December 18, 2018 Country Booster

The paper created EXCLUSIVELY for farm families and rural residents of east central Alberta

Always better – always better read

16 Pages

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December 18, 2018

Photo by Lori Larsen

o B w ! a h t i w d e p p a r

Seven-month old filly, Mysti Morn, is ready for Christmas with her pretty green and red bow, and ready for winter with her shaggy coat!

Co-owner Krysta Larsen gives her a big hug for being so patient while getting all decked out.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all our country friends, from everyone at The Booster!

Inside...

A variety of merchandise and services: Farm supplies and services, homes, employment opportunities, entertainment, real estate and more!

News Features

County proposed 1.5 per cent tax increase. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Win

Mandated roadside screening to prevent impaired driving . . . . 4

a photo of your farm!

Little House on the Slough column, by Lisa Kaastra. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

See page 15

Lovely wins UCP candidate nomination for Camrose. . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

www.camrosebooster.com

The COUNTRY BOOSTER, December 18, 2018 – Page 2

Real Estate FARMS • ACREAGES • RANCHES

SHINY,

Happy Holidays Hope your Christmas is merry and bright in every imaginable way!

It’s the little things that make the holidays special, like the moments we share with patients and friends like you. Thanks for filling our year with your visits.

JANUARY 2, REGULAR HOURS RESUME

SMITH CLINIC HOLIDAY HOURS: December 24. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

December 25 and 26 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . CLOSED December 27 and 28 . . . . . . . . 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

December 31. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

January 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . CLOSED

WALK-IN CLINIC HOLIDAY HOURS: December 24. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1:30 to 5:00 p.m.

December 25 and 26 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . CLOSED December 27. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2:00 to 7:00 p.m.

December 28. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . CLOSED December 29 and 30 . . . . . . . 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

December 31. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1:30 to 5:00 p.m.

January 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . CLOSED

Serving you has been our privilege and pleasure.

FOUR-QUARTER MIXED FARM – North of Killam with beautiful house and cabin. S-131 QUARTER ON HIGHWAY – Four miles north of Bawlf, could be pasture or grain. $549,000. S-115 ACREAGE – With meat processing business, remodelled home, shop and two quonsets on 7 acres between Daysland and Strome. $700,000. S-92 1.5 ACRES WITH POWER – on Highway 13 at the town of Daysland. $80,000. S-103 300 ACRES OF PASTURE/RECREATIONAL LAND – overlooking the Battle River with amazing building sites. S-110 80 ACRE CATTLE FARM – in Wetaskiwin County north of Gwynne with outstanding house and buildings. S-124 22 IMMACULATE ACRES ES S – with two houses, and uses, ses, s, heated heat e teedd shop sh aU nddCextra eEtD r large D E R CEbetween Ihed machine Camrose and inne nPe Rshed sh bet b t Bawlf. $799,000. S-109A

TWO QUARTERS OF EXCELLENT CELL Da – qualityy grain land between land n D nd betwee between nECamrose Ca C C U RlE area. $1,475,000.

E C I and Bawlf in the Kelsey awlf f i n t h K R P S-109B ACREAGE SOUTH OF BAWLF – With 3-bedroom garage oom m home, me ddouble CblEDgga Uouble ED R E and immaculate yard. $250,000. mm mmaculate m maculat maculate aculate culate l t shel sheltered sh h heltered e elt eltered lt l d yar ya d C I PR S-129 GRAIN QUARTER – between Viking, Bruce and Vegreville with 130 acres cultivated and $3,000 surface lease revenue. $395,000. S-134 NEW LISTING – 320 acres of excellent quality grain land, between Bawlf and Daysland with older bungalow home and insulated heated shop. $1,500,000. S-137 NEW LISTING – Grain quarter north of Daysland with 145 acres cultivated and some lease revenue $550,000. S-138 NEW LISTING – Quarter north of Holden with 75 acres cultivated; remaining land is pasture/hayland. $300,000. S-139

If you are thinking of selling your farm or acreage, please give me a call. All replies treated in strictest confidence.

From the staff and physicians of the…

George Singer

www.linview.ca 1.888.546.3070

780·608·6555 email: george@linview.ca

#1, 6601-48 Avenue, Camrose

County proposes 1.5 per cent tax increase

By Murray Green

The average ratepayer living in Camrose County can expect to pay about 1.5 per cent more in taxes next year.

The County has been holding the line on increases over the last three years.

After two straight years of a two per cent increases, councillors passed an interim budget of only a 1.5 per cent increase for 2019.

Staff goal for the 2019 budget was to maintain a high level of municipal service to ratepayers, based on council’s strategic direction and municipal operat-

ing principles. The 2019 interim budget reflects estimates based on assessment data for the 2018 final budget.

At the regular council meeting on Dec. 11, administrator Paul King presented the final operating and capital budgets for council’s approval. The final 2019 budget will be brought back to council at the end of March. Administration will prepare the final budget for council approval following the release of the final 2019 assessment data.

The interim budget proposes expenses of

about $29,887,101, offset by operating revenue of $15,651,595. That leaves $14,235,505 to be generated by tax levies.

County council approved the 2019 interim capital budget with total capital and project expenses of $24,750,252 to be funded by internal resources (own resources, grants, debentures or reserves) of $22,457,570 and a total capital levy of $1,821,431.

A total of $5,583,205 is payable to the Alberta School Foundation Fund to be used by the Battle River School Division. A further

We Wish You a Safe and Happy Holiday!

$2,500 is directed to the Elk Island Catholic School Division.

The average country residential property in Camrose County is assessed at $300,000. The corresponding municipal taxes will be about $957, and the ASFF tax will add an additional $768 for a total tax of approximately $1,725. That means the average assessment for a house will have a $34 increase. Additional taxes for farm land will be based on the amount of land owned.

Budget committee deliberations took place

Nov. 13 and 14 in which various community organizations were invited to make budget presentations to the committee. Funding requests received by the County throughout 2018 were also reviewed by the budget committee during the budget meetings.

Administration recommended to the budget committee for consideration by council several changes or alternatives that would change the way they fund or deliver several services and how that level of service would look.

Count on…

The “flip the switch” nature of electricity allows us to light up our life all year long. During the holiday season, think of all the ways you rely on power — we’d like to thank our member rural electrification associations for distributing cooperative power services to our farms and agricultural businesses.

Best wishes to our members and their members – people working together!

