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What will the NDP’s win mean for rural Alberta? » PG 3

Biosecurity lessons from the battle against PEDv » PG 2 Publications Mail Agreement # 40069240

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Experts praise the power of audits Temple Grandin and Jennifer Woods say they boost both profits and PR By ALEXIS KIENLEN AF staff / calgary

emple Grandin and Jennifer Woods are both fans of the old saying: ‘You cannot manage what you cannot measure.’ Which is why the two animal welfare experts are in favour of audits. The duo, who has known each other for more than two decades, both spoke at the recent Canadian Livestock Transport conference. “Many people don’t think good thoughts when they think of auditing,” said Woods, owner of J. Woods Livestock Services in Blackie. “But I always tell people you shouldn’t be afraid of an audit. An audit is there to tell a story. Audits don’t just tell bad stories, they can tell some really good stories, too.” While audits are now becoming standard at livestock-processing facilities, they’re also showing up at the farm level for producers participating in specialized programs, such as those that guarantee animals are raised under specific protocols. Audits are not only good for marketing, they can also lead to better management practices, improving both quality and profits, said Woods.

see AUDITS page 7

Crackdown on shipping unfit animals working The Western Hog Exchange now seeing far less downers, but officials say even a few are too many

The Western Hog Exchange has seen a sharp drop in unfit hogs being shipped since launching a zero-tolerance policy. photo: USDA/regis lefebure By ALEXIS KIENLEN AF staff

crackdown on shipping unfit animals is paying off, says the chairman of the Western Hog Exchange. “I don’t have the statistics to back it up, but the general consensus is that we have seen a significant improvement in the animals coming to the plants,” Brent Moen said in an interview. The Red Deer hog plant adopted a zerotolerance stance on shipping “problem animals” after seeing an undercover Mercy for Animals video last fall. The video, shot at the facility and aired on CTV, contained disturbing footage of pigs that were limping or unable to walk being dragged off trucks and kicked and prodded by employees. That prompted the exchange to tell transporters to refuse to haul unfit livestock. And if an unfit hog shows up at the unloading bay, calls are made. “If a transporter continually brings in problem animals, we’re going to report

TROUBLE BELOW:

back to the transporter and to the company that owns the pigs,” Moen told attendees at the recent Canadian Livestock Transport conference. “If you’re going to violate the potential of our entire industry because you don’t want to follow the rules, I will tell a producer that you need to find somebody else to buy your output. We can’t have a small per cent of the industry that isn’t prepared to conform putting the rest of our industry in jeopardy.” The exchange also hired Jennifer Woods, an auditor and animal care specialist from Blackie. She said she doesn’t see a lot of unfit animals at the livestock-processing plants she audits. “But ideally I shouldn’t see any of it,” said Woods. “It’s not every load but when it does happen, it’s not good.”

More awareness

Woods said she gives significant weight to the shipping of unfit animals when auditing transport.

“There’s a low occurrence but when it does happen, it’s rated high for animal welfare and public relations,” she said. “We’re a lot better, but ideally no unfit animals would get shipped in a perfect world.” The exchange and Alberta Pork have also increased training for workers at the plant since the video, and mounted an educational campaign for both producers and transporters. “You will get the odd downer in transportation and that happens, but even from that standpoint, I would say that producers are paying attention to less crowding on the trucks and trying to do whatever they can to make the market animals more comfortable,” said Moen, owner of Verus Swine Management Services in Calgary. “From the culled sow side, there were animals coming in with prolapses or poor legs. Unstable, I will call them. But again, producers are now paying more attention.” This year’s lower prices may also have made a difference — a culled sow that

see shipping page 6

Old wells can be a hazard } PAGE 11

news » inside this week

inside » REASON TO CELEBRATE Small Camrose cheese plant captures national honours

MAY 25, 2015 • ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA

livestock

crops

columNists

MAKING INROADS

MAKING PGRs PAY OFF

John Morriss

Brenda Schoepp Spring fever is worth holding on to

SUCCESSION TSUNAMI A wave of farmers is nearing retirement, but doesn’t have a plan

Much more than milk and eggs

Sylvain Charlebois

Genomics is starting to pay dividends in cattle breeding

How to get a return from plant growth regulators

Why Monsanto needs a new plan

Massive biosecurity effort in hog sector proves its worth The list of changes is long and no detail was deemed too small in the effort to keep PEDv out of Alberta By ALEXIS KIENLEN AF staff / calgary

hen it comes to biosecurity, all the rules, time, and expense are worth it. And the proof can be seen in the successful effort to keep PEDv (porcine epidemic diarrhea virus) out of Alberta, attendees at the recent Canadian Livestock Transport conference were told. “Everybody in the chain has done their job to prevent PEDv from spreading to Alberta,” said Dr. Julia Keenliside, veterinary epidemiologist with Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development. “It’s the people at the barn and at the truck wash and at the assembly yard. The whole chain has to work and understand the issue.” Keenliside outlined the changes in the transportation part of that equation — and it’s been a sea change since porcine epidemic diarrhea reared its ugly head in the United States in 2013. She is part of the team conducting disease surveillance in Alberta and that involves working closely with the transportation part of the supply chain, something she never did in the past. The threat of PEDv has made everyone in the pork sector realize that biosecurity is more than just washing hands, changing boots and coveralls, and putting up signs around the yard, she said. “You have to know what disease you’re trying to prevent, in order to know what kind of biosecurity you should put in place,” said Keenliside. “Biosecurity needs to be tailored to the diseases that you are trying to prevent the spread of.”

Massive change

Western Canada has an advantage when it comes to preventing animal disease because farms are far apart, and the dry, cold winters take care of many diseases. However, the latter also presents biosecurity challenges. “It’s hard to be biosecure in winter and a lot of corners get cut,” said Keenliside. “How do you wash a truck in -40 C? How do you dry a truck in -40 C?” That’s just one example of the many changes implemented in the sector. At the farm level, some hog producers have designated certain trailers for bringing animals to slaughter and others for hauling breeding stock and nursery pigs to prevent PEDv from coming to the sow farm. Many others have installed Danish entries (a room where entrants change their outside clothing) in their barns. Pork boards across the country, including Alberta Pork and Manitoba Pork, launched extensive educational cam-

Julia Keenliside had a long list of new — and effective — biosecurity protocols in the hog sector when she spoke at the Canadian Livestock Transport Conference. PHOTO: ALEXIS KIENLEN

“Everybody in the chain has done their job to prevent PEDv from spreading to Alberta. It’s the people at the barn and at the truck wash and at the assembly yard. The whole chain has to work and understand the issue.” Julia Keenliside

paigns for producers and truckers. Every driver arriving at any processing plant in Alberta now puts on plastic boot covers before stepping out of the cab. In many cases, they’re not allowed in assembly yards and they also know they can no longer walk around barnyards. “It’s been a lot of work to enforce this and it’s been a change for many people,” said Keenliside.

Details matter

The learning curve for cleaning, disinfecting, and drying trucks is another example

of how complex seemingly everyday acts can become when biosecurity is the top priority. There are many nooks and crannies in trucks that could harbour manure — and hence PEDv. And everyone has had to learn that disinfectants aren’t a silver bullet. “Disinfectants are only as good as a cleaning job. People have to really improve their cleaning standards,” she said. Truck washes have also had to make changes. Many have implemented coldweather wash protocols and added anti-

freeze to their disinfectants. Drying off equipment and trucks has been another challenge. Many Hutterite colonies have found one of the best solutions for drying equipment is to put it in a heated shed or a shop overnight. “PEDv does not like heat, and it dies when it is warm,” said Keenliside. Manitoba, Alberta, and Saskatchewan have also created a truck wash registration program for Western Canada with targeted audits. “Now we have veterinarians going to truck washes,” she said. “Five or seven years ago, a veterinarian would never go to a truck wash. We’re all working together on the biosecurity of preventing diseases.” Although planned before the PEDv outbreak, traceability on live hog movement became mandatory last summer. Now every time a pig moves to another farm or to slaughter, it must be reported. It’s all part of the massive effort to keep PEDv out of Alberta, but the results speak for themselves, said Keenliside. “We’ve been quite successful.” akienlen@fbcpublishing.com

ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA • MAY 25, 2015

What will the ‘Albertastan?’ ‘orange crush’ Not likely, says analyst mean for Alberta? W hat lies in store for Alberta now that voters have elected an NDP government? Even new Premier Rachel Notley may not know the answer to that question — she’s said that it was only in the final week of the election that she realized the polls might be true

and her party was heading to power. Alberta Farmer put that question to two political analysts. One lays out the case why radical change is unlikely. The other says rural Albertans have good reason to be concerned about the changing of the guard.

The massive NDP win caught everyone off guard — even new Premier Rachel Notley. What will her government mean for producers and other rural Albertans? FILE PHOTO

Red flags abound with new NDP regime The deficit, taxes, a royalty review, minimum wage hikes, and workplace rules are just some areas of concern, says small-business watchdog By JENNIFER BLAIR AF staff

ural Albertans — and farmers in particular — are right to be worried about the new NDP government, says the Canadian Federation of Independent Business. “There’s a fairly high level of anxiety and concern about what it means,” said Richard Truscott, the organization’s vice-president for Alberta and B.C. “If you look at the NDP platform, there’s certainly some things that may benefit small businesses, farmers, and agribusinesses. But there’s also some things that ought to concern them.” There are many parts of the NDP’s platform that could spell trouble, he said. “That long list starts with the oil and gas royalty review, corporate tax increases, a big minimum wage hike, potentially the extension of the Occupational Health and Safety rules and mandatory WCB coverage for farms — the list goes on and on.” These are issues that affect the bottom line of farmers and other rural entrepreneurs, he said. “A lot of it comes down to dollars and cents. Is this NDP government going to be conservative progressives and govern the province accordingly? Or is it going to turn on the spending taps and hike taxes? “That’s something that a lot of people in rural Alberta have some major concerns about.” Truscott predicts that, over the next three years, Alber-

Rural communities expert predicts NDP government will move cautiously and strong opposition will push rural issues By JENNIFER BLAIR AF staff

he threats about moving to Saskatchewan — some only half in jest — started flying around rural Alberta the moment it became clear that Rachel Notley was going to be the province’s first NDP premier. But there’s no need to pack your suitcases because government is structured for “continuity, not for change,” says the director of the Alberta Centre for Sustainable Rural Communities. “While ideologically they are to the left, it’s very unlikely to be this immense, unimaginable, paradigmatic change to how politics and public policy in Alberta work,” said Lars Hallstrom. The very nature of government also makes radical shifts unlikely, he said. “We design our institutions politically to be averse to change, so that the structures we have in place do stay in place. Even though the party changes, the people who are doing a lot of the on-the-ground work are the same people.” While Alberta’s governing party hasn’t changed in 44 years, “people have been moving in and out of cabinet constantly” since Alison Redford was elected as premier in 2012, he added. “The point of government is not to have elected officials who are experts in their field,” said Hallstrom. “The point is that the bureaucratic civil ser-

“Premier Notley and her cabinet are very well aware of where they were elected and understand that they will need to be slightly conservative progressives.” Lars Hallstrom

vice is there, and they have the expertise and knowledge. They’re the administrative bodies that keep the programming in place. “While policies over time will change, the practices of government and the administration of programming will be remarkably consistent.” Issues such as a royalty review and progressive tax system — major sticking points among rural voters during the election — “won’t be implemented next week,” he said. “There’s no promise from the NDP that it is going to change that. What it’s going to do is look at it. That’s what Albertans asked for,” said Hallstrom. “If we look at the survey that the Progressive Conservatives made available to the public going into the budget, many Albertans indicated that changes to royalties

were acceptable to them, as were sales taxes, as were changes to a more progressive tax system.”

Rural issues

On the whole, the NDP “has quite a balanced platform,” said Hallstrom. “It is not, in my opinion, catastrophic in any stretch of the imagination,” he said. “Premier Notley and her cabinet are very well aware of where they were elected and understand that they will need to be slightly conservative progressives.” The NDP’s “emphasis on equity” could be good news for rural Albertans, said Hallstrom, whose centre, part of the University of Alberta, studies issues affecting rural communities. Recent Tory administrations h a v e b e e n “ w i t h d r a w i n g ”

see Albertastan page 9

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delO Days Rural businesses are right to be concerned about the new NDP government, says Richard Truscott, vice-president for Alberta and B.C. for the Canadian Federation of Independent Business. PHOTO: CFIB tans will see “a lot of potential issues” surface that could harm small businesses. High on that list is the provincial deficit — forecast by the outgoing Progressive Conservative administration to hit $5 billion this fiscal year. Raising corporate taxes and increasing personal taxes for higher-income individuals isn’t likely to raise that much, said Truscott. “In my own view, looking at the province’s finances right now, the plan to balance the books is ambitious and may be overly optimistic,” he said.

see red flags page 8

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MAY 25, 2015 • ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA

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There’s more than milk and eggs involved in this trade deal

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Canada’s ‘powerful dairy lobby’ gets much of the ink in stories about the TPP trade talks, but there are many bigger players

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he Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade agreement now under negotiation involves 12 of the world’s largest economies, and has been described as “NAFTA on steroids.” What’s holding it up? Canadian dairy farmers. Or so you’d think about reading some of the national and international media coverage. Some of it made us think of the coverage of the Crow debate. As it went on (seemingly forever), journalists would dredge up phrases from old stories and start new ones about the “century-old” (it wasn’t) Crow Rate which “was promised in perpetuity” (it wasn’t) and how changing it would “reduce the price of land on the Prairies” (it didn’t). So while they weren’t accurate, these phrases were repeated so often that they became accepted wisdom. Similarly, as in reports from the G-20 agriculture ministers’ meeting in Turkey earlier this month, there were references to Canada’s reluctance to drop supply management because of the “powerful dairy lobby.” The Dairy Farmers of Canada is pretty smart all right, but let’s think this through. There are about 12,000 dairy farms in Canada, so let’s assume each has an average of mom, dad and one child of voting age. That’s 36,000 votes spread across dozens of constituencies across the country. Let’s further assume the Conservatives drop supply

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The company thought a science-based approach would ultimately win the day, but its PR efforts have failed miserably

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So there are certainly some powerful lobbies in the TPP negotiations, such as U.S. entertainment and Internet corporations and multinational drug companies. It’s odd that the “powerful dairy lobby” in Canada seems to get more ink than they do. Or than the much more powerful dairy lobby in the U.S., which wants access to the Canadian market. There lies the real but so far mostly unspoken political issue in Canada. Much of the U.S. “dairy shed” in the northern U.S. is within a few hours’ semi-trailer ride to most of the Canadian population in Ontario and Quebec. So if supply management disappears and the border opens, U.S. milk would flood across the border unless Canada matched the U.S. dairy support program. Canadian producers would also be under pressure to adopt the same production model as some of the U.S. mega-operations, many of which have questionable labour and animal welfare practices. Canadian consumers would begin to see sharp fluctuations in prices, which they don’t now. Nothing strikes more fear into the heart of a politician than the prospect of a news report with a young mother complaining about the high price of milk. So while supply management, especially for dairy, may be a sticking point in the TPP, it isn’t the only one, and it involves more than farmers. Other than Mexico, Canada is the only TPP country that shares a border with the U.S. If this deal is in fact “NAFTA on steroids,” it’s likely that there are more issues on the table than milk and eggs.

Winning the trust of consumers is Monsanto’s biggest challenge

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management and every one of those voters decides to vote Liberal or NDP in protest. In that unlikely event, in how many constituencies would that make a difference? Pressure to change supply management came from the Canadian Agri-Food Trade Alliance, which issued an opinion piece saying “the time is now” to get a deal. It didn’t mention the words “supply management,” but the unspoken undercurrent is that Canada has to drop it or there will be no deal, and Prairie grain and livestock producers will lose out. That must have the Conservatives quaking in their boots — if we don’t get into the TPP, all the farmers on the Prairies are going to vote Liberal or NDP in protest. Given the NDP victory in Alberta, perhaps anything is possible, but this doesn’t seem too likely. The focus on supply management diverts attention from the fact that there are other contentious issues in the TPP. Patent protection on drugs is one, especially for Canadian provinces trying to minimize their health-care bills. And of some 61,000 words in the Wikipedia entry on the TPP, the words “supply management” appear once. “Intellectual property” appears 20 times. Many countries are at odds with the U.S. on intellectual property and copyright law. And according to WikiLeaks, the accord would grant the power to global corporations to sue governments in tribunals organized by the World Bank or the United Nations to obtain taxpayer compensation for loss of expected future profits due to government actions. That information had to come from WikiLeaks, because the text of the deal is secret.

