Irrigating Alberta Fall 2017

volume 21 • number 2 • Fall 2017 • price $3.50

Inside This Fall Edition • Cavendish Farms • Seed Fair • SMID • Vince Ellert • Bob Dykstra • Mayfield Colony • Oneil Carlier • Canola Grading • Spray Drift

Alberta

R.P.H. Irrigation Services Ltd. Lethbridge 403-328-0013 IRRIGATING ALBERTA - Fall 2017 • 2

Strathmore 403-934-9690

Taber 403-223-8622

volume 21 • number 2

Contents 14

4 ............................................... Ric’s Corner 5.......................................... Canola Dockage

4

5.................................................... Spray Drift

RIC’S

7 ............................................... Bob Dykstra

6 ......................... Cavendish To Build Here

Corner

16

Fall 2017

15

9 .......................................................Seed Fair 10 - 11......................................... Vince Ellert 14 ............................2017 Seed Fair Results 15............................Mayfield Colony Floods 16............................................SMID Expands 18 ..............................................Oneil Carlier 20 - 21.....................The Cavendish Impact

7

22..........................................Canola Grading

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RIC’S

Corner I

rrigation has long been a backbone of southern Alberta’s agriculture industry.

New equipment is being installed at a hectic pace by the dealers in The South, some replacement machines, some new, some bigger, and some, more modern with the latest improvements.

It is hard to imagine being short of water in a year like 2017, which started spring with massive floods in many parts of the Maritimes and Quebec especially. Of course, there are floods in many parts of the world virtually every year.

But irrigation was put into action early in many parts of southern Alberta this year. Some farmers in the Taber area rushed from seeding crops to turning the taps on irrigation equipment. They used to call that irrigating up a crop.

Nothing new, but a reality that focuses on the reality of the value of water in a region once declared unfit for human habitation.

Industry has done its job, and likely improvements will continue to flow to the farms. But it will always come down to the men and women on irrigated farms who pour their energies and money into operating irrigation equipment, topped by the vast understanding needed to optimize the use of limited water resources.

IRRIGATING ALBERTA - Fall 2017 • 4

Perhaps one of the telltale signals of the value of irrigation is the continued expansion of irrigated lands in many of the districts in The South. That expansion, predicated on the availability of water earned by continued improvements in water use efficiencies from main canal to individual fields, has “created” new water to support the expanding irrigated acres. Tremendous credit goes to the irrigation districts with continued strong support from the provincial government, and individual farmers who have adopted new techniques and concepts to optimize water application to optimize crop production.

This editor wrote reams about the irrigation industry, irrigators and support businesses for almost 40 years, and only two years ago took over management of a small family irrigation farm west of Fort Macleod. Writing and doing are distinct factors, and the learning curve continues. Custom work prepares and seeds and crop, irrigation is in these hands, and the crop becomes property of the end user at harvest. That is essential for a “farmer” with no farm equipment aside from two pivots and some side-wheel-move sprinklers.

So the learning continues. For instance, Ross McKenzie, a former Lethbridge farm specialist with Alberta Agriculture, introduced me to his soil auger to determine the soil moisture profile. This spring, the soil moisture level was about 30 per cent in the top foot, and less below with a fall rye crop apparently flourishing. “Turn on the pivots until . . . even if it rains.”

With that edict, cautioned by early May night temperatures that dipped to the one to two degree forecast, the soil reserve moisture level recommended by Ross was attained in time to benefit yield. Now, harvest will tell the real story.

Canola Dockage A

lberta producers are reporting large variations among buyers in their dockage assessment on canola.

On dockage alone, producers have reported from one to over three per cent differences in dockage on the same sample of their canola,” Neil Blue, provincial crop market analyst, says in a news release from Alberta Agriculture and Forestry, Edmonton.

“These differences were reported both in cases of comparing one buyer to another and also in challenging a dockage assessment by using the services of the Canadian Grain Commission,“ said Blue. “If a producer is not satisfied with grade or dockage assessed by a buyer, they can request another assessment of the grade and dockage.

“If the delivery is to a primary elevator, a producer has the right to request that a sample of the load be sent to the Canadian Grain Commission for assessment. Payment for that load will then be subject to the result from the Canadian Grain Commission inspector. The result could be either favorable or unfavorable to the producer, so it’s important to be reasonably certain of your expected grade and dockage

in advance of contracting and delivering to a buyer. This right to challenge the grading result only extends to delivery to a primary elevator, but other buyers will very likely try to please their customer also.”