From the Management, Board and Staff of the Alberta Federation of REAs

Drawing by Walker Christenson Round Hill Grade 3

Representation Engagement – Advocacy www.afrea.ab.ca

to haul your grain Too busy? Lack of equipment or manpower?

We offer two dependable trucks with highly experienced staff. Over 58 years of experience moving grain from field or bin. You can trust and rely on us.

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The COUNTRY BOOSTER, December 18, 2018 – Page 3

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The COUNTRY BOOSTER, December 18, 2018 – Page 4

Mandated roadside screening to prevent impaired driving

By Lori Larsen

The effort to reduce the amount of injury and death on our roadways as the result of impaired operation of a motor vehicle continues and was just given federal clout with the enactment of Bill C-46, an Act to amend the Criminal Code of Canada, which will change impaired driving laws, set driving limits for cannabis, change roadside testing and implement stricter penalties.

As of Dec. 18, anyone operating a motor vehicle in Canada can be requested, by law, to provide a breath sample to a peace officer in a roadside screening for alcohol. The alcoholimpaired driving reforms will give police additional authority to detect and remove all instances of impaired driving.

“Alberta police services are working together to implement the changes brought about by Bill C-46, including Mandatory Alcohol Screening (MAS),” said president of the Alberta Association of Chiefs of Police and Camrose Police Service Chief, Mark Neufeld. “A large and credible international evidence base suggests MAS is one of the most effective road safety measures available and that it has resulted in significant and sustained reductions in impaired driving and related deaths and injuries.”

On Dec. 1, the RCMP participated in National Impaired Driving Enforcement Day, a Canada-wide initiative that brought together RCMP officers and Alberta Sheriffs on patrol to remove impaired drivers from the road. A total of 11, 895 vehicles were checked. On this day hese are short alone, Alberta RCMP term interactions that laid 23 charges for we need to have because impaired operation by Canadians require and alcohol and two charges for impaired operation deserve protection by drug. from all impaired The RCMP is comdrivers on the roads. mitted to using MAS in an equitable and nondiscriminatory fashion for consideration in every interaction with drivers. The RCMP is confident that the test can be completed within the regular compliance check that normally takes a few minutes.

“These are short interactions that we need to have because Canadians require and deserve protection from all impaired drivers on the roads,” said Alberta RCMP traffic services superintendent, Gary Graham. “When MAS is used as widely as operationally practical, it will help us accomplish our public safety goals, while fully

“T

”

Ants cause liver damage

Camrose Fish and Wildlife seek public assistance

By Murray Green

By Lori Larsen

Camrose Fish and Wildlife Enforcement Branch are seeking the public’s assistance in identifying the person/vehicle seen in the photo to the right.

If you have any information, contact Report a Poacher either online at www.alberta.ca/report-poa cher.aspx#toc-3 or by telephone at 1-800-642-3800.

You are not obligated to provide personal information, however any personal information you do provide will be kept strictly confidential and may assist in any investigations by officers.

Anyone providing information on violations of Alberta’s fish and wildlife laws could be eligible for a reward.

Lori Larsen, Camrose Booster Camrose RCMP Corporal Isaac Verbass advises drivers the new Mandatory Alcohol Screening (MAS) will come into affect on Dec. 18.

protecting the public’s legal and constitutional rights.”

Impaired driving, a totally preventable crime, has the potential to affect numerous lives and leave families and friends without loved ones.

Alberta RCMP reminds the public when motorists follow safe driving practices, such as planning ahead and appointing a designated driver, the risks of death and injury, to themselves and others are reduced.

Similar legislation on mandatory breath tests has been introduced in Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, France, Belgium and the Netherlands; and despite some uncertainty among citizens at first, the laws are now widely accepted and the numbers speak for themselves. Mandatory screening laws are being credited with reducing impaired driving crashes by as much as 49 per cent.

Cooperation and honesty is the key to a quick and positive experience with police and adding this legislation will not only assist in detecting impaired driving, but will prevent it from happening in the first place. The end result of which is saving lives.

For more information, follow the #TrafficSafety tips on impaired driving on Facebook @RCMPin Alberta and Twitter @RCMPAlberta.

Submitted

New 3D technology uncovered parasite behaviour that might not be good news to cattle and sheep.

A parasite that controls the brain of its host organism and causes its eventual demise has been found in ants.

One of the most widely recognized parasites, organisms that live on or in a host, is Dicrocoelium dendriticum (D. dendriticum), a liver fluke whose infective stages are mainly found in ant abdomens, with one or two invading the ant’s brain.

The parasite causes unusual behaviours, such as making the ant cling to vegetation that is eaten by animals, including cattle and sheep. This can have a devastating impact, as consuming the parasite can cause the livestock animals to develop liver diseases and a host of other issues that are difficult to diagnose and treat, which costs farmers time and money.

While common and well studied, the D. dendriticum parasite’s methods have eluded scientists as they attempted to diagnose how exactly it influenced the ant’s behaviour.

This is, in part, due to the fact that there were no

effective ways to inspect the ant.

Thanks to a breakthrough in his work, Dr. Douglas Colwell, a research scientist at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, was able to see that D. dendriticum was manipulating the ant’s behaviour through a visual scan of the ant’s brain.

“This was a good example of how science should work,” said Dr. Douglas Colwell, research scientist, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.

Using modern micro computed tomography (micro-CT) scanning, a non-invasive imaging tool, Dr. Colwell, along with colleagues, created virtual three-dimensional (3D) models of the ants infected with D. dendriticum that showed the precise location of the parasite in the ant’s brain.

This crucial discovery will be a big help to scientists in understanding how the parasite works and how they can potentially alter its destructive behaviour. Researchers can also use the findings to develop similar scanning technologies to study a wide range of animal and insect parasites.

The COUNTRY BOOSTER, December 18, 2018 – Page 5

JOY, LOVE, PEACE AND HARMONY

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4811-50 Street, Camrose Phone 780-672-2732 www.thesewingcenter.ca

Heart Attack

• Heavy pressure, discomfort, burning or a squeezing sensation in the centre of the chest.

• Pain may spread to arms or neck and may come and go.

• Shortness of breath.

• Nausea, vomiting or indigestion.

• Weakness, fatigue, greyish skin color.

Stroke

• Sudden weakness or numbness of the face, arm or leg on one side of the body.

• Loss of speech or trouble in speaking or in understanding speech.

• Unexplained dizziness, unsteadiness or sudden falls.

• Dimness, loss of vision or double vision in one eye.

