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TRY A TEST RUN ON MICRONUTRIENTS

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BAYER CROPSCIENCE 路 Supporting Canadian Farm Families 路 Winter 2012 路 $5

SERVICE POWERS

CHS DYNAGRA TECHNOLOGY High fertilizer prices explained

BUSINESS

Young leaders connect to help end world hunger

PRODUCTION Pulse growers get a weather reprieve

FARM LIFE

Planning and success go hand-in-hand

Publisher Bayer CropScience Editor Sherry Butt Associate Editor Dave Wreford Contributors Jennifer Barber, Clare Stanfield Jeff Melchior, Dianne Finstad Lindsye Dunbar, Genesis Studio Design/Production Farm Business Communications Farm Forum is published seasonally by Bayer CropScience. Contact Farm Forum at: Bayer CropScience Suite 200 160 Quarry Park Blvd SE Calgary, AB, T2C 3G3 T. 1 888-283-6847 F. 1 888-570-9378 E. farmforum@bayercropscience.com www.bayercropscience.ca

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Contents of this publication are copyrighted and may be reproduced only with written permission of the publisher, Bayer CropScience. The views expressed are not necessarily those of the publisher.

Volume 26 / Issue 4 / Winter 2012

C OV E R F E AT U R E

SERVICE POWERS

CHS

DynAgra

One of western Canada's leading independent ag retailers PRODUCTION

T E C H N O L O GY

FA R M L I F E

B:11”

T:10.75”

S:10.25”

Publications Mail Agreement Number 40743517 Registered in Canada Copyright 2012 Website www.farmforum.ca Return undeliverable copies to: Bayer CropScience Suite 200 160 Quarry Park Blvd SE Calgary, AB, T2C 3G3

Try a test run on micronutrients

High fertilizer prices explained

Planning and success go hand-in-hand

14 4

Editor's Note: Dynamic individuals and companies spell success

Young leaders connect to help end world hunger: Canada's 4-H Ambassadors seek solutions

Pulse growers get a weather reprieve: Hot, dry weather prior to combining helps yields

Canadian growers take spotlight for InVigor® Growers across Canada may recognize some familiar faces in a new advertising campaign for InVigor® hybrid canola and Liberty® herbicide from Bayer CropScience.

ONLINE

On the cover The dynamic team at CHS DynAgra from L to R: Brittney Blakely, Tasha Schmaltz, Dennnis Haw, Darren Schmaltz, Lisa Schmaltz, Greg Elsasser and Kaylee Waldner.

BayerCropScience.ca/InVigor or 1 888-283-6847 or contact your Bayer CropScience representative. Always read and follow label directions. InVigor® is a registered trademark of the Bayer Group. Bayer CropScience is a member of CropLife Canada.

4-H global Youth Ag Summit “Feeding a Hungry Planet” news conference www.farmforum.ca/ youthagsummitvideo

Investing in your future Bayer CropScience reveals an ambitious investment strategy www.farmforum.ca/ investinfuture

More bins, more reasons The second annual Bin Full of Reasons contest www.farmforum.ca/ binfullofreasons

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PRODUCTION

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FARM FORUM / WINTER 2012

The word dynamic — defined as a force that stimulates change or progress — perfectly describes the independent ag retailer we profile in our cover story. CHS DynAgra, which just became part of the U.S.-based, farmer-owned cooperative CHS Inc., is a force to be reckoned with in the industry. Now, with more capital and resources behind it, CHS DynAgra can take its farmer-focused customer service to the next level. The motto of this family-operated business is “powered by service,” a philosophy that keeps it flexible and responsive to customers’ needs. “Dynamic” is also a fitting description for a few other individuals and businesses we highlight in this issue. Rosie Templeton and Jacob Onyschuk are two young 4-H Ambassadors who will take part in next year’s global Youth Ag Summit in Calgary, AB, part of the 100th anniversary celebrations of 4-H in Canada. These two will share with the world their visions for the future of agriculture and their ideas on how to help end world hunger. Both hope this experience will be the catalyst that makes change happen and puts theory into practice. Angela and Robert Semeniuk, Alberta/NWT region winners of the Outstanding Young Farmers’ award, radiate dynamism too. Every move they make in their grain operation near Smoky Lake, AB, is an opportunity to take a positive step forward. Even accepting the nomination for the OYF program was an exercise in finding ways to change and improve their operation. Progress, for the Semeniuks, is dependent on their ability to develop strong relationships. We hope these stories inspire you to cultivate the qualities of dynamism, and put that enthusiasm for change and progress to work in your personal and professional lives.

Try a test run on

micronutrients

By Clare Stanfield Especially among canola growers, micronutrients generate a lot of buzz: they work great; they don’t work at all; they work sometimes. And it’s all true. The fact is that while more growers are including micronutrients in their canola programs, there is still very little conclusive research to show the benefits — biologic or economic. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t use them. Confused? “You can’t really grow any plant without boron, manganese, zinc and so on,” says Dan Orchard, agronomy specialist with the Canola Council of Canada in Wetaskiwin, AB. “All plants need nutrients to grow.” The question is which nutrients and how much — and that’s where things get a little vague.

The case for boron

top Photo: canstock

More at Farmforum.ca

editor's note

S H O R T TA K E S

Canola doesn’t respond to added copper, chlorine, manganese, molybdenum, iron or zinc — the big stars of the micronutrient stage, but boron plays a key role in the development of pollen tubes, and is therefore important to seed set. Take care though, as boron is very mobile in the soil. A heavy rain, particularly on sandy or low-organic soils, can leach it away. So, if your canola’s pollen tubes aren’t developing well, is it a boron deficiency? Not necessarily. Too much sulphur can interfere with boron uptake, so that may be the problem. “High heat can mess with pollen tubes, too,” says Orchard. Work by Agriculture and Agri-Food

Consultant’s Corner with Dan Orchard

Canada (Lethbridge) found that even when boron levels were known to be low, a foliar application of boron did not always generate a response in canola. “It’s so environmentally specific,” says Orchard. “Every year is different; every field is different.” The point is that while canola really does need adequate levels of boron to set seed and produce a healthy crop, knowing when it’s needed and how much is not always definitive.