The Canadian Grain Commission’s Grade Grading Guide, available on their website, describes the method, aspirator settings and screens to be considered for use in grading canola.

“The Canadian Grain Commission website also contains the guidelines and forms to use if a producer is challenging the grade or dockage,” says Blue. “If the producer pays for the assessment by the Commission, the fee is about $50 plus mailing costs. Producers are also welcome to contact the Canadian Grain Commission by phone. The closest regional offices are in Saskatoon and Calgary.”

For more information, contact the Ag-Info Centre at 310FARM (3276). Blue also has a list of crop buyers that is available on request from 780-422-4053 or by e-mail at neil.blue@gov.ab.ca

Spray Drift T

he Farmers’ Advocate Office says that open communication is key when it comes to dealing with spray drift.

“Spray drift is the aerial movement and unintentional deposit of pesticides outside of a target area,” says Jeana Schuurman, rural engagement and communications specialist, FAO.

a legal responsibility to ensure that their pesticide application does not cause harm to adjacent properties or people. Some landowners will opt to hire a customer applicator to help minimize their risk.

“When spray drift is suspected, we encourage landowners to start by documenting the details as much as possible to try and identify the source of the drift.”

“When spray drift occurs, we recommend opening the lines of communication as soon as possible. There are practices that can help minimize spray drift, such as creating buffer zones or spraying at lower wind speeds. It’s common for adjacent landowners to request a courtesy notice before their neighbour sprays.”

Spray drift can come from a variety of sources including adjacent landowners, municipalities, custom applicators, or industry.

More details on how to address suspected spray drift from municipalities, surface leases, and right of ways is available on the FAO website.

“The most common spray drift concern we receive is between adjacent landowners,” says Schuurman. “Landowners have

For more information, contact the FAO through the Ag Info Centre at 310-FARM (3276) or at farmers.advocte@gov.ab.ca

IRRIGATING ALBERTA - Fall 2017 • 5

Cavendish To Build Here

M

oncton, N.B.-based Cavendish Farms is

browns and specialty potato products for customers in

constructing a brand new frozen potato

Canada, the U.S. and key export markets.

processing plant in Lethbridge. The $350-million facility will replace its processing operations in an aging northside Lethbridge plant.

“Cavendish Farms is pleased to be expanding our business in Lethbridge and we are proud of the relationship we have built with the city and the people who make up this community,” says company president Robert Irving. “The

It is located close to southern Alberta’s prime agricultural region, which is known for high yields of potatoes.

“This expansion is possible because of the commitment of Cavendish Farms employees, customers, growers, and suppliers. It is their efforts that have allowed us to grow and expand,” said Irving.

opportunity to expand in Lethbridge, and remain within

Construction is expected to begin this year and be

the region is very important to us. Lethbridge has provided

completed by summer 2019. The new plant will allow

Cavendish Farms with a cross-Canada presence that

Cavendish Farms to more than double its annual

has helped fuel our growth and allowed us to reach key

production capacity to meet growing demand and is

markets.”

expected to be more efficient, reducing the company’s

Maple Leaf Foods sold its frozen potato business, Maple Leaf Potatoes, to Cavendish Farms for $60 million.

The business, which has annual sales of $75 million, operated a 142,000 square foot facility in Lethbridge.

Cavendish has been in that same building since the purchase.

The facility produces a range of frozen French fries, hash

IRRIGATING ALBERTA - Fall 2017 • 6

carbon footprint.

“Our government is working with municipalities across Alberta to provide the right conditions for jobs, economic growth and diversification,” says Alberta’s Minister of Agriculture and Forestry, Oneil Carlier. “This historic private investment creates good jobs and build on Lethbridge’s reputation as a Canadian hub of agri-food business innovation.”

Bob Dykstra His next big step was winning election to

the

board

of

the St. Mary River Irrigation District in

B

2008. It was a steep ob Dykstra’s roots run deep in his world of

learning curve, but

agriculture; fostered by his Dutch heritage and

also

had

many

his father’s quick move into farm work after arriving in

enjoyable times. He

Canada in 1948.

served nine years.