If you experience these symptoms, tell someone immediately. If you note these symptoms in someone else: • Take charge. The victim will likely deny what is happening.

• Insist that the victim stop all activity and sit or lie down.

• Ask if the victim is being treated for heart disease or stroke. If so, help with medication.

• Call your local emergency number.

• Get the victim to the nearest hospital.

You must act immediately! Half of all heart attack deaths occur before the victim gets to hospital.

We are very proud to serve this fine community and wish all of our neighbours peace and contentment during this holiday season.

We thank you most sincerely for your trust in us.

Cam and Christine Parker Bart and Karen Orr Derek and Kathryn Robertson Colin and Taralie Yuha John and Carmen Person Bob Hanrahan Barrie Fenby Keri Vickers Donell Nycholat

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S / SALE ICE S K C TRU / SERV ECTION S T R A P L INJ DIESE

FOR SALE BY TENDER TENDERS ARE INVITED for the purchase of the following properties located in the Camrose County: LEGAL DESCRIPTION MERIDIAN 4 RANGE 17 TOWNSHIP 47 SECTION 7 QUARTER SOUTH WEST CONTAINING 64.7 HECTARES (160 ACRES) MORE OR LESS EXCEPTING THEREOUT: A) PLAN 0223037 – DESCRIPTIVE 3.25 HECTARES (8.03 ACRES) MORE OR LESS EXCEPTING THEREOUT ALL MINES AND MINERALS AND THE RIGHT TO WORK SAME The land has a shop/living space with the entire building being 40x90 square feet and the dwelling space being 40x40 square feet of the total space. The property is equipped with solar panels and is “off grid”; property is connected to natural gas; there also is a well and septic – all “as is”. The following chattels are included: fridge, stove, washer/dryer. The property is well treed and suitable for a hobby farm or acreage living.

GST will be added to the tender price unless the purchaser is a GST registrant at the time of closing or unless the properties are exempt from GST. TENDERS must be in writing, accompanied by a certified cheque for 5% of the tender price, sealed in an envelope marked “Parker/Aube Tender” and must be received by Fielding & Company LLP, Barristers and Solicitors, #100, 4918-51 Street, Camrose, Alberta T4V 1S3, on or before 12:00 noon, January 4, 2019. Municipal taxes will be adjusted. The closing and adjustment date of sale will be January 31, 2019, and the successful tenderer must pay the balance of the purchase price, plus GST unless the tenderer is a GST registrant, on the closing date, or the deposit will be forfeited. The deposits of all unsuccessful tenderers will be returned to them forthwith after the closing of tenders.

No conditional tenders will be accepted, and the highest or any tender will not necessarily be accepted. No warranty whatsoever is given as to the condition of the property or as to the fitness of the property for any purpose.

For further information about the property phone Malorie Aube 780-781-2744 or Tyler Parker 780-781-8715. For information about the tender process phone Wayne Throndson, Q.C., at Fielding & Company LLP 780-672-8851.

4817-51 Avenue Camrose 780-672-2121 Daysland 780-374-3535

Merry Christmas!

Wishes warm and bright to you and your loved ones at this joyous time of year.

We appreciate your support and hope you’ll drop by again!

HOLIDAY HOURS Closed Dec. 24, 25, 26 and Jan. 1 Hours: Mon. to Thur., 7:30 am to 5:30 pm, Fri., 7:30 am to 5:00 pm, Sat. by appointment

Drawing by Kaden Ewald Round Hill School Grade 6

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The COUNTRY BOOSTER, December 18, 2018 – Page 6

BRCF gives grants to Forestburg Fire Submitted

The Battle River Community Foundation awarded a grant to the Village of Forestburg for the Forestburg Fire Department. The grant assisted with the purchase of an air compressor, allowing the department to recharge its emergency breathing apparatus on site.

The grants are from income from the Doreen Oberg Fund and the Jim Crawford, both established to support charitable activities for residents of the Forestburg area.

The Battle River Community Foundation exists to support projects and facilities, such as this, in East Central Alberta which benefit the local communities and have a positive impact on the future.

Grants from the Battle River Community Foundation are primarily made possible through the generosity of individual donors and organizations that have created endowment funds. The principal of these endowment funds are kept intact and the income is made available annually to support local projects and organizations.

Since it was founded in 1995, the Battle River Community Foundation has granted over $5,445,000 to support community programs and projects.

To learn more about the Forestburg Fire Department, contact Debra Moffatt, Village of Forestburg CAO, at 780-582-3668.

To learn more about the Battle River Community Foundation contact Dana Andreassen, executive director, at 780-679-0449.

We see banking differently

Aubé appointed to council

By Murray Green

Alberta Minister of Agriculture and Forestry Oneil Carlier and Lieutenant Governor Lois Mitchell, reappointed Malorie Aubé of Camrose to the Alberta Agricultural Products Marketing Council for another term, Dec. 4.

Ben Campbell, Lynn Jacobson and Doug Sawyer were also reappointed as members of the council,

each for a term to expire on March 20, 2022.

Malorie is a mixed farm operator and professional agrologist who is passionate about food, how it is produced, and how people enjoy it. She currently interacts with several aspects of agriculture by partnering with producers, entrepreneurs, chefs, and agribusinesses to enable growth and further agriculture and food production.

Her professional career began in Quebec where she gained experience in the dairy and pork industries.

From there, she moved to Alberta where she has been involved in the agri-food industry for over a decade from livestock to agronomics.

Malorie previously served on the Battle River Watershed Alliance board and volunteers her time with many different organizations.

Submitted Battle River Community Foundation executive director Dana Andreassen presented the cheque to Fire Chief Kevin Lunty.

WEBSITE

The children of Battle River School Division will be on Christmas vacation from Friday, December 21st and returning to school on Monday, January 7th. Please watch out for them to ensure we all have a safe and happy holiday season.

Battle River School Division

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Ervick water line tender awarded

By Murray Green

Camrose County council awarded the contract for the Armena to Ervick and Braim waterline construction to 640 Earthworks for the tender price of $2,336,263 plus GST, with funding to come from a combination of debenture and MSI funding at the regular meeting on Nov. 13.

“Throughout 2018, administration has been working through the design of reservoirs and waterline with WSP (engineering consultant) for the alternative supply of water to the Ervick industrial subdivision and Braim residential subdivision,” said Zach Mazure, in his public works manager’s report.

