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By Alexis Kienlen and Jill Burkhardt

Small farm ‘toys’ pack a mighty punch Drones are getting off the ground in Alberta, in no small part thanks to their practical applications on livestock and grain farms

af staff / contributor edmonton

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on’t know if your local elevator is offering a good price or not? There’s an app for that. Or at least there will be once www.pdqinfo.ca is fully up and running.

The new website, created by the Alberta Wheat Commission with $743,000 in federal funding, aims to give farmers timely and accurate pricing data for grains and oilseeds.

see GRAIN WEBSITE } page 7

Ventus Geospatial uses different types of UAVs for different purposes, including this Aeryon Scout that costs around $80,000. For agriculture, the company typically uses a fixed-wing SenseFly eBee, which runs in the range of $30,000. Photo: Ventus Geospatial

By Jennifer Blair af staff / edmonton

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rones may seem like a fun toy — but on the farm, these fancy fliers mean business.

“At the end of the day, you want better information to make better decisions, and that’s what they give you,” said Steve Myshak, owner of Ventus Geospatial in Lethbridge.

“That’s the bottom line on why you want to use a service like this. It’s going to save

you money on inputs, it’s going to increase your yields, and it’s going to help you detect diseases earlier.”

Drones — or unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) — are starting to take off (no pun intended) in Alberta as farmers start to see how they might boost their bottom lines, said Myshak.

“You can increase your efficiency between 10 to 30 per cent over your whole farm,” he said. “That’s a direct cost saving right into your pocket.”

Most of that efficiency comes in time savings, he said.

“If you don’t want to walk your field, you can throw a UAV up and get live video feedback and see what’s going on in your field.

Scouting your fields takes minutes, instead of hours or days. You can throw a UAV up in the morning and have data information in the afternoon.”

But there are other uses as well, including calculating field area or grain volumes; livestock counts; crop insurance claims; early disease or pest detection; and water movement.

RELENTLESS ON WEEDS. SAFE ON WHEAT. FLUSH AFTER FLUSH™ CONTROL. Always read and follow label directions. EVEREST and the EVEREST 2.0 logo are registered trademarks of Arysta LifeScience North America, LLC. “Flush after flush” is a trademark of Arysta LifeScience North America, LLC. Arysta LifeScience and the Arysta LifeScience logo are registered trademarks of Arysta LifeScience Corporation. ©2015 Arysta LifeScience North America, LLC. ESTC-268

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news » inside this week

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inside » UPPING ITS GAME Lethbridge aims high with expansion plan

FEBRUARY 16, 2015 • ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA

livestock

crops

THE ‘NEW REALITY’

IT’S UP TO YOU

columNists Laura Rance Time to put old battles to rest

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brenda schoepp Foreign workers: Let’s do the right thing

THE RIGHT SPOT Details matter when putting down nutrients

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Improving animal welfare the cost of doing business

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Farmers key to fighting herbicide resistance

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Viral disease a travel concern

The 10th Chase Duffy book is about to hit the shelves and continue his adventures in learning about canola Cherylynn and Patrick Bos with Patrick’s parents Bill and Nellie and children (from left to right) Connor, Jocelyn, Adelle, and Amelia.

By Jill Burkhardt af contributor

Photo: Courtesy Bos family

F Ponoka dairy goat producers newest Outstanding Young Farmers Cherylynn and Patrick Bos have become the dominant Alberta supplier of goat milk products

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onoka dairy goat producers Cherylynn and Patrick Bos are this year’s Outstanding Young Farmers from Alberta.

“It was just really great to meet a group of people that was so optimistic and upbeat about farming,” said Cherylynn Bos. “We just really hope to build some lifelong relationships and friendships with those people.”

Meeting the other candidates and past winners was a “refreshing” experience, added Patrick Bos. “Their attitude rubs off and keeps you stimulated in what you’re doing,” he said. “Sometimes when you work so hard you feel all alone in the world.

Then when you meet other people who are just like you, (it’s like), ‘Great I have a group of peers that can mentor us or be friends with.’”

The couple began farming 17 years ago, purchasing their first milking goats in 1999 and began milking for a Ponoka-based pro-

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Carol Shwetz

Canola the star in graphic novels for schoolkids

staff

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cessing company. In 2004 the plant closed, which led to the couple building a goat milkand cheese-processing facility on the farm. Rock Ridge Dairy is now the dominant Alberta supplier of goat milk products and works with a B.C. dairy company to produce goat milk and cheese products from their own herd and that of four other area farms.

Products from Rock Ridge Dairy are sold to major grocery chains across Western Canada under various labels such as Oak Island and Happy Days Brands. The dairy also produces organic cow’s milk and creams.

(A feature profile of the couple will be in the next edition of Alberta Farmer.)

The other candidates for this year’s OYF title were grain producers Randy and Tasha Alexander of Grimshaw and Kurt and Becky Pederson, who produce purebred Black Angus cattle and grain near Edgerton.

The national Outstanding Young Farmer event will be held in Edmonton in November.

— with files from Dianne Finstad

armers at the recent Alberta Canola Producers Commission meeting were welcomed by an entourage of cartoon characters on the stage.

These characters are from the Chase Duffy book series, which was launched in 2010 and is aimed at elementary students aged eight to 11.

The main character in the books is Chase ‘Superman’ Duffy, a Grade 6 student who lives in central Alberta, loves to write stories and run track, and often practises while running around his grandfather’s canola fields.

“The idea came from a totally different way of getting the canola message across along with some of the issues,” said Simone Demers Collins, education, marketing and promotion co-ordinator with Alberta Canola Producers Commission.

“The very first book we did as a way of explaining the difference between canola and rapeseed, and where canola comes from. That would be a real Canadian story and

(a way to) start dispelling some of the myths that we only changed the name of rapeseed.”

The books use a graphicnovel format, which is preferred by today’s students, and the series was expanded thanks to funding from the Alberta Crop Industry Development Fund (ACIDF).

“As a commission we could possibly do one book a year, but we wanted to do more,” said Demers Collins.

“I wrote a grand proposal to the ACIDF board and said this is really what I would like to do. It came back and gave us money for another nine books.”

Currently there are nine Chase Duffy books, with No. 10 — entitled Cloud 9 — due out next month. Created by a pair of Albertans, author Dawn Ius and illustrator James Grasdal, each book has three to four key messages.

One book has Chase learning about growing canola seeds in space, another features a jet car powered by canola biodiesel, and there’s even one that is “part mystery adventure, part cookbook.”

The books, which sell for $4.95 (GST included), are

available online at www. learncanola.com. School and public libraries can obtain free copies by emailing Demers Collins at simone@ canola.ab.ca.

“The very first book we did as a way of explaining the difference between canola and rapeseed, and where canola comes from. That would be a real Canadian story and (a way to) start dispelling some of the myths that we only changed the name of rapeseed.”

Chase ‘Superman’ Duffy is the star of a series of books aimed at children aged eight to 11.

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ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA • FEBRUARY 16, 2015

It’s a family affair

Two commission chairs in one household Allison Ammeter is the new chair of Alberta Pulse Growers and her husband Mike fills the same role for the Alberta Barley Commission

By Glenn Cheater af staff

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hey don’t keep records on these sorts of things, but Allison and Mike Ammeter are likely the first Canadian farm couple to each chair a provincial crop commission. Allison became chair of Alberta Pulse Growers at the organization’s annual general meeting at FarmTech, six weeks after Mike became chair of the Alberta Barley Commission. The couple, who has three grown children aged 20 to 25, crop 2,200 acres near Sylvan Lake. They spoke with Alberta Farmer about public service, their cropping choices, and use of social media.

Has there ever been a husband and wife who were both chairs of farm organizations?

Allison: “I know of commissions where both the husband and wife are involved on the board, but I don’t know of a couple who is both chairs. My board told me they don’t know of another board that has a female chair, so I may be setting a record there, too.”

What sort of commitment does it take to be a chair?

Mike: “I’ve heard some say it can be up to 100 days a year. I don’t know if I can take that many days away from the farm. Allison drives the combine in the fall, but I do all the seeding, spraying and grain hauling, for the most part.

So I don’t know if I can pull 100 days out, but I anticipate 40 or 50.”

Allison: “Michael and I both believe in making sure our entire boards are involved and get opportunities. Both of us have the goal that if there are things other members of our board can do equally well, we’d like to share that experience.”

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Why are you doing it?

Allison: “I think it’s about serving the industry, serving what we are part of.”

Mike: “I think I attended the first AGM of the barley commission (more than 20 years ago). I’ve always gone to regional meetings, I was a delegate for years, and became a director four years ago.

Part of it is that the kids are out of the house, so that’s no longer an issue — and a tip of the hat to anyone who serves on a board and still has a family at home. That’s a huge, huge commitment.”

Allison: “I didn’t even step up onto a board until our last child got a driver’s licence. When the kids were at home, I was chauffeuring all the time, I home-schooled some — there were just other priorities. Now is the time of our life we can give back to this. And we’ve met wonderful people and had cool opportunities. You always get back more than you give. Yes, we’re investing time, but neither of us feel it’s a huge hardship. It’s a huge opportunity.”

What’s your recommendation for someone trying to decide whether to grow more pulses or barley this year?

Allison: “We have a four-year rotation and aim for a quarter of each: barley-wheat-canola-pulses.

Rotation is the key to healthy crops.

And I don’t mean canola-snowcanola.”

Mike: “It can vary a little. Last year we grew 600 to 700 acres of barley and 400 acres of pulses. So that rotation isn’t a hard-and-fast rule, but it’s pretty close to that.”

True or false? The better you are on social media, the better a leader you are.

Mike: “There’s probably an element of truth to that. My wife is the social media representative of the family. I creep into it a little bit, but I don’t really engage.”

12:22 PM

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Allison and Mike Ammeter, pictured on their Sylvan Lake farm, are likely the first Canadian farm couple to each chair a provincial crop commission. Photo: Courtesy of Ammeter Family How many times have you tweeted and when was your last one?

Mike (@mikeammeter): “Maybe two. And I couldn’t tell you when.”

Could it have been one tweet — “Coffee in banff” — at the barley commission’s AGM three years ago?

Mike (laughing): “That’s probably it.”

Allison (@AAmmeter; more than 8,000 tweets): “Now that I’ve had time to think about it, can I answer that question? No — I do not believe social media makes you a better leader. Leadership is a combination of a lot of traits, some you’re born with and some you learn. But I think social media helps us get our message out so much better.”

Are you prepared, Mike, to

make a commitment to double your number of tweets?

Mike: “I’ve been challenged on that already. Let’s see, I had one three years ago. I think I could do another in the next three years.”

Allison: “I just want to say, Michael, that I didn’t know he was going to ask that. I did not set you up.” glenn.cheater@fbcpublishing.com

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FEBRUARY 16, 2015 • ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA

EDITOR Glenn Cheater Phone: 780-919-2320 Email: glenn.cheater@fbcpublishing.com twitter: @glenncheater

Reporters Alexis Kienlen, Edmonton 780-668-3121 Email: akienlen@fbcpublishing.com

Let’s move on and keep the grain-policy debate out of the gutter

Jennifer Blair, Red Deer 403-613-7573 Email: jennifer.blair@fbcpublishing.com

PRODUCTION director Shawna Gibson Email: shawna@fbcpublishing.com

Reviving old rivalries from the wheat board era does no one any good as the cereals industry plans for its new future

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By Laura Rance

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I

f you’ve ever seen “smackdown” wrestling on TV, you have to admit, watching those muscle-bound burly sorts strutting around pounding their chests like apes and shouting insults is entertaining, in a perverse sort of way.

Even when they are throwing punches or tossing each other out of the ring, it’s pretty obvious that it’s all a well-orchestrated act.

However, it’s not so much fun watching the ongoing verbal slugfest between grain industry leaders over the future of the cereals industry in Canada. Scratch the surface of some of these exchanges and the bitter feuds that erupted during the Canadian Wheat Board debate quickly rise up.

There is no question some of the farmers who fought long and hard to preserve the single-desk monopoly still feel the sting of defeat. It colours their view of efforts to move the industry forward.

But likewise, we note that the victors — the ones who got what they were asking for — are remarkably thin skinned and ready to scrap with anyone who questions their view of the world.

Neither side is above questioning the intelligence and integrity of those with whom they disagree, making it next to impossible to keep debate over some fundamentally important issues out of the gutter.

Most recently, this has shown itself in the spat over Saskatchewan Wheat Development Commission’s decision not to join Cereals Canada.

The commission’s board of directors

have said their reasons include a difference in spending priorities. Last fall chair Bill Gehl expressed the view that farmers wouldn’t have a large enough voice at the director’s table of Cereals Canada, of which the board of directors also includes grain-marketing and life science companies.

At the time, some took exception to his remarks. There were mutterings about the Saskatchewan commission being run by NFU and “the former CWB director pool of labour.”

Even if that is true, so what?

There is a pervasive view in some quarters that unless you come from the correct side, your views on just about anything don’t count.

Now the gloves have come off again.

This time, it’s over a press release issued

by Saskatchewan farmer Kyle Korneychuk, under the Canadian Wheat Board Alliance letterhead, after Saskatchewan’s minister of agriculture suggested the commission join the national body.

“The minister has shown that he does not understand Cereals Canada is an industry-captured group and cannot reflect the interests of farmers,” said Korneychuk, adding its 15-member board has only three western farmers on it. (It turns out there are five from the West, plus one from Ontario.)

Korneychuk said farmers voting in the Saskatchewan commission elections expressed a need for continued public interest plant breeding and research.

That’s not a bad thing. For example, would midge-resistant wheat have been developed if an agro-chemical company was directing research?

“Diluting that interest by joining industry-captured groups and giving research money to the private trade

does nothing for either the competitiveness of farmers or the development of the most agronomically useful wheat and barley varieties,” Korneychuk said.

OK, so he got his numbers wrong. And suggesting that Cereals Canada is an “industry-captured” group is provocative. But whether you agree or disagree with him, the point that farmers and agribusiness may have different priorities is a legitimate one.

However, the response from Cereals Canada president Cam Dahl was caustic and personal, suggesting Korneychuk was “either not capable of basic fact checking, or simply does not care that the facts are in conflict with his story.”

This falls far short of the organization’s platitudes about working together for a common goal.

We suppose it will take a generation or two for the hard feelings that dominated the CWB debate to dissipate, but perhaps now is a good time to stop creating more.

There is common ground here. For example, the Saskatchewan commission has produced some of the best analysis to date on the reasons for and the issues raised by last year’s grain transportation disaster. And like it or not, the Saskatchewan directors are there because farmers voted for them.

By the same token, the CWB monopoly is gone. Let’s stop fighting about it.

This isn’t the only example of our declining ability to disagree in a civil and respectful manner in policy debates, only the most recent. As far as smackdowns go, the ones on television are about as productive — and far more entertaining. laura@fbcpublishing.com

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Improve farming practices with behavioural science Farmers don’t always make rational decisions

By Chris Arsenault

rome / thomson reuters foundation

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raditional economics — assuming people are rational actors who respond to prices and subsidies to maximize their own interests — could use a rethink, a senior World Bank official says.

Anne Fruttero, a senior World Bank economist, relayed a story about small farmers in Kenya’s highlands, where low fertilizer use has been holding back crop yields.

Some farmers expressed the desire to buy more fertilizer, but had not been doing so after selling their crops at harvest time, despite being able to afford it.

When growers needed the fer-

tilizer later in the year, they had less money immediately available, so many of them did not bother to make the purchase.

Traditional economics had led researchers to believe that farmers would follow their own selfinterest, and thus save money from the harvest to buy fertilizers later in the year.

The emerging field of behavioural economics, outlined in a recently released World Bank report Mind, Society and Behavior shows that individuals do not always behave rationally. Emotions, social norms, and taking the path of least resistance play a key part in everyday decision-making.

The solution for Kenyan farmers: organizations offered to sell them fertilizer immediately after the harvest. Uptakes increased.

“This policy of changing the timing was as effective as a 50 per cent subsidy (for fertilizer),” Fruttero said. “This is another way of understanding better why people do what they do.”

These new trends emerging in economics have major repercussions for international agencies working with farmers, said John McIntire, associate vicepresident of the UN’s International Fund for Agricultural Development.

“How do you get people to spend less on alcohol and more on their farms?” McIntire asked.

“How do you try to induce people to stop doing things that are not in their interests?”

Behavioural economics can have tangible effects when try-

ing to provide credit to small farmers who don’t have assets or collateral for traditional loans.

Group lending, where a cluster of small farmers takes turns receiving credit and shares the responsibility for repaying loans, could benefit from the new economics. An individual who defaults will lose social c a p i t a l w i t h i n h i s c o m m unity, McIntire said, potentially reducing defaults.

Environmental services could also benefit from the new research, for example by giving farmers who plant trees to protect an upstream watershed from erosion priority access to hydroelectricity generated by the river they are helping to maintain.

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ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA • FEBRUARY 16, 2015

A rip in the rural fabric Thousands of hard-working and dedicated people have been cut adrift because of changes to the Temporary Foreign Workers program By brenda schoepp af columnist

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n Alberta, the shortage of workers is so critical that experts estimate the province will be 96,000 persons short by 2023.

With unemployment at 4.7 per cent (and well under four per cent in some regions), the situation warrants attention.

At that rate Alberta dips into a demographic that should not be working and we need immigrant workers.

That being said, the change to the Temporary Foreign Workers (TFW) program midstream by the federal government has cast out many of our trained, enthusiastic, and much-needed foreign workers.

Their hopes are, of course, to become Canadian citizens. Ric McIver, the provincial minister of jobs, skills, training and labour, has long advocated for an increase of Alberta’s yearly immigrant quota (by last fall thousands had already been delayed because of the processing time, and the wait time is now up to two years). The quota of 5,500 for Alberta’s Immigrant Nominee Program was full last November and the 10,000

applications for persons nominated by employers for permanent residency are sitting on the desk. That puts the squeeze on temporary workers nominated by their employers.

For a consolation prize, Jason Kenney, the federal minister of employment and social development, is sending along $1 million to train Albertans via the new Canada Job Grant initiative.

My question is — who is there to train?

There are 100,000 persons working in Alberta from other provinces, a statistically brutal unemployment rate and a major loss of potential new Canadians. Alberta accounts for 26 per cent of the nation’s full-time employment growth.

Under the new regulations, TFW employers now must cut their total foreign worker staff hours to 10 per cent. In Alberta, there are thousands of shocked employers and employees who had the game change on them in mid-stream. The result is the loss of terrific, committed workers and closed businesses. What it did was set 15,000 persons afloat to deportation after a committed employment record.

If you are “highly skilled” then of course that is different. A per-

son in food service for example is considered by Kenney as unskilled, although foreign workers account for less than two per cent of the national food-service workforce.

Alberta has published a list of trades that they are desperately short in and right along with engineers and crane operators is food-service chefs. Take the true example of a small eatery in rural Alberta. The entire cooking staff who were trained and highly skilled chefs from overseas were forced to leave with their families because the employer could no longer meet the requirements under the new federal changes. They made application through the Express Immigration Program announced by federal Immigration Minister Chris Alexander (a program that came with a price tag of $14 million over the next two years) and were denied.

The backlog in the Alberta system meant that even though the foreign workers and their employer had fulfilled all the requirements, they were forced to leave Canada. The one-year bridging program recently reported is for “some” temporary foreign workers, and the indications are that this will be for professionals only.

Getting back to the little restaurant which is now closed, the economic spinoff to the rural community of that business was $336,000. The apartments these families rented are empty and every business in town is short the sale of food, clothing, gas, school supplies, toiletries, insurance and so on that were a result of the families being here. If that is mirrored in other communities the economic loss of the 15,000 persons who will be denied immigration may be $89 million to rural Canada and Canadian businesses.

The social-economic cost is huge for the stress borne by both employee and employer.

It is degrading for both parties. The Globe and Mail aptly called the changes a solution waiting for a problem. And a problem it is as both employer and employee report that they cannot get the answers they need. Conform or be charged, threatens Kenney. Employers who do not play by the rules face a $100,000 fine.

The shortage of workers and the treatment of our potential new Canadians is not just an economic issue. This is a human rights issue. By changing the rules we upset both

business and life. Our potential new Canadians came here because employers needed them and were willing to foot the bill. They came here as victims of government and they have sadly, become victims of government again. All the patchwork programs in the world won’t make the fabric new again. It is torn, along with the hope of many families who were happy to take the risk to start anew, many in rural communities.

These are people’s lives we are talking about. Let us be fair in the process and give them a chance to immigrate as we reflect that we are a country built on just that. We are the second nation. It was our ancestors who came as both skilled and unskilled workers to urban and rural Canada and west to Alberta, collectively building one of the most desirable countries in the world in which to live. Let us stand by that.