Cost versus benefit If the efficacy of micronutrients is still so vague, then why are they growing in popularity? The quick answer, says Orchard, is that because they’re so inexpensive, the risk/reward pill is easier to swallow. “With canola prices so high, growers are trying to boost their yields and not leave anything on the table,” he says. As he points out, most micronutrient products are priced around $5/ac. “At that price, the thinking is, I might as well foliar feed everything just in case, and if I get a half-bushel per acre response, well, okay.” And if you get nothing — or at least nothing you can actually measure — that’s okay too because it didn’t cost much.

Nevertheless, it is still a cost, which is something to keep in mind because a yield response attributable to micronutrients is very hard to measure. That $5/ac. cost may have given you half a bushel more yield, making it a wash; or more than a bushel per acre for a gain. Or it may have given you nothing, for a loss.

Do-it-yourself farm trials No one, Orchard included, is saying growers shouldn’t apply micronutrients to canola, but, “you should have a reason to suspect a micronutrient deficiency before blanket applying them,” he says. He suggests gathering your own data to find out how and if micronutrients can work for you. The first step is to make sure that your macronutrients are in balance. If they are and you still feel your canola yields aren’t what they should be, then take a look at the micronutrients. “Pick fields that you believe are most likely to have a micronutrient shortage,” says Orchard. “Fields that are high in pH, or with sandy soils — pick those fields and set up a proper strip trial on your own, and take it to yield — that’s very important.” He hopes that the increased use of micronutrients will yield some useful data. “Because more people are trying micronutrients, we anticipate more knowledge in this area, and hopefully more dollars going into research,” he says. “And maybe, as yield targets continually increase with improved genetics, the need and timing for micronutrients will need a closer look.” FF

FARMFORUM.CA / WINTER 2012

T E C H N O L O GY

High fertilizer prices explained By Jeff Melchior Walk into any country coffee shop and it won’t be long before you hear farmers talking about the price of fertilizer. There’s a good reason why: fertilizer typically represents one of, if not the, most expensive crop input. “Fertilizer is likely the biggest expense a farmer has on a per-acre basis, but it also delivers the biggest return in yield,” says Ray Dowbenko, senior agronomy specialist at Agrium in Calgary. But why so expensive? A lot of variables go into the price of fertilizer, but much of the cost can be explained by looking at the processes needed to obtain the three key nutrients used to produce commercial fertilizers — nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus (N, K and P).

Dowbenko explains that the basic ingredients for all fertilizers are naturally occurring materials that have to be mined — in Canada, as with potassium, but from around the world, as with phosphate. Like all commodities, they are subject to market forces of supply and demand that cause their price to rise and fall, affecting the overall price of fertilizer globally and, in turn, your bottom line as a grain or oilseed grower. In the past few years demand has been the key factor in driving prices as strong crop returns prompted growers to pour on the fertilizer. Supply will eventually catch up with demand, but new fertilizer plants cost a lot of money and come with long lead times. Here’s a quick rundown of where N, P and K come from, and how they’re produced.

Nitrogen (N) The key ingredient in nitrogen fertilizers is ammonia, produced by taking nitrogen from the air and combining it with hydrogen from methane, the main component of natural gas. The nitrogen/methane reaction requires heat, which comes from burning still more natural gas. It’s an energyintensive process. Natural gas prices  With an increase in price and worldwide demand for fertilizer, new seeding technologies are helping farmers get the most for their fertilizer dollar.

Phosphate

Potash

Sulphur

photo: ©istock

charts: statistics canada

Nitrogen

FARM FORUM / WINTER 2012

photo: genesis studio

Fertilizer shipments to Canadian agricultural markets, by nutrient content cumulative data

were very low in North America (though not overseas) for much of 2011-12, but recently began to trend upward. Nitrogen fertilizers are produced by reacting ammonia with carbon dioxide to produce urea; with sulphuric acid to produce ammonium sulphate; with phosphoric acid to produce ammonium phosphate; and with nitric acid to produce ammonium nitrate. Urea, ammonium nitrate and water are mixed to produce UAN (urea-ammonium nitrate solution) fertilizer. The cost of natural gas plays a big role in the price of nitrogen fertilizers. Indeed, about 70 per cent of the variable cost of ammonia production is dependent on the price of natural gas. With this in mind, nitrogen fertilizer producers try to secure the lowest price for natural gas, typically through long-term contracts with gas companies, spot market purchases, futures markets and other market instruments.

Potassium (K) Potassium chloride, often just called potash, is the basic raw material in potassium fertilizers. Canada is the

largest producer, accounting for 37 per cent of the world’s, and 85 per cent of North America’s output. Ninetyfive percent of the potash produced in Canada is used as fertilizer. Most is mined in Saskatchewan with some in New Brunswick. In Canada, potash is typically shaft-mined from deposits located far underground. The deep shafts and other infrastructure required to reach and extract potash are very costly. It’s also solution-mined, another costly process that involves pumping water into the ore body underground to dissolve the potash and bring it to the surface as a brine.

Phosphorus (P) Phosphate fertilizers are produced from phosphoric acid, made by applying sulphuric acid to phosphate rock mined from the earth’s crust.

Again, it’s a capital-intensive process. Over 60 per cent of the cost of phosphate fertilizer production comes from the cost of phosphate rock. In Canada, most phosphate rock has to be imported from such places as the United States, North Africa and China. Canada imports just about all of its phosphate requirements as phosphate rock, phosphoric acid or complete phosphate fertilizer. For example, Agrium imports rock from Morocco for its plant at Fort Saskatchewan, AB. Canada’s one domestic phosphate rock mine, located in Kapuskasing, ON, is set to close in 2013. The sulphuric acid required for phosphate fertilizer is produced from elemental sulphur or from recovered smelter gases. The Agrium MAP plant at Redwater, AB, is the only one currently in production in Canada. FF

More info about fertilizer pricing in Canada from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada: www.farmforum.ca/fertilizerpricing Global fertilizer trade map: www.farmforum.ca/fertilizertrademap

FARMFORUM.CA / WINTER 2012

You can see it in his eyes. Just like their neighbours, InVigor® growers are good stewards of the land who love nature and working with their hands. They like being their own bosses and setting their own schedules just as much as the next grower. But there’s one thing that sets them apart – their confidence level. Nothing outperforms InVigor.