“This project is meant to supply subdivisions with potable, full pressure water from the Capital Region Southwest Water Services Commission, through their water meter that currently exists at the Armena reservoir.”

Once this project is complete, it will provide a significant amount of additional capacity and flexibility to development in and around the Ervick and Braim subdivisions with regards to water servicing.

There was a total of nine bids received. Following review of the bid packages, it was determined that 640 Earthworks had met all of the tender requirements and should be properly equipped to complete the work required on the project.

Councillor Jack Lyle moved the motion to award the contract and Councillor Brian Willoughby asked about the start and completion date. “It will start right away and take a year with a completion planned for next fall,” said Zach.

Council also awarded the contract for the Armena to Ervick and Braim Reservoir Construction to Alpha Construction for the tender price of $2,728,685 plus GST, with funding to come from a combination of debenture and MSI funding.

“Following review of the bid packages, it was determined that Alpha Construction had adequately met the tender requirements and should be properly equipped to complete the work required on the project.”

Once the above ground reservoir and water line are completed, businesses at the junction of Highway 13 and 21 could have access to the water.

The COUNTRY BOOSTER, December 18, 2018 – Page 7

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The COUNTRY BOOSTER, December 18, 2018 – Page 8

Celebrating a decade of conserving nature

By Murray Green

The Edmonton and Area Land Trust (EALT) is celebrating a decade of local nature conservation.

EALT works to benefit wildlife and people, and to conserve all nature’s values, so these special lands can be enjoyed forever.

They look after these natural spaces with volunteers who are critical to the work to educate people and help protect nature for them and their children.

EALT has accomplished 10 successful years of conserving natural areas. “We started 2018 by announcing the securement of our 10th natural area and have secured two more since. These new natural areas bring our total lands to 2,243 acres conserved for citizens and wildlife. That is equal to 533 average city blocks.

Not a small feat for this,

one of the fastest-growing regions in Canada,” said Stephanie Weizenbach, outreach coordinator.

“You might think that nature takes care of itself and needs no maintenance.

Not so and our decade of stewardship has impressive numbers to prove otherwise.”

Over the 10 years of caring for lands, hundreds of EALT volunteers have logged over 13,000 hours.

Volunteers have bravely removed 40 kilometres of gnarly, rusty barbed wire to improve wildlife habitat safety. They have also restored habitat by controlling over 100 acres of weeds, returning to the same spot, year after year to pull those persistent invasive weeds.

EALT has also enhanced the critical habitat on its lands by planting 263,000 native trees. These

It’s beginning to sound a lot like Christmas

By Lisa Kaastra It’s been a little quiet around here lately.

The frost looks like a postcard, dressing the trees for a dance in the morning sun. There’s a section of footprint-free snow in the yard that separates the houses, still perfectly white and begging for snow angels.

Over the entire farmyard, there’s a hush and a stillness, as though everything has snuggled in for the winter with a warm woolen blanket, wrapped tightly around its toes.

Truly, the world looks finally at rest.

And then a truck rumbles down the gravel road.

Odie starts howling at a reckless squirrel, caught jumping between the trees.

“Mooooooooom!” calls a bright-eyed blond toddler, waiting for her crib release.

The laundry machine signals the time for a load change.

A neighbour’s dog has now joined the canine frenzy.

“Play? Play? Play?” my daughter keeps asking, now jumping at my feet.

My cell phone rings, but I haven’t a clue where I last left it.

Christmas music has somehow started playing in the background.

The dogs have now moved around to the back of the house, pouncing between the bushes.

There’s a clutter of broomsticks and mops followed by a high-pitched “Uh, oh.”

The phone again? The coffee’s ready. Ah yes, the laundry. What’s Odie barking at now? “‘Side? ‘Side?” she’s back at my feet again, purple boots in hand, gesturing towards the porch door.

I suppose it’s not so quiet anymore.

But I grab our boots, our coats, and our hats, and we head outside for a limited, likely very vocal, romp outside in the country snow. Because “rest” is a verb of many versions, and a variety of voices.

As December slides on by, and the holidays slip on in, may your Christmas be warm and bright, and full of all the sights and sounds that make you feel at peace, and happy in heart...whether the silence is golden, or the ruckus is welcome.

Merry Christmas, and a Blessed New Year! From our little family, to yours.

future forest locations are restoring an old ranch to its natural habitat, and enhancing the forest at Pipestone Creek Conservation Lands that was once degraded by gravel mining.

“We invite the public to enjoy these lands on foot, for family outings, nature hikes, bird watching, or simply connecting with nature. Spending time in nature is good for everyone’s physical and mental wellbeing and is critical for children’s health and development,” said Stephanie.

“To enable our lands to be accessed for the good of our residents, we maintain

27 km of foot trails and have directions and trail maps available on our website at www.ealt.ca.”

Raising awareness about conservation work, related issues and opportunities, is an important part of EALT’s work. In its decade of local conservation, they have developed over 50 educational resources, most of which are available in its resource library, and include a selfguided nature tour of Pipestone Creek Conservation Lands, just 25 minutes west of Camrose.

EA LT resources include wildlife information

guides, such as a Species at Risk in Alberta booklet–a first of its kind in Alberta.

EALT hands out stewardship guides at community events to promote wildlifefriendly yards across the landscape, to help share space with Alberta species.

Other resources include fact sheets, nature guides, children’s resources, and habitat blueprints so you can build your very own bee hotel, bat box or bird house. “We share everything with schools and the public, and with the thousands of people who are signed up to our quarterly newsletter,” she said.

Grain drying comes with a cost

By Murray Green

With a very wet fall in the area, a lot of farmers considered long and hard about purchasing a grain dryer.

Early winter conditions this fall made it necessary for harvested grains and oilseeds to be dried mechanically.

“Investing in a grain drying system requires careful long term decision making because of the significant cost. Knowing the costs of on-farm drying is important for those evaluating the potential purchase and for those who already have a system in place, to compare on-farm costs to commercial drying rates,” explained Dean Dyck, farm business management specialist at the Alberta Ag-Info Centre, examines those potential costs.

The cost of drying will depend on the type and size of drying system, the amount of moisture removed, the weather conditions during the drying period, and the operating and ownership costs.

Operating costs include fuel, electricity, repairs and maintenance, labour, shrinkage, and hauling.

“The largest component of grain drying cost is fuel, either propane or natural gas. The amount of fuel used will vary widely with the type of system, the type of grain or oilseed dried, the outside air temperature, and the moisture removed.”