Brenda Schoepp is a farmer from Alberta who works as an international mentor and motivational speaker. She can be contacted through her website www.brendaschoepp.com. All rights reserved. Brenda Schoepp 2014

LETTERS

The theory is good, but finding help Why I don’t support Alberta Beef Producers remains a challenge I I read with interest the article titled Alberta producers want checkoff raised (Feb. 2), which stated attendees at Alberta Beef Producers meetings favoured a higher mandatory checkoff.

I would suggest that this endorsement is similar to one that would be received if you asked the workers of a fast-food restaurant if they would support an increase in the minimum wage. I am sure the response would be a resounding “yes,” but how many people does this actually represent?

As a cow-calf producer I do not feel that ABP represents my interests and if attendance at fall producer meetings is an indication, many producers share my view.

ABP has some hard-working delegates that do good work in promoting environmental stewardship, animal health and welfare, marketing, research, and addressing issues such as wildlife problems. But in my view, the No. 1 priority should be lobbying government for policy that benefits our industry. In recent years it appears the extent of this lobby has been to find out what our provincial government proposes, suggest a

few minor changes, and then endorse it. I cite mandatory age verification, the creation of the Alberta Livestock & Meat Agency, and the passing of the land bills as some examples of ABP’s ineffective lobby. I suggest that ABP’s loss of the mandatory checkoff in the first place had a lot to do with an ineffective lobby.

Through ABP’s actions, or more often inaction, it appears that ABP has bought in to the notion that government can run our industry better than producers.

I am guessing that government will likely approve ABP’s request to reinstate a mandatory checkoff. This would reduce ABP’s reliance on ALMA funding to run some of its projects. During these times of reduced government revenues I would think government would favour this.

I make no secret that I have been getting my checkoff refunded. As a producer, I need to see ABP demonstrate some leadership and courage in its relations with government before I can support it again.

Gene Brown Sangudo

found the article Oilpatch’s pain could be agriculture’s gain as layoffs mount (Feb. 2) interesting.

It gives the illusion that the layoffs in the oilfield sector will all be available for farmers. Here are some things I come across dealing with ag employment: • N inety per cent of my jobs are year-round full time. Farmers need help all year round, not just when the oil sector is slow.

• I t will be tough going from a $35-an-hour job to have any interest in an $18- to $20-an-hour job.

• Oilfield workers are used to camp jobs. I find farmers are getting away from providing housing, but an oilfield worker who has to move in order to secure a job has to find housing in the area.

• Farmers are leery of hiring someone who is going to jump ship as soon as they can get back in the oilfield. It takes a full year to train someone on the farm because of all the seasons and variety of jobs.

• I think most laid-off workers will take advantage of EI for the first while. The money coming in would probably be better than working for the farmer even though it is only a percentage of what they made.

• The oilfield will probably start laying off from the bottom up. This sounds unfair to say but probably the less skilled employees will get laid off first. Farmers have to deal directly with employees and their families, and need to be careful who they hire because of this.

Employees have to work within the family and sometimes interact with family members. It’s not a camp job for sure.

The article sounds good in theory, but there are many other aspects to look at when dealing with farm help. Just my two cents.

Tony Kok Agricultural Employment Ltd. Picture Butte

6

Off the front

February 16, 2015 • Albertafarmexpress.ca

DRONES } from page 1 Eyeballing the herd

Livestock operations across Alberta have already found plenty of uses for UAVs. One feedlot in central Alberta uses them in a way that’s “very simple but very powerful,” getting a bird’s-eye view of its assets, said Myshak.

“To walk through there and do all that, it would take hours. You throw a drone up, you can get that data in minutes,” he said.

Another feedlot in southern Alberta uses UAVs to help with year-end inventory audits.

“Before they would have five or six accountants out there, plus five to 10 farm hands, to run the cattle down the shoot and measure all the bales,” he said. “Now we have one accountant on site and no help from the farmer, and we do everything in about a 10th of the time.”

Using UAVs, producers and feedlot operators are able to count cattle in the field — saving time while reducing stress for the animal.

“Now there’s no more need to run them down an alley,” said Myshak. “It’s very stressful for them, and they usually lose about a pound or two when you’re running them down the alley. This way, they don’t get disturbed.

They don’t even know the UAV is there. We’re able to take the imagery back to the lab and do all the counts electronically.

“If you calculate one pound of loss per animal at a 10,000-head feedlot, you just saved yourself $15,000.”

Field flybys

But the benefit to grain farms may be even greater. For the past three years, Myshak has been working with Chris and Harold Perry of CKP Farms near Lethbridge.

All looks well in this shot (on left) of a potato field in southern Alberta, where Ventus Geospatial used a UAV to scout the field. But a trained eye can detect blotches in the lower-right section of an infrared image (centre) of the same field. Areas infected by potato blight can clearly be seen in the photo on the right, which has been calibrated to show what is called the “normalized difference vegetation index” — which is used to assess the amount of live vegetation. Photos: Ventus Geospatial The Perrys are “big into datadriven agriculture,” said Myshak, and were looking for ways to use data from drones “to make better decisions — to fertilize less, to save water, to detect diseases, to reduce inputs, and to increase yields.”

All of their potato fields are flown weekly, and they use the imagery from the UAVs to develop a prescription for their irrigation pivot, which has variable-rate control on every nozzle.

During one of those weekly flights, Myshak noticed a dark spot at one edge of the field using an infrared sensor. Healthy plants reflect more near-infrared energy, he said, while stressed or dying plants reflect less.

“You might not be able to see it in the visual data, but there’s something happening there,” said Myshak. “You’re able to detect things in the plant weeks before you ever see it with the naked eye.”

Upon seeing the potential problem area in the field, Myshak sent

the GPS co-ordinates to the Perrys. The dark spot turned out to be potato blight.

“The key to having potato blight not ruin your whole field is early detection,” said Myshak.

“He may have lost 10 per cent of the field, but he’s basically saved the rest of his field. That’s $200,000 or $300,000 he saved because of drone imagery, which costs him a few dollars an acre.

“That’s the value proposition.

It costs money — but it also saves you money in the end.”

And that kind of data doesn’t come cheap. For simple field scouting, a top-of-the-line UAV isn’t really necessary; a $1,500 DJI Phantom will likely do the trick, he said. But to capture the best data, “you’re going to need an expensive sensor and an expensive platform,” said Myshak, adding that prices can range up to $150,000.

“You really do get what you pay for.” jennifer.blair@fbcpublishing.com T:10.25”

Drones are already earning their keep on some Alberta farms, says Steve Myshak, owner of Ventus Geospatial.

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Albertafarmexpress.ca • February 16, 2015

GRAIN WEBSITE } from page 1

“It will be an app on your iPhone or Android or whatever you have, and if you’re looking for a certain price, it will ping you when the market hits that price — that’s the ultimate goal.”

GERRY RITZ

table when marketing grain, he said.

“I think it keeps everybody more realistic and more competitive, and for farmers, any time you can be more competitive and save time marketing your product is going to benefit you,” he said.

“We just want to give farmers will be critical to the success of options and the ability to make the initiative. better, quicker decisions.”

“The discussions have been The pricing data will be sup- ongoing with a lot of them,” plied voluntarily by a cross-sec- said Ritz. “Of course, the smaller tion of buyers and sellers, said and mid-range players like this Ritz, and both he and Erickson idea because it lets them show T:8.125” said getting their participation they’re in the game. The bigger

ones will tell you, ‘We have our own websites,’ and they do — but it comes down to the accuracy and timeliness of those websites.”

— with files from Jennifer Blair akienlen@fbcpublishing.com

Meet Rhett Allison Started farming: 1975 Crop rotation: durum, lentils, oilseed, peas Favorite TV show: W5 Most hated weed: Narrow-leaved hawk’s-beard Loves most about farming: Balance between work and play Best vacation: Mazatlan Guilty pleasure: Golf PrecisionPac® blends: DB-8454, PP-3317

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“We feel strongly that this project has the potential to change the way farmers market their crops through access to better and more timely information,” said Kent Erickson, chair of the commission.

“Our ultimate goal is a more transparent market, one that enables producers to be able to capture the marketing opportunities available to them.”

Currently it’s hard for grain farmers to get a firm handle on prices being offered for their crops, said federal Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz, who flew to Edmonton to announce the project at FarmTech.

“There are a number of websites that are up there now, including some of the grain companies, that claim to be price transparent,” said Ritz. “The problem is a lot of them are two or three weeks out of date. So this will be very timely (and) updated daily or on our half-day basis.”

“There is a varying degree of where farmers are looking for price,” added Erickson, who farms near Irma. “It is currently very fragmented. The new website gives a good benchmark and more accountability is going to make the website better.”

The website — pdq stands for “price & data quotes” — is currently in pilot mode and offers just a single price for four crops: Canada Western Red Spring, Canada Western Amber durum, Canada Prairie Spring, and canola. The website covers eight zones (three in Alberta, four in Saskatchewan and one in Manitoba) and offers a price for each zone. Additional crops and more detailed pricing will be added in the coming weeks and months, said Erickson.

“The more companies that get involved and contribute to the background of the website, it will make the website that much more robust,” he said.

And there will be a mobile version, too, added Ritz.

“It will be an app on your iPhone or Android or whatever you have, and if you’re looking for a certain price, it will ping you when the market hits that price — that’s the ultimate goal,” said Ritz.

Producers need to have a clear idea of what the current “benchmark” price is before they start calling their elevators, said Erickson.

And any substantial change in that price will alert them that something is moving the market.

“In the environment we’re in right now, a lot of farmers really could use a good benchmark to find out what kind of prices are out there,” he said, adding the new site will “definitely be a time saver” for farmers.

“We all have favourites and we all have good relationships with two or three different companies in our areas,” said Erickson. “Now (producers) really only need to make a couple of phone calls to find out where their prices are at.

“It just makes it a little more transparent and open in where the price is.”

In many cases, he said, farmers are selling their grain on the fly to solve cash flow issues — and they don’t have time to call “six or seven different places to find out what kind of price is realistic.”

“When a guy’s looking to sell a load, it’s going to make it a little easier for them to understand what prices are out there,” Erickson said. “They want to be able to get up to speed as fast as possible, and a tool like this will get them up to speed quicker.”

The new site could also reduce the risk of leaving money on the

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8

FEBRUARY 16, 2015 • ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA

Cereals Canada comes under fire But chair Greg Porozni says the group is focused on bringing sustainable profitability for all players in the grain sector

By Alex Binkley af contributor

C

laims that Cereals Canada doesn’t reflect the interests of farmers don’t jibe with the facts, says Cam Dahl, the organization’s president.

Kyle Korneychuk, spokesperson for the Canadian Wheat Board Alliance, described Cereals Canada as “an industry-captured group and cannot reflect the interests of farmers. It has only three western farmers on a board largely composed of representatives of multinational grain and agro-chemical companies.”

Dahl countered the organization is intended to represent the entire value chain of the cereals industry and benefit both growers and processors — and it has six producers on its board.

Greg Porozni photo: AWC

“We have farmer membership from coast to coast,” said Dahl.

Among them are three directors from the Alberta Wheat Commission: Greg Porozni, who is Cereals Canada chair, Kevin Bender, and Kent Erickson. There are also farmers from Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Ontario.

Korneychuk issued a release after Saskatchewan Agriculture Minister Lyle Stewart urged the province’s wheat commission to join the Winnipeg-based organization.

But Korneychuk argued if the commission did that, it would “dilute farmers’ voices” when it comes to topics such as research and development of new varieties of wheat and barley.

“The public and our customers have already spoken very loudly that they do not want our

essential food crops controlled by multinational agro-chemical companies whose only mandate is to provide profits to their shareholders.”

But Porozni said farmers will gain from the efforts of Cereals Canada, because it is focused on bringing sustainable profitability to grain growers, suppliers and processors.

“Cereals Canada brings together a broad and diverse collection of partners from all parts of the cereals sector,” he said.

“Our goal is to ensure a profitable and vibrant future for all links in the value chain. The cereals sector is in a period of transition that presents the industry with a unique opportunity to create the environment that will allow Canada to realize its full potential in international and domestic markets.”

Brief Markert new chair of canola producers commission Vulcan producer Lee Markert is the new chairman of the Alberta Canola Producers Commission. He succeeds Colin Felstad. Greg Sears of Sexsmith was elected to serve as vice-chairman.

Also joining the board are three directors acclaimed in October.

Steve Marshman of Strathmore will replace Elaine Bellamy in Region 8, Dale Uglem of Bawlf will replace Jack Moser in Region 11, and John Guelly of Westlock will replace Felstad in Region 5.

— ACPC release

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Albertafarmexpress.ca • February 16, 2015

Supply management has to keep pressure on Ottawa, says Dairy Farmers president Politicians and consumers need reminding system is economically sound, says Wally Smith

By Alex Binkley af contributor

W

hile Ottawa has promised to protect supply management for dairy and poultry producers in trade negotiations, farmers need to keep reminding politicians and consumers the system works to Canada’s economic benefit, says the president of Dairy Farmers of Canada.

One way to do that is for producers to make people aware that dairy and poultry farms boost rural prosperity by offering wellpaying jobs and supporting local suppliers, Wally Smith told the organization’s annual meeting.

“We invest in Canada and the explosion of local farmers’ markets in recent years shows that consumers are interested in buying localproduced foods,” he noted. The average Canadian dairy farm milks 76 cows a day, which

is a much smaller number than many dairy farms elsewhere.

“It’s all about our family farms,” he said.

“We need to convince the government to become more aggressive in its defence of supply management. Processors should support us as well.”

Reports that the Trans-Pacific Pact trade negotiations could be wrapped up later this year should have producers paying close attention to what issues are in play, he said.

Tailspin

With the collapse of world oil prices in recent weeks, many economies have gone into a tailspin, Smith noted. Dairy farmers in New Zealand are struggling because world dairy prices have dropped as consumers in imported countries have cut their purchases. Milk production in Europe will become completely unregulated in the coming months and that could throw European milk production into

an oversupply crisis. Canadian beef and pork farmers have gone through the kind of agony dairy farmers elsewhere are experiencing.

The Canadian system keeps dairy and poultry farms healthy while retail prices are on average close to what shoppers pay in countries like the United States and Europe, where up to half the farm income comes from government payments.

Smith said some economists and business columnists keep calling for the end of supply management so Canada can export more dairy products.

“We’re not against exports but it has to make economic sense. We’re not in favour of giving away our product. We’re exporting some cheese and fluid milk to Asia but we are producers in a northern climate.” He noted that of all the milk produced on farms around the world, only seven per cent is exported. Canada is hardly alone in primarily serving its domestic market.

“We don’t want to see the government trade away a system of sustainable agriculture so we can participate in a highly subsidized world market,” he added.

Local foods

The demand for dairy products grew by two per cent last year in Canada, he said.

Food companies and restaurants are becoming increasingly interested in serving products made with 100 per cent Canadian milk. Tim Hortons will join the ranks in the near future along with other well-known companies.

While Dairy Farmers of Canada appreciates the federal support for supply management, its members are becoming frustrated by the government’s failure to explain how it will compensate for the increased access for European cheese that will come from the Canada-Europe trade deal.

10

NEWS » Markets

FEBRUARY 16, 2015 • ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA

CME to close open-outcry futures

Canada not on Saputo’s radar

The CME Group Inc., which runs the grain trading rooms in Chicago, plans to shut down most of the open-outcry futures markets in July. Floor trading accounts for about one per cent of all futures business at the world’s biggest futures exchange. But traders in Chicago’s grain options pits said they’re confident their business will endure. Options offer buyers the chance to bet on prices without the obligation to pick up the underlying asset. They have grown in complexity as players seek more ways to hedge against commodity market volatility. — Reuters

Supply management has forced Saputo to focus on growth elsewhere, says the company’s CEO. Lino Saputo Jr. said he is not lobbying Ottawa to either dismantle or preserve the system, but said a liberalized system could allow Saputo to grow at home. “If a dairy farmer would be able to be cost effective in Canada, and be able to have a huge pool of milk for us, then, yes, it would make sense to increase our presence in the Canadian platform,” he said. The Montreal-based company, is seeking to make an acquisition in the $500-million to $2-billion range this year, he said. — Reuters

Attractive exchange rates trump stocks data in canola U.S. markets await this week’s USDA supply/demand report

By Terryn Shiells

T

he ICE Futures Canada canola market moved higher during the week ended Feb. 6, with a rally in outside oilseed markets helping to underpin the Canadian futures.

Malaysian palm oil values led the global oilseed complex higher during the week, reacting to news that Indonesia will raise subsidies on biodiesel production. This could, in turn, increase demand for oilseeds such as palm oil and soyoil.

The Canadian dollar was a mixed bag during the week, moving higher one day only to give up large losses the next. Overall it held steady compared to a week ago, though was still very weak, below US80 cents.

Canola futures, however, moved to the higher end of their range, meaning downside could be possible in coming sessions. March canola is expected to top out at about C$465 per tonne, and find support around $445.

The market is expected to hold fairly steady within that $20 range, as a number of bearish and bullish factors influence the market.

On one side, global oilseed supplies remain very large, especially with South American soybeans now being harvested. Canadian canola supplies are also big, with Dec. 31 stocks estimates from Statistics Canada topping expectations.

On the other side, the Canadian dollar remains very weak, making canola cheaper to buy for crushers, and for exporters. Commercial demand for canola also remains steady.

A lack of fresh demand news for the Chicago soybean market during the week didn’t stop the futures from ending higher overall. Much of the week’s advances were linked to short-covering and to spurts of buying on days when crude oil values rose and the U.S. dollar dropped.

A similar story was seen in the corn market, which finished with gains of US15-16 cents per bushel.

Both corn and beans are still paying attention to the South American crops, but traders are sure to shift their focus to the 2015-16 U.S. crops in coming weeks as farmers firm up their planting intentions.

The annual fight for acres should begin in the markets in the coming weeks. The spread between the two commodities will have to tighten up a lot more to encourage farmers to switch any intended soybean acres back to corn.

As of Feb. 6, the price of new-crop

Photo: Thinkstock soybeans was about 2.3 times higher than that of new-crop corn. To encourage acreage switching, that factor would have to narrow in to 2.1-2.2, analysts say.

Wheat markets in the U.S. moved higher during the week, seeing a rebound off recent sharp declines.

Optimism that export demand for U.S. wheat will pick up, as prices may have fallen far enough, also underpinned values.

All three commodities will look to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s monthly report on Feb. 10 for direction, as it will give an updated picture on domestic and global supply/demand situations for corn, wheat and beans.

For wheat, export demand for U.S.

supplies, where the U.S. dollar moves and weather conditions in U.S. winter wheat-growing regions will also be watched in the coming weeks.

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

For three-times-daily market reports from Resource News International, visit “ICE Futures Canada updates” at www.albertafarmexpress.ca.

11

ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA • FEBRUARY 16, 2015

Farmers key in effort to win hearts and minds of consumers American expert says the public tunes out scientists, so it’s up to producers to convince consumers that they produce safe, wholesome food af staff

L

Bringing high-yielding varieties to developing nations and promoting modern production practices earned Norman Borlaug the title of ‘father of the Green Revolution.’ File photo It’s not just that being defensive and angry doesn’t work, it’s that so many consumers aren’t persuaded by experts in science — they’ve got their own trusted sources, said Borlaug.

“Remember, we’re talking to people who are far removed from agriculture,” she said. “We’re talking about moms who believe everything their 20-year-old yoga instructor tells them and everything Facebook tells them.”

But farmers are welcome participants in the conversation about

Julie Borlaug, pictured at a symposium in Washington last year, says farmers need to reach out to consumers. Photo: USDA topics such as genetic modification, use of chemicals, and food safety if they are open, honest, and genuine, she said.

However, they also have to be savvy and meet consumers on their own ground, which today is located on the Internet.

“You have to make your conversations personal,” she said. “We really have to ask farmers to step up and join social media and start conveying the message about what they do. We have to say that farming is not easy and it is a business, but we have to have farmers talking about the role of technology. Scien-

citrus groves and her university is working on a genetically modified orange that could be that industry’s only hope.

“I ask moms how many give orange juice to their children every morning and then ask, ‘Are you ready not to have orange juice or are you ready to pay triple the price?’” she said. “I talk about tangible things that are important to them.”

Borlaug offered several suggestions on how farmers can reach out to consumers (see sidebar) but her main plea was not to get angry and refuse to engage.

“You have to take this ridiculousness seriously,” she said. glenn.cheater@fbcpublishing.com

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Tips on reaching out to consumers

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.

ere are some of Julie Borlaug’s tips for reaching out to consumers.

Many companies boast their products don’t contain GM wheat, but the marketing deception doesn’t end there.

Borlaug said she’s also come across non-GM beef and even GMO-free salt.

The best response is to patiently explain genetically modified wheat is not grown anywhere, there is no such thing as a genetically modified cow, and that salt is a mineral.

Invest the time

In the last couple of years, farmers have gotten better at using social media, such as Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, to reach out to consumers.

But it’s not enough. Critics of

photo: thinkstock modern agriculture were early adopters of social media and “we’ve got 10 years to make up,” said Borlaug.