BayerCropScience.ca/InVigor or 1 888-283-6847 or contact your Bayer CropScience representative. 8 FARM FORUM / WINTER 2012

Always read and follow label directions. InVigor® is a registered trademark of the Bayer Group. Bayer CropScience is a member of CropLife Canada.

O-66-10/12-BCS12277-E

FARMFORUM.CA / WINTER 2012

C OV E R S T O RY

SERVICE POWERS CHS DynAgra

Last year, the CHS DynAgra’s variable rate technology division became a separate, independent company called Decisive Farming, which operates from its head office in Irricana, just south of Beiseker.

Always looking forward CHS DynAgra is a family business that’s been serving farmers for more than 30 years. The company’s roots go way back to 1924, when Peter Schmaltz Sr. opened a Massey Harris implement dealership in Beiseker. Peter’s son, Felix, started selling fertilizer as part of the business and, in 1979, began Beiseker Agri Service, which was carried on by his son, Bruce. Tasha and his brother Remi are the Schmaltz family’s fourth generation to carry on the business in the community. “We’ve got a picture in our boardroom that’s a newspaper ad from 1968,” says Tasha, with a smile. “It’s our grandfather in a field, and it says ‘come talk about fertilizer.’” The Schmaltz family has built on its past with a collective passion for the future. “We’re constantly on the lookout for the new trends,” says Tasha. “For instance, we’ve always carried canola and forage seed. But recently we’ve stepped into the certified seed game for cereals, because with the Canadian Wheat Board changing, we see more of a demand for specialized genetics in those crops. “To keep on top, you’ve got to listen to your customers,” he adds. “But you

As the Schmaltz family business becomes part of a large U.S.-based, farmer-owned co-operative, its customer service remains farmer focused By Dianne Finstad

FARM FORUM / WINTER 2012

Schmaltz explains that CHS DynAgra views the concept of “service” from several angles. “Farmers see us as forward-looking, willing to step out and try something new with them,” he says. “To move their operations forward, they’re always looking for the next thing. So they find our approach refreshing. “We also have growers looking for someone willing to support them,” Schmaltz adds. If a customer needs something at 6 a.m., we’ll come in. And we might still be blending fertilizer at 10 at night. So it’s a combination of the two — the old idea of customer service, plus the ‘looking forward’ aspect.” CHS DynAgra’s head office is in Beiseker, AB, about 70 km northeast of Calgary. The company also has fullservice dealerships in the surrounding communities of Carseland, Standard and Rolling Hills, along with a chemical warehouse at the Brooks airport. “We offer a full line of products for farmers, from seed right up through treatment, satellite imagery and soil testing,” says Haw. “About the only thing we don’t do is harvest.”

Continued on page 13

 CHS DynAgra's general manager Tasha Schmaltz (left), and business development lead, Dennis Haw.  The company's head office is located in Beiseker, AB, about 70 km northeast of Calgary.

photos: genesis studio

he dictionary defines dynamic as “characterized by energy or effective action.” It’s a fitting word to incorporate into the moniker of one of western Canada’s leading independent ag retailers. CHS DynAgra is an energetic firm based in south-central Alberta. The company offers farmers a wide range of crop inputs and services and employs a team of professionals who are all about keeping their customers out of tight corners. “Farming has changed,” says Dennis Haw, CHS DynAgra business development lead. “It’s more of a business now — a large-sized business. When you work with that understanding, you can help customers succeed at that level. Growers running today’s farms can’t cover every acre, so CHS DynAgra tries to be there for them.” That’s the thinking behind the company’s trademark motto, “powered by service.” “Full service” might be an even better description of this progressive operation. General manager Tasha

FARMFORUM.CA / WINTER 2012

Continued from page 11

Decisive Farming deepens service commitment

“To keep on top, you’ve got to listen to your customers. But you must also spend time in the outside world, and even the world outside of agriculture”

– Tasha Schmaltz

CHS Dynagra general manager

 CHS DynAgra's senior accounting administrator, Lisa Schmaltz.

FARM FORUM / WINTER 2012

CHS DynAgra was the first independent ag retailer in western Canada to hire a full time agronomist. Since then, demand for agronomic services has exploded and new technology has revolutionized the way farmers “see” their fields and apply inputs. So, in July 2011, with opportunities multiplying, these services were bundled and sold off to create an independent firm, Decisive Farming. “We provide a decision support service that’s technology based for growers across western Canada,” says general manager Remi Schmaltz. Because Decisive Farming is not restricted by geography it can reach out to a larger area, which is why more than half its customers lie beyond CHS DynAgra’s south-central Alberta operating area, some as far away as Manitoba and northern Alberta. “We provide the two most important services farmers need good information on: production and risk management,” says Schmaltz. “We can offer the best minds in the business to help producers make their own decisions.” Services include variable rate technology through the trademarked Optimize-RX program — an advanced approach to precision agriculture managed in-house. “It’s our approach to how we create field zones for mapping, and we’ve got a patent pending on the process,” he says. The Know-Risk Farm Management service helps growers create a plan for how and when to sell in the marketplace, online. This particular technology received an Ag Innovation Award at the 2011 AgriTrade show in Red Deer, and then first place in the Inventors Showcase at Manitoba Ag Days in January 2012. With farmers now facing the reality of marketing more of their own grain, Schmaltz believes the service will be in even bigger demand. “With higher grain prices, growers should be looking at how to capture those huge margins while they’re here,” he says. “No commodity price stays up forever. Growers need to focus on their margins, not just price, and that’s where we can help. We can track all the factors online, and help them figure profitability on their own farm at any given time. “What differentiates us is that when we’re looking at the next technology coming down the pipe, anything we offer has to have a return on investment for customers,” says Schmaltz. “It’s not about breaking even. It has to make money for growers.” FF

must also spend time in the outside world, and even the world outside of agriculture. That means going to conferences, and talking to people. Then you can base decisions on the whole mix of different ingredients you’re picking up.”

