February 22, 2022 Country Booster by The Camrose Booster

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

Always better – always better read

8 Pages

February 22, 2022

ALWAYS READY!

Photos by Lori Larsen

HLFD firefighter David Lemke, rear, and firefighter Alexandre Sivret, front, practice bringing the water onto a fire during a training session. HLFD firefighter David Lemke, removes the hose from the fire truck to hand off to firefighter Alexandre Sivret. In back, looking on (l to r) are Lieutenant Levi Blanchard, Lieutenant Sherry Krozser and firefighter Jonathon Sivert.

Inside...

A variety of merchandise and services: Farm supplies and services and more!

Hay Lakes Fire Department, comprised of dedicated community volunteers, are always ready to answer the call to service on a variety of emergent situations for the Village of Hay Lakes and large surrounding area. See inside story on page 2 for more details.

News Features…

Fish and Wildlife experience another busy year. . . . . . More rural veterinarians are needed in the future . . . Bashaw RCMP reports to County council. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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Visit our website: www.camrosebooster.com

Win a colour enlargement of your farm! See page 7

The COUNTRY BOOSTER, February 22, 2022 – Page 2

Knowing the source By Damien C. Kurek, MP, Battle River-Crowfoot

Among the challenges our world faces, the very real threat of a further Russian invasion of Ukraine has rapidly increased in previous weeks. On the geopolitical front, the attack on a sovereign nation is completely unacceptable and should be met with stern action and condemnation from our federal government. We must uniformly stand with the people of Ukraine in this time of fear and uncertainty. Without a cohesive effort from NATO forces, we risk the spread of Putin’s totalitarianism and corruption. There needs to be a conversation about energy as well. In a world where simmering tensions and conflict are commonplace, Canada stands out for our regard for human rights, rule of law and prudent businesses regulations that protect all Canadians. It is deeply important this is recognized, as these principles ensure we have the ability to deliver resources to market, provide job stability and ensure our environment is protected. Considering this, the world could use more Canada. I find it troubling that while Canadian industry upholds the ethics and standards of which any democratic nation would be proud, Canada continues to import oil from Venezuela and the Saudis, who regularly oppress their own people. And it’s not just energy. Canada has procured and purchased COVID-19 vaccines and PPE from China despite the fact that the Communist Party of China regularly punishes those who speak out against their oppressive ways and continually acts contrarily to Canadian values and interests. The Liberals, and the left-leaning activists who support them, have managed to convince some Canadians and decision-makers that Alberta’s highly ethical oil industry is the climate boogeyman, while ignoring the atrocities being committed by authoritarians around the globe. Canadians need a government that has faith in Canadian principles and does not self-deprecate for the sake of political gain. The cancellation of resource projects such as the Teck Frontier Mine, the Keystone XL pipeline, and the hundreds of billions of dollars in lost energy investment under the Liberals exemplifies their contempt for Canadian energy. Selling out Canada’s own resource sector that has contributed so greatly to Canada’s stability and prosperity has enabled corrupt governments to carry out their agenda. This is something I hope all Canadians seriously consider the next time they go to the polls. The world still uses oil, and as demand once again grows and prices rise, the need for this global commodity will be filled…the question Canadians, and the world, needs to ask is, “Where do we want that energy to come from?” I plan to make the case that it should come from Canada. Canada has so much good to contribute to such a tumultuous world because of the ethics and principles we have embraced. I would like to give special thanks and acknowledge the efforts of our military in Ukraine, across the globe, and domestically. As the Member of Parliament for Battle River-Crowfoot, I am proud to be Canadian and represent a constituency that is in the heart of Canada’s energy industry. If you have any questions or concerns regarding this column, you are encouraged to write Damien at 4945-50 Street, Camrose, Alberta T4V 1P9, call 780-608-4600, text 403-575-5625, or email damien.kurek@parl.gc.ca. You can also stay up to date with Damien by following him on social media @dckurek. If you are in need of assistance regarding a federal government program, or need assistance and don’t know where to turn, feel free to reach out to MP Kurek’s office.

Firefighters answer the call By Lori Larsen

When the alarm rings, the courageous answer the call to duty, setting aside their personal lives to attend to the lives of others, and that is what makes a firefighter. The majority of rural fire departments in Alberta are comprised of dedicated community volunteers, and Hay Lakes Fire Department (HLFD) is no exception. Founded in 1938, the Hay Lakes Fire Department is currently comprised of 23 members and officers under the lead of Chief Bryce Wolfe. “Our members come from all walks of life, who live and work in the Village and surrounding communities,” noted Chief Wolfe.

officers will often meet on Sunday mornings for additional practice or servicing and maintenance of the department equipment and apparatus. Members also attend training courses with other Camrose County fire departments, usually hosted by the City of Camrose. “I am very proud of all of my members and the dedication and commitment they display each and every day,” commented Chief Wolfe. The duties of HLFD members extends beyond fighting fires to a variety of emergent responses, as well as community education and awareness. According to Wolfe, HLFD is the second busiest fire department in the

community events including: participating at the summer event dunk tank; parades; fundraising for the Ditch the Dishes food event; pancake breakfasts; and providing candy, hot chocolate and a place to warm up on Halloween. As well, much to the thrill of some of the younger village members, HLFD has been known to do a lights-and-sirens fire truck drive-by in celebration of birthdays. “All of our members take pride in giving back to their neighbourhood and have a great time doing it. This has been especially important through the isolations and impacts from COVID. We strived to do whatever we could to keep that social bond with our

Submitted Hay Lakes Fire Department attends a multitude of emergency situations including fire calls, motor vehicle accidents and medical calls.

Other members consist of Deputy Chief BJ Green; Captains Jack Kamphorst and William Dunphy; Lieutenants Levi Blanchard and Sherry Krozser; safety officer Len Raymond; training officer Matija Young; and firefighters Steve Krozser, Lindsay Wolfