid City

1

Brandon

Carberry

Boissevain

Killarney

Pilot Mound Crystal City

Elm Creek

Sanford

Ste. Anne

Carman

Mariapolis

Lac du Bonnet

Beausejour

Winnipeg

Austin Treherne

Westman

Waskada

Stonewall Selkirk

Portage

Souris

Melita

Interlake

Erickson Minnedosa

Reston

Arborg

Lundar Gimli

Shoal Lake

Hamiota

Virden

GRAINVACS REM 2500 HD, $9,500; Brandt 4000, $7,000; Jump Auger, $500; New Gravity wagons 400 bu, $7,400; 600-bu $12,500; 750-bu $18,250; Tarps available large selection of used gravity wagons 250-750-bu, 375-bu $3,200; 500-bu, $5,500; Used grain carts 650-1100-bu, 672 Brent tarp & scales, $15,000; 874 Brent $22,000; UFT 750 hyd drive, JD 544 Payloader, $14,000; Grain screeners DMC 54, $5,000; DMC 48, $3,000; Hutch 1500, $1,500; Snowco, $800; 5 & 7 tube Kwik Kleens.

(204)857-8403.

Fisher Branch

Ste. Rose du Lac

St. Pierre

242

Morris Winkler Morden

Altona

Steinbach

1

Red River

ANNOUNCEMENTS

BASF Knowledge Harvest Join growers from your area to hear from industry experts and watch live plant demos.

Hear a presentation on leadership from former NHL All-Star, Lanny McDonald.

Register at www.agsolutions.ca/knowledgeharvest Feb 12th, Brandon-Feb 17th, CalgaryFeb 19th, Edmonton-Feb 24th, SaskatoonFeb 26th, Moose Jaw

Call our toll-free number to take advantage of our Prepayment Bonus. Prepay for 3 weeks and we’ll run your ad 2 more weeks for free. That’s 5 weeks for the price of 3. Call 1-800-782-0794 today!

AUCTION SALES Manitoba Auctions – Parkland

NICKEL AUCTIONS LTD

Closing out Auction for Schimmel’s Olde Style Bakery Monday, February 2nd, 12:00 noon 73 Main St Minnedosa MB. Business w/upstairs 1800-sq.ft of Living area, Freezers, Coolers, Dough Machines, Plus much more.

Check website for Details www.nickelauctions.com Sale conducted by Nickel Auctions Ltd Dave Nickel Auctioneer (204)637-3393 cell (204)856-6900 owner Martin Schimmel (204)867-2661 AUCTION SALES Manitoba Auctions – Interlake

Kaye’s auctions 263 stanley st., Winnipeg, MB 204-668-0183

It’s tIme to start bookIng 2015 sprIng & summer auctIons now!

CONCRETE FLATWORK: Specializing in place & finish of concrete floors. Can accommodate any floor design. References available. Alexander, MB. 204-752-2069.

BUSINESS SERVICES BUSINESS SERVICES Crop Consulting

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

CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT 06 D6R CAT LGP 6 way dozer, double tilt, A/C cab & heat, 1-bbl MS ripper, system 1 U-C, top con GPS system, $97,500. (204)871-0925 1998 JD 270 LC hyd excavator, quick attach, hyd thumb, 12-ft. stick, A/C, $40,000. Phone: (204)871-0925, MacGregor.

FARM MACHINERY

Kaye’s auctions

263 Stanley St., Winnipeg, MB 204-668-0183

AUTO & TRANSPORT AUTO & TRANSPORT Trucks 06 GMC DURAMAX DSL 4x4, extended cab, runs very nice, 310,000-km, good rubber, $9,000 w/new safety. (204)871-0925 95 F800 CAB & Chassis, 5.9 Cummins DSL, $5,500. F800 tandem water truck w/hoist, 3208 CAT engine, $6,500. (204)871-2708.

BUILDING & RENOVATIONS BUILDING & RENOVATIONS Roofing

PRICE TO CLEAR!!

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

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

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

Ask about our blowout colours...65¢/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

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

Website: www.postframebuilding.com

SMALL GARDENER LOOKING FOR a corn planter. Call (204)268-2392 ask for Gordon.

HAYING & HARVESTING HAYING & HARVESTING Various

STEINBACH, MB. Ph. 326-2443 Toll-Free 1-800-881-7727 Fax (204) 326-5878 Web site: farmparts.ca E-mail: roy@farmparts.ca

Rebuilt Concaves

BREAKING DISCS. KEWANEE 12, 15, 16-ft; Towner 18-ft, Wishek 14, 26, 30-ft. Feeder wagons, Roorda 300bu, $2000; Kelly Ryan, $2000; Gehl 130, $900; Auger feeder, $750; Phoenix harrows, 35, 42, 53-ft; Flexi-Coil 50-ft winged packer, $9500; Oval 340 loader, $2000; Allied # 2795, $4500; Gehl 400-bu spreader, $7500; Knight slinger spreader, $3500; JD Double auger snowblower, $1250; Single auger, $1000. Call (204)857-8403.

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

Penno’s Machining & Mfg. Ltd. Eden, MB 204-966-3221 Fax: 204-966-3248

FARM MACHINERY Machinery Miscellaneous

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

TILLAGE & SEEDING Air Drills

TILLAGE & SEEDING Air Drills

TracTors TRACTORS Case/IH 08 STX 430 brand new 620-70-42 tires, delux cab, heated leather seat, just over 3,000-hrs, $150,000.

Phone (204)871-0925, McGregor.

TRACTORS John Deere FOR SALE: 2004 9420T 3,440-hrs, 30-in. tracks at 85%, guidance ready, PWR shift, front weights, 4 SCVs, excellent condition, $150,000.

Phone (204)746-5312, Rosenort.

FOR SALE: JD 1840- Hi/Low Shift, 3PT; JD 2130Hi/Low Shift, 3PT, w/FEL; JD 2750- 2WD, O.S., 3PT, Hi/Low Shift, w/146 FEL; JD 2750- MFWD, CAH, 3PT, w/24 FEL; JD 2955- MFWD, 3PT, CAH, w/265 FEL; JD 4020- PS, 3PT; JD 4055- MFWD, PS, 3PT; JD 4240- Quad Shift; JD 4440- (2) Quad Shifts; JD 4450- MFWD, 3PT, PS; JD 4640- Quad, add on 3PT, w/FEL; JD 6400- MFWD, CAH, 3PT, PQ, w/640 FEL; JD 6420- MFWD, 3PT, 24-SPD w/LHR, loader; JD 7710- MFWD, PS, 3PT, w/740 FEL; JD 7810- MFWD, PS, 3PT, fact duals; JD 8650- 4WD, PTO, quad. All tractors can be sold with new or used loaders. Mitch’s Tractor Sales Ltd. St. Claude, MB. Cell:(204)750-2459. www.mitchstractorsales.com

FARM MACHINERY Grain Bins CUSTOM BIN MOVING Book now! Fert Tanks.

Hopper Bins/flat. Buy/Sell. Call Tim (204)362-7103 or E-mail Requests binmover50@gmail.com

FARM MACHINERY Grain Cleaners 106 Delta Cimbria Super Cleaner. All wear points rebuilt, new blast fans, $20,000.00. Contact Lawrence: (204)746-2862

FARM MACHINERY Grain Vacuums

FARM MACHINERY Parts & Accessories

at stanley st. (winnipeg) at 7:00 pm

FARM MACHINERY Machinery Wanted

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

USED FERTILIZER SPREADERS, 4-8 ton, large selection. Portage La Prairie. (204)857-8403 www.zettlerfarmequipment.com

and Check out our

Watch Wednesday’s Winnipeg Free Press for Listings

Large Inventory of new and remanufactured parts

FARM MACHINERY Fertilizer Equipment

CURT’S GRAIN VAC SERVICES, parts & repair for all makes & models. Craik SK, (306)734-2228.

weekLY tHursDaY nIgHt auctIons

NEW & USED TRACTOR PARTS NEW COMBINE PARTS

SMALL HYSTER FORK LIFT, solid rubber wheels, propane, asking $1,850; New large natural gas Ford generator unit, can be converted to gas, asking $2,000; Lifter diesel generator, asking $1,500; Natural gas boiler unit, asking $700.

Phone:(204)728-1861

FARM CHEMICAL SEED COMPLAINTS

Good Dates Still Available Call 204-668-0183 to Reserve Your Sale or Visit our Web Site at

www.kayesautions.com

FARM MACHINERY Parts & Accessories

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

Harvest Salvage Co. Ltd. 1-866-729-9876 5150 Richmond Ave. East BRANDON, MB. www.harvestsalvage.ca New, Used & Re-man. Parts

Tractors Combines Swathers 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.

TILLAGE & SEEDING Air Drills

TECHNOLOGY MADE SIMPLE

$33,440 ANNUAL PAYMENT

MB and Eastern SK, call Brent at (204) 771-8244 www.versatile-ag.com/seeding

WATROUS SALVAGE WaTRoUs, sK. Fax: 306-946-2444

FYFE PARTS

1-800-667-9871 • Regina 1-800-667-3095 • Saskatoon 1-800-387-2768 • Winnipeg 1-800-222-6594 • Edmonton

*Model AC600 shown.

“For All Your Farm Parts”

www.fyfeparts.com FARM MACHINERY Machinery Miscellaneous 1999 REM 1026B GRAIN vac, $7800; 930 JD Rigid header, 60 series hookup w/trailer, $7000; Sunflower pans for JD header, $1250. Call (204)712-0377.

42-FT 960 JD FIELD cultivator, w/brand new shovels & good mulchers, $8000; 40-ft Blanchard packer bar, $4000; 30-ft JD 9350 press drill w/factory transport, always shedded, $7500; 7x41 Westfield auger w/13-hp Honda engine w/electric start, $1800; 10x60 Westfield swing auger, $3000. All equipment well maintained & in VGC. (204)825-2799 or (204)825-8340.

Based on the 40' ML930 air drill and AC400 air cart on a retail lease contract amortized over 60 months at 4.49% APR. Other product configurations available. See dealer for details.