By Sylvain Charlebois

t appears that Monsanto, better known as a seeds and traits company, has now shown an interest in getting back to its roots: chemicals. The chemical giant Syngenta recently rejected Monsanto’s considerable $45-billion bid to acquire it. Nonetheless, a merger could still be in the books. Obviously, such a merger would create an agricultural behemoth. Both companies are of similar size, and both generate revenues from different steams. Monsanto makes money by selling seeds while Syngenta’s revenues mainly come from weed control products. Such an initiative might be described as life trying to buy death, so to speak. By expanding and going back into chemicals, Monsanto has the potential to become more powerful than ever in agriculture by increasing economies of scope up the food value chain. Such a deal would likely increase antitrust

issues though, and Syngenta could conceivably be requested to sell its seed division. One other benefit for Monsanto would be relocating its head offices from St. Louis to lowtaxed Switzerland and cashing in on the advantages of tax inversion, a practice which raises other moral and ethical issues. Regardless, Monsanto’s quest to get larger, bigger, and more influential will likely continue and not end here. A backdrop to all of this, of course, is the ever-increasing public outcry against Monsanto’s approach to agriculture. Monsanto has been mollified for many years into thinking that its science-based approach has been good enough and would help validate what it was trying to achieve. Given that every May, hundreds of thousands of concerned individuals gather across almost 40 countries and more than 400 cities to march against Monsanto, it seems the company’s risk communication scheme over the years has failed miserably. Gatherings around the world seek to

raise awareness about Monsanto’s genetically modified seeds, GMO labelling, and potential health risks caused by the use of herbicide Roundup. With the help of social media, it looks like opposition to Monsanto is only gaining steam. In the past, Monsanto felt confident about focusing on a sciencebased approach in a sciencedominated corporate culture, so societal optics were never really considered by the company — at least not seriously. The company thought that by having science on its side, there was no need to tackle concerns which originated from what it considered flawed scientific studies. Yet contradicting this unshakable confidence in scientific authority, adversaries of Monsanto’s business model have been successful in recognizing that trust — the golden rule in risk communications — actually has more currency than science. The extent and amplitude of criticisms in the public realm have caused Monsanto to recognize fairly recently

that it has lost control over how it is perceived publicly. Monsanto is now making an effort to gain its social licence, something it clearly does not have right now. Over the years, the company has inadvertently polarized the issue of generally modified crops, to its detriment. Recognizing the need to connect in a meaningful way with consumers, the St. Louisbased company is now engaging more than ever with the public on many different levels. Whether its strategy will be successful or not remains to be seen. As it continues to grow its business, winning the confidence of consumers is arguably the company’s biggest challenge moving forward. Without this trust, executing mega-deals like the one which could bring Monsanto and Syngenta together will only bring more hardship. Sylvain Charlebois is professor in the College of Business and Economics at the University of Guelph.

ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA • MAY 25, 2015

Spring is an energizing time — make that feeling last all year The end of winter brings hope and rejuvenation. How can we keep that feeling all year long? By BRENDA SCHOEPP AF columnist

pring is a celebration. Little plots of green sneak through the snow and are a welcome contrast to the brown. These changes are important for us as we pull out of the wrath of winter. The challenge is to keep that energy and joy that we feel in spring all year round. In spring, even the weather loses its edge and we somehow are constantly rejuvenated and filled with a special hope and an ever-flowing desire to be ‘out there.’ Later in the year, when crops may fail and prices change, machinery breaks down, and the last of the children go off to school, it takes a ton of energy to keep it in perspective. Spring fever has come and gone. There are many self-help books written for staying on track but very few were written for the men and women who farm. So how do we ‘rope the sunshine’ for the cloudy days on the farm? I once read that in all things, the only response is gratitude. For all of us, the sun does rise

and it does set every day. That alone is gift enough, but it is tough to be grateful all the time and exercise the humble emotion of thankfulness. When we don’t know where to start, we could start with a smile and let the rest of the day unfold. My dad is a cattle buyer and I accompanied him for years. We were in many homes and visited with all the families — some which were under extreme stress. One constant was that farm accidents were (and still are) everywhere and so were the lifelong disabilities. That however, was not reason to snuff out joy in these households and we were always greeted with a smile and enjoyed fantastic hospitality. Many times I left humbled and conscious of my own blessings. And although farm families can at times default to the blame game (if only Tom would have checked the hitch) or worse yet, no one accepting the reality of the day (this is not happening), those who choose to make their day a great and interesting one succeed regardless of the situation they are in. I was once at the home of a beautiful couple who cared for many disadvantaged children.

They were kind, loving, hospitable, and one would have never guessed that the day before one of the parents had accidentally driven the tractor through the outside wall of their new home. Instead, they shared the irony of it, laughing and proclaiming what expert builders they would be after they had built the house — once again! And yes, they were grateful that no injuries occurred and for their other blessings in life. Humans are a fickle bunch and we worry with dread over what other folks may think or say of us. I believe it is fair to state we worry more about how we look than about who we are. It reminds me of the day I listened to Chris Koch — a lovely man who drives very big farm equipment and travels the world. He said, “If you are worried about how you look, then you are missing a great opportunity.” He doesn’t worry that he is without arms or legs, nor does he pack a doomsday attitude. Instead, he just gets out there and does it — with joy! This is a reminder that it is our values that define us. To keep our family and employees engaged, we need to put that into play.

Society as a whole continues to struggle with gender equality — which I define as standing up for the excellence of the other. For farm families, that means to draw out, respect, and encourage the gifts of our male and female children without judgment or conditions. It is to create a spring fever conversation around the table that is equitable. It is to encourage our spouses, parents, and employees to be the best that they can be and facilitate the environment for that to happen. I go back to the African proverb: “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” You may be the leader of your team, but your tribe has to see you live by your words and feel freely engaged all year round — even at the times when farming becomes overwhelming. Going back to those self-help books, many of them talk about balance in life. Forget about chasing balance and choose to set boundaries. Say, “No, I will not sort cattle with you when you yell at me,” or, “No, I cannot travel to that meeting on Sunday. It is our day at home as a family.”

How about skipping the coffee shop and taking a break for an hour with your spouse or letting the weeds grow to play hide and seek? Say no to the mother who insists that you “have to” see your cousin 14 times removed or no to the salesman who is peddling a product that does not align with your core values and beliefs. Quiet time to contemplate, exercise to build strength, and sitdown family meals to fuel brain power are all possible when we set a boundary. Limits empower us and our family because everyone feels secure. It may seem oversimplified to talk about keeping the spring spirit on the farm all year round. But joy is a contagious, energetic emotion and so much can be done when the individual strengths of your family and team are nurtured. Spring fever and all its inspirations need not fade on the farm. It can be revived each day by starting with a smile and genuine gratefulness. Brenda Schoepp is a farmer from Alberta who works as an international mentor and motivational speaker. She can be contacted through her website www.brendaschoepp.com. All rights reserved. Brenda Schoepp 2014

Depleted soils spell disaster for human food security Supply of fertilizer and carbon release from global warming are two key threats, authors of new paper warn university of california berkeley release

teadily and alarmingly, humans have been depleting Earth’s soil resources faster than the nutrients can be replenished. If this trajectory does not change, soil erosion, combined with the effects of climate change, will present a huge risk to global food security over the next century, warns a review paper authored by some of the top soil scientists in the country. The paper singles out farming, which accelerates erosion and nutrient removal, as the primary game changer in soil health. “Ever since humans developed agriculture, we’ve been transforming the planet and throwing the soil’s nutrient cycle out of balance,” said lead author, Ronald Amundson, a professor of environmental science, policy and management at the University of California, Berkeley. “Because the changes happen slowly, often taking two to three generations to be noticed, people are not cognizant of the geological transformation taking place.”

In the paper published in the journal Science earlier this month, the authors say soil erosion has accelerated since the industrial revolution, and we’re now entering a period when the ability of soil — “the living epidermis of the planet” — to support the growth of our food supply is plateauing.

A ‘phosphorus cartel’

The authors identify the supply of fertilizer as one of the key threats to future soil security. Farmers use three essential nutrients to fertilize their crops: nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus. The paper credits the discovery of synthetic nitrogen production in the early 1900s to significantly increased crop yields that supported dramatic global population growth. Because the process of synthesizing nitrogen is energy intensive, its supply is dependent on fossil fuels. Unlike nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus come from rocks and minerals, and the authors point out that those resources are not equitably distributed throughout the world. The United States has only one to two per cent of the world’s potassium reserves, and its reserves of phosphorus are expected to run out in about three decades.

“This could create political challenges and uncertainties,” said Amundson. “Morocco will soon be the largest source of phosphorus in the world, followed by China. These two countries will have a great deal of say in the distribution of those resources. Some people suggest we will see the emergence of a phosphorus cartel.”

Carbon threat

Another threat to soil security relates to its role as a mass reservoir for carbon. Left unperturbed, soil can hold on to its stores of carbon for hundreds to thousands of years. The most recent estimates suggest that up to 2,300 gigatons of carbon are stored in the top three metres of the Earth’s soil — more carbon than in all the world’s plants and atmosphere combined. One gigaton is equal to a billion tons. But agriculture’s physical disruption of soil releases stored carbon into the atmosphere. Based on the area of land used for farming worldwide, 50 to 70 gigatons of carbon have been released into the atmosphere throughout human history, according to the paper. Proponents of sequestration, the long-

term storage of carbon in soil, have argued that regaining this carbon will be a means to mitigate continuing fossil fuel emissions of the greenhouse gas. “Carbon sequestration plans won’t make a dent in the amount o f s o il r el ea se d by c li ma te change,” countered Amundson. “The amount of carbon stored through sequestration would be tiny compared to the potential amount lost through global warming.” Of particular concern is the large carbon stores in the soils in the planet’s polar regions. Researchers have found that temperatures are increasing at greater rates in the northern latitudes. “Warming those areas is like filling your freezer with food, then pulling the plug and going on vacation,” said Amundson. “There will be a massive feast of bacteria feeding on the food as the plug gets pulled on the stored carbon in the frozen soil. Microbes are already starting the process of converting the carbon to CO2 and methane.”

Recycling nutrients

The authors recognize the human reliance on farm-

ing and note that most of the Earth’s most productive soils are already in agricultural production. However, they argue for better management of the soils we rely upon. One proposal is to stop discarding nutrients captured in waste treatment facilities. Currently, phosphorus and potassium are concentrated into solid waste rather than cycled back into the soil. Additionally, more efficient management is needed to curtail losses from soil. Excess nitrogen, for example, is considered a pollutant, with the run-off sapping oxygen from the nation’s waterways, suffocating aquatic life, and creating dead zones in coastal margins. Amundson noted that it did not take too long to get people to start separating paper, glass and aluminum cans from their trash for recycling. “We should be able to do this with soil,” said Amundson. “The nutrients lost can be captured, recycled and put back into the ground. We have the skill set to recycle a lot of nutrients, but the ultimate deciders are the people who create policy. It’s not a scientific problem. It’s a societal problem.”

Off the front

CFIA believes wild birds behind Canadian avian influenza cases

SHIPPING } from page 1 fetched $350 last year is now only worth $100. “I don’t want to paint the industry in a bad light, but economics is a reality,” said Moen. “But again, it’s no excuse for shipping a compromised animal.” But the educational outreach has heightened awareness that euthanizing unfit animals on the farm is the right thing to do for animal welfare and to maintain public confidence of the industry. “You should really ask yourself if the animal is in good structural shape and has the confirmation to make the journey to slaughter — if it isn’t, put it down,” said Moen. “Part of it is awareness and asking yourself questions to make a decision whether or not the animal is unfit to ship.”

While there are no new cases of bird flu in Canada, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency says it’s still too early to breathe a sigh of relief

“The general consensus is that we have seen a significant improvement in the animals coming to the plants.”

Still work to do

World Organization of Animal Health guidelines state animals should not be shipped when they are sick, injured, disabled or fatigued, and are unable to stand or bear weight on their legs. They also can’t be shipped if they are blind in both eyes, have unhealed wounds, or are about to give birth. “For me, our biggest vulnerability and welfare issue is the condition of the animal (when it is shipped),” Woods said in her presentation to the livestock transport conference. Plants can also do their part to stop the shipping of unfit animals. In Canada, plants aren’t allowed to sled, which means that they can’t remove non-ambulatory animals from transport and must euthanize them. Since the animal can’t get off the trailer, it has no value. Some plants penalize and fine people for shipping unfit animals.

May 25, 2015 • Albertafarmexpress.ca

Brent Moen

“As soon as that happens, people quit sending them,” said Woods. But there’s still work to do, said the Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s veterinary lead on livestock transportation. “I’ve been on this file for a year and a half and have received many reports from the Canadian public,” said Michelle Groleau. “If one per cent of animal loads across Canada are non-compliant, that might not seem like a lot. But if you’re looking at 700 million animals transported every year, that translates to seven million animals, which is not acceptable. We can improve and we have to improve.” akienlen@fbcpublishing.com

BY SHANNON VANRAES Staff

he Canadian Food Inspection Agency is confident cases of avian influenza in Ontario and B.C. are the result of contact with wild birds, not farmto-farm transmission. “From the seasonality of this disease and the characterization of the virus — we cannot be 100 per cent sure that it is wild birds — but there is a very strong correlation,” said Abad Harchaoui, a senior animal health veterinarian with the CFIA. “From our experience with this virus, from incursions we had in B.C. and several states in the U.S., and later here in Ontario, we found that this virus happens during the migration of wild birds.” Not only does it happen during the migration of wild birds, outbreaks of avian influenza occur first along the flight paths of migrating birds, Harchaoui said. Cases found on the West Coast in January and February were followed by infections southward along a route known as the Pacific flyway. A reverse pattern of infection then began occurring as birds headed north

again beginning in March, he said. Mississippi saw bird flu hit its commercial poultry industry as wild birds followed that state’s namesake river northward in late winter and early spring. Arkansas was hit next, followed by Missouri, Minnesota, and Ontario. Reports coming out of the U.S. now put the number of affected birds at 26 million, with flocks hit in 14 different states. Unlike the Canadian situation, farm-to-farm transmission has been occurring south of the border, with some barns in such close proximity that airborne transmission is suspected. The CFIA has worked with the poultry industry over a period of years to develop and implement protocols for both everyday areas of concerns and periods of heightened disease risk, said Harchaoui. “Generally, the industry is doing all it can to protect its birds from disease, not only from avian influenza, but all disease,” he said. When cases of avian influenza are identified, the agency moves quickly to contain the risk. “Once we have the confirmation from one of our network labs… CFIA will then send a team

“We found that this virus happens during the migration of wild birds.” Abad Harchaoui

and put the farm under quarantine,” said Harchaoui. “We control everything that is going in or out of this farm, and after we go through this phase we can plan for quick and safe destruction of the birds on the premises.” While there have been no new cases of bird flu in Canada since a third infected farm was quarantined in Ontario — and it appears the number of new cases in the U.S. is now decreasing — Harchaoui said it’s still too early to know if the worst is over. “We have to wait a little bit until we are confident that the wild birds have moved north and away from places where we have poultry,” he said. shannon.vanraes@fbcpublishing.com

Albertafarmexpress.ca • May 25, 2015

AUDITS } from page 1 They’re also needed to reassure consumers who are increasingly worried about how food is produced — and increasingly being swayed by misinformation on the Internet, said Grandin, a professor of animal science at Colorado State University. “Radicals are the big voices online and they attack the people in the middle so much that you can’t even discuss issues in a rational manner,” she said. “The people we have to be talking to are the general public.” The internationally renowned animal welfare expert has not only championed better treatment of livestock, but convinced the world’s biggest meat packers to use audits to drive change. And it’s worked, said Grandin, noting JBS and Cargill now video what’s happening in their plants and send the videos to auditors. “In the 1980s and 1990s, the plants were bad,” she said. “The plants are totally different today.”

“I always tell people you shouldn’t be afraid of an audit.”

accountable for bruises, they prevent them and that’s not that difficult to do.” At the farm level things such as body condition, mud scoring, lameness, coat condition, and swollen hocks can all be measured, she said.

Changes needed

And there’s no question that many livestock operations need to improve, said Grandin. Lameness in beef and dairy cattle is a major issue, and she’s seen issues such as lice at organic beef operations. Part of the problem is that many producers simply aren’t good at assessing their operations, said Grandin. “If you go to a dairy farm and ask people to estimate the number of lame cows, they will underestimate by half,” she said. At the other end of the spectrum, you have companies with labelling programs trying to one up each other and coming up with standards that simply can’t be met, said Woods. What’s needed is balance, she said. “You need it to be attainable, but you also need it to have some teeth,” said Woods. “When you have everybody passing audits all

the time, you’ve got a problem. We’re not that good. We can be good, but that’s just not reality.” And in a world where it seems everyone is shooting video with their smartphones, don’t think that what happens on the farm stays on the farm, warned Grandin. “If it’s not going to look good on YouTube, then you probably shouldn’t be doing it,” she said. Grandin is no stranger to that medium, having made videos of her tours of beef and turkey slaughter plants, which included showing animals being killed and processed. But both videos have been well received, she said. “A lot of times you just need to show how things work.” Having upped their game through audits, her clients are now open to strengthening them, added Woods. “You can’t just set one acceptable standard and let it sit for 10 years,” she said. “We should regularly review things, even within a company so you can say, ‘We’ve been achieving this quite easily. Do we need to raise the bar a little? Is there an area we can improve? Can we get better?’” akienlen@fbcpublishing.com

Audits are a force for good, both Jennifer Woods and Temple Grandin (above) told attendees at the Canadian Livestock Transport Conference. PHOTOS: ALEXIS KIENLEN

BUILT FOR SOIL PRODUCTIVITY

Jennifer Woods

Get specific

Woods has audited numerous slaughter plants as well as dairy, feedlots, and other livestock facilities. She is now regularly auditing the Western Hog Exchange, which called her in after an undercover Mercy for Animals video showed sick and injured hogs arriving at the Red Deer facility and being dragged, kicked, and hit with a plastic bat. She often does second-party audits, reviewing the internal (or first-party) audits that companies conduct on themselves, as well as third-party (or outside) audits. “We need all of these different types of audits and businesses find them beneficial,” she said. They not only shine a spotlight on bad practices, but can also spur a company to innovate and find new ways that not only fix the problem, but create efficiencies or a better product. But it all comes back to the yardstick you’re using, she added. “There is a lot of audit criteria that is extremely subjective,” said Woods. “You really want to do your best to choose criteria that you can actually measure.” It’s critical to avoid vague terms like ‘adequate,’ she said. “You could line up five different inspectors and ask them to give you definitions of ‘adequate lighting’ and you’d end up with five different answers,” she said. But it doesn’t have to be complex, said Grandin. When you start counting things like how often electric prods are used or how often bruising occurs, things start to change, she said. “The bruising has got a lot better,” she said. “When people are

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MAY 25, 2015 • ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA

Oil prices need to rebound for that to happen, he added. “If oil prices continue to slowly rise over the next 12 months, that may save their bacon and make it a lot easier to do what they planned to do in balancing the books. But they have to rise and also stay high for the next six to 12 months to really make a meaningful impact on the government’s deficit.” The plan to review oil royalties is another big worry because the oil and gas sector is so critical to the economy. “That sector alone is a big part of the reason Alberta has been so successful over the last 30 or 40 years,” said Truscott. “So we’ve got to be careful what we do on that front. We certainly don’t want to throw the baby out with the bathwater.”