And every farmer needs to be present in the online world, she added.

“I’ve heard farmers say, ‘If I’m on Twitter, then I’m not making a living.’ My response is, ‘You can do it at night, you can even do all your messages on Sunday and then slowly put them out over the week.’

But you have to make time for it because it’s your customer base… And if you can’t make time for it, then get a son or daughter or someone else to do it for you.”

Hone your message

Think about your core messages and work on them, just as a salesman would for an elevator pitch.

“If I’m on an elevator with a mom for 90 seconds and I can’t convey a message that’s comprehensible for her, then I’ve done nothing.”

Be hopeful

Don’t worry that your voice will be drowned out in a sea of misinformation, said Borlaug.

Being open, honest, and willing to engage is a powerful way to challenge the picture painted by the critics of modern agriculture — namely that corporate farms are either dupes of big chemical and seed companies or willing to sacrifice healthy, wholesome food for a quick buck.

“We need to take every opportunity to spread our message,” she said. “I think we will slowly win the day.” glenn.cheater@fbcpublishing.com

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Some words commonly used on farms have hugely negative connotations for urbanites, she said.

“The moment we talk about how GMOs will lessen the amount of inputs such as pesticides or herbicides, you have shut the conversation down.

I know that is inane, but for most people, the word pesticide or herbicide means cancer or something that’s going to kill you. Can’t we use the words weed killer or insect repellent?”

.

Watch your language

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ike it or not, it’s up to you, farmers.

Producers must lead the line in the battle to convince consumers that GM crops, pesticides, and other ag technologies are good things, FarmTech attendees were told.

“We in the ag sector have made a big mistake in not getting in front of this,” said Julie Borlaug, associate director of external relations for the Borlaug Institute for International Agriculture at Texas A&M University.

“We thought scientists could do the talking for us and they would help push the cause forward, and unfortunately that’s not what happened.”

Even her famous grandfather Norman Borlaug — known as the father of the Green Revolution — was “awful” at defending the scientific advances that have fuelled the massive rise in food production in the last half-century, she said.

“He would get in an argument with what he called a ‘Greenie’ and it didn’t go well,” Borlaug said after her presentation.

“Typically, he would put up his hand and say, ‘I’m done with you.’

Well, we’re not winning anyone when we do that.”

tists just can’t do it — their messaging just doesn’t come across.”

When Borlaug talks to people about the efforts of the Borlaug Institute to combat hunger in impoverished countries, she focuses on how modern varieties coupled with synthetic fertilizers and farm chemicals could radically improve the lives of women, who do most of the farming.

“I ask, ‘How can you be for women without being in favour of bringing innovation and technology to developing countries?’”

She takes the same approach when talking about agriculture in North America. For example, she points to the threat of citrus greening. The bacterial disease has infested much of Florida’s

Jeannette

By Glenn Cheater

12

news » livestock

FEBRUARY 16, 2015 • ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA

Beef sector blueprint explained

Livestock care in the spotlight

Cattle organizations behind the new industry blueprint have put out a pair of videos outlining the strategy behind the recently released Canada’s National Beef Strategy. The strategy has three specific goals to be achieved by 2020: Boost production efficiency by 15 per cent, increase carcass cut-out value by 15 per cent, and reduce cost disadvantage relative to global competitors by seven per cent. The plan is backed by all of the leading national and provincial industry organizations. Both the report and links to the two videos are at www.beefstrategy.com. — Staff

A low-stress cattle-handling and body condition-scoring workshop; understanding animal welfare; and a diversified livestock panel will be part of the 2015 Annual Livestock Care Conference on March 26-27 in Calgary. The conference, hosted by Alberta Farm Animal Care, is intended to address challenges and trends in animal care. Other topics include social media in animal agriculture and understanding consumer perceptions in Alberta. Admission is $195 ($165 for veterinarians and animal health technologists, and $115 for students). For more information or to register, go to www.lcc.afac.ab.ca. — Staff

The future continues to look bright for pork producers While it’s not entirely smooth sailing, the ‘optimistic sentiment’ in the industry is well founded, two experts told the Banff Pork Seminar Meristem Land and Science

T

he animal welfare issue won’t derail a positive outlook for Canada’s pork industry, says an American agriculture economist.

“There is a very optimistic sentiment today in the entire pork industry — I think we’re going to expand pork production throughout North America,” Glynn Tonsor of Kansas State University said at the recent 2015 Banff Pork Seminar.

“I think we’re going to expand it a little less than if we didn’t have this uncertainty related to welfare and other social issues, but in the big picture animal welfare is a very small component of the broader economic story.”

At the end of the day it will be part of the cost of doing business in an overall positive environment, he said.

“All the major export players — Canada, U.S. and Europe — have the same issues to deal with so it will still be a level playing field.”

“In the big picture animal welfare is a very small component of the broader economic story.”

Glynn Tonsor

Consumer interest in how their food is produced is “the new reality,” and pork producers need to understand this trend and be willing to make adjustments, he said.

But when it comes to animal welfare, “there’s a lot more complexity than first meets the eye,” he said.

Surveys have found consumers favour banning or limiting the use of particular production practices over paying a premium, said Tonsor.

“Also, when they say they’ll pay a premium, the indications are that doesn’t mean they will.

You have to cut that number in half or more to get a more realistic indication.”

Economic reality

And that means higher costs for producers, he said.

“For example, if we have to reduce antibiotic use, partly because of animal welfare concerns and largely because of human health concerns, there will be a higher cost at the end of the day because of the illness impacts.”

The potential for higher fixed costs is arguably the biggest factor, he said.

“For instance, as we move away from traditional building designs toward alternative space provisions, it’s quite possible we’ll have more expensive buildings.”

But much of that comes down to how long producers have for implementing change.

“It’s a huge difference if you have to change tomorrow or if you can wait until closer to a time when you would normally renew,” said Tonsor.

Uncertainty is another factor that producers will have to deal with, he said.

“This is the part that doesn’t get talked about as much, but is also very economically important. We don’t know six months from now, five years from now, 20 years from now, what will be the rules of the game. That added uncertainty and the risk it brings can mute the appetite for renewal and expansion.”

Producers also need to remember there is no typical consumer, he said.

“We like to talk about the consumer, but that far oversimplifies the story,” said Tonsor.

“There are segments that can afford certain choices or will make certain choices based on welfare. However, the indications are the typical consumer is not willing to pay a premium for things like stall free, antibiotic free and so forth.”

If a large number of consumers was willing to pay a premium for such products, more compa-

fILE photo nies would be selling them and “we’re not seeing that yet,” he said.

Good prospects

Seminar attendees were also told the Canadian pork sector is entering “a new era.”

“It’s a much different industry than it was in the past,” said market analyst Kevin Grier. “We’ve got some issues, but many are short term. In the big picture, I do believe we are globally competitive. Just how competitive we are can and does fluctuate. But we have to remind ourselves that we enjoy many advantages that are the envy of pork-producing regions around the world.”

Global population increases and rising incomes also mean “demand for meat is far outpacing production.”

“One major concern is that our packer margins are consistently worse than in the U.S.,” said Grier.

Kevin Grier

Glynn Tonsor

Producers also need more time to recover from losses suffered from 2006 to 2012, he said.

“One thing we can’t do though is let our guard down,” said Grier. “It will take time to get balance sheets back in shape from that long tough stretch we endured. The indus-

try is 25 per cent the size it was in 2005 and we’ve seen tremendous consolidation.”

Nevertheless, Canada is the world’s sixth-largest pork producer and third-largest exporter, he noted.

“We’re maintaining our markets and as they grow, we can grow too.”

13

ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA • FEBRUARY 16, 2015

Don’t expect hog heaven in 2015 Analyst Kevin Grier says markets overreacted to PEDv last year, but the current drop in prices is likely overdone, too

By Alexis Kienlen af staff

I

t’s been a year since porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDv) was found in Canada, and the wave of high prices caused by the disease seems to be coming to an end.

“Traders seem to think this disease has been licked and is behind us because the pricing now on hogs in futures markets are such that there’s no way people seem to be worried about shortages,” market analyst Kevin Grier said during Alberta Pork’s recent telephone town hall.

Summer futures are around US$84 and fourth quarter around US$69, he said during the late-January conference call.

“Prices like that indicate to me that if there is any fear, there is much more supply than the hogs and pigs report would have indicated.”

But traders who think PEDv is no longer a threat may be jumping the gun, said Grier, noting there were nine new cases in Canada in January (on top of nearly 80 in 2014).

The price drop in the futures is overdone, too, he said.

“These futures are pretty bearish and I would like to see about $5 more on average than what the futures are offering, because I just cannot justify from my own perspective and statistical relationship, how low things are right now.”

“There’s a lot of uncertainty in the exports market and that could probably be the thing that makes or breaks us in 2015.”

Kevin Grier

He predicted slaughter, which fell sharply last year, should increase by five to eight per cent this year.

But the production impact in 2014 was much lower, about two per cent, because American producers increased the size of their market hogs. Still, that was enough to push prices up by 15 to 20 per cent and create “a phenomenal year” for Canadian producers not affected

by PEDv. “In many times of the year, there was an overreaction on price because of the extreme uncertainty on supplies in the United States,” said Grier.

North Americans spent more on pork last year, and that’s a positive sign.

“From a demand perspective, it’s too early to say that pork has turned the corner, but it’s definitely encouraging,” he said.

The rise of the U.S. dollar will make it harder for Americans to export, but domestic demand is good. China’s demand should also be strong in 2015, he said.

“Given the dollar and global events, there’s a lot of uncertainty in the exports market and that could probably be the thing that makes or breaks us in 2015. If we have more pigs than we think we do, that could be the kicker.” akienlen@fbcpublishing.com

Fear of shortage sent hog prices sky high in 2014 and led to “a phenomenal year” for Canadian producers unaffected by PEDv, said market analyst Kevin Grier. Photo: Thinkstock

It PAYS to Study Ag CABEF offers six $2,500 scholarships to Canadian students enrolling in agricultural or agri-business related programs.

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14

FEBRUARY 16, 2015 • ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA

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MARCH 27, 2015

9:00 am – 9:10 am 9:10 am – 9:30 am 9:30 am – 10:15 am 10:15 am – 10:45 am 10:45 am – 11:15 am 11:15 am – 12:00 pm 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm 1:00 pm – 1:30 pm 1:30 pm – 2:30 pm 2:30 pm – 3:00 pm 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm 4:00 pm – 4:15 pm

The cost of a trainer and a five-week employee orientation is far less than having to continually replace workers, says HyLife official Meristem Land and Science

A

nyone running a hog operation of any scale today knows the value of labour.

Richard Taillefer, director of sow and nursery production for HyLife, a large hog production operation headquartered in La Broquerie, Man., told delegates at the recent Banff Pork Seminar in actual dollar terms how much employee retention means to their company.

HyLife, which produces 1.4 million hogs annually in Canada and the U.S., says the cost of employee turnover is 50 per cent of annual income for less experienced employees and as much as 100 per cent or more of experienced employees.

Faced with higher turnover than they wanted, company officials addressed the issue by hiring a full-time staff trainer.

That kick-started an entirely new approach to dealing with employees beginning with how they are hired to every experience they had from their first day on the farm.

Starting a new job on a hog farm can be intimidating, said Taillefer. Finding the way to work the first day down country roads, often in the dark, following sometimes obscure directions is one example. Following strict biosecurity requirements such as showering into a facility with staff arriving for the day is another example.

Today, HyLife has completely revamped its approach and that has reduced employee turnover by roughly 32 per cent, said Taillefer. The advantage of a trainer is that training is more systematic and a more detailed experience for employees. It relieves pressure on staff to do the training, and it doesn’t interfere with production as much.

And the employee is more comfortable.

For example, the Day 1 experience for new staff that have no experience sees the trainer meet the new employee off site and drive them to the facility. Arrival is planned so it doesn’t occur when staff are starting their shift.

Biosecurity is covered and barn entrance protocols are explained.

New employees are introduced to staff and management one person at a time. New workers will watch a video and have details of where they are working explained. Then they will have a five-week training experience for each aspect of hog production.

Experienced staff would have the same treatment except that their training time would be shortened to one week.

Not everyone is in the position to hire a full-time trainer, but the HyLife experience shows the importance of training generally, said Taillefer.

He recommended taking time to train employees, emphasizing details so they know what is important, clearly set out expectations, answer questions, and then follow up afterwards.

Handling / Body Condition Scoring Demo, Curt Pate & Kent Fenton “Meet the Expert” session for post-secondary students AFAC Annual General Meeting Talking Posters (presentations from Ag students) Stampede Rep to talk about the new Agrium Building and/or rodeo welfare concerns Message From Verlyn Olson Welcome, AFAC Chair and Executive Director, AFAC updates Proactive Stance on Animal Welfare, Brent Moen Social Media in Animal Agriculture #morethanjustacowvet, Cody Creelman MORNING BREAK Understanding Animal Welfare, David Fraser LUNCH BREAK & AWARDS OF DISTINCTION PRESENTATION Understanding Consumer Perceptions in Alberta Bear Pit Interactive Session, moderated by Debra Murphy AFTERNOON BREAK Diversified Livestock Panel (Bison, Goat, Bees & Rabbit) Conference Wrap-up

Located in the BMO Centre at the Stampede Grounds

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Richard Taillefer

Two U of A students given young scientist awards Two student scientists were announced as winners of the R.O. Ball Young Scientist award at the recent 2015 Banff Pork Seminar.

The award, named after researcher and former seminar director Dr. Ron Ball, recognizes graduate students who provide a best overall combination of good and relevant science, a well-written abstract, and excellent presentation.

The first prize of $500 was awarded to Natalie May of the University of Alberta for her work on identification of seminal plasma proteins associated with boar fertility. Second prize of $250 went to Janelle Fouhse of the University of Alberta for her paper on starch and fibre characteristics of barley which influence energy digestion in grower pigs. — Meristem Land and Science release

15

ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA • FEBRUARY 16, 2015

Vesicular stomatitis: a travel advisory The rules have changed for transporting horses across Canada-U.S. border By carol shwetz, dvm

T

he importance of vesicular stomatitis to horse owners in Western Canada is relatively small, that is unless your horse(s) are travelling to or from southwestern locations in the United States. If so vesicular stomatitis will demand significant attention in your travel plans.

Although Canada is currently free of vesicular stomatitis and has been since it was last diagnosed in 1949, outbreaks of vesicular stomatitis occur in an unpredictable manner in southwestern United States. Whilst vesicular stomatitis is rarely life threatening to animals, its political significance lies in its clinical resemblance/similarity to foot-and-mouth disease.

An outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease would have devastating economic consequences for the agricultural industry. As a result vesicular stomatitis is a reportable disease.

Vesicular stomatitis is a viral disease afflicting horses, and less commonly ruminants, swine, members of the camelidae families and wildlife.

Clinical signs are mild fever, depression, and the formation of blister-like lesions within the mouth, and on the lips, nostrils, sheath, udder, and hairline of the hooves. When the blisters break open they leave a raw painful wound.

Affected animals drool and froth at the mouth, often refusing to eat or drink. Weight loss can be marked and lameness is not uncommon with infection. There is no vaccine available and as with many viral diseases treatment is symptomatic, with the disease running its course within two weeks’ time. Although the mechanisms of spread are not fully known, mechanical transmission through insect vectors and animal movement are likely responsible.

Laboratory testing of blood samples or vesicular fluid from the infected animal(s) are necessary to confirm a diagnosis of vesicular stomatitis.

Due to the current outbreak of vesicular stomatitis in the states of Colorado and Arizona, the USDA (United State Department of Agriculture) and the CFIA (Canadian Food Inspection Agency) have invoked import and export restrictions for equines until further notice.

Horse owners are advised to refrain from travelling to or through the infected states. However, for those horse owners who are still willing to travel with their horses to these states, it is important to understand the four necessary requirements for uninterrupted return to Canada.

It is important to note that the original Canadian export certificate is no longer valid for return.

Instead horse owners bringing their animals back to Canada need to obtain: (1) A CFIA import permit. CFIA import permits must be applied for well in advance of travel to the vesicular stomatitis-affected states as it may take weeks to process. This permit must be provided for inspection at the port of entry.

(2) A USDA health certificate stating the horse(s) have been inspected by a veterinarian within 15 days preceding the date of entry.

(3) A negative test to vesicular stomatitis using a cELISA test during the 15 days prior to the date of entry into Canada.

(4) The horse(s) must have not have been on premise(s) or adjoining premises where vesicular stomatitis occurred 60 days immediately preceding entry to Canada.

It is also suggested Canadian horse owners check individual state requirements before movement as various U.S. states may prohibit movement into its state without permit/certification/testing.

Contacting the local veterinarian or the CFIA office may be necessary to further guide horse owners on questions specific to travel.

Carol Shwetz is a veterinarian specializing in equine practice at Westlock, Alta.

After the culling comes the marketing Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development release

Once you’ve decided on what cows to cull, you need to decide whether to sell them immediately, leave them with the herd in anticipation of increased cow prices, or separate and feed them a higher grain diet before sale.

That decision is based on factors such as expected price changes, feeding costs versus potential weight gain, grade improvement potential, and available facilities and time, says Neil Blue, market specialist with Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development in Vermilion.

But producers should also consider seasonal patterns in the marketing of slaughter cows, said Blue.

“November and December cull cow marketings are much higher than the numbers marketed in July and August,” he said. “Marketings continue to be high in January as many producers delay sales into a new tax year. Marketing volumes typically remain stable from April through August as producers sell open cows or cows that have lost a calf.”

That rise and fall in marketings affects prices.

“Cull cow prices are usually the lowest in November and December when marketing volumes are the highest,” he said. “Prices typically begin to improve in February, and from April through August, the cull cow price tends to be seasonally high.

“During this period, cull numbers are lower and demand for hamburger, the primary use of slaughter cow meat, is higher. This usually is the best time to sell cows that have failed to calve, have lost their calf, or for any fall-calving cows that are open.

The long-term annual beef cow culling rate averages about 11 per cent of the herd. Compared to 2013, cow slaughter was down about nine per cent in Canada last year and down about 14 per cent in the U.S. Despite the drop in cow slaughter from 2013, Canfax estimates that the 2014 Canadian beef cow culling rate was still about 13 per cent.

“Because of reduced U.S. cow slaughter, the weak Canadian dollar and continued strong demand for ground beef, cull cow prices are likely to remain historically high near term,” said Blue. “However, it is prudent to keep the seasonal supply-and-demand factors in mind when making the culling decisions.”

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FEBRUARY 16, 2015 • ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA

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ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA • FEBRUARY 16, 2015

Checkoff brings tax credit Alberta canola growers who don’t request a checkoff refund qualify for a tax credit for the 2014 tax year. The Scientific Research and Experimental Development tax credit allows growers to claim the tax credit for the portion of the checkoff paid used to fund qualifying research. The rate for Alberta canola producers in 2014 is 17.89 per cent — so a grower who paid $100 in checkoffs would be eligible for a $17.89 tax credit. For more information, contact the Canada Revenue Agency or your accountant. — Alberta Canola Producers Commission release

Farmers are the front line for slowing herbicide resistance Weed scientist says producers need to extend rotations, not overuse glyphosate, and employ the most effective tank mixes

By Alexis Kienlen af staff / edmonton

H

erbicide resistance is like a forest fire — only you can prevent it.

That was the message from weed scientist Linda Hall, who said producers need to step up to prevent a situation like that in the U.S. where glyphosate-resistant weeds are now epidemic in corn, soybeans and cotton crops.

“It’s easy to say that Roundup Ready crops cause Roundup Ready weeds, but in fact that’s not what happens,” the University of Alberta professor told FarmTech attendees.

The problem is overuse of the herbicide as well as not using an appropriate tank-mix partner or full rates of application.

“You need to do everything to control those weeds, including spraying when those weeds are young,” she said.

Studies in the United States have shown that mixing herbicides in the tank is better than using them in sequence.

Weakly resistant weeds often survive in the perimeters of fields because they receive lower doses of spray because end nozzles aren’t delivering a full rate. Field perimeters don’t get the overlap from the double nozzle, and receive one-third of the rate of the rest of the field.

Finding a tank mix is not easy, especially in crops like canola. Both components of a tank mix have to be effective, as wild oats, green foxtail and cleavers have already developed resistance to Group 1 and Group 2 herbicides.

“I’m really keeping an eye on annual sow thistle, which has just been identified as glyphosate resistant in the U.S.,” said Hall. “If we have that one blowing around, it’s already resistant to Group 2s in Alberta.”

Best practices

Back to the future?

“You need to do everything to control those weeds, including spraying when those weeds are young.”

T:15.58”

Hall also told producers to lengthen their rotations, scout early, and get on top of weed patches in their fields before they become well established.

®

Researchers are currently looking for more herbicides to mix with glyphosate as glyphosate resistance continues to rise.