They arrived in the Iron Springs area, working in sugar

He was able to work on expansion of the district, available

beet fields and some dryland work for the Alfred Oseen

partly because of improved water use efficiencies that

family.

freed up volumes of water.

The family took a break from farming; starting in 1950,

His district work lead to three years of AIPA service, lastly

after a crop failure in 1952. They moved to Red Cliff with

as board. He soon jumped into the work to put irrigated

some work in the brick plant.

agriculture on the map for the public.

The family left the farm sector for a time. His father

Dykstra’s SMRID territory included 83,000 irrigated

married in 1954 and Bob was born in 1956. The family

acres, where he had a very good bunch of farmers to

found time to get into the trucking industry, and Bob

represent, and will miss them.

continues that work.

Ron McMullin, AIPA executive director who retired in

The Dykstra family purchased land owned by the Harry

August, said Dykstra is a down-to-earth farm guy who

and Walter Strom families in 1973, and in 1977 Bob

brought AIPA a new perspective. He was able to work

and his father started a trucking company designed to

with all size districts. He was a little nervous at first, but

augment the farm income. That company was sold to an

he grew into the responsibilities well.

employee, but Bob still drives and helps the new owners.

McMullin said Dykstra was a good sounding board and

Dykstra always considered service to industry important,

who could provide direction when asked for input. He is

and long stressed the importance of land stewardship.

a no-nonsense, clear-thinking man.

IRRIGATING ALBERTA - Fall 2017 • 7

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Seed Fair commercial production can be viewed side by side in an open display graded by a panel of expert judges.

Mercer said the fair was having more difficulty attracting entries, and since quality is the backbone of the seed

T

industry, encouraging all the best and newest varieties he sons of three key pedigreed seed growers

in a competition should be the springboard to increased

have taken over the reins of the North American

demand for the best seed and increased production at

Seed Fair in a revival and growth program.

the pedigreed level.

Their goal is simple – return what once was the premier

For several years, the show demanded only seed samples

seed show in western Canada to its glory times.

that had been cleaned in a seed cleaning plant to create

Ryan Mercer of Mercer Seeds south of Lethbridge is the

a level competition field. With tight time lines this year

driving force, relying on the history of his grandfather,

with an earlier show, organizers allowed producers to

Russell Greeno and parents Lloyd and Connie Mercer, for

clean samples with a hand screen.

the energy to spark the revival.

Mercer said the youth competition has never been more

The other powerhouse seed fair committee include,

important. It is the springboard for future pedigreed

Nathan Kiffiak of Foremost and Nathan Stamp of

producers who know the importance of seed quality

Enchant. They are supported by Shay Isleifson, Mercer

competition and increased pedigreed seed demand.

Seeds office manager, Elizabeth Tokariuk, Ken Warnica,

He said more commercial grain growers are turning to

and representing the Lethbridge and District Exhibition

pedigreed seed purchases, some every three to five

Association, Terri Nielson.

years, as a way to strengthen their seed quality and find

“Three years ago, with dwindling entries, there was

improved varieties that best fit their operations. Some

some talk of ending the event. Strong promotion by the

even delay purchase decisions when they see some

committee has been key to the revival, with 122 entries in

of the newest sample entries that may not become

pedigreed seed classes each of the last two years, and

commercially available for a few years.

great hopes for continued growth”, said Mercer.

A major change was keying on pedigreed seed varieties, the backbone to quality seed production destined for commercial producers. Previously, any commercial grade grain was eligible. Now, the best of the best, and the newest varieties in the pipeline and those heading for

IRRIGATING ALBERTA - Fall 2017 • 9

Vince Ellert V

ince Ellert is a man of passion whose youthful exterior belies his age, but confirms his enthusiasm for life from work to play.

The Milk River farm boy, one of nine children, soon realized there wasn’t room for everybody on the family farm, but his love of farming and farm folks was fostered by his choice of education, and the potential for a life of service to agriculture.

After high school, Ellert headed for Olds College, which offered an irrigation program. The family farm included irrigation from the Milk River, which interested him greatly. He completed a two-year diploma program in irrigation technology.

During those summer months he worked for Alberta Agriculture in Lethbridge. His boss was Len Ring, another career agricultural specialist. His work was confirming the water application uniformity of then the coming field of centre pivot sprinklers. Sizing of sprinkler nozzles along the length of the pivot to gain optimum uniform water application was considered vital for optimum crop production. That was 1977.