©2014 Buhler Versatile Inc. All rights reserved | info@versatile-ag.com

WWW.VERSATILE-AG.COM

29

The Manitoba Co-operator | January 22, 2015

TRACTORS Massey Ferguson

LIVESTOCK Cattle Auctions

1994 3660 MF, front wheel assist, 140-hwp, loader & grapple, good rubber. Asking $23,000 OBO. Also, triple axle 48-ft flat deck trailer, $5,000. Phone: (204)325-5264.

GRUNTHAL LIVESTOCK AUCTION MART. LTD.

USED MF 255 TRACTOR w/4cyl Perkins dsl motor, dual hydraulic couplers, 3PTH, 6.5x16 front tires, 16.9x30 rear tires. New: starter, battery, seat cushions, brake job & PTO clutch. Only 1,295-hrs. $11,900 OBO. Phone Evenings:(204)683-2479.

TRACTORS Versatile 875 VERS W/ATOM JET kit; 895 Vers w/Atom Jet kit. (204)325-2416.

TRACTORS 2-Wheel Drive

LIVESTOCK Cattle Wanted

GRUNTHAL, MB.

TIRED OF THE HIGH COST OF MARKETING YOUR CALVES??

REGULAR CATTLE SALES

300-700 LBS. Steers & Heifers Rob: 528-3254, 724-3400 Ben: 721-3400

Hwy #205, Grunthal • (204) 434-6519 AGENT FOR T.E.A.M. MARKETING

every TUESDAY at 9 am January 27th

800-1000 LBS. Steers & Heifers Don: 528-3477, 729-7240

Contact: D.J. (Don) MacDonald Livestock Ltd. License #1110

Monday, January 26th at 12 pm

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.

TRACTORS Various

Sheep and Goat with Small Animals & Holstein Calves

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

COCKSHUTT 1850 W/DUALS 2 hyds, good tires, $2,500. 1200 Case 4WD, good tires, $6,000.

(204)871-2708.

LIVESTOCK Swine Wanted

WWW.GRUNTHALLIVESTOCK.COM

Gladstone Auction Mart

Bred Cow & Heifer Sale

Friday, January 30th at 11:00am --------------------------------------------------

HEAT & AIR CONDITIONING

The Icynene Insulation System® • Sprayed foam insulation • Ideal for shops, barns or homes • Healthier, Quieter, More Energy Efficient®

www.penta.ca

Dispersal of 45 of 3 year old Black Angus 2nd calvers Bred Black Angus for April, May Calving Age Verified Dispersal of 85 Mostly Black Heifers Bred Red Angus & some Hereford To Start Calving March 15th Bulls were exposed for 45 days To Consign to this Sale Phone Terra Fulton Manager at the Mart (204)385-2537 The cows should be in the mart by 1:00pm Thursday January 29th License #1108

1-800-587-4711 BRED COW SALE

IRON & STEEL

Fri., Jan. 30, 2015 @ 11:00 a.m.

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.

Looking for a hand around the farm? Place a help wanted ad in the classifieds. Call 1-800-782-0794.

LIVESTOCK LIVESTOCK Cattle Auctions

SALE WILL FEATURE A HERD DISPERSAL OF:

• 30 Simmental X Red Angus Cows Bred Red Angus (23 Are 3rd And 4th Calvers, Quiet And As Good As They Come) • 15 Crossbred Cows Bred Limousin

SHEEP, LAMB & GOAT SALE

COMPLETE HERD DISPERSAL

REGAN WILKINSON, EDDySTONE, MB. 204-447-7147 or 204-448-2273

250 BLACK & RED COWS

(Approx. 100 under 4 yrs. old) Bred Black, due April/May/June

40 SIMX & REDX COWS

*Bred Char or Sim **350 Cows Expected**

Call 204-447-2266 or

for more info and piCtures go to www.srauCtion.Ca

BULL SALE WED., MAR-25TH. 50 Black Angus 2-yr olds & select yearlings. Bar H Land & Cattle Co. Langenburg SK. Robin (306)743-2840, cell (306)743-7490.

Sales Manager Chris (306)933-4200.

CRANBERRY CREEK ANGUS REGISTERED bulls for sale. Sired by Windy 702, Remitall Rachis, Vermilion Yellowstone, Game Day, Cranberry CRK Pioneer, HF Kodiak. Bulls are easy going 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 OSSAWA ANGUS AT MARQUETTE, MB has for sale: yearling & 2 yr old bulls. Also 3 yr old & 6 yr old herdsire. For more info call (204)375-6658, cell (204)383-0703.

REGISTERED BLACK ANGUS BULLS for sale.

Low birth weights & quiet. Buy now & save, no disappointments! EPD’s & delivery available. Phone Amaranth (204)843-2287.

LIVESTOCK Cattle – Red Angus

If You Have A Group Of Uniform Cattle To Sell Give Us A Call About Our Video Sales. We Also Buy Cattle Direct On Farm.

“Where Buyers & Sellers Meet” To Consign or for more information call:

FORSYTH F BAR RANCH have for sale 20, 2 yr old & 5, 3 yr old PB Red Angus bulls. For more info & prices contact Roy Forsyth (204)448-2245

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.

FOR SALE: FARM KING model 100 rollermill w/5-hp motor; 20-in Better Air barn fans; 2-in Chore Time feeding system w/4 drives. Ph:(204)836-2434.

LIVESTOCK SCALES made to fit in your chute alley. We have a variety of sizes to choose from, no electrics. Also bale scales, hopper feeders in various sizes. Elias Scales (306)445-2111 www.eliasscales.com

PERSONAL SHARE YOUR LIFE, as it’s meant to be... A lasting Relationship. CANDLELIGHT MATCHMAKERS is here to help you. Confidential, Rural, Photos and Profiles to selected matches, Affordable, Local.

Serving MB, SK, NW Ontario. Call/Write for info: Box 212, Roland, MB, R0G 1T0, (204)343-2475.

FOR SALE: 15 EXCELLENT fall calving cows w/calves. Calves as early as end of June. $3,050/pair. Phone:(204)278-3438.

LIVESTOCK Cattle – Angus

FOR SALE: APPROX 100 beef cows, Char, Black & Red, start calving Mar 20th. Phone (204)768-2567 or (204)739-3620.

45 RED & BLACK Angus 2-yr old bulls, suitable for heifers & cows, private treaty at the Ranch. Info sheets available. Contact Triple V Ranch. Dan: (204)522-0092 or (204)665-2448.

Matthew: (204)264-0706. vvvranch.com

We know that farming is enough of a gamble so if you want to sell it fast place your ad in the Manitoba Co-operator classifieds. It’s a Sure Thing. Call our toll-free number today. We have friendly staff ready to help. 1-800-782-0794.

FOR SALE: 153-ACRES (140-cultivated), Gladstone, MB (Ogilvie) area. NW 15-15-12W. Summer cottage (Hydro), pole shed (wired), 1750-bu Westeel Bin. 2 dugouts. Asking $1,600.00 per acre. Call Ron (204)918-3169 cell.

LEONARD KIESMAN of Moosehorn, MB intends to sell private lands: N1/2 02-28-07W, SW 2-28-07W, E1/2 03-28-07W, NE 34-27-07W, N1/2 10-28-07W, SW 11-28-07W to DARCY ALAN HUEGING who intends to acquire the following agricultural Crown land leases: W1/2 34-27-07W, SE 35-27-07W, SE 02-28-07W, SW 03-28-07W, SE 11-28-07W, SW 22-28-07W PT LS 3 & 5 by Unit Transfer. If you wish to comment on or object to the eligibility of this purchaser please write to: Director, MAFRD, Agricultural Crown Lands, PO Box 1286, Minnedosa, MB R0J 1E0; or Fax (204)867-6578.

PASTURE SPACE AVAILABLE at the following Manitoba Community Pastures Alonsa, Gardenton-Pansy, Lenswood-Birch River, McCreary, Mulvihill, Narcisse, Pasquia, Sylvan-Dale. Contact Barry Ross (204)841-1907 amcp@pastures.ca TAKING TENDERS ON THE following land: 80-acres of the NW 36-20-15W also 149.36-acres of SE 03-21-15W until Feb 6/15. Separate tenders accepted. 10% of tender required. Balance to be paid in 30 days. Send tenders to G/M Butterfield, Box 302, McCreary, MB R0J 1B0.

Farmland For Sale 242 acres of productive crop land near Plumas, MB SE 33-16-11W (161 acres) and SW 33-16-11W (80.9 acres)

Contact Dolf Feddes (204) 745 0451 or (204) 326 4567

www.CanadianFarmrealty.com REAL ESTATE Farms & Ranches – Manitoba EXCELLENT LIVESTOCK FARM EXTENDING to 1,732 deeded acres w/4,425-ac 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. Also, excellent 254-ac property located in the RM of Alexander at the junction of Maskwa & the Winnipeg River. This would make a first class cottage development, or is suitable for other uses.

235-ac of pastureland in Rapid City area. Jim McLachlan (204)724-7753. Homelife Home Professional Realty Inc. www.homelifepro.com FARMS FOR SALE: 1. 72-acs of pastureland 1-mi East of Kelwood. Kelwood loam soil, fenced, 2 dug outs. 33-acs cult w/new posts ready for Alfalfa, remainder pasture, $47,000. 2. 640-acs of pasture-land east of Gladstone. Fenced w/dug outs. Will handle 100 -11- cow calf pairs. Lakeland soil, $249,000. Call Liz Sumner Gill & Schmall Agencies (204)476-6362.

REAL ESTATE

REAL ESTATE Farms & Ranches – Wanted

REAL ESTATE Houses & Lots

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, Phone Jim McLachlan:(204)724-7753. www.homelifepro.com HomeLife Home Professional Realty Inc.

READY TO MOVE HOMES- 1520-sq.ft, 3-bdrm, $85,000; 1320-sq.ft, 3-bdrm, $75,000; 1320-sq.ft, 3bdrm w/dormers & covered front porch, $85,000. All homes completely finished including cabinets, interior woodwork, light fixtures, bath fixtures, 200-amp service, painted. Flooring not included.

Will also custom build your plan. Call for quote.