Mixed track record

But it’s too soon to tell how the province will fare under the new regime mainly because the Alberta NDP has never held power, said Truscott, adding the party’s track record is “mixed.” “We’ve seen some fiscally responsible NDP governments in certain places in the country in the past, and we’ve seen the opposite as well,” he said. In Saskatchewan, former NDP premier Roy Romanow (who is now advising incoming Premier Rachel Notley) ran a tighter fiscal ship from 1991 to 2001 than his Tory predecessor, Grant Devine, he said. “That was a government that was heavily embroiled in megaprojects and a lot of government spending, whereas the Romanow NDP was actually quite fiscally conservative by comparison,” said Truscott. But NDP governments also tend to “take a more interventionist path and ramp up spending and taxes,” which is what happened in Ontario under former premier Bob Rae, he added.

“I think people are legitimately concerned about the future direction that the government may take on a lot of key areas.” Richard Truscott

“The province charted a completely different course for a very short period of time. At the end of the day, what it was planning to do simply didn’t add up.” The big question now is whether the NDP will govern like traditional progressives — “turning on the spending taps and hiking taxes” — or like conservative progressives. Albertans will just have to “wait and see.” “We’ll see what direction they go and how bold they are with some of these policy directions that they had outlined in their platform,” said Truscott, adding his organization will be watching closely. “We’ll definitely cheerlead good policy. But we’ll be there if they do decide to take a direction that’s going to harm small business and impact entrepreneurs, we’ll be there to push back, and push back hard.” jennifer.blair@fbcpublishing.com

Tree planting dos and don’ts Agroforestry specialist Toso Bozic outlines the basics from buying to planting Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development release

tree needs a healthy head start and that begins with selecting the right seed-

lings. “Ask where the stock came from, as many trees are not adapted to Alberta’s harsher climate,” said provincial agroforestry specialist Toso Bozic. “If you don’t get a tree that suits your needs, wait for next season and order in advance.” Next, take care when transporting trees and shrubs to their new home. “Don’t leave seedlings for a long time in your vehicle during hot and windy days as their roots dry rapidly,” said Bozic. “Do not expose them to direct sunlight. Cover them or put them in a box. If you must wait one or two hours, cover the seedlings with snow or ice or use a reflective tarp. Do

not use canvas, as it holds heat and warms seedlings. Having a canopy on your pickup truck also helps.” Plant trees and shrubs within a few days. “Don’t wait too long as you may expose them to various diseases, moulding, drying, and many other problems. If you can’t plant them immediately, store them in a cool place for a few days (a cooler or cold storage, root cellar or colder corner of your shed). After a few days, check the roots — if they are dry, spray/mist water and cover them again.” Only take out the amount of seedlings you can plant that day. “You can also dip seedlings in water just prior to planting but do not keep them in water for long as you can drown them and cause damage due to oxygen starvation. Poplar and willow cuttings can be soaked in water a day prior to planting.”

Planting tips

The best time to plant trees or shrubs is early morning, late afternoon or during a cloudy day. There are advantages and disadvantages to the two common methods of planting — manual and mechanical. For hand planting, dig a large enough hole so the roots are straight and plant to the same depth as in the nursery (look for changes in bark colour close to the roots to find the soil line). “Once you have put the tree properly in the hole, put soil around it and step on the soil to make it firm,” said Bozic. “The easiest way to test is to try to gently pull the trees out — if they come out easily, you have not used enough soil and pressure. Keep seedlings as straight as possible.” Prepare soil prior to mechanical planting, don’t go too fast, and have someone follow to ensure the trees are properly planted.

Once planting is complete, they need to be watered. “Don’t water too quickly as water will run off and nothing will get to the roots, or it will create surface roots for trees that may die during a drought,” said Bozic. “The goal is to create trees and shrubs with deep roots that can withstand drought. Check soil moisture regularly by putting a sharp object, such as a knife, into the soil. Do not water if there is some soil on the knife. If the knife comes out dry, you may water.” Finally, keep a lookout for weeds, diseases, animals and insects. “Weed control is an ongoing process in the first few years following planting,” said Bozic. “It may require up to five years of controlling. It’s also crucial in the first few years to monitor your trees once a week for any potential damages from insects, diseases and animals.”

healthy crops.

HEALTHY PROFITS.

Fungicide: optional add-on or necessary yield enhancer? their yields to the next level, growers need to have fungicide as part of their standard management program, just as they would expect to include herbicide.”

When commodity prices are high, it’s easy to justify investing in crop inputs to maximize yield. When commodity prices drop, however, many producers look for ways to save. Fungicide applications are often among the first inputs to be omitted. But is the decision to drop your fungicide based on good economics and sound science? Not unless you’re growing in near-drought conditions, according to new research from Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development (ARD). ARD researchers planted small plot trials at five locations around Alberta to test the return on investment of a fungicide application. In the second year of a four-year trial, the side-by-side comparisons of wheat grown with and without fungicide showed definitive results: in all but the driest sites, fungicide application offered a net economic benefit, with returns ranging from $14 to $110 per acre.

Throughout the 2014 growing season, the three sites in southern and central Alberta received between 10.4 and 16.7 inches of precipitation—average or above average for the area. This moisture supported both strong crop growth and high disease development. The two wettest sites—one moistened via precipitation and one via irrigation—saw a yield increase of 22 to 37 per cent from a single application of fungicide versus the untreated control, and 30 to 48 per cent from a dual fungicide application. The trial site in northern Alberta that faced near-drought

“

“I think the data from our trials might convince those growers who are still on the fence,” says Dr. Sheri Strydhorst, an agronomy research scientist with Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development and the lead researcher in the fungicide trials. “If the risk factors for disease development are there and they want to take © 2015 UFA Co-operative Ltd. All rights reserved. 130499

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If they want to take their yields to the next level, growers need to have fungicide as part of their standard management program.

“

RED FLAGS } from page 3

conditions, on the other hand, had little yield response—not surprising given that conditions were not conducive to disease. According to the study, a single fungicide application cost $18.41 to $25.59 per acre. Based on that cost and a wheat price of $4.68 per bushel, ARD’s Production Crops Economist, Rawlin Thangaraj, calculated the net economic benefit of a single fungicide application was between $75 and $77 per acre at the trial site hit hardest by disease. With two applications of fungicide at the same location, at a total cost of $44 per acre, the net economic benefit was $92 per acre. At the irrigated trial location, net economic benefit was even higher: $103 to $110 per acre for the early and late single fungicide applications respectively. “When you have warm, moist conditions that suit disease development and you’re growing a variety that doesn’t have really strong disease resistance, you will see a tremendous yield response from the use of fungicide,” says Strydhorst. “In those types of conditions, a fungicide’s return on investment will be huge even at lower commodity prices.”

Albertafarmexpress.ca • may 25, 2015

Funding for trees lost to beetles or floods staff

ural landowners in Alberta are eligible for two treereplacement programs offered by Tree Canada. Under the mountain pine beetle ReLeaf program, landowners who have shelterbelt trees or landscape trees around their yard killed by mountain pine beetle can apply for tree seedlings or potted trees (up to a five-gallon pot size) to a maximum amount of $5,000. The $140,000 program, which also provides funding to homeowners and municipalities, is funded by Alberta Environment and Sustainable Resource Development and Telus. To apply, visit www. treecanada.com and search for ‘pine beetle releaf.’ The application deadline is July 30. There is a similar program for private landowners, homeowners, and municipalities for trees lost to flooding in either 2013 and 2014 or the freak snowstorm in September 2014.

Rural property owners who lost yard or shelterbelt trees to mountain pine beetles can get grants from Tree Canada. Photo: Tree Canada

Albertastan

} from page 3

support from rural community development “both fiscally as well as philosophically,” he said. “I wouldn’t say that rural community development has been a priority for Progressive Conservatives for a long time. They’ve invested at times, but they’ve also disinvested.” The ongoing “ebb and flow” of rural grants and programs has created some unpredictability for rural municipalities and organizations over the past several years. Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development has “struggled conceptually and practically” with the rural development piece of its portfolio, said Hallstrom. “Other provinces have taken more pronounced and slightly more informed perspectives on rural community development and how rural development fits in that broader portfolio,” he said. “I’m cautiously optimistic that we’ll see greater predictability and a greater sense of perspective around investing in people and investing in communities from the NDP.” Another factor is the political dynamic — a strong opposition coupled with a government that can’t assume it has an unshakable hold on power.

“Rural votes still matter. Agriculture is still a huge sector in this province.” Lars Hallstrom

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“A Wildrose opposition will be a tempering voice in terms of public debate and discourse with the NDP,” said Hallstrom. “If anything, there may be an opportunity here for (farmers’) voices to be heard a little more clearly and a little more loudly through the Wildrose.” But even without that strong conservative opposition, fears about the NDP ignoring rural issues are “unfounded,” he said. “Rural votes still matter. Agriculture is still a huge sector in this province,” he said. “Is there potential for change? Absolutely. That’s what people voted for. But for people to think that the NDP is just going to ignore rural Alberta in favour of its urban supporters is really misguided.” jennifer.blair@fbcpublishing.com

FARMING To learn more about how we can help you get the most from your crop’s potential, contact your local UFA customer account manager, or our customer service centre at 1-877-258-4500 (option 1), or email customer.support@UFA.com

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NEWS » Markets

}Wheat Prices

MAY 25, 2015 • ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA

Thinking of forward pricing?

First USDA crop forecast out

Wheat prices have weakened since winter, world supply levels are bearish, and the loonie is up. “Many farmers are wondering, ‘What do I do now?’” said Neil Blue, market specialist at Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development. Farmers thinking about signing a forward pricing contract should first consider if the price will provide an acceptable margin above cost of production, he said. Also look at expected production, if the contract has an ‘act of God clause,’ what happens if the grade is different, delivery terms, and how contract disputes are resolved. “A rally in the market can happen any time, so it’s a good idea to have price targets in mind,” he added. — AARD

The first USDA crop forecast of the year suggests little change in the price of wheat and coarse grains, provincial crops market analyst Charlie Pearson said in mid-May. The forecasts also indicate that oilseeds will see the biggest drop in prices over the period. “World soybean production has been higher than its consumption over the last three years so carry-overs will continue to increase and this state will continue to put pressure on prices,” said Pearson. Although the numbers are preliminary and will change, USDA forecasts are important and impact market conditions, said Pearson. — AARD

U.S. production prospects drag on canola values U.S. wheat’s corrective bounce is unlikely to stick By Phil Franz-Warkentin

CE Futures Canada canola contracts bounced up and down within a relatively narrow range during the week ended May 14, but finished right around where they started as the uncertainty of this year’s North American crop kept some caution in the market. After waiting for a spring rally that never came, attention must now turn to the summer growing season if there’s to be any bullish spark for futures. Mounting dryness concerns in parts of the Prairies could provide that catalyst, but with timely rains and great U.S. production prospects, there are more reasons for canola to turn lower than to break higher at present. Looking at a chart, old-crop July canola has generally held within a $10 range from $450 to $460 per tonne for the past three months, with any breaks outside of that range proving to be short lived. New-crop November is in a similar situation, having hovered around the $450-per-tonne level since early March. In the U.S., soybeans moved lower during the week, while corn and wheat both moved higher. The U.S. Department of Agriculture released its much-anticipated monthly supply/demand report on May 12, with the May data including the first official production estimates from the government agency for the 2015-16 crop. U.S. soybean production is forecast at 3.85 billion bushels for 2015-16, which came in slightly ahead of trade estimates. The bigger crop also meant U.S. ending stocks were above trade guesses, at 500 million bushels. That compares with an expected carry-out for the current crop year of only 350 million. Large crop prospects in South America also led to larger-than-expected world stockpiles for 2015-16. USDA pegged 2015-16 world ending soybean supplies at 96.2 million tonnes, above expectations of 95 million. World soybean ending stocks for 2014-15 are expected to come in at 85.5 million tonnes. The government agency estimated an average soybean yield of 46 bushels an acre for the 2015 U.S. crop, which could be bearish for the soybean market if it’s realized. With the big crop prospects, any rallies through the growing season will be seen as good selling opportunities. For corn, the U.S. crop is forecast at 13.6 billion bushels this year, which

Photo: Thinkstock would be off the 14.2 billion bushels grown in 2014 but still above trade guesses and bearish for prices overall. USDA also pegged global ending stocks for the current crop year, and next, at larger-than-expected figures, though U.S. stockpiles were generally in line with expectations. Wheat did manage to see a corrective bounce off of nearby lows during the week, with concerns over cold temperatures in some winter wheat-growing regions of the U.S. providing support. However, most of the fundamental news remains bearish for wheat, and the staying power of any move higher is questionable. Both U.S. and world wheat ending stocks forecasts beat expectations in

the USDA report. World stockpiles are forecast at 201 million tonnes at the end of 2014-15, and 203.3 million for 2015-16.

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

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

ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA • MAY 25, 2015

Is that old well just capped? That’s not good enough Old wells are a ‘perfect breeding ground for bacteria’ and subject to run-off contamination that can get into your aquifer Alberta Environment and Sustainable Resource Development release

ome rural Albertans may be living with a health hazard on their property and not even know it. Surface contamination poses one of the biggest threats to the purity of groundwater supplies. Old unused wells that are not properly decommissioned can serve as a conduit for bacteria and chemicals to seep into an aquifer. Once there, it is often very difficult and very costly to restore an aquifer and make well water safe for drinking. This type of water contamination occurred in 2000 in Walkerton, Ont., when surface run-off made its way into an adjacent well that had been known for years to be vulnerable to contamination. About half the population of the small rural community became ill and several people died when the groundwater became contaminated with deadly E. coli 0157:H7

“Having an old unused well on your property is a little like having an open wound on your arm.” Chris Gerritsen

bacteria. The entire incident might have been prevented if steps had been taken to avoid contamination in the first place. “Having an old unused well on your property is a little like having an open wound on your arm,” said Chris Gerritsen, president of the Alberta Water Well Drilling Association and an advocate for the Working Well Program. “Old open wells are a place where contaminants can gather and get into the aquifer. Sometimes an old well can contaminate a new one, so it’s the first question I ask when someone is having trouble with the water quality of a well.” Regulations require landowners to plug old unused wells, but there are still many properties around Alberta with abandoned wells on them that pose both a contamination risk and a physical safety threat. “It costs money to properly plug a well and people don’t always understand why it’s necessary to do it,” said Jennifer Macpherson with Alberta Environment and Sustainable Resource Development and the Working Well Program. “It’s in the regulations and it’s in the landowner’s interest to plug an old well. Old wells should be plugged

when new ones are drilled, and it’s a job best done by a licensed driller or at least supervised or advised by an industry expert. Putting a cap over the top of an old well may eliminate the physical risk it poses, but it doesn’t prevent entry of contaminants. An unused well also creates the perfect breeding ground for bacteria to grow and infect the aquifer below. Online resources and free community-based workshops offered by the Working Well program provide well owners with the information and tools they need to properly care for their wells. For more information, visit the Working Well website (go to www.esrd.alberta. ca and enter ‘working well’ in the search box) or call a provincial agricultural water specialist at 310-FARM.

An old well can threaten the safety of your water supply if it has not been properly plugged. Photo: Thinkstock

™

GETTinG REady fOR SHOw TimE  Ag in Motion site preparation is underway As fArmers plAnt their crops and are seeing the first signs of emergence, the landscape at the Ag in Motion site is also changing with the arrival of spring. planting of crop plots and grass has begun and site construction is underway. Western canada’s first outdoor expo, Ag in Motion, will launch this summer, July 21-23. Unlike indoor tradeshows, the preparation for an outdoor venue is beholden to the elements. the expo site – a half-section (320 acres) of prime, agricultural land 35 km northwest of saskatoon, on highway 16 – was farmed in canola last year and has now been cultivated and heavy harrowed. this week, grass seed planting and rolling will take place in the business park area of the expo – where the exhibits and crop plots will be located. for year one of the expo, 42 acres of turf grass will be planted, thanks to Ag in Motion sponsor Brett Young. Another sponsor, crop production services, has provided enough seed to plant 60 acres of pasture grass blend for the expo parking areas. road building throughout the business park at Ag in Motion has also begun. the land has been surveyed and a local company from langham, sK, nemanishen contracting ltd., is constructing gravel roads. to date, the business park will consist of five east-west roads and three north-south roads for pedestrian use during the expo. Unique to Ag in Motion are the crop plot demonstrations. some exhibitors will begin planting crops on their exhibit plots this week. come show time, they will be able to

The Ag in Motion site is transforming as the soil is prepared for planting grass seed, culverts are being installed and gravel roads are constructed.

showcase their different varieties, products and technologies. “We are excited to be able to offer farmers an opportunity to see live crop plots from a wide range of different companies,” says Dan Kuchma, co-ordinator for the Ag in Motion crop plot Demonstration program. “there’s no other show in the West where they can see the latest seed and crop innovations first-hand in the field, all in one place.”