It was confirmation of what would become a love affair between Ellert and farmers across the irrigation region of Alberta and, after 18 years with the department, a shift to the world of agricultural education at Lethbridge College.

For more 20 years he has helped hundreds of farm kids and city folks earn a solid background to become valuable workers and citizens on and off the farm.

He remembers the department efforts to help irrigation producers shifting from tradition flood and hand and wheel-move sprinklers to centre pivots.

After a course in pump unit efficiency testing, Ellert tested pumping units across all the irrigated area of Alberta. “I tested more than 500 pump systems across Alberta and met hundreds of great people”, he said. “I always liked talking about farming and farmers’ business. I was always asking questions about all aspects of farming. Farmers are always willing to tell you about their operation. I also had the opportunity to drive almost every gravel road in all the Irrigation districts.”

IRRIGATING ALBERTA - Fall 2017 • 10

In the early 1990’s Ellert’s work at Alberta Agriculture shifted to include crop water use work on a plot scale. This work was aimed at determining the optimum water application for various crops. He also earned an opportunity to work in the department’s soil lab during winters.

About this time, Ellert decided on further education. He enrolled in the Bachelor of Management program at the U of L. It included 40 full-time courses. He worked full time and took courses late in the day, and evenings, although he took a leave for a final semester to get the degree. It took 12 years, including three U of L credit courses through Athabasca University. He was 37 when he finished the degree in 1994. That was just in time for the Ralph Klein budget cutbacks so he concluded his government service to start selling irrigation pumps.

In 1995 he launched Ellert Irrigation Management, which focused on water management (scheduling timing and amounts of irrigation applications). He also provided system consulting and writing reports for required by Alberta Environment for water licenses. Ellert continued to operate his business until the fall of 2016.

In 1996, Ring left the college and Ellert was hired to teach the irrigation program that included every course imaginable. He is quick to credit, among others, Ring for immense assistance, and gives special kudos to Ken Pearl, then chairman of the college’s agriculture department. It was a big jump to go from technologist to teacher, and he says, “I would have drowned without the help of many of my contacts in the industry and Alberta Agriculture.”

Vince Ellert One thing Ellert enjoyed about his time at Lethbridge College was the diversity of the work. Over the years he taught a wide cross-section of the courses in the agriculture program from Soils to Financial Management and, of course, irrigation.

“Sometimes I would study up on a new topic in the evening and present it the following morning. I was constantly learning”, he said.

Ellert took advantage of the sabbatical opportunities offered

by Lethbridge College and completed a Masters in Business Administration from Heriott Watt University in Edinburgh, Scotland.

It came when Ellert confirmed his next challenge. In May 2012, he was diagnosed with prostate cancer. In the past five years, he has been able to work about half the time. He is on long-term disability from the college although returning to work remains a possibility.

Since 2012 he has become the centre of a wave of support from industry, past and present students and his network of friends and associates. He is part of a Movember campaign to raise money for cancer research. That campaign has

been busy, and with the help of his entire family including; 57 first cousins on his mother’s side, raising money has been exciting.

A highlight was last November when his brother Steve invited Ellert and Wendy, his childhood-sweetheart and wife of 38.5 years, for a dinner out. Steve headed for the college restaurant and when we went in, members of the Aggie Club were selling tickets to an event. “It was an event to support my Movember efforts. More than 200 people turned out, including all my siblings and two of my three sons (one lives in Winnipeg), and about 60 past students. It was a better tribute than anything I could imagine. It was overwhelming”, says Ellert.

With a son taking over Ellert Irrigation Management, more time to spend at the couple’s two-acre Mountain View cabin retreat, and continuing medical care, Ellert continues to embrace life with a catchy enthusiasm.

His attitude is conveyed in this quote; “I remain forever grateful for my family, my career and all the great people who have supported me.”

IRRIGATING ALBERTA - Fall 2017 • 11

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2017 Seed Fair Results Seeds, Carl’s Ag Ventures; and rye and triticale – Mercer Seeds, Stamp Seeds.

Grasses, forage and legumes – pedigreed forage legumes – Bantry Seed Farms, Bantry, Don Petersen.