MARVIN HOMES (since 1976) (204)326-1493 or (204)355-8484 area, www.marvinNOTRE Steinbach DAME USED OIL homes.ca

3 KIPLING LANE

LIVESTOCK Cattle Various

FOR SALE: 3 BLACK white faced cows 3rd calvers, calving Mar & Apr, are approx 1,500-1,600lbs, good milkers. Very good natured. Bred to Char bull (A.I. son of Blue Grass). Phone(204)748-1024, Virden.

Licence #1122

LIVESTOCK EQUIPMENT

& FILTER DEPOT

If you want to sell it fast, call 1-800-782-0794.

www.winnipeglivestocksales.com

204-694-8328 or call Mike at 204-807-0747

HERD DISPERSAL

PETER SOLOMAN, RORKETON, MB. 204-732-2593

20TH ANNUAL CATTLEMANS’ CONNECTION Bull Sale, March 6th, 2015, 1:00pm. Heartland Livestock Brandon. Selling 100 Yearling Black Angus Bulls. For Catalogue or more information call Jack Hart, Brookmore Angus (204)476-6696 or email brookmoreangus@gmail.com Barb Airey manager HBH Farms (204)566-2134 email rbairey@hotmail.com Sale management Doug Henderson (403)782-3888 or (403)350-8541.

REGULAR BUTCHER AND FEEDER - FEATURING A HOLSTEIN STEER SALE BRED COW SALE

WANTED: BUTCHER HOGS SOWS AND BOARS FOR EXPORT

P. QUINTAINE & SON LTD. 728-7549 Licence No. 1123

LIVESTOCK Cattle – Black Angus

It doesn’t get any better than this. Prepay your ad for 3 weeks and get 2 weeks free! Call today! 1-800782-0794.

Mon., Feb. 9, 2015 @ 11:00 a.m.

BUTCHER AND FEEDER @ 9:00 a.m.

SATURDAY, JANUARY 24TH 11:00 A.M.

D.B. MICHIELS RED ANGUS purebred two-year old bulls for sale. Catalogue information available by email at DBMREDANGUS@gmail.com. Contact David at (204)723-0288 or Brian at (204)723-0474.

Wed., Feb. 4, 2015 @ 1:00 p.m.

(Sheep 110-117, Fat And Feeder Lambs 190-212, Goats 180-200)

Fri., Feb. 6, 2015 @ 9:00 a.m.

BRED COW AND HEIFER SALE

LIVESTOCK Cattle – Angus

REAL ESTATE Land For Sale

• Buy Used Oil • Buy Batteries • Collect Used Filters • Collect Oil Containers 1604 sq. ft. 2and storey Southern Western Manitoba $319,900 in Niverville, 20 Tel: 204-248-2110 min. south of Wpg. 3+1 BR. 3.5 bath.

Modern open concept main floor w. espresso finished hardwoods. Gas fireplace. Island & high end stainless steel appliances, under cab. lighting.

Huge master w. tray ceiling, WIC + bath. 2nd flr. Laundry w. front load appl. Fin. bsmt. 12x20 deck, dble detached garage. Must see!

NIVERVILLE,MB · PH:1-204-899-7684

RECYCLING

BuyUsed Used Oil Oil ••Buy NOTRE •• Buy Buy Batteries Batteries DAME ••Collect CollectUsed Used Filters Filters • Collect Oil Containers Containers USED • Collect Oil• Antifreeze OIL & Southern,Southern Eastern, and Manitoba Western FILTER WesternManitoba DEPOT Tel: 204-248-2110

CERTIFIED SEED CERTIFIED SEED Cereal Seeds LESS FUSARIUM MORE BOTTOM LINE. GP Wheat WFT603 seed available. Suitable for ethanol production, livestock feed. Western Feed Grain Development Co-op Ltd. 1-877-250-1552 www.wfgd.ca

Watch your profits grow!

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Call Our Customer Service Representatives To Place Your Ad Today!

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30

The Manitoba Co-operator | January 22, 2015

Silence of the Lambs?

by Adrian Powell 2

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Pigmented layer of the eye Omaha's state Daily available in all 50 states Geneva's river Words from the sponsors The one in the cross hairs Rejects with disdain Churned up the waters This evening, casually They're all right in squares Down under's ostrich cousin Regarding, archaically PC key below Shift, often King Hussein's third wife Boxer, e.g.

Popular Scottish name Wee drink

SOLUTION TO PUZZLE

E R E P L M Y E E W L E D

DOWN 1 Jeddah's waters 2 Stilt's cousin 3 Heppner and Vickers 4 Former squeeze 5 Milkmaid's work place 6 Ancient Gaelic 7 Graceful Gothic curve 8 ___ de plume 9 Libra's symbol 10 Slap in the clink 11 Licentious fellow 12 Collie's focus, maybe 13 Times of yore 19 Place for a drink 21 Connection 24 Weak 25 Wriggly and slithery 26 Record speed, e.g.

28 Tycoons 29 "Harold and Maude" director Hal 32 Domino dot 33 "___ sez to the guy..."

35 36 37 38 39 42 43 46 47 48 50 51 53 54 55 56 57

A N G L E S

58 "___ Liza Jane" 59 Like some furniture 60 10-time world pairs skater Rodnina 61 "Automne" predecessor 62 No-see-ums, e.g.

63 Livebearing aquarium fish 64 Montreal's Place ___ Arts

T O N I T E

ACROSS 1 Lab maze solver 4 Old theatre name 9 Ranee's garb 14 The night before Christmas 15 Slowly, musically 16 How slugs move 17 Put on 18 Got off the ship and dealt with an annoying pooch?

20 Without repercussions 22 Where to ride out a storm 23 In a spooky way 24 Sporting a better expiry date 27 Way out in the Atlantic 28 W.C.'s "chickadee" West 30 Precipitous 31 Levies, as a fine 34 Master of Laws, briefly 35 Like a horse with nothing to say?

39 Winnipeg's Portage, e.g.

40 Print some books 41 Gambler's problem, maybe 44 Hand made soap ingredient 45 Left ventricle outlet 49 Mexican blankets 51 When shootouts might take place 52 Cuckoo Pint, e.g.

53 Voyageur's skill 55 Upset, like a hog that's been silenced?

A R R A R K E E S H T E L R L H O R N O E I L E D

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My Main crops are: No. of acres 1. Wheat ____________ 2. Barley ____________ 3. Oats ____________ 4. Canola ____________ 5. Flax ____________ 6. Durum ____________ 7. Rye ____________ 8. Peas ____________ 9. Chick Peas ____________ Livestock Enterpise No. of head 1. Registered Beef ____________ 2. Commercial Cow ____________ 3. Fed Cattle (sold yearly) ____________ 4. Hog Weaners (sold yearly) __________

My Main crops are: No. of acres 10. Lentils ___________ 11. Dry Beans ___________ 12. Hay ___________ 13. Pasture ___________ 14. Summerfallow ___________ 15. Alfalfa ___________ 16. Forage Seed ___________ 17. Mustard ___________ 18. Other (specify) ___________ Livestock Enterpise No. of head 5. Hog farrow-to-finish (# sows) ______ 6. Finished Pigs (sold yearly) _________ 7. Dairy Cows ___________ 8. Other Livestock (specify) __________

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Sudoku 3 8 5

2 8 4

4 1 5 7

1

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7 6 9 8 2

4 1 5 6 3 2 8 6 7 6 7 2 5 1

Last week's answer

2 9 6 5 8 3 4 7 1

3 7 1 4 9 2 6 8 5

4 5 8 6 7 1 3 2 9

8 1 3 2 5 7 9 4 6

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5 8 4

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The more numbers you name, the easier it gets to solve the puzzle!

31

The Manitoba Co-operator | January 22, 2015

CERTIFIED SEED Cereal Seeds

SEED/ FEED/GRAIN Feed Grain

ACC ELIE SPRING WHEAT, ACC Brandon Spring Wheat, Meridith Mulching Barley, Faba Bean Seed.

Phone (204)944-1654.

Court Seeds Developed for the Eastern Prairies

Cardale CWRS

 Consistent high yields  Excellent disease package  Less straw, less shattering

Plumas, MB courtseeds@gmail.com 204-386-2354 courtseeds.ca

• Cardale • Carberry • Harvest • New, Brandon • Pasteur GP

• Conlon Barley • Souris Oats • Lightning Flax • Glas Flax • Meadow Peas • Red Proso Millet

FULL TIME - SALES AGRONOMISTS OPERATIONS & MANAGEMENT ASSISTANT STOCKHOLM & MOOSOMIN

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

LOCATIONS - Ag experience & ag education are preferred.

Applications must be self motivated & enthusiastic with a positive desire to achieve. Sharpe’s markets 4 core product lines: liquid fertilizer, dry fertilizer, crop products & seed.

**SERVICE WITH INTEGRITY** www.delmarcommodities.com

Toll Free: 888-974-7246 SEED/ FEED/GRAIN Hay & Straw 1ST CUT ALFALFA HAY for sale in 3 x 3 squares. $0.04/lb. Hay test available. Phone:(204)242-2074, Harry Pauls, LaRiviere, MB.

BALE SCALES NON ELECTRIC 3,000-lb, cradle type, 3-pt end truck mount. Various sizes of livestock scales & hopper feeders. Elias Scales (306)445-2111 www.eliasscales.com BEEFMAN SPECIAL: LARGE SQUARE bales 2nd cut Alfalfa w/25% Orchard Grass 18-22% protein, in hay shed, $0.05/lb. Rye Grass, $0.04/lb. Delivery avail. Phone: (204)355-4980, Cell: (204)371-5744.

HAY FOR SALE. 700 big 4x4x8 square bales, very good condition, no rain, bale weight approx 1500lbs- $.05/lb. Will load, can be delivered additional cost. (204)773-6890 Rick.

North Star Seed - Forages Delmar Legend - Soybeans

LARGE ROUND BALES OF wheat & oat straw; Large round bales of hay. (204)325-2416.

Zeghers Seed Inc. is also a exporter of special crops. Dealing in Flax, Mustard, Rye, Triticale, Spelt, Peas, Canary, Damaged Canola, Millets, and others.