As of mid-May, the following confirmed exhibitors will be planting crop plots (with more to come): • monsanto canada • Dupont pioneer/ Dupont crop protection • engage Agro • stoller enterprises • top Krop fertilizers • Brett Young • BAsf canada • Alliance seed • Dow Agrosciences canada • canterra seeds • crop production services • Bayer cropscience • secan • oat Advantage • nufarm

SOmETHinG nEw iS in THE fiEld. ViSiT aG in mOTiOn THiS SUmmER - JUly 21-23 For more information about Ag in Motion please call toll free: (800) 563-5441 or email: info@aginmotion.ca www.facebook.com/AginMotion

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MAY 25, 2015 • ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA

Grazing School for Women coming up

Stewardship award nominees sought

This year’s Original Grazing School for Women includes farm tours, networking events, and sessions on the BSE Surveillance Program, plant identification, grazing in a changing climate, extending the grazing season, record-keeping technology, and a demo on electric fencing. It also includes trips to Luc Tellier Farm and the Iron River Elk Farm along with a “pitchfork fondue.” The event takes place June 9-10 at the St. Edouard Renewal Centre in St. Paul and the registration deadline is June 1. For agenda and registration information go to www.grazingschool4women.com. — AARD release

The Alberta Beef Producers is seeking nominations for the 2016 Environmental Stewardship Award, which recognizes cattle producers whose natural resource stewardship practices contribute to the environment and enhance productivity and profitability. Nomination forms are available at www.albertabeef.org/uploads/CallForNominationspdf-354.pdf, or the ABP office. The winner will receive a commemorative gate sign, a video highlighting their ranching operation, and an all-expenses-paid trip from anywhere in Alberta to the 2015 ABP Annual General Meeting in Calgary. The nomination deadline is July 1. — ABP release

Genomics proving its worth Genomically enhanced selection is catching on with purebred producers, but crossbreds pose more of a challenge By JENNIFER BLAIR AF staff

urebred cattle have a leg up on their crossbred cousins — at least as far as genomics is concerned. “The purebred industries are the ones that are really using genomically enhanced selection indexes,” said Dawn Trautman, technology translator at Livestock Gentec. “In the purebred industry, you can get validated markers a lot faster because you’re looking at this one population, and with crossbred animals, you don’t really have a reference population to look back at. “In some ways, the rigour of crossbreeding is slowing down advancements.” Historically, livestock producers have selected for desirable traits through observation, which is “really useful” for animals such as poultry that have multiple offspring a year because breeding for desired traits can be rapid, said Trautman.

“(In purebred herds), you can actually tell 45 to 60 per cent of variation within a herd for feed efficiency.”

Dawn Trautman

“But now with genomics, we can look under the skin of the animal, if you will, and that really helps speed up the process for animals like beef, where you only likely get one offspring per year and it takes three years sometimes to get from breeding to market.”

There are now genetic markers for traits such as feed efficiency, fertility, meat quality, and temperament. Photo: Thinkstock However, in diverse populations, like those of crossbred cattle, it’s more challenging to link genetic markers with measurable traits such as feed efficiency, fertility, meat quality, and temperament. “(In purebred herds), you can actually tell 45 to 60 per cent of variation within a herd for feed efficiency,” she said. “It really depends on validating those markers before you can really see gains.”

Crossbred challenge

The level of validation in crossbred cattle is much lower, she said.

“If you have 20 per cent validation, it’s still good — it’s better than zero — but it’s not as good as above 50 per cent.” But as genome sequencing becomes “a lot faster and a lot cheaper,” crossbred cattle producers will start to see those gains as well. “As researchers are getting more information on the crossbred population, the crossbred producers can use that too,” said Trautman. “They already have hybrid vigour and heterosis, but now it can be even further improved upon.”

Along with that opportunity comes the challenge of “making sense of and validating the data.” One of the ways producers can do that is by keeping good records. “If they’re tracking their animals and using a system like BIXS, where you can actually track your animals to slaughter, that can all go into the system to further validate these markers,” she said. “If you’re really recording that information and using it to the best of your ability, it builds your own operation because it can help prevent single-trait selection and the problems that

go along with that. You can look at a more comprehensive view.” And while there may be some extra work and costs that go along with that level of record-keeping, producers need to think of it as “a future investment.” “If they influence the genetic merit of an animal now, in five or 10 years, the profitability of the future animals is going to be greater,” said Trautman. “Even if you only have seven per cent — quite low — heritability, it’s much better than zero.” jennifer.blair@fbcpublishing.com

What is genomics all about? www.livestockgentec.com

he genetic sequence of the first cow was published in 2009. This milestone was achieved through an international collaboration with 300 scientists in 25 countries and took six years to complete. The cow sequenced

was a Hereford… additional breeds have also been sequenced, including Holstein, Angus, Jersey, Limousin, Norwegian Red and Brahman. This sequence information can be analyzed directly, used for comparing animals within a breed, or for comparing animals across breeds. One category of genetic difference frequently used

for comparison is Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms or SNPs. SNPs are used as genetic markers to track the ancestral heritage of regions of DNA or of individual animals. SNPs also can be used to predict the likelihood that a given animal will possess an individual or a series of desirable trait(s). The latter can only occur once an SNP

or a collection of SNPs is linked to a particular trait. In (Canadian Cattle Genome) projects, genotypes (the pattern of important SNPs), from a wide range of beef and dairy breeds will be used to develop accurate genomic prediction equations to assess the genetic potential of an individual animal.

Photo: Thinkstock

ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA • MAY 25, 2015

Now’s the time to make a list on improving calf processing BEEf 911 } There are always ways to improve and it’s worthwhile reviewing how things went this year By Roy Lewis DVM

ince the traditional time for getting calves ready for grass is close to over, it is good to review your protocols, methods, and any issues you had this year and introduce ways to improve next year. There are two main ways ranchers process calves. The first is the traditional way we call ‘branding,’ where calves are roped and pulled backwards to an area where wrestlers restrain the calves and all procedures are done almost simultaneously. This method can go very smoothly — depending on the experience of the crew — but requires lots of people power. These are mixed with steep tradition and neighbours help each other out. The other method is separating and using a runway where calves go into a calf cradle (essentially a small chute) and are restrained and processed by a much smaller crew. While traditional branding requires lots of planning, it also allows people not all that familiar with cattle a chance to participate and experience a western tradition. I have observed and participated in several brandings over the years and for the most part they are well organized and accomplish excellent processing speed and accuracy. The key person is the one who assigns the jobs. Of course, I always focus on the health aspect which is what I will do today. With the vaccines, it is best to give a person one needle, have the syringe labelled with that vaccine, and have them always administer it in the same location. With traditional branding the calves are on their sides, so because of necessity, the shots need to be given on the same side. The wrestler is often lying over the neck so we must often pick the next-best location. Because the front leg is lifted, many give one vaccine under the elbow. I would give the least reactive vaccine so give the one containing the viral vaccines in this location. If these are modified live, they are generally less reactive. Your clostridial vaccines could be given higher in the neck so this allows great separation of vaccines. I was at a branding where the owner had us use paint sticks on each calf with a different colour for each vaccine — that helped the wrestlers ensure everything was done before releasing them. Store the vaccines in a cooler with ice packs and only reconstitute enough modified live vaccine to use in one hour. If taking breaks in between groups, that is the time to reconstitute more vaccine. Change needles frequently and use the disposable sharp needles, not the old thick-walled steel needles. Vaccinating during the rain also leads to more injection-site abscessation. Check with your veterinarian that you have the proper diseases to protect against in your vaccines. Gone are the days when just clostridial vaccines are given. There are many combination vaccines that help prevent respiratory disease and will serve as the priming shot for the booster in the fall at weaning. If castrating with a knife, ensure

the same experienced people do it. Young calves are often done with a closed technique (testicle is kept in its outer protective membrane and the cord is pulled). This will lead to less infections as everything that is touched is removed. I would follow this up with a disinfectant spray and have the castrator have as clean hands as possible. With all the stress of vaccinating, castrating, and branding it may be a very wise idea if NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory) are given. This will soon be mandatory for bigger calves in our beef code of practice. If calves are given NSAIDs (on the advice and consultation with your veterinarian) you will find they may recover quicker, not miss even one meal, and gain more weight. Your veterinarian may advise just starting with the castrated bull calves. A few calves get the odd sprain and strain from being roped and pulled to the processing area, so the NSAID will help in that regard as well. NSAIDs require a prescription and so must be prescribed by your veterinarian. Branding may one day become a thing of the past, but for now it still acts as identification, although it takes a lot of the labour at spring processing. Use the smallest calf irons. Some producers spray the brand with an aloe vera liquid to promote healing — much like we do when applying it to burns. An added benefit of NSAIDs is they will decrease inflammation and pain at the branding site for up to two days. This all bodes well for animal welfare. That said, unless you’re running cattle at community pastures or with finance cattle, there really is little reason to brand these days. Branding is the ideal time for a calf implant to all steer calves and the non-replacement heifer calves — although replacement heifers could be implanted safely once between one month and weaning with some of the implants. The implants simply replace some of the hormones we remove with castration. Only about 25 per cent of calves are implanted in Canada, so we are missing out on lots of gains. Implants are extremely safe, but it takes practice to get proficient at it. If because of weather (too wet or hot) and sickness has been experienced, your veterinarian may even recommend giving longacting antibiotics as a preventive treatment in some years. Some new macrolide antibiotics can last upwards of four weeks and for young calves the dose is very low. Fly control can be considered at branding as well as reading or replacing lost RFID tags. Some will use tag readers to monitor which calves have had processing done. Branding allows for some good camaraderie and socializing, but always remember doing a good job is your livelihood. So always critique yourself and get good ideas when attending other brandings. We can always learn from each other and improve what we are doing. Make a list of the new things you will implement next branding to improve the health, welfare, and productivity of your herd.

Photo: Thinkstock

ATTENTION: MEN OVER FORTY In Alberta, 1 in 7 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer. All men age 40 and over are invited to visit the Man Van during the scheduled clinic times and receive a free baseline PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen) blood test.

Upcoming Testing Clinics CARSTAIRS Tuesday June 2, 2015 Carstairs Farmers Market Curling Rink, 315 Veterans Way 4:30 pm – 7:30 pm CLARESHOLM Thursday June 11, 2015 Claresholm & District Health Foundation North Amudsen Park 10:30 pm - 2:00 pm BEISEKER Saturday June 13, 2015 Beiseker Lions Country Fair Beiseker Arena 10:00 am - 2:00 pm REGINA June 17, 2015 – June 19, 2015 Farm Progress Show Evraz Place 10am-1pm & 2pm-5pm Visit www.getchecked.ca regularly for updates on testing clinics near you. PROUD SPONSORS

Roy Lewis practised large-animal veterinary medicine for more than 30 years and now works part time as a technical services veterinarian for Merck Animal Health.

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MAY 25, 2015 • ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA

Making a plan helps alleviate the stress of euthanasia A detailed, written plan and standard operating practices are better for both the animals and staff By ALEXIS KIENLEN AF staff

o one likes having to euthanize an animal, but it’s easier with a clear plan and proper protocols in place. Part of that is using “end points” as recommended by Canadian Council of Animal Care, said Craig Wilkinson, a professor and director of animal care for the faculty of agriculture, life and environmental sciences at the University of Alberta. “End points are when a producer/researcher has to make a decision about alleviating actual/ potential pain, discomfort or distress by removing the animal from the research trial or euthanizing it,” Wilkinson said during Alberta Pork’s recent monthly telephone town hall. Every swine operation should designate people who are responsible for making observations and carrying out euthanasia

in a timely matter. And respect for the animal should be a guiding principle, he said. “The idea is that any euthanasia is as distress free and as pain free as possible and any methods selected should be based on those principles,” said Wilkinson. Euthanasia methods need to be appropriate for the species and age of the animal, the death needs to be verified, and staff safety has to be a priority during the procedure. The new swine code of practice recommends creating a thorough, written plan detailing standard operating practices to ensure that euthanasia is done in a consistent, careful manner. The plan should include who is going to make the decision about euthanasia, who will carry out the process, and when it should be done. “It’s really important because that way you get a diligent, proactive application of euthanasia, and you follow the criteria early

Having a clear, detailed and written plan for euthanasia is part of responsible animal care, says Dr. Craig Wilkinson. Photo: supplied enough to avoid welfare concerns,” said Wilkinson. “On the welfare side, it is better to err on the side of not euthanizing too late. This is really what planning is about — you need to do the best to determine the best time to do it, but know that there is no way to define the perfect time.”

The plan should describe methods based on the age and size of the animal and should include details about how the animal should be restrained. It should also include specific equipment needed for the process and how it will be properly maintained. The code of practice includes a decision-making tree and Wilkinson urged all swine facility operators to look at it and discuss it with their staff. Steps include thinking about an animal’s treatment, its capacity to be transported, the economics of the situation, and how the carcass will be disposed of. Animal restraints are a part of a good euthanasia practice and a proper site — far away from the other animals — should be set up. It should have snares, equipment storage and post-mortem equipment and needs to be easily washable, with a floor that drains well. After the animal has been euthanized, staff should conduct a

review and discuss if everything went well and according to plan. The University of Alberta is home to the Swine Research Technology Centre, and staff there have been trying different captive bolts, said Wilkinson. The Zephyr captive bolt system requires a restraining device, but works well on small pigs. The Blitz and the Cash captive bolt systems are also effective, he said. While the Cash system is more expensive, it is more ergonomic and is better when repetitive use is necessary. “Another thing that we have started to do in the past couple of years is sedate a lot of the animals prior to euthanasia, particularly the boars,” he said. “We want to make sure the euthanasia is as quiet and calm for those big animals, so we use a lot of sedation.” Producers should discuss their euthanasia plans with their herd health vet, said Wilkinson. akienlen@fbcpublishing.com

Funding for forage research

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Alberta Beef Producers and the Alberta Livestock and Meat Agency have put out a call for forage research proposals, with $1 million in funding available. “Forage is the key driver of Alberta’s cattle industry competitiveness, accounting for two-thirds of costs,” Alberta Beef Producers said in a statement. The priority research areas eligible for funding are: • Improved grazing, management, and forage mixture strategies that optimize hay yields and beef production from native range and tame pastures. • Quantification of varietal and species differences in the ability of grasses, legumes, and annual forages to maintain nutritional quality throughout the grazing season and in extended stockpiled or swath-grazing systems. • Quantification of cereal forage variety differences in digestibility, nutrient profile for extended stockpiled, bale or swath-grazing and ensiling potential. • Evaluation of yield, nutrient profile, and animal performance of new forage varieties in geographical regions beyond the development region. • Utilization and management strategies of forage varieties and mixtures to improve feed efficiency, reduce incidence of nutritional disorders, and improve reproduction. • Development of perennial and annual forage varieties with improved nutritive value and agronomic characteristics, such as yield, stand longevity, improved resource use efficiency, drought resistance, disease resistance, and carbon sequestration ability.

ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA • MAY 25, 2015

Summer Farm Employment Program deadline looming Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development release

Time is running out to get funding from the Summer Farm Employment Program. The provincial program offers wage support for farmers who employ youth during July and August. Employers must own or rent a farming operation in Alberta and have a gross production of $25,000 per year. Work must be directly related to the farming operation, and can’t include domestic work or childcare. Employers must recruit their own workers, provide daily supervision, and ensure safe working conditions for their employees. Monthly records of time worked must be completed by the employer. Employees are paid by the farmer and by the government for each respective part of their salary, which must meet provincial minimum hourly rates. “Farm safety is an emphasis in this program and all summer farm employers and employees are required to review a safety DVD together,” said program co-ordinator Mary Anne Nelson. “Employees must complete and pass a safety quiz based on the DVD information in order to be accepted into the program.” Applications are processed on a firstcome, first-served basis and will be accepted at the Summer Farm Employment Program office in Stettler until all program funds are committed or May 31, whatever comes first. Applications received after May 31 will not be processed unless funding is available. Applications can be found at www. agriculture.alberta.ca (search for ‘summer employment’) or by calling 310-FARM (3276).

