The AgriPost
February 26, 2021
Compensation Flows to More than Half of Canadian Dairy Farmers
COVID-19 Temporarily Shuts Down Alberta Pork Processor
On February 15, Olymel management temporarily shut down its hog slaughtering, cutting and deboning plant in Red Deer, Alberta.
By Harry Siemens On February 15, Olymel management temporarily shut down its hog slaughtering, cutting and deboning plant in Red Deer, Alberta. Despite employee testing protocols and sanitary measures in place to deal with a resurgence of positive COVID-19 cases, Olymel management could not continue normal operations safely and efficiently. The company informed all hog suppliers to the Red Deer plant of the situation, suspending deliveries until further notice. On February 19, Olymel said their plant’s temporary
Photo courtesy of Harry Siemens
shutdown is affecting many Albertans hog producers, including Olymel’s companyowned farms that ship market hogs to Red Deer weekly. The company said that they understand the strain on operations estimating the backlog of 80-90,000 animals. Olymel’s hog production division for the Red Deer plant will move a substantial amount of company-owned hogs to the US to create enough plant capacity for independent hog producers affected by the plant closure. With the added capacity Olymel anticipates that the backlog of market-ready
hogs will clear within 4-5 weeks after the plant can resume activities. Although the company cannot determine when processing will resume it will be at such a time that meets the best conditions for employees’ health and safety. The temporarily shut down weighed heavily on the minds of 200 plus hog producers participating in daily discussions on a WhatsApp group. “We are waiting on Olymel... if not, we will have to ship to the US, as well,” said one producer. “If you are looking to move 90-100 pounders next week, got someone looking
for some in South Dakota. D.M. me if you’re serious.” Another producer said that since Olymel is moving their animals out of the country this should help producers keep their pigs moving to the plants. Rick Bergman of Steinbach, MB, Canadian Pork Council president, said first there was a slowdown in production and shutting down now reduces slaughter capacity creating a further backup on supply. Olymel also has a plant in Quebec under similar pressure to keep up with the number of hogs. Continued on Page 2...
The Federal Government has announced that 5,054 Canadian dairy farmers have already received their payments, totalling $267.1 million, under the second year of the Dairy Direct Payments Program. This represents roughly 51 % of the more than 10,000 dairy farmers across the country. With these direct payments the Government of Canada is delivering on its commitment to provide full and fair compensation to supply-managed sectors for market access concessions made under the Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) and the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). Dairy farmers will receive $1.75 billion in direct payments over the course of four years, with $345 million made available in year one (2019-20) and $468 million currently available under year two of the program. Another $469 million will be available in 2021-22, and $468 million in 2022-23. The owner of a farm with 80 dairy cows will be awarded compensation in the form of a direct payment of approximately $38,000 for each of these remaining years. These amounts also build on the $250 million CETA on-farm investment program, and provide certainty on the schedule and form of remaining payments in the $2 billion total compensation package for dairy farmers. The Government of Canada remains committed to engaging the sector on full and fair compensation for the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA), and to providing compensation to processors of supply-managed products. There are 10,095 dairy farms in Canada, supporting close to 19,000 direct jobs on farms. The demand for Canadian dairy remains strong, and has led to a 9% increase in raw milk production between 2016 and 2019. Details of federal compensation programs for chicken, egg, turkey and broiler hatching egg producers, totaling $691 million over ten years, are being discussed in consultation with industry representatives. These consultations are progressing well, further program details expected to be available this spring. There are over 4,750 chicken, egg, broiler hatching egg, and turkey farmers across Canada. These farmers generated over $4.9 billion in farm cash receipts in 2019, totalling 7.4 percent of all farm cash receipts in Canada. According to industry, Canada’s poultry and egg sector supports more than 140,000 direct and indirect jobs.
February 26, 2021
The AgriPost
COVID-19 Temporarily Shuts Down Alberta Pork Processor
Continued from Page 1...
“So, it’s a unique scenario, where hogs from Quebec and Ontario travelled west to the now shutdown plant in Red Deer. So it’s a bit of a challenge here, that’s for sure,” said Bergman. Bill Alford, general manager of Hams Marketing Services in Winnipeg said they had made arrangements for producers marketing through Hams the previous week before a complete shutdown to move hogs out to other plants to help. “But this is going to affect a lot more hogs than what we market now,” said Alford. In 2020, when Maple Leaf at Brandon slowed processing due to COVID-related issues, some hogs went to Olymel in Red Deer because they had the extra capacity, making it more manageable. They built up their slaughter capacity helping Maple Leaf
The Red Deer planting shutting down temporarily weighed heavily on the minds of 200 plus hog producers participating in daily discussions on a WhatsApp group as opposed to in-person as they did previously (photo from past year). Photo courtesy of Harry Siemens
to get through that period reducing the slaughter for a few weeks, getting back on track. Alford noted that is what Olymel will need to do; getting help from some other processors who can include some Saturday shifts to remove surplus because there was no short supply of hogs heading into this period. He said on the bigger picture, Ontario pigs had moved to Alberta pretty steady, and now hogs will be backing up
out east. With the overall hog price set for the period in the US and the same number of hogs, the impact will be felt regionally, and whoever Olymel supplies pork to will have to find another supplier. The situation is enough to move the needle where it affects the whole supply chain impacting price negotiation throughout domestic and export markets.
Processed Protein Opens New Markets for Manitoba Farmers By Elmer Heinrichs Manitoba farmers are poised to be at the forefront of the world’s top producers of protein-rich plants with a growing network of processors and a new governmentfunded incubator to support them.
Global demand for plant and animal protein is increasing, providing economic opportunities for farmers, processors and communities in Manitoba. Manitoba produces and processes some of the world’s finest and most sustainable plant and animal protein. The province is home to the world’s largest pea processing facility, the world’s largest hemp processing company, the first canola protein processor in North America and Canada’s largest bacon processing facility. The growing demand for protein puts Manitoba in a strong position to not only process the raw commodity but also incorporate the manufactured ingredients in further value-added consumer products. It is also home to cutting-edge food processing and world class research infrastructure in the agri-food space. The province released the Manitoba Protein Advantage plan in 2019 to grow the plant and animal protein industry, create new value for producers and processors through innovation and value chain collaboration and attract new investment of $1.5 billion and 1,550 jobs by 2025. The Manitoba government appointed a Manitoba protein consortium to provide leadership on projects of strategic importance and encourage stakeholders to mobilize to achieve the Manitoba Protein Advantage’s objectives.
“There is a market out there for the taking for Prairie producers,” said Bill Greuel, CEO of Protein Industries Canada, in a message he shared at a farm forum event. He told attendees at a virtual event that agriculture in western Canada has a lot going for it with innovative producers, a supportive research and development sector, great trade relations with other countries, and a reputation as reliable suppliers of quality food products around the globe. “You don’t have to go too far to know that people really value the Canadian brand and export markets,” said Greuel. “It’s a reputation as old as the first shipment of high-quality milling wheat from the region just after European settlement.” Already Roquette Canada, at Portage la Prairie has announced that the company will now offer growers the option of contracting organic yellow peas with Roquette, a global leader in plant-based ingredients and plant proteins for food, nutrition and health markets. And Merit Functional Foods is also optimizing production on its plant-protein processing facility in northwest Winnipeg. Merit will extract protein from both pea and canola seed and will be the only canola plant in the world. Manitoba proteins could be in store shelves later this year.
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Changes to Canadian Hog Pricing Improves Producer Profitability By Harry Siemens Changing the way Canadian pork processors value the hogs they buy has reduced volatility within the market and improved producers’ profitability. While still officially the case, Canadian live hog prices reflect formulas that reference US prices. Right now, the total volume of hogs available in the US is much closer to the maximum US slaughter capacity compared to the Canadian volume of hogs available to packers. Tyler Fulton, the Director of Risk Management with HAMS Marketing Services, said the improvement in the pork cutout value since the Christmas holiday period allowed packers to rationalize higher prices, influencing directly some producers’ contracts. Increasingly in western Canada particularly, more
packers referenced the carcass cutout value. That means less volatility and when demand is good and a lot of pork is moving from packers, the value benefits the producer directly from a higher pork cutout. In February, the pork cutout value ran around $85. “We’re talking about $85 US for the aggregate value of the primal cuts off of a US pig.” Live hog prices, in terms of cash bids, are still well shy of that, sub-$70, so a tremendous advantage to those producers who have their formula price based in part at least off of the pork cutout. Fulton said there is a widening spread between uncommitted cash hog values and the pork cutout and, if something did not change; more hog producers would be leaving the industry because it was far too volatile.
Changing the way Canadian pork processors value the hogs they buy has reduced volatility within the market and improved producers’ profitability. Photo Supplied by Harry Siemens
Fulton said prompting the change, was a non-sustainable model. The spread became wider and wider between cash hog values, like uncommitted cash hog values and the pork cutout. “We’ve turned over a new leaf and at least two packers in western Canada are referring to the pork cutout value.” Fulton said HAMS is advising pork producers to take an incremental approach over the next few months to forward contracting. With pork demand solid, the futures and forward contract prices moved up to the highest levels in the last ten months. “The best approach is an incremental one where they do smaller portions of their production and when we see a further increase in prices, then they keep adding to that position.” It’s the concept of dollarcost averaging where they increasingly get more protection as the price goes up. Alternatively, if the market does not continue to rally, we recommend a month or two months; if there is not a lot of further support then taking an additional 20 percent protection at that point would be prudent if they had only taken 20 to 30 percent. It’s an incremental approach and producers are taking advantage of the programs that are out there. Fulton said the futures markets are at their peak right now and producers are very much taking advantage of the profitable prices they represent. Despite the high input costs, he believes there is still some margin there, particularly in the summer months.
CP Moves More Grain in 2020 Canadian Pacific (CP) moved 31.32 million metric tonnes (MMT) of Canadian grain and grain products in 2020, more than any prior calendar year in its history, the company announced recently. For CP it was its bestever quarter and best-ever December for hauling these commodities. “Hard-won achievements like these require commitment and focus across the supply chain, but special credit must go to CP’s cus-
tomers and their dedicated employees,” said Joan Hardy, CP vice-president of sales and marketing, grain and fertilizers. “Their work to create a safe, efficient supply chain is an essential ingredient in our ability to deliver Canada’s crops to consumers at home and around the world.” In the fourth quarter of 2020, CP moved 8.84 MMT of Canadian grain and grain products, which beats 2020’s second quarter, the previous record, by 5.1 per cent. December 2020 totals came in
at 2.84 MMT, beating out the previous record set in 2019 by 13.6 per cent. CP continues to invest in its grain fleet, with additional hopper cars coming into service each week, joining the more than 3,700 new hopper cars added to its fleet via purchase or lease. The company said that these new high-efficiency rail cars carry 15 per cent more grain by volume and 10 per cent more by weight compared to the older cars they are replacing.
February 26, 2021
The AgriPost
February 26, 2021
Butter, Butter, Butter Canadians are a strange bunch. We can fight about things other people would never think of, such as the spread-ability of butter. But what started out as a trivial question on social media has uncovered something problematic, #buttergate. Have you noticed butter is now harder at room temperature? Apparently a lot of people have and they’ve been talking about it online. This caught the attention of Sylvain Charlebois aka “The Food Professor” Senior Director of the Agri-Food Analytics Lab at Dalhousie University. When he first looked he thought it was a joke, but was quickly overwhelmed by the response from Canadians wanting to know what was up with the butter. It wasn’t just leaving it on a window sill when it was -30 outside, something else was going on. Processors also noticed a difference even though they hadn’t changed any of their methods or ingredients. Individual proces-
sors and the Dairy Processors Association of Canada have made public statements and would also like to know more about what’s going on, why it’s happening and when things will get back to normal. Charlebois started investigating. One of the first things he found was that this wasn’t happening in butters derived from organic or grass fed sourced milk. So he looked at the more conventional supply. He’s not 100% sure but he believes it likely has to do with some dairy producers adding palm oil derived supplements to their feed rations in order to boost both the weight and butterfat content of milk. Consumers and processors aren’t happy that much is clear. But the use of palm oil supplements adds further questions and concerns that the Dairy industry has to address. Official statements so far range from everything is fine and here are some tips on
how to soften butter, to okay we’ll have some experts look into it and get back to you, but everyone else is doing it and we don’t do it a lot. With the standard “All milk sold in Canada is nutritious and safe to consume and is subject to Canada’s rigorous health and safety standards.” While it’s hard to see how there might be a food safety concern resulting from this practice the truth is we really don’t know. There’s a gap in our knowledge on the food science side of the whole question. End users and consumers don’t like that. Another thing they’re not crazy about is the Palm Oil industry. Rightly or wrongly it’s associated with massive deforestation of rainforests and clear cutting the habitat of endangered species like orangutan’s, pygmy elephants and Sumatran rhino’s. Plowing that land also releases a lot of greenhouse gases. On top of that there is exploitation of workers and child labour in a number of
countries. We’ve got butter that’s different/worse than it used to be, a food safety question that can’t be answered, By Rolf and a full side helping Penner of environmental and ethical questions. Shrugging shoulders and metaphorically saying, “reasonable”. Anyone who’s “Suck it up buttercup” or been to Europe knows the dragging ones heels isn’t a flavour of butter and cheese great look for something try- is superior on the other side ing to be pure, wholesome, of the Atlantic. Some say the locally produced, etc. experience is “life changMilk is not like other com- ing”. It’s not unlike paying modities or agricultural for a Lamborghini and getproducts in Canada. It is in a ting a Honda Civic. Yes, a very special, privileged and Honda Civic is a great car… highly protected place due to but it’s not a Lamborghini. its supply management staIt doesn’t sound like an tus. It is quite literally a pub- insurmountable or even a lic good. As such it should costly problem given how be held to the very highest the formula for pricing milk standards. works. But they’ve known The public can’t just go about it since at least Octoout and buy something else ber and nothing has changed. without paying a small for- Heck, if you can brag about tune, if they can even get it producing milk without arat all. Quality is reasonable, tificial hormones it can’t be but Canadians are also pay- that hard to do the same for ing a healthy premium for palm oil.
Penner’s Points
Take Note As I write this column, I’m thinking, how are you all doing? On December 20, 2020, I fell hard on the ice near my home. Since then things have changed. Why? Because I was hurt badly (two broken ribs) and I am still not sure what all happened during that fall. It got me thinking about many things as I’ve been stuck close to home due to this injury and the pandemic. That is why I asked how you are doing. As for me I’m on the mend. A couple of things came to my attention as press releases from Ottawa landed in my inbox. The first has to do with a Canada Food Policy committee by the Federal Minister of Agriculture Bibeau. “Marie-Claude Bibeau announced the Canadian Food Policy Advisory Council’s membership, a central component of Canada’s Food Policy.”