Dyck said that the cost of annual repair and maintenance or replacing components is usually low. “It is suggested to use 1.5 per cent of the investment cost of the drying system per 100 hours of use. Most drying systems use electricity to power fans and move grain. Multiply the horsepower of the electric motors by 0.75 then by the current electricity rate to calculate the cost per hour.”

The amount of labour required to operate a drying system will vary by the type of system. “High temperature, fast drying systems will require frequent monitoring, while a slower system may not need to be checked as often,” said Dyck. “The labour cost per bushel can be estimated by dividing the typical farm labour wage rate per hour, usually about $20 per hour, by the number of bushels

dried in an hour by the system.”

The cost of grain shrinkage during the drying and hauling process is often overlooked. “It can be calculated by using the Grain Shrinkage Calculator on the Alberta Agriculture and Forestry website and multiplying the percentage of shrinkage by a future cash price.”

Ownership costs, including depreciation and the cost of investment, will vary depending on the size and investment in the drying system.

“The initial investment can include the purchase price of the drying unit, surge bins, plus any auxiliary equipment such as augers, wiring, and concrete,” he said.

Calculations done by the farm management specialists at the Ag-Info Centre suggest a range of 10 to 16 cents per bushel, per percentage point drop in moisture. For example, drying canola from 17 per cent to 9.5 per cent will cost between $0.75 and $1.20 per bushel. There are many factors that go into the cost of drying grain, so doing your own calculations is highly recommended.

The COUNTRY BOOSTER, December 18, 2018 – Page 9

GORD

JENN CAREY

TAMMY

R N

DAVID

Merry.

Bright.

Magical.

Joyous.

Healthy.

Happy.

Lucky.

Blessed.

KEVIN RICHARD

TAYLOR

HALEY

CHANCE

DAN

ASHLEY

Here’s hoping your Christmas is all that and more!

Wow! Now that’s a body shop!

4709-36 Street, Camrose

780.672.7231 www.autoshoppe.ca

Cattle feeding for markets

By Murray Green

What is the latest number of cattle in feedlot before going to market?

Jason Wood, provincial livestock market analyst with Alberta Agriculture and Forestry, compares the latest cattle on feed reports and looks at the non-purebred cattle imports.

According to Statistics Canada data, live nonpurebred cattle imports to the end of September 2018, numbered 112,534 head for Canada with 47 per cent or 53,069 head imported to Alberta. In 2017, more than 132,000 non-purebred cattle

were imported into Canada from the U.S., with 56 per cent coming into Alberta.

“For 2018, the monthly cattle import numbers have been above last year’s level,” said Wood. “The higher volume of imports throughout 2018 suggests we may not see the surge in quarter four that was seen in 2017.

The other factor that may affect cattle imports, specifically for Alberta, is reports of some feedlots being at or near capacity which is a sign of a slowdown in placements overall, moving forward.”

He said that according

to the Nov. 1, Canfax Alberta/Saskatchewan Cattle on Feed Report, that number is up 16 per cent year over year and 11 per cent higher than the five-year average, with 925,883 head on feed.

“Both placement and marketings were higher in October. Placements were up 4.8 per cent and marketing up 5.3 per cent year over year. Excluding May, the monthly cattle on feed numbers have been larger than year ago levels since June 2017.”

Placements were 2.248 million head, down 6.1 per cent year over year.

The COUNTRY BOOSTER, December 18, 2018 – Page 10

Winter wheat gains popularity across prairies

By Murray Green

Western winter wheat could be Canada’s new premium quality product.

Developments are underway to make this a reality.

Winter wheat has major environmental benefits. It helps reduce wind and water based soil erosion, out-competes many weeds, and generally conserves energy because of the fewer field operations.

Despite these and other benefits, spring wheat, and in particular the Canada Western Red Spring (CWRS) class, is western Canada’s most popular type. World renowned for its excellent milling and baking quality, CWRS often garners a premium price in world markets.

Winter wheat is planted in the fall and resumes growth in the spring. As a result, winter wheat is able to take advantage of fall rain and winter snow unlike spring wheat, which is (as the name suggests) planted in the spring.

The Canada Western Red Winter (CWRW) wheat class has some

inherent advantages that Dr. Robert Graf, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada research scientist, is particularly interested in building upon. In western Canada, winter wheat produces about 25 per cent more grain than its spring wheat counterparts. It has exceptional milling characteristics that produce a high percentage of bright white, low ash flour (both desirable qualities in the marketplace); however, its baking qualities are not quite as good as those of CWRS, resulting in a

lower market price.

Graf explains that this project is all about

improving returns to the producer by reducing the price difference between the two types of wheat. To close this gap, his goal is to develop winter wheat varieties that incorporate more of the characteristics that bakers and millers look for in premium quality spring wheat. The result will ideally fetch a higher price in the market.

“If farmers could capture 25 per cent more yield in a product that gives them a similar return as our Canada Western Red Spring wheat class, they’d be more compelled to grow winter wheat because, ultimately, it would mean a huge boost in average revenue,” said Dr. Robert Graf, research scientist, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.

To accomplish this, Graf and his team have been working to increase the grain’s protein concentration, gluten strength and flour water absorption. Graf said that one of the major challenges was to find suitable winter wheat parents. Despite looking at germplasm

from around the world, “there were no winter wheat lines that combined all of the improvements that we needed,” he added.

Graf continued that it takes a lot of patience, a good eye and a bit of luck.

He has studied thousands of experimental wheat lines to find the qualities preferred by everyone from producers to endprocessors. Methodically, he crossbred these lines to gradually incorporate the desirable traits and develop a select number of parent lines. His team now has its first prototype into registration trials and, while it may not yet be CWRS quality, it demonstrates major progress and is a platform for future advancements.

In the case of this project, we didn’t really have the parents to start the breeding process to take us there. We’re just now at the cusp of starting to deliver some of those advancements,” said Graf.

Once developed, this improved winter wheat will provide a new option for farmers in western Canada to increase farm revenue, while maintaining Canada’s excellent reputation for wheat quality.

A research team in Alberta is working to combine spring wheat’s superior baking and milling characteristics with winter

Graf predicts that we could have winter wheat varieties for western Canada with “CWRS-like” quality within the next decade.

“In winter wheat breeding, from the time you make a cross to the time it’s in farmers hands, is usually 12 to 15 years.

wheat’s higher yield and environmental benefits.