Give us a call for marketing opportunities!

SEED/ FEED/GRAIN Grain Wanted

COMMON SEED Forage Seeds FOR SALE: ALFALFA, TIMOTHY, Brome, Clover, hay & pasture blends, millet seed, Crown, Red Prozo, cleaned common seed oats. Leonard Friesen (204)685-2376, Austin, MB.

SEED / FEED / GRAIN SEED/FEED/GRAIN Feed Grain LESS FUSARIUM MORE BOTTOM LINE. GP Wheat WFT603 seed available. Suitable for ethanol production, livestock feed. Western Feed Grain Development Co-op Ltd. 1-877-250-1552 www.wfgd.ca

RESUME DEADLINE: FRIDAY FEB. 6TH 2015 Sharpe’s Soil Service Ltd. C/o CEO Dan McKenzie Box 880 Langenburg SK. S0A 2A0 P: 306-743-2677 F: 306-743-5409 E: dan.mckenzie@sharpes.ca

SEED/ FEED/GRAIN MALT BARLEY Grain Wanted *6-Row* MALT BARLEY

Celebration & Tradition *2-Row* AC Metcalfe & CDC Copeland We buy feed barley, feed wheat, MALT BARLEY BARLEY MALT oats, soybeans, corn & canola We buy feed*2-Row* barley, feed wheat, *6-Row* oats, soybeans, cornCopeland & canola AC Metcalfe & CDC & Tradition COMECelebration SEE US AT AG DAYS IN We buy feed barley, feed wheat, THE CONVENTION HALL SEE barley, US AT AG DAYS IN WeCOME buy feed feed wheat, oats, soybeans, corn & canola CONVENTION HALL BOOTH 1309& oats,THE soybeans, corn canola BOOTH 1309 COME SEE US AT AG DAYS IN COME SEE US AT AG HALL DAYS IN THE CONVENTION THE CONVENTION BOOTH 1309 HALL

BOOTH 1309

2013 Malt Contracts Available 2015 AOG Malt Contracts Available Box 238 Letellier, MB. R0G 1C0 BoxPhone 238 Letellier, MB. R0G 1C0 204-737-2000 Phone 204-737-2000 2014Toll-Free AOG Malt Contracts Available 1-800-258-7434 Toll-Free 1-800-258-7434 BoxMalt 238 MB. R0G 1C0 Agent: M &Letellier, J Weber-Arcola, SK. 2013 Contracts Available Agent: M & J Weber-Arcola, SK. Phone 204-737-2000 Phone 306-455-2509 Box 238 Letellier, MB. R0G 1C0 Phone 306-455-2509 Toll-Free 1-800-258-7434 Phone 204-737-2000 Agent: M & 1-800-258-7434 J Weber-Arcola, SK. Toll-Free Agent: Phone M & J 306-455-2509 Weber-Arcola, SK. Phone 306-455-2509

For Pricing ~ 204-325-9555

NOW BUYING

www.sharpes.ca www.facebook.com/sharpes Angusville 204-773-2466 Rocanville 306-645-4555

WE BUY OATS Call us today for pricing Box 424, Emerson, MB R0A 0L0 204-373-2328 The Manitoba Co-operator. Manitoba’s best-read farm publication.

BUYING:

HEATED & GREEN CANOLA • Competitive Prices • Prompt Movement • Spring Thrashed “ON FARM PICK UP”

1-877-250-5252

Licensed & Bonded Winkler, MB.

Langenburg 306-743-2677 Stockholm 306-793-4333

CAREERS Professional

FARMERS, RANCHERS, SEED PROCESSORS BUYING ALL FEED GRAINS

SALES & PRODUCT DISTRIBUTION

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

1-204-724-6741

SEED/FEED/GRAIN Seed Wanted WANTED: BIN RUN RED & Crown Prozo millet.

Phone:(204)685-2376.

AG DEALS TO GO!

Vanderveen Commodity Services Ltd.

TRAILERS TRAILERS Grain Trailers

Licensed and Bonded Grain Brokers

37 4th Ave. NE Carman, MB R0G 0J0 Ph. (204) 745-6444 Email: vscltd@mts.net Andy Vanderveen · Brett Vanderveen Jesse Vanderveen

A Season to Grow… Only Days to Pay!

Moosomin 306-435-3319 Wapella 306-532-4372

SEED/FEED/GRAIN Grain Wanted

Confection and Oil Sunflowers, Brown & Yellow Flax and Red & White Millet Edible Beans

ASK ABOUT Early Pay, and Volume DISCOUNTS! On select Seed purchases.

COMMON SEED

and so is our team!

“Naturally Better!”

Soybean Crushing Facility (204) 331-3696

1ST CUT ALFALFA ROUND bales for sale. Phone (204)585-5370, Sandy Lake, MB.

QUALITY PEDIGREE SEED SALE CWRS Wheat Other Crops

SOIL SERVICES LTD.

POSITIONS AVAILABLE:

1ST CUT ALFALFA HAY for sale RFV 123 & protein 18.9, avail in 3x3 bales, asking $.05 per lb. Delivery avail. Phone (204)856-3561.

Phone: 204-526-2145 | www.zeghersseed.com Email: shawnz@zeghersseed.com

CAREERS Professional

5 LOCATIONS to serve you!

MALT BARLEY

Do you want to target Manitoba farmers? Place your ad in the Manitoba Co-operator. Manitoba’s bestread farm publication.

CAREERS Professional

“Our Business is Growing”

*6-Row* Celebration & Tradition We buy feed barley, feed wheat, oats, soybeans, corn & canola

JAMES FARMS LTD Brandon, Cardale & Carberry wheat, summit oats, Mcleod & Chadburn R2 soybeans, tradition barley & forage seeds. Various canola & sunflower seed varieties. Custom processing, seed treating, inoculating, as well as delivery are available. Early payment discount. For info call (204)222-8785, or toll-free 1-866-283-8785, Winnipeg. djames@jamesfarms.com

CAREERS

Sharpe’s

Specializing in: • Corn, wheat, sunflower, canola,

soymeal, soybeans, soy oil, barley, rye, flax, oats (feed & milling) • Agents of the CWB • Licensed & bonded

COME SEE US AT AG DAYS IN THE CONVENTION HALL BOOTH 1309

INTEL SEEDS at Oakville, MB. Now taking bookings for colour sorting seed/grain. Taking SHB egort upgrading damaged grain. Call Don Campbell for booking schedule (204)267-7389.

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

DURAND SEEDS: CERT AAC Brandon, Cardale & Carberry Wheat; Souris & Stride Oats; CDC Bethune Flax; Mancan Buckwheat avail w/contracts; Forage & Canola Seed.

(204)248-2268, (204)745-7577, NotreDame, MB.

CAREERS

1998 JET HOPPER TRAILER, steel spring ride, 42x68x96. Good condition, Asking $12,000; 1984 Stoughton aluminum hopper trailer, spring ride, 42x80x96. Good condition, Asking $8,800. Phone: (204)728-1861 or (204)724-9497.

Manitoba Co-operator classifieds, 1-800-782-0794.

POSITION AVAILABLE FOR SEED RETAIL BUSINESS We have been in the seed production and retail business in Southeastern Manitoba for over 30 years and are looking to expand our sales team. We are looking for an outgoing sales and service oriented person willing to contact both existing and potential new customers through cold calls to expand our sales territory.

The selected individual must be able to promote new seed genetics and agricultural products in a professional manner. During the peak season, he or she must be able to assist in the distribution of both seed and chemicals.

Applicant must have a valid drivers’ license, basic knowledge of agriculture is a plus and prior sales experience would be an asset as well, but not necessary.

Wages and commission are to be determined during the interview based on experience and knowledge and willingness to perform and achieve target sales.

If you feel that you are the person for this position and enjoy a challenge, please contact us by: Email: info@catellierseeds.com Phone: 204-347-5588 (8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) Monday to Friday Fax: 204-347-5890 Box 25, Dufrost, MB. R0A 0K0 Go public with an ad in the Manitoba Co-operator classifieds. Phone 1-800-782-0794.

Prairie-Wide Display Classifieds

MORE OPTIONS TO SAVE YOU MONEY

Buy one province, buy two provinces or buy all three.

Great rates whatever you choose

Contact Sharon

Email: sharon.komoski@fbcpublishing.com

32

The Manitoba Co-operator | January 22, 2015

See the lAteSt in the FielD

Welcome to Ag in Motion – Western Canada’s only outdoor farm expo!

16

July 21 – 23, 2015

LANGHAM

15 min. NW of Saskatoon

Join us at Ag In Motion – the unique opportunity to get up close and personal with today’s agricultural technology. Experience live demonstrations of field equipment, crops, livestock and services all together on 320 acres near Saskatoon. Come to the farm show where there’s room to see it all – and how it all fits together.

SASKATOON

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See Technology

tOUCh Innovation

™ Denotes a trade-mark of Canada’s Outdoor Shows Limited Partnership.

Be Empowered

www.aginmotion.ca

33

The Manitoba Co-operator | January 22, 2015

MORE NEWS

Search Canada’s top agriculture publications… with just a click. Network SEARCH

loc a l, nationa l a nd internationa l news

Underground and on rooftops, farms set roots in big cities It brings food production closer to consumers in more ways than one

Mickael Toublant, gardener for French chef Alain Passard, checks vegetables on a 150-square-metre garden temporarily installed on the roof of the Palais de Tokyo museum near the Eiffel Tower in Paris April 5, 2013. Photo: REUTERS/Philippe Wojazer

By Shyamantha Asokan london, reuters

O

n a cold and rainy Friday afternoon, Steven Dring is tending his baby carrots in a somewhat unusual setting. The green shoots are in a tray of volcanic glass crystals under LED lights — and the tray is in a tunnel 33 metres underneath a busy London street.

Dring is the co-founder of Zero Carbon Food, one of a clutch of projects trying to help feed the world’s booming cities by farming in local spots — and often unexpected ones.

In India, social businesses are setting up small farms on the rooftops of crowded apartment blocks. China’s government has built urban farming “showcases” to encourage city dwellers to start projects at home.