New swine health network to track animal diseases Network relies on vets to paint a picture of swine animal health seen in their practices By ALEXIS KIENLEN AF staff

he newly created Western Canadian Swine Health Intelligence Network will help keep producers informed about swine disease monitoring and disease knowledge transfer in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba. “This is a wonderful system. It keeps people informed about what’s going on in the industry. We’re encouraging all vets to participate,” said Dr. Egan Brockhoff, a swine veterinarian and partner at Prairie Swine Health Services. He advised producers to ask their veterinarians to participate in the network. “Engage with your vet to find out what is going on and have your vet continue to communicate with you,” he said during a

Egan Brockhoff recent Alberta Pork telephone town hall. The recently created network complements the activities of both the Ontario and Quebec swine health networks and the Canadian Swine Health Intelligence network. The goal is to protect western Canadian pig herds from new and emerging disease while informing people

about diseases that are endemic in the country. As part of the network, participating swine vets in Western Canada fill out data surveys every time they visit a farm, said Brockhoff. “These are very general surveys,” he said. “They respond to questions about which kind of diseases they have treated. They don’t give out information specifically about the farms they have gone to and they don’t share the location. It’s simply about the observations they see in their lives as a swine vet.” The information is fed into a database maintained by Manitoba Pork and reviewed by a veterinarian working on behalf of the three Prairie pork boards. Vets can also report quarterly on findings from their practice and lab results, which are compiled into a western Canadian survey.

Veterinarians representing each province also take part in swine specialist conference calls. “The information is then fed back into the industry to create intelligence and knowledge about the state of pig health,” said Brockhoff. “It’s a good way to keep our fingers on the pulse of the health of pigs in Western Canada.” An app is being developed so vets can put information into the system while they’re on the go. “I would encourage all pork producers to reach out to their vets and say, ‘We think this is a good idea and it helps protect the health and integrity of our western Canadian herd, and ultimately our Canadian herd, so let’s get involved,’” he said. akienlen@fbcpublishing.com

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China challenging the ‘Big 4’ China’s biggest grain trader has taken its next step to developing a major competitor to the traditional ‘Big 4’ global agribusiness giants: ADM, Bunge, Cargill, and Louis Dreyfus. Through a joint venture with sovereign wealth fund China Investment Corp., COFCO will merge its majority holdings in Dutch trader Nidera and Noble Agri into a new entity, COFCO International Holdings, to be managed by newly hired Noble Agri CEO Matt Jansen, Reuters reported. The result will be a global crop origination chain with an unrivalled footprint in China, said a source with one of the firms — Reuters

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Plant growth regulators aren’t for everyone, says researcher Producers need to choose a responsive variety and get their staging right when using plant growth regulators on wheat By JENNIFER BLAIR AF staff

Choose wisely

But even in the right conditions for lodging, plant growth regulators are “not simple and straightforward,” said Strydhorst, who has seen mixed results when studying plant growth regulators — like Engage Agro’s Manipulator — on wheat and barley. In some cases, yields have gone up, but they’re just as likely to drop, she said. And sometimes, it all depends on which variety is being used. “Right now, Manipulator is registered on spring wheat, but what we’re finding is that it doesn’t work the same on all spring wheat varieties,” she said. “The company has said that it works really well on hard reds and not so well on CPS (Canada Prairie Spring). As a general statement, that might be true, but there are exceptions to those rules.” In some general-purpose wheat varieties, plant growth regulators have caused “amazing height reductions,” but that’s not the case for all varieties.

“Producers who are really pushing their inputs and have high moisture conditions are the ones who should be considering using a plant growth regulator.” Trim: 15.58”

o plant growth regulators offer a good bang for your buck? Sure — if the conditions are right. If not, you’re wasting your money. “Plant growth regulators aren’t to be used on every acre, like a herbicide or nitrogen fertilizer,” said Sheri Strydhorst, a research scientist with Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development. “Producers need to look at it as an insurance tool. If you don’t get lodging conditions, you’re not going to see the benefits of it.” Plant growth regulators are designed to prevent lodging, which can slash yields between seven and 35 per cent, depending on when in the growing season it hits. Because of that, it’s “really difficult to quantify the return on investment” of using a plant growth regulator, said Strydhorst. “If you don’t get lodging, you don’t see necessarily a yield benefit,” she said. “But if you do have a year where there’s bad lodging and you’re able to put on the plant growth regulator and keep the crop standing, there’s a big economic benefit to being able to straight cut that crop.” Lodging is usually caused by environmental conditions, so producers need to use their better judgment to decide if they’re at risk. “Producers who are really pushing their inputs and have high moisture conditions are the ones who should be considering using a plant growth regulator,” said Strydhorst.

“If you’re in southern Alberta under irrigation with high nitrogen or high manure, and your typical CPS wheat yield is 100 bushels per acre, that’s where you really should be pencilling this into your production practice, just because the risk is there of lodging.” Dryland farmers — especially in areas at risk of drought — likely won’t see a good return from using plant growth regulators, she said. “If your typical wheat yield is 40 bushels an acre, that is not the growing area where plant growth regulators are intended.”

Sheri Strydhorst

“Harvest is a hard red variety that’s very commonly grown that’s very responsive, but something like CDC Go — another hard red variety — is not showing very substantial height reduction. We’ve even seen height increases with it,” she said. “There’s lots of exceptions to the rules, which make it challenging.” So far, AC Harvest, CDC Stanley, AC Stettler, and Coleman seem to be “very responsive” to plant growth regulators. “You want to make sure you’re using a variety that does respond,” said Strydhorst. Producers also need to get their staging right — and some plant growth regulators are pickier than others. “If you get the staging wrong with some plant growth regulators, you can cause yield decreases, while some just might not work as effectively at reducing lodging,” said Strydhorst. “Growers really need to be cau-

tious and follow the label recommendations.” For a product like Bayer CropScience’s Ethrel, producers shouldn’t apply it if they miss the staging window. “That window is tiny, and if you miss it, you can cause yield decreases.” Products like Manipulator have a larger window, but producers still need to target growth stage 30 to 32 — when the first and second nodes become visible — for it to be most effective. “This is not staging where you drive by in the truck,” she said. “It’s not even staging where you walk through the field. You need to be pulling plants and dissecting them and looking at where nodes are moving. “You might have two or three days to get your plant growth regulators, but you can’t miss those windows.” jennifer.blair@fbcpublishing.com

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MAY 25, 2015 • ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA

Soil Carbon Challenge tour coming soon Agricultural Research and Extension Council of Alberta release

eter Donovan’s Soil Carbon Challenge tour is coming to Alberta. The former rancher from Oregon will be touring in his school bus and visiting six locations to conduct soil carbon workshops. Donovan establishes baseline measurements for soil carbon in dedicated plots in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico for the challenge described as “a competition to see how fast land managers can turn atmospheric carbon into soil organic matter.” “Peter Donovan will conduct workshops on soil carbon and will set baselines for quantifying how land managers can transform atmospheric carbon into water-holding, fertilityenhancing soil organic matter to improve soil health,” said Yamily Zavala, crop and soil researcher for Chinook Applied Research Association in Oyen. “Participants will learn how to measure soil attributes and document the changes under their own management strategies.” CARA and five other organizations belonging to the Agricultural Research and Extension Council of Alberta are hosting the workshops. For more information contact the hosting group: • Fairview (June 15): Peace Country Beef and Forage Association; • Manning (June 17): North Peace Applied Research Association; • Fort Vermilion (June 20): Mackenzie Applied Research Association; • W estlock (June 25): Gateway Research Organization; • B onnyville (June 27): Lakeland Applied Research Association; • Oyen (June 30): Chinook Applied Research Association. For more information about Donovan, see www.soilcarboncoalition. org.

Potato and tomato growers warned to keep watch for late blight Monitor for symptoms in tomato transplants and in early-emerging potato plants Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development release

here has been a great deal of concern in Alberta in the last few years about late blight, a serious disease that mainly affects potatoes and tomatoes. Favourable conditions for disease development have resulted in multiple outbreaks of late blight in commercial market gardens, as well as urban potato and tomato crops throughout parts of Alberta, said provincial commercial horticulture specialist Rob Spencer. The disease continues to be a risk for all Solanaceous crops (potato/ tomato family) grown in Alberta this year. “The risk of introduction comes from either infected transplant material (tomatoes or other host crops) or infected seed potato stock (either imported or carried over),” said Spencer. “During the season, if spore loads build up, there is a risk of introduction of the pathogen via windblown/storm-carried transfer.” Late blight can also affect eggplants, peppers, petunias and some related Solanaceous weeds, such as nightshade and wild tomato. It is an aggressive disease that, if left unchecked, can cause significant and rapid crop losses in gardens, greenhouses, fields,

Late blight can cause rapid crop losses in potato and tomato crops, says provincial commercial horticulture specialist Rob Spencer. PHOTO: SCOT NELSON, FLICKR PHOTO SHARING and in controlled environment storage such as potato bins. In the spring and early summer, growers of all potentially affected crops should monitor for symptoms in tomato transplants and in earlyemerging potato plants, said Spencer.

“Watch for dark, watersoaked lesions, sometimes with yellow edges, that move in from leaf tips/margins, becoming brown and brittle within a couple of days. Late blight lesions are not contained by the leaf veins.” It will require effort on the part of everyone to return

Alberta to a late blight-free status, he added. For more information about late blight call 310FARM (3276). There is also a Frequently Asked Questions document about late blight identification and management at www.agric.gov.ab.ca (search for ‘late blight’).

Spring is a dangerous Attention Growers time of year Announcing changes to pesticide return programs–

and they’re as easy as 1-2-3.

Know the warning signs of fatigue and set sensible limits

NEW

Bulk Containers

RETURN TO RETAILER

Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development release

Return all bulk pesticide containers to your crop inputs retailer. Do not return any bulk containers to municipal collection sites.

NEW

Obsolete Pesticides

HOLD ON FARM

Store all obsolete pesticides safely on-farm until called in for scheduled pick up at designated collection sites.

UNCHANGED

Small Pesticide Containers

RETURN TO MUNICIPALITY

Continue to return small pesticide containers (under 23L) to your local municipal collection site. REMEMBER: Triple rinsing containers is essential!

These changes are now in effect and more detail can be found at cleanfarms.ca. Thank you Alberta growers for your cooperation and leadership in ag-waste stewardship.

eeding and the spring work frenzy puts you at greater risk of serious injury due to fatigue. “Too many farmers push themselves, especially during the really busy times,” said Kenda Lubeck, farm safety co-ordinator with Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development. “Too often, it is a case of wanting to finish a field even though fatigue threatens.” Fatigue can creep up on you. Here are some warning signs: • H eadaches, dizziness, blurry vision; • Slow reflexes and reactions, poor concentration; • F eeling irritable, moody and short tempered; • Aching, weak muscles. “The most important safety tool a person can have is their attitude and subsequent decisions,” said Lubeck. “That could mean taking a 20-minute snooze when you are exhausted or having another person lined up to spell you off.” In addition to getting a good night’s rest, eat nourishing food, and stay hydrated. Also incorpo-

PHOTO: thINKSTOCK rate some physical activity — if you’re in the cab of a tractor for hours, stop periodically and go for a walk to stretch out your muscles. Lubeck recommends making a promise to yourself to take a break after a set amount of time and not making critical decisions while you are weary. “Your safety is about the choices you make,” adds Lubeck. “It just takes a moment to make a decision that could literally be the difference between life and death.” More information on farm safety best practices is available at www.agric.gov.ab.ca (type ‘farm safety’ in the search box).

ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA • MAY 25, 2015

Brace yourself — winter annual weeds worse than usual this year Dry conditions earlier this spring gave winter annuals an edge and for some growers, it’s too late to manage them By JENNIFER BLAIR AF staff

he dry conditions of early spring could lead to a spike in winter annual weeds. “Winter annuals could be a problem,” said Neil Harker, research scientist with Agriculture and AgriFood Canada. “We really haven’t had a lot of spring moisture, so the ones that were already established, like stinkweed and flixweed and winter annual cleavers, might be a bit more of a problem than in other years.” For some growers, “it might already be too late” to manage winter annuals, he said. “For the winter annuals, we want to make sure they’re burned

off prior to seeding or very shortly after,” said Harker. “Winter annuals will be at a pretty sizable growth stage by now, and they become less and less susceptible to herbicides the larger they get.” Producers can also expect to see some problems with “the usual suspects on the Prairies — wild oats, wild buckwheat, green foxtail.” “They’ve traditionally been the No. 1, 2, and 3 weeds across the Prairies, and I don’t see any reason why that would change.” Just try to spray them as soon as possible, he said. “The weeds that emerge with the crop and shortly after the crop are going to be the most damaging to the yield. With some of the second flushes, unless they’re really heavy, we don’t need to worry about as

Producers can expect to see the “usual suspects” — wild oats, wild buckwheat, and green foxtail — this year, says research scientist Neil Harker. PHOTO: JENNIFER BLAIR much as the ones that come up with the crop or around the crop.” Harker is also seeing a rise in herbicide-resistant weeds — and that’s the bigger concern. “We’re getting more and more

Group 1 and Group 2 resistance to wild oat, and in the southern parts of the Prairies, we’re getting more and more kochia that’s spreading that’s both Group 2 and Group 9 resistant,” he said. And the only way to manage that is to change up rotations — both in herbicide groups and in crops. “Even though it might seem to be a bit of a short-term financial or profit hit to grow something other than canola or wheat, in the long term, it’s going to be advantageous in terms of delaying herbicide resistance,” said Harker. “Until we’re willing to move away from some of the most dominant rotations, it will be difficult to get that kind of herbicide diversity that we need.”

“Even though it might seem to be a bit of a short-term financial or profit hit to grow something other than canola or wheat, in the long term, it’s going to be advantageous in terms of delaying herbicide resistance.” Neil Harker

jennifer.blair@fbcpublishing.com

New guide on dealing with treated seed Canadian Seed Growers’ Association release

A new Guide to Treated Seed Stewardship provides a one-stop resource for those involved with handling, storage, transportation, and use of treated seed. Developed by a group of seed industry professionals, the guide offers best management practices for insecticide- and fungicide-treated seed. It is designed to complement CropLife Canada’s seed treatment operations standards, which provide uniform health and safety practises for the storage and handling of seed treatment products in Canada. It may also be helpful for those making operational decisions on the stewardship of seed enhanced with biological, inoculants, fertilizers, or functional seed coatings such as polymers. The new guide expands on the storage and handling guidelines developed in 2005 to encompass transportation, use and disposition, said Dale Adolphe, executive director of the Canadian Seed Growers’ Association. “We encourage seed growers and commercial producers to familiarize themselves and adopt these important stewardship practices,” said Adolphe. “We strongly advise those who handle, transport, and use treated seed to implement the best management practices found in the guide,” added Dave Baute, president of the Canadian Seed Trade Association, which partnered with the seed growers’ association to develop the guide. It is available at www. seedgrowers.ca and www. cdnseed.org.

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MAY 25, 2015 • ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA

Streamlined crop registration system coming after lengthy consultations Gerry Ritz says quality control inherent in the current system will continue BY ALLAN DAWSON Staff / Saskatoon

roposed changes to Canada’s crop variety registration system could take effect before year’s end or early in 2016 via order-in-council, federal officials say. The reforms will streamline the process and ensure red tape doesn’t delay or prevent farmers from getting new and improved varieties, Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz told the Canadian Global Crops Symposium here last month. However, when all is said and done, the new process will be very similar to the current one. New varieties seeking Canadian Food Inspection Agency registration will fall under one of two tiers — “Basic” or “Enhanced” — instead of the current three. Crops in the “Enhanced” box, such as wheat, will still require pre-registration testing and assessment by an expert committee which will recommend the variety for registration. Crops, such as forages, in the “Basic” category will not require merit testing. But crop developers will still have to demonstrate their variety is unique and stable. A crop can be moved from one option to the other if there’s industry consensus, as is the case now.

“Varietal registration is the underlying foundation of Canada’s grain quality assurance system,” Ritz said. System supporters agree. But two years ago, some seed companies and farmers complained the system blocked access to improved varieties. Some highyielding wheats weren’t supported for registration because they failed to meet the end-use quality specifications required in their intended class. System supporters say it protects farmers and end-users from inferior varieties. Critics argue the marketplace can sort that out.

Current system

The current system has three parts: • Under Part I, crops require up to three years of merit testing before they can be registered. Western Canadian wheat falls under Part I. • Under Part II, crops require preregistration testing but no merit assessment. Safflowers fall in this option. • Under Part III, crops are subject only to basic variety registration requirements. Sunflowers and commercial potatoes fall under this option. Under the new system, Part II will be eliminated. Part I will become “Enhanced” registration and Part III will be “Basic.”

Gerry Ritz announced changes are coming soon to Canada’s crop variety registration system while speaking at the Canada Global Crops Symposium in Saskatoon in April. PHOTO: ALLAN DAWSON CFIA’s model operating procedures still need changes. Recently revised versions will be sent to the expert committees this month for their consideration. The intent is to make procedures more consistent and transparent, Ritz said. “Together these changes will give varietal developers greater clarity and predictability throughout the registration process,” he said.

Future changes will be done through “incorporation by reference,” speeding the process by up to two years, Ritz said. The Prairie Recommending Committee for Wheat, Rye and Triticale made major changes to its operating procedures in 2013. It made more changes in 2014 and at its last meeting in February.