When successful, the adoption of this new type of premium quality winter wheat will increase farmer revenue, while maintaining premium product quality.

County council recovers tax exemption loss

By Murray Green

The federal government will be taking away the one-third tax exemption for city and county elected officials in January.

That translates to a loss of about $5,000 for each Camrose County councillor.

To avoid the huge paycut, council agreed to recover that amount by adding to the remuneration they currently receive, to make up the difference at the Nov. 27 regular meeting.

Councillors only agreed to recover the lost income and will not be getting a further increase.

“I’m really angry about this. I went through my log of time and mileage until the end of October, and I have travelled 9,426 kilometers on County business and I can defend that to the last mile. The average gas price was $1.16 a litre.

I gave a pretty generous miles per gallon rate on my truck and it costs me $198 per month on gas for County business,” explained Reeve Don Gregorwich.

“I even went to my tax preparer yesterday and based on my 2017 tax return, we removed the tax exemption and my tax bill would have gone up by $5,000. That is over top of what I already paid. As you know councillors, we are not here for the money, but we are not the Salvation Army either. As much as I hate to do this, but we have to at least gain back the portion we are going to lose.”

During the Oct. 23 council meeting, administration was requested to bring details on how the loss of the one-third tax exemption on municipally elected councillors would effect net pay.

“I agree with Don. I know every one of us is contacted every day about a question relating to County business, no matter where we go. It is on our time that we don’t claim. We can’t take away $300 a month.

It is not like we are making that much money to begin with,” said council-

lor Brain Willoughby. “We have a hard enough time attracting people to do this job (councillors), I don’t see how cutting the pay is going to help.”

All councillors present agreed they shouldn’t be at a loss. The motion was passed unanimously, with councillors Jack Lyle and Trevor Miller not present.

Councillor Doug Lyseng asked administration to bring options for a one year plan, and a two year plan, to restore the impacts of the elimination of the tax exemption so that it has no affect on the councillor’s net salary.

“We contacted all of our neighboring municipalities to survey their intention with regard to council compensation,” said administrator Paul King.

Lacombe County has already amended policy.

Wetaskiwin County has completed a review and will be making presentation to council in December. Beaver County will be doing something, may

start a complete council compensation review, in the interim will make an adjustment to keep takehome the same.

“It could require an increase of between 9.2 per cent and 12.5 per cent to maintain each net takehome so it is unchanged,” said King.

That would include the regular cost of living allowance.

Four years ago council developed a policy to reflect a base salary and a travel allowance for internal County travel based on distances from the County office, and a general expense allowance for a total annual compensation amount.

“I move to provide a percentage increase to each individual councillor’s salary, in order to keep takehome net relatively the same as pre elimination of tax exemption,” said councilor Brain Willoughby.

Base salary is an all inclusive amount provided to council members

for their time and service with respect to attending municipal council meetings, attending to local business within their division (ratepayer concerns) and regular scheduled committee meetings.

Council members receive an allowance to offset costs (fuel, insurance, vehicle repairs, maintenance and other expenses) incurred to travel to and from meetings (excluding regularly scheduled council, ASB, executive, municipal planning commission meetings. This allowance covers travel expenses incurred to meet with individual ratepayers and representatives of community organizations and to attend to municipal business in their capacity as elected officials of the municipality.

The loss of the tax exemption for municipal councillors is considered a tax grab by the federal government.

The COUNTRY BOOSTER, December 18, 2018 – Page 11

AG Manager Viking Agro – Viking, AB

Core Function Reporting to the Crop Supplies Division Manager, the Agro Centre Manager (Camrose) is responsible for the overall operation of the Agro Centre Site, including sales; gross margin and other expense control; department standards; ordering and inventory control; human resources; customer service; administrative duties; and department production and merchandising.

Drawing by Larkyn Belich Round Hill Grade 7

Merry Christmas! . . . from all of us

Scott Cunningham Branch Manager

Brent McIndoe CPA

Duane Bonnar Operations

Rick Rehmann CPA

Jon MItty Operations

Alex Abma Agronomist

Kelly Zurborg Operations

Darcie Stang CSR

Jaeden Mitty Operations

CAMROSE

(780) 608-2351

Qualifications: • Must have 3-4 years of management experience in Fertilizer, Seed, Chemicals and Equipment; • Strong agricultural background is an asset; • Financial literacy to create budgets, set margins and create work schedules; • Candidates must demonstrate effective team leadership skills and the ability to work well within a multi-generational team; • A degree or certificate applicable to the position is an asset, however, not a requirement; • Candidates must also possess a positive, ambitious attitude, with good communication, organizational, and outstanding interpersonal skills.

Thank You! Hank

Darren

Responsibilities: Primary responsibilities include, but are not limited to: • Be a liaison and public relations representative for the Wild Rose Co-op within the communities we serve, by delivering a world-class customer service that is fast, friendly and efficient; • Provide leadership and direction to employees in accordance with company policies, procedures, programs, merchandising standards and overall expectations; • Provide leadership and direction in the development and achievement of financial results and facility budget objectives in the areas of sales, margins, expenses and profits; • Ensure standards of department presentation and operations are met, including cleanliness, sanitation, marketing and sales of fertilizer, seed, chemical and equipment; • Provide leadership in the area of health and safety, loss prevention and environmental due diligence. Assist in identifying unhealthy or unsafe situations and ensure corrective action is taken; • Provide leadership in the area of employee relations, hiring, training, development, performance management, assigning duties, discipline, recognition, termination, security, union contract compliance, administration of policy and procedures; • To be accountable for the receiving, inspecting and storage of merchandise in the site; • To ensure that all merchandise is being inspected and when excessive damage, shrinkage and shortages in inventory are evident that this is communicated to the Crops Supplies Division Manager or designate and proper action is taken; • Perform the year-end performance management that includes: competency reviews and development of work plans; • Resolve problems that arise, such as customer complaints, supply shortages, and staffing issues; • Ensure paperwork procedures, as set by Wild Rose Co-op, are followed; • Observe safety measures and report hazardous conditions immediately to the Crops Supplies Division Manager; • Maintain adequate product inventory levels, perform scheduled inventory counts and manage stock control procedures; • Ensure that site equipment is well maintained and report to Crop Supplies Division Manager when repairs or maintenance are required; • Work closely with Co-op Retail Sales Coordinators and follow programs established by them to drive local marketing programs.