In the coming decades, cities in rich and poor countries alike are set to swell and cause ever-more pollution by transporting food from rural areas. Two-thirds of the world’s population will live in cities by 2050, versus just over half now, according to UN forecasts.

“Thirty million meals are served a day in London. We’ve got to get all that stuff into the city, along with all the packaging needed to bring it in. So if you can bring any food production into the city, then that’s good,” said Dring.

Zero Carbon Food started farming in an abandoned Second World War bomb shelter in Clapham North, an uppermiddle-class neighbourhood, in January 2014. The company has been growing salad leaves and root vegetables in a

small test plot, using LED lights instead of sunshine and perlite crystals or thin fibre matts instead of soil.

The venture is now setting up its full site, which will fill the steel and concrete tunnels with vertically stacked trays that have 10,000 square metres of growing space. It will start selling to restaurants and homes in the second quarter of 2015, Dring said, although it will only ever meet a minute fraction of the city’s demand.

London’s population is set to grow by roughly a fifth by 2030, when the number of residents will hit 10 million, according to the mayor’s office. The projected growth rate is far above that of New York and around double the United Kingdom average — but below forecasts for many cities in the developing world.

“A city of course cannot grow all its produce, but it’s about combining this with other farming,” said Chungui Lu, a plant scientist and expert on urban agriculture at the University of Nottingham, in the United Kingdom. “You can’t grow wheat in a city, but you can grow a lot of high-value, fresh veg.”

Chilis on the roof

In India, where the urban population is forecast to double to more than 800 million people by 2050, the idea of fitting farms into cities that already heave with people might seem impossible. But the lack of space on the ground has spurred an increase in rooftop farming, using the flat tops of apartment blocks.

Fresh and Local, a social business in Mumbai, has run an organic farm on top of a low-income building since 2012.

The 2,000-square-foot farm grows items such as pomegranates, chilis and bay leaves for the building’s 50 families and 20 small businesses.

Fresh and Local is being hired to help set up two to three new urban farms in the city every six months, said founder Adrienne Thadani.

“There’s a lot of misconceptions (such as) that there’s no space, which isn’t true,” said Thadani. “For every building in Bombay, you have that square footage of flat roof.”

dized growing kits. China’s government has part funded a three-storey farm in Beijing, said Lu, who is working on a research project at the site. “Showcases” for indoor farming have been set up in recent years in smaller cities such as Nanjing.

However, when it comes to agriculture, China’s spending priority for now remains providing subsidies for poor rural farmers, said Lu. He points to Singapore as an Asian success story for urban farming.

Big producers

Chemical food

Gardens of Abundance, a project in Hyderabad, a southern Indian city of 8.7 million people, has likewise set up 10 organic rooftop vegetable gardens since 2012. It has held workshops at 20 apartment blocks over the past year.

Garden plots can produce up to 20 kgs of food per square metre per year, according to the United Nations. Many urban farming groups do not provide such figures for their production because yields vary with factors such as location and seed quality, they said.

Urban farming remains niche, partly because setting up a mid-size plot requires time and money. London’s high property prices drove Dring to an underground site that will cost £3 million (US$4.7 million) to develop, using money partly raised on the equity crowdfunding website Crowdcube.

Thadani, meanwhile, has to get basic materials brought in from as far away as 150 kms outside Mumbai.

Governments sometimes step in to help. Some Indian states provide subsi-

Aside from cutting food miles — the distance it takes food to get from the grower to the plate — urban farming can have other benefits that are harder to measure, such as giving city-dwellers more knowledge about and control over their food.

Indian cities have a high demand for reliable supplies of safe vegetables. Poor infrastructure often causes food to rot en route from rural areas. A government study in 2014 found banned pesticides in crops, according to local media reports.

“There is a desire for a good-quality food. When I started this, the women I worked with would say, ‘I want to find a way to not have the chemical food,’” said Thadani.

In London, Dring’s visitors often think his farm is unusually high tech — but LED lights and trays are common in U.K. agriculture.

“There’s such a huge disconnect between people and where their food comes from,” he said. “Some kids in London probably think spaghetti grows on trees.”

34

The Manitoba Co-operator | January 22, 2015

Malawi floods raise fears of cholera outbreak, poor harvest More heavy rains and flash floods are expected over the next two weeks

By Mabvuto Banda lilongwe/reuters

Severe floods in Malawi are raising fears of a largescale cholera outbreak, a health official said Jan. 15, as the country grapples with a disaster that has killed at least 48 people and made 70,000 homeless over the past few days.

The Department of Climate Change and Meteorological Services has forecast further heavy rain and flash floods for the next two to three weeks, especially in the south where the rains have already caused the most damage.

President Peter Mutharika declared half the southern African country a disaster zone Jan. 14.

“Obviously with the scale of the floods, the likelihood of outbreaks of cholera and other waterborne disease is very high and we are worried,” Health Ministry spokesman Henry Chimbali told the Thomson Reuters Foundation in an interview.

“We have stationed response supplies in all affected districts but if the outbreak is on a larger scale, we would need immediate help.”

Cholera is always present in Malawi at a low level, mainly in the rainy season when sanitation is poor and drinkable water scarce, and health officials rate the ‘normal’ cholera infection rate at 0.2 per cent of the population.

The current heavy rains have also damaged crops, raising fears of a poor harvest. Last year, Malawi’s farmers harvested 3.9 million tonnes of the staple crop, maize, providing a surplus of almost one million tonnes.

Rural India slowdown threatens Modi’s promise of ‘better days’ Tractor, motorcycle sales are sliding due to bad weather and falling crop prices

By Rajendra Jadhav padali, india/reuters

S

ugar cane grower Nilesh Kadam has abandoned plans to buy a tractor. He doesn’t have enough money, like many Indian farmers hit by erratic weather and sliding prices for the cotton, soybean and rubber they produce.

To u g h e r t i m e s i n r u r a l communities spell bad news for Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who swept to power last May with a promise of “better days” — new jobs and development to lift hundreds of millions of Indians out of poverty.

“I w a s e x p e c t i n g a h i k e in cane prices this year, but mills are paying 20 per cent less than last year. I don’t have enough money to buy even a motorcycle, let alone a tract o r,” s a y s t h e 2 9 - ye a r- o l d Maharashtrian farmer.

It’s not just the weather gods and capricious markets that are to blame for the hardship besetting Kadam’s village of Padali, 280 kilometres (170 miles) south of Mumbai. A shift in government spending ordered by Modi is also hitting rural consumers and the industries that serve them.

“Rural consumption was one of the pillars holding up growth,” said Aditi Nayar, senior economist at ICRA, the Indian arm of ratings agency Moody’s. She expects weak demand in India’s rural areas to have contributed to a slowdown in economic growth in October-December from 5.3 per cent in the previous quarter.

Tractor maker Mahindra & Mahindra is idling its factories for a few days a month after sales slid by nearly a third towards the end of last year.

Consumer goods firms and automakers have also reported weak sales.

More than 800 million of India’s 1.25 billion people live in the countryside, accounting for 35 per cent of the economy.

Modi’s nationalist party faces the verdict of voters towards the end of this year in Bihar, a large state in the northern Hindi belt where many of

A farmer plucks radishes from a field on the outskirts of Jammu January 14, 2015. Tougher times in rural communities spell bad news for Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Photo: REUTERS/Mukesh Gupta

India’s rural poor live. West Bengal and Tamil Nadu are among major states that go to the polls in 2016.

Welfare cutbacks

Seeking to woo rural voters, India’s last government raised grain purchase prices, bailed out indebted farmers and promised 100 days paid labour a year to anyone who wanted it.

The measures boosted the spending power of rural consumers and cushioned busin e s s f ro m a f a l l i n u r b a n demand after the 2008 financial crisis. Eventually, though, they stoked inflation and forced the Reserve Bank of India to hike interest rates.

To cap inflation and state borrowing, Modi has limited rises in farm support prices to below the inflation rate and scaled back the jobs scheme.

He wants to invest savings in infrastructure and skills to boost India’s long-term growth.

While inflation has eased with these policies, firms that profited from booming rural

demand are struggling due to the sudden slowdown.

Rajesh Jejurikar, chief executive of the farm equipment and two-wheeler division at Mahindra & Mahindra, said delayed rains, poor crops and reduced disposable incomes had hit tractor sales at the market leader.

Tr e n d s s h ow a s t r i k i n g divergence between town and country sales of two-wheelers: motorcycles — more popular in the countryside — fell 3.5 per cent in December while scooters, ridden mainly by city dwellers, leapt 24 per cent from a year earlier, industry figures show.

Global commodities fall

Modi’s shift from policies that support demand to ones boosting investment and productivity have also coincided with a steep fall in global prices of farm commodities, making imports cheaper and hitting Indian exports.

“Exports of many commodities have become less lucrative and in some cases unfeasible,”

said Faiyaz Hudani at Kotak Commodity Services.

T h e g ov e r n m e n t ’s a b i l ity to ramp up spending on roads, railways and irrigation projects that would benefit rural India is, meanwhile, hobbled by budget constraints.

Aides to Finance Minister Arun Jaitley have advised him to loosen fiscal deficit targets in next month’s budget to create room to invest. It’s not clear, though, whether he will do so as that could delay a growth-boosting interest rate cut by the central bank.

Since his general election triumph, Modi’s party has racked up a series of gains in state polls — including in Ma h a r a s h t r a . Bu t Ka d a m , who voted for a rival party, isn’t convinced and says the patience of rural voters is being tested.

“During the campaign, Modi was saying better days are coming. Where are the better days?” the young Maharashtrian farmer asks. “He has made things worse for us.”

- E. Froese, Manitoba, 2014 AWC Delegate

y! . da e d to it er lim st s gi g i Re atin Se

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35

The Manitoba Co-operator | January 22, 2015

Farms can be held liable for pollution from manure A U.S. court ruling has opened the door to more legal challenges

By Ayesha Rascoe washington/reuters

A

U.S. Federal Court has ruled for the first time that manure from livestock facilities can be regulated as solid waste, a decision hailed by environmentalists as opening the door to potential legal challenges against facilities across the country.