Special crop – dry peas – Will Van Roessel, Sleepy Hollow, Willms Seeds; pulse crops – Willms Seeds all three placings.

M

any of southern Alberta’s top seed producers brought the cream of the crop to the 2017 North American Seed Fair at Exhibition Park in a continuing revival of the show launched in the 1950s by local producers to highlight quality seed production.

Ryan Mercer, a third-generation seed grower southeast of Lethbridge, took control of the show two years ago and is working with the fair board members to revive participation and increase exposure for seed growers and opportunity for knowledge for buyers.

John and Lisa Huvenaars won the top honour, taking the Edwin Kiffiak Memorial Award. Tim Willms of Willms Seeds was the grand aggregate winner.

Huvenaars took the champion honours for the pedigreed cereal classes while Bantry Seed Farms won champion pedigreed forage and grasses honours.

The champion open DeKok Forages won hay class while Austin Willms won the junior exhibitor aggregate title.

Pedigreed seed class winners, first to third were: hard red spring wheat – Huvenaars Seed Farms, Sleepy Hollow Seeds and Chin Ridge Seeds; winter wheat – Stamp Seeds, Willms Seeds, Will Van Roessel; durum wheat – Sleepy Hollow, Sleepy Hollow, Carl’s Ag Ventures Ltd.; combined wheat – Stamp Seeds, Norman Ohrn, Sendziak Seed Farm; rowed barley – Sleepy Hollow, Sendziak Seed Farm, Chin Ridge; oats and flax – Willms Seeds, Mercer

IRRIGATING ALBERTA - Fall 2017 • 14

Forage – alfalfa hay – James Brillman, Cascade Farms, Red Roof Farms; grass and grass legume hay – DeKok Forages, Pelleoer Farms, Gerod Van Roekel; Timothy hay (first cut only) – Hank DeKok, Frank DeKok, Harold Loewen.

Junior classes – hard red and hard white spring wheat – Abigal from Albion Ridge Colony, Austin Willms, James Mercer; soft white wheat, extra strong wheat, prairie spring wheat and triticale – Austin Willms, Hannah Stamp, Ananda Mercer; durum wheat – Jerome Hofer, Austin Willms, Ananda Mercer; winter wheat – Austin Willms, James Mercer, Hannah Stamp; oats and barley – Abigal, Austin Willms, Jarome Hofer; oilseed – Hannah Stamp, Austin Willms, Abigail Stamp; and pulse crops – Mariam Brummelhuis, Austin Willms, Josiah Hofer.

In the seed cleaning plant competition, Markert Seeds won quality of seed cleaning with Bantry Seed Farms second; Stamp Seeds won quality of seed treatment followed by Derek Harms and Stamp Seeds.

Mayfield Colony Floods M

ANYBERRIES – This dryland farming and ranching region in the deep southern reaches of the County of Forty Mile have seen the ups and downs of weather patterns that local producers, over the years, have learned to work with.

operation. Taking advantage is the key to management, aided by use of four giant seeders that allows the colony to seed 1,200 acres a day. The flooded land in most years can produce bumper crops with the help of limited rainfall during the growing season.

So when anybody asks about flood irrigation here, skeptics ponder the thousands of acres of bounty in the organized irrigation regions to the north where gleaming centre pivot sprinklers dot the skyline to grow a myriad of crops. Long gone, for most, are the primitive days of flooding individual fields by turning water into the controlled strips of land.

The Harms land is most affected by the Cypress runoff, but it also affords greater management opportunities.

About 2,000 acres of the 2,363 acres are flood irrigated, especially in high runoff years. It is flooded through private water rights from Manyberries Creek and Ketchum Creek. Water can only be diverted when the creeks are flowing during spring runoff. About half an acre-foot of water an acre is available, enough for one irrigation. By that time, the flood is usually over and creeks return to traditional flow levels.

But Mother Nature, and the lay of the land here – thousands of acres of farmed and grazed land laying as flat as the proverbial pancake in many areas, with a gentle slope toward landlocked Pakowki Lake, often present special issues for many farmers. Snowpack in the Cypress Hills dictates the amount of runoff water each year that flows west and south, and in flood season, must be managed to some degree to take advantage for improved crop production. In some years farmers win. Some times there is too much water for too long, or too much rain on the flooded areas, to make crop production possible.