“What we’re really thinking about is a tank mix or multiple applications and that has to include soilapplied herbicides,” said Hall.

Linda Hall

There are approximately 7.7 million hectares of resistant weeds across Western Canada, said Hall. And since there haven’t been any new herbicides developed since the 1990s,

Annual sow thistle has just been identified as glyphosate resistant in the U.S. Photo: Alvesgaspar/Creative Commons researchers are going back into the vault to see if any older chemical compounds could be mixed with glyphosate to slow resistance.

Hall and other Alberta researchers have started to look at Group 14 and Group 15 herbicides. These can be applied in fall or as pre-emergents in the spring, and fit well into directseeding systems.

Because these herbicides are soil applied, they are affected by organic matter, soil moisture, and soil texture. They are also residual herbicides, so producers need to watch their recropping restrictions. Group 14 and 15s can be used in a variety of

crops, including wheat, peas and sunflower, to combat cleavers and wild oats.

“If we get a dry spring, these things get held up in the soil and they’re not effective,” said Hall.

In order to make the herbicides work in a tilled field with deep seeding conditions, an enhanced rate of application may be necessary.

Researchers are currently investigating non-herbicide-related weed management strategies, such as inter-row tillage and weed seed harvesting. akienlen@fbcpublishing.com

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18

FEBRUARY 16, 2015 • ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA

The recipe has to be just right when fertilizing your crops Phosphorus and potassium work well when placed in the seed row — but nitrogen and sulphur are mobile

By Jennifer Blair af staff / edmonton

N

itrogen may be the first thing producers think of when they want to bump up their yield — but don’t neglect the other nutrients.

“In order to get the maximum benefit out of all of our fertilizer nutrients, we need to have a balanced supply,” said University of Saskatchewan soil scientist Jeff Schoenau, who drew big crowds for his FarmTech presentations.

“That’s where phosphorus, sulphur, and potassium come in.”

Every year, Schoenau drives home the point about balanced nutrition to his soil fertility stu-

dents by conducting a little experiment. Working with brown and grey soils, the students look at how canola responds to nitrogen alone, nitrogen plus phosphorus, and nitrogen plus phosphorus and sulphur.

In the brown soil, the “main limitation” in crop yield is usually phosphorus.

“Nitrogen alone didn’t give us much of a yield response, but with phosphorus present, we got a big yield gain, and a little bit of sulphur added on top of that gave us the highest yield,” said Schoenau.

Phosphorus “wasn’t really an issue” in the grey soil, but sulphur was.

“When we added nitrogen, we got a little bit of a yield gain, and

nitrogen plus phosphorus wasn’t much higher than just nitrogen,” he said.

“But where we had the nitrogen, the phosphorus, and the sulphur together, that’s where we got the highest yield. That’s the importance of balanced nutrition for fertility.”

Placement is tricky

So where’s the best place to put that fertilizer? That depends, said Schoenau.

“Optimum placement of these nutrients is very much related to the mobility of the nutrient,” he said.

Phosphorus and potassium are immobile nutrients, while nitrogen and sulphur move about.

“Phosphorus and potassium

will only move a few millimetres or centimetres in the soil from where they’re placed,” he said.

“Placement, especially of immobile nutrients, means you need to have it close to where that root is in order for it to be available.”

Sulphur is a different story.

“Sulphate will move long distances — literally metres — in the soil to that root,” he said.

“You don’t need all the sulphate there available for uptake right away.”

Producers also need to consider “how much nutrient fertilizer can we safely place in that seed row before we run into injury issues?”

“Nearly all fertilizers are salt, so one of the negative impacts of too much fertilizer in the seed row is

that, because of the salt, it holds back water from the germinating seed and seedling,” said Schoenau.

Tolerance varies

Using a controlled environment with “typical Prairie soil,” Schoenau tested the effects of seed-rowadded phosphorus, potassium, and sulphur on cereals, oilseeds, and pulses.

Cereals were the most tolerant to the added nutrition in the seed row.

“Cereals, like wheat and barley, can tolerate upwards of 40 pounds of P2O5 (phosphorus) per acre,” he said. “Above that, you start to see some significant drops in emergence. You throw some potash in there, there’s somewhat of a negative effect, but it’s not huge.”

Oilseeds such as canola had moderate tolerance to seed-row-placed fertilizer.

“For canola, around 25 pounds of P2O5 per acre seems to be about the maximum safe rate,” he said.

“And when you throw some potash in there, you have to reduce the amount of phosphorus accordingly in order to avoid burn.”

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“Placement, especially of immobile nutrients, means you need to have it close to where that root is in order for it to be available.”

Jeff Schoenau

ROCKY MOUNTAIN EQUIPMENT DEPENDABLE IS WHAT WE DO. And while some pulses, including pinto beans and chickpeas, were quite tolerant to the added nutrition, peas weren’t.

“Of the crops that we evaluated, pea was one of the most sensitive to high rates of phosphorus placed in the seed row,” said Schoenau.

“When you put some potash in there, it significantly reduced the germination and the emergence.”

Test for sulphur

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High rates of sulphur can also cause reductions in emergence, he said, so producers should test their soils for residual sulphur before adding any more.

And even then, there’s really no advantage to placing sulphur in the seed row, said Schoenau.

“Because sulphate is mobile, I’d say the best place for ammonium sulphate is not in the seed row but somewhere else — a mid-row band or a side-row band away from the seed,” he said.

“Putting it away from the seed row would be my preference to avoid that potential for injury. If you’re forced to choose between phosphorus or sulphur in the seed row, I’d go with the phosphorus.” jennifer.blair@fbcpublishing.com

19

ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA • FEBRUARY 16, 2015

Streamlined variety registration system set to launch in 2016 A streamlined system would allow new varieties to hit the market sooner, but less performance testing sparks concerns

By Jennifer Blair af staff / edmonton

A

new variety registration system could be in place and fully operational by next year — if the players in the value chain can agree on doing away with the current three-part system.

“The system needs to be efficient, it needs to be transparent, and it needs to be predictable,” said Erin Armstrong, director of industry and regulatory affairs for Canterra Seeds.

And streamlining the system is the key to that, she said.

“Our system needs to be able to be sure we can adopt new varieties when we want to,” said Armstrong, who spoke at FarmTech in late January.

“At the end of the day, whatever part of the value chain we’re in, we all want exactly the same thing. We all want a successful and profitable crop sector in Canada, so we need to make sure we have a system that supports that.”

The current three-part variety registration was introduced in 2009. In that system, most crops fall under Part 1, which requires a merit-based evaluation of a new variety’s performance against a check variety. Pre-registration testing is required in Part 2, but the variety’s performance is not evaluated against a check. Part 3 requires only a basic registration package, including a fee and variety details.

World is changing

But “the world is changing and moving very, very quickly on many fronts,” said Armstrong, adding a review was launched by federal Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz in February 2013.

“The goal of doing the review this time around was really so that we can ensure that we’re able to support innovation, competitiveness, market development, and regulatory modernization,” said Armstrong.

Following a “targeted” public opinion survey of the value chain in 2013, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada launched a series of four options in the fall of that year.

The first option was no change to the system.

“We have a relatively new system that was established in 2009 and includes flexibility,” said Armstrong.

Option two involved streamlining the system — keeping the three-part system that’s in place today, but requiring only basic registration for all crop types unless there’s agreement that a crop type should have more stringent registration requirements.

In option three, only basic registration requirements would be in place for all crop types.

“There would still be a requirement for variety registration for the crop types that we’re talking about, but it would just be that basic registration requirement,” said Armstrong. “Any other testing would

Revamp favoured

And everyone in the value chain had a different idea on how to move forward.

“There was support for all of the options — everything from ‘don’t touch a thing’ to ‘do away with everything,’” said Armstrong. “But most of the comments, in one way or another, supported keeping the system, but making changes.”

What those changes might look like are “a key part” of the ongoing discussion, she said. A proposal came forward in October that outlined a two-part system, one of which would be ‘enhanced’ — essentially Part 1 — and the other ‘basic,’ which includes Part 3’s basic registration requirements.

Part of the holdup in moving forward with this proposal is the concern that doing away with merit-based variety registration could degrade the quality of new Canadian seed varieties.

That fear is unfounded, said Armstrong. With or without a variety registration system, “quality evaluation is going to take place.”

“Nobody wants to put crap out there, nobody wants to release an inferior variety,” she said. “Even if there was no system, testing is going to take place. Every company and every breeder wants to be sure they’re putting out the best new products that they can.

“The industry will make sure that testing will go on.”

“Even if there was no system, testing is going to take place.

Every company and every breeder wants to be sure they’re putting out the best new products that they can.”

Erin Armstrong

fall outside of the need of requesting support for registration.”

The final option was no system at all — “no government involvement in variety registration and regulating that process anymore.”

jennifer.blair@fbcpublishing.com

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20

FEBRUARY 16, 2015 • ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA

New canola variety offers middle-of-the-road protection against new strain of clubroot A new canola variety from Canterra Seeds with ‘intermediate resistance’ to a new strain of clubroot will be available in limited amounts this growing season

By Jennifer Blair af staff

A

photo: thinkstock

new canola variety has shown some promising resistance to a new strain of clubroot that was found near Edmonton in 2013 and has since spread to nearly 30 fields.

But it won’t offer true resistance, says a plant pathologist from the University of Alberta.

“This variety had very, very strong resistance to the pathotypes that are prevalent, but only an intermediate reaction to this new pathotype — called 5X — from 2013,” Stephen Strelkov said about CS2000, Canterra Seeds’ new canola variety produced in partnership with DL Seeds.

“I think it’s a step in the right direction, and one that’s promising, but it’s certainly not a silver bullet.”

‘Intermediate resistance’ is a new concept for a lot of growers, he said.

Varieties that are susceptible to clubroot show disease severity that’s between 70 and 100 per cent, while resistant varieties show disease severity between zero and 30 per cent.

Varieties that have intermediate resistance — as CS2000 does — “fall somewhere in between,” said Strelkov.

“It’s significantly less susceptible than a variety that’s truly susceptible, but it’s not complete resistance.”

That terminology is important, said David Hansen, president of Canterra Seeds.

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“Intermediate is a very, very sensitive word,” said Hansen.

CS2000 will offer some protection against 5X, he said, but not the complete resistance that it shows for the other “conventional clubroot pathotypes — 2, 3, 5, 6, and 8.”

A “limited amount” of CS2000 will hit the market this spring, enough to seed between 50,000 and 100,000 acres across Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba, he said.

“We’ve got a lot of demand for this, but we want to make sure we can put as much into as many hands as possible,” said Hansen.

In addition to its disease package, CS2000 is a “rock-solid variety from a yield and an agronomy perspective,” which is driving up demand, he said.

“It has a package of important attributes that are critically important for growers in Alberta.”

But because it’s not completely resistant, producers “need to be cautious,” said Strelkov. He suggests the new variety be used as a preventive measure rather than a management tool.

Canterra Seeds’ CEO David Hansen says that the company’s new variety will offer some protection against the new strain of clubroot that’s been found in central Alberta. Photo: Supplied “The intermediate reaction to 5X may have some benefit in areas where clubroot is not established or present in very low levels,” he said. “Having that alternate source of resistance may reduce the probability of pathotype 5X if it’s not established, but in fields where there’s already heavy clubroot, we wouldn’t recommend it any more than any other clubrootresistant varieties.”

The best prevention is still a four-year break between canola crops, he said.

“In fields where resistance has been overcome, we recommend that farmers avoid planting canola altogether in a short rotation,” said Strelkov.

“A four-year rotation between canola crops is recommended on those fields.”

Hansen agrees.

“Growers need to be not looking at these sorts of products as a silver bullet,” he said. “They need to also be taking into account rotations and cropping programs. You can’t be seeding canola back to back.” jennifer.blair@fbcpublishing.com

21

ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA • FEBRUARY 16, 2015

Expert advice for ergot control There’s no silver bullet for combating ergot, but mowing grasses near fields and good agronomics can make a big difference

By Alexis Kienlen af staff

E

rgot is a rising threat on the Prairies, and plant researchers are trying to figure out the best way to combat the disease.

“Everyone is concerned with fusarium head blight, but ergot is right up there in terms of danger,” said Jamie Larsen, a research scientist with Agriculture and AgriFood Canada in Lethbridge.

Rye and triticale are most susceptible to ergot, but the disease also infects wheat and barley. In 2011, up to 30 per cent of Alberta wheat deliveries to the elevator were rejected or downgraded because of ergot. The fungal disease infects grasses during the flowering stage, destroying the flower and replacing it with an ergot particle known as a sclerota.

It is most prevalent in Alberta along the Highway 2 corridor and around Stettler. But it has been steadily rising across the Prairies since 2004, possibly due to cooler springs, reduced rotations, and minimum or zero till.

Research scientist Kelly Turkington likens the disease to a “puzzle.”

“There are a number of different pieces and there’s nothing that is one huge piece that addresses all the issues with it,” said Turkington, who works at AAFC’s Lacombe Research Centre.

Nor is there a silver bullet for dealing with it — and that includes fungicides.

“What they have found in some trials is that you can get a slight reduction in ergot, but for the most part, fungicide trials have not been effective in reducing ergot levels in grain and economically, it’s just not worth it,” said Jim Menzies, a scientist at AAFC’s Morden Research Centre in Manitoba.

“If you’re planning to go into a field, and you’re worried about ergot, you need to be thinking a year ahead,” added Larsen. “Once those sclerotia are there, you can’t control them.”

“The sooner the seed gets fertilized, the sooner it becomes resistant to infection by ergot,” said Menzies.

Eight days after fertilization, the plant can no longer become infected. It’s also important to take care with herbicide and pesticide application to prevent flowers from becoming sterile, as they are more susceptible to ergot.

Over the last couple of years, copper has been touted as a cureall, which is not the case.

Livestock producers also need to be aware of the threat — especially if they are harvesting silage, swath grazing or standing grazing wheat or triticale — because cattle can get quite sick from eating ergot.

Plant breeders are trying to create cultivars resistant to ergot, but they aren’t available yet.

“If you’re planning to go into a field, and you’re worried about ergot, you need to be thinking a year ahead.”

Jamie Larsen

Ergot is ‘right up there’ with fusarium as a crop threat, says Jamie Larsen, research scientist with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada in Lethbridge. Photo: Supplied

akienlen@fbcpublishing.com

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Spotting an infestation

Ergot can be found in the grasses around fields and in ditches. As the plant matures, ergot bodies fall to the ground. Those bodies germinate the following spring, releasing spores that land on florets, and then hijacking the florets to produce honeydew about a week after anthesis.

“Your field will be full of flies, which will be landing on the honeydew and going from head to head, and that’s how secondary infection is spread around,” said Larsen.

Twenty-five days after heading, producers will start to see black, finger-like protrusions growing outside of the florets.

To reduce the threat of ergot, producers should mow grasses in the ditches the year before planting a cereal crop, as well as the year they grow a cereal crop. Mowing is most effective just before flowering.

If the crop is infected, the outside edges of the field — which typically see the heaviest infestation — can be harvested separately. A rotation that is three years or longer also helps to break down the disease inoculum.

A strong nutrition program and doing what you can to encourage uniform emergence (late tillers are most at risk of being infected) are also recommended.

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FEBRUARY 16, 2015 • ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA

Crop prices tied to petroleum and that’s not good for farmers British economist says the biofuel boom led to a massive increase in production of grains and oilseeds, which firmly linked agriculture to energy markets

By Alexis Kienlen af staff / edmonton

P

roducers in the FarmTech conference room looked crestfallen after David Jackson told them the global oilseed market is tied to petroleum — and that oil prices will remain low for a long time.

“A lot of it is out of your control,” said the British economist and director of oilseeds at LMC International, a global consulting firm. “All you can do is move your place within the cage, and move canola within it.”

Biofuels have been driving grain and oilseed prices for more than a decade, he said.

“We couldn’t grow quick enough — yields couldn’t keep pace with that acceleration, so we needed more land,” said Jackson. “In corn’s case, 50 million acres more land, which affected

the price… Basically, we just added another third to our demand and changed agriculture.”

That’s now proving to be a double-edged sword, he added.

“We’ve expanded our cropland so much because of the demand for biofuels.

So now we need those biofuels to take on this surplus.

We’ve expanded our farmland for biofuels, and now we need it to mop up the surplus. That’s why the price has to follow.”

And that means crops need to be attractively priced for the biofuel industry, he said.

“If crops get too far above petroleum, then they don’t turn into biofuels and they cap production for a bit.”

But biofuel demand has slowed in Europe and is flat in the U.S. “Prices are coming down, and that tells me it’s enough,” he said. “That

tells me that the signal is to stop expanding and we have enough land to satisfy demand.”

From 2002 to 2013, producers added nearly 200 million acres of farmland around the world, he said.

But Jackson was more hopeful on another front — China has greatly increased its consumption of meat.

Fifteen years ago, China used to export 16 million tonnes of corn a year, but it now imports eight million tonnes.

“That’s a 25-million-tonne corn swing, which is enough to change the whole world corn price, which changes the world soybean and canola price,” he said.

It’s been a similarly goodnews story for soybeans — Chinese consumption of soybeans is also up sharply and the country now buys 60 per cent of soybean exports.

Kevin Auch new vice-chair of Alberta Wheat Commission Irma producer Kent Erickson continues as chairman of the organization

C

armangay producer Kevin Auch is the new vice-chairman of Alberta Wheat Commission.

Auch replaces Henry Vos as vice-chair. Vos remains on the board of directors, while Kent Erickson continues as chairman.

“The AWC board of directors is made up of passionate people who have strong industry experience,” said Auch. “The AWC board has taken a leading role in the new direction of the wheat industry and it is an honour for me to take this next step.”

There are two new members on the board: Gerry Good from Region 2 replaces Ron Nerland while John Wozniak from Region 4 replaces Brian Tischler. Directors are able to serve on the board for two, three-year terms. — AWC release

Kevin Auch

akienlen@fbcpublishing.com

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ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA • FEBRUARY 16, 2015

Federal official says UPOV ’91 will benefit farmers Commissioner of plant breeders’ rights says enhanced intellectual property protection will bring more investment, better varieties, and greater choice

By Jennifer Blair af staff / edmonton

I

t’s a mistake to think that enhanced plant breeders’ rights only benefit seed companies, says the commissioner of plant breeders’ rights with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.

“The net benefit, at the end of the day, is really going to be for farmers,” said Anthony Parker at FarmTech in January.

The federal government is poised to pass new plant breeders’ rights legislation that will bring Canada in line with UPOV ’91 (an acronym for the International Union for the Protection of New Varieties).

“It will bring increased investment, new sources of varieties coming into the marketplace, and increased choice for farmers in sourcing the varieties they need to be competitive,” said Parker.

With the legislation expected to come into effect in April, a “number of interesting things” will occur because of the improved intellectual property protection that will come with the shift, he said.

“We are not even past the goal line yet, but we have seen appli-

“The net benefit, at the end of the day, is really going to be for farmers.”

Anthony Parker

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And as long as farmers aren’t selling — or buying — brownbag seed, there are no drawbacks to moving to UPOV ’91, he said.

“Under the current framework, it’s an infringement to sell brown-bag seed. With this new provision, it’s both an infringement to sell as well as to purchase,” said Parker, adding a breeder will also be able to collect royalties off any grain harvested from brownbag seed.

“When the infringement happens, the breeder is not just going to be seeking compensation on lost royalties. They’re going to be seeking damages, like court costs and investiga-

tion costs. That can increase costs quite significantly.”

The take-home message is “don’t engage in brown-bag sales,” said Parker.

“It’s a bad idea — not just because it’s breaking the law, but because it’s denying the breeder an ability to collect and reinvest in breeding programs,” he said.

“There are no negative impacts on farmers who obtain seed legitimately; so long as you made that initial qualifying purchase of certified seed and paid into the system, you’re fine. Use it as long as you like on your farm.” jennifer.blair@fbcpublishing.com

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cations coming in from other countries that we have not seen before,” he said. “We have seen new investments in Canada already as those companies are trying to position themselves under a better intellectual property framework.”

That will bring greater competition into Canada’s breeding programs — another boon for producers, he said.

“Breeders have an incentive to develop better varieties, be it for yield, for disease resistance, for stress tolerance, or for end-use characteristics,” said Parker.

“You get an increased number and diversity of crops, as well as varieties. This equates to more choice for farmers.”

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24

FEBRUARY 16, 2015 • ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA

Blackleg a continued threat in coming years While many varieties of canola are available to producers, almost all rely on major gene resistance when it comes to blackleg

By Shannon VanRaes staff

W

hile many canola growers are worrying about new diseases like verticillium wilt or the growing threat of clubroot, it may be an old threat that causes them the most problems in the coming seasons — blackleg.

“We’ve seen a continued trend of increased prevalence,” said Angela Brackenreed, speaking at the recent Ag Days event in Brandon, Man. “We’re getting to over 90 per cent prevalence, meaning over 90 per cent of the fields we surveyed (in 2014) had some level of blackleg.”