“The Canadian Food Policy Advisory Council’s 23 members bring together diverse expertise and perspectives from across the food system, including the agriculture and food sector, health professionals, academics, and non-profit organizations. Members also represent Canada’s geographic and demographic diversity.” In checking out this membership and looking to where the bulk of Canada’s food comes from, it is incredible that only two people on that national food policy advisory board come from Western Canada. My friend Jack Dawes, a colleague, friend and farm broadcaster, sent this note to me. “I just went through the release - no direct connect to prairie agriculture - a Saskatchewan masters student and Larry Macintosh the GM of the Peak of the Market those two out of 23!” So it behooves me to think how ‘looking-down-nose’ this government in Ottawa is
when it comes to controlling the optics of farming and agriculture. Take a note of this statement in that announcement... ‘Everyone at the Table’ is the slogan for the Food Policy for Canada and ‘reflects the need for actors across our food system to work together on solutions to systemic issues.’ The Council will advise the Minister on current and emerging food-related issues that matter to Canadians. This advice should reflect Canada’s food system’s integrated and complex nature and support improved and sustainable health, social, environmental and economic outcomes. The COVID-19 pandemic underscores the importance of a strong and resilient food system in Canada. The Government of Canada should be committed to supporting a healthier and more sustainable food sector and ensuring that all people in Canada can access a sufficient amount of safe, nutritious, and culturally diverse food. But this
must be done with an equitable balance of opinion from across our country. So there you have it. The second press release I reviewed claims 20,000 farmers in support, and I will lay it out for your perusal. The release said, with Canada’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions on the rise – posing a threat to farmers’ livelihoods and endangering Canadians’ food supply – a group of farmers is asking for investment in next month’s federal budget to help reverse the trend. The national farmer-led coalition Farmers for Climate Solutions (FCS) is calling on Ottawa for a $300 million investment to reduce agricultural emissions by 10 million tonnes. This is the central demand of a first-of-its-kind report published by the FCS farmer-led Task Force composed of farmers, agricultural economists, climate scientists and policy experts. This investment would support farmers to jumpstart GHG reductions in agriculture, build resilience to protect
Canadian Agriculture, and help Canada meet its 2030 Paris Agreement target. Here are their key points to the Federal Government … 1. Doing more with less nitrogen by having agronomists and farmers improve nitrogen management through a cost-share program. 2. Increasing cover cropping by supporting farmers to plant cover crops through a per-acre payment program. 3. Normalizing rotational grazing by supporting ranchers to implement rotational grazing through a cost-share program for planning and infrastructure. 4. Protecting wetlands and trees on working farms through a reverse auction pilot program to conserve existing forests and wetlands. 5. Powering farms with clean energy by transitioning onfarm energy beyond diesel through pilot programs. 6. Celebrating climate champions by shining a light on farmers who implement climate-friendly practices through an awards program and awareness campaigns.
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Let’s Pitch Food Waste
Reducing food waste can save us money, support those in need, create new business opportunities, and reduce GHG emissions. Supplied photo
Every year, over half of the food produced in Canada is wasted. Crops are left unharvested in the field. Food spoils during transportation. Reusable by-products are cast aside during processing. Retailers and consumers fall short on selling and eating food before it spoils. According to the experts at Second Harvest, it’s like building 95 CN towers out of wasted food every year. Uneaten food often ends up in landfills and creates methane, a powerful greenhouse gas. A staggering 8% of all greenhouse gases worldwide are the result of food waste. Food waste is a major challenge – and a major opportunity. We’ve all heard the saying, “Reduce, reuse, and recycle.” Well, it turns out those three ‘Rs’ are all key to taking on this mountain of a problem. The team at Enterra Corp. is more than up to the challenge. Enterra runs a large state-of-the-art facility just north of Calgary. Every day, they gather 130 tonnes of surplus fruits, vegetables and other food from local farmers, grocery stores and food processors. They bring the waste back to their facility and feed it to large colonies of black soldier larvae. The larvae are then dried and offered as a nutrient-rich pet food and plant fertilizer in an attractive packaging. Altruism isn’t driving En-
terra’s success; it’s a viable business model to recycle food waste. Our Government recently announced an investment of $6 million to help them expand. We need more Enterras. A lot more. Last November, our Government launched the $20million Food Waste Reduction Challenge, offering cash prizes to innovators with solutions to prevent or divert food waste at any point on the food supply chain, from farm-to-plate. We launched the challenge, not knowing what kind of response we would get. We were thrilled at the response. Already, 343 proposals have poured in from all across the country, from start-ups and entrepreneurs ready to tackle this issue in Canada. A first round of winners will be announced in the coming months and another round of applications will be open in the spring, this time focused on new technologies that extend the life of food or transform food waste into new foods or value-added products. While we’re making good progress on re-using and recycling waste, the biggest challenge remains waste prevention; preventing food waste before it ever happens. And we can all start with a simple solution right in our own homes. Some of us are unsure about is whether to
Marie-Claude Bibeau is Canada’s Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food. eat food after the best-before date. The best-before date indicates to consumers that if the product has been properly handled, the unopened product should be of high quality until the specified date. Bestbefore dates are about food quality and not food safety. Being confined at home during the COVID-19 pandemic has helped us all discover (or rediscover) the joy of cooking. Personally, I enjoy the challenge of cooking a delicious meal using the forgotten ingredients in the back of my fridge. Tackling food waste is a challenge for all of us. It’s a key focus area for the Food Policy for Canada, which our Government launched two years ago. Reducing food waste can save us money, support those in need, create new business opportunities, and reduce GHG emissions. Whether it’s a multi-million dollar business venture or a back-of-fridge stew, let’s keep working on solutions.
Private Members Bill Moves to Debate Stage Larry Maguire, Conservative MP for Brandon-Souris, released the following statement regarding the passing at second reading of his Private Member’s Bill, C-208. Dear Editor: If passed, this legislation will allow for sustainable business and farm succession, secure the retirement savings of business owners and farmers who elect to sell their operation to a family member, and allow farms and local businesses to flourish with fewer unfair taxes. Currently in Canada it is more expensive to sell a small business or farm to a family member than it is to a stranger. This legislation will ensure that farms and businesses can be transferred to the next generation without having to worry about unfair taxes. Operators have to choose between a larger retirement fund by selling to a stranger and a smaller one by selling to a family member, this is not a choice they should have to make. Farms and small businesses from across the country support this bill and I welcome the endorsements from the Canadian Federation of Agriculture, the Grain Growers of Canada, the Canadian Canola Growers Association and the Canadian Federation of Independent Business. Larry Maguire, Conservative MP for Brandon-Souris
February 26, 2021
Agriculture and Conservation Modernized with a One-Stop Shop January each year kicks off with farm shows and farm meetings, including St. Jean Farm Days and Brandon Ag Days. Of course, this year everything is different with “virtual” meetings, colourful brochures and websites. The Ag sector has remained strong despite the pandemic. Grain prices are strong; grain movement unprecedented; and livestock movement and prices have improved. Agriculture is the backbone of our Manitoba economy and this strength will help Manitoba recover from the economic effects of the pandemic. Thank a farmer for the food on your plate. The Department of Agriculture and Resource Development (ARD) is modernizing our service delivery. We have restructured the department to streamline service delivery and provide better coordination between all facets of our natural resources. A one-stop shop for permits and licenses, a climate change division to monitor impacts on our natural resources, and an Indigenous re-
lations division, are some highlights of the changes. Service delivery to our rural clients across Manitoba will be modernized to better reflect both todays and future requirements for technology, research and innovation needs, with an emphasis on timely client service. Food processing, agricultural technology and research and expansion of our mining and forestry industries continue to be of major focus. Our fish and wildlife division will also see changes with Conservation Officers (CO’s) being moved into ARD from the Department of Conservation and Climate. Enforcement of illegal night hunting and surveillance in conservation areas has been stepped up. Moving CO’s into the department will allow for a more coordinated effort between the fish and wildlife division and our CO’s. A big thank you to our CO’s for the enhanced enforcement which can be dangerous work at times. The COVID-19 pandemic continues to affect all aspects of our lives. The Code Red restrictions through November, December and January has been hard on everyone but we can see the positive difference it has made in
View from the Leg
terms of Manitoba’s numbers of cases and deaths compared to other provinces. The impact on mental health is real. Do not hesitate to reach out for help at gov.mb.ca/health/ mh/crisis. A gradual phased in return of services is the goal. In this new environment, many people have taken up outdoor exercise, phoning or face timing loved ones, or being a designated visitor for a friend or family member. Manitobans are resilient and together we will get through this. The Legislative Session resumes on March 3, 2021. There is a very heavy Legislative Agenda for the Spring Session. The ARD Department is busy preparing for the Spring Session and the good work continues in spite of today’s challenges. Stay Safe and Thank You for doing your part in keeping Manitoba the best place to live.
Procrastination Has Its Rewards
My passport has a small nick in the front cover. Normally not an issue but I did have more than one border officer tell me it might cause a problem if I was flying and it was being scanned at an airport. Never one to disrespect a Border Officer I began to see about having it replaced and went to my nearest Service Canada office in January of 2020 to renew my passport. I was very clearly informed that I could not renew a passport with more than 6 months remaining on it. I would have to go through the process as if I was applying for a new passport and that meant the two witnesses and a signatory and well you know. So I decided to work with what I had and continue using the document with the small scuff on the cover. It turns out that my wife
confused with laziness and procrastination has now saved me an entire year on the next document, and quite possibly I may get to the point where I can renew because there will only be 6 months remaining on the said document. It is now a year since I have been to the United States and living within 10 miles of the border my entire life, this may be the first year of my life that this has happened, I would not take bets on it being followed by the second year I have not visited the US. If you are like me when you heard the US Border being closed to non-essential traffic, you thought that could not last long. Personally I though 6 months would be about it, and no I did not down play the seriousness of COVID. Just about a year ago, I was saying this was indeed a serious thing and I had lost an uncle to the Spanish Flu so I had respect for this thing, but I digress. We are approaching the first anniversary of the Border Closure and there is no opening in sight, I would say we are less hopeful or concerned about it than we were 10
months, 9 months, 8 months, 7 months, you get the picture. It is not a point of contention any more, I live 4 miles from the border and I have adjusted my life to it. So I am glad I did not go through all that work and get a passport that I would not have used for 2020 and at least the first half of 2021. The point is that something we took for granted has been removed and we have adjusted. No I am not saying to take off your mask and storm the border after church. I am saying that we adjust, that is why humans are still here and dinosaurs are not. We can adapt. Life has come with some challenges in the last year but we have been able to adapt and we are going to do that again this year. We are heading into a new cropping season and things will be different than they were last year, or the year before that, and they will be different again next year. Humans can adapt and those in the business of agriculture have gotten pretty good at it. Here is to a great new year, and have your passport ready, just in case.
February 26, 2021
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Former MCGA Director Receives 2021 Canola Award of Excellence
Brian Chorney
Submitted photo
The Manitoba Canola Growers Association has presented the Canola Award of Excellence to former MCGA director and farmer Brian Chorney. Chorney has been actively involved within canola organizations and renewable fuel organizations, which has led to the development and growth of canolabased biodiesel demand in Manitoba and Canada. “I was humbled to be recognized with the Canola Award of Excellence. Everything
I was involved with within canola and renewable fuel organizations was a team effort. I thank all my fellow board members and association staff members for their support over the years,” said Chorney. “We may have not done everything right along the way, but I believe we have helped increase the viability of canola production in Canada.” Chorney was a director on the MCGA board for 14 years. He held various executive positions and contributed to several committees including Biodiesel, Research, Canola Performance Trials, Communications and Member Relations. He brought a strong farmer voice to his extended board roles by sitting on the Canadian Canola Growers Association, Canola Council of Canada, Biodiesel Association of Canada and Canadian Renewable Fuels Association boards. Chorney was instrumental in policy development for the biodiesel industry at both the
provincial and national level. “Brian was heavily involved in the development of federal government programs such as the EcoEnergy Program and the EcoABC program, and he was a strong and effective advocate in the establishment of early biodiesel mandates,” said Rick White, President and CEO, Canadian Canola Growers Association. “Brian was an absolute pleasure to work with and brought the influential farmer voice to the table with knowledge, passion and professionalism. His pioneering efforts on the creation of the industry and the benefits to Canadian farmers continues to this day.” The Manitoba Canola Growers would like to thank Chorney for his contributions to the biodiesel industry and the sustained growth and prosperity of Manitoba’s canola industry. For more information about Chorney and the Canola Award of Excellence visit canolagrowers.com.
Hospital Patients and Athletes to Benefit from Protein Blend By Elmer Heinrichs Protein Industries Canada recently announced a $2.2 million co-investment into the development of a novel plant-based protein blend that will be designed to meet the protein needs of hospitalized and outpatient individuals, and highly active athletic consumers. The project is being led by Enhanced Medical Nutrition (EMN) and Infinit Nutrition Canada (INC). They’re targeting consumers where sufficient protein intakes pose a challenge, particularly individuals recovering from surgery, the critically ill and athletes building muscle mass. “There are endless opportunities for plant-based protein products. Demand is growing for these products around the world, and we need to encourage the Canadian innovators so they are the ones who meet that demand. This announcement is just one more solid example of how the Protein Industries supercluster is adding value to our farmers’ crops and keeping the sector at the forefront of innovation,” said Marie-Claude Bibeau, minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food. EMN and INC will create ready-to-mix and modular protein powders that are al-
lergen-free, clean label and ethically sourced and manufactured from Canadian raw materials. The modular powders will be used in healthcare settings where they can be mixed into beverages or soft foods, increasing the protein content of the meal, or flushed through feeding tubes to deliver a dose of protein on top of the prescribed tube feed. The ready-to-mix powders will also be designed for hospital use, as well as for outpatient settings and at-home use. “Increasingly consumers are turning to plant-based diets. The amount of protein they need differs depending on factors such as their lifestyle and health situation,” said Protein Industries Canada CEO Bill Greuel. “This rising demand and difference in needs makes it crucial that plant-based protein options are available in all settings and all forms, from grocery shelves to hospital kitchens, and from readyto-mix powders to mixtures compatible with enteral feeding syringes.” “Making these products easily available helps ensure that all Canadians have access to a healthy, nutritious diet,” said Greuel, noting that they have committed more than $320 million into Canada’s plant-protein sector.