Mayfield Colony has lived with “the flood” at its home location north and west of here, but with the purchase of Dave Harms pioneer-era farm southwest of here, has learned the finer points of water management.

They bought 15 quarter sections of land that is dotted with earth dikes, many built by Harms;’ greatgrandfather in the early 1900s. If you can’t beat the flood, learn to manage it was the theory.

Eli and Paul gingerly drive over some fields in a twosection parcel adjacent to the home colony, avoiding spots still wet from receding floodwater. The drive seems like riding on a sponge as the soil dries out and the seed drills are being prepared for spring work. A TransCanada crew, maintaining a natural gas pipeline headed to Medicine Hat, report good soil moisture in the trench as crews bare the buried pipeline for servicing.

The Stahls work with an agronomist to prepare a planting schedule based on crop rotation, incorporating manure from their 700-head cow-calf breeding program into some fields to complement commercial fertilizers, especially during the flood irrigation seasons.

Harms said that when the snow runoff from Cypress Hills starts its southwest march to land-locked Pakowki Lake through several creeks, the volume could simply flood thousands of acres of land. Man’s only option is to try to take advantage of the floodwater when, and for as long as it is available. The dikes help retain the flood water until management dictates that it must be drained downstream.

Paul Stahl, president of Midland, and his brother Eli, vice-president, manage about 20,000 acres of cropland each year, and often, for up to two weeks, they see the floods cover parts of their

IRRIGATING ALBERTA - Fall 2017 • 15

SMID Expands E

fficiency has been the byword of Alberta’s giant

That efficiency has graced the St. Mary River Irrigation

irrigation industry for years.

District with an opportunity to expand its irrigated acreage.

Striving to make best use of available water has long been

Terrance Lazarus, SMRID manager in Lethbridge, said

the rallying cry of irrigation districts and individual farmers,

the producer-manned board agreed recently that it was

and it is still working.

time to continue expansion. The board initially approved

For several years, irrigation districts have been using less

expansion of 40,000 aces – 10,000 acres in each of four

water from the river systems to meet crop demands than

blocks. Expansion has been approved in all blocks, with

their licenses allow. It has been proactive management

some acres still available.

mostly in the continuing industry-provincial government partnership – improve the irrigation industry infrastructure at all levels to grow more food with less water.

The district board decided 4,000 acres of irrigation rights could be allocated in Block 2 in the area from Horse Fly Reservoir to Bow Island, an area considered a highly-

The province has been a strong partner in irrigation

prized agricultural area. At that time, the board decided

infrastructure development, primarily through the cost-

farmers were not taking full advantage of expansion acres

sharing irrigation rehabilitation program. What started

near Lethbridge. The expansion area in Block 2 was

as an 86-14 per cent government-industry cost-shared

decided after consultation with district staff.

agreement to upgrade water delivery systems has changed once – now government pays 75 per cent for

The cost was set at $1,800 an acre with the annual water

infrastructure improvements. Canals have been lined and

rate of $22 an acre. The allotment for a maximum of a

pipeline construction continues to improve water use

quarter section per purchase sold out in two hours.

efficiencies while saving water supplies.

Lazarus said up to 300 producers were interested, and

Irrigation districts have worked hard to improve operations

after the sale, the board felt change is needed if, and

to take advantage of new management opportunities,

when, the sale of water rights happens again.

and most have been able to reduce the amount of water diverted from rivers to irrigation farmers each year.

“Next time, we will hold a lottery for acres,” said Lazarus.

“We will continue to review the amount of water that can

Producers hold an ace in the water management battle.

be allocated to new demand. Our management license

Old irrigation standards – flood, hand-move pipe, even

stays the same, but always, the decision (to expand)

wheel-move pipelines – are used very little. The initial

comes down to how much can be used and how much is

high-pressure centre pivot sprinklers are being replaced

available, There is always that risk-balance (formula) that

by more modern low-pressure pivots, the new standard of industry. And even more efficient systems are making it to

must be followed.”

farmers’ fields, including new ways to apply more uniform

SMRID, stretching from near Lethbridge to near Medicine

volumes of water by regulating the output of pumps –

Hat, remains Canada’s largest irrigation district. It services

higher pressure flow when it is needed.

farmers on about 388,000 acres.