Always on the move Part of that forward-looking view is thinking about different ways to do business. For example, why make busy farmers come into town if you can go out to their fields? Haw is responsible for running the CHS DynAgra team of business development specialists, who are constantly on the move. “We want to put our people in farmers’ yards to see what their needs are,” he says. “Instead of sitting in the office, waiting for farmers to come, we’ve taken the service to them in the field.” Little things mean a lot, they’ve discovered. “We’ve had business development specialists pull over and hold the wrench for a client fixing machinery,” says Haw. “The team drives around with a box of donuts, and they also do a harvest lunch where they take

 CHS DynAgra has full-service dealerships in the southern Alberta communities of Carseland, Standard and Rolling Hills as well as a chemical warehouse in Brooks.

food out to the combine.” The roving specialists are another value to growers because their very mobility means they’re able to more quickly share information and alerts about new pest or weed problems. For all at CHS DynAgra, the overriding goal is capturing margin for customers. Or, as Tasha puts it, “providing tools and strategies to help growers with everything from mapping to marketing.” The “ultimate service” approach is working. CHS DynAgra has recorded growth every year and the company received national recognition in 2009

when it was named Retailer of the Year by the Canadian Association of AgriRetailers. Both Haw and Tasha agree it’s a good time to be in the ag supply and service business. “It’s extremely exciting,” says Tasha. “Farmers are looking now at the highest net-backs ever seen in history. There’s lots of opportunity.” Wherever the future takes farmers and farming, CHS DynAgra is committed to helping its customers get there first. It’s a company philosophy that makes partnerships with farmers the definition of dynamic. FF

CHS DynAgra goes continental An exciting new chapter in the CHS DynAgra story began in September when the Beiseker-based agri-business became the first Canadian company to join CHS Inc., a leading U.S.-based, farmer-owned co-operative. “It means our customers will see the same services

announcement of the sale, said that a key ingredient

from CHS DynAgra, but more,” explains CHS DynAgra’s

in the agreement going forward is the matching

general manager Tasha Schmaltz. “Our staff stays

philosophies between the two firms. “As a co-operative

in place, our brand is still in place. The CHS DynAgra

with farmer owners, I like how CHS is very farm focused,

management team will still be creating and doing

and wants to service growers,” he says. “The idea is still

things for its farmers, but now with the support of CHS.”

to find ways to make profits for farmers. It’s bringing

Headquartered in St. Paul, Minnesota, CHS is ranked 78th on the Fortune 500 list of companies, and is a

world markets and trends back to the local level.” One of the main advantages for CHS DynAgra, says

global player in energy, grains and foods. “In our research

Tasha, is that the company now has more capital

to take CHS DynAgra to the next level, we decided

backing along with more industry contacts, more

that a global company was needed to propel us and

resources and an enhanced knowledge base.

our customers into international markets,” says Bruce

“The floodgates of possibilities — new products,

Schmaltz, president and CEO of CHS DynAgra. “After

new markets and new perspectives — have opened

substantial analysis, we decided CHS has what it takes

for us by joining CHS,” Tasha says. “I’m really excited

to open up world markets for our customers while

about the future, and what this can do for farmers,” he

bringing a competitive presence to the retail crop input

adds. “It brings in another business really focused on

market.”

growers, on a larger scale, and with so many synergies

Tasha Schmaltz, speaking shortly after the

to be gained.” FF

FARMFORUM.CA / WINTER 2012

FA R M L I F E

Outstanding Young Farmers Angela and Robert Semeniuk say the program's nomination process was a great opportunity to identify areas where they could change and improve their operation

If you fail to plan, you plan to fail. These are words to live by for Robert and Angela Semeniuk, 2012 Alberta/ NWT region winners of the Outstanding Young Farmers’ Program award. Planning is the absolute core of the Semeniuks’ operation and their success. The latest labour-saving technology also plays a vital role. “In reality, I think we are just doing what the new generation generally is doing in terms of farming,” says Robert. “We don’t operate on gut feelings. We make sure a plan is in place and we predict outcomes to the best of our ability.” Indeed, they

photoS courtesy of angela and robert semeniuk

Planning and success go hand-in-hand

By Lindsye Dunbar

make sure all the “i’s are dotted and t’s crossed” and they sweat the details. For example, all crops are weighed off the combine and graded right away. “This way we can work on our marketing plan right after harvest and estimate cash flow.” Not only do they make a detailed plan for each year, but they overlay that with a 10-year plan, which is their template for growth. “The plan needs flexibility built in, of course, but it helps us identify where we need to focus, and it makes sure we don’t have huge costs in one year,” says Angela. “We also don’t force growth of the operation. We look for opportunities and will grow if we can but it’s not something we do at any cost.”

Robert is the fourth-generation Semeniuk on the farm near Smoky Lake, AB. He started farming with his dad while still in high school. At that time, they had 600 acres of grain and 50 head of cattle. Today, the operation comprises 3,500 acres of cereal, oilseed and pulse crops, but no cattle. “We found that to stay in cattle, we would need to double or triple the herd. Our passion is in grain so we sold the cows,” says Angela who splits her time between helping on the farm and providing bookkeeping services to a few commercial clients. In addition to farming their own land, the Semeniuks do custom work, mostly

fertilizer application, on over 30,000 acres. They used to hire floater trucks for their own fertilizer application and finally asked themselves, “Why don’t we just buy one? We could do our own acres and also some for people we know.” Of course, they came up with a business plan. Then they bought the first truck in 2009. Three years later, with two floaters and a tender unit, they plan on covering around 35,000 acres between spring and fall. “Most of our growth has come through building relationships,” says Robert. “If we see an opportunity, we make the plan and build the relationship. Everything is fostered on the relationships we build.” Continues on next page »

Angela and Robert Semeniuk on their farm near Smoky Lake, AB.