A large dairy in Washington state, Cow Palace Dairy, polluted groundwater by overapplying manure to soil, ruled Judge Thomas Rice of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Washington Jan. 14.

“The practices of this mega-dairy are no different than thousands of others across the country,” said Jessica Culpepper, an attorney at Public Justice, one of the firms that represented the plaintiffs, a collection of public advocacy groups.

The case is scheduled to go to trial in March to decide the extent of the contamination and the cleanup.

This is the first time the federal Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, which governs the disposal of solid and hazardous waste, has been applied to animal waste from a farm.

China sets 2020 ‘artificial weather’ target It wants to induce an estimated 60 billion cubic metres of additional rain beijing/reuters

C

hina aims to induce more than 60 billion cubic metres of additional rain each year by 2020, using an “artificial weather” program to fight chronic water shortages, the government said Jan. 12.

China’s water resources are among the world’s lowest, standing at 2,100 cubic metres per person, or just 28 per cent of the world average. Shortages are particularly severe in the country’s northeast and northwest.

China has already allocated funds of 6.51 billion yuan ($1.05 billion) for artificial weather creation since 2008, the State Council, or cabinet, said in a document setting out the program from 2014 to 2020.

“Weather modification has an important role to play in easing water shortages, reducing natural disasters, protecting ecology and even safeguarding important events,” it added.

The figure of 60 billion cubic metres is equivalent to more than 1-1/2 times the volume of the Three Gorges reservoir, part of the world’s largest hydropower plant.

Artificial rain is created by rocket-launching chemicals, such as silver iodide, into clouds to boost rain. China used the technology, known as cloud seeding, to scatter clouds ahead of the Beijing Olympic Games in 2008.

The target, an increase of a fifth from 2013 levels, aims to battle China’s crippling water scarcity, which threatens a long-standing policy of selfsufficiency in food production, as demand from manufacturing and power generation grows.

The program is also increasingly used to disperse smog in heavily polluted regions.

Around 70 per cent of China’s rivers and lakes have become too polluted to use.

Last month China kicked off the second phase of its SouthNorth Water Diversion Project to send billions of cubic metres of water from central and southern China northwards to Beijing and its environs.

But frequent droughts in central and northern China keep the government under pressure to ensure sufficient water supply.

China launched its “human affected weather” program in 1958, and has done extensive research in cloud seeding. Last year the government said it had met a target of increasing artificial rain to more than 50 billion cubic metres per year.

China’s “cloud water potential” is huge, with average water vapour levels standing at 1.82 trillion cubic metres, the government said.

Existing technologies would allow China to potentially induce as much as 280 billion cubic metres of additional rain each year, it added.

We want to hear from you.

Manitoba-Minnesota Transmission Project Manitoba Hydro is proposing to construct a 500-kilovolt transmission line from Winnipeg to Minnesota to sell surplus power and enhance the reliability of supply in Manitoba in times of drought or emergency.

Zhoda Tuesday, February 10 3 to 8 p.m.

Zhoda Community Centre Corner of Road No. 16 & Balla Road

With the environmental assessment and public feedback received to date, Manitoba Hydro is presenting the preferred route for review.

Piney Wednesday, February 11 3 to 8 p.m.

Piney Community Centre Hwy. 89 (Main Street)

Open houses will be held at the locations listed to the right.

All are welcome and refreshments will be served.

Dorsey Converter Station

Headingley

Converter station

Riel Converter Station

Anola

Dugald Dugald

Preferred route Lorette

Oak Bluff

Major highways

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Winnipeg

1

Île-des-Chênes

La La Broquerie Broquerie Steinbach

75 59

Ste. Anne Tuesday, February 24 3 to 8 p.m.

Seine River Banquet Centre 80A Arena Rd.

Marchand Marchand

12

St. Labre St. Malo

Vita Tolstoi Canada

United States of America

You can also phone 1-877-343-1631 or email mmtp@hydro.mb.ca

RE-POWERING Our Province

Winnipeg Thursday, February 12 3 to 8 p.m.

Holiday Inn Winnipeg South 1330 Pembina Hwy. La Broquerie Tuesday, February 17 3 to 8 p.m.

La Broquerie Arena Hall 35 Normandeau Bay

Richer Ste. Anne

Find more project information or sign up for project email updates at: www.hydro.mb.ca/mmtp

A farmer walks past a dried-up pond near his farm in Changfeng county, Anhui province back in May 9, 2011. China has announced plans to induce additional rain through an artificial weather program to fight chronic water shortages. Photo: REUTERS/Stringer

(26 million litres) of manure to an already “sufficiently fertilized field.”

The district court said Cow Palace’s excessive application transformed the waste, which is “an otherwise beneficial and useful product,” into a discarded material.

The court found that Cow Palace’s management of its manure violated the “open dumping” provisions of law.

Unlike other federal cont a m i n a t i o n l a w s, t h e a c t requires violators not only to stop polluting, but to clean up any damage it has caused.

tensen, an attorney for Givens Pursley, a law firm that represented Cow Palace.

Kristensen said Cow Palace has already entered into a voluntary agreement with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, which enforces the act, to address water contamination concerns.

Fertilizer is not considered waste under the act, but the district court found that Cow Palace was applying more manure to crops than needed. In one instance, the plaintiffs in the case said Cow Palace applied more than seven million gallons

Industrial livestock operations produce hundreds of millions of tons of manure annually.

The district court ruling, if upheld, could affect any large livestock facility that produces more manure than it can responsibly manage, including poultry, beef and hog farms, Culpepper said.

An attorney for Cow Palace said Jan. 16 that it plans to appeal. “ T h e r e’s a r e a s o n n o court has ever done this. It’s because the statute was not intended to apply to these situations,” said Debora Kris-

Sundown

Piney

Sprague

89

To Blackberry Station

Richer Wednesday, March 11 3 to 8 p.m.

Richer Young at Heart Community Club Dawson Road at Hwy. 302 Dugald Thursday, March 12 3 to 8 p.m.

Dugald Community Club 544 Holland St.

Headingley Wednesday, March 4 3 to 8 p.m.

Headingley Community Centre 5353 Portage Ave. Oak Bluff Thursday, March 5 3 to 8 p.m.

Oak Bluff Recreation Centre 101 MacDonald Rd.

36

The Manitoba Co-operator | January 22, 2015

Co-operator barn series revival Do you know this barn?

I This is a smart barn. Has been for almost 65 years. Originally constructed in 1917 as a dairy barn at Agriculture Canada’s Brandon Research station, the building has since been a part of Canada’s effort to improve agriculture production in Western Canada.

It is one of the longest barns in this province, measuring 112 feet in length and a 50-foot width. With a connected milk house and storage area, it has an estimated 17,600 square feet of floor space in the lower, main and loft areas. As well, there is a silo behind the barn measuring 12 feet across by 23 feet high. Another barn was originally built on this site (in 1910) which is tucked into the north slope of the Brandon Hills.

The original structure was destroyed by fire about five years later. The foundation and main floor area survived in relatively good condition and the present superstructure was added in 1917 at a cost of $57,000.

It was used mainly as housing for the dairy herd of milking Shorthorns until the late 1940s, when, like most other barns on the Prairies, it took on new duties.

The lower portion was used as an isolation unit for sick animals and the upper area for grinding and mixing swine and cattle rations. For the last decade the barn has served mainly as a carpenter shop, threshing room and drying room. As would be expected of a government facility, the structure is in excellent condition through regular maintenance. It can also be said to have maintained its direct link with crop research through the threshing and storage production from the station’s valuable test plots. ​

f you do, a Manitoba historian wants to hear from you. In early 1981 the Co-operator worked with provincial Manitoba Historic Resources Branch staff to photograph and publish a series on rural buildings in Manitoba. Each week a photo and a story were published about why each of the buildings was rare or unusual.

Now Gordon Goldsborough, webmaster and journal editor with the Manitoba Historical Society (MHS), is looking for Co-operator readers to help him find the GPS co-ordinates for these barns. He has looked for them during road trips in rural Manitoba, but because the site’s location details are scant, he has been unable to find them. He wants to include the buildings, with their GPS co-ordinates on a map of historic sites being prepared for the MHS. This photograph was taken by now-retired Co-operator editor Bob Hainstock who took the photo in the 1980s for the earlier project. Many of the photos were eventually included in Hainstock’s 1986 book Barns of Western Canada: An Illustrated Century.

We are including the original “caption” that ran with his photo, hoping a reader can answer these questions: 1. Does the building still stand?

2. If so, where is it?

3. What are its GPS co-ordinates?

4. What other information can you provide on its state of preservation or other details about its history since the original story in the 1980s?

Please send your responses to Gordon Goldsborough at: email: gordon@mhs.mb.ca Telephone: (204) 474-7469 Mail: 2021 Loudoun Rd. Winnipeg, Man. R3S 1A3

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ussia’s winter grains are in a worse condition than last year after a dry autumn, the head of Russian weather forecaster Hydrometcentre said Jan. 14, adding to risks for this year’s harvest.

The grain crop in Russia, expected to be the w o r l d’s f o u r t h - l a r g e s t wheat exporter this year, depends heavily on weather patterns. Turkey, Egypt and Iran are the key importers of its wheat.

“Autumn in the European part of Russia was very dry,” Interfax news agency reported, citing Roman Vilfand. “One had to wait for precipitation for a very long time, but winter grains vegetated very badly anyway.”

H o w e v e r, t h e r e a r e some signs that part of the damage could be reversed in Russia’s key grain-exporting regions such as Krasnodar, Stavropol and Rostov, he said.

“Very warm weather in the grain regions of Russia’s south... led to quite active vegetation in December,” Vilfand said.

Vilfand expected weather to be colder than usual in the European part of the country in February, but March is forecast to be warmer than in recent years.

Last year Russia had the second-largest grain harvest in its post-Soviet histor y of 105 million tonnes.