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A soybean-crushing plant in Manitoba would be viable partly because of poor rail service, says a new report. “Indeed, the numbers tell us that if adequate and regular rail service existed in Manitoba then both a Canadian and/or a U.S. crusher would find it difficult to compete with the Vancouver export market for soybeans,” said a study by the Manitoba Pulse & Soybean Growers and Soy 20/20. “For the price advantage, all Manitoba soybeans would simply move to the West Coast. However, that’s not a reality today.” A plant capable of crushing 2,000 tonnes per day would be a viable investment and would also boost Manitoba’s economy by $190 million a year before taxes while providing Prairie livestock producers with a domestic source of protein meal, the report says. “We’re excited about the prospect that there are enough soybeans here (to justify a crushing) plant,” said Francois Labelle, executive director of the Manitoba Pulse & Soybean Growers. “The next task is probably the harder one — convincing somebody to come forward and get serious about looking at this.” The study says assuming continued adequate nearby soybean supplies and meal markets, a US$90-million plant in Manitoba would have a margin of $72.97 a tonne based on a 20-year payback. Manitoba soybean acreage grew more than sixfold between 2004 and 2014 to 1.27 million acres, with production reaching 1.16 million tonnes (18 per cent of Canadian production). The study forecasts another 600,000tonne jump in Manitoba and Saskatchewan in the next10 years. A 2,000-tonne-a-day plant could crush 695,000 tonnes of soybeans a year. allan@fbcpublishing.com

ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA • MAY 25, 2015

Steaks for Soldiers holds final event It has been a big beefy thanks to Canadian Forces from the country’s cattle producers BY JENNIFER PAIGE Staff

fter five years, 11 events and 17,000 steaks served, the Steaks for Soldiers campaign wrapped up with its final event earlier this month at CFB Shilo in Manitoba. The Canadian Cattleman’s Association first initiated the event in 2007 after the first troop rotation returned home from Afghanistan. It sponsored 1,700 steaks to be served to the returning troops of the Royal Canadian Regiment and their families at CFB Petawawa. Following that event, Manitoba businessman Harvey Dann stepped forward with his daughter Jackie to continue the program offering a beefy thanks to Canadian Forces on military bases across Canada. “In 2010, our company was celebrating our 25th anniversary in business and we wanted to do something that would be a give-back,” said Dann. “Over the course of six to eight months we raised over $120,000 from 650 producers throughout the country, mostly from Western Canada.” Dann owns and operates Alert Agri Distributors near Winnipeg, exporting fat cattle to the U.S. Through his connections in the cattle industry, he was able to raise funds to repeat and expand the CCA original event. “I have always had a soft spot

for the military and we wanted to do some sort of give-back,” he said. “It was certainly a joint effort and I wouldn’t have been able to do it without the producers who donated, whether it be money or time.” Since 2007, 11 events have been held in CFB Shilo, CFB Edmonton, CFB Val Cartier, and CFB Petawawa. “I have the benefit of being involved in lots of events that are sponsored by businesses and government organizations, but this is one of the few events that is an independent, individual and an association with no direct connection to the military that have put this much effort into an event and it is very humbling for us military folks,” said Stephen D. Joudrey, CFB Shilo base commander. After five years of holding the events, Dann decided it was time to wrap up the campaign. The final event saw 800 hamburgers and 800 steaks served. The Steaks for Soldiers campaign ended its run with a $27,000 surplus which was donated to two charities, Soldier On and the Military Families Fund. “When it is an industry that is coming forward with no fanfare, they aren’t doing this to show what they are doing for us — they are just doing it for us. I think it is a lovely gesture and a selfless gesture on their part,” said Joudrey. jennifer.paige@fbcpublishing.com

Volunteers along with a number of cattle industry members participated in serving up Canadian beef to military families at CFB Shilo. photoS: jennifer paige

Jackie Dann serves up CFB Shilo‘s base commander, Stephen D. Joudrey, during the final Steaks for Soldiers event.

The Dann family has been the driving force behind the Steaks for Soldiers campaign since 2010.

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} forecasts

MAY 25, 2015 • ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA

El Niño to stick around

Dry California eyes the Pacific

The El Niño climate phenomenon is almost certain to last through the Northern Hemisphere summer, says the U.S. weather forecaster. That raises the chance of heavy rain in the southern U.S. as well as South America, and scorching heat in Asia could devastate crops of thirsty food staples like rice. The National Weather Service’s Climate Prediction Center said El Niño has a 90 per cent likelihood of continuing through summer. A strong El Niño last appeared in 2009-10 and resulted in significant spikes in sugar, cocoa and wheat prices. But there remains “considerable uncertainty” about the potential strength of the event. — Reuters

California regulators have adopted the first statewide rules for the permitting of seawater desalination projects that are expected to proliferate as drought-stricken communities increasingly turn to the ocean to supplement their drinking supplies. The action, which sets uniform standards for minimizing harm to marine life, “reaffirms that the Pacific Ocean is part of the drinking water resources for the state of California,” said an official with a company developing the state’s two largest desalination projects. Critics say such projects harm marine life. — Reuters

What goes into the making of a heavy rainfall event Ever wondered why it’s so muggy before some thunderstorms or why some have lulls between torrents of rain?

By Daniel Bezte

s we slowly slide into summer it seems an appropriate time to take a look at our next type of severe summer weather — heavy rainfall. Often, when you think of severe weather and heavy rainfall, you don’t put the two together. Oh sure, the Prairies can see huge dumps of rain, but we often dismiss heavy rain because its effects are delayed — by several hours in mountainous areas and up to several days in regions with flatter terrain. There are a couple of different types of weather warnings for heavy rain. The first is for short-duration rain events typically associated with thunderstorms, and the second for longerduration events. In this article, we’ll look at the first type of warning, which is issued when 50 millimetres or more rain is expected to fall within one hour. It is this type of event that can come closest to bringing flash-flooding conditions, especially in cities and mountainous regions. What type of conditions are needed for this sort of a rainfall event? The simple answer is a strong convective event or thunderstorm. Thunderstorms need three basic ingredients to form: moisture, rising unstable air, and some kind of mechanism that helps to lift the air. In our region, moisture for thunderstorms comes from a couple of different sources. The first major source of moisture is the Gulf of Mexico or tropical moisture. When this moisture surges northward you can really feel it as it produces those warm, humid or muggy summer days. Another source of moisture is more local and comes from evapotranspiration — the evaporation of water from the surface of the land along with transpiration of water from plants. The latter may be a fairly large source, especially in June and July when plants are actively growing. To get really large amounts of rain, moisture has to be what is referred to as “deep,” meaning that a large portion of the atmosphere above our region has significant amounts of moisture. It is referred to as precipitable water, and is measured by stating the amount of rainfall that would occur if all of the moisture over a region fell as rain all at once. When there is a lot of deep moisture across our region, we can typically see this value in the 50-millimetre range, but that doesn’t mean this is the greatest amount of rain that we can see. As warm, moist air rises, it begins to cool and the water vapour starts to

This map shows total amount of precipitation that fell across Alberta during the month of April compared to the long-term average. Most regions saw near-average to well-belowaverage amounts, with southern regions and the far north seeing the driest conditions. The wettest areas were parts of the Peace River region where amounts were in the moderately high to high range.

cutline

condense. This not only starts the process of producing raindrops, it also releases heat. This heat will help the air to continue to rise. If the rising air stays warmer than the air around it, we say the atmosphere is unstable and the rising air will continue to rise on its own. If the rising air doesn’t stay warmer than the air around it, then we need some kind of lifting mechanism to keep it moving upward. For the most part, in our region, this comes in the form of a warm or cold front. As a thunderstorm develops, the rising air pulls more and more of the surrounding air into the storm. This can greatly increase the amount of moisture in the storm. Think of it like a giant vacuum pulling in moist air and then condensing the moisture out of it and letting it fall as rain. Fortunately, most thunderstorms selfdestruct fairly quickly as the rising air

piles up at the top of the storm and then eventually collapses back down, stopping the rising of additional air. Thunderstorms also tend to move along fairly quickly, so while they may produce very heavy rains they don’t last long, either due to the storm self-destructing or quickly moving out of an area. So why can we sometimes get huge amounts of rain from a thunderstorm? There are two reasons. The first one is the obvious one, and that is, sometimes thunderstorms can move very slowly or even stall out over a region. When this happens the storm can still self-destruct, but by the time it does it has had enough time to drop 50 millimetres or more rain over a region. The second way thunderstorms can produce large amounts of rain is when they “train.” This is when a series of thunderstorms form and move over

the same region. One storm will develop and bring heavy rain and as it starts to move off and self-destruct, a second storm quickly develops and moves in to replace the first storm, and so on. From the ground it will often seem like it is just one big storm that keeps on going. Heavy rain develops, there is a short lull, and then it picks up again. Training thunderstorms can and have resulted in very heavy amounts of rain. In the next issue, we’ll look at conditions that bring longer-term heavy rainfall events, like the one that brought record flooding to southern Alberta back in 2013. Daniel Bezte is a teacher by profession with a BA (Hon.) in geography, specializing in climatology, from the U of W. He operates a computerized weather station near Birds Hill Park. Contact him with your questions and comments at daniel@bezte.ca.

ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA • MAY 25, 2015

U.S. bee losses climb

North Dakota goes gourmet

Honeybees in the U.S. disappeared at a staggering rate over the last year, according to a new government report. Losses of managed honeybee colonies hit 42.1 per cent from April 2014 through April 2015, up from 34.2 per cent for 2013-14, and the second-highest annual loss seen, said the USDA. “Such high colony losses in the summer and year round remain very troubling,” said Jeff Pettis, a USDA senior entomologist. Some beekeepers, scientists, and environmental groups blame neonics, but makers of neonic products say many factors such as mite infestations are harming the bees. — Reuters

North Dakota wants to be known for its caviar. A distinctly American version of the prized delicacy gets its start each May in the cool waters where the Missouri and Yellowstone rivers converge. As paddlefish, a large freshwater fish that predate dinosaurs, make their way north to spawn, their eggs, or roe, are processed at the water’s edge to make more than 2,000 pounds of caviar. Russian sturgeon caviar is the best, but “since the quality of our caviar is so close, we feel like we’re second,” said June Sheaks, executive director of North Star Caviar, the non-profit company behind the caviar operation. — Reuters

They want the farm to survive HEARTLAND them, but there’s no plan Good succession plans can’t be created overnight but only a third of farmers — even those planning to retire within a few years — have one BY LORRAINE STEVENSON Staff

ost farmers expect to hand over the operation to a family member, but few appear to be doing anything to ensure it happens. At least 120,000 farms are expected to be transferred in the next decade, but without a succession there’s a much greater risk of family conflict and even losing the farm’s successor altogether, said farm family coach and author Elaine Froese. “I call it the tsunami of agriculture,” said Froese. “It’s this big, giant, silent wave that’s going to hit people but they don’t even know they’re going to get hit and there’s no warning signs being flashed.” Ipsos Reid polled 455 farmers for the 2015 Canadian Agricultural Outlook Survey and only 30 per cent reported doing any formal succession planning. Yet the majority (62 per cent) said they expect to transfer the farm, with one-third expecting that to occur within the next few years. (The poll, commissioned by Glacier FarmMedia, surveyed a wide range of Prairie farm operations, with two-thirds having sales of $250,000 or more.) Why the disconnect? It’s not that farmers are too busy, said Froese. Farmers are avoiding the subject because of a fear of conflict, and because the value of many farm’s assets has become so enormous. “People are just paralyzed, so they do nothing,” she said. Agriculture isn’t much different than non-agricultural businesses when it comes to succession planning, said Gwen Paddock, national director of RBC Agriculture, which helped develop the survey. What’s different is that producers who don’t plan are putting the farm’s legacy — and maybe even the family home — at risk. “At the personal level, we know how important it is for our clients who’ve worked hard to have that legacy,” she said.

Major downsides

The financial implications can also be serious, Paddock added. For example, if the hoped-for transfer fails and the farm is sold to an outsider, there could a be higher tax bill. It differs by prov-

Farmers find it easier to focus on immediate issues such as seeding operations than longer-term tasks such as succession planning. photo: sandi knight

“I call it the tsunami of agriculture. It’s this big, giant, silent wave that’s going to hit people but they don’t even know they’re going to get hit and there’s no warning signs being flashed.” Elaine Froese

ince, but in some instances land transfer tax is not payable when transferring an active farm operation to a sibling or within the family, she said. “When you think about the value of some of these farm operations, that can represent a substantial amount of money,” said Paddock. “That money — rather than going to pay tax — could be left in the operation to support the cash flow and perhaps fund future growth.”

Good advance planning can also help minimize, or at least help a family prepare for, the impact of capital gains taxes. It’s advisable to start planning at least five years in advance of when you want to step down, said Paddock. “If you start your planning soon enough and leave yourself enough time, then you can take advantage of those options,” she said.

At the same time, it’s critically important that farm families get good advice from qualified farm advisers, an accountant who understands the business of agriculture, and a lawyer. However, no farmer will begin assembling that advisory team unless he or she is preparing to start the planning process — and it’s that unwillingness to do so that’s stalling this, said Froese. But those who are willing to take that step will find there’s a lot of help, she added. “There’s no end of resources for farm families to do farm succession planning,” she said. “What’s needed is the willingness to start talking and have facilitated meetings to take action. Nobody can drive the process except the farm family. You need a driver within the family who says, ‘We are getting this done.’” The 2015 Ag Outlook Survey was conducted in December and 55 per cent of those polled were between the ages of 55 to

Ready to start a succession plan? Here’s a checklist Ontario’s Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Development has prepared a detailed checklist for succession planning. Here are excerpts: • Preliminary Step: Open the lines of communication: “Once the generations are talking, everyone will start to think about his or her involvement in the future of the farm business.” • Step 1: Collect and analyze information: “Family members need to acquire a basic understanding of the succession planning process. Read articles about succession planning and/ or attend a succession planning workshop or seminar.” • Step 2: Generate options: “Flexibility is the key. A good facilitator can guide the family through reviewing the various options along with providing some helpful hints.” • Step 3: Make preliminary decisions: “Once the family knows how they wish to proceed, what they want to achieve, and a time frame, they must document the ‘narroweddown’ options in a rough draft form.” • Step 4: Design, develop, write and review: “The process is not necessarily a straight line but family members need to feel comfortable with decisions.” • Step 5: Implement and monitor: “The plan must be practical and straightforward to be put into action.” The full, detailed checklist can be found at www. omafra.gov.on.ca (enter ‘succession checklist’ in the search box).

74. Two-thirds were grain and oilseeds producers, and 81 per cent of respondents were from Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba. Their farms had sales ranging from $10,000 to over $2 million. lorraine@fbcpublishing.com

MAY 25, 2015 • ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA

checking cattle

Tom Bews, owner of the Big Loop Ranch west of Longview, Alta., heads into the hills to check on his cattle. Photo: Wendy Dudley

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f you are between the ages of eight and 21, and are involved in Beef 4-H, junior cattle shows or beef production – you could win $1,000 in the Young Guns Contest. The contest is put on Alberta Beef Producers and this year’s theme is: What sustainability means to you and what it looks like on your farm or ranch. An entry can be an essay, video, audio segment, social media campaign, press

release, or any other form of communication tool. Be creative. There are also prizes (of $500 and $250) for second and third place. Entry forms are on the www.albertabeef. org home page and submission should go to: Katelyn Laverdure Alberta Beef Producers 165, 6815 8 Street, NE Calgary, Alta. T2E 7H7 Email: katelynl@albertabeef.org The deadline is midnight, May 30.

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Global dairy prices slumped to their lowest in nearly six years earlier this month as milk powder producers struggled to find buyers for their increased production while demand eased in Asia and other emerging regions. The latest Global Dairy Trade auction held by New Zealand dairy exporter Fonterra dipped 3.5 per cent, taking the average selling price to $2,515 per tonne, its weakest since December. Ongoing weakness in dairy prices prompted Fonterra, the world’s largest dairy exporter to cut its farm gate milk price to an eight-year low of NZ$4.50 per kilogram milk solids in early May. — Reuters

China lifts ban on Canadian beef China has lifted its ban on Canadian beef, which it imposed in February after Canada’s first discovery of mad cow disease since 2011, says news website iPolitics. The website cited Canadian Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz saying that shipments had resumed. — Reuters

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Kawasaki 610XC, ‘11, Mule w/plow, 75 hrs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $6,600 Kawasaki 4010, Trans, ‘10, w/winch, windshield . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $6,800 Kawasaki 4010, ‘14, Mule, 302 hrs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $9,500

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ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA • MAY 25, 2015

Community news and events from across the province

Feta puts small Alberta company on the artisanal cheese map af staff

May 26: Alberta Pork Regional Meeting, Pomeroy Inn & Suites, Vegreville (also May 27 in Red Deer, May 28 in Lethbridge, June 2 in Grande Prairie). Contact: Loreen Riley 1-877-247-7675 May 26: Working Well Workshop, Bonnyville (also June 4 in Caroline and June 11 in Buffalo Lake). Contact: Melissa 780-422-1791 May 27-28: Ingredients for Success: The Conference on Food Innovation 2015, Deerfoot Inn and Casino, Calgary. Contact: Marie Cusack 780638-4060 May 28: Environmental Farm Plan Workshop, Vulcan Lodge Hall, Vulcan. Contact: Barbara Archibald 403-9488518 May 30-June 1: 4-H Expo, Lloydminster Exhibition Association Grounds, Lloydminster, Sask. Contact: Sam Hardstaff 306-825-5571

Olga Payne, plant manager at Tiras Dairies, stands near a vat of cheese. The Camrose company has recently won several awards for its cheeses. PHOTOs: SUPPLIED

“It’s good to know that we can be rated highly.”