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Local Auctioneers Embrace Changes By Les Kletke Bill Klassen acknowledged that the last year brought significant changes to the auction business and he will be the first to tell you the auctioneers who are in business today are the ones who have embraced changed and accepted technology as it came along. The auction business has come a long way from the days of a local self taught auctioneer standing on a hay rack and dispersing the belongings of a farmer who was retiring. “People still see the auction as a social event,” said Klassen on the part of what was certainly missed after the switch to on-line bidding, “There are guys who miss having a hot dog and coffee with their neighbour, and that was a part of the event.” Klassen said that with the outbreak of COVID-19 last year and the subsequent rules about crowds, he held three auctions where he tried a hybrid method of in-person and on-line bidding. “Then one of the fellows who’s sale was next on our calendar said, we could go to just an on-line sale for him,” said Klassen. “That is what we have been doing.” It has also changed his work load. “You have to do the location and do a good job of picturing the items, or your phone starts ringing,” he said. “People want to see the item and they want to have a good idea of the condition it is in, you have to have good pictures.” Those pictures are posted on his website and the items have a viewing time before bidding closes. “The program written for the bidding is very good and if a bid comes in within a set amount of closing time it is extended by 5 minutes,” he said. “That is very important to use because the quality of internet varies so much across the province some people could not up a bid if that last bid came in near to
Bill Klassen will accept phone bids from bidders not set up for online bidding but he says “eAuctions” is the mainstay of today’s auction industry. Submitted photo
closing time. The program extended the bidding by five minutes.” Klassen had a sale last summer where a tractor was being chased by two bidders and the bidding went on from more than an hour past the assigned closing time. Klassen said that he has found that on-line bidding has actually increased the prices of smaller items. “We find things like sockets sets or wrench sets have gone up in value. The fellow is sitting at home and has the attitude of trying one more bid and that drives the price up.” He said that attitude of trying one more bid also came into play at live sales, but now the sale has more potential buyers and everyone has a good look at the item before bidding. No one is limited to poor sight lines because they are at the back of the crowd. However on-line auctions have not had an impact on the larger items. “We find prices are steady on the big things like tractors or combines,” he said. “But those are things where guys know their limits and the value. They have done their homework and are less likely to go past their limits.” When asked what sales will look like this year, he thinks it will be the same as last year. “We have people signed up for sales and we have bidders registering for on-line sales every day,” he said. “The on-line sales are going to be the way things are conducted this summer.” He credits the Global Auction Guide with helping auctioneers make the adjustment. “We had some members of the Manitoba Auctioneer Association who were not on the leading edge of on-line bidding but have been able to move into it with the help of the Global Auction Guide and the service has been really good in getting auctioneers on the system even the smaller businesses who may not do that many sales a year. It allows them into the game.” He also does not think live auctions will disappear either. “No, it won’t,” he said. “People still like to hear the chant and it will remain a part of the business, there will still be live auctions but the on line bidding is a part of the business now and it will stay.” He cites an example of how the service has helped his clients. “We had a sale in the Rosenfeld area in early February and it was for a wood worker and we sold an entire load of live edge lumber to a buyer in Calgary,” said Klas-
sen, “We would not have had that buyer at a live auction in Rosenfeld, but he was on line and bought an entire truck load, that is the way the business is going.” He does have some clients who are waiting for the opportunity for have a live auction. “There are some older fellows who are waiting, they want that sale that brings closure; they want the real event on their yard, and that is fine. We will accommodate them too,” said Klassen.
February 26, 2021
February 26, 2021
The AgriPost
The AgriPost
February 26, 2021
Pederson Needs to Get Moving on Agristability By Harry Siemens A news release from the Manitoba NDP opposition party charges the Manitoba PC government of ignoring farming families’ voices and putting producers’ livelihoods at risk by refusing to work with the Federal government. The NDP said the PC Government is leaving millions of federal dollars earmarked for farming families on the Table Treaty. The NDP release said the Department of Agriculture identified the same problems with the AgriStability program that the Federal changes would address. A government advisory note, said fewer producers apply for Manitoba’s AgriStability program because of provincial roadblocks, low benefit payments, and producers’ uncertainty. “The last few years challenged farming families in Manitoba,” said Manitoba NDP Leader Wab Kinew. “But instead of giving producers the supports, they need to pay the bills the PC government refuses to sign
on to common-sense changes that make life easier for farming families. It’s time for the PC government to listens to producers and collaborate with the Federal government to keep our agricultural economy strong.” The Federal government has proposed changes that would improve the program by boosting farmers’ coverage and eliminating the Reference Margin limit. Manitoba producers are overwhelmingly in favour of these changes, yet the PC government has refused to sign onto the new plan. In contacting the Manitoba Ag Minister Blaine Pederson for an interview and the opportunity to respond to these charges, his press secretary Caitlin MacGregor responded with a written statement. Ag Minister Pederson said supporting Manitoba’s agricultural sector’s growth and resiliency is a priority for the Department of Agriculture and Resource Development and Manitoba’s Government. Manitoba is considering the AgriStability program changes that the federal gov-
ernment is proposing. “We continue to be in regular communication with our prairie partners doing our due diligence to ensure any changes create real and longlasting improvements to the Business Risk Management programs that work for our producers.” NDP Leader Wab Kinew said it’s time for the province to make a decision. Manitoba farmers depend on them. Manitoba Beef Producers past president Tom Teichroeb, a cow-calf producer near Langruth, sits on a national review committee that looks at all federal business risk management programs for cattle producers. “I am not sure why the Manitoba government is not more forthcoming about the proposed changes and what they don’t like. They better get on board because it is important.” AgriStability has some issues and this national committee identified problems as it pertains to cattle producers that are ineffective. One is what they call the refer-
FCC Announces Funding for 4-H Clubs
4-H Canada is pleased to announce that the Farm Credit Canada (FCC) 4-H Club Fund will provide $100,000 to 203 4-H clubs across Canada in 2021, to support local activities. In Manitoba, 17 4-H clubs, districts, and regions received a combined total of $8,500. A strong supporter of 4-H in Canada for over 25 years, FCC supports 4-H club initiatives each year by awarding up to $500 per club toward developing existing programs, covering costs associated with local events and exchanges, supporting volunteers, or purchasing resource materials. “By providing opportunities for young people to learn and grow, 4-H clubs across the country are preparing the next generation for success,” said Todd Klink, executive vice-president and chief marketing officer at FCC. “FCC is proud to support these initiatives and the 4-H clubs that are
helping develop our future leaders.” The Club Fund is part of FCC’s commitment of $250,000 to 4-H Canada. In addition to supporting local 4-H club activities through the FCC 4-H Club Fund, this contribution supports national and provincial 4-H initiatives. “For over a quarter of a century, FCC has been a committed partner, helping 4H Canada empower young leaders at the grassroots level in communities across the country,” said 4-H Canada CEO, Shannon Benner. “The FCC 4-H Club Fund helps build capacity for 4-H clubs and leaders to create programming that focuses on delivering world-class positive youth development in order to engage responsible, caring, and contributing youth leaders who effect positive change within their communities and in the world around them.” The next application period for the FCC 4-H Club Fund opens in August 2021.
The FCC 4-H Club Fund supported 4-H Clubs throughout Manitoba.
ence margin limit. That is the Achilles heel for that program as to why it’s not working through the beef industry. There were two specific suggestions sent to the national review committee. One was to remove the reference margin limit from the AgriStability program. The other was to raise the trigger limit to earlier, when a producer was 85 per cent of his margin or below, the program to receive a payout. The Federal government moved that down to 70 per cent. In addition, the committee asked to increase the amount to meet future challenges and fluctuations with inflation and price increases. Teichroeb said that if the Federal government addresses all of these changes the Manitoba government better jump on it. Those are essential suggestions, and that will make that program work. “So Mr. Pederson better get his ducks in a row and get that going,” said Teichroeb.
Read the AgriPost Online at www.agripost.ca
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February 26, 2021
The AgriPost
The AgriPost
Managing Cattle Outdoors in Record Cold Temperatures
Tom Teichroeb says that cattle are incredibly durable animals, and if healthy, a good hair coat, well-fed and some good back fat, they will be okay. Submitted photos
By Harry Siemens Farmers and ranchers across a large swathe of the US anxiously awaited a warm-up after temperatures plummeted to record lows, and whole states many much more accustomed to moderate winter weather at worst were covered in ice and snow. The Louisiana Farm Bureau News said Louisiana ranchers scrambled to keep livestock alive during the historic winter storm with the frigid conditions already killing some cattle and chickens. One rancher lost more than 30 newborn calves due to the freezing temperatures since the previous Sunday at the time of this writing. One day he lost 16 calves and saved one roughly estimating over the past few days losing about 94 per cent of the calves. Closer to home in the cattle and ranching country of Manitoba, the Interlake, rancher cow-calf producer Tom Teichroeb had some advice for other ranchers in his area which is near Langruth. The most important preparation for that extreme cold is obviously to have
good quality and adequate feed. Cattle are incredibly durable animals, and if healthy, a good hair coat, well-fed and some good back fat, they will be okay he said. The only thing that changes on a cold day for him is providing an excellent shelter to protect themselves from the elements. Secondly, their feed intake because once the temperature drops below -20 Celsius, every 10 degrees requires significantly more feed. “By the time we get down to minus 40, basically I feed them everything they can eat. The feed bill goes up a little, but they do need it. And that’s how I manage through those record cold days.” It’s both natural shelter and manmade windbreaks that he uses. The cows are two miles away from home surrounded by huge treed areas. He’s able to navigate in and around those areas, depending on the direction of the wind, feeds cattle on edge or even inside the bush with a windbreak. With the animals at home, he built windbreaks and fences, put down some bedding and feeds them
right there. That’s what he does with the animals with no natural shelter. “It’s essential to bed them heavily and make sure that the feed ration has lots of energy volume.” The ration for backgrounding calves is based on a specific ration to get a particular amount of gain in those calves, about 2.5 to 2.8 per pounds per day. When it gets to those kinds of temperatures, it is hard to achieve that. “Through a cold week like that, you want to make sure that you maintain and maybe gain a little, but you certainly will not gain your target. It’s just too cold for that.” For those animals, almost everything they eat goes into maintaining their body heat and keeping warm. His goal is to increase the volume, intake, and amount that those animals will eat. “With the cows, I’ll increase the volume and add energy in different ways. Either I go to second cut alfalfa, which has more energy, more protein necessary, or I would include in their silage, a little bit of grain corn, grain, or distillers dried grain to boost that energy,” said Teichroeb.
Tom’s cattle are surrounded by huge treed areas. He’s able to navigate in and around those areas, depending on the direction of the wind, feeds cattle on edge or even inside the bush with a windbreak. With the animals at home, he built windbreaks and fences, put down some bedding and feeds them right there. That’s what he does with the animals with no natural shelter.
February 26, 2021
Sit Tight but Be Ready for the Right Price By Les Kletke “Sit tight” is the advice that David Drozd has for his clients when asked about current grain prices available for the 2021 crop. Drozd who is a principle of AgChieve offering farmers marketing advice said his position as an analyst is tempered by the time of year. “This is the time of year when we typically see a pull back in the market as the South American crop comes off,” said Drozd. “As a technical analyst I have to say that we could see things go higher if this is indeed the pull back.” He noted that there are two factors driving the market higher in oil seeds. “We see the price going up to bid for existing crop,” he said. “We also see the price going up as farmers are making planting decisions and the market is trying to influence them to plant more of the crop.” He said a recent report from Ag Canada placed the carry out of canola at 700,000 tonnes which was
David Drozd of AgChieve advises producers to sit tight on marketSubmitted photo ing plans.
done from 1.2 million the previous month. The same report said the carry out for the next crop year will be in the same neighbourhood how based on current planting intentions. Drozd does not expect windfall profits for years to come but rather suggests his clients be ready to sell some crop. “We can wait and see where a spring rally will go but we should also be ready to sell some crop and cover some costs for the crop that is going in the ground,” he said. The third week in February has some cash prices for old crop as high a $25 a bushel. “We get price quotes from companies that are filling trucks at that price,” he said. “I cannot remember flax being that high. Canola has
reached highs as well and has broken through the levels reached in 2008.” He said that prices are chasing a limited amount of canola particularly because of the amount still on farms. “Fellows sold aggressively in the rally of October and November so there is not a lot of canola around, but this is not the time to regret selling for a profit in October,” said Drozd. “That was the right thing to do at those price levels and now we are at another level.” As a technical analyst part of him says, “Sit tight and see where this will go, but at the same time be ready.”
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February 26, 2021
The AgriPost
The AgriPost
February 26, 2021
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CJ Katz Compiles Cookbook to Help Children’s Hospital By Joan Airey CJ Katz is host of The Wheatland Café that airs from Regina, Saskatchewan. Last Wednesday afternoon my phone rang and it’s CJ touching base. As you know we all get busy and lose touch with our contacting people. Covid19 seems to be helping us touch base with friends and reconnect with extended family. During the conversation CJ mentioned her cookbook and I’m glad she did. It’s full of down to earth recipes and is great reading. Truthfully, it’s two cookbooks and great reading in one book. Canada Post outdid itself. We had talked Wednesday afternoon and I had the book on Friday morning and have been trying the recipes ever since. “The cookbook was an evolution really as I had no plan to write one at all. But you know, at the beginning of the pandemic, even before the lockdown, I saw so many people at home struggling to put a meal on the table for their families,” said Katz. “For some peo-
ple, they got thrown into the kitchen and only had a small repertoire of dishes. I thought I could help so I started to post a recipe every day on my Facebook page. Then lock-down hit and I just kept going. In fact, I’m still posting a recipe every day.” “What was really neat was the community interest these recipes generated all the comments, questions, and people making the recipes. It was that community who got me thinking about a cookbook that would really show how recipes and cooking for the family was really bring people together despite all social distancing,” recalled Katz. “I made a call out for recipes and got swamped with submissions from people all over Canada.” Katz also asked everyone to send along a story of what life was like for them. “They were incredible; such stories of perseverance,” said Katz. “It’s stories plus the recipes from my kitchen and those sixty plus other contributors that really make the book something meaningful from the
Gaylene’s Mincemeat Muffins: 4 eggs 2 cups sugar 1 1/2 cups Mazola oil (I used canola oil) 4 cups milk 2 cups All-Bran (twigs) 4 cups all-purpose flour 4 teaspoons baking soda 4 teaspoons baking powder 2 teaspoons salt 750 ml jar mincemeat 375 grams package raisins Preheat oven to 190.56 °C (375 °F). Beat together the eggs, sugar, and oil. Add to All-Bran mixture. In a bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Add the All-Bran mixture. Then add in the mincemeat and raisins. Mix well. Let stand in the fridge until needed. Keeps for up to 6 weeks. Scoop into greased muffin tins and bake for 23 minutes. Enjoy.
Looking for down to earth recipes made with local ingredients? Check out the “One Loaf at a Time” and “One Bowl at a Time” cookbooks Submitted photo by CJ Katz, pictured with the Saskatoon Berry tart.
pandemic. It’s turned into a time capsule.” With CJ’s permission I’m sharing a couple of recipes below that caught my eye immediately. The book features a salad called “Clean Out
The Fridge Mixed Bean Salad” that I plan to try later today which made me chuckle because I have a couple of soup recipes that I call Clean Out The Fridge Cream Soup and a veggie one.