On average close to 25 per cent of plants in infected fields showed signs of the disease last summer, although the level of infection on each plant was at the lower end of the spectrum, said Brackenreed, an agronomist with the Canola Council of Canada.

“Blackleg has seen a big increase in prevalence over the past number of years and a big reason for that is that the pathogen is shifting so that it can infect plants that currently have resistance.”

Angela Brackenreed

“Plant infection wasn’t extremely bad, but it was high enough that we can expect that there was a yield drag,” she said. “It’s something that we should be managing or else it will get to the point where there is significant yield loss potential.”

Complicating the situation this year was the appearance of root rot, which in some cases made identifying blackleg more difficult.

“Producers wanted to know what came first, was it blackleg or was it root rot, and the reality is that by observation that was difficult to tell,” said the agronomist.

“But from what I saw, they were

likely occurring in tandem, so it’s most important for producers to know that blackleg was there and it was able to infect. And if you’re using an R-rated variety, you need to observe these things and understand that there is infection occurring, regardless of if the root rot came in first.”

Scouting critical

As always, scouting for the disease is key, she stressed. Farmers should be going into the field, snipping plants at their bases and looking for the characteristic blackening that gives the disease its name.

Producers may also want to reevaluate their rotation schedules, in addition to the canola varieties they’re growing.

“Blackleg has seen a big increase in prevalence over the past number of years and a big reason for that is that the pathogen is shifting so that it can infect plants that currently have resistance,” said Brackenreed.

“The resistance mechanism that we are relying on is called major gene resistance… which means that plant is relying on one gene to confer resistance; in comparison to minor gene resistance this is a good type of resistance because it usually confers almost immunity.”

The downside of major gene resistance is that it can be broken down fairly easily. Blackleg has a sexual and asexual cycle, which allows the pathogen to reconfigure itself to overcome resistance and few if any varieties on the market today address this.

“Unfortunately… most of our commercial varieties are relying on the same sort of major gene resistance,” Brackenreed said.

What producers can do is lengthen their crop rotations to lessen the armour of spores or pathogens in their fields.

“The canola council’s traditional messaging came mostly from blackleg management, and the reason for that is that blackleg can overwinter on the stubble,” said the agronomist. “Over three or four years they suspected that the stubble had enough time to decompose and that spore load would be low enough, or acceptable enough that we can go back into canola.”

Waiting longer to go back to canola and changing varieties may help keep the disease manageable.

“Because this is something that we definitely need and want to manage,” she added.

photo: Canola Council of Canada

photo: Canola Council of Canada

photo: Canola Council of Canada

Photo: Anastasia Kubinec, MAFRD

shannon.vanraes@fbcpublishing.com

S • • • •

G

Angela Brackenreed, an agronomist with the Canola Council of Canada, says producers need to scout for blackleg. Photo: Shannon VanRaes

25

Albertafarmexpress.ca • February 16, 2015

Baby steps can add up to big gains on the farm Experts encourage today’s producers to make small improvements in multiple areas to boost the farm’s overall profitability

by Jennifer Paige staff

W

ant to double your farm’s net returns?

Think five per cent, says a Saskatchewan farmer and accountant.

By increasing your yield and selling price five per cent and cutting production costs by the same amount, a farmer can boost net returns by 100 per cent, Kristjan Hebert said at the recent Ag Days event in Brandon, Man. In fact, boosting your farm’s profitability is more likely to happen through small improvements in a lot of things, than it is one big change.

“As farmers, we spend a lot of time chasing unicorns, and what I mean by that, is ideas that will double our profits in one year or drop our fuel bill in half in one year,” he said. “But,

through extensive research, the one thing we have found is that when you make incremental improvements in every step of your operation, it is amazing how those small improvements add up and impact profits in the long run.”

Hebert began his farming career at age 15 and today operates Hebert Grain Ventures, a 7,800-acre operation near Moosomin. He is also a chartered accountant and chairman of Global Ag Risk Solutions.

He follows the teachings of Danny Klinefelter, professor and extension economist with Texas A&M University, who developed a paper on the 12 best farm management practices that includes the five per cent rule.

Think small

The five per cent rule says that instead of attempting to make

large changes to improve operations, it is best to focus on small improvements in multiple areas.

“The five per cent rule is really, baby steps to bigger profits. How we can utilize technology, data and management skills to capture opportunities that make sense for our farms,” said Hebert, who studied under Klinefelter while obtaining a degree in farm management at Texas A&M University.

Through a number of studies, it was found that most sustained success comes from doing 20 things five per cent better, rather than doing one thing 100 per cent better.

“As growers we have numerous opportunities to make five per cent incremental improvements in our businesses,” continued Hebert. “The cumulative effect of a five per cent yield increase along with a five per cent cost efficiency improve-

ment can have a huge influence on competitive advantage and profitability.”

Research has also indicated that the top quarter of producers, in terms of profitability, tend to be only about five per cent better than the average, whether in terms of costs, production or marketing.

“My favourite scenario is to be the dumbest guy in the room because there is only one way to go.”

Kristjan Hebert

Where to start

In order to determine where you can begin to make five per cent improvements in your operation, Hebert recommends networking with nearby producers or creating a peer group to develop a benchmark.

“We need to convince ourselves to look for people who are doing it better than us and learn from them. If you aren’t learning from your neighbour, you won’t get better,” he said.

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“My favourite scenario is to be the dumbest guy in the room because there is only one way to go.”

Small changes might include increased use of inputs in terms of fungicide or seed treatments, different macro packages of fertilizer, improving relationships with buyers, better inventory management, and the use of futures and options.

“The biggest alteration area would be in terms of your fixed costs, as this is where farmers have the most control. It can be simple things like sectional control, running certain implements 24 hours to get bet ter acres out of them, proper human resource management so that you have the right people where they need to be when timing is critical.”

As a base case, Hebert says a five per cent improvement in canola yield (from 40 to 42 bushels/acre), selling price (from $10 to $10.50) and cost of production (from $350 to $332.50/acre) results in more than a 100 per cent increase in net return (from $50 to over $108 an acre).

“It is critical to analyze opportunities but also analyze what you are doing now to see if it is working and don’t be afraid to embrace change and find a way to implement it,” he said. jennifer.paige@fbcpublishing.com

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Kristjan Hebert presents the five per cent theory to an audience at the recent Manitoba Ag Days in Brandon, Man. photo: jennifer paige

26

FEBRUARY 16, 2015 • ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA

Soil and seed the major sources of potato pathogens and diseases Surveillance, seed knowledge and proper pre-season cleaning essential in avoiding most prevalent pests, says expert

By Jennifer Paige staff

P

roducer surveillance is the first line of defence against pests that can have major impacts on potato yields, says a plant pathologist.

“Surveillance is the key for all of these disease concerns. The process of collecting and recording the presence or absence of the diseases in your fields is critical in prevention,” said Vikram Bisht of Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Development.

“Early detection of disease and pathogens in your crop systems is essential.”

Diseases of concern include potato wart, brown rot, bacterial ring rot, cyst nematodes, late blight, tuber necrosis viruses and weeds.

“These are some of the pests I have considered to be potential threats to Manitoba potato producers,” he said. “And soil and seed are the major sources these pests are getting into your operations.”

He recommended cleaning and disinfecting all equipment and storages at the beginning of every growing season through pressure washing or air pressure, disinfecting with a one

to two per cent commercial bleach, as well as cleaning field equipment with scraper and hammer.

“It is also important for producers to remember to clean new equipment before taking it onto the field. Whether it is used or coming from the dealership, ensure that it is cleaned of all soil and disinfected.”

Always use clean and certified seeds, regularly disinfect knives on seed cutters and be sure to exercise caution when sharing or making custom cuts, he added.

“If at all possible, it is best to know the source of where you are getting your seed and ensure that the seed hasn’t been in contact with potato issues or non-potato disease issues as well.”

Vikram Bisht

“If at all possible, it is best to know the source of where you are getting your seed and ensure that the seed hasn’t been in contact with potato issues or nonpotato disease issues as well,” he said.

“Another great resource to producers is the national farmlevel biosecurity standard and producer guide, which comes with a self-evaluation checklist to assist you in developing a biosecurity plan for your operations.”

The national farm-level biosecurity standard and guide was created through the cooperative effort of Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Agriculture and Agri-Foods Canada, the Canadian Potato Council, Canadian Horticulture Council, and the provincial Department of Agriculture, to provide a nationally consistent proactive approach for good biosecurity practices.

The standard, guide and self-evaluation checklist is available online at http:// www.inspection.gc.ca/plants/ potatoes/guidance-documents/ national-farm-level-biosecuritystandard/eng/1351685363578/ 1351685528151#apana. jennifer.paige@fbcpublishing.com

Plant pathologist, Vikram Bisht discussed potato diseases and crop biosecurity at a presentation during the recent Manitoba Potato Production Days in Brandon, Man. photo: jennifer paige

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ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA • FEBRUARY 16, 2015

Canola and barley markets offer opportunities in a time of low crop prices Fundamentals favourable for canola and barley but not other grains and oilseeds, says commodity strategist Moe Agostino

By Alexis Kienlen af staff / edmonton

I

n a time of flat or falling prices, canola and barley offer a little ray of hope, according to Moe Agostino, chief commodity strategist with Farms.com Risk Management.

Tight supply is positive for canola, but the key is strong demand fuelled by the plunge in the Canadian dollar, Agostino told a packed room at FarmTech.

“That’s why the canola price is bucking the trend. That’s why canola is moving higher,” he said.

Farmers in the European Union didn’t plant as many canola acres and Europe’s ban on neonicotinoid insecticide is expected to increase disease pressure in 2015 and further tighten supplies, said Agostino, who has a canola price target in the range of $465 to $490 a tonne.

“That’s where I think prices are going,” he said.

Supply is the driver on the barley side, he said. Barley acres were down 17 per cent last year while yield fell by 13 per cent and that’s fuelling predictions of supply shortages, said Agostino, who forecasts prices to stay above $200 and to potentially hit the $240-a-tonne mark by summer.

But his outlook isn’t hopeful for other crops.

Oat prices will remain weak and the global supply of wheat is high and that will continue to weigh on prices unless there is extensive winterkill in the U.S. or a weather wreck in a major wheat-producing area, he said.

Agostino is also bearish on soybeans.

There will be more acres of pulses planted and ending stocks are expected to double, which is bearish for prices. The carry-out and stocks-to-use ratio for dry peas is expected to jump dramatically, he said.

Lower diesel prices are coming, but unlike producers in Ontario, Prairie farmers don’t have the ability to book diesel forward.

So Agostino recommends hedging diesel or using futures, but since using futures can be risky, it’s important to use a consultant or broker for guidance.

“You have to always ask yourself what’s the risk or reward,” he said, adding a call option should minimize the risk of margin calls.

He predicted fertilizer prices to be stable as strong supply is being matched by strong demand.

And while the low loonie pumps up the price Canadian farmers receive for exported grain, it has the opposite effect when buying anything imported from the U.S. Demand for American goods in Canada is “just going to fall off the cliff,” he said.

Photo: Istock

Moe Agostino photo: alexis kienlen

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FEBRUARY 16, 2015 • ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA

HEADS UP

Finn takes time off from his herding duties to play one of his favourite games, catching snowballs. He is an Australian shepherd who lives on a ranch near Okotoks, Alta. He weighs about 60 pounds, but is an agile contortionist, twisting mid-air. Photo: Wendy Dudley SEC-REDW14-T_AFE.qxd

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Organic hemp supply can’t meet demand

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he opportunities are big these days for the growers of organic hemp, says the executive director of Organic Alberta.

“We are seeing very strong growth in the organic sector with 58 per cent of Canadians buying organic on a weekly basis,” said Becky Lipton. “Organic hemp is right up there as one of the top commodities in high demand, and commanding a premium of close to double.”

In 2013, there were 66,000 acres in hemp production in Canada, and that number jumped to 100,000 acres last year — with 40 per cent of production in Alberta.

This year, the hemp food manufacturer Manitoba Harvest Hemp Foods expects production to remain stable or decline slightly.

“Over the last few years, hemp producers have experienced exceptionally good production,” said Clarence Shwaluk, director of farm operations at Manitoba Harvest. “While we expect overall hemp production could soften just a little, we expect there will be increasing production of organic hemp because of the demand.”

Organic hemp will be one of the topics examined at Organic Alberta’s annual conference in Beaumont on Feb. 27-28.

The conference theme is Sowing Success: Farming for People, Planet, and Profit. Organic hemp seed processors, marketers and researchers will be at the conference to guide both conventional and organic farmers through specialized organic hemp marketing and production sessions.

Shwaluk will discuss the latest market demand for organic hemp, and how farmers can participate.

“Hemp demand is driven by the demand for healthy food and healthy lifestyles,” he said.

“There’s a big opportunity for organic hemp as there simply isn’t enough supply to meet the demand.”

In another hemp-focused session, Jan Slaski, senior researcher and program leader at Alberta Innovates–Technology Futures, will explain what farmers need to know about growing organic hemp, including best practices and new research. To register, go to www. organicalberta.org or call 855-521-2400 toll free.

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29

ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA • FEBRUARY 16, 2015

Getting the lowdown on your farm’s financial health Simple Farm Ratio Analyzer is a quick way to determine whether your farm is on the right financial track, says farm finance specialist Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development release

An Excel program available from Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development can help producers assess the financial state of their farm business.

The Agricultural Business Analyzer (ABA) Simple Farm Ratio Analyzer gives users a quick idea of the financial health of their farm or ranch as well as a comparison of their business’s ratios to industry benchmarks, said farm finance specialist Rick Dehod.

“The ABA Simple Farm Ratio Analyzer is a shortcut Excel program that takes just eight key financial entries and calculates financial ratios for the farm/ranch and colour codes them in comparison to industry benchmarks,” said Dehod.

“These eight key financial numbers can be taken from your accountant-prepared financial statements for the past year and entered into the various open cells in the one-page spreadsheet.”

The eight key numbers are: farm gross revenue, farm gross expenses, depreciation, debt servicing payments, current assets, long-term assets, current debt and long-term debt.

“With these eight quick entries you will know how your farm is doing financially,” said Dehod.

“You can then consult with your accountant or an agricultural finance specialist to come up with plans to mitigate and improve those areas where your financial ratios are weak.”

Using your net worth statement for the beginning of 2015, you can do your income and expense projection, sources and uses of funds (cash flow) for the year, and project your closing net worth statement for 2015, said Dehod.

“Once you have your projected 2015 closing net worth statement, you can generate the year-end financial ratios, and compare them to the ratios you generated from your beginning net worth statement,” he said. “This will give an indication if your 2015 operating plan will progress the financial viability and health of your farming operation.

“It all seems like a lot of work, but it will help you create an awareness that can help you make better decisions to increase the viability and success of your farm business.”

To find the analyzer, go to www. agric.gov.ab.ca, click on Decision Making Tools, and then on Farm Management. Rick Dehod can be reached at 780-427-4466.

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New legislation for sales of farm implements New act establishes minimum requirements for sale agreements, warranties, and availability of spare parts Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development release

T

he new Farm Implement and Dealership Act will come into force this year.

The new act, which combines the old Farm Implement Dealerships Act and the Farm Implement Act, came into effect in December when Bill 6, the Statutes Amendment Act, received royal assent. Bill 6 also includes numerous changes to sections of the former Farm Implement Act. “The revised statute addresses gaps in the legislation and adds more clarity,” said Jeana Les of the Farmers’ Advocate Office

(FAO). “This legislation has been around since the mid-1960s and, like any good legislation, it needs to keep evolving to meet the realities we’re facing. We’ve also taken this opportunity to make our Farm Implement and Dealership Act more consistent with equivalent legislation in Saskatchewan, Ontario, and Manitoba.”

The legislation establishes minimum requirements for sale agreements, warranties, and availability of spare parts, and also provides a mechanism for resolving disputes regarding farm implements, said Les. The FAO administers the act and provides support to the Farm Implement Board,

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employs a farm implement inspector, and manages licensing for dealers and distributors.

The Farm Implement Board is comprised of three farmers, three industry representatives, and one member appointed by the provincial agriculture minister.

“The FAO strives to resolve complaints through the farm implement inspector to help limit costs and ensure expediency for affected farmers,” said Les. “In 2013-14, the farm implement inspector spoke with approximately 240 different farmers and agribusiness owners, mediated 155 disputes, and completed over 20 farm implement inspections. As a result,

the Farm Implement Board did not need to review any disputes in 2013-14.”

More information on these changes is available on the FAO website at www. farmersadvocate.gov.ab.ca.

The new legislation will come into force in 2015, once the required amendments to the regulation are completed to align with the amended legislation. Updated copies of the Farm Implement and Dealership Act will also be available on the FAO website once they become available.

For more information, contact the FAO at farmers.advocate@gov.ab.ca or at 310-FARM (3276).

30

FEBRUARY 16, 2015 • ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA

CP boss slams weekly rail car report but Ritz likes them The Ag Transport Coalition’s second weekly report on rail service shows the railways aren’t meeting demand

By Allan Dawson staff

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anada’s railways say they’re moving more grain than a year ago, but still aren’t meeting grain shippers’ demands, according to the latest weekly railway performance report prepared by QGI Consulting for the Ag Transport Coalition.

And there’s the rub, said Wade Sobkowich, executive director of the Western Grain Elevator Association.

“We can’t discuss averages or talk about annual totals,” Sobkowich said after the report for grain Week 23 was released. “We have to talk about performance on a week-by-week basis and this report does that.”

CN Rail said in a recent statement it had shipped a record amount of grain during the first half of the current crop year — 18 per cent more than at the same time last year.

However, the Week 23 report says CN and CP Rail supplied 2,271 cars of the 6,312 cars ordered for delivery. For Week 24, they supplied 2,250 of the 7,111 cars ordered for delivery.

CP Rail CEO Hunter Harrison slammed the weekly rail car report.

“The use of public funds to drive a single, self-serving agenda under the guise of solving large, complex supply chain issues is unconscionable,” Harrison said in a statement. “It is disingenuous for the Ag Transport Coalition to say it wants to improve the agricultural supply chain if it doesn’t want to involve transportation stakeholders in the discussion.”

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But federal Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz rebuffed those complaints and said the coalition’s reports will play an important role in the review of grain transportation.

“While to date grain is moving ahead of last year’s unacceptable pace in certain corridors, the government understands that improvements are needed within supply chain partners,” said Ritz.

Until now most railway performance data has been aggregated and either supplied directly by the railways or through Quorum Corporation, Ottawa’s grain transportation monitor. The Ag Transport Coalition, with funding through the federal-provincial Growing Forward 2 program, was formed to measure weekly railway performance from the grain shipper’s perspective, Sobkowich said.

“The idea is to continue to provide this data on a weekly basis as long as the resources are available to do that,” Sobkowich said.

The number of hopper car orders not filled by both CN and CP has continued to increase each week since the beginning of the crop year, according to the Week 24 report.

“Through the first 24 weeks of the current crop year, railways have failed to supply 17,701 hopper cars ordered by shippers,” it states. “This represents a shortfall equivalent to 10 per cent of shipper demand.”

The latest report also states more than 8,200 customer orders have been outstanding for four weeks or longer.

“The use of public funds to drive a single, self-serving agenda under the guise of solving large, complex supply chain issues is unconscionable.”

Hunter Harrison

Interruptions blamed

There are factors not mentioned in the latest report to consider, CP Rail spokesman Jeremy Berry said in an email. For example, due to New Year’s (Week 22) there was a 1-1/2-day closure at the ports so cars weren’t processed in a timely manner. The report also dwells on the number of cars waiting at port, but fails to note that the port cannot process many of those cars “disrupting the rhythm of overall railroad operations.”

But Sobkowich said the Week 23 figures speak for themselves — the railways are not keeping up with grain company car orders.

According to the elevator association, the railways don’t have to compete to move grain and therefore don’t have to invest in surge capacity.

The association, backed by many farm groups, wants the federal government to pass legislation requiring the railways to sign service agreements with shippers, with penalties for failing to fulfil the agreement.

The railways say it’s too expensive and inefficient to build a system to meet temporary surges.

They say they are shipping more grain than in the past and the key to increased throughput is better pipeline collaboration and less regulation.

The weekly reports are available at www.agtransportcoalition. com. allan@fbcpublishing.com

31

} forecasts

Albertafarmexpress.ca • February 16, 2015

Water woes forecast

Measuring soil moisture from space

Water scarcity could lead to conflict between communities and nations as the world is still not fully aware of the water crisis many countries face as a result of climate change, says the head of the UN panel of climate scientists. In its latest report, the panel predicts a rise in global temperatures of between 0.3 C and 4.8 C by the late 21st century. The scientists say this will bring more freak weather, including crippling droughts in nations such as India, even as water demand rises because of urbanization, hydroelectric projects, and animal livestock production. — Reuters

A new NASA satellite will measure moisture in the top layer of the Earth’s soil, with the data being used in weather forecasting and to track global climate change.