FARM FORUM / WINTER 2012

FARMFORUM.CA / WINTER 2012

BUSINESS

Young leaders connect to fight world hunger Canada’s 4-H ambassadors agree that open communication is key to banishing hunger from the face of the earth

By jennifer barber

 Angela and Robert Semeniuk with their two kids, Gabrielle (6) and Tristan (4).

– Robert Semeniuk

A self-professed techno nut, Robert uses technology on much of the farm equipment. “We have auto-steer on everything and yield mapping on our combines,” he says. “We also have RTK on our air drill and are looking at controlled-traffic farming to reduce compaction from wheel tracks.” Robert is now using technology to move toward complete prescription fertilizer application. He uses yield mapping along with soil sensing equipment from Veris, which gives a soil profile and can break fields into different zones. “Fertilizer prices are so high, you have to do something to change,” says Robert. “We have these layers of information to overlay and come up with a prescription.” They will start on their own land to test the economics and practicality of the technology. Once they have that established, they plan to offer a more prescriptive application service to their clients. For the Semeniuks, relationship building extends to their community. Most of their local involvement centers around their children,

Gabrielle (6) and Tristan (4). “Whatever our kids are into is where we volunteer,” says Angela, who was part of the committee to fund a new playground for the school. Once the money was raised, she and Robert both joined in on the construction. And, for the past 13 years, Angela has been involved with the Learning Council, which brings adult education courses to town. The Semeniuks were nominated for the OYF program by a couple who are former winners themselves. “To go forward with the nomination, you first have to accept it,” says Robert, “and we thought about it hard before we accepted because there is a lot of work involved.” In the end, Robert and Angela are happy they participated — not because they won the regionals, but because they gained a lot from going through their operation, past, present and future, in detail. “It was a good exercise and definitely worth it,” says Angela. “We used it to identify areas we could change and improve.” FF

Alberta 4-H Ambassadors Rosie Templeton and Jacob Onyschuk.

PHOTOS: GENESIS STUDIO

“Most of our growth has come through building relationships”

Today’s youth are a pluggedin generation. With a simple mouse click they connect to people anytime, anywhere to talk about virtually any topic. But an upcoming conference will provide a rare opportunity for young folk from around the world to meet face-toface and brainstorm ways to make sure everyone on the planet has enough to eat.

As part of its 100th anniversary celebrations, the 4-H movement will host “Feeding a Hungry Planet” global Youth Ag Summit in Calgary, AB, in August 2013. Youth ages 18-25 from around the world are being invited to write an essay on the topic of feeding a hungry planet of more than seven billion people. From those essays, 120 applicants will be chosen to Continues on next page »

FARM FORUM / WINTER 2012

FARMFORUM.CA / WINTER 2012

“This summit is important for empowering young people to think globally about food, agriculture, and sustainability”

– Rosie Templeton Alberta 4-h ambassador

FARM FORUM / WINTER 2012

attend the summit, bring their personal experiences with agriculture to the table, and share their visions for the future for the industry. “Young people today have the advantage of growing up in an extremely globalized world,” says Rosie Templeton, one of two 4-H youth ambassadors from Alberta. “But hunger and food shortages are global issues occurring to different degrees and being dealt with in different ways in each country around the world. Communication between countries can be key to solving global challenges.” Agriculture has always played a big role in Templeton’s life. She grew up on a Hereford cattle ranch and grain farm near Coaldale, AB, studied ag business management at the University of Alberta and worked as a territory sales assistant for Bayer CropScience this past summer. She’s currently attending Oklahoma State University, working toward a B.Sc. in Agriculture, majoring in ag communications and ag economics. “I grew up as part of the 4-H program

and my greatest take-away would be my communication skills,” says Templeton. “I learned that I have a passion for public speaking and teaching others about agriculture. As a 4-H ambassador, I spoke about leadership, ran workshops and helped with livestock judging events. I have attended many events in Alberta and across Canada where I advocated for agriculture. This conference will involve doing the same thing but to a broader audience.” Templeton’s role in the Youth Ag Summit is as a member of the Youth Steering Committee, helping set the visions and goals for the conference. The steering committee will ensure that the voice of youth is present right from the planning stages of the event, including selection of speakers with relevance to a young audience. “This summit is important for empowering young people to think globally about food, agriculture, and sustainability,” she says. “Food allocation, agricultural education, and innovation

PHOTOS: GENESIS STUDIO

Rosie and Jacob are greeted at the "Feeding a Hungry Planet" Youth Ag Summit news conference by Sandra Peterson, global CEO of Bayer CropScience, a subgroup of Bayer.

in agriculture are crucial issues that will very soon be the responsibility of our generation.” Templeton adds that she would like to play a role in educating the public about agriculture, including sharing the scope of the world food problem, and in working with experts to develop innovative ways to resolve food shortages. She believes agriculture must evolve toward greater efficiency and increased sustainability. Templeton expects science to drive these trends, as constant innovation in plant and livestock breeding, machinery, and food processing generally, as well as on individual farms and ranches, will go a long way in making positive changes to the industry. But she acknowledges that, while the goals are the same, different areas of the world can have very different priorities. “I hope to gain a more global perspective on world food production from this conference,” she says. “I want to understand the challenges and opportunities that young people in agriculture in other countries are faced with. I also hope to develop plans for improving agriculture at home, or internationally, which I and other delegates can act on going forward.” In comparison to Templeton’s onfarm upbringing, Jacob Onyschuk was introduced to agricultural life relatively late. His parents decided to return to their farming roots in Legal, AB, when Jacob was in tenth grade. To that point, he says, he was definitely a city boy. However, once he made the connection to agriculture and rural living, he knew where he wanted to focus his life. “I didn’t join 4-H until we moved to the farm, and most of the kids had been involved their entire lives,” says Onyschuk, who is the second 4-H youth ambassador for the Ag Summit. “I had a lot of catching up to do — but the more I learned the more I wanted to learn. And I think I gained a lot of knowledge about raising animals in that short time. It made me want to know more about how livestock are managed around the world.” Like Templeton, Onyschuk is continuing his education in agriculture, working as a weed scout for the provincial government and majoring in animal science at the University of Alberta. His focus, however, is on communication. Being raised in a city, he wants to help educate the urban population about agriculture because he expects the industry to need the support