There is a Wealth of Gardening Information Available By Joan Airey Christmas always brings some new books to my personal library from fiction to educational. This year my family ordered me “Growing Under Cover” by Niki Jabbour since it was released on December 24. I was quite happy when I received it in January. If you are interested in extending your growing season the book is full of ideas on how you can. Some ideas are for a milder climate than we have here in Manitoba but there are lots of ideas to extend our season. I save milk jugs to fill with rain water and put them in my greenhouse to hold the heat but Jabbour suggests using them to cover some of your bedding plants. If you are planning to try companion planting this year, Canada’s Local Gardener magazine has an excellent list of what grows good with
“Growing Under Cover” by Niki Jabbour and Canada’s Local Gardener magazine.
which plants. It’s the most uncomplicated list I’ve seen and plan to take it with me to the garden this spring. Plus there is an article on what to grow close to your kitchen. The last couple of years I’ve grown some pots of salad makings on my patio which I find handy when in a hurry. The magazine is available on line so you could
take it to the garden on your iPad. West Coasts Seeds sent me a copy of their catalogue which arrived on one of our coldest days so I was ready to read it immediately. They say that Skookum spinach is one of the easiest spinaches to grow indoors. It’s slow growing and bolt resistant leaves are dark green.
Oatmeal Raisin Cookies: 1 cup unsalted butter 1 cup packed dark brown sugar 1 Tablespoon molasses 1/3 cup granulated sugar 2 large eggs 1 Tablespoon pure vanilla extract 1 1/2 cups all purpose flour 1 teaspoon soda 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon salt 3 cups quick oats (not instant) 1 cup dark raisins or chocolate chips Cream the butter with the brown sugar, molasses, and granulated sugar for 2 minutes. Add eggs one at a time, mixing for 15 seconds after each addition. Add vanilla and mix well. In a medium bowl whisk together the flour, soda, cinnamon, salt; add to butter mixture and mix until just combined. Using a wooden spoon, stir in the oats and raisins. Chill dough for 1 hour. Preheat oven to 190.56 °C (375 °F). Line cooking sheets with parchment paper. Roll dough into balls about 1 3/4 inch in diameter. Bake for about 14 minutes. Centres will be slightly unbaked. Let cookies cool 10 minutes on the cookie sheets before removing to a cooling rack.
Photos by Joan Airey
I think I’ve spent my wad on seeds and gardening aids for now but plan to order some in the fall to plant. Teri from Brown Sugar Produce shared the fact with friends, that she starts her Spanish onions in plug trays so I’ve ordered four trays to start mine. Last year I ran out of multiplier onions before growing season was over so
The green beans I planted under lights are starting to produce.
I ordered extra this year and will keep some in the cold room to plant later. The green beans I planted under lights are starting to produce. The pepper plants that I started from seed from a pepper I purchased at the
supermarket have peppers but are really slow and maybe are a hybrid and aren’t growing true to seed. This weekend I will start some Chesapeake peppers that I know produce great in large pots.
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February 26, 2021
The AgriPost
The AgriPost
February 26, 2021
Some Food Contamination No Longer Alone Starts in the Soil When most people hear “food contamination,” they think of bacteria present on unwashed fruits or vegetables, or undercooked meat. However, there are other ways for harmful contaminants to be present in food products. Angelia Seyfferth, is a member of the Soil Science Society of America and an associate professor at the University of Delaware. She investigates food contamination coming from the soil where the plants grow. “It all comes down to the chemistry of the soil,” explained Seyfferth. Most recently, Seyfferth has been studying rice. The elements arsenic and cadmium can be present in the paddies where rice is grown. “Contaminants being taken up by crop plants is a route of dietary exposure to contaminants that is understudied,” Seyfferth said. “We can help decrease human exposure to toxins by applying our knowledge of soil chemistry.” Small amounts of arsenic and cadmium are present all over the globe and can be detected in many food products. It’s the concentration in the vegetable or fruit, the chemical form of the element, and how much of it someone eats that determines if an individual experiences a negative health effect. High concentrations of arsenic and cadmium are harmful to the body. Consuming low doses over a long period of time can even cause cancer. Elements like arsenic and cadmium can be in different chemical forms depending on their environment. Contaminants are taken up by plants when their chemical form in the soil resembles a nutrient the plant needs. “How food is grown affects not only the concentration of contaminants, but also where the contam-
Rice Investigation, Communication and Education (RICE) Facility at the University of Delaware where the Seyfferth Lab conducts rice experiments in outdoor rice paddies. Photo by Matt Limmer
inants are stored within the food,” said Seyfferth. “If we understand the chemical forms of contaminants in soil, we can design solutions to decrease plant uptake of them.” In rice, arsenic and cadmium uptake results from opposite conditions. Arsenic can be taken up when the field is flooded. Cadmium is more likely to be taken up when the field is not flooded. Seyfferth’s work has searched for a way to prevent plants from taking up arsenic and cadmium from the soil. This is often done by adding materials to the soil, called amendments. An amendment helps change the soil environment. By changing the soil environment, researchers can help control the chemical forms and plant uptake of contaminants in the soil. In this case, Seyfferth found that adding rice husk residue to rice paddy soils can help lower the amount of arsenic and cadmium taken up by the plants. Rice husk residue is plant material left over after
processing rice for human consumption. This solution is simple yet effective. Rice husk residue is high in the element silicon, which is an important nutrient for rice. The chemical form of silicon is similar to the form of arsenic taken up by rice plants when fields are flooded. This similarity helps ‘distract’ the plant, which prevents it from taking up as much arsenic. In soils where cadmium is a problem, rice husk residue helps make the soil less acidic. This helps to lock up cadmium in the soil. The silicon in the husk may also help decrease the toxicity of cadmium. “Not all sources of silicon behave the same way though,” said Seyfferth. “In order for it to be effective, the silicon source must provide silicon in a high enough concentration during the time the rice plant is filling grain. Rice husk residue is a successful source because it breaks down slowly and releases silicon throughout the growing season.” High arsenic can decrease
grain yield, but Seyfferth’s work shows that adding rice husk residues can help prevent yield loss. Half of the world depends on rice as a staple food, so this research has exciting potential for positive impact. In the past, Seyfferth has studied similar contamination issues in mushrooms. For most American adults, the amount of arsenic and cadmium they consume from rice and mushrooms is not enough to cause concern. But there are other populations that eat these products more frequently and from an early age. “People need to be aware of their daily load of contaminants, which depends on their body weight, the concentration and chemical form of the contaminant in the food, and the amount consumed,” Seyfferth explained. “The daily load is highest for people who consume rice multiple times a day and who may also have arsenic in their drinking water. Some examples include populations in South and Southeast Asia.”
Crop Exports Moving Briskly By Elmer Heinrichs Canadian grain companies continue to do brisk business moving grains and oilseeds out of the country, with movement of canola, wheat, barley and many other crops running well ahead of the year-ago pace.
Crop-year-to-date exports of Canada’s major grains and oilseeds as of January 17 came in at 26.4 million tonnes, according to Canadian Grain Commission (CGC) data. That’s up by roughly 35 per cent from the same time the previous year.
Of that total, canola exports of 5.8 million tonnes during the first 24 weeks of the 2020-21 marketing year were up by 1.6 million tonnes from what moved by the same time in 2019-20. Wheat and barley exports are also running well ahead of average, with 9.2 mil-
lion tonnes of wheat and 1.8 million tonnes of barley exported to date. That compares with 7.1 million and 1.1 million tonnes respectively the previous year to date. Peas, oats, corn, and flax seed exports are also up on the year.
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Have you ever felt alone in the world? I recently had a conversation with a co-worker that shook my perspective and made me realize that I am no longer alone. While this may make you want to burst out in song and unleash your inner Barbara Streisand, let me explain. Becoming a licensed insurance broker requires dedication to get through the grind of a series of exams before we are licensed to assist customers. Once a new insurance broker is licensed and starts working with the public, I would say their education starts all over again. While there is good technical information, that we learn while completing training, on the history, details and coverage within the insurance industry, the next step in success is translating that information to our clients who come with questions, concerns and at times, frustrations with their insurance coverage. I say this to point out the obvious fact that there are some things they just don’t teach you in school. One of the unwritten things I believe we are simply expected to learn on our own are the perils of being an insurance broker. It may start innocently enough with a paper cut, or an office injury while tripping on our own feet. Enter in one of the scariest questions we are asked as insurance brokers, “Can you please stop by this yard, home, business, office, etc. and take a few photos for their insurance company?” While this seems like a very innocent request, I will now chuckle every time I hear a new staff member getting asked to take a few photos, as I know what is about to transpire. I have been in the insurance business for eleven and a half years and there is seldom a time when taking a quick photo or two doesn’t turn into a much more entertaining story. It starts with the homeowner charging out of their house asking what you are doing with a camera on their front lawn (even when you called five minutes before to get permission). It then progresses to getting chased around a farmyard by an ambitious chicken named Roger whose only goal for the day is to prove who the real chicken is. It then elevates to the level where you have to pause photo-taking to allow an employee working in the facility to remove a brad nail from their finger. While I had heard stories from a retired colleague of getting chased by a broom wielding client who did not appreciate the requirement of photos while out hanging laundry on the line, I questioned the validity of this story and thought it was likely too much of a stretch to actually be true. However, it wasn’t until last week when I finally realized that these stories are true, and I am no longer alone in my world of fear of taking photos. Last week we had the opportunity to ask one of our new team members to stop by a few sites to obtain photos for the insurance company. He came back to the office a day later still slightly terrified with a series of photos, and a treasure chest of stories. Welcome to one of the scariest perils of being an insurance broker, if he can survive photo-taking, he is going to do very well in this business. Is there something to learn from these light-hearted examples of the daily grind of being an insurance broker? The insurance industry is in a challenging place right now and more than ever, we are being asked to provide information to insurers. When insurance companies are working to improve profitability, one of the solutions they implement is increased scrutiny and accountability for their underwriters. This is causing underwriters to want to fill in every detail and leave no stone unturned when looking to complete their work. And you guessed it, one very common requirement we are being asked for is to provide updated photos. Stay tuned for more stories as they unfold. Is insurance simple? Do you have questions? Work with someone who will explain the differences and options to you to make the best decisions for your operation. Rempel Insurance Brokers Ltd. is open for business and glad to assist you with your insurance needs. David Schmidt is an Account Executive at Rempel Insurance Brokers in Morris, MB, specializing in insuring farms and businesses across Manitoba and Saskatchewan. Call or text 204-746-2320, email davids@rempelinsurance.com or visit rempelinsurance.com.
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February 26, 2021
The AgriPost
The AgriPost
Kirkella Community Pasture Ready to Shine as Nature-Based Jewel
The Kirkella Community Pasture project erected fencing to benefit the pasture health for cattle grazing and biodiversity, and installed three dugouts for better water quality and access for cattle. Photo by Kreesta Doucette
The 3,280 acre Kirkella Community Pasture is ready to shine brightly as a naturebased jewel following a series of pasture-enhancement actions including a major scrubbing of woody pasture species that can be the bane of healthy, productive pastures and drought relief via three major dugout installations through funding provided by The Conservation Trust, a Manitoba Climate and Green Plan Initiative delivered by the Manitoba Habitat Heritage Corporation. Sitting prominently near the Manitoba-Saskatchewan border just north of the TransCanada Highway, the Kirkella Community Pasture project was one of the first announced by the Conservation Trust in 2018. The project was led by the Rural Municipality of Wallace-Woodworth and Manitoba Forage and Grasslands Association (MFGA), who partnered to match the generous project funding with in-kind work necessary to make the $200,000 project a reality.
Wildflowers in pasture
“The Kirkella Community Pasture is a municipallyowned tract of land that has been managed for decades and includes grassland, wetland and woodland habitats,” said Garth Mitchell, WallaceWoodworth’s Chief Administrative Officer. “Thanks to The Conservation Trust, we saw a great opportunity to undertake improvements to the pasture for the purpose of enhancing grazing opportunities as well as the environmental benefits that result from more effective grazing and landscape management practices. We feel very positive about the end results.” The Kirkella Community Pasture project erected fencing to benefit the pasture health for cattle grazing and biodiversity, and installed three dugouts for better water quality and access for cattle. A major undertaking of the project was an extensive mowing program to control woody species which will result in improved grassland utilization for grazing for many years in to the future. MFGA had also provided the project with a pasture review report by experts in rangeland health and from the local Assiniboine West Watershed District who walked the pasture and suggested actions and recommendations around pasture enhancements. According to Alistair Hagan, Kirkella Community Pasture manager, the project was discussed at length within the Kirkella Pasture Patrons committee before settling on
the course of action. “We wanted to improve the environmental benefits to the habitat within this unique property surrounded largely by grain land and also improve our grazing management to provide better results for our patrons,” said Hagan. “In short, we were looking for the best and longest lasting pasture benefits that would also be preparing for future possible drought cycles with the hopes of holding our current grazing numbers. Grazing land is constantly harder to find in our area and we are trying to do the best job we can to create the best financial returns for our cattle owners.” Hagan said the focus on water management of the pasture was the key driver behind three strategically-placed dugouts, each with more than one million gallon capacity. “This was the first and most important step to better managing the grass,” said Hagan. “The dugouts are extremely low maintenance, low risk water sources that also provide great water sources for the local wildlife. Once the dugouts were established and full it allowed us to build additional cross fences to better graze and rest the native prairie.” He said the dugouts were followed up with the massive mowing process to set back the shrubbery and open up large amounts of previously non grazed acres. The addition of dugouts and the new cross fences coupled with the
ability to rotate the steers all in one large mob will help hold the regrowth of shrubs by creating new grazing pressure in these before unused acres. “This whole project we feel will not only help the local habitat but also our cattle owners as well,” said Hagan. “This is the balance we all walk together with an improved local environment and better financial returns to the Ag industry.” From MFGA’s project perspective, that is exactly the harmony and balance that Larry Wegner, MFGA chair, wants to hear. “These kinds of projects are a strong fit with MFGA’s mission and vision and we are grateful to the Conservation Trust and the Government of Manitoba for developing a project funding mechanism that gives groups like MFGA the opportunity to work on, partner with other groups and enhance our natural areas, especially grasslands and pastures that producers and ranchers steward every single day via livestock and grazing rotations,” said Wegner, who also farms near the Virdenarea. “With the expertise of our producer-led board, we are able to identify and align with the business aspects around the pasture decisions. We know the Kirkella Community Pasture enhancements will be great for conservation and we also fully understand the economic side of the enhancements will be valued and necessary too.”