IRRIGATING ALBERTA - Fall 2017 • 16

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IRRIGATING ALBERTA - Fall 2017 • 17

Oneil Carlier C

avendish Farms record-setting $350-million investment in potato processing in Lethbridge has Alberta Agriculture Minister, Oneil Carlier, praising the announcement for its far-reaching economic impact on the city and the province.

In a telephone interview Carlier said the plant will require 9,000 acres of potato production, raising the provincial total to about 60,000 acres. It will replace the old Maple Leaf Foods potato french fry plant Cavendish purchased several years ago to jump into a provincial industry dominated

by Lamb Weston and McCain Foods. Now, Cavendish will be the top producer of a range of processed potato products in a deal announced as the largest single venture in Lethbridge economic history.

He said the new plant could help Cavendish expand to overseas markets.

Producers will be immediate winners when they expand potato production in southern Alberta. That increased production will also mean increased sales for the booming Alberta seed potato production industry. Alberta farmers harvest about four tonnes of potatoes an acre, a high total, making it a “great cash crop.” And those who enter the potato industry will have to make significant investments in equipment and facilities.

Carlier calls southern Alberta’s irrigation industry a major attraction for Cavendish. It assures optimum water for

optimum potato production. “I think this venture offers the potential for other Cavendish ventures in southern Alberta.

That could be a huge investment.”

Carlier comes from an agriculture background. His older brother took over the family farm in Saskatchewan and runs a cow-calf ranch. The minister joined the former federal Prairie Farm Rehabilitation Administration, which was a key player in water conservation and management projects. He worked on construction projects. He pointed to two in southern Alberta in which he played a role – the Bassano Dam and the Blood Tribe Irrigation Project.

He knows he will visit his old farming stomping grounds, but with the move into motorized cattle herding equipment, the potential working visits will be limited. “I am a good rider but not a good roper. I imagine I might help my brother still, but he will have to buy a horse.”

Taber Irrigation District

TID is the centre of Specialty Crop specialty crop production and value added Country processing in Alberta including sugar beets, (Established in 1915) hay, potatoes, corn Taber is the centre of specialty crop production and value added andpotatoes, many other processing in Alberta including sugar beets, hay, corn vegetable crops. and many other vegetable crops.

TID

4420 - 44 Street, Taber, Alberta T1G 2J6 Telephone: (403) 223-2148 • Fax: (403) 223-2924 Email: tid@telusplanet.net Email: tid@taberirrigationdistrict.ca Visit Our Website: www.taberirrigationdistrict.ca TABER IRRIGATION DISTRICT Serving over83,000 82,000acres acresand and 750 750 water area Serving over waterusers usersininthe theTaber Taber area

IRRIGATING ALBERTA - Fall 2017 • 18

Get the link to full pivot control from anywhere.

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C & H Irrigation

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Oliver Irrigation

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IRRIGATING ALBERTA - Fall 2017 • 19

The Cavendish Impact T he recently-announced Cavendish Farms $350-million potato processing plant in Lethbridge has Alberta’s agriculture minister smiling.

“Our government is working with municipalities across Alberta to provide the right conditions for jobs, economic growth and diversification. This historic private investment will create good jobs and opportunities for local farmers and it will build on Lethbridge’s stellar reputation as a national hub of agri-food business innovation,” says Oneil Carlier, minister of Agriculture and Forestry.

The City of Lethbridge is thrilled, says Mayor Chris Spearman, with the decision by Cavendish Farms to stay in southern Alberta and the commitment they’ve made to our city. “This is the largest investment in our city’s history, and we are tremendously excited to be part of this growth.

We are proud of the strong local team we have working together with investors like Cavendish and look forward to partnering with the provincial and federal governments to maximize future opportunities for business investment and economic diversification.”

Discussions between the city and the province on the infrastructure upgrades required to support the expansion of Sherring Industrial Park are ongoing and expected to be finalized this year.

Potatoes grown in Southern Alberta are among the highest-value agricultural crops grown in the province. It

IRRIGATING ALBERTA - Fall 2017 • 20

is anticipated that the investment will create demand for an additional 3,640 hectares of potatoes, which will create greater opportunities for local producers and will increase the province’s value-added food processing capabilities.

The announcement will also provide more jobs and benefits for the local economy.

“Growers and processors identified a need to expand research in this critical field,” says Terence Hochstein of Taber, executive director of the Potato Growers of Alberta.