37

The Manitoba Co-operator | January 22 2015

COUNTRY CROSSROADS CON N EC T I NG RU R A L FA M I L I E S

January is Crime Stoppers month RCMP urge rural Manitobans to use this program and provide anonymous tips that help with investigations of unsolved crimes

By Lorraine Stevenson Co-operator Staff

O

ne year ago a stack of hay bales was set on fire in the RM of Stuartburn. No one was spotted at the site, police were told, but a suspicious vehicle was seen the night before at the end of the driveway.

Last October 29, Killarney RCMP received a report of contamination in two wells under construction in the RM of Argyle, Manitoba. Their investigations showed two separate wells were contaminated with what is believed to be approximately 50 litres of used motor oil.

Two break and enters took place at a tire shop in Roblin in early August last year.

Police say someone, or perhaps more than one person, broke into a shed on the property and stole approximately 40 tires.

Those are just some of the dozens of crimes that have occurred in rural Manitoba, now posted to the Manitoba Crime Stoppers website. They are unsolved crimes — for now. But tips can and do help solve them, say police.

“Maybe it’s been five or six years since this crime happened, but if it’s still unsolved we’ll put it out there,” says RCMP Constable Paul Human.

2015 marks the 30th year since the Manitoba Crime St o p p e r s A s s o c i a t i o n In c. began as a public program, engaging the ears, eyes and knowledge of citizens in rural Manitoba to help police solve crimes outside the cities of Brandon and Winnipeg.

Crime Stoppers is based on the principle that for every crime committed, someone other than the criminal has information about it, providing an avenue to safely and completely anonymously share valuable information with police agencies about any crime in their part of rural Manitoba, said Human.

“Crime prevention is not just a policing thing. It’s all of us.”

RCMP Constable Paul Human

It took a little time to catch on, he said.

“In the beginning a lot of people didn’t want to phone police, because they were worried that their name would be used somewhere else,” he said. Residents of small communities can be e s p e c i a l l y re l u c t a n t t h e i r

Photo: tHINKSTOCK

name will be somehow revealed.

But Crime Stoppers is set up so that tipsters’ identity will never be revealed. And crimes get solved because of those anonymous tips.

For example, RCMP were recently provided with a tip concerning a marijuana grow operation in a small rural town in southern Manitoba.

The suspect was unknown to police and their activities had not been heard of previous to the information being received. But upon receiving a tip, a search warrant was prepared, two persons were arrested, six charges laid, and $20,000 in cash along with $600,000 in stolen property and 1,209 marijuana plants were seized.

The dollar value of drugs and stolen property seized over the years has been significant, Human said. Since the program began, police have recovered drugs worth $26 million, and solved crimes related to thefts of stolen property valued at $2 million.

Those are not small num-

bers, and show this program works, said Human.

Ti p s t o Cr i m e St o p p e r s have also been increasing in number. Last year Crime Stoppers logged 774 tips, the year previous it was 300.

Ti p s s u b m i t t e d t o t h e Crime Stoppers website are encr ypted, and theref o re e n t i re l y c o n f i d e n t i a l and completely anonymous.

Nowadays, tipsters can also re p o r t i n f o r m a t i o n a b o u t any non-urgent illegal activity via Text Messaging, with software that also encrypts the text messages, routing them through several secure servers.

The program is overseen by a volunteer board of directors and supported by community sponsors and businesses, local media outlets and law enforcement agencies throughout Manitoba.

If a t i p p rov i d e s p o l i c e with a key piece of a puzzle for solving a crime, and leads to an arrest or charge, tipsters are also eligible for cash awards of up to $2,000.

All awards are paid out

using a system designed to maintain and protect an individual’s anonymity.

Human said he periodically meets with community groups and visits schools to promote Crime Stoppers, emphasizing how valuable tips are to complete investigations.

“People will say, ‘I don’t want to bother the police, or, ‘you guys are busy doing other

things,’” he said. “Remember, the information that we receive is how we do investigations to get evidence to lay charges. If people give us that information, that’s how we figure it out.”

“Crime prevention is not just a policing thing. It’s all of us,” he said. lorraine@fbcpublishing.com

How to contact Manitoba Crime Stoppers You can call, submit a tip online, or text your tip to Crime Stoppers.

CALL: Manitoba Crime Stoppers toll free at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) TEXT: “TIPMAN” plus your message to CRIMES (274637) SUBMIT: an online tip at www.manitobacrimestoppers.com. Information is available on the website for how to submit a completely anonymous tip.

Source: Manitoba Crime Stoppers

38

The Manitoba Co-operator | January 22, 2015

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

Half your plate Lorraine Stevenson Crossroads Recipe Swap

A

food diary is how you tell yourself how well or poorly you eat.

I’ve kept one and, believe me, it’s an eye-opener. Too much of one thing and not enough of another, especially fruits and veggies.

But I’m typical. Canadians are anything but vegetarian.

The Food Guide says men should eat eight to 10 servings of fruit and veggies a day, but they usually only manage about 3-1/2. Women fare only a little better. Most only eat about half their recommended amount, which is seven to eight servings a day.

What’s a serving? They’re actually pretty small. For instance, one medium-size fruit is a serving. So is a half-cup of vegetables, a halfcup of 100 per cent fruit or veggie juice, or 1/4 cup of dried fruit.

But who thinks about these things in that sort of detailed way?

There’s other, simpler ways to eat the daily recommended amount.

Just make a habit of filling half your plate with fruits or vegetables at every meal.

That’s the message of the Canadian Produce Marketing Association’s recently launched Half Your Plate program, done in

partnership with the Heart and Stroke Foundation, Canadian Cancer Society and the Canadian Public Health Association. It’s meant to be a simpler, clearer health message that cuts through confusion around serving sizes, says CPMA president Ron Lemaire.

“Rather than having people count servings or worry about serving size, our messaging is that at every meal, make half your plate fruit and vegetables. By the end of the day, you’ll have your recommended number of servings.”

And why should you? There’s a windfall of research that links a healthy balanced diet rich in vegetables and fruit with reduced risk of cardiovascular disease and some types of cancer. Eating more veggies and fruit is also a good foundation for long-term weight control and this is the food group that’s a great source of carbs, vitamins A and C, potassium, magnesium, folate, and fibre.

Plus, vegetables and fruit taste great, add variety to meals, and aren’t nearly as expensive as some think. Ten bucks should buy you about 26 servings, according to the CPMA’s campaign. I’d add that depends on where you live and how you shop.

Keep an eye out for Half Your Plate promotions. The program’s recipes, shopping tips, meal-planning ideas, plus a comprehensive guide on the nutrition and preparation of veggies and fruit from ‘A to Z’ are also found online at: www.halfyourplate.ca.

Here are two recipes from the Canadian Produce Marketing Association’s website and Half Your Plate program.

Happy and healthy eating in 2015, everyone.

Getting the most from your fruits and veg • Eat at least one dark-green vegetable (such as broccoli, green peas or beans, spinach, or romaine lettuce) and one orange vegetable (such as carrots, sweet potato or squash) each day.

• Choose vegetables and fruit prepared with little or no added fat.

• C hoose vegetables and fruit more often than juice.

Are frozen, canned and dried vegetables and fruit as healthy as fresh ones?

Although nothing beats the taste of fresh fruits and vegetables in season, frozen, canned or dry products that contain little or no added sugar, fat or salt can be healthy and sometimes more affordable alternatives.

They are often harvested and packed at the height of the season when nutrients are at their peak, so they provide us with nutritious options all year round.

How do I prepare vegetables and fruit?

Always wash fresh vegetables and fruit thoroughly under running water to remove dirt, bacteria, and any pesticide residues.

Organic produce must still be washed thoroughly as well. Remove the outer leaves of leafy vegetables and scrub root vegetables like carrots and potatoes to remove all dirt, especially if you will be eating the skins. To keep vegetables and fruit fresh, store them unwashed and clean them just before use.

Avoid overcooking vegetables, as this depletes them of nutrients and robs them of taste. Healthy cooking techniques include steaming, stir-frying, parboiling or microwaving until tender-crisp.

Source: Dietitians of Canada ​

Corn and Kale Chowder At just 195 calories a serving, this delicious bowl of soup has a lovely creamy texture.

PHOTO: Thinkstock

The Ultimate Veggie Pizza Start with whole wheat crust for a nutrition boost. Add lots of vegetables and reducedfat cheese for a well-rounded meal.

26 ozs. fresh whole wheat pizza dough 1-1/2 c. baby red potatoes 1 pkg. cremini mushrooms 1 pkg. cherry tomatoes 1 sweet red pepper or yellow pepper 1/2 red onion 1 tbsp. olive oil 1 clove garlic minced 1/2 tsp. salt 1/2 tsp. pepper 2 tsp. red wine vinegar 1-1/2 c. part-skim mozzarella cheese, grated 3 c. baby arugula 1-1/2 tsp. red wine vinegar

Set oven rack to lower third and preheat oven to 475 F. On rimmed baking sheet, brush potatoes, mushrooms, tomatoes, red pepper and red onion with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Bake for 15 minutes, stirring once; let cool slightly and toss with red wine vinegar and garlic. Meanwhile, line separate rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.

On lightly floured surface, gently stretch and roll dough to prepared baking sheet.

Sprinkle mozzarella over dough and top with vegetables. Bake until crust is browned and top is bubbling and golden, 20 to 25 minutes.

In bowl, toss together arugula and vinegar; arrange over pizza.

Preparation time: 20 minutes.

Cooking time: 20 to 25 minutes.

Serves 6.

2 tsp. canola oil 1 onion diced 4 cloves garlic minced 2 tsp. dried thyme 1/4 tsp. hot pepper flakes 1 can white kidney beans no salt added, drained and rinsed 2 c. sodium-reduced vegetable broth 1 c. skim milk 4 c. thinly sliced kale leaves 1 c. corn kernels 2 tbsp. chopped fresh basil or parsley

In a soup pot, heat oil over medium heat and cook onion, garlic, thyme and hot pepper flakes for three minutes or until softened. Stir in kidney beans to coat. Add broth and skim milk; bring to a boil. Reduce heat and using an immersion blender purée soup until smooth.

Alternatively, let cool slightly and purée in batches in blender and return to pot.

Return soup to a simmer and stir in kale, corn and basil. Simmer, stirring occasionally for about 15 minutes or until kale is tender.