February 26, 2021
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Sustainability of Canadian Agriculture Conference From March 1 to 3 a virtual conference will feature workshops and panel discussions with producers, researchers, and industry specialists representing both crop and livestock sectors. The three day event will provide opportunities to explore novel ideas and concepts, including an exciting session with graduate students who will share their research through short videos. The aim is to bring together researchers, students, producers, government, commodity organizations and industry representatives from across Canada to share ideas and experiences about how to improve agricultural sustainability in Canada. Workshops include hands on training with the Holos v.4 software, how livestock can be used to improve soil health, crop metrics training with an online mapping application for monitoring in-season crop progress, evidence of climate change and how are we responding, and carbon production, trading and neutrality for producers. Current graduate students in agriculture were invited to take part in a 3-minute video competition. The winners of the competition will be announced at the end of the conference and receive a cash prize. In addition conference attendees will vote on the recipient of the People’s Choice prize. For more information visit umanitoba.ca/agriculturalfood-sciences/sustainability-canadian-agriculture-2021 for the full program and for the free registration to this virtual conference. This event is co-hosted by the University of Manitoba’s National Centre for Livestock and the Environment and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.
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February 26, 2021
Canola Meal Makes Milk and Saves Money in the Dairy Barn
I use a lot of soybean meal in several of my own lactating feeding programs for high-milk producing dairy cows. However, in recent months, the skyrocketing price of soybeans has caused me to reconsider. As a result, I have replaced a significant portion of soybean meal with canola meal, yet have retained the economics and production in a number of dairies. Aside from price, I am able to formulate canola meal and/or soybean meal, almost interchangeably in my lactating dairy diets – both, as primary sources of crude protein (CP) and somewhat secondary source of rumen undegradable or ‘bypass’ protein’ (RUP). That’s because canola meal has a protein content of about 41% and a bypass protein of 30 -35% (UIP%, CP), which in turn has a 75% degradability in the lower gut. These nutrient specs are comparable to soybean meal; with a consistent protein content of 51%, a by-
pass protein level of 35.0% (UIP%, CP), which is near all digested (94%) in the lower-gut. Finally, both of ingredients have a measured dietary energy (Nel) value of 1.80 – 1.90 Mcal/kg, which is slightly less than corn and cereal grains. Some researchers and fellow-nutritionists might take exception to these nutrient values, since many of them believe canola meal is a much better choice over soybean meal in lactating dairy diets. For example, they often argue that it is no longer valid that soluble protein in most feedstuffs like canola meal is equated to rumen degradable protein, but a portion of soluble protein, actually adds to the value of their bypass protein. As a result, canola meal should have higher RUP value of 44%, which is higher than soybean meal’s RUP. Furthermore, these people say that older formulating models compute the indigestible lignin of canola meal in error, which also underesti-
mates canola meal’s dietary energy value as mentioned above. As good supporting evidence, the University of Saskatchewan (2017) reported a literature review of 49 studies in which canola meal replaced a group of commonly used protein sources and soybean meal in lactating dairy diets at up to 20% (dm, basis). As a result, cows fed canola meal as dietary protein replacement (crude protein and bypass) had increased milk production – 0.7 kg per day (soybean meal) and 1.4 kg (other protein sources). In the some of these trials, where soybean meal was replaced with canola meal, MUN levels were lower and overall feed efficiency of the dairy diet improved. In addition, South Dakota University (2009) formulated canola meal as a total and a partial protein substitute of corn dried distiller’s grains with soluble (DDGS – 30% crude protein, 62% bypass protein) in a common diet
for 12 early/multi lactation dairy cows. The respective treatments were 100, 66, 33, and 0% replacement protein, which resulted in milk production and its components to be similar for all such treatments. The researchers concluded that canola meal was a suitable replacement for DDGS in most lactation dairy diets. Such evidence might even convince me that canola is a more nutritious protein source than soybean meal or DDGS for good milk production. However, its wider acceptance by dairy farmers is likely based upon its economic advantage compared to these protein feed ingredients to make milk. Consequently, I often calculate the cost of canola meal protein as well as its bypass protein (RUP) and compare them with those of soybean meal and DDGS: - Canola ml protein (36% CP, as fed) = $ 465 mt/.36 = $1,292/mt vs Soybean ml (47% CP, as fed) = $690/.47 = $1,468/mt.
- Canola ml RUP (35% of CP, as fed) = $465 mt/.36/.35 = $3,690/mt vs Soybean ml RUP (35% of CP, as fed) = $690/.47/.35 = $4,194/mt. - Canola ml protein (36% CP, as fed) = $ 465 mt/.36 = $1,292 mt vs DDGS (28% CP, as fed) = $410/.28 = $1,464/mt. - Canola ml RUP (35% of CP, as fed) = $465 mt/.36/.35 = $3,690 mt vs DDGS RUP (60% of CP, as fed) = $410/.28/.60 = $2,440/mt. These are straightforward feed costs to review when formulating canola meal as
Peter in a canola field
a nutritious, yet economical feed ingredient in lactating dairy diets. In a recent dairy feeding program that I was revising; I substituted 1 kg of soybean meal ($0.69) for 1.2 kg of canola meal ($0.49) in the lactating dairy diet and saved about $0.20 per lactating cow per day. For this 200-milking cow dairy, this little change saved the dairy producer about $1,200 per month.
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Province Not Prepared for Animal Disease Emergency The Province is working to prevent and prepare for animal diseases, but further work needs to be done, says Auditor General Tyson Shtykalo. This finding is contained in a new report, Animal Disease Preparedness, released recently. The audit assessed whether the Department of Agriculture and Resource Development is prepared for an animal disease emergency. The audit found the province has taken steps to prevent animal disease emergencies, but preparation efforts have been inadequate. “Even with rigorous prevention activities, some animal disease will still occur,” Shtykalo said. “As a result, it’s important that appropriate preparation is done to minimize the impact of diseases when they occur. We found the Department has not taken sufficient steps to prepare for an animal dis-
ease emergency.” An animal disease emergency could have significant consequences for the economy and potentially threaten the health of Manitobans. Manitoba’s agriculture sector is a major economic driver, responsible for 9% of the provincial GDP in 2019. That year, farm cash receipts were valued at $6.6 billion, with $2.4 billion of that coming from livestock. “If an animal disease were to disrupt the agriculture industry, there could be significant consequences, including widespread consumer alarm and the culling of livestock,” Shtykalo said. The audit found the Department identified animal diseases, both known and emerging that are of higher risk for Manitoba, but it did not have any documented rationale for prioritizing these diseases. The audit also found response plans
were not in place for most of these diseases of interest. As a result, the Department had not determined what equipment, supplies, and personnel would be needed to respond to an emergency. “Each specific disease carries its own set of risks and circumstances,” Shtykalo said. “Along with a more generic response plan for responding to any animal disease emergency, we expected the Department would have a response plan for each of the diseases of interest.” The audit also found Manitoba has a livestock traceability system in place to track the movement and location of animals, but improvements are needed. For example, the report states some of the systems are not fully integrated with each other, which means staff must input information manually. This could result
in delays in sharing critical information during an animal disease emergency. In addition, findings show that while legislation authorizing prevention activities exists, many needed regulations have not been developed. “Regulations are necessary as they provide specifics on how to apply legislation to avoid misinterpretation or misuse of power,” Shtykalo said. The report noted that there was limited consideration to recovery from an animal disease emergency. Recovery efforts could be needed for the people involved with the animals including producers, veterinarians, and department staff, and could include financial assistance, mental health supports, and job retraining. The report contains 13 recommendations. To view the report, please visit oag. mb.ca/reports.
KAP Looks at Issues to Improve the Agriculture Industry Farmer delegates from across Manitoba met virtually recently at the Keystone Agricultural Producers (KAP) annual meeting, which ended with the passing of 15 resolutions reflecting their concerns. Delegates called on KAP to address a wide range of issues, including unsafe roads and poor road conditions, carbon pricing, agricultural literacy and awareness, and provincial drainage capacity. “KAP’s grassroots democratic structure ensures that we represent the concerns of farmers,” said KAP president Bill Campbell. “This meeting is an opportunity for farmers to bring forward their recommendations, guiding KAP lobby and advocacy efforts for years to come.” A few of the resolutions included the development of programming under the Canadian Agricultural Partnership that will assist farmers in covering costs
related to childcare; and a request that the provincial government review funding and licensing requirements for childcare spaces in rural Manitoba considering the inconsistent and irregular hours required for agricultural producers and employees in the agriculture industry; a review the capacity of provincial drains to ensure that provincial drains meet the expectations of farmers; making Canadian Agricultural Literacy Month a curriculum requirement for all elementary schools in Manitoba and increasing the funding for Ag in the Classroom. At the Federal Government level it was decided that the requests will be made to review the Greenhouse Gas Pollution Pricing Act to see if the goal of reducing carbon emissions is being achieved in agriculture, ask how carbon pricing revenue is being used in the agriculture sector; requesting mandatory
reporting of import and export sales of all agricultural commodities, to be made available on a weekly basis; and removing the escalator tax on alcohol in Canada. Guests at the meeting included Agriculture and Resource Development Minister Blaine Pedersen; Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau; Special Representative for the Prairies Jim Carr; Leader of the Manitoba NDP Wab Kinew; and Manitoba NDP Agriculture Critic Diljeet Brar. Delegates and observers participated in interactive workshops led by industry experts. Highlights included a presentation from Jennifer Marchand of Cargill on the impact of COVID19 on the grain and oilseed supply chain, lessons learned, and the path forward. A presentation from analyst Kevin Grier examined the Canadian meat supply chain and its performance during COVID-19.
KAP also welcomed partners who presented workshops, including Farm Credit Canada, HUB International, STARS, The Cooperators, Canadian Agricultural Human Resource Council, and the Canadian Malting Barley Technical Centre. Bill Campbell, a grains and cattle producer from Minto was acclaimed as KAP president. Jill Verwey, who operates a mixed farm near Portage la Prairie, and Jake Ayre, a grains and oilseeds producer from Minto, were acclaimed vice-presidents. KAP also welcomed two young farmers to the board of directors, Carter McKinney as director for District 1, and Stefan Signer as director for Supply Managed Commodity Groups. For a complete list of resolutions, go to kap.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/2021-KAPAnnual-Meeting-Resolutions.pdf.
February 26, 2021
AgriInsurance Coverage Highest on Record As the 2021 AgriInsurance contract will soon be released to Manitoba farmers, Canada’s Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Marie-Claude Bibeau and Manitoba Agriculture and Resource Development Minister Blaine Pedersen announced that coverage is expected to be the highest on record while premium rates are moderately lower than last year. “The COVID-19 pandemic has caused unprecedented challenges for farmers, on top of the normal challenges they face from weather and market fluctuations,” said Bibeau. “While farmers continue to step up to keep quality Canadian food on our kitchen tables, they need the support and stability that a solid set of BRM programs can provide. The record AgriInsurance coverage announced today is one of the ways we are helping farmers with incomes losses.” The ministers released details indicating that 2021 dollar values are mostly higher than 2020 dollar values for grain, oilseeds, and specialty crops. Total insurance coverage will reach an all-time high of $3.128 billion. On average, AgriInsurance premium rates are lower than 2020 due to adding a low-loss year (2019) and removing a higher-loss year (1994) from the 25-year average base rate calculation. AgriInsurance is a risk management program administered by Manitoba Agricultural Services Corporation (MASC). Insurance is offered for over 80 different annual crops and forages during establishment and production. “AgriInsurance allows our producers to proactively manage their risk, and provide them with stability,” said Pedersen. “These enhancements to AgriInsurance are made in response to our industry, and producer’s needs.” Program enhancements for 2021 include an increase in probable yield in 2021 for many crops. The probable yields for all crops are based on a 10-year average and trended for improvements in technology and agronomic advances. For 2021, data from 2010 to 2019 is used in the calculation. The year dropped (2009) was an average year for most crops; the year added (2019), produced above-average yields for most crops. Other enhancements include individual productivity indexing for silage corn; transportation allowance within the Forage Insurance dollar value and Hay Disaster Benefit for the Forage Insurance program will increase. The transportation allowance was updated to $16 from $8 per tonne for Select and Basic Hay, and to $24 from $20 per tonne for the Hay Disaster Benefit; and the seeding dates for full coverage and reduced coverage have been expanded for winter wheat and fall rye. Manitoba has a high level of AgriInsurance participation with nearly 90 per cent of annual crop acres enrolled and more than 7,800 farms registered in the program. Under the Canadian Agricultural Partnership, AgriInsurance premiums for most programs are shared 40 per cent by participating producers, 36 per cent by the Government of Canada and 24 per cent by the Manitoba government. Administrative expenses are paid 60 per cent by Canada and 40 per cent by Manitoba. The total governments’ share of AgriInsurance premium for 2021-22 is expected to be $130 million. The Hail Insurance program, administered by MASC outside the scope of the Canadian Agricultural Partnership, will also see increased coverage levels for 2021. Maximum hail dollar coverage is increasing to $300/acre from $250/acre based on expected gross revenue for most crops. The 2021 premium rates are the same as or lower than 2020 rates for most risk areas and expected coverage will increase to $1.1 billion from $985 million.
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February 26, 2021
Assiniboine CC Receives Funding for White Mould Research Assiniboine Community College has received $41,850 from the Canadian Agricultural Partnership (CAP) Ag Action Manitoba Program with matching funding from the Manitoba Pulse & Soybean Growers (MPSG) for a total $83,700 for the research project. The funding, to come in April 2021, will support research focused on managing white mould in dry beans grown in Manitoba’s climate. “White mould is a serious threat to many Manitoba crops, including dry beans,” said Dr. Baljeet Singh, researcher at Assiniboine, who is the principle investigator on the project. “To prevent crop losses to white mould, we will work to provide real-time disease risk warnings for Manitoba growers.” The project, officially titled “Weather Based Fungicide Application Decision Support Tool (FADST) for Managing White Mould in Dry Beans in Manitoba” will be carried out in three
phases over two years, starting with optimizing a disease severity model, then developing and releasing a weather-based FADST that Manitoba producers can use to manage white mould in dry beans. The FADST will combine information surrounding weather data, white mould severity and agronomic practices to assist Manitoba producers in making informed fungicide application decisions. “This important research will ultimately enhance Manitoba producers’ ability to optimize yields in dry beans,” said Tim Hore, Dean of the School of Agriculture & Environment at Assiniboine. “We thank the CAP Ag Action Manitoba Program and MPSG for recognizing this need and supporting this research. “Dry beans represent an important, growing market in Manitoba,” said Dr. Daryl Domitruk, Executive Director of Manitoba Pulse & Soybean Growers (MPSG).
Dr. Baljeet Singh teaches a group of first-year Agribusiness students in the field. (Photo taken before COVID-19)
“Research partnerships such as the one MPSG has with Assiniboine Community College to tackle the issue of white mould are vital to ensuring our farmers are as supported as possible and vital to establishing dry beans as a viable crop op-
tion in multiple regions of Manitoba.” The Canadian Agricultural Partnership’s Ag Action Manitoba Program supports industry-driven applied research. This research contributes to the development of agricultural knowledge
and skills and improves competitiveness and sustainability in Manitoba’s agriculture, agri-food and agri-product sectors. “We’re happy to support this important research initiative with the Assiniboine Community College,” said
Submitted photo
Blaine Pedersen, Minister of Agriculture and Resource Development. “White mould can be detrimental to bean crops, severely reducing their yields. Manitoba producers will greatly benefit from the research being undertaken by the college.”