“There are only a handful of researchers dedicated to the discipline throughout western Canada and we expect this new Chair will greatly enhance and complement the current capacity that exists.”

The PGA is a non-profit potato grower organization that aims to increase the success of the potato growing industry in Alberta. To accomplish this, the PGA works on three fronts: education and extension, marketing and promotion, and research.

Alberta’s potato industry is worth over $1 billion annually, including $165 to $180 million in farm gate receipts.

The University of Lethbridge says it will immediately begin its search for a scientist with demonstrated experience in the potato industry. As well, the university will be seeking a researcher who is able to collaborate with producers and industry partners.

The Cavendish Impact In addition to building research capacity, Hochstein hopes

by Picture Butte-based cattleman Cor Van Raay, illustrates

that U of L graduate and undergraduate students benefit

the leadership role that the University of Lethbridge plays

from the chair and that future capacity is created for the

in agriculture,” says Mahon. “We recognize agriculture as a

industry.

dominant industry in southern Alberta. We will continue to

“One of the consortium’s long-term aspirations is that through student-research activities and related interactions, more agriculturally-focused students will consider a career in the potato industry,” says Hochstein. “While the potato industry is big business in Alberta, family farms continue to be a significant contributor to both seed and consumption potatoes.”

respond to the economic, social and quality of life needs of southern Albertans.”

Acting Vice-President (Research), Dr. Lesley Brown, says existing research strengths at the U of L will enhance the work performed by the new Chair.

“The work done by this new Chair will complement existing

U of L President and Vice-Chancellor, Dr. Mike Mahon, says the PGA investment recognizes the commitment the U of L is making to Alberta’s agriculture industry.

U of L agricultural research strengths like water, epigenetics and remote sensing,” says Brown. “The U of L has a history of successful interdisciplinary projects and this new expertise will not only expand capacity for potato research, but will

“This investment, coupled with the recent donation made

inform many other important areas as well.”

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Canola Grading T

he unusually large amount of spring harvested

maximum green count and maximum total damage level

canola this year has some producers concerned

for each grade.

about grading when marketing their crop.

#1 – Canola can have a maximum of two per cent

“There has been not only a large variation on the canola

green count and five per cent total damage.

quality, particularly for spring-threshed canola, but there is also a large variation in the way buyers are perceiving that

#2 – Canola can have a maximum of six per cent

quality,” Neil Blue, provincial crop market analyst, says

green count and maximum of 12 per cent

in a news release from Alberta Agriculture and Forestry,

total damage.

Edmonton.

#3 – Canola can have maximum 20 per cent green and 25 per cent total damage.

One of the determinants of canola quality is seed damage.

“Damage is assessed by observing the result of crushing

The Canadian Grain Commission supplies colour cards to

canola seeds with a roller,” says Blue. “Producers are

use as reference in assessing both green count and other

familiar with a common form of damage, that being

damage.

distinctly green seeds. However, some canola seeds overwintered in the fields incurred damage in the form of inside seed colour change from a bright yellow to darker

Blue says, “Most buyers will have these grading standards in their facility’s grading room. Also, the entire grain grading

yellow to tan or brown color. Like the assessment of

guide is available on the Canadian Grain Commission

green seed count, the assessment of other damage is

website at www.grainscanada.gc.ca

subjective, based on the judgment of the grader.”

The Canada Grain Commission can also provide grading

This year, says Blue, in part due to the strong demand and

of crop samples on request. As well, the Harvest Sample

relatively tight supply of canola, the outside appearance of

Program provides free grading of crop samples in the fall.

the canola seed has had little influence on the grading.

This program is a great mechanism for producers to get a

“Because of this, you should shop your samples

base grade for their crop sample to use in shopping their

around widely, preferably after obtaining a grade on a

crop around to prospective buyers.”

representative sample from an objective source, such as the Canadian Grain Commission.”

For more information, contact the Ag-Info Centre at 310FARM (3276). Blue also has a list of crop buyers that is

Most, but not all, buyers follow the Canadian Grain

available on request from 780-422-4053 or by e-mail at

Commission grading standards. Those standards allow a

neil.blue@gov.ab.ca

IRRIGATING ALBERTA - Fall 2017 • 22

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IRRIGATING ALBERTA - Fall 2017 • 24