Soil moisture is a variable that binds together all of the planet’s environmental systems, scientists say. “It’s the metabolism of the system,” said Dara Entekhabi, lead scientist of NASA’s Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) observatory. SMAP, launched into space late last month, will spend at least three years measuring the amount of water in the top two inches of Earth’s soil. — Reuters

The lowdown on atmospheric rivers and their effect on weather If conditions are right, atmospheric rivers can inject huge amounts of water into storm systems

By Daniel Bezte

A

s we settle into the middle of winter and start thinking about when spring will start rolling in, I sometimes struggle to come up with different weather stories to talk about.

If you have something you would like to share, or something you would like to see explained or discussed, please let me know at daniel@bezte.ca.

When there are no big weather stories affecting our part of the world, I often rely on listening to, or overhearing, weather conversations for ideas of what people are thinking about weather-wise and, more importantly, what they aren’t hearing or understanding correctly. You’d be amazed how many people have very little weather knowledge, yet are self-proclaimed weather experts and will spout off incorrect weather information like it is the gospel truth. Usually, I stay clear, as I’ve found these weather conversations are often like pro sports, religious or political conversations: You can’t change the other person’s viewpoint. Even if they know you are right, they will stick with it to the bitter end.

The latest conversation I overheard had to do with atmospheric rivers and the current weather pattern over North America. I figured I would tackle the first of these topics in this issue and try to clear the air, so to speak, of just what an atmospheric river is. The second topic — namely, why it has been so warm out west and cold and snowy to our east — will have to wait until the next issue.

An atmospheric river is almost exactly as it sounds. A river is a long and narrow water source which, for the most part, has a continuous flow of water from upstream to downstream. In the atmosphere, most of the moisture comes from evaporation and the majority of evaporation occurs in the tropics. In our part of the world we have very little evaporation occurring in the winter and only see high levels under certain circumstances in the summer. Over the tropics, a large amount of evaporation is taking place all the time. A good portion of this moisture falls back to earth in the tropics, but

Here we see a view of an atmospheric river from December 2010, much like the one that recently brought rain to parched California.

some makes its way northward to fuel storm systems that give us a large amount of our rain and even snow.

Some of this tropical moisture simply works its way northward, drawn into mid-latitude weather systems a little bit here and a little bit there. Sometimes a large flow of tropical moisture can develop and last for several days to even a week or more, bringing huge amounts of moisture northward, usually resulting in flooding rains or heavy snow. These northward or westward plumes of moisture can stretch over thousands of kilometres but are often only 50 to 100 kilometres wide.

Usually, in our part of the world, the atmosphere holds between 10 and 20 millimetres of water — more in the summer than the winter, but this is a good average. This means if you were to take all the moisture in the atmosphere above you, and condense it back into water, you would typically expect this much water. Over the tropics, this amount is typically in the 50- to 60-millimetre range.

When an atmospheric river forms, we get a long narrow transport of these high water content values — a river of moisture in the air. The atmospheric rivers that tend to affect us typically form over the Pacific and will often bring flooding rains to the West Coast, from British Columbia southward to California. The image here shows an atmospheric river that formed in December 2010 and is very similar to the one that recently brought much-needed rain to California.

These atmospheric rivers, while bringing large amounts of rain and snow to the West Coast, are also often responsible for large rain and snow events across the Prairies. In the past, these atmospheric rivers over the Pacific were called the Pineapple Express, since they often originated near Hawaii.

The storm system that brought snow to a good portion of the central Prairies Jan. 7-8 was largely the result of moisture pouring into North America in an atmospheric river.

Despite recent wet weather, California is still suffering from one of the most severe droughts in its history. Photo: Thinkstock Again, these rivers are not our only source of moisture. If they do set up and if the conditions are right, these rivers can inject huge amounts of water into storm systems, which in turn will often bring our largest rains or snows of the season.

So far this year we haven’t seen many of these rivers develop or affect our region, which helps to explain why the West Coast, California in particular, is experiencing such extreme drought.

But that leads us to the second topic of study: why has it been so warm and dry over western North America and cold and wet to the east? More on that next week.

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.

32

FEBRUARY 16, 2015 • ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA

Key reversal alerts livestock producers to recent downturn market outlook } Technical analysis has the ability

to cut through the news and see opportunities By david drozd

L

ive cattle futures plummeted $23 per hundredweight after turning down from a new historical high in late November 2014.

As always, the news was incredibly bullish at the top, so some livestock producers may have been caught off guard by the sudden drop in prices. However, producers who study charting and technical analysis may have noticed the price action forewarning of an impending downturn.

Technical analysis has the ability to cut through the news. When the trained eye picks up on reversal patterns, indicating a change in direction, this presents opportunity.

Market tops can materialize in a very short period of time and the subsequent downturn predominantly occurs more quickly than the move up. This is because a bull market needs to be fuelled by a constant flow of bullish news.

However, a bull market dies under its own weight without being fed any news.

Initially, the market goes down on long liquidation. The selling

picks up when the longs decide to get out of their positions, first to protect profits and then to cut losses. Declining open interest provides evidence of this. The open interest is illustrated at the bottom of the accompanying chart. Open interest is the sum of all the long or short futures contracts at the end of each trading session. You will notice, the open interest has been declining with the downturn.

One of the unique aspects of charting and technical analysis is the ability to gain an insight as to when a market is about to turn down.

Reversals are price events that tend to signify turns of minor or intermediate importance. However, when a reversal occurs at new contract highs, arrives after a rather extensive move up both in time and price, and is accompanied by a close lower than the previous week’s low price, this special case becomes a key reversal. Here, the turn in the market could take on more significant meaning than just a minor trend change.

Key reversal

As an indicator of reliability, the week’s trading range, which is the difference between the high and

low price, should be wide and the market should first advance into new highs prior to reversing direction and closing poorly.

chart live cattle Weekly Nearby Chart as of January 28, 2015

Market psychology

At a top, a key reversal begins with prices reaching a new high for the current move. The market rather suddenly encounters a large supply of contracts for sale which initially halts the price advance. The buying fails to absorb this heavy selling and prices begin to weaken.

During the same session the selling moves down to the market, creating more pressure.

When prices fall below the previous week’s closing level, additional selling materializes.

Thus, after advancing to new highs, the market ends the week lower, often substantially below than the previous week’s close.

The initial selling which caps the advance is predominantly by large market participants. The selling which occurs after prices weaken reflects smaller speculative longs getting out.

A key reversal is a complete change in sentiment. As the market starts the week on a strong note, the longs are comfortable and confident. The market’s per-

formance provides encouragement and reinforces the expectation of greater profits.

However, as the market turns down and settles below the previous week’s low, the immediate outlook for prices is abruptly put in question. Longs respond to weakening prices by exiting the market.

This explains why a market can turn down, all the while the news remains bullish. Therefore, knowledge of charting and technical analysis is one more tool producers can use in order to take advantage of hedging opportunities.

Fortunately, the decline in the Canadian dollar has to some

degree been supportive to the price of slaughter animals.

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

David Drozd is president and senior market analyst for Winnipegbased Ag-Chieve Corporation.

The opinions expressed are those of the writer and are solely intended to assist readers with a better understanding of technical analysis. Visit Ag-Chieve online at www.ag-chieve.ca for information about our grainmarketing advisory service and to see our latest grain market analysis.

You can call us toll free at 1-888274-3138 for a free consultation.

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ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA • FEBRUARY 16, 2015

Looking for workers?

Farm Fresh learning sessions

There’s still spots for employers at an agriculture job fair at Northgate Centre (#2050. 9499-137 Ave., Edmonton) on March 5. “Right now, we’re still looking for some more agricultural companies to participate in the fair,” said Al Dooley, agriculture labour recruitment specialist with Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development. “We’re looking for companies offering both processing and farm jobs.” There is no exhibitor fee for employers, said Dooley. “We only ask that you are hiring at the time of the event and are based in or around Edmonton.” For more info, contact Lindsay Rodriguez at lindsay.rodriguez@gov.ab.ca or 780-427-4187. — AARD release

There will be a number of learning opportunities at Alberta Farm Fresh School at Olds College Feb. 26-27. “Come and learn about soil, both soil biology and soil fertility, vegetable production using plastic mulch and low tunnels, and integrated weed management from leading experts,” said Rob Spencer, provincial commercial horticulture specialist.

There will also be sessions on value adding, connecting with restaurants, current diseases and insects in Alberta vegetable crops, biological control options, food safety, and improving efficiency. For more info, see www.albertafarmfresh.com. — AARD release

The arrival of Ag Expo signals the HEARTLAND growing season isn’t far away Although there’s 200,000 square feet of space, about 50 of the 350 exhibitors have to line up their machinery outdoors

By Dianne Finstad af contributor

A

sure sign spring is on the horizon in southern Alberta is when Exhibition Park at Lethbridge fills up for Ag Expo.

The three-day annual event showcases all things agriculture — from equipment to technology — for both crops and livestock. It’s also home to the North American Seed Fair.

“It’s really an economic barometer for agriculture in southern Alberta,” said Doug Kryzanowski, the manager of corporate relations, marketing, events and entertainment for Exhibition Park.

“Everyone watches to see if the farmers and ranchers come in with their chequebooks in hand.”

Visiting Ag Expo is a valuable way for producers to do some preparation and planning for the upcoming busy season on the farm. They can make contacts, do some comparison shopping, and gather fresh ideas for their business, all in one place.

But it is a big place, so visitors need to have comfortable walking shoes, if they intend to get around to all of the booths and displays which cover about 200,000 square feet of space. While the majority of the show is inside, about 50 of the 350 exhibitors have to line up their machinery outdoors for farmers to examine.

“Space is our limiting factor,” said Kryzanowksi. “We regularly have 40 to 80 exhibitors on a waiting list, wanting to get into the show. We need more space.”

While exhibitors and attendees

come for business, breaking the winter routine and getting out to socialize with one another is another important aspect of the show, he said. There’s also the chance to seeing what’s new in an ever rapidly changing agribusiness world.

“We’ve got such a variety here — we’ve got the exhibitor with farm tools, all the way up to the big tractors and combines,” he said. “It is one of Western Canada’s premier shows.

“We’re at the tail end of the show season, so a lot of the customers who do come in know their product could be ready for spring.”

Ag Expo draws visitors from across southern Alberta, but also from as far away as southeastern B.C., southwestern Saskatchewan, and even neighbouring Montana.

Exhibitors come from all over Western Canada, and last year there was even one from China.

Lethbridge has a strong tradition of agricultural events, from back in the early 1900s when it proudly hosted the International Dry Farming Congress, with delegates from around the world. In 1957, the Exhibition group teamed up with the local Chamber of Commerce and Alberta Agriculture to create Ag Expo, which featured the largest seed fair in Canada. It also included an Agricultural Short Course.

These days, a volunteer committee from Lethbridge, along with district business people and farmers, work with the Exhibition Association to present the show.

Although what’s being presented for farm equipment and technology has changed dramat-

There’s a waiting list of exhibitors eager to get a spot at Ag Expo. PhotoS: Courtesy Exhibition Park

ically over the years, the basic objective remains true to its roots.

It’s a great occasion to showcase agriculture to the community, and give an opportunity for farmers and the companies that serve them to come together and do business.

Ag Expo runs from Feb. 25-27 and is open daily from 9 to 5.

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34

FEBRUARY 16, 2015 • ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA

Seed fair offers red ribbons — and bragging rights — to seed producers The North American Seed Fair has been a big part of Ag Expo since its founding more than half a century ago

By Dianne Finstad af contributor

A

bountiful crop starts with good seed, and seed providers take great pride in offering their very best to farmers.

One way they could showcase their product was by participating in the North American Seed Fair. Even though much has changed in the seed business, the fair is still an integral part of Ag Expo in Lethbridge.

“It was started to help seed growers market their seed,” said George Lubberts, an independent agronomist who is chair of this year’s seed fair committee.

“It was an opportunity for them to show potential customers the varieties they were growing. And of course a little pride comes in, trying to get that red ribbon.”

Billed as one of the oldest seed fairs in Western Canada, the event became one of the founding features when the Ag Expo event was created in 1957. It is still a unique offering because it covers such a large area, said Lubberts, but organizers admit the transformation of the seed business has impacted the seed fair.

“Things are changing with the way farmers are buying seed and the way growers are selling it,” said Lubberts. “There are less

farmers, buying more seed. The distribution of information (on their product) is different, too.

Many seed growers even have their own open house now in the growing season.”

Not surprisingly, industry consolidation, as well as the entry of major corporations into the seed business, has reduced the number of entries to the Seed Fair.

“Seed fairs are no longer needed for growers to market their seed, or for farmers to see the varieties being produced,” he said. “So instead of being one of only two or three marketing tools available, it’s now one of 10 or 12.”

Regulations have been modified to keep the show relevant and in sync with changes in industry regulations. For instance, entries now have to come from a threetonne lot, Lubberts noted. And the sample must be machine cleaned, not done by hand.

“It’s not about who does the nicest job of preparing a sample,” he said. “It’s about what a sample from a seed grower really looks like. They can show what they sell, so it’s not just a showcase of cleaning or hand-picking seed.”

Even the assessment of seed has changed over the years, thanks to technology and different customer needs. So that lessens the priority of the visual appeal, which is what fair entries are currently judged by.

A blue ribbon is nice but the red version goes to the top entries at the North American Seed Fair. Photos: Courtesy Exhibition Park

The ‘Art of Seed’ is an eye-catcher at the North American Seed Fair.

“Things like the falling numbers are not visible to the naked eye.”

The North American Seed Fair features a wide variety of classes of crops, as well as alfalfa, timothy and even some grass seeds. Along with the pedigreed division, there are open classes for farmers who grow their own seed, and junior classes as well.

“The wheat and the barley classes have been our biggest entries,” said Lubberts. “The seed-cleaning plants in the area have been big supporters of the fair.”

A one-kilogram sample in a cloth bag with the information attached is required for each entry. Volunteers from the sur-

rounding agribusiness community serve as judges. They size up each sample according to the specs of the particular class, with qualities such as colour, cleanliness, kernel size, plumpness and freedom from disease coming into play. Ribbons and cash prizes are awarded.

Last year, Tim Willms, of Willms Seeds in Grassy Lake, captured the pedigreed grand aggregate award. An entry from Luke Wipf of Cranford was given the nod as the grand aggregate winner for the open classes.

Weather can have a big impact on the entries as well. If a wet harvest season has affected quality, growers are less eager to submit entries, said Lubberts.

While organizers know they may need to consider revamping the seed fair to keep it viable for the future, Lubberts said he believes it’s still a valuable part of Ag Expo.

“It allows people to see another part of what’s happening in agriculture,” he said. “They can see the number of different growers, and crops that are produced.

“Plus the winners still have that honour and pride in the coffee shop if they get the ribbon.”

The committee is hoping for a strong set of entries this year, which will be judged on Feb. 19.

Samples will be on display all during Ag Expo in the seed floor of the south pavilion of Exhibition Park.

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35

ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA • FEBRUARY 16, 2015

Exhibition Park looks to the future with expansion plans A $90-million redevelopment would see construction of a 250,000-square-foot convention centre and 75,000-square-foot Agriplex af contributor

A

Produced by: SeCan Product/Campaign Name: SeCan AC Carberry Date Produced: August 2011

g Expo in Lethbridge could be even bigger — if only there was room.

As the Lethbridge and District Exhibition marks its 118th year, its board finds itself on the threshold of an exciting, but challenging, growth opportunity.

“The last construction at Exhibition Park took place in 1999 with the construction of the Main Pavilion, which connected all the other facilities together,” said general manager Rudy Friesen.

But it quickly outgrew that space.

“Especially for our major events, and for facility rentals as well,” said Friesen. “We don’t have a single day available for January, February and March.

We’re at capacity and turning business away.

“It’s frustrating for our organization because we want to see that economic impact take place here.”

Exhibition Park has been planning its expansion phase for a decade now, working with civic and tourism officials and the local chamber of commerce.

“Our city does not have a convention centre, so this joint committee came up with a development plan that would accomplish both of those things,” said Friesen. “It would have increased space for Exhibition Park, plus a facility that was designed to meet the convention needs of the community, all in one building.”

It’s a unique approach, but likely a way of the future, he added.

“By their very nature, agricultural societies in the province have tended to be pretty independent as organizations, and I think that comes from the entrepreneurial nature of the producers that built these societies. But I think it’s a new era, and it speaks to a more collaborative nature in trying to do some things for the good of the community. That’s been a real positive thing for us here in Lethbridge.”

Exhibition Park currently has 120,000 square feet of indoor space and the new plan calls for 250,000 square feet. It would be flexible enough to allow for multiple users at the same time, and includes some high-end meeting space.

“Another key piece of the design for attracting business to the city is a kitchen facility that has the capability to feed 2,000 people in one sitting.”

And since it’s expensive to hold ag events (because of the need to move dirt in and out of the building), a second phase of the development would be the construction of a new Agriplex, with a dedicated dirt floor.

The total cost for both facilities is estimated to be $90 million.

The City of Lethbridge has already come on board, committing $25 million to the development in its 2018 capital plan, contingent on matching funding from other levels of government. The balance would come from the Exhibition association, which struck a fundraising committee earlier this month.

The drop in oil prices, and provincial revenues, makes getting government funds a tough mountain to climb, but Friesen sees it from a different angle.

“When you’re in good economic times, these things cost a lot more to do,” he said. “When you’re in bad economic times, everybody holds their wallet close to the chest. Yet it’s often the most economical time to do it. And it’s a time when the activity would be good for the province.”

There is a sense of urgency, with the clock ticking on the current buildings. Although once considered “the Cadillac of regional exhibitions,” most of its buildings are considered past their useful life, and renovating them isn’t considered a viable option.

Redevelopment would benefit the entire community, said Friesen.

“Economic Development Lethbridge has identified numerous opportunities that just don’t come to this city because we don’t have the facilities,” he said. “What we’re proposing would allow us to be in that game, and be a real regional economic driver.

“I think the key for us is to continue to work diligently with our municipal government to figure out ways to make this happen.”

Friesen points out Ag Expo has had a waiting list of exhibitors for two decades.

“We’re leaving a lot on the table. Ag Expo is a great economic driver for our city, but it could be twice the driver, if we let it.”

Ad Number: SEC_CAR11_T Publication: Manitoba Cooperator Trim - 3col x 133lines 6” x 9.5”

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A new Agriplex (on the left and also in the above photo), with a dedicated dirt floor, is part of the redevelopment plan for Exhibition Park in Lethbridge. Graphics: Exhibition Park

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36

FEBRUARY 16, 2015 • ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA

Updated manual for national food safety standards released Producers are encouraged to take time to update their food safety manual before the new version takes effect in April

By Jennifer Paige staff

C

Heather Gale, executive director of CanadaGAP, explains changes made to the recently released manual at the recent Manitoba Potato Producer Days. Photo: Jennifer Paige

anadaGAP has recently released an updated version of its food safety manual, which will take effect April 1.

Most of the changes to updated, 6.3 version of the national food safety standards for the fresh produce market are editorial in nature and were adjusted to clarify or further explain existing requirements, said the organization’s executive director.

“However, producers should still take the time to review any changes that may impact their sector,” said Heather Gale.

“This is an overview of what the changes are and you will be able to tell what is actually going to affect your operation.”

One of the major changes is in Section 19.1 and relates to the sourcing of product. Operations must now be sourcing their product from suppliers who are also certified to CanadaGAP or another industry-recognized third-party food safety audit/ certification.

The CanadaGAP manual can now also be used by fresh produce brokerage firms, operations involved in production, packing and storage of greenhouse strawberries and those who are repacking and wholesaling mushrooms.

“This is an overview of what the changes are and you will be able to tell what is actually going to affect your operation.”

Mazier to lead Manitoba farm group Dan Mazier is the new president of Keystone Agricultural Producers, Manitoba’s largest farm group.

Mazier takes over from Doug Chorney, who had reached the end of his fouryear term.

“I think we’re in really good shape and I feel like I’ve got a good understanding of the organization,” said Mazier, adding he intends to focus on member communication.

New technologies and connectivity mean farmers don’t have to be in the same room to have a discussion anymore, he noted.

“Guys can communicate with us now in a lot of ways, we don’t have to sit in meetings ’til all hours of the night,” he said.

Heather Gale

The revised manual is available at www.canadagap.ca as well as documents outlining the main changes, and a document summarizing commodity-specific changes. Corresponding, updated audit checklists will be issued prior to April.

Dan Mazier photo: shannon Vanraes

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37

ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA • FEBRUARY 16, 2015

Growing demand for better food One economist predicts demands for grains could shrink in the face of increased fruit and vegetable consumption

By Alex Binkley af contributor

G

rowing world demand for food doesn’t necessarily equate with increased demand for grain, according to an American ag economist.

“Generally people are eating better than a decade ago,” University of California Prof.