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Moving Calving Past Winter’s Freezing Temperatures Paid Off By Les Kletke Rod Friesen is not sorry he made the switch to a spring calving season especially after this year’s late January and early February freezing temperatures. “We used to try and have the calves born early in the year and believed that we had bigger calves by the fall when they went to market,’ said Friesen who has 80 cows southeast of Steinbach. He made the switch 3 years ago. “We struggled a lot with expansion; do we expand the herd, or do we expand our calving facilities? We thought that the cows were the ones bringing in the
money so we went that direction.” He expanded his herd by 30 cows and moved into a later calving season. The decision has paid off. “I don’t think we have lost anything on the weight of the calves when we market,” he said. “It is lot easier with the temperature but you are never sure and if you get a wet season during calving that can cause some problems as well.” Calving in the cold of January meant that he had to have facilities for his cows and new born inside and his facilities were already taxed to the limit. “I wanted to get more cows and so the only way to do that without
spending a lot of money on my facility was to move the calving season.” he said. The move to a later calving season has allowed him to move his young calves outside more quickly and that has allowed him to handle more cows in the existing facility. “It still gets a bit crowded at times and sometimes calves have to go outside a bit sooner that I or they would like but we have not lost any because of it.” He uses Angus bulls on his commercial cow herd, and said that paying attention to the bull he uses has also aided in the calving. “With expanding the herd I was bringing in more heifers so I
had to pay attention and select a bull that would throw smaller calves,” he said. “That paid off as well.” He continued, “Most management practices show a good return on the time and attention you pay,” he said. “It is not just a matter of having 80 cows in the bush and see who brings me a calf in the fall. The time spent on rations and having the compacted calving time is good though things do get a bit busy at the peak of calving.” “When that cold spell hit in January, I was glad it was not the middle of calving season because I just don’t have the space for everybody to say inside.” he said.
Seed Sales Remain Steady By Les Kletke “We don’t see as much fluctuation as we used to,’ said Randy Penner. “Fellows have their plans in place and don’t have as big a swing as they used to when it comes to changing seeding plans.” He credits the shift to bigger operations as one of the reasons. “Fellows are running bigger operations and the planning is done more long term” he said. “I am sure that if you talk to machinery dealers they would say the same thing, fellows plan on changing equipment and they know they will trade tractors or combines in so
many years, not as much is done on the spur of the moment or on the basis of one good crop.” He added that not all decision making is long term. “There are still cases where a good crop can trigger a purchase or bad weather can have an impact that leads to different machinery but overall the larger operations have long term plans in place.” Penner said those decisions reflects in his business as well. “Guys have a certain percentage of their acres allocated to oil seed and to cereals and they know what they are and they stay pretty
close to that,” he said. Long term planning has not removed all of the guess work from his business though. “We still have to anticipate varieties a year or two down the road,” he said. “To know what the market will want a year or two down the road would be a great advantage. I wish I had a crystal ball for that.” He said that the industry has also allowed farmers to make decisions and seed picks later which has added to his work in spring time. “Fellows used to get their seed home in winter, and store it on the farm,” he said. “Now much
more of it is picked up and goes right to the field, so that makes some pretty busy days around the yard here.” He said the conditions going into fall were dry and that should mean an early spring if there is not an unseasonable dump of snow. “We could get a lot of snow in March or even April, but if things continue close to norm we should see an early spring and that means guys can stay with their plans,” said Penner. “When spring gets late guys have to change plans on the fly and that means big changes, especially for us.”
February 26, 2021
Canadian Grain Commission Reappoints Commissioner The Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food has announced the reappointment of Lonny McKague as Commissioner of the Canadian Grain Commission (CGC) for a three-year term effective mid-February. McKague was first appointed as Commissioner of the CGC in 2017 and his forty years of experience as a primary producer has provided him with knowledge of current social and economic issues facing producers and their businesses. In his role as Commissioner, together with farmers, exporters and technical experts, he has represented the Government of Canada in international trade missions with key customers of Canadian grain. Prior to joining the CGC, McKague served as a Director and a Founding Member of Ogema Elevator Ltd, a provider of grain elevator products and services in Ogema, Saskatchewan. He is also a former president of the Canadian Limousin Association and the local Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association. “The Canadian Grain Commission plays an integral role in supporting Canada’s reputation as a consistent and reliable source of high-quality grain. With over four decades of experience in the industry, I am confident that our hardworking grain farmers will continue to benefit from Mr. McKague’s valuable expertise,” said Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food. The Canadian Grain Commission’s research, programs and services help support Canada’s reputation as a consistent and reliable source of high-quality grain. The Commission works to deliver grain quality and quantity assurance programs for exports of Canadian grain, carry out scientific research to understand all aspects of grain quality and grain safety establish and maintain Canada’s science-based grain grading system, and ensure farmers receive fair compensation for their grain.
Seeds Canada Sprouts from Idea to Entity Seeds Canada has officially sprouted. The idea of Seeds Canada was planted more than five years ago. Since then, their members have been working to bring together their four organizations to create one new, national seed association. Seeds Canada will be the leading voice of the Canadian seed sector, helping members succeed and grow in Canada and around the world.
Seed is the vital first link in the agriculture value chain, contributing over $6 billion to the economy, employing more than 63,000 Canadians, and exporting more than $640 million annually. Bringing four seed associations together into one organization will result in stronger advocacy for the seed sector and enhanced services for members and clients. The Seeds Canada logo
The Seeds Canada logo represents the four amalgamating organizations joining as one.
represents the four amalgamating organizations joining as one. “The logo serves as a reminder of the efforts it took to get to this point, a celebration of our accomplishments, and a new vision for the future. We are stronger together,” said Ellen Sparry, President, Seeds Canada. Their new website can be found at seeds-canada.ca. Here, you can learn more about Seeds Canada’s mission, people, and services. The four amalgamating organizations’ websites can still be accessed during this transition period. Seeds Canada will continue to offer all original client and member services.
The operations team, formerly under the Canadian Seed Institute, continues to manage programs and offer client services. Continuing education and the seed analyst SEAL programs are still operational. Other efforts on behalf of members such as trade facilitation, advocacy, intellectual property protection, and more will proceed. All staff remains in place to support their members and clients. Seeds Canada will be diverse, inclusive, and democratic. All members will have an equal voice at the table, regardless of size, and will work together on behalf of Canada’s seed sector.
Through his work with the Canadian Grain Commission, Lonny McKague has shown himself to be passionate about maintaining the integrity, reputation and promotion of Canadian grain for domestic and international trade. Submitted photo
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The AgriPost
February 26, 2021
Smaller Wheat and Oat Crops Forecast for Canada By Elmer Heinrichs Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) in its February outlook forecasts, the area seeded to field crops will increase marginally, with the area seeded to coarse grains, oilseeds and pulses, while the wheat (excluding durum) area is expected to decrease in 2021-22. Production of grains, oilseeds and pulse and special crops are forecast to decrease modestly due to a return to trend yields, resulting in expected total field crop production decreasing to 96.3
Mt. In general, prices are expected to remain relatively strong, but decrease from their current levels as world production is expected to increase. Production of grains, oilseeds and pulse and special crops are forecast to decrease modestly, resulting in expected total field crop production decreasing to 96.3 Mt. “Canadian area seeded is forecast to remain relatively stable, as more acres are seeded to durum because of attractive pricing,” AAFC said. “For 2021-2022, seeded
area to wheat except durum is revised downward to 7.5 million hectares, as competition for land increases with ongoing strength in the prices for most crops expected to continue through 2021” Production of wheat except durum was projected at 27.353 million tonnes, down 1.263 million tonnes, or 4 per cent, from 28.616 million tonnes in 2020. The average 2021 yield for wheat except durum is forecast at 3.6 tonnes per hectare compared with 3.71 tonnes per hectare in 2020.
For 2021-22, AAFC projected the area seeded to oats in Canada to decrease by 3 per cent, approaching 1.5 Mha, due to strong acreage competition from other crops, despite good oat prices and tight stocks. Oat production at 3.852 million tonnes will be down 724,000 tonnes, or 16 per cent. The area seeded to corn in Canada is forecast to decrease by 3 per cent from 2019-20 to 1.4 Mha, as some corn area is forecast to shift to oilseed. For Canola, seeded area in
Canada is forecast to increase by 4 per cent, to 8.8 million hectares (Mha), as farmers expand the crop acres at the expense of wheat, forages and summer fallow. Production is forecast to rise by 8 per cent to 20.2 Mt, the third highest level on record. Soybean planted area in Canada is forecast to rise by 12 per cent to 2.3 Mha, on support from high prices with area gains limited by concerns over low sub soil moisture, short growing season in western Canada and attractive prices for compet-
ing crops. Statistics Canada says production of most principal field crops increased in 2020 from a year earlier. However, higher exports, driven by strong global demand contributed to lower stocks of wheat, canola, soybeans and barley as of December 31, 2020. The economic outlook for the world and Canadian grain markets is expected to continue to be impacted by domestic and international uncertainty caused by COVID-19.
Manitoba Woman in Agriculture Designing Clothing Line
By Joan Airey Tomina Jackson has teamed up with her aunt, Cheryl Digby, to design and manufacture a line of clothing for woman working in agriculture from farmers to veterinarians. Their mission is to provide highly functional and classically styled clothing to women who work outdoors. They are striving for their clothing to be a reflection of the work women do as professionals and to be an added piece of confidence as the carry out life’s ambitions. “The idea for a women’s workwear brand came up after some of the women in my family were discussing where to buy workwear. We discovered some of us were wearing boys and men’s clothing,” said Jackson. “From that point, we began brainstorming everything we wanted in our workwear. With plenty of input from the women around me, I came up with a design which was then taken to my Aunt Cheryl, who owns a sewing manufacturing facility. With assistance from a talented pattern maker, Shelley Ediger, and input from the skilled folks at the sewing factory, the Rolling D workwear products came to life.” The prototype products were then tested by being worn every day on the farm. “We made slight changes to the design many times, making small but important tweaks until we landed on the design that is just right,” said Jackson. Rolling D Workwear is a tribute to their family matriarch, Elaine Digby, a farmer of “exceptional resilience and grace”. Rolling D’ was the name of Jackson’s Grandma and Grandpa Digby’s farm. While this business is new, their clothing is designed with generational knowledge that things that are built to last therefore are worth the investment. The clothes are made in a factory in eastern Manitoba by Manitobans. Their website went live on February 3 with their very first product in The Home Farm Collection: The Home farm Vest. They plan to continue releasing products in the collection throughout 2021. For more information visit rollingDworkwear.com.
Jackie Cavers of C2 Charolais wearing her Rollin D’ hooded vest on their farm near La Riviere, Manitoba. Photograph courtesy of Fischer Cavers.
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Breeding Better Seeds For thousands of years, farmers have worked to perfect their crops. Today, scientists use the latest advances to improve the foundation of civilization, our seeds. Your morning cereal or oatmeal. The bread on your sandwich. The corn chips for your snack, and the cookies for dessert. Not one would be possible with the humblest of ingredients; the seed. Seeds such as wheat, rice and corn directly provide about 70% of the calories eaten by people every day. And they ultimately provide nearly every morsel of food, either by providing feed for livestock or by being grown into fruits and vegetables. It is no overstatement to say that without seeds, civilization would be impossible. But seeds need our help. They are under stress from climate change, and under pressure to feed a growing population. Scores of dedicated scientists spend their careers working to improve seeds. They are using the latest scientific advances to make seeds larger, more nutritious, and more resilient to stress. Rodomiro Ortiz studies how plant breeding can help meet these goals. His research was recently published in Crop Science, a journal of the Crop Science Society of America. As the science behind seed improvements, plant breeding is the foundation for ensuring agriculture meets humanity’s needs. “The seeds generated from plant breeding have desired traits that allow increases
in productivity, reduce human malnutrition, improve genetic diversity in ecosystems, and ensure sustainable food production under the specter of global warming,” said Ortiz. “Classic plant breeding doesn’t add in extra DNA like genetic engineering does.” Instead, plant breeders cross plants that each have uniquely strong features to create a new plant with several beneficial traits. The same process has been used by farmers and scientists for thousands of years to make better crops. But today, plant breeders have access to more information and more tools than ever. For example, the widespread use of DNA sequencing gives plant breeders huge troves of data about useful genes. By figuring out which genes give rise to which useful traits, plant breeders can develop new varieties of crops much more quickly. “Genome-derived knowledge of seed biology can enhance crop productivity, to improve food and nutritional supply through plant breeding,” said Ortiz. But genes are only one piece of the puzzle. Scientists like Ortiz need to know how the plant grows and what it looks like. In the past, scientists might have been able to easily look and tell that one plant had, for example, larger seeds. But today, improving seeds requires ever greater detail. Enter phenotyping, the science of measurement. A plant’s phenotype is its entire expression of its genes in
A team of scientist investigates how to breed quinoa to be more heat tolerant as some areas have experienced slowly increasing temperatures or more frequent and extreme spikes in temperature. These tolerant quinoa varieties will produce seed, even in harsh conditions. Photo by Kevin Murphy
its environment. The height and color of the plant and its weight and shape. Its tendency to resist or succumb to disease, these are all the phenotype. Capturing this information is time intensive. Some of these traits are impossible for humans to even see. And seeds in particular are so small; measuring them by hand is unrealistic. Technology comes to the rescue. “Phenotyping seed traits is a major bottleneck to systematic analysis of seed variation,” said Ortiz. “Advances in digital imaging technology can automatically measure a variety of shape parameters using high resolution images of seeds.” With these tools in hand, plant breeders can improve seeds and develop new crop varieties faster than ever. Ortiz envisions making seeds larger, so each one has more calories to feed people.
Larger seeds can also help the next generation of crops quickly grow in the fields, ready to produce a big yield. And plant breeders are trying to make seed proteins more nutritious or the fats inside seeds stable enough to last on grocery store shelves for longer. Each of those improvements means stronger seeds, and better food, for more people. So with your next spoonful of chewy oatmeal, consider the humble seed and the advanced tech and knowhow behind every bite. Rodomiro Ortiz is a professor of plant breeding at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences. This work was supported by the Science Foundation Ireland, Irish Research Council, Natural Sciences and Engineering Council of Canada, and the Manitoba Wheat and Barley Growers Association.