 Alberta Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Verlyn Olson, speaks to guests at the news conference announcing the 4-H global Youth Ag Summit in 2013 in Calgary, AB.

of the urban community if it is going to make changes needed for its long-term sustainability. “This conference is important for any youth interested in agriculture, not just the farming community,” says Onyschuk. “We can’t just think about solutions within our community or our country. We need to take what we’re doing and measure it against what others are doing. No country can work in isolation to solve hunger, or even food supply issues.” Opening up dialogue among delegates from farming regions around the world will not only show how everyone thinks differently about various issues, he says, but also show where their views agree and differ. One issue he’s particularly interested in is the conflict between big and small farms. While in many regions of the world farms get bigger every year, the vast majority of farms are still small, family-run operations. He thinks we need to find a better way of making family farms part of a global framework to end world hunger. “It’s great that this conference is being hosted in Canada because we are one of the few countries in the world that produces much more food than we consume,” says Onyschuk. “But we need to know how best and where best we can

help. Not only could it change where we export, but it will no doubt impact what we grow in the future.” Onyschuk is very positive about the ability of the world to feed its inhabitants. He says that with all the resources we have today, there is every reason to expect life in the future to get easier — not harder. But that won’t happen without some help. “One of the things I’d like to get from talking to my counterparts around the world is a better understanding of consumers in different regions,” he says. “We know that diets are changing, but I think we need to better understand how we can educate people to consider their consumption so that the food supply can be sustainable on a consistent basis.” Both Onyschuk and Templeton have one major goal in common: they don’t want this conference to be merely an academic discussion. They hope that by bringing together people and experiences from all over the world, they will be able to move forward with solid plans to make change happen, and put theory into practice. As Templeton says: “Conferences like this prove that the agricultural industry is thinking into the future and working to meet the needs of a growing global population.” FF

Follow the Youth Ag Summit on Facebook: www.facebook.com/youthagsummit

FARMFORUM.CA / WINTER 2012

PRODUCTION

Pulses sprout new markets

FARM FORUM / WINTER 2012

By Jeff Melchior The past few years have been stressful for prairie pulse growers. In particular, a lot of early-season rain put disease pressure on these crops, which tend to thrive under hot and dry conditions. But pulse producers in Alberta and Saskatchewan can be a little more optimistic this year. Thanks to a couple of months of hot, dry weather prior to combining, overall yields and quality look likely to end up being at least average. In Canada, pulses are primarily grown in Alberta, Saskatchewan and southwestern Manitoba, with Quebec and Ontario specializing in field beans. According to Pulse Canada, the national producer group, the pulse industry sells its product — including whole, split or milled peas, chickpeas, beans and lentils — to over 150 markets around the world. The total value of Canadian pulse exports exceeded $2.7 billion in 2011. The prairies normally provide ideal growing conditions for pulses because of their hot, dry summers and cold winters that control diseases and insects. “Pulses don’t like wet feet, so to speak,” says Dale Risula, provincial pulse specialist with Saskatchewan Agriculture. “It’s good to have moisture for growth but if the soil is saturated, root rot diseases set in. If it stays that way when the crop starts to flower, it creates a humid situation within the canopy and breeds more disease.” Pulses also require a bit of drought stress to trigger seed production, says Risula. Too much moisture can cause excessive vegetative growth which delays flowering and affects yield in the long run. In 2010, Alberta and Saskatchewan pulse crops were hit with excessive precipitation early in the growing season, resulting in disease outbreaks including sclerotinia and botrytis, which affected crop quality that year. The industry has yet to bounce back completely from this setback, says Risula. “In 2010, a lot of lentils, in particular, were harvested with damaged seed coats and poor colour,” he says.

Although it was difficult to tell at harvest this year how early-season moisture had affected the quality of 2012 pulse crops, Risula has seen signs that quality should be quite high. Still, individual growers reported a wide range of yield and quality results. Greg Simpson, a lentil, chickpea and pea producer near Moose Jaw, SK, says yields across his fields varied depending on how long the plants were under water. “We had tracts of land that stood in water for most of the season,” he says. “Our lentil yields were 20 bu./ac. at the low end and 40 bu./ ac. on the high end — below average.”

“Pulses don’t like to have wet feet, so to speak. It’s good to have moisture for growth but if the soil is saturated, root rot diseases set in” – Dale Risula Provincial Specialist, Saskatchewan Agriculture

Pulse growers get a weather reprieve

Pulses are a dietary staple worldwide, and a lot of that has to do with their well-known nutritional benefits.

Ironically, in other locations, it was the hot, dry conditions that wreaked havoc on pulse crops. Gerry Good, who grows peas on his farm near Carstairs, AB, says his yields ran 10 to 12 bu./ac. below his rolling five-year average, despite being spared the worst downpours of the season. “We did have a little bit of water damage on the peas early in the season but more significant was the lack of rain from the middle of June on,” he says. The Canadian pulse industry’s market outlook depends largely on what happens overseas, says Risula. “We need to see results from Turkey, for example, because they tend to be a big supplier of red lentils to international markets. But some reports suggest that India’s pea crop wasn’t all that great, so they will likely be importing more peas this year.” And that spells opportunity for some Canadian producers. FF