Tim Beatty said at the annual Canadian Agriculture Economics Society policy conference.

But while demand is growing, so are food supplies, he said.

And trends in consumer demand for health and nutrition favour fruits and vegetables, but that grains will see a declining importance in the food system.

He also suggested that despite all the controversy they generate, the production of biofuels “is not that important in terms

of forecasting the global supply of food calories.” Land used to produce crops for fuel will be switched to food production when “food prices get too high.”

At the same time, the march to a world population in the ninebillion range by 2050 means agriculture and science have to find ways to increase food production, he added. “We cannot expect another Green Revolution.”

While they’re fraught with controversy, genetically modified crops offer the prospects of higher yields without having to increase the amount of land being farmed, he said.

As well, Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean “all have large areas capable of increasing food production.”

Attendees also heard from Jim Brandle, CEO of Vineland Research and Innovation Cen-

tre, which is building a oneacre greenhouse complex in the Niagara Peninsula to demonstrate the importance of technology to the future of food production.

The centre aims to create the right commercial partnerships that translate an idea into a value product or process, he said. “We’re trying to build up a technology base for horticulture.

“The value of the greenhouse complex is in both what it produces and the technology it generates which can become an exportable product as well.”

Modern agriculture has become the Age of Biology and the centre plans to investigate the potential of reverse genetics as a way to develop more productive plant varieties, he said. Reverse genetics involves examining individual genes in

a plant to determine what role they play in a plant’s growth and how that could improve its overall productivity.

Brandle said it has the potential to lead to major breakthroughs in plant breeding without the cost or controversy of genetic modification, noting it currently costs about $163 million to bring a new GMO plant to market.

Michel Post, managing director of Food, Beverages and Agribusiness at the Dutch bank Rabobank International, said that despite the huge disparity in the size of their agriculture sectors, Canada and the Netherlands could gain a lot by working in partnerships. Canada earns about 8.5 per cent of its GDP from agriculture exports while Holland receives nine per cent.

“We’re in an era where agri-

culture has to do more with less, achieve more value added and develop more public-private partnerships,” he noted. “The Netherlands doesn’t have room to expand production but it has agriculture knowledge that it can export.”

Canada can increase production “as well as bringing knowledge and the ability to attract investments,” Post said. One area the two countries could advance is the adoption of precision agriculture to increase production in the oilseed and grains sector while reducing input and labour costs.

“The era of big data or data intensity in agriculture could reach 75 per cent of farmers by 2025,” he said. “By then farm equipment should be able to execute variable-rate applications that big data would make possible.”

CWB building sold: reports CWB will continue to lease two floors

By Commodity News Service Canada

C

WB’s downtown Winnipeg office building has been sold, according to media reports. The eight-storey building near Portage and Main was bought by Calgary-based Hopewell Development for an undisclosed amount.

CWB, formerly known as the Canadian Wheat Board, will continue to lease two floors of the building. The sale was initially reported in December, but was only finalized at the end of January. The building, with over 146,000 square feet of office space, was first listed for sale in 2012, as the company transitioned from its former role as the single-desk seller of western Canadian wheat to the open market.

The current building consists of two parts — a building purchased from Manitoba Pool Elevators in the early 1960s and a larger addition attached to the south side.

Increase your yields by using Authority and removing weeds early Kochia and cleavers were put to rest by a group 14 mode of action with extended residual weed control. Lamb’s quarters, redroot pigweed, wild buckwheat and others met the same fate. Authority is registered in peas, flax, soybeans, chickpeas and sunflowers. www.fmccrop.ca

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38

FEBRUARY 16, 2015 • ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA

EASY GRAZING

While parts of the country are enduring cold and snowy winters, much of southern Alberta is basking in above-zero temperatures, with open grazing on south-facing slopes.

These cattle, near Priddis, Alta., are able to graze on snow-free pastures. Photo: Wendy Dudley

CFIA calls a time out on regulatory modernization

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The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has called a time out in its regulatory modernization project to further study agriculture and processor proposals for improving food safety.

After a massive series of consultations through 2014, CFIA had been expected to present its package of proposed regulatory changes in the Canada Gazette Part One by late January.

The agency now says, “We are taking a pause.”

“We appreciate all the feedback we received and we may even undertake further consultations before proceeding,” said Colleen Barnes, an official in the agency’s policy and programs branch.

The move is supported by his organization, said Chris Kyte, president of Food Processors of Canada.

“Hopefully a delay will allow us to better understand what’s in the agency’s proposed regulations,” he said.

CFIA has undergone significant management turnover in the last year, which calls “into question the quality of consultations and analysis so we support a review of all regulatory proposals.”

Officials with the Supply Chain Food Safety Coalition and the Food and Consumer Products of Canada also said they support a slower approach.

No specific dates had been set on when the agency might unveil its full package of regulatory changes in the Canada Gazette, Barnes said. That would be followed by a 75-day consultation with domestic and international organizations. The pause will likely mean the regulations won’t come into effect until at least 2016.

39

ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA • FEBRUARY 16, 2015

How to ship to the U.S. Online publication includes info on weight restrictions, phytosanitary certificates and more

By Allan Dawson staff

C

anadian and American grain companies have a new resource to assist them when buying or transhipping grain to or through each other’s countries.

The goal is to expedite grain trading between the two nations and beyond following the elimination of the Canadian Wheat Board’s single desk.

“We’ve seen all sorts of border challenges in other types of commodities so we wanted to make sure we did a very good job of making sure the information was out there for everyone,” said Tyler Bjornson, president of the Canada Grains Council. “We wanted to dispel any myths and make sure the appropriate information from authorities from either side of the border was available publicly.”

The information posted at http://canada-usgrainandseedtrade.info was prepared by the Canada-U.S. Grain and Seed Trade Task Group. It’s designed to give commercial grain buyers a better understanding of crossborder trade regulations.

The task group, which included Canada Grains Council and the North American Grain Export Association, National Grain and Feed Association and U.S. Wheat Associates, has already posted information for Canadian and American grain farmers and seed growers and distributors.

“The open-market changes provide new opportunities for U.S. and Canadian producers and traders to move wheat, durum, or barley across the border, but that grain is still subject to the respective and applicable customs and import regulations, such as phytosanitary requirements,” the task group said in a news release. “Some of that grain may also be exported to a third country.”

“I think it’s important for our Canadian industry to have an open, transparent discussion with our U.S. colleagues... to make sure as the private sector we’re managing any concerns together that might be coming up rather than letting them become sore points.”

In the past the United States has slapped countervailing duties on imported Canadian wheat, although they were ruled to be unjustified and were overturned. At the time the wheat board’s monopoly was cited as an irritant. It’s gone, but there are still concerns among some that a sudden flood of Canadian wheat into the U.S. could prompt trade action. However, others have predicted in an open market Canadian and U.S. wheat prices will arbitrage preventing a rush of Canadian wheat to the south. allan@fbcpublishing.com

B:8.625” T:8.125” S:7”

While you can now sell directly to the U.S. without going through the wheat board, there are still grain customs and import regulations such as phytosanitary requirements. Photo: Thinkstock

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The 29-page document is full of meaty information ranging from links to sites regarding local highway road weight restrictions to links on obtaining phytosanitary certificates. There’s information on shipping grain from one country into the other and then on to a third country. Canadian and American grain-grading systems are also discussed.

“It’s meant to be a proactive information service for anyone engaging in cross-border trade to make sure there isn’t any confusion and frustrations don’t turn into irritants at the end of the day,” Bjornson said.

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B:11.25”

S:10”

Tyler Bjornson

T:10.75”

“We’ve seen all sorts of border challenges in other types of commodities so we wanted to make sure we did a very good job of making sure the information was out there for everyone.”

40

FEBRUARY 16, 2015 • ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA

Stirling’s tombstone mystery is finally solved But there are calls to have discarded monuments at fish pond removed

By Johnnie Bachusky af contributor

F

or the past five years Stirling’s Cody Kapcsos has been on a solitary mission to solve the mystery of who’s buried in the abandoned pioneer cemetery near the ghost hamlet of Masinasin.

Kapcsos, who has also spent countless hours restoring the cemetery, could only identify four of the known 11 burials at the site, located about 50 kilometres southeast of his village in southern Alberta.

And back home there was another mystery, also involving pioneer locals who’ve passed on to the afterlife — four tombstones laying on the northeast bank of the village’s fishing pond, a former water reservoir decommissioned several decades earlier. One even bears a name: Nellie Selk, who died at the age of 30 in 1938.

“It might throw some for a loop.

It did when I first saw it,” said Kapcsos. “It raises questions about why they are there, and whether somebody is actually buried there.”

While the fish pond has been a popular local recreational spot for many years, the mysterious tombstones have remained largely unnoticed or ignored.

“I knew they were there. I haven’t thought much about them,” said Jack Hicken, a member of the Stirling Historical Society and a resident since 1962.

Hicken said he knew several tombstones at the Stirling Memorial Cemetery had been replaced with the old ones discarded at the pond, although he does not know when. He speculated they were used to control erosion.

“I guess they did it because of the wash of the water and they were looking for rocks,” said Hicken.

“The rocks were put there to impede the water wash.”

Ron Bore, a former secretary with the historical society, also recalls some faded and broken tombstones being replaced years ago, with the old ones placed along the pond’s bank to reduce erosion.

“I have been here a long time and I have not heard any untoward comments regarding the placement there,” said Bore.

But Hicken thinks differently, and wants them removed.

“It could be sacrilegious, I guess, in a sense,” he said. “I could take a look and make a recommendation to council. But it’s just kind of dumb they be there. Either remove them or break them up so nobody could tell what they were.”

Mike Selk, the village’s chief administrative officer, said the monuments are actually capstones, which are placed over gravesites — even the one with Nellie Selk’s name, a relative of his.

Selk said he knew about the monuments at the pond and has never taken “personal offence,” but concedes it might now be necessary to finally remove them.

“This is something that will probably be taken care of appropriately,” said Selk.

In the meantime, Kapcsos has finally solved both mysteries. In January, he received a full list of all known burials at the Masinasin Cemetery from the Alberta Genealogical Society. And recently, he found Nellie Selk’s new tombstone at her gravesite in the local cemetery.

Still, he’s bewildered why full tombstones were ever placed at the pond.

“A boulder would have done the job or they could have at least pulverized the concrete rather than just dumping the whole things in.”

The tombstones along the bank of the Stirling Fish Pond were discarded at the site after being replaced at the Stirling Memorial Cemetery with new monuments. PhotoS: Johnnie Bachusky

ANOTHER STELLAR TM

PERFORMANCE. The Stirling Fish Pond, stocked and maintained by the local Lions International club and the village, is a popular recreational spot for locals.

Cody Kapcsos at the entrance gate of the once long-forgotten Masinasin Cemetery.

The old tombstone of Nellie Selk lays along the bank of the Stirling Fish Pond.

41

Albertafarmexpress.ca • February 16, 2015

There’s apps for this and that on the farm that save you time Spend more time in the field and less time at a desk with the use of mobile technology, Cloud computing and agriculture-geared apps

by Jennifer Paige staff

T

he next time your combine is making an unfamiliar tickety tickety noise, don’t call your machinery repairman – send them a video message so they can see and hear the problem.

Today’s mobile technology is a perfect fit for farmers, said Peter Gredig of AgNition, which produces mobile technology for agriculture.

“This technology has really evolved and it doesn’t matter what you have — iPhone, Android, or BlackBerry — it’s how you use it,” Gredig said at the recent Ag Days event in Brandon, Man. “All of these devices are amazing tools and it is up to us to figure out how we can best use them in our operations.”

Along with discussing a number of the latest apps geared toward the industry, Gredig spoke on

how to get more from your smartdevice and different functions the technology can perform that save farmers time.

“A tablet is so much more useful than all of those monitors in tractor cabs. Fairly recently, ag companies have started moving away from selling in-cab monitors to rather utilize the producers’ tablets and smartphones as the monitors.”

Even without downloading additional applications, Gredig notes these devices come with a number of gadgets that are handy to farmers in the field, such as the flashlight, protractor, compass, speedometer and level.

“Many of us still think of these devices as phones that can do other things, whereas in reality they are incredible mobile tool boxes that include a phone,” he said. “The industry certainly needs to be aware of and understand the power of real-time audio and video communication. If you don’t use

these video communication apps, you are really missing the boat.”

Gredig recommended Facetime and Skype apps for video calling.

“If you were to Facetime your agronomist, they would be able to see exactly what you are dealing with at that moment. As an industry, we need to start doing this.”

Many of these modern-day devices also offer voice recognition or Bluetooth software. Employing these features on your device can be a time saver and increase your safety.

“When we look back at the advancement of this technology, it is not going to be these cool little apps that make life easier for us, it is going to be how we gather our data, store and manage it,” said Gredig.

According to Gredig, the real valuable feature of mobile technology is in the use of Cloud computing — using a network of remote servers hosted on the Internet to store, manage and process data

— rather than a local server or personal computer.

Gredig relates the Cloud to a virtual filing cabinet that allows you to store data on the Internet and access it with the security of a password.

“The liberation and freedom of the Cloud means that you don’t worry about the basement flooding, a fire or hard drive crashes, because as you are generating data it is wirelessly and immediately being stored.”

“Many of us still think of these devices as phones that can do other things, whereas in reality they are incredible mobile tool boxes that include a phone.”

Peter Gredig

jennifer.paige@fbcpublishing.com

Apps for effective mobile farming Peter Gredig, mobile technology specialist with AgNition recommends these apps:

Flag This

Enables you to communicate an action that is location specific, so that users are able to flag a location through GPS that requires scouting for plant symptoms, draining standing water, fence repair, etc. Flagged locations can then be saved and stored or shared via email. Developed by the Saskatchewan Soil Conservation Association.

Voxer

A push-to-talk application that basically converts your smartphone into a walkie talkie. You can connect a number of devices and keep your team on track.

My Shed

A free application that provides you with engineering parts manuals, assembly diagrams, and parts number lists for your machines. Create parts lists and share them with your dealer, access tool box reference guides, and lubricant/fluid selector guides.

Weed Identifier

Designed specifically for Canada, this app allows you to identify and map weed pressures.

Farm at Hand

An app built by farmers, for farmers. It is a complete farm management app, free and Cloud based that allows you to manage your entire operation from seed to sale.

Crop Nutrient Deficiencies

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A mapping and scouting application that allows users to log details and map field boundaries.

42

FEBRUARY 16, 2015 • ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA

Producers warned to reduce use of antimicrobial growth promotants

ESTFIELD W A N W NS TO O O S A E R 100

The risk from antimicrobial-resistant organisms found in meat is statistically low, but of great potential consequence

By Shannon VanRaes staff

I

f producers want to keep antibiotics in their tool boxes, they’re going to have to change the way they use them.

And that means voluntarily ending the use of antimicrobials as growth promotants, Leigh Rosengren told those attending the recent Manitoba Swine Seminar in Winnipeg.

“I promise you, if we see no change, this will be a big black strike across the industry,” said the Saskatchewan-based veterinarian and epidemiologist. “When we say we’re going to step up, and that we’re voluntarily going to clean something up, and then if we ultimately don’t change, I see the next step as regulation.”

That’s already happened in the U.S. Pharmaceutical companies have voluntarily removed claims of growth promotion from their labels, while government regulations have made it illegal to use extra-label feed antimicrobials.

Pharmaceutical companies have also begun to remove claims of growth promotion from Canadian labels.

“They see the writing on the wall — that we don’t have a social licence to use these drugs in this way,” Rosengren said.

But unlike the U.S., Canada has not made it illegal to use antimicrobials as off-label growth promotants. Here, the responsibility to ensure proper antimicrobial use rests with industry and farmers, pork producers were told.

“There is a fundamental difference in how this is going to play out in the United States versus in Canada,” she said. “And so, there is a lot of debate in Canada as to how much impact this will actually have on antimicrobial use.”

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Government may step in

ANNUAL GROWERS MEETING

FARMING SMARTER GROWERS MEETING February 26, 2015 8:00 - 11:15 am

BULLY’S GRANDSTAND 3 Floor, Exhibition Park Lethbridge, Alberta RD

FREE

REGIST R & BREA ATION KFAST

Canadian regulators often follow the lead of their American counterparts, she added, noting that without a voluntary decrease in antimicrobial use, further government action is likely.

“For the producers in the room, I would be encouraging you to be having this conversation with your feed mill and with your nutritionist and with your veterinarian about how your feed meds are going to change.”

Producers also need to be having conversations with the public about antibiotics and antibiotic resistance.

“There is certainly a food safety risk, it’s real,” she said. “Over 75 per cent of E. coli that comes off pork chops in Canada are resistant to tetracycline. Do we have a problem? Undoubtedly, yes.

“Where the rubber hits the road is when the doctor prescribes something, and it’s related to whatever was used on the farm, and the therapy that the doctor prescribes is ineffective because of that drug use on the farm. That is a real chain of events,” Rosengren said.

But she was quick to add that it’s also a chain of events that rarely reaches its conclusion. In some cases the risk of an adverse event stemming from resistant bacteria is as low as one in 85 million.

“Open sharing about antibiotic use will ensure we are good stewards and build engagement with regulators in managing this societal resource.”

Leigh Rosengren

“When you’re talking to consumers, you want to… make sure they understand that the probability of this is very, very low,” said Rosengren. “But does that mean we shouldn’t be concerned? Well no, I don’t actually think so. Just because the risk is low it doesn’t mean it isn’t there.”

Understanding how the antibiotics you use work, why they’re needed, and what risks they can pose is all part of responsible stewardship, she stressed.

A failure to take action and responsibility could mean the loss of these powerful medicines through both resistance and regulations.

“Open sharing about antibiotic use will ensure we are good stewards and build engagement with regulators in managing this societal resource,” Rosengren said. shannon.vanraes@fbcpublishing.com

SPEAKERS INCLUDE:

RECAP, RESULTS AND REFRESH, Farming Smarter PLANT PATHOLOGY THEN AND NOW, Ron Howard GRAIN MARKETING ACROSS THE LINE, Mark Ritchie

*First 50 people registered will receive a complimentary pass to Ag Expo

farmingsmarter.com

offers news, events, videos and much more.

403-381-5118 Email: jamie@farmingsmarter.com REGISTER ❯❯ Phone:

Leigh Rosengren speaks at the Manitoba Swine Seminar. Photo: Shannon VanRaes

43

ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA • FEBRUARY 16, 2015

LONGEARS LINE DANCE

These three donkeys, near Millarville, Alta., are slow stepping a feeding line dance. Photo: Wendy Dudley

CGC begins consulting on licensing western feed mills

®™ Trademarks of AIR MILES International Trading B.V. Used under license by LoyaltyOne, Co. and Arysta LifeScience Canada, Inc. Always read and follow label directions. INFERNO and the INFERNO DUO logo are trademarks of Arysta LifeScience North America, LLC. Arysta LifeScience and the Arysta LifeScience logo are registered trademarks of Arysta LifeScience Corporation. All other products mentioned herein are trademarks of their respective companies. ©2015 Arysta LifeScience North America, LLC. INF-035

By Allan Dawson staff

The Canadian Grain Commission has begun consulting the grain sector about licensing feed mills in Western Canada, which if adopted, would provide farmers payment protection for delivered grain.

Interested parties have until April 9 to submit their views to the grain commission in writing by mail or electronically.

Feed mills are exempt from commission licensing and therefore farmers are not protected if they fail to get paid.

Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz supports licensing commercial feed mills.

“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 an interview last month.

However, Ritz added farm feed mills that don’t buy grain from other farmers should remain exempt.

The grain commission says in a discussion paper available at www.grainscanada. gc.ca that it hasn’t determined how much it would cost to license feed mills. The paper lists several questions and asks for answers from industry participants.

The amount of security a feed mill would have to post to cover what it owes farmers may be determined by reviewing a feed mill’s monthly liabilities, which then could be tendered in the form of a bond, irrevocable standby letter of credit or guarantee, cash deposit or payables insurance, the discussion paper said. allan@fbcpublishing.com

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44

FEBRUARY 16, 2015 • ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA

Community news and events from across the province

what’s Alberta’s first bean grower up honoured with inaugural industry innovator award

Send agriculture-related meeting and event announcements to: glenn.cheater@fbcpublishing.com

By Jennifer Blair af staff / edmonton

T

Alberta’s first bean grower Lud Prudek (right) was awarded the inaugural Alberta Pulse Industry Innovator Award by outgoing pulse growers’ president Richard Krikke (left) and Zone 1 chair Will Van Roessel. Photo: Jennifer Blair

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28A one of our CtY EASY 705t* sons topped the RFI EPD list of over 900 head recently released by the ChA! Plus the vast majority of ours were above average in the group. *705t’s sire, XuB 137Y was bred and raised on our ranch.