Olga Payne

Tiras Dairies’ feta, made in Camrose, won the brine-ripened category in the Canadian Cheese Grand Prix. only prize. Its saganaki, a hard ripened Greek cheese, won first prize at Toronto’s Royal Agricultural Fair last November, while its Rocky Mountain quark

(similar to sour cream), placed second while its feta placed fourth in the same competition. All of the wins have helped increase the visibility and

awareness of Tiras Dairies’ cheeses. And it wasn’t the only Albertan cheese company to win national accolades in the Canadian Cheese Grand Prix. Sylvan Star Gouda, located near Sylvan Lake, has won numerous Canadian Cheese Grand Prix awards in the past. This year, the company, owned by the Schalkwijk family and established in 1999, won in the aged and smoked gouda categories. akienlen@fbcpublishing.com

Acme students promote ag in Calgary Ag for Life release

wo high school students from Acme — Monique Uittenbogerd and Maria Penner — recently became teachers for the day, educating over 100 Little Green Thumbs elementary students in Calgary about life on the farm. The Little Green Thumbs program is part of Ag for Life’s edu-

Send agriculture-related meeting and event announcements to: glenn.cheater@fbcpublishing.com

By ALEXIS KIENLEN

he staff at Tiras Dairies in Camrose has a reason to celebrate. The small plant, which has just eight staff, now ranks up there with the top cheese makers in the country. Plant manager Olga Payne attended the national gala in Toronto last month and came home with the top prize in the brine-ripened category in the Canadian Cheese Grand Prix. “It was so exciting,” said Payne. “In Quebec and Ontario, there are artisanal cheese makers everywhere. It’s good to know that we can be rated highly. “We competed against places that have been making cheese for years and years, against everyone else in our field who makes this type of cheese.” It was the first time Tiras Dairies had entered the biannual cheese competition hosted by the Dairy Farmers of Canada. So what makes its Vlahos (the Greek word for shepherd) cow’s milk feta so special? “It’s not too dry and had a nicely balanced salt profile,” Julian Bond, a chef and a Canadian Cheese Grand Prix jury member, told The Edmonton Journal. “It stays intact when you cut it and doesn’t crumble like so many other feta brands. It would hold up well if you put it with watermelon and chopped mint. You won’t be left with mush, but with a nice chunk you can enjoy.” Feta cheese is basically tasteless when it is first made. The cheese’s cultures and the saltwater brine work together, allowing the cheese to develop its flavour over time. Standing out in a crowd of top cheese makers isn’t easy — there were 268 cheeses entered in the competition, with 81 selected as finalists. And Tiras Dairies only dates to back in 2001. The plant, owned by a Camrose-area Hutterite colony since 2008, makes both cow and goat milk cheeses. The recognition from the Canadian Cheese Grand Prix is not the company’s

what’s

cational outreach efforts and informs 5,000 students across Alberta about the importance of agriculture and its connection to their lives. The duo’s talk about growing up on farms in Kneehill County and how wheat goes from a tiny seed to flour helped build and expand students’ understanding of Alberta’s agriculture industry. “Many of the elementary students have never stepped on a

farm let alone had a farmer in the classroom,” said Penner. “It was an exciting day of learning about the hard work that is required to produce grains and oilseeds for consumers in Alberta and across the world.” “Today was important because as rural students we have the chance to experience the city but it’s much harder for urban children to get out and experience the farm,” added

Uittenbogerd. “There’s children who don’t know where their food comes from and it’s important for us to share this knowledge.” Agriculture for Life-supported agriculture education programs include Alberta Open Farm Days, Classroom Agriculture Program, Little Green Thumbs, and On-farm Tours. For more information visit agricultureforlife.ca.

June 4-6: Canadian Angus National Convention 2015, Radisson Hotel & Conference Centre Calgary Airport, Calgary. Contact: Canadian Angus Association 403-571-3580 June 5-6: Taber & District 4-H Show & Sale, Taber Agri-plex, Taber. Contact: Travus or Amanda Valgardson 403223-9539 June 6: Passing the Torch — 12 Steps of Succession Planning, Enterprise Square (second floor, 10230 Jasper Ave.), Edmonton (also June 13 in Calgary). Contact: Alberta Business Family Institute 780-492-0234 June 8-10: Carcass 101: second edition, Olds College, Olds. Contact: Angus Central 1-888-571-3580 June 9-10: Grazing School for Women, St. Edouard Renewal Centre, St. Paul. Contact: Kelsey 780-384-4100 June 12: West-Central Forage Association open house, 5009 45 Avenue, Entwistle. Contact: WestCentral Forage Association 1-866725-4447 June 15: Peter Donovan Alberta Series, Fairview (also June 17 in Manning, June 20 in Fort Vermilion, June 25 in Westlock, June 27 in Bonnyville, and June 30 in Oyen). Contact: North Peace Applied Research Association 780-836-3354 June 15: Stockmanship with Curt Pate, Hawk Hills Ag Hall, Manning. Contact: Sarah Pritchard 780-8356799 June 16: FutureFare 2015: Setting Ourselves Apart, BMO Centre, Stampede Park, Calgary. Contact: ALMA 780-638-1699 June 17: Irrigation Management Seminar - 2015, MNP - Lethbridge Office, Lethbridge. Contact: Mark Wobick 403-380-1666 June 17-19: UCVM 2015 Beef Cattle Conference, Deerfoot Inn & Casino, Calgary. Contact: Brenda Moore 403210-7309

MAY 25, 2015 • ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA

Taking the plunge into direct marketing The best way to be successful at direct marketing? Ask producers who are already doing it BY JENNIFER PAIGE

“How can you see adversity as opportunity?”

Staff

irect marketing grass-fed beef was how Colleen Biggs turned adverse beef market trends into an opportunity for her family’s ranch in east-central Alberta. “When times got really tough for us, we were doing the lowinput swath grazing, bale grazing, everything we could to make ends meet on the ranch,” said Biggs, who operates TK Ranch with husband Dylan. “But when the market crash happened in 1995, it didn’t matter how sharp your pencil is — you can only go so far. “At some point you have to start looking at your different options. How can you see adversity as opportunity?” That prompted the couple, who has won numerous awards for their environmental stewardship and animal welfare programs, to start direct marketing their beef. But you can’t just jump into it, Biggs told attendees at the Direct Farm Marketing Conference in Manitoba earlier this year. “It is really important if you are planning to take on a new enterprise to really think about what it is you are trying to do,” said Biggs. “I suggest making short-term, midterm and longterm goals and continually monitor yourself, especially

Colleen Biggs

Alberta producer Colleen Biggs offered advice on direct marketing grass-fed beef at the Direct Farm Marketing conference held earlier this year. PHOTO: JENNIFER PAIGE financially. See where you have been and what direction you are headed. And be realistic.”

Many enterprises

Manitoba producers Cameron and Lisa Hodgins opted for diversification for the mixed organic farm they operate with his parents. “When we came onto the farm (10 years ago) we began to get

into cattle and the last couple of years we’ve moved into sheep. And last year we expanded into chickens,” said Cameron. “We have a few different enterprises going on but none of them is too big or too small, it is just the right size.” The couple currently has 100 head of cattle as well as sheep, chickens, crops, and honeybees. They also custom graze

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about 300 yearlings every year. They have sold organic meat, but in recent years have moved towards grass-fed products as consumer demand has taken off. “We have always been organic and were finishing our animals without grain until around the last 100 days or so,” said Cameron. “But we decided to take it one step further because it really opens up a whole new market. “The organic grain also isn’t cheap right now so to pour a bunch of organic grain into the cattle just wasn’t making a whole lot of sense.” Cameron, who also works off the farm as a firefighter/paramedic in Brandon, leaves the majority of the marketing and sales to Lisa.

Connect with customers

“Certainly a large aspect of the direct marketing is taking the time to talk with people and make a connection with them,”

she said. “For the consumers, knowing where their food is coming from is usually the biggest selling point for us as direct marketers. “We have had a few people who have asked to come out to the farm and meet the animals and we certainly love to do that kind of thing. We want our customers to know who we are and to be confident in the product that they are buying.” The Hodgins, who were at the Direct Farm Marketing conference for Biggs’ presentation, also took the opportunity to network with others in the area who have been diversifying into similar markets. “We find that there is just so much to learn from others,” said Cameron. “They have made the mistakes and avoided certain pitfalls and are willing to share their lessons with you.” “I really enjoy hearing the real-life experiences and not just speculation on what should work the best,” said Lisa. “The people who have been out there doing this and are honest about what worked and what didn’t.” Their advice for farmers wanting to direct market is to start small and ask a lot of questions. “I would certainly suggest seeking out workshops and seminars, but don’t underestimate the advice you can find from your neighbour down the road either,” said Lisa. jennifer.paige@fbcpublishing.com

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Clothing/Western_Specialty_wear_ Collectibles_ Compressors_ Computers_ CONTRACTING Custom_Baling_ Custom_Feeding_ Custom_Harvesting_ Custom_Seeding_ Custom_Silage_ Custom_Spraying_ Custom_Trucking_ Custom_Tub_Grinding_ Custom_Work Construction_Equipment_ Crop_Inputs Dairy_Equipment_ Electrical_ Engines_ Entertainment_ FARM MAChINERy Aeration_ Conveyors_ Equipment_Monitors_ Fertilizer_Equip_ Grain_Augers_ Grain_Bins_ Grain_Carts_ Grain_Cleaners_ Grain_Dryers_ Grain_Elevators_ Grain_Handling_ Grain_Testers_ Grain_Vacuums_ Hydraulics_ Irrigation_Equipment_ Loaders_&_Dozers_ Parts_&_Accessories_ Potato_&_Row_Crop_Equipment_ Repairs_ Rockpickers_ Salvage_ Silage_Equipment_ Snowblowers/Plows_ Specialty_Equipment_ Machinery_Miscellaneous_ Machinery_Wanted_ hAyING & hARVESTING Baling_Equipment_ Mower_Conditioners_ Swathers_ Swather_Accessories_ Various_ COMBINES Belarus Case/IH Cl_ Caterpillar_Lexion Deutz Ford/NH_ Gleaner_ John_Deere_ Massey_Ferguson_ Versatile_ White_ Combines_Various Combine_Accessories

SPRAyING EqUIPMENT Sprayers Spray_Various_ TIllAGE & SEEDING Air_Drills_ Air_Seeders_ Harrows_&_Packers_ Seeding_Various_ Tillage_Equipment_ Tillage_&_Seeding_Various_ TRACTORS Agco_ Allis/Deutz_ Belarus_ Case/IH_ Caterpillar_ Ford_ John_Deere_ Kubota_ Massey_Ferguson_ New_Holland_ Steiger_ Universal_ Versatile_ White_ Zetor_ 2-Wheel_Drive 4-Wheel_Drive_ Various_ Fencing_ Firewood_ Fish_Farm_ Forestry/Logging_ Fork_Lifts/Pallet_Trucks_ Fur_Farming_ Generators_ GPS_ Health_Care_ Heat_&_Air_Conditioning_ Hides/Furs/Leathers_ Hobby_&_Handicrafts_ Household_Items_ Iron_&_Steel_ lANDSCAPING Greenhouses_ Lawn_&_Garden_ lIVESTOCK Cattle Cattle_Auctions__ Angus_ Black_Angus_ Red_Angus_ Aryshire_ Belgian_Blue_ Blonde_d'Aquitaine_ Brahman_ Brangus_ Braunvieh_ BueLingo_ Charolais_ Dairy_ Dexter_ Excellerator_ Galloway_ Gelbvieh_ Guernsey_ Hereford_ Highland_

Holstein_ Jersey_ Limousin_ Lowline_ Luing_ Maine-Anjou_ Miniature_ Murray_Grey_ Piedmontese_ Pinzgauer_ Red_Poll_ Salers_ Santa_Gertrudis_ Shaver_Beefblend_ Shorthorn_ Simmental South_Devon Speckle_Park Tarentaise_ Texas_Longhorn_ Wagyu_ Welsh_Black_ Cattle_Composite_ Cattle_Various_ Cattle_Wanted lIVESTOCK horses Horse_Auctions_ American_Saddlebred_ Appaloosa Arabian_ Belgian_ Canadian_ Clydesdale_ Draft_ Donkeys_ Haflinger_ Miniature_ Morgan_ Mules_ Norwegian_Ford_ Paint_ Palomino_ Percheron_ Peruvian_ Pinto_ Ponies_ Quarter_Horse_ Shetland_ Sport_Horses_ Standardbred_ Tennessee_Walker_ Thoroughbred_ Warmblood_ Welsh_ Horses_For_Sale_ Horses_Wanted_ lIVESTOCK Poultry Poultry_For_Sale_ Poultry_Wanted_ lIVESTOCK Sheep Sheep_Auction_ Arcott_ Columbia_ Dorper_ Dorset_ Katahdin_ Lincoln_ Suffolk_ Texel_Sheep_ Sheep_For_Sale_ Sheep_Wanted_

display Classified

• Minimum charge — $15.00 per week for first 25 words or less and an additional 60 cents per word for every word over 25. Additional bolding 75 cents per word. GST is extra. $2.50 billing charge is added to billed ads only. • Terms: Payment due upon receipt of invoice. • 10% discount for prepaid ads. If phoning in your ad you must pay with VISA or MasterCard to qualify for discount. • Ask about our Priority Placement • Prepayment Bonus: Prepay for 3 weeks and get a bonus of 2 weeks; bonus weeks run consecutively and cannot be used separately from original ad; additions and changes accepted only during first 3 weeks. • If you wish to have replies sent to a confidential box number, please add $5.00 per week to your total. Count eight words for your address. Example: Ad XXXX, Alberta Farmer Express , Box 9800, Winnipeg, R3C 3K7. • Your complete name & address must be submitted to our office before publication. (This information will be kept confidential & will not appear in the ad unless requested.)

• Advertising copy deviating in any way from the regular classified style will be considered display and charged at the display rate of $34.30 per column inch ($2.45 per agate line). • Minimum charge $34.30 per week. • Illustrations and logos are allowed with full border. • Advertising rates are flat with no discount for frequency of insertion or volume of space used. • Terms: Payment due upon receipt of invoice. • Price quoted does not include GST.

Published by Farm Business Communications, 1666 Dublin Avenue, Winnipeg, MB R3H 0H1 WINNIPEG OFFICE Alberta Farmer Express 1666 Dublin Avenue, Winnipeg, MB R3H 0H1 Toll-Free in Canada 1-800-665-1362 Phone 403-341-0442 in Winnipeg FAX 403-341-0615 Mailing Address: Box 9800, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3C 3K7 • •

•

AGREEMENT The publisher reserves the right to refuse any or all advertising for any reason stated or unstated. Advertisers requesting publication of either display or classified advertisements agree that should the advertisement be omitted from the issue ordered for whatever reason, the Alberta Farmer Express shall not be held liable. It is also agreed that in the event of an error appearing in the published advertisement, the Alberta Farmer Express accepts no liability beyond the amount paid for that portion of the advertisement in which the error appears or affects. Claims for adjustment are limited to errors appearing in the first insertion only. While every endeavor will be made to forward box number replies as soon as possible, we accept no liability in respect to loss or damage alleged to a rise through either failure or delay in forwarding such replies, however caused, whether by negligence or otherwise.

(2 weeks prior)

ORGANIC Organic_Certified_ Organic_Food_ Organic_Grains_ Outfitters_ Personal_ Pest_Control Pets_&_Supplies_ Photography_ Propane_ Pumps_ Radio,_TV_&_Satellite_ REAl ESTATE Commercial_Buildings_ Condos_ Cottages_&_Lots_ Houses_&_Lots_ Land_For_Rent_ Land_For_Sale_ Mobile_Homes_ Motels_&_Hotels_ Resorts Vacation_Property_ Farms & Ranches British_Columbia_ Alberta_ Saskatchewan_ Manitoba_ Acreages/Hobby_Farms_ Farms/Ranches_Wanted_ Pastureland_ RECREATIONAl VEhIClES All_Terrain_Vehicles_ Boats_&_Water_ Campers_&_Trailers_ Golf_Carts_ Motor_Homes_ Motorcycles_ Snowmobiles Recycling Refrigeration Restaurant_Supplies Sausage_Equipment_ Sawmills_ Scales_

COMMON SEED Cereal_Seeds_ Forage_Seeds_ Grass_Seeds_ Oilseeds_ Pulse_Crops_ Common_Seed_Various_ SEED/FEED/GRAIN Feed_Grain_ Hay_&_Straw_ Feed_Wanted_ Grain_Wanted_ Hay_&_Feed_Wanted_ Seed_Wanted_ Sewing_Machines_ Sharpening_Services_ Silos_ Sporting_Goods_ Stamps_&_Coins_ Swap_ Tanks_ Tarpaulins_ Tenders_ Tickets_ Tires_ Tools_ TRAIlERS Grain_Trailers_ Livestock_Trailers_ Trailers_Miscellaneous_ Travel_ Water_Pumps_ Water_Treatment_ Welding_ Well_Drilling_ Well_&_Cistern__ Winches_ CAREERS Career_Training_ Child_Care_ Construction_ Domestic_Services_ Farm/Ranch_ Forestry/Log_ Health_Care_ Help_Wanted_ Management Mining_ Oil_Field_ Professional_ Resume_Services_ Sales/Marketing_ Trades/Tech_ Truck_Drivers_ Employment_Wanted_

MAiL TO: Alberta Farmer Express, Box 9800, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3C 3K7 FAx TO: 403-341-0615 PhOnE in: Toll-Free in Canada 1-800-665-1362 OR (403) 341-0442 in Alberta

NAME_ ___________________________________________________________ ______PHONE_#_______________________________ ADDRESS_____________________________________________ ______TOWN_____________________________________________ PROVINCE____________________________ _____POSTAL_CODE__________________________

All classified ads are non-commissionable.

advertising deadline Wednesday noon

Livestock_Equipment_ Livestock_Services_&_Vet_Supplies_ Miscellaneous_Articles_ Miscellaneous_Articles_Wanted_ Musical_ Notices_ On-Line_Services_

CERTIFIED SEED Cereal_Seeds Forage_Seeds Oilseeds Pulse_Crops Specialty_Crops

AD ORDER FORM

adveRtising Rates & infoRmation

RegulaR Classified

lIVESTOCK Swine Swine_Auction_ Swine_For_Sale_ Swine_Wanted_ lIVESTOCK Specialty Alpacas_ Bison_(Buffalo)_ Deer_ Elk_ Goats_ Llama_ Rabbits_ Emu/Ostrich/Rhea_ Yaks_ Various_

Even if you do not want your name & address to appear in your ad, we need the information for our files.