Online Resource Helps Farms Navigate Biogas Opportunity FarmingBiogas.ca is a new go-to resource for farmers interested in learning more about agricultural biogas. Developed by the Canadian Biogas Association (CBA), the website is part of an educational campaign to help farmers explore biogas production as an opportunity for their farm. “We field a lot of questions from farmers who want to know more about the feasibility of adding a biogas plant to their operation. Our goal with this campaign is to make farm-specific information more accessible,” said Jennifer Green, Executive Director of the CBA. “We’re here to help connect farms with the resources and expertise they need to get started
with biogas.” On-farm biogas systems use anaerobic digestion to recycle manure and crop residue. This process produces biogas, which leads to both environmental and business advantages for a farm operation. Converting manure and other feedstock into renewable energy enhances a farm’s environmental stewardship and diversifies its sources of income. Biogas plants are complex installations that require considerable research. At FarmingBiogas.ca, farmers will find many resources to help them evaluate the opportunity, from a self-assessment tool and a getting started checklist, to a Q&A and links to guides and handbooks that
dive deeper into the subject. Technology vendors and advisors are listed on the site as well as profiles of some on-farm biogas plants from across the country. Currently, Canada has over 60 operational anaerobic digesters in the agriculture and agri-food sector with more either planned or under construction. Livestock operations account for more than half of all biogas projects in Canada. “Livestock farms are especially ideal for biogas systems,” said Green, who explained that adopting innovative technologies to manage manure results in many advantages. Capturing and using methane through anaerobic digestion can sig-
nificantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions from manure systems, mitigating the impacts of climate change. It also improves a farm’s financial picture through reduced input costs and energy sales. “The majority of today’s ag biogas facilities generate electricity for sale to the grid or for use on farm,” said Green. Some facilities upgrade their biogas into renewable natural gas (RNG) for injection into natural gas pipelines, which is poised to bring the next wave of opportunity for biogas producers. “We encourage anyone interested in biogas opportunities to get started at FarmingBiogas.ca to learn more,” she added.
February 26, 2021
Transition Plans Help Manage Risk and Offer Peace of Mind Most producers say they would consider a transition plan as a possible risk management strategy for their operations, according to a recent Farm Credit Canada (FCC) risk management survey. Yet an overwhelming majority of producers continue to operate without a formal transition plan and many are not sure where to turn for support in developing one, according to FCC transition specialists. “It’s one thing to tell producers they need a transition plan and they need to start early to keep all options available,” said Greg Thomarat, manager of FCC advisory services. “But the biggest challenge is sometimes knowing where to start and who to turn to for the tools and resources to help develop a plan that’s right for you, your family and your business.” It’s estimated that over the next 10 years, 75 per cent of farms will change hands, yet only eight per cent of farmers have a written transition plan, according to Farm Management Canada (FMC), which recently unveiled a website portal that connects farmers with tools, resources and experts to help them through various stages of farm transition, from assessing their situation to plan implementation and evaluation of progress. The farmtransitionguide.ca portal is designed to help farmers navigate their transition journey. The resources and tools include family and non-family transition options, as well as inspiring stories from fellow farmers. “By taking steps toward transition planning, farmers are not only building upon their own legacy, but ensuring the continuity of Canada’s agricultural excellence through effective management planning,” FMC Executive Director Heather Watson said. Over the past couple of years, FCC has also ramped up its transition advisory services in recognition that a growing number of farmers are reaching retirement age and are ready to transfer their operations to the next generation. According to FCC transition specialists, the majority of producers who are ready to retire from farming are relying on income from a farm sale to finance their retirement, and one of the biggest challenges they face is developing a transition plan. FCC’s expanded advisory services include several activities to assist producers with the farm transition process, including coaching, connections with advisors, resources and services. An FCC Vision Panel survey of just over 1,700 producers, done in partnership with Farm Management Canada (FMC) showed almost 40 per cent of respondents experienced high to moderate stress from farm transition considerations. The survey also showed about a quarter of those respondents (12 per cent) indicated farm transition considerations kept them up a night. FCC helps farm families who are at the early stages of transition get started in the right direction with their transition plans and continues to expand the number of advisory service and learning opportunities for producers. “The business of farming already comes with a wide variety of risks and uncertainty, so developing and maintaining a transition plan provides a clear path forward for those who want to exit or be a part of the industry,” Thomarat said. “Agriculture is affected by so many things beyond the farmer’s control; economic conditions, trade agreements and the weather. A transition plan not only helps manage business risk, but it offers producers a sense of certainty and peace of mind.”
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February 26, 2021
The AgriPost
Despite Hardships, Ag Sector Has Opportunity to Become Stronger By Erin Kelly for the Canadian Agricultural Safety Association We can all agree that explore change, to make demic underscored the im2020 was a year like none it a priority,” explained portance of implementing other. It was a year that Carolyn Van Den Heuvel, a farm safety plan and contested everyone’s readi- Director of Outreach and ducting a risk assessment. ness to adapt to change Member Relations with “We are going to look quickly. And the agricul- Nova Scotia Federation of at health and safety diftural industry was no ex- Agriculture. ferently going forward. ception. “We all hit some bumps COVID has been, for lack From labour logistics and and hurdles along the way of a better term, a good expersonal protective equip- while figuring it all out, ercise for implementing a ment (PPE) shortages to and if we look at how our farm safety plan,” she said. processing delays and food value chain adapted, “Health and safety are part pivoting to online market- it’s really impressive and of an overall farm maning, many farmers across worth recognizing.” agement plan, and having the country encountered Health and safety proce- a solid management plan, a long and ever-changing dures top the list of what understanding processes list of challenges due to has been impacted by CO- for making decisions, and COVID-19. VID-19 on farms across communicating with family “Farmers faced a lot of Canada. While another members and workers were new challenges in their layer has been added to shown to be fundamental ability to function within what employers have to during COVID.” the restrictions [associ- do to ensure everybody’s In fact, communication ated with COVID-19], well-being on the farm dur- became an essential compoas did everybody,” said ing the pandemic, those nent across the agricultural Wendy Bennett, Execu- requirements may have a industry in response to COtive Director of AgSafe in positive and lasting effect VID-19, with collaboration British Columbia. “But if on farm health and safety proving particularly benefiyou have a farm, the op- procedures. cial for commodity groups, portunity for everybody to “COVID opened a lot of which used shared experiwork from home doesn’t eyes to worker health and ences to find solutions and work. Here I am working safety requirements across address challenges. at my dining room table, the board. And those re“The importance of having but that’s not an option quirements have largely al- open communication really if there are 100 acres of ways been there, but some came to the forefront with apples to pick.” people did not think they COVID. The only way that In Manitoba, Thea applied to them. I think, all of us were able to adapt Green, Program Manager moving forward, the ex- to COVID successfully for Keystone Agricultural perience of dealing with was by working together,” Producers, said that for COVID is going to make explained Van Den Heuvel. many farmers the pan- people pay more attention,” “COVID showed us what demic did not affect their explained Bennett, adding true collaboration brings ability to farm, but, “It did that her organization has us; it showed us when we impact how they farm.” seen a noticeable increase work together, how much There is no denying the in requests for help with further we can get.” hardships and challenges implementing health and But the benefits of inthat have been experi- safety measures. creased communication enced across the Cana“The importance of pre- have not been limited to dian agricultural industry. paredness has really be- within the industry. With However, the COVID-19 come evident during COV- more people cooking at pandemic has also pro- ID-19,” Green noted. “We home during the pandemic, vided the sector with a never know what is going to COVID-19 has provided unique learning opportu- come our way in the indus- the agricultural industry nity and the chance to ex- try, but farmers can use the with a valuable opportunity plore new processes. experiences of COVID-19 to connect with consumers “We all adapted because to do emergency prepared- about their food and what we were forced to; it’s ness for a whole range of is being done to ensure never fun to have to do situations that would allow food security in Canada. something because you’re them to respond more ef“There has been heightbacked into a corner. But fectively.” ened interest in Canadian there has also been some Van Den Heuvel agreed, food during the pandemic, benefit to being forced to explaining that the pan- and Canadian consumers
are increasingly interested in where their food is coming from,” said Green. Adds Van Den Heuvel, “There is definitely recognition for agriculture amongst the public like we haven’t necessarily seen in the past, and that means more opportunities to connect with the public about their food.” What things will look like post-pandemic is still anyone’s guess. But one thing is for certain: Canadian farmers’ abilities to adapt and continue to produce safe and healthy products are proof that the pandemic will not hurt the agricultural industry. It will make it stronger. “Everyone in agriculture recognizes that everyone else in agriculture is going through similar challenges,” said Bennett. “And that collaboration will only make the industry stronger for everyone because COVID showed us that you never know what’s next.” Canadian Agricultural Safety Week (CASW) is a public campaign held annually during the third week of March that focuses on the importance of safe agriculture. The 2021 campaign, Safe & Strong Farms: Lead an AgSafe Canada takes place March 14-20. CASW is presented by Farm Credit Canada. For more information, visit agsafetyweek.ca.
The AgriPost
Self-Care is More Than Self-Indulgence
By Erin Kelly for the Canadian Agricultural Safety Association What comes to mind when Cynthia Beck is a clinical tioning at a healthy level,” you hear the term ‘self-care’? psychology master’s student Beck explained, adding A day of pampering at a spa? at the University of Regina that when self-care is neA facial or manicure? whose graduate research in- glected, people are more While those are commonly volves examining the men- likely to make poor deciassociated with self-care in tal health needs of rural and sions or have poor judgethe media, they do not repre- agricultural populations. She ment. “Often, we treat the sent the full picture and only echoed Vanberkel’s remarks, farm machinery much betfurther fuel misconceptions. noting that self-care fun- ter than how we treat our Because while a spa day may damentals are so basic that bodies. We fill the tractor not seem to have much in most people don’t realize it with fuel every day. We common with farm safety, is self-care. do regular maintenance self-care certainly does. “We need to acknowledge on our machinery. But “Most people have a pre- that self-care is not indul- how often do we provide conceived notion of what gent. It’s a basic necessity. that care and attention to self-care looks like because A huge part of self-care are our own body?” of what is on the internet, or those necessary, everyday There’s no question that what they see on TV or so- things like making sure farmers and farm families cial media. People have this we’re eating regular meals lead busy lives. But just idea in their head of what or getting enough water,” because there is always self-care is supposed to look explained Beck, who also something new taking prilike,” explained Deborah farms with her husband on ority on the farm, doesn’t Vanberkel, a registered psy- a mixed farming operation mean that self-care should chotherapist and founder of outside of Regina, SK. “Peo- be considered any less Cultivate Counselling Ser- ple need to customize their valuable and necessary. vices in Eastern Ontario’s own self-care and look at The most important thing Lennox and Addington what their own needs are. A to keep in mind is that County, where she also works 20-year-old working in agri- self-care isn’t selfish. on her family’s dairy farm. culture will have very differ“Children, farm operaHer business is focused on ent needs than a 55-year-old tions and such, everything providing services and sup- person working in agricul- else takes priority. So the ports to rural and agricultural ture. That’s just reality.” question needs to be put communities. In fact, even tasks that may back on [farmers] of when Self-care depends on the seem trivial, such as clean- do you become the priorperson said Vanberkel. She ing the house, should not be ity and what do you do explained self-care is any overlooked as being benefi- to prioritize yourself?” activity that helps someone cial to self-care. said Vanberkel. “People emotionally, physically, or “With a lot of those mun- will say that they don’t mentally. But what exactly dane tasks, in our current so- have time [for self-care] that entails differs from per- ciety, we have pushed them because they are looking son to person. to the wayside,” said Beck. for something that will fit “If you type self-care into “But they actually do con- their schedule. But that’s Google, there is going to tribute to our personal suc- the kicker; we can make be an infinite number of re- cess factor and that success time for everything else sults that come up, and they means living a happy and but not for ourselves. “It’s are all going to be different. healthy life.” like driving. If you keep And while I’m sure a lot of When it comes to farm on driving and never stop the things that come up are safety, stress and mental to gas up, you’re going to great, it does not mean that health issues are known con- run out of gas eventually.” they are going to work for tributing factors. That’s also Canadian Agricultural you,” Vanberkel said. “Self- why it comes as no surprise Safety Week (CASW) is care is self-defining. I think that self-care, both prioritiz- a public campaign held that is the piece that people ing and neglecting it has a annually during the third over think or forget about be- significant influence on farm week of March that focuscause they end up on Google safety. es on the importance of looking up what self-care “The farm operator, our safe agriculture. The 2021 is. Rather than ask Google, bodies and minds, are the campaign, Safe & Strong ask yourself what self-care most important part of ma- Farms: Lead an AgSafe means and looks like. There chinery on any farm. That’s Canada takes place March is no right or wrong answer why it is so important that 14-20. CASW is presented for self-care, so long as it self-care be a priority. You by Farm Credit Canada. benefits you physically, emo- can’t run a successful farm For more information, tionally, or mentally.” operation if you are not func- visit agsafetyweek.ca.
February 26, 2021
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Research Shows Positive Connection Between Farm Business Planning and Mental Health By Canadian Agricultural Safety Association “This is the way it’s al- and young farmers stood out as having particularly high ways been done.” “There’s not enough levels of stress as a result of farm transition and family time.” “We’re doing fine with- conflict. “We hope that our research findings can help out one.” We all know there are end- farmers start to redefine sucless excuses for not having cess and what it means not a farm business plan. But only for themselves but for a recent research study has their farm team.” Misconceptions about found that farm business management is not just good planning seem to be stopfor business, it’s also good ping so many farmers from using business management for mental health. Healthy Minds, Healthy practices. Watson explained Farms, a research study from that a prime example of Farm Management Canada, those misconceptions is that explored the relationship be- once a business plan is in tween farmer mental health writing, it’s written in stone. “Farmers tell us the agand farm business management, looking to identify riculture sector is too unhow one can help or perhaps predictable and complex to put any plan in writing. hinder the other. “I wondered if, for already Many cite they have a plan, busy and overwhelmed but then point to their head. farms, our encouragement to However, writing the plan improve farm business prac- down is key, as it’s not the tices was adding stress to an plan itself that is the most already stressful situation, important, but rather the or whether we are helping,” process of planning, thinksaid Heather Watson, Exec- ing about your end goals, utive Director of Farm Man- risks and opportunities, and agement Canada, explaining inviting others into creating the vision for the farm, famthe research’s premise. The verdict was business ily and themselves,” noted management practices can Watson. “Planning ahead play a significant role in does not mean predicting producing healthy farms and the future, it means preparing for whatever might hapfarmers. In fact, the research study, pen in the future.” It is no secret that risk which surveyed 1,735 Canadian farmers, found that management is a key ingre88% of farmers who follow dient for planning ahead. But a written business plan say Watson noted that the comit has contributed to their mon status quo practices are not adequate. She said there peace of mind. However, Watson noted is a need for the agricultural there is a flip side to that industry, “to be bold” in takpromising finding. With ing a more comprehensive more than 75% of survey approach to managing risk. That means having risk respondents indicating they are experiencing medium to management go beyond just high levels of stress, she said the financial side of things it was surprising that 41% of and include business planfarmers are not following a ning factors, like human business plan because they resources, marketing, and believe they are succeeding production. “What good is a profitwithout one. “It just doesn’t add up when able farm if its people are you consider the sheer num- stressed and heading tober of farmers experiencing wards burnout or worse? significant stress,” Watson What good is a profitable said, adding that women farm if its people are com-
promising their farm safety and taking unnecessary chances with their lives?” asked Watson. “We must, as an industry, realize and promote the interconnectedness of managing risk, including mental health, and managing the farm through proven business practices.” In addition to proving a positive connection between farm business management and mental health, the Healthy Minds, Healthy Farms study also identified 24 comprehensive recommendations. Those recommendations include a range of actions from raising awareness about farmer mental health and improving mental health literacy for farmers to providing risk management support and advocating for farmer-specific mental health services. “Our research results provide a roadmap for Canada’s entire agricultural industry to support mental health and likewise farm business management,” Watson explained. She added that Farm Management Canada is working to ensure the study doesn’t “sit on the shelf collecting dust,” and has incorporated the findings and recommendations across all of the organization’s services and programs. “We have a chance to really step up our game as an industry and support our farmers where they need it most,” she said. After all, as the study title suggests, a healthy mind goes hand in hand with a healthy farm. Canadian Agricultural Safety Week (CASW) is a public campaign held annually during the third week of March that focuses on the importance of safe agriculture. The 2021 campaign, Safe & Strong Farms: Lead an AgSafe Canada takes place March 14-20. CASW is presented by Farm Credit Canada. For more information, visit agsafetyweek.ca.