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BOX 843, CLARESHOLM, AB T0L 0T0 FROM ClAREShOlM: 8 MI (12.8 KM) E ON HWY 520, 4M (6.4 KM) N ON RR 255 & 1/4 MILE E ON TWP 132

PEtER ulRICh

cell: (403) 625-1036 peter@ulrichherefords.com

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(403) 625-2237 www.ulrichherefords.com

he man who first introduced dry beans to Alberta has been recognized as an industry innovator by the very organization he helped form 25 years ago.

Idaho farmer Lud Prudek received the inaugural Alberta Pulse Industry Innovator Award at the Alberta Pulse Growers’ recent annual general meeting.

“We invited nominations for individuals and organizations that have strengthened our growing industry with their progressive thinking and tireless efforts,” said outgoing commission president Richard Krikke.

“We know that there are many early adopters who have taken a chance on a crop that was new to Alberta not that long ago and helped grow interest in it to the degree that there were 1.5 million acres seeded to it in this province last year.”

Will Van Roessel, chair of the zone that nominated Prudek for the award, said that only “one person stood out as meeting all the requirements.”

“He will be remembered as a visionary who saw the need to introduce and promote valueadded crops to Alberta and Western Canada as the key to the future of sustainable farming,” said Van Roessel.

After moving to Alberta “shortly after irrigation arrived in the Bow Island area” in the 1950s, Prudek became one of the first growers of edible beans in the province before forming the Alberta Bean Growers Ltd., a processing plant for dry edible beans. In 1979, Prudek helped form the Alberta Pulse Growers Association, which became the Alberta Pulse Growers Commission in 1989.

Research was “always one of Lud’s passions,” said Van Roessel.

“In the ’80s, when most of us were concerned about survival, Lud was interested in some other ‘S’ words — namely, sustainability and crop sequencing.”

But Prudek, who trav-

elled from his home in Idaho to receive the award, is quick to credit others.

“When you have an industry begin from essentially nothing, it requires leadership, but it also requires a lot of co-operation and the involvement of many, many people,” he said.

Hugh Horner — Alberta’s minister of agriculture between 1971 and 1975 — “sticks out” in his mind in that regard, he said.

“It was perhaps he who had the vision to see what an industry like this could do not only for the region but for the nation and the world.”

Prudek recalled a conversation with Horner about research gaps in Alberta.

“He listened carefully to what I said, and he thought for a while, and then he said, ‘I don’t know how I’ll do it, but it will be done,’” said Prudek.

The result was the Farming for the Future program, which was launched in 1979, funded hundreds of research projects, and was estimated to have generated nearly $1 billion in economic benefits for the province over the next 25 years.

It was the provincial researchers involved in the program who made it such a success, said Prudek.

“It was their spirit that mattered. They cared not just about themselves, but about their community, about the country, and about humanity.”

And it will be that same spirit that’s needed as the demand for food grows across the globe, he said.

“We’re not talking about simply making money. We’re talking about the human experience. That’s why what you people do is so important,” said Prudek.

“There’s nothing greater to teach leadership and common sense than what you’re at, because every day, you experience new challenges. You are natural leaders, and leadership is critical as we go into the future.” jennifer.blair @fbcpublishing.com

Feb. 17: Alberta Verified Beef Production Training Workshop, Sunnybrook Community Hall, Leduc County. Contact: Kim 780-387-6182

Feb. 17: Forage & Crop Agronomy for Profit, Forshee Hall (North of Bentley), Bentley.

Contact: Ginette 403-844-2645 Feb. 17-19: Agri-Visions Conference and Tradeshow, Lloydminster. Contact: Tess Sidoryk 306-825-5571 Feb. 18: Getting Into Farm Direct Marketing, Agriculture Centre, Airdrie. Contact: Melisa Zapisocky 780-644-2404 Feb. 18: Alberta Beef Industry Conference — Feed Coalition, Sheraton Hotel, Red Deer.

Contact: Brian 403-219-7904 Feb. 19: Solar-Wind Workshop, Breton Community Centre, Breton. Contact: Tina 780-727-4447 Feb. 21: Intermediate Beekeeping Short Course, Crop Diversification Centre North (17507 Fort Road NW), Edmonton (also Feb. 28 in Olds). Contact: Ag-Info Centre 1-800-387-6030 Feb. 23-25: Growing Rural Tourism Conference, 4250 Exhibition Drive, Camrose. Contact: Jennifer Filip 780-672-3640 Feb. 26: Ranching Opportunities, Olds College Alumni Centre, Olds.

Contact: Fiona 403-335-3311 (ext. 143) Feb. 26-27: Alberta Farm Fresh School 2015, Pomeroy Inn & Suites, Olds College Campus, Olds. Contact: Alberta Farm Fresh Producers Association 403-558-0189 Feb. 28: Horses 201, Magrath Agriplex, Magrath. Contact: Robyn Moore 403-420-5949 March 3 & 5: Soil Fertility & Fertilizer Seminar — 2-Day Event; MNP Office, Lethbridge. Contact: Brenda Martin 403-380-1657 March 7: Who Gets the Farm and When?, Fawcett Hall, Fawcett.

Contact: Rhonda 780-954-2244 or Joanne 780-954-3908

FARMING IS ENOUGH OF A GAMBLE...

Advertise in the Alberta Farmer Express Classifieds, it’s a Sure Thing!

1-800-665-1362

45

ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA • FEBRUARY 16, 2015

1-800-665-1362 • abclassifieds@fbcpublishing.com

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Published by Farm Business Communications, 1666 Dublin Avenue, Winnipeg, MB R3H 0H1 WINNIPEG OFFICE Alberta Farmer Express 1666 Dublin Avenue, Winnipeg, MB R3H 0H1 Toll-Free in Canada 1-800-665-1362 Phone 403-341-0442 in Winnipeg FAX 403-341-0615 Mailing Address: Box 9800, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3C 3K7 • •

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46

FEBRUARY 16, 2015 • ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA

ANTIQUES

FARM MACHINERY Machinery Miscellaneous

SPRAYING EQUIPMENT Sprayers

SPRAYING EQUIPMENT Sprayers

REAL ESTATE Farms & Ranches – Acreages/Hobby

ANTIQUES Antiques For Sale ONE GRAIN TREATER; ONE grain fanning mill; two clothes cupboards; two old trunks; one bee smoker; old wooden egg crates.

Phone (780)597-3747

BUILDINGS STEEL STORAGE CONTAINERS, 20-ft & 40-ft. Wind, water & rodent proof.

1-866-517-8335, (403)540-4164, (403)226-1722 magnate@telus.net

BUSINESS SERVICES

Barb Wire & Electric High Tensile Wire Spooler & Water Hose Roller

BUSINESS SERVICES Crop Consulting

FARM MACHINERY FARM MACHINERY Machinery Miscellaneous 1999 CAT 460 1,400 sep. hrs, rake up, $38,000; MacDon 962, 36-ft pick-up reel, $12,000; MacDon 871 CAT 460 adapter, $1,000; 2003 NH TM190 FEL grapple joy stick, 3-pt., 3,810-hrs, $58,000.

Call:(403)665-2341, Craigmyle, AB. ACREAGE EQUIPMENT: 3-PT. CULTIVATORS, Discs, Plows, Blades, Harrows, Etc. (780)892-3092, Wabamun, AB. ACREAGE EQUIPMENT: 3-PT. CULTIVATORS, Discs, Plows, Blades, Harrows, Etc. (780)892-3092, Wabamun, AB.

- Wire Roller can now be converted to roll up & unroll flat plastic water hose up to 6” diameter (11” flat) - Hydraulic Drive (roll or unroll) - Mounts to tractor draw bar, skidsteer front end loader, post driver, 3pt. hitch or deck truck (with receiver hitch & rear hydraulics) - Spool splits in half to remove full roll - Shut off/ Flow control valve determines speed - Works great for pulling out old wire (approx. 3--5 minutes to roll up 80 rod or 1/4 mile) - Also works great for swath grazing or rotational grazing The Level-Winder II Wire Roller rolls wire evenly across the full width of the spool automatically as the wire is pulled in Ken Lendvay (403) 550-3313 Red Deer, AB email: kflendvay@hotmail.com Web: www.levelwind.com

ADVERTISING DOLLAR!

Looking for a hand around the farm? Place a help wanted ad in the classifieds. Call 1-800-665-1362.

RON SAUER

MACHINERY LTD. (403) 540-7691 ronsauer@shaw.ca

555 JD Crawler Loader, 250 hrs. on rebuilt engine, good condition ................................................... $12,500 8070 AC Tractor, FWA, wheel base extended, duals .. $22,500 275 MF Tractor, diesel, multi power, 3 pth, new 18.4 x 30, front weights, loader available, looks and runs great ... $12,500 B275 IHC Tractor & Loader ................................ $3,500 (2) NH P1060 TBH Air Tanks, as new .............. $69,500 40’ Salford RTS 570 Vertical Tail, as new ....... $65,000 35’ 4590 EEZE-ON Double Disc, good condition.... $32,500 60’ 850 F.C. Deep Till 4 Bar Har., very little use .... $49,500 62’ F75 Flexicoil Packer BAR P30’s, as new ... $14,500 2003 4300 IHC Service Truck, 466 diesel, 5 speed Allison auto, crane, compressor, welder ..... $50,000 47’ 820 F.C., C.P. & 48’ 75 Packer, like new..... $95,000 51’ Degelman Landroller, only done 3,000 acres, as new.... ....................................... $40,000 Degelman Dozer Frame MF 4000 Series 4WD .. $1,000 41’ Flexicoil 300 B Chisel Plow, 3 bar harrows, excellent condition .............................................. $12,500 Flexicoil 6 Run Seed Treater .............................. $1,000 134’ Flexicoil S68XL Sprayer, 2007, suspended boom, auto rate, joystick, rinse tank, triple quick jets, auto boom height, electric end nozzle & foam marker............. $32,500 100’ 65XL Flexicoil Sprayer, complete withwindguards,elec. end nozzles single tips, auto rate,excellent condition ... $12,500 10 Wheel MATR (Italy) Trailer Type V-Hayrake, hyd. fold, as new.................................................. $5,000 7 x 1200 (39.37’) Sakundiak Auger, 18 HP Koehler engine, c/w hyd. pump for bin sweep ........................$2,500 1390 Brandt XL Swing Auger, elec. power swing, spout, adj. axle, as new ...................................... $19,500 225 DOW Kello-Bilt Tandem Disc, 28” smooth front & rear blades, 10.5” spacing, oil, bath bearings, as new... $62,500 50’ Brandt Heavy Harrow, 27.5 x 5/8 tines, low acres ........................................................... $32,500 47’ 820 Flexicoil Chisel Plow, 4 bar harrows, line new ............................................................ $67,500 2009 GMC Topkick 20 ft. Grain Truck, automatic, silage gauge, air brake suspension,approx. 7,000 kms ..$105,000 40’ 5710 Bourgault SS Air Drill, 9.8” spacing, 3” steel packers w/ 3225 tb tank, c/w 3rd tank, new augers, drive sprockets, main clutch, excellent condition...... $25,000 New E-Kay 7”, 8”, 9” Bin Sweeps available.........Call 8” Wheat Heart Transfer Auger, hydraulic drive .. $1,500 New Outback RTK BASE stn ...................................... Call New Outback MAX & STX guidance & mapping ...In Stock New Outback E-Drive, TC’s .................................In Stock New Outback E-Drive X, c/w free E turns ............In Stock New Outback S-Lite guidance ............ **In Stock** $900 New Outback VSI Swather Steering Kit...........In Stock New Outback E-Drive Hyd. kit, JD 40 series ........ $1,000 Used Outback E-Drive Hyd. kits..............................$500

**NuVision (Spray Air) & Meridian-Sakundiak Augers, Outback GPS Systems, EK Auger Movers, Belt Tighteners, Bin Sweeps & Crop Dividers, Kohler, Robin Subaru & Generac Engines, Headsight Harvesting Solutions, Greentronics Sprayer Auto Boom Height, Kello-Bilt Discs**

CERTIFIED SEED CERTIFIED SEED Cereal Seeds

GOOD SELECTION OF JD & CASE SP SPRAYERS AND 4WD TRACTORS

CERTIFIED CDC PLENTIFUL, new HRS, 96% germ, 0 fusarium graminaerum. AC Enchant, VB, new CPS red, AC Conquer, VB, midge tolerant, high germination, 0 fusarium graminaerum. AC Andrew, soft white wheat, 99% germ, 0 fusarium graminaerum. Phone:(306)843-2934. www.herle.ca

FARM MACHINERY Machinery Wanted WANTED: NH BALE WAGONS & retrievers, any condition. Farm Equipment Finding Service, P.O. Box 1363, Polson, MT 59860. (406)883-2118

HAYING & HARVESTING HAYING & HARVESTING Baling Equipment WANTED: JD 7810 c/w FEL & 3-PTH; sp or PTO bale wagon; JD or IHC end wheel drills. Small square baler. (403)394-4401

Combines COMBINES Accessories RECONDITIONED COMBINE HEADERS. RIGID & flex, most makes & sizes; also header transports.

Ed Lorenz, (306)344-4811 or Website: www.straightcutheaders.com Paradise Hill, SK.

Tillage & Seeding TILLAGE & SEEDING Tillage Equipment

GAUGE WHEEL & GAUGE WHEEL KIT 3” & 4” OPTIONS

Round up the cash! Advertise your unwanted equipment in the Alberta Farmer Express classifieds.

SEED / FEED / GRAIN HEAT & AIR CONDITIONING

TRACTORS Various

The Icynene Insulation System®

JD 2130 3 pth with loader JD 4255 FWA, 3 pth hitch, ldr. avail.

JD 4255 2 WD, ldr. available JD 4440, loader available JD 7410 c/w ldr. 3 pth hitch CASE IH 4700 Vibra Shank, 34ft.

Clamp on Duals, 20.8x38-18.4x38 FINANCE, TRADES WELCOME 780-696-3527, BRETON, AB

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

Big Tractor Parts, Inc. Geared For The Future

STEIGER TRACTOR SPECIALIST

RED OR GREEN 1. 10-25% savings on new replacement parts for your Steiger drive train.

2. We rebuild axles, transmissions and dropboxes with ONE YEAR WARRANTY. 3. 50% savings on used parts.

1-800-982-1769 www.bigtractorparts.com

SEED/FEED/GRAIN Feed Grain BUYING ALL TYPES OF feed grain. Also have market for light offgrade or heated, picked up on the farm. Eisses Grain Marketing 1-888-882-7803, Lacombe.

FEED GRAIN WANTED! ALSO buying; Light, tough, or offgrade grains. “On Farm Pickup” Westcan Feed & Grain 1-877-250-5252

FARMING www.penta.ca

1-800-587-4711

IS ENOUGH OF A GAMBLE...

LANDSCAPING LANDSCAPING Lawn & Garden FOR SALE: ONE 17.5-BU compost tumbler, used very little. It’s like new yet. Phone (780)597-3747

LIVESTOCK LIVESTOCK Cattle – Red Angus REGISTERED RED ANGUS BULLS Quiet, Easy Calving, Low to Moderate Birth Weights, Good Growth, E.P.D’s available Guaranteed Breeders (Vet Checked & Semen Tested). Excellent Bulls for Heifers or Cows.

Cleveley Cattle Company (780)689-2754.

Advertise in the Alberta Farmer Express Classifieds, it’s a Sure Thing!

Farming is enough of a gamble, advertise in the Alberta Farmer Express classified section. It’s a sure thing.

1-800-665-1362.

1-800-665-1362

TILLAGE & SEEDING Air Drills

TILLAGE & SEEDING Air Drills

PRECISION PRICING RETAIL LEASE FINANCE

$190,499

www.ridgelandmanufacturing.ca

204-866-3558 ridgemetal@hotmail.com

AB and Western SK, call Larry at (403) 510-7894

Van Essen Equipment • JD 7810, 741 3pt • Jd 7710, 741 3pt • JD 7600, 3pt • JD 7510 • JD 7410, 3pt • JD 7220 741, 3pt • Macdon 9300, 21’ • Macdon 9352, 25’

Country Retreat: 163-ac of scenic rolling land near Erickson, MB. 120-ac arable, large mature yard w/ natural shelter belt & small lake. Cozy bungalow, garage, machine shed. Grant Tweed,Century 21 Westman. Brandon MB. Phone: (204) 761-6884 grant@granttweed.com

4955 JD low hrs, 3 pth, very clean S670/680/690 JD Combine low hrs 4730 JD Sprayer, 100 ft.

JD 8770, 4WD, 24 speed with PTO Case IH 9170, 4WD 854 Rogator SP Sprayer, complete with JD auto steer, swath pro

TracTors

Stretch your 1-800-665-1362

JD 9400, 9420, 9520, 8970 JD 9860, 9760, 9750, 9650, 9600 JD 9430, 9530, 9630 Case STX 375, 425, 430, 450, 480, 500, 530 CIH 8010-2388, 2188 combine CIH 435Q, 535Q, 450Q, 550Q, 600Q pto avail.

JD 4710, 4720, 4730, 4830, 4920, 4930 SP sprayers JD 9770 & 9870 w/CM & duals CIH 3185, 3230, 3330, 4430, 4420 sprayers

“LIKE MANY BEFORE, WE’LL HAVE YOU SAYING THERE’S NO DEAL LIKE A KEN DEAL” • Phone: (403)526-9644 • Cell: (403)504-4929 • Email: kendeal@shaw.ca

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

Licensed Agrologist on Staff.

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

REAL ESTATE

• Flexi Coil harrow packers • IHC 786 ldr • Case 75xt skidsteer • JD 8300 • JD 4730 sprayer • JD 2950, 260, 3pt • JD 2130, 146, 2wd,3pt • JD 9400, 14 blade

• NH CX8080 pickup • Heston 4655 16x18 • JD 8770, 6000hrs, pto • RoGator 854, Full load • Case DCX131diskbine • JD 4840 7000hrs • JD 7930 746 • JD 7820, 746 3pt

Phone: 403-330-7847 or 403-394-5115

www.versatile-ag.com/seeding Based on the 40' DH730 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.

©2015 Buhler Versatile Inc. All rights reserved | info@versatile-ag.com

WWW.VERSATILE-AG.COM

47

ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA • FEBRUARY 16, 2015

SEED/FEED/GRAIN Feed Grain

SEED/ FEED/GRAIN Feed Grain

TRAVEL

TRAVEL

KING SALMON

BUYING:

FEED OATS

• Mildew • Damaged

• Wild Oats • Offgrade

• Light • Tough

“ON FARM PICK UP” 1-877-250-5252 SEED/FEED/GRAIN Grain Wanted

TRAVEL

BUYING HEATED/DAMAGED PEAS, FLAX & GRAIN “On Farm Pickup” Westcan Feed & Grain 1-877-250-5252

Stretch your

BUYING SPRING THRASHED CANOLA & GRAIN “On Farm Pickup” Westcan Feed & Grain 1-877-250-5252

ADVERTISING DOLLAR!

1-800-665-1362

BUYING:

HEATED & GREEN CANOLA • Competitive Prices • Prompt Movement • Spring Thrashed “ON FARM PICK UP”

1-877-250-5252

BOW VALLEY TRADING LTD.

WE BUY DAMAGED GRAIN Wheat, Barley, Oats, Peas, etc.

Green or Heated Canola/Flax

1-877-641-2798

TRAVEL

CHESAPEAKE CHARTERS

Buy and Sell

**ALL INCLUSIVE** 3 & 4 DAY CHARTERS 250-600-2055 or 778-983-2018

anything you need through the

1-800-665-1362

claudegourlin@hotmail.com www.salmoncharters.ca PRINCE RUPERT BRITISH COLUMBIA

Hit our readers where it counts… in the classifieds.

Place your ad in the Alberta Farmer Express classifed section. 1-800-665-1362.

BEST PRICES: NO fISH, NO PAY

Watch your profits grow!

ADVERTISE with AFE Classifieds

Go public with an ad in the Alberta Farmer Express classifieds.

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Place your ad today call

1-800-665-1362

*Portion of tours may be Tax Deductible

Select Holidays 1-800-661-4326

www.selectholidays.com

Grow informed.

With the new web series: AGGronomyTV

AgCanada.com is proud to present this new informative web video series.

AGGronomyTV is a series of videos that covers today’s top issues related to soil management and crop production. Video topics include:  New Seeding Technology

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48

FEBRUARY 16, 2015 • ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA

To thrive, a farm also needs the right financial conditions.

TD is committed to helping farmers build for the future.

The Franke twins first came to us in 2001 with an ambitious plan to grow their grandparents’ farm.

Though they were barely over 20, their TD Agriculture Specialist quickly recognized their potential and backed their plan. Over the years, Jolene has been there for every major financial decision affecting the farm, helping it grow to thousands of acres and over 250 head of cattle. A personalized approach to agriculture finance, like Jolene’s, is something all TD Agriculture Specialists bring. Maybe it’s time you brought one to your farm.

Visit a branch or tdcanadatrust.com/agriculture ®

The TD logo and other trade-marks are the property of The Toronto-Dominion Bank.

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