• Network and communicate professionally with suppliers; • Follow safe front-line loss prevention practices, and maintain a constant alert against unauthorized removal of merchandise; • Ensure all inventory is managed and protected in compliance with management standards and practices to ensure high levels of accuracy and minimal losses.

As 2018 comes to a close, we would like to take the opportunity to thank you for your tremendous support this season.

We look forward to serving you again next year!

“Any size job welcome, big or small.”

Wild Rose Co-op offers the following: • Very supportive environment that allows for learning, collaboration, growth and professional development.

• Full Benefits Plan including Extended Health Care, Dental, Life Insurance and Long Term Disability Insurance • Employer Matched Pension Plan (6% Matched) • Employee Family Assistance Program • Competitive wages paid bi-weekly and Bonus Incentive Plan • Retail Purchase Rebate • Employee Referral and Service Recognition Programs • Tuition Assistance • Excellent Opportunities for further development and advancement For more information, please contact: Donna Bernard – Human Resources Manager Phone 780-672-3107 d.bernard@wildrosecoop.ca The Co-operative wishes to thank all applicants for their interest, but only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

Hank 403.783.1270 • Darren 403.704.0843

Lovely wins UCP candidate nomination for Camrose

By Murray Green

Following a competitive race, Jackie Lovely was named the United Conservative Party candidate for the new electoral district of Camrose in the next provincial election.

With a background in small business and strong rural roots, Lovely is committed to always making herself accountable to local constituents.

“I strongly believe in kitchen table politics, and have had hundreds of meetings with concerned residents who made me

aware of the issues facing our families and our communities. I heard that we need a change in government so that we stop mortgaging our children’s future, bring back investor confidence, and respect the rights of Albertans,” said Lovely.

The race for the UCP’s nomination in Camrose was hotly contested, featuring five contestants.

More than 1,000 party members voted over two days, leading up to Lovely’s victory on Nov. 24.

“Our UCP team is

much stronger than any single candidate, and we should recognize and congratulate all of the competitors who took part in this race including Robert Johnson, Dawn Anderson, Trevor Miller, Brandon Lunty and their teams, for their participation in the democratic process and dedication to our movement,” added Lovely.

“The amazing turnout in Camrose is being replicated all across our province. Since our party’s founding, we have launched constituency

associations in all 87 ridings, held more than 65 real, open, and democratic nomination races, won three by-elections, and increased our total membership to nearly 150,000, making us one of the largest political parties in Canada. Working together, I know we can defeat the NDP and bring back common sense government.”

Lovely’s top priorities include repealing the carbon tax, balancing the budget and defending parental choice in education.

UCP Leader Jason

Kenney is excited about what Lovely brings to the conservative team.

“With a wealth of experience in business, Jackie understands the challenges faced by Alberta’s entrepreneurial community. She holds a bachelor degree and an MBA and will be a valuable member of our United Conservative team as we seek to defeat the NDP, reignite the Alberta economy and bring prosperity back to our province,” he said.

The COUNTRY BOOSTER, December 18, 2018 – Page 12

Lock it, light it, link it

By Lori Larsen

Tis the season where we are out and about doing some shopping or visiting with family and friends, but whatever causes us to be away from our homes, the need to secure our belongings is the same.

The following are some suggestions on how to keep your property safe and help ensure you are not the victim of crime.

Lock it

County lights up Lori Larsen, Camrose Booster

Camrose County lights up smiles with its Christmas tree at the Festival of Trees held on Nov. 23 to 25 at the Camrose Regional Exhibition.

Attendees to the Festival were treated to a plethora of beautifully decorated trees and displays, twinkling lights, games, Santa and entertainment.

around your property, all at the touch of your fingers.

Cell phones are now equipped with Apps that allow all of this and more and closed circuit television is capable of recording any movement captured on your property in both good and low light situations. Video recordings can then be used to identify suspects in the event of criminal activity on your property.

Other methods of adding security to your property include being involved in neighbourhood watch groups such as Battle River Rural Crime Watch, investing in a watchdog that will alert you to any sus-

Pol ic e su g g e st t h at opportunistic thieves will almost always look for and subsequently take advantage of unlocked homes, garages, outbuildings and vehicles.

Even if you are just down the road or only intend on being out for Lori Larsen, Camrose Booster a few minutes, that is all it Leaving a key under your front door mat takes. or a rock in your garden may seem secure, Hiding a key to your but would-be thieves are also well home under a mat or aware of this trick and it will give them rock or over your door easy access to your home. casing may seem like a good idea, unfortunately thieves know all those “hiding” places as well. The best bet for an extra key is to give one to a trusted family member, friend or neighbour.

Be somewh at guarded on who you do give out keys to, however. Keys can be easily copied and once in the hands of the wrong people, allow easy, undetected access to your home and belongings.

An extra step of securing belongings would be to put valuables in locked and break-proof safes or cases inside the home as well. Jewellery and money are highly sought after items by thieves, so removing the temptation is picious activity while home and ward off always wise. possible thieves when you are not home.

Light it With Christmas right around the Investing in powerful, motion sensing corner, advertising valuables and your lighting around your property is strongly recommended as a way to improve overall Christmas gifts while you are away from the home can be an invitation to thieves. security.

As well, make sure your property is Instead, tuck them away until Christmas highly visible from the road. Don’t provide day and where possible, lock up high ticket cover for would-be thieves to hide behind, items. After Christmas is over, packaging such as trees, shrubs or other items that that indicates high ticket items should cover the entrances to your home. Make be broken down and put into recycling or sure your rural address description signs somewhere out of sight. are posted and visible, to make it easier Police advise making an inventory for police to find your property in the of your belongings to have on hand in event of an incident. case of a break-in and theft. You can also Link it mark your property using an engraver or The latest and greatest in technology will allow you to lock your property ultra-violet markers and take photos of remotely, monitor your property from just possessions.

With extra temptation around Christabout anywhere, turn your lights on or mas time, a few little precautions can off from a remote location, turn alarms make the difference between an event-free off and on, synchronize with alarms and lights and video anything happening season and becoming a victim.

Hitchhiker nabbed outside Stettler

By Lori Larsen

On his way to somewhere other than jail, a 24-year-old suspect was arrested on outstanding warrants when he was spotted hitchhiking on Highway 589.

Stettler RCMP were able to nab the suspect at approximately 7 p.m. on Dec. 10, without incident,

after receiving a report of him hitchhiking near Stettler.