Behind the scenes, industry is pushing to keep those nutritional advantages alive in the minds of ingredient suppliers, food manufacturers and consumers through some innovative programs. “It comes down to consistent messaging on the health, nutrition and sustainability of pulses,” says Christine Farkas, manager of food product and culinary innovation with Pulse Canada. And part of that effort centres around students — future product developers, researchers and chefs — and getting them involved through competitions and promotions. The message is that pulses are nutritional powerhouses that are high in fibre, protein, vitamins, minerals and complex carbohydrates. They have been found to play a role in helping to prevent Type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease, as well as helping with weight management. “Pulses have low allergenicity, which makes them suitable for parents to pack into their children’s lunches,” says Farkas. Add the rising profile of gluten-free diets and you have a whole a new avenue to market pulses, says Farkas. “Pulses are gluten-free and nutrient-dense. They provide vitamins and minerals that some other gluten-free options do not always have.” Pulse Canada builds on these nutritional messages by getting students involved in developing new uses for pulses. “Mission: ImPULSEible”, a food development competition created in 2009, is one example. “College and university students enrolled in food science, nutrition and culinary programs are invited to submit new food product prototypes that use pulses and pulse-based ingredients in new and innovative ways,” says Farkas. Another effort, by the Saskatchewan Pulse Growers, gives Canadian chefs a chance to showcase new lentil dishes in the “Love Your Lentils” competition while consumers vote online for the dish they like best. “A competition such as this gets consumers and the food service industry involved in the development of delicious pulse-based dishes,” says Farkas. “This competition allows those involved to think of pulses in innovative ways, as ingredients that take dishes to unique and exciting heights.” Love Your Lentils Canada 2012: www.farmforum.ca/loveyourlentils Pulse Canada's Mission ImPULSEible: www.farmforum.ca/missionimpulseible

FARMFORUM.CA / WINTER 2012

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BayerCropScience.ca/Liberty 1 888-283-6847 or contact your Bayer CropScience representative. 22 FARM FORUM / WINTERor2012

Always read and follow label directions. InVigor® and Liberty® are registered trademarks of the Bayer Group. Bayer CropScience is a member of CropLife Canada.

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FARMFORUM.CA / WINTER 2012

WHAT'S NEW WITH BAYER CROPSCIENCE PRODUCTS

A NEWSLETTER FROM BAYER CROPSCIENCE

Real growers take spotlight for InVigor

rowers across Canada may recognize some familiar faces in a new advertising campaign for InVigor® hybrid canola and Liberty® herbicide from Bayer CropScience. Real farmers are featured front and centre in the spots, which cover a range of outlets from billboards and print media to television and online display. Drive down the highway and you might see the beaming face of Steve Winkler of Langdon, Alberta – “The smile says everything.” Open a magazine and you might find Vulcan, Alberta’s Bill Irwin and Hussar, Alberta’s Leanne Muller – team players and “Unsung heroes.” Turn on the television to see brothers Ron and Scott Tibble of Swan River, Manitoba, or Jeff Prosko of Rose Valley, Saskatchewan. These are just a few of the many InVigor growers showcased in the ads. The rationale is simple. After 16 years of record-setting yields and industry-leading performance, the quiet confidence of an InVigor grower isn’t something that takes Hollywood magic to capture. It’s a peace of mind that comes with using the product and getting results, year after year. The smile says everything Using real canola growers didn’t come without risk. After all, it depended on growers feeling strongly enough about the product to put their names, faces and reputations on the line. It also required a substantial commitment of time and energy from these growers during the full swing of a busy cropping season. But when the call went out, the response was swift and strong. Growers from west to east showed a tremendous

FARM FORUM / CROP TALK / WINTER 2012

Watch for the new InVigor advertising in a variety of media in the coming months. You may just see a familiar face – a friend or family member, or the neighbour down the road.

interest in participating and stepped up to the plate to contribute. The result was a home run for the new InVigor campaign. Truth in advertising One thing that became clear early in the process, was just how powerful the grower-based strategy was. The participating InVigor growers represented a broad range of production scales, geography, stages of life and experience with the product. But what they all shared was a clear passion and pride for agriculture, along with a trusted belief in InVigor as a critical part of their canola success. Passion, pride and family Shooting days were organized across the Prairies and in Eastern Canada. Many producers brought their families on set and the days included a lot of fun and visiting while getting the job done. The farming talk was mixed with stories of farm life and sharing news on kids’ activities, from school and dancing to motocross and hockey.

The campaign organizers were blown away both by the response and professionalism of everyone involved. It’s not easy to ask a producer to take a day in the middle of early summer or during harvest to stand in front of a camera, but they did it with a sense of enthusiasm and fun – showing truly what makes an InVigor grower stand apart. Another refreshing angle was the positive, progressive, modern faces of farming these growers represented. InVigor growers are a good reflection of most producers today. They’re devoted to their families and communities, passionate about their profession, and bring an enthusiasm and enjoyment to the challenge and opportunity that each day brings. They are not only farm business managers, but front-line decision makers at the cutting edge of a sophisticated industry. But like the new campaign shows, there’s also a little something extra to an InVigor grower. You see it most clearly at times like seeding or harvest, when their confidence and satisfaction shines through.

New health option hits the market The bar for health hybrids just went up a couple notches, and Canadian canola growers are positioned to reap the rewards.

InVigor Health L156H delivers: Health value. Produces oil with high oleic content. High performance. All the yield potential of an InVigor hybrid. Trusted name. Get the agronomic performance you can count on. Contract premium. Contact your Cargill representative for details.

‘The boomerang effect.’ InVigor Health L156H delivers strong returns, time and again.

new health hybrid canola launched by Bayer CropScience carries a one-two punch that packs a wallop. Health-minded consumers get the high oleic oil content they demand and growers get the yield potential they expect from an InVigor, along with the bonus of a simple contract premium. Sound like the best of both worlds? It is. Welcome to a new generation of canola health hybrids, ushered in by a truly innovative new product – InVigor Health L156H. New standard in health hybrids This new canola hybrid stands tall alongside any other leading canola. InVigor Health L156H features LibertyLink® technology, leading-edge seed genetics and a range of agronomic advantages second to none. Among health hybrids, it sets a new standard – raising the bar in oleic content, yield and overall performance. No yield drag here, and growers can bank on the highstability oil profile required for contract premiums – icing on the cake for a canola

line that clearly delivers strong returns on its own merits. The numbers tell the story. InVigor Health L156H outyields the new checks by 112 to 115 percent and the old checks (46A65 and Q2) by a whopping 138 percent. That represents a big jump in returns per acre that will look great on any grower’s bottom line. Leading-edge seed technology The health value power-packed into InVigor Health L156H is equally impressive. And it couldn’t come at a better time, as health-conscious consumers drive a shift away from the trans fatty acids created from hydrogenated vegetable oils, toward healthy alternatives such as high oleic content canola oil. These advantages add up to an attractive package for growers for the 2013 cropping season. InVigor Health L156H will be available exclusively through Cargill and select independent retailers. Learn more at www.cargill.ca, under “Specialty Canola Programs” or contact Cargill directly at (204) 947-0141.