Preparation time: 15 minutes.

Cooking time: 20 minutes.

Serves 5.

Recipe Swap If you have a recipe or a column suggestion please write to: Manitoba Co-operator Recipe Swap, Box 1794, Carman, Manitoba R0G 0J0 or email Lorraine Stevenson at: lorraine@fbcpublishing.com

39

The Manitoba Co-operator | January 22, 2015

COUNTRY CROSSROADS

Preventing kitchen fires

They are the most common cause of house fires, so here’s some tips to keep in mind

By Julie Garden-Robinson NDSU Extension Service

K

itchen fires are the most common cause of home fires. Range or cooktop ones are responsible for the vast majority of fires, injuries and deaths, according to the National Fire Protection Association. You can do many things to help prevent them and potential injury in your own kitchen. You might be able to manage small fires contained to a frying pan, however, the safety of you and your family is the most important. If the fire is growing, leave the house quickly, call 911 and let the trained professionals do their work.

Think about these questions:

• W hen you are frying meat or other foods, do you leave your pans unattended? Fats and oils can heat to a point where they ignite. Grease fires can escalate and spread quickly, so be sure to heat the oil slowly and stay in the kitchen.

Broiling and grilling are other cooking techniques associated with more fires than other methods.

• D o you wear clothes with long, loose sleeves? Do you have long hair? Your clothing and even your hair can catch on fire. Wear a short-sleeve shirt or securely roll up your sleeves.

Tying back your hair is good advice from a food sanitation perspective, too. No one likes hair in his or her food.

• A re your pot holders square or round? Did you know that mitts or round pot holders are considered safer than square ones? Large square pot holders that are folded into triangles are more likely to catch fire if the fabric drapes onto a heat source.

• D o you keep anything flammable near your stove?

Keep newspapers, napkins, paper towels and mail away from the stove. Although using the flat top of a stove as extra counter space may be tempting, that’s not a good idea, either. Someone could bump the controls accidentally.

• W hat steps would you take if a pan of food ignited and the fire was contained in the pan? If you were thinking “put a lid on it,” that would be a good first step. Fires need oxygen and a lid can smother the flames effectively. Turn off the burner carefully, too. Baking soda can function as a fire extin-

READER’S PHOTO

House fires most commonly start in the kitchen. PHOTO: THINKSTOCK

guisher for small ones. However, don’t throw water on a kitchen fire because it can cause it to spread quickly. Of course, don’t carry a burning pan outside where the flames can ignite other objects from your home.

If the fire is growing, leave the house quickly, call 911 and let the trained professionals do their work.

• Do you have a kitchen fire extinguisher? One labelled “ABC” works on a variety of fires (paper, grease, etc.).

Be sure to review the directions that accompanied the extinguisher. If a fire should occur, experts suggest using the “PASS” technique. PASS is an acronym that means you should “pull” the pin and then “aim” at the base of the fire. Next “squeeze” the lever that releases the extinguishing agent. Finally, “sweep” from side to side until the fire goes out.

Before leaving your home or going to bed, check that the stove is off.

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.

Welcome to Country Crossroads If you have any stories, ideas, photos or a comment on what you’d like to see on these pages, send it to Country Crossroads, 1666 Dublin Ave., Winnipeg, Man. R3H 0H1, phone 1-800-7820794, fax 204-944-5562, email susan@fbcpublishing.com.

I’d love to hear from you.

Please remember we can no longer return material, articles, poems or pictures.

— Sue

Waiting for summer! PHOTO: KAREN CHIC

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The Manitoba Co-operator | January 22, 2015

COUNTRY CROSSROADS

Designed and created in Manitoba Leather goods and western apparel made to order

By Joan Airey Freelance contributor

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i a n n a A i re y ( Jo a n’s cousin by marriage) has always loved using her hands to create everything from beautiful flower and vegetable gardens to clothes for her family.

“I seriously started designing mukluks, moccasins, and purses after taking a sewing course on making them in Hamiota when my children were small. For the last 30 years I have created my own patterns for custom-made leather goods and western apparel,” said Airey.

She also designs and makes rodeo chaps, shotgun chaps and motorcycle chaps.

Finding supplies used to be a real challenge. At first she purchased her leather products from Fleece Line in Brandon, but now she looks on the Internet for sources.

“I often learn where to find the materials I’m looking for from other designers.

Networking is always a good idea as you can learn of new products from each other,” said Airey.

She is employed by Prairie Mountain Health as an MDR (medical device reprocessor), and takes holiday time before Christmas to fill orders for customers wanting specially designed products.

“I just made a trip to Brandon

Make a credit card holder

By Alma Barkman Freelance contributor

This handy little case holds credit cards and driver’s licence and is easy to slip into a pocket when going shopping. It can be made out of almost any material, but the lining and pockets for heavierweight cloth should be lined with lighter material.

Outside PHOTOS: ALMA BARKMAN

Supplies:

• 1 piece of fabric (A) for outer side 6-1/2x8-1/4 inches (16.5x21.5 cm) • 1 piece the same size for lining (B) • 3 pieces of fabric (C, D and E) 4-1/2x8-1/4 inches (11.5x21.5 cm)

Instructions:

Dianna Airey selling at a craft sale last fall. PHOTOS: JOAN AIREY

Beadwork can take from a halfday up to two days depending on design.

to find some bright-pink beads to make a design on a pair of black mukluks for a 10-yearold girl. She asked for a swirl-

ing bead design in bright pink and blue. Most of my designs are created for a specific individual,” said Airey.

The items are sewn together on special machines for sewing leather then the beadwork is done, taking anywhere from a half-day to two days, depending on the design.

Word of mouth is often how people learn about her products, or go to: www.creationsby dianna.com. Airey also puts new designs regularly on Facebook, and each fall she creates new designs to take to craft sales in Manitoba and Saskatchewan.

Joan Airey writes from Rivers, Manitoba

Place piece A right side up and mark exact centre of one shortest edge. Form a 3-inch (7.5-cm) loop from cord or narrow ribbon and baste in place at this mark, using 1/4inch (.64-cm) seam allowance and with loop facing toward centre of fabric. To make pockets, fold C, D and E in half lengthwise and press.

With fold toward long edge of B and 1 inch (2.5 cm) down from top, sew C to the right side of lining B by stitching along raw edge using 1/4-inch (.64-cm) seam. Place piece D 1-1/2 inches (4 cm) down from top of C and sew along bottom edge as before. Repeat with piece E. To obtain exact centre of pockets, fold in half and press. Stitch vertically along crease line through all layers. With right sides facing, sew A to B with 1/4-inch

Inside

(.64-cm) seam, leaving an opening along one edge to turn. Trim corners diagonally to reduce bulk. Turn right side out and press. Close opening by hand-stitching. Fold in half along centre seam line and sew a button on the opposite side of the loop, being careful not to catch in a pocket.

Depending on the type of fabric used, and/or the accuracy of measurements and stitching, the width of the topstitching may vary. I found the easiest way to figure this out was to slip credit cards into two of the pockets side by side and close the case. I measured the width the topstitching should be in order to give the credit cards a snug fit and used this measurement to stitch all around the edge of the case, right side out.

Alma Barkman writes from Winnipeg, Manitoba

Growing an oleander in Manitoba

A common sight at our Arizona winter getaway, here’s some tips for successful growing here at home

By Albert Parsons Freelance contributor

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leanders are used as year-round landscape plants in such warm areas as Arizona where Canadian snowbirds gather in flocks for the winter. During the unusually cold winter of 2013 in the southwestern United States, the tops of the oleanders froze and we were deprived of the blooms of these beautiful shrubs. The winter of 2014, however, was unusually warm in Arizona and the oleanders bloomed profusely. The large bushes beside the place where my wife and I reside in the winter were in bloom when we arrived in early January and were totally covered when we left the end of March. What a gorgeous, long-lasting display.

In Manitoba, we grow oleanders as potted plants and grow them indoors, at least during the winter months.

They are not at all tolerant of frost and certainly would not survive outdoors in our harsh

After moving it indoors for the winter it will cease to bloom for a couple of months before beginning to produce flower buds as the length of day increases.

Oleander blooms are produced on the tips of the stems.

PHOTO: ALBERT PARSONS

conditions. They do not like to be root bound so are best planted in a large container.

Repotting should be done in the spring, using a good-quality soilless mix which contains perlite and perhaps a bit of additional sand to supplement good drainage.

Although oleanders are heavy feeders and should be fertilized every two weeks during the summer, ease off

on the plant food during the winter when growth is much slower. As well, during the summer, oleanders are fastgrowing plants that take a lot of water, so frequent watering is necessary; during the winter indoors, water less frequently.

Oleanders do like sun, and whether they are indoors or outdoors, they must have at least four hours of direct

sunshine every day to entice them into bloom. The plant is a member of the periwinkle family originating in the Mediterranean, and is actually a shrub that has darkgreen narrow leaves that cover woody stems. Blooms, which are usually pink or white — although other colours are available — are produced on the tips of new branches in the early spring and the shrubs bloom for months.

After moving it indoors for the winter it will cease to bloom for a couple of months before beginning to produce flower buds as the length of day increases.

Because oleanders are fast growing, they can be pruned regularly each year. This practice will ensure that they are bushy and attractive and that there are lots of new stem tips from which flowers will develop. Pruning the plant after it is brought indoors and after most of the blooms have flagged will both reduce the size of the plant for ease of indoor storage, and also

ensure that there is ample new growth to produce flower buds in the spring. Prune the woody stems by cutting off each stem just above a leaf node on a slant. Take care not to tear the woody stem — use a sharp knife and shape as desired.

Oleanders are prone to attacks by aphids and scale.

Both of these are easily controlled in the outdoor garden with frequent showers from the garden hose but can become more problematic in the indoor garden. Before moving a plant indoors, inspect it carefully for lurking insect pests. A regular spray program might be a good idea, and at the very least, inspect the plant carefully every week to catch any infestation in its infancy. If properly cared for, your oleander will be sporting flower buds by late winter and you can look forward to a glorious display of bloom.

Albert Parsons writes from Minnedosa, Manitoba