The male, of no fixed address, was also identified as a suspect during the same evening who attempted to steal a truck, and break and enter into another vehicle in the Stettler area, before being located.

He was charged with

theft of a motor vehicle, driving while unauthorized, two offences of failure to comply with a probation order and four offences of failure to comply with condition of an undertaking.

He was remanded into custody after a judicial hearing and appeared in Stettler Provincial Court on Dec. 14.

Merry Christmas

We want to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! We would like to extend a huge thank you to all of you whose auctions we conducted in 2018 and our loyal auction crowd!

Watch for these upcoming 2019 Auctions: –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– SENEY FARMS LTD. AND PETERSON FARMS LTD. Bawlf / Ryley, AB Tuesday, April 9, 2019 –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– KEN JACOBSEN AND THE ESTATE OF RICK JACOBSEN New Norway, AB Thursday, April 11, 2019 –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– ENOS AND RUBY LAMPRECHT Camrose, AB Saturday, April 13, 2019 –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– LARRY AND DEB PREHN Forestburg, AB Tuesday, April 16, 2019 –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– JOHN AND JEANNE PEARSON Donalda, AB Saturday, April 20, 2019 –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– GORDON AND MARLENE SCHLAAK Camrose, AB Tuesday, April 23, 2019 –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– JACK AND KATHY LYLE Bashaw, AB Thursday, April 25, 2019 –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– ESTATE OF IVAN SORENSEN AND JOYCE SORENSEN Ryley, AB Saturday, June 8, 2019 –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– ESTATE OF LEON YOUNG AND CAROL YOUNG Bashaw, AB Saturday, July 20, 2019 –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– ART AND LORRAINE HAHN Leduc, AB Saturday, July 27, 2019 ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

The COUNTRY BOOSTER, December 18, 2018 – Page 13

May you Celebrate this Beautiful Season with Joy in your Home, Peace in your World, and Love in your Heart!

Drawing by Annie Huard Round Hill Grade 4

www.briltd.com

Camrose Killam Provost Wainwright

1-877-913-3373

We would be very interested in discussing your future auction plans with you. Please feel free to call.

:

CAMROSE, AB

Phone 780-672-1105 • Fax 1-888-870-0958 Email office@djas.ca View sale listings and pictures at: www.dougjohnsonauctionservice.com AB License 334038

Craig, Tasha, h Steph, h Kim andd Cody d

With Our Thanks for Your Patronage

The nicest thing about Christmas is sharing it with wonderful friends and neighbours like you. Thank you for making our year special in so many ways. We wouldn’t be here without the support of kind folks like you.

We wish you and yours a gifted holiday season!

Merry Christmas Growing your money. Protecting your assets.

Investments • Insurance • Advice

Phone 780-672-9400

Fax 780-672-9556 1/2 km East on Highway 26, Camrose

4802-50 Avenue, Camrose ~ 780-679-4110

The COUNTRY BOOSTER, December 18, 2018 – Page 14

The management and staff of Agriterra Equipment Camrose and Lougheed locations, take this opportunity to express our sincerest gratitude for your patronage during 2018.

COUNTRY HOME

Lori Larsen, Camrose Booster This display of a country home during the Festival of Trees gave the feeling of wanting to be home for the holidays. The Festival of Trees was held at the Camrose Regional Exhibition.

Farm, ranch grant promotes safety

By Murray Green

Now 10 locations in Alberta and Saskatchewan

A new farm and ranch safety grant was launched to help eligible agriculture employers comply with new occupational health and safety requirements.

The grant will help offset some of the costs employ-

FIVE GENERATIONS

ers may incur in complying with the new regulations.

Up to $6 million is available through the program during the next three years.

Since Dec. 1, the Occupational Health and Safety Code (OHS Code) applies to farms and ranches that

Submitted The Nahajowich and Berkholtz families celebrated five generations, when baby Blake Berkholtz arrived on the scene.

Back row from left, dad Travis Berkholtz and grandma Betty Ann Berkholtz. Seated from left, great great gandmother Agnes Nahajowich with Blake and great grandfather Peter Nahajowich.

employ waged, non-family workers. This means Alberta farm and ranch workers will have similar health and safety protections as workers in other industries and other parts of Canada.

“Together with industry, we can continue to promote and deliver programs that support sustainable growth in the sector and foster a culture of safety on the farm. The Farm Health and Safety Producer Grant Program is just one way our government continues to support producers and ensure safe and healthy workplaces across the province,” said Oneil Carlier, Alberta Minister of Agriculture and Forestry.

“Albertans value the contributions of Alberta’s farm and ranch communities and care about the health and safety of their workers. This program will help farm and ranch employers continue their work to create healthy and safe workplaces and comply with the OHS code,” added Christina Gray, Alberta Minister of Labour.

The program runs until March 2021. Farms and ranches with waged, nonfamily workers and a WCB account may apply for the grant. The grant covers up to 50 per cent of eligible safety expenses to a maximum of $5,000 per year or $10,000 over the life of the program per eligible applicant.

Eligible expenses (with receipts) include things like first aid kits, fire extinguishers and warning signage. Respirators, eye and hearing protection. Health and safety programs, courses, education and training.

Seatbelt installation, warning lights and auger guards to improve equipment safety.

The COUNTRY BOOSTER, December 18, 2018 – Page 15

Win a photograph of your farm!

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The farm appearing in this photograph is located in the Camrose trading area. If you recognize it as yours, come to the Camrose Booster, 4925-48 Street, Camrose.

You will be presented with a free 8” x 10” color enlargement of the photo.

• This week’s prize must be claimed

by January 8, 2019.

• This week’s Mystery Farm is sponsored by the businesses on this page.

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T handy app that you can The flip through while you’re in tthe cab of your tractor.

CABINETS

Camrose Custom Cabinets 3623-47 Avenue, Camrose Phone 780-672-7875 Toll Free 1-800-251-9705

INSURANCE

Camrose Insurance Services Ltd. MICHAEL KELEMEN 5704-48 Avenue, Camrose Phone 780-672-9251 Phone 780-672-2273

BUILDING MATERIALS

Hauser Home Hardware Building Centre 6809-49 Avenue, Camrose Phone 780-672-8818

PUT CAMROSE IN YOUR POCKET

Add a flag to your farmyard We sell top quality, long-lasting flags – from Canadian and provincial flags to flags from countries around the world. Choose from many sizes to suit your specific needs.

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The COUNTRY BOOSTER, December 18, 2018 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Page 16

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