FARMFORUM.CA / CROP TALK / WINTER 2012

WHAT'S NEW WITH BAYER CROPSCIENCE PRODUCTS

A NEWSLETTER FROM BAYER CROPSCIENCE

Tackle sclerotinia with a proactive strategy

he Scourge of Saskatchewan. The Manitoban Menace. The Annihilator of Alberta. By any name, sclerotinia has quickly become the number one, unwanted yield-robbing disease for Canadian canola growers. What’s the best way to protect your crop? The most important first step is to take this disease seriously and proactively plan for it. With the range of the disease now widespread and well established, there’s no question it’s out there. The only question is how much you can afford to lose. The simple fact is nothing offers better disease protection than a timely fungicide application. It needs to happen early, before the disease symptoms begin to show (between 20 – 50 per cent bloom). Even if you think you’ve never had a serious problem with sclerotinia or believe that

your crop is disease free, make no mistake – it’s there and the results are disastrous. Expect disease and plan ahead A number of surveys, including by the Canadian Phytopathological Society and each of the Prairie provinces, show it has increased steadily in recent years. Last crop year saw reports of widespread sclerotinia infection in all growing areas of the prairies.

Get tough. There’s no question it’s out there. The only question is how much you can afford to lose. Timely fungicide application is the best way to reduce disease and ramp-up yield.

InVigorResults.ca is better than ever Because of this, the threat is even greater this season and could further increase depending on early season humidity. But even if it’s a cool, dry spring, don’t think that you’re not in danger. With the overall sclerotinia level in the prairies today, it always pays to spray. The returns simply increase proportionately to the amount of disease. Bayer CropScience has an online Proline® Logic Calculator to help you pinpoint the return on investment and guide your fungicide decision. Find it at BayerCropScience.ca/ ProlineROICalculator. Fungicide the best weapon The bottom line? You need to plan to apply fungicide at the right time. A quality fungicide treatment not only protects the yield and quality of your canola, it also protects your profitability. One of the best fungicides available is Proline from Bayer CropScience – a topperforming, proven option to effectively shut down sclerotinia. Payoff you can bank on Research results from Bayer CropScience show that Proline sets the standard for sclerotinia control in canola. Proline can reduce sclerotinia infection rates by over 80 per cent1 and increase yields by over 15 per cent2 compared to not using fungicide. Those are numbers canola growers can take to the bank – the big-time payoff of an investment in a healthy, high yielding crop. That’s what you can expect from the tough disease protection of Proline. Learn more at BayerCropScience.ca/Proline.

Sclerotinia has quickly become the number one, unwanted yield-robbing disease for Canadian canola growers.

1 Source: Eight Bayer CropScience internal research trials, 2003 -2005. 2 Source: 14 Bayer CropScience internal research trials, 2003 – 2010.

Protect yourself with TraitGuard Early season crop establishment can be unpredictable and that’s why Bayer CropScience developed TraitGuard™. As part of the Liberty & Trait Agreement (LTA), TraitGuard is designed to help reduce the risk to InVigor canola growers and protect them from early season cropping concerns. Through TraitGuard Bayer CropScience will refund growers the trait fee from each bag of InVigor hybrid seed or other LibertyLink canola seed for acres that have been reseeded (with InVigor) or taken out of production by June 28, 2013. Learn more at BayerCropScience.ca/TraitGuard

Right at your fingertips, the newly redesigned InVigorResults.ca makes it easier to find the information you need to make your 2013 hybrid selections. Compare hybrids from over forty different trial sites across the prairies.

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Improvements: » Simplified site navigation makes it easier to target specific growing locations » Hybrid comparison tool allows you to easily compare the hybrids you’re considering » Compare days to maturity, harvest ratings and yield, all from local and provincial Demonstration Strip Trials » All requested information can now be output in a print-friendly format or sent directly to your email account See the results for yourself and make an informed purchase decision.

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Not only does Liberty herbicide maximize your InVigor yields and increase your bottom line, it also helps fight herbicide resistance. To see the video for yourself, simply visit www.youtube.com and search for Liberty resistance management.

Save up to 15% on participating BayerValue products by early booking your selected InVigor hybrids by January 31, 2013. With the breadth and depth of Bayer CropScience’s crop protection solutions, we have the right fit for your farm. Visit BayerCropScience.ca/ BayerValue for complete details.

BayerCropScience.ca or 1 888-283-6847 or contact your Bayer CropScience representative. Always read and follow label directions. InVigor®, Liberty®, LibertyLink®, Proline® and TraitGuard™ are trademarks of the Bayer Group. Bayer CropScience is a member of CropLife Canada.

FARM FORUM / CROP TALK / WINTER 2012

FARMFORUM.CA / CROP TALK / WINTER 2012

Beware Sclerotinia ‘The Pirate of the Prairies’

There’s no question that sclerotinia will be back next season. The only question is how much you are willing to lose. Give no quarter! Canola growers across Western Canada have already begun to arm themselves with their most trusted ally – Proline® fungicide. Proline effectively reduces infection rates by up to 80% and can save you from sinking yields.

BayerCropScience.ca/Proline or 1 888-283-6847 or contact your Bayer CropScience representative. Always read and follow label directions. Proline® is a registered trademark of the Bayer Group. Bayer CropScience is a member of CropLife Canada.

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