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February 26, 2021
Invest in a Good There Are Many Feeding Program for Interesting and Beef Cows After Calving Educational Free Webinars Available
By Joan Airey Recently many people enjoyed listening to Rebecca Gray speak on Mental Health during a Webinar hosted by Manitoba Farm Women’s Conference Committee. Gray showed a film on what it would be like if we treated physical health like some treat mental health. It wouldn’t be a good scene. At the moment in Manitoba for every six hundred people requiring services for support there is one service provider. She explained that to have good mental health we cannot put off getting rest. “We all should set a fixed time to wake up every day and give ourselves some wind-down time,” said Gray. “Electronics should be avoided for 30-60 minutes before bed. People should beware of alcohol and caffeine intake. If you can’t fall asleep sometimes getting up and doing something calming before trying to go to sleep again helps.” She mentioned that volunteering can be very satisfying and good for our mental health. Gray noted that we all want to be doing something of value whether at work, gaining knowledge or honing our skills. “At the end of the day we all want to feel a sense of what we’ve done is something worthwhile,” said Gray. Farm Credit Canada (FCC) also has an excellent webinar available featuring Col. Chris Hadfield the first Canadian astronaut to walk in space, operate Canadarm and command the International Space Station. When someone asked him how long it took him to become an astronaut; he said, “36 years”. Hatfield explained to the captivated audience that he wanted to be an astronaut as a child and geared his education and jobs that way until he ended up one. Everyone laughed when he said, “If this farm boy from Ontario can become an astronaut anyone can become what they want.” Clara Hughes did an eye-opening presentation on mental health during the same virtual conference. If you get a chance to hear these speakers, they are well worth taking the time to listen too. Hughes said because of the pandemic, she can’t hike in Arizona like she planned to however she is not letting that get her down. Instead she is getting out and hiking in the mountains near her home in Canada. There are many excellent webinar options available on Facebook for those people interested in some gardening while others that advertise how great they are for grade three education in most Canadians schools. I’ve even listened to some excellent ones on tax planning for farmers but you have to pick and choose what is of value to you. Many advertisements for these come in your mail on post cards and while some are excellent others are just an advertising gimmick. Stay tuned for Manitoba Farm Women’s Conference announcement for another great webinar to be held in March by visiting their website manitobafarmwomensconfernece.ca or you can watch for it on Facebook.
By Peter Vitti I give nursing beef cow diets a passing grade when they support beef cows to produce lots of milk for their newborn calves and promote growth in post-partum replacement heifers. Besides, these diets must retain their precious body condition (BCS of 2.5 – 3.0, on a 5-point scale), so they can get re-bred and conceive within the first few weeks of the breeding season. Not to mention, the ‘next years’ calves from these properly fed cows and heifers tend to be born earlier in a shortened calving season, which also results in higher saleable weaning weights in the fall. Research agrees and confirms that post-partum beef cows in good BCS must consume a good level of dietary energy or 60 - 62% TDN (total digestible nutrients) and crude protein level of about 11 – 12% in their daily diet, particularly when cows are milking at their highest levels (re: 10 – 15 litres per day). Plus, first-calf cows may not eat or milk as well as older cows, but their dietary requirements are almost the same, since they are still growing. Moreover, regardless of age, all cows, which
calve in January to March might need 20 – 30% more dietary energy just to keep warm; which is added on to their basic maintenance needs and supersede nutrients needed for milk production and reproduction. Not to be forgotten, essential cattle minerals and vitamins should also be provided in all post-partum cow diets. Calcium, phosphorus and other essential macro-minerals should compliment whatever mineral levels that are found in forages fed to the cowherd after calving. In a similar fashion, respective bioavailable sources of copper, zinc, manganese, iodine, cobalt, and selenium as well as fortified levels of vitamins A, D, an E should also be fed. I believe that diets with such well-conceived nutrient levels for post-calving cows really don’t have to be fancy nor complex. Some of my best 80/90-day postcalving feeding programs follow timeless traditional methods, namely: producers feed their early or mid-gestating cows on lower nutritious forages such as upon straw or more grassy-types (meet their modest early and mid-gestation nutrient requirements) for most of the
winter. Then, they switch to a higher energy/protein diet encompassing higher quality forages such as alfalfagrass mixtures, just prior to the calving. This practice continues until the cows are moved onto green pastures and the breeding season is in sight. Case-in-point - I work with a beef producer on the southern prairies that calves-out 150 commercial Angus x Simmental crossbred cows, starting in the middle of March (re: replacement heifers freshen, three weeks earlier) during a 50-day calving season. The bulls are turned out about couple months, later. His new post-calving diet (as well as nearly identical 30-day pre-calving feeding program) follows a modest overwintering program of allowing his early and midgestation cowherd to graze barley stubble supplemented with round-bales of grass and cattle lick-tubs (re: this is right after the previous set of weaned calves are sold in the fall). It goes something like this: 1. A morning feeding of a TMR mix is made up of 17 lbs of alfalfa-brome grass bale and is chopped up in a tub-grinder. It is mixed with 4 oz of a forti-
fied breeder cattle mineral and 10 lbs of water. 2. An evening feeding of 14% protein alfalfa round bales are set out. No grain is fed to the cows, until about a month after calving to coincide with peak milk production, then 2 – 3 lbs of dryrolled barley is fed. As a result of his investment – my friend notices over the years that his cows clean within minutes after a 95% calving rate and largely trouble-free season. Afterwards, these post-partum cows seem to milk well and later-on return to active heats, are bred and conceive with a new calf. Postscript – last autumn, his weaned steers weighed 780 lbs and heifers weighed 745 lbs. In a nutshell, whether producers take the advice from me, my client or well-run university studies – we all advocate that a high plane of nutrition is necessary for beef cows after they calve. Again, it comes down to providing the cows’ essential nutrient requirements, so they milk well and are ready for the upcoming breeding season. Such success is measured with spring calves that grow well and their mums get pregnant with another new calf.
A high plane of nutrition is necessary for beef cows after they calve. It comes down to providing the cows’ essential nutrient requirements, so they milk well and are ready for the upcoming breeding season. Such success is measured with spring calves that grow well and their mums get pregnant with another new calf.
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Wawanesa Farmer Credits Better Marketing and Rotation By Les Kletke Most of the planting decisions have been made by Barry Smith although he does have some swing acres available still. For him weather is the biggest factor that impacts planting intentions. Smith farms 3,500 acres with his son near Wawanesa. “Of course things can change, right up until the seed goes in the ground,” he said. “We do have some acres that we have not allocated but that is a small part of our operation.” Smith said rotations for crops and herbicide does remove some of his options while planning for the sea-
son. “We don’t start with a completely clean slate every year,” he said. “By the time we consider our rotations for oil seed and cereals we have a lot of our decisions made. We also consider the rotation of our weed control products so when you put that in the mix there are a lot of decision made.” He said that over the years they have changed the emphasis from which crops they grow to when they market. “We used to have much greater swings in our acreages for the type of crop we grew,” he explained. “We used to grow a lot more canola when the price was good and that was the best option. There were years where we
grew canola on canola, that is not the case anymore.” Smith credited his time spent on a better marketing plan as part of the reason and looking at the issue of herbicide tolerance that arose from over use of certain products that steered them into a different direction. “We have a pretty good plan with rotation of cereals and oil seeds now and we stay with that,” he said. “We try to do a better job of our marketing and have that contribute to our cash flow rather than the days of saying, ‘canola looks good, let’s see more of it.’” He said the market still shows real swings in prices but now they position them-
selves to take advantage of the market rather than just aim at the peaks. “We know we will not hit the highs in the market with everything, so we sell a portion of the crop at different times of the year, when we are making a profit. It will not be the high but it will bring cash flow into our business.” Weather at planting time has the biggest impact and he never discounts that. “We could have an incredibly wet spring and have trouble getting on the field, and that would mean changing some crops, but we went into fall pretty dry, so with a normal or slightly above average moisture this spring, we still will be alright.”
Impressive Turnout for Food Waste Reduction Challenge An impressive turnout of 343 applications has been received from innovators in Canada and around the world as part of the Government of Canada’s Food Waste Reduction Challenge. An initiative under the Food Policy for Canada, the $20-million Food Waste Reduction Challenge was launched in November 2020 to accelerate and advance diverse and high-impact solutions to food waste in Canada. Up to $10.8 million will be awarded under Streams A and B to innovators with business model solutions that can prevent
or divert food waste at any point from farm-to-plate. Of the 343 applications received, 27 percent were submitted by applicants who self-identified as youth (30 years old and under), 30 percent by applicants who self-identified as from a visible minority group and 32 percent by applicants who self-identified as women. Streams A and B opened on November 19, 2020 and closed on January 18, 2021. Applications are being assessed and the first round of winners will be announced in the coming months. Streams C and D are sched-
uled to launch in spring 2021, and will focus on new technologies that extend the life of food or transform food waste into new foods or value-added products. By encouraging more solutions to food waste in Canadian society, we can increase food availability, save consumers and businesses money and strengthen our food systems, while also reducing greenhouse gas emissions. According to estimates, more than half of Canada’s food supply is wasted annually, and nearly $50 billion of that wasted food is
avoidable. In addition to economic costs, food waste produces greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change. At the same time, a growing number of Canadians are facing food insecurity. Approximately 30 innovators will be selected by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada to receive $100,000 and become semi-finalists for Streams A and B. The semi-finalists will be announced this spring. At the third and last stage, one winner per stream will be awarded a grand prize of up to $1.5 million.
Hindsight is 2020 – A Lesson in Farm Safety 2020 was a year for the history books in more ways than one. It was also a year with an alarming increase in farm equipment contacts with overhead power lines and utility poles. Nearly half of these contacts occurred while operating cultivators and air seeders. Hitting a pole with your equipment or pulling down a power line puts you, your family member, or your employee at risk for serious injury or death by electrocution. It can also result in a widespread power outage affecting your farm operation, your neighbours, costly repairs to the electrical system, and your equipment. Prevent devastating acci-
dents on your farm by preparing now for a safe farming season ahead. Before Your Busy Seeding Season Begins: Drive your route along roadways, field access points and approaches ahead of time to identify any power lines or poles that may pose a risk. If possible, choose a different route to avoid electrical hazards. Measure the height and width of your farm equipment. Is it over 4.8 metres or 15’ 9” high? If so, you must take out a Farm Equipment Move Permit from Manitoba Hydro. Apply for an annual Farm Equipment Move Permit this winter:
Application forms are available online at Farm equipment move clearance permit (hydro.mb.ca), or by calling 1-888-624-9376. The permit is free of charge and valid from the date it is issued until December 31. When applying for your permit, you must provide: - A description of the equipment including type, height, width, and legal owner; - A planned route identified on a municipal landowner or hand-drawn map with road, highway numbers, field access points and approaches clearly marked. Once the form is submitted, a Manitoba Hydro representative will work with you to review the route and
confirm if the route is safe and allows for adequate clearance. If need be, an alternate route may be suggested, or lines may be upgraded if they don’t meet our minimum standard. Did you know that without a permit, or failure to follow its terms, you’re liable for the cost of repairing damage to the electrical system that may result while operating your equipment? The phrase hindsight is 20/20 rings true when it comes to safe farming practices. Don’t learn a lesson in electrical safety the hard way – plan to prevent accidents and apply for your Farm Equipment Move Permit today.
February 26, 2021
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Local Producer Spotlight:
Bridgehill Pottery Workshop Joanne Graydon lives in Woodmore with her husband Gord. They’ve lived on the farm overlooking the Jordon creek for the past 28 years. Joanne was a teacher in Vita and in Dominion City where she shared her love for the arts in her early year’s classroom and staging musicals with junior and senior high students. But after receiving a gift of pottery, Joanne’s creative curiosity started a long journey exploring the joy of working with clay. It started with finding a pottery wheel, kiln, tools, glazes, and books for a price she couldn’t refuse. The wheel was tucked under the basement staircase with an old lamp hanging upside-down lighting the small cozy space. She bought a “how to” book with coloured illustrations and began to teach herself how to throw a pot. It wasn’t long before Joanne realized she had found a passion for working with clay and over the next few years, after the wheel came up from the basement, she enjoyed creating new shapes and textures while honing her skills on the wheel and in hand-building. As the years passed and Joanne’s skills improved, she decided to build a workshop attached to her home where there would be more space to house three wheels, a glazing area, drying racks, a kiln and many useful tools. In 2013, Bridgehill Pottery Workshop opened its doors to the public. For the next six years, many talented curious people came to the shop to learn about making pottery. Joanne’s insatiable thirst for learning was shared with the people in the shop as ideas, techniques and experiments heightened her passion for collaboration. It was a journey she never expected and will never forget. While Joanne’s pottery business grew so did her awareness of other local artists. She decided to bring them together in the workshop for Harvest the Arts Artisans Craft sale. With help from her family, the workshop was transformed into a cozy space with artisans selling their unique crafts. Hundreds of neighbours and friends drove out to the farm early in November to meet our local crafters and do their Christmas shopping. Joanne’s inspiration comes from many sources. While she loves the satisfaction of production pottery, she also explores sculpting whimsical characters, building humorous scenes and more recently added a new and colorful glazing technique. The possibilities are endless working with clay and Joanne sees herself continuing to learn, grow and master skills to create pottery for many years to come. To get in touch with Joanne for a tour, a lesson or to do some shopping, a phone call to 204-4272967 or email to jograydon@gmail.com will work. Brought to you by the Stuartburn Emerson-Franklin Local Food Initiative at initiativelocalfood@gmail. com or on Facebook.
Joanne creating pottery.
Submitted photo
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February 26, 2021
The AgriPost