PLEASE_PRINT_YOUR_AD_BELOW_ ______________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________

CAUTION The Alberta Farmer Express, while assuming no responsibility for advertisements appearing in its columns, exercises the greatest care in an endeavor to restrict advertising to wholly reliable firms or individuals. However, please do not send money to a Manitoba Co-operator box number. Buyers are advised to request shipment C.O.D. when ordering from an unknown advertiser, thus minimizing the chance of fraud and eliminating the necessity of a refund where the goods have already been sold. At Farm Business Communications we have a firm commitment to protecting your privacy and security as our customer. Farm Business Communications will only collect personal information if it is required for the proper functioning of our business. As part of our commitment to enhance customer service, we may share this personal information with other strategic business partners. For more information regarding our Customer Information Privacy Policy, write to: Information Protection Officer, Farm Business Communications, 1666 Dublin Ave., Winnipeg, MB R3H 0H1. Occasionally we make our list of subscribers available to other reputable firms whose products and services might be of interest to you. If you would prefer not to receive such offers, please contact us at the address in the preceding paragraph, or call (204)-954-1456. The editors and journalists who write, contribute and provide opinions to Alberta Farmer Express and Farm Business Communications attempt to provide accurate and useful opinions, information and analysis. However, the editors, journalists and Alberta Farmer Express and Farm Business Communications, cannot and do not guarantee the accuracy of the information contained in this publication and the editors as well as Alberta Farmer Express and Farm Business Communication assume no responsibility for any actions or decisions taken by any reader for this publication based on any and all information provided.

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________ CLASSIFICATION__________________________ ❏ I would like to take advantage of the Prepayment Bonus of 2 FREE weeks when I prepay for 3 weeks. _

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VISA

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MASTERCARD

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MAY 25, 2015 • ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA

BUILDING & RENOVATIONS BUILDING & RENOVATIONS Building Supplies ALUMINUM PICKET RAILING SUPPLIED & installed, $30 linear ft., white, black, yd bronze. Phone (403)330-5673.

BUILDINGS STEEL STORAGE CONTAINERS, 20-ft & 40-ft. Wind, water & rodent proof. 1-866-517-8335, (403)540-4164, (403)226-1722 magnate@telus.net

BUSINESS SERVICES BUSINESS SERVICES Crop Consulting

FARM CHEMICAL / SEED COMPLAINTS We also specialize in: agricultural complaints of any nature; Crop ins. appeals; Spray drift; Chemical failure; Residual herbicide; Custom operator issues; Equip. malfunctions. Licensed Agrologist on Staff. For assistance and compensation call

Back-Track InvesTIgaTIons

1-866-882-4779. www.backtrackcanada.com

CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT 2004 NH RG200B GRADER air, dozer & ripper, 5,000-hrs; 2003 Hitachi ZX200LC track hoe & thumb; Case 621 3-yd loader; D7F dozer ripper, PWR shift; New Quonset in crate 52x35x18-ft. $17,000; 1999 GMC T8500 Cat DSL, tow truck, 20ft. tilt & wheel lift, $14,500; 1977 IHC 1700 series floater w/tiler fertilizer spreader, $5,000; 3-Ton fertilizer spread $1,500; Rotex SR7 Pwr parachute needs frame, as is, $3,000; Ford Major DSL loader 3-PTH bale fork, $6,700. (306)236-8023

FARM MACHINERY FARM MACHINERY Machinery Miscellaneous

FARM MACHINERY Machinery Miscellaneous

RON SAUER

MACHINERY LTD. (403) 540-7691 ronsauer@shaw.ca

(3) CIH Late Model High HP Tractors, 1 with pto .......... CALL Wanted - 30’ to 40’ JD 9450 Hoe Drills, complete with mover ....................................................... CALL 40’ Morris 3100 Hoe Drills, mover and hitch ............$10,000 946 Versatile Ford Tractor, 4,994 hrs, 24.5 x 32 D....$50,000 8070 AC Tractor, FWA, wheel base extended, duals .. $22,500 275 MF Tractor, diesel, multi power, 3 pth, new 18.4 x 30, front weights, loader available, looks and runs great ......... $10,000 B275 IHC Tractor & Loader .....................................$3,500 New NH 1060 TBT Air Tank, on duals ................... $85,000 (1) NH P1060 TBH Air Tank, as new .................... $69,500 40’ Salford RTS 570 Vertical Till, as new ............ $73,500 35’ 4590 EEZE-ON Double Disc, good condition .... $36,000 62’ 820 F.C. Deep Till Cultivator, c/w 4 Bar Harrow & Raven NH3 kit, excellent condition.......................... $46,000 44’ 820 F.C. Deep Till Air Seeder, harrows ................. CALL 2320 F.C. TBH Air Tank................................................ CALL 40’ 340 F.C. Chisel Plow & 75 Packer Bar, P30’s... $33,000 62’ F.C. S75 Packer BAR P30’s, good condition .... $11,000 48’ F.C. S75 Packer Bar, P30, as new ....................... $35,000 2003 4300 IHC Service Truck, 466 diesel, 5 speed Allison auto, crane, compressor, welder, nice ................ $50,000 51’ Degelman Landroller, as new.... ...................... $40,000 Degelman Dozer Frame MF 4000 Series 4WD .....$1,000 41’ Flexicoil 300 B Chisel Plow, 3 bar harrows ..... $12,500 Flexicoil 6 Run Seed Treater....................................$1,000 100’ 65XL Flexicoil Sprayer, complete with windguards, elec. end nozzles single tips, auto rate, excellent condition ... $12,500 791 NH Manure Spreader, c/w top beater ................$6,500 225 DOW Kello-Bilt Tandem Disc, 28” smooth front & rear blades, 10.5” spacing, oil, bath bearings, as new ........ $62,500 47’ 820 Flexicoil Chisel Plow, 4 bar harrows ......... $67,500 New E-Kay 7”, 8”, 9” Bin Sweeps available ............ Call 8” Wheat Heart Transfer Auger, hydraulic drive .......$1,500 New Outback RTK BASE stn.......................................... Call New Outback MAX & STX guidance & mapping ........In Stock New Outback E-Drive, TC’s......................................In Stock New Outback E-Drive X, c/w free E turns.................In Stock New Outback S-Lite guidance .................**In Stock** $900 New Outback VSI Swather Steering Wheel Kit..... In Stock Used Outback E-Drive Hyd. kits .................................. $500 Used Outback S2 Guidance, c/w 360 Mapping ...........$1,500 **NuVision (Spray Air) & Meridian-Sakundiak Augers, Outback GPS Systems, EK Auger Movers, Belt Tighteners, Bin Sweeps & Crop Dividers, Kohler, Robin Subaru & Generac Engines, Headsight Harvesting Solutions, Greentronics Sprayer Auto Boom Height, Kello-Bilt Discs**

2003 NH TM190 FEL grapple joy stick, 3-pt., 3,810-hrs, $52,000. Call:(403)665-2341, Craigmyle, AB. 4640 SPRAY COUPE 2001, 80-ft booms, 400-gal. tank, 2,450-hrs w/front & back crop dividers. Trimble 250 w/Auto steer. $49,900. Ph: (780)662-2220. ACREAGE EQUIPMENT: 3-PT. CULTIVATORS, Discs, Plows, Blades, Harrows, Etc. (780)892-3092, Wabamun, AB. RETIREMENT SALE: NH 575 small square baler overhauled completely in 2008, then stored inside, has hyd tongue & tension, excellent condition, $8,500. Phone (403)932-5522 Go public with an ad in the Alberta Farmer Express classifieds. Phone 1-800-665-1362.

FARMING IS ENOUGH OF A GAMBLE...

Stretch your ADVERTISING DOLLAR!

1-800-665-1362

FARM MACHINERY Machinery Wanted WANTED: MASSEY 36 DISCER, anywhere, will pick up. Call (306)723-4875 or (306)533-3309 WANTED: NH BALE WAGONS & retrievers, any condition. Farm Equipment Finding Service, P.O. Box 1363, Polson, MT 59860. (406)883-2118

HAYING & HARVESTING HAYING & HARVESTING Baling Equipment

1-800-665-1362

Combines COMBINES Accessories RECONDITIONED COMBINE HEADERS. RIGID & flex, most makes & sizes; also header transports. Ed Lorenz, (306)344-4811 or Website: www.straightcutheaders.com Paradise Hill, SK.

REAL ESTATE REAL ESTATE Land For Sale

JD 9400, 9420, 9520, 8970 JD 9860, 9760, 9750, 9650, 9600 JD 9430, 9530, 9630 Case STX 375, 425, 430, 450, 480, 500, 530 CIH 8010-2388, 2188 combine CIH 435Q, 535Q, 450Q, 550Q, 600Q pto avail. JD 4710, 4720, 4730, 4830, 4920, 4930 SP sprayers JD 9770 & 9870 w/CM & duals CIH 3185, 3230, 3330, 4430, 4420 sprayers

S670/680/690 JD Combine low hrs 4730 JD Sprayer, 100 ft. 854 Rogator SP Sprayer, complete with JD auto steer, swath pro Special 450 CIH Quadtrac with big pump 554 Rogator Sprayer SP 4840 JD 2WD, low hours, new tires GOOD SELECTION OF JD & CASE SP SPRAYERS AND 4WD TRACTORS

“LIKE MANY BEFORE, WE’LL HAVE YOU SAYING THERE’S NO DEAL LIKE A KEN DEAL” • Phone: (403)330-7847 • Cell: (403)504-4929 • Email: kendeal@shaw.ca

Tillage & Seeding TILLAGE & SEEDING Tillage Various 6200 IH PRESS DRILL 24-ft, factory transport, rubber packers; 510 IH wheel drill; #10 IH wheel drill; 14-ft deep tillage cultivator; 97 Ford 150 ext. cab truck. (780)919-9985.

TracTors

HEAT & AIR CONDITIONING

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

TRACTORS John Deere 2003 JD 9420, 1,605-HRS, 24spd, 710/70R/42, cast weights front & rear, GreenStar ready, full diff., extra lights, shedded, excellent, $186,000. Olds, AB. Phone Mike:(403)335-9205.

JD 2130 with loader, 3 pth JD 4255 2 WD, with 158 loader JD 7130 FWA, with loader 3 pth JD 7600 FWA, 740 loader with 3 pth JD 7800 FWA, with 3 pth JD 7810 FWA, 740 loader Clamp on Duals, 20.8x38-18.4x38 FINANCE, TRADES WELCOME 780-696-3527, BRETON, AB

Big Tractor Parts, Inc. Geared For The Future

STEIGER TRACTOR SPECIALIST

RED OR GREEN 1. 10-25% savings on new replacement parts for your Steiger drive train. 2. We rebuild axles, transmissions and dropboxes with ONE YEAR WARRANTY. 3. 50% savings on used parts.

1-800-982-1769 www.bigtractorparts.com

18-ACRE LOT FOR SALE. Located in NW Montana. Lincoln County Hwy-56, in the cabinet mountains. Easy access to a private pine wooded paradise with a blue ribbon trout river. 549-ft river frontage, fishing, hunting, kayaking, floating. Build your dream cabin surrounded by mountains! Land is set up for 1 or 2 lots, private financing available. $199,000. Call Mark (507)402-7405.

SEED / FEED / GRAIN SEED/FEED/GRAIN Feed Grain BUYING ALL TYPES OF feed grain. Also have market for light offgrade or heated, picked up on the farm. Eisses Grain Marketing 1-888-882-7803, Lacombe. FEED GRAIN WANTED! ALSO buying; Light, tough, or offgrade grains. “On Farm Pickup” Westcan Feed & Grain 1-877-250-5252

SEED/FEED/GRAIN Grain Wanted

BUYING:

HEATED CANOLA & FLAX • Competitive Prices • Prompt Movement • Spring Thrashed

“ON FARM PICK UP”

1-877-250-5252

BUYING HEATED/DAMAGED PEAS, FLAX & GRAIN “On Farm Pickup” Westcan Feed & Grain 1-877-250-5252

www.penta.ca

TRACTORS Various

We know that farming is enough of a gamble so if you want to sell it fast place your ad in the Alberta Farmer Express classifieds. It’s a Sure Thing. Call our toll-free number today. We have friendly staff ready to help. 1-800-665-1362.

WANTED: JD 7810 c/w FEL & 3-PTH; sp or PTO bale wagon; JD or IHC end wheel drills. Small square baler. (403)394-4401

Advertise in the Alberta Farmer Express Classifieds, it’s a Sure Thing!

SPRAYING EQUIPMENT Sprayers

1-800-587-4711

LIVESTOCK LIVESTOCK Cattle – Angus LIGHT BIRTHWEIGHT RED & Black Angus yearling bulls. $2500 Bellshill Red Angus & Davidson Angus. Lougheed, AB. Ph:(780)384-2354 or (780)888-2123, Cell:(780)888-7585 .

LIVESTOCK Cattle – Red Angus REGISTERED RED ANGUS BULLS Quiet, Easy Calving, Low to Moderate Birth Weights, Good Growth, E.P.D’s available Guaranteed Breeders (Vet Checked & Semen Tested). Excellent Bulls for Heifers or Cows. Cleveley Cattle Company (780)689-2754.

LIVESTOCK Cattle – Hereford

BUYING SPRING THRASHED CANOLA & GRAIN “On Farm Pickup” Westcan Feed & Grain 1-877-250-5252

BOW VALLEY TRADING LTD.

WE BUY DAMAGED GRAIN Wheat, Barley, Oats, Peas, etc. Green or Heated Canola/Flax

1-877-641-2798

Where the stories go. Network

HEREFORD BULLS, YEARLINGS & two year olds, dehorned, & polled, excellent quality, low birth weights suitable for heifers, catalogue online at couleecrest.ca Coulee Crest Herefords, Bowden, AB. (403)227-2259 or (403)588-6160.

ORGANIC ORGANIC Organic – Certified WANT THE ORGANIC ADVANTAGE? Contact an organic Agrologist at Pro-Cert for information on organic farming: prospects, transition, barriers, benefits, certification & marketing. Call:(306)382-1299, Saskatoon, SK or at info@pro-cert.org

PETS & SUPPLIES Border Collie Pups PB Non-Registered Out of Good Working Parents. Pups Guaranteed Over 20 years breeding. $400 (1st shots inc) www.riverhillsranchltd.com (204)365-0372

TRAVEL

RURAL & CULTURAL TOURS European River Cruises ~ Multiple Dates NWT/Yukon ~ July 2015 Alaska Cruise ~ July 2015 Australia/New Zealand ~ Jan 2016 Costa Rica/Panama Canal ~ Jan 2016 Tanzania/Zimbabwe ~ Jan 2016 South America ~ Feb 2016 India ~ 2016 *Portion of tours may be Tax Deductible

Select Holidays 1-800-661-4326

www.selectholidays.com

Prairie-Wide Display Classifieds

MORE OPTIONS TO SAVE YOU MONEY

Buy one province, buy two provinces or buy all three. Great rates whatever you choose

Contact Sharon

Email: sharon.komoski@fbcpublishing.com

Search news. Read stories. Find insight.

Albertafarmexpress.ca • May 25, 2015

EMPOWERING FARMERS

Decisions are made in the field.

Be empowered. See the newest agricultural technology in the field, at Ag in Motion, Western Canada’s only outdoor farm expo. 16

July 21 – 23, 2015

LANGHAM

15 min. NW of Saskatoon

Ag in Motion offers hands-on learning and the latest information you need to make informed decisions. With 320 acres of prime, agricultural land, it’s the ideal venue to see live equipment demonstrations in action, crop plots growing side-by-side, and interactive, agribusiness exhibits. All this in one place – in a real, agricultural setting. Visit Ag in Motion this summer. Be empowered.

SASKATOON

 coNveNieNt FRee paRkiNg  opeN 8:30 aM to 5:30 pM DaiLY

™

SEE Technology

TOUCH Innovation

™ Denotes a trade-mark of Canada’s Outdoor Shows Limited Partnership.

BE Empowered

www.aginmotion.ca

MAY 25, 2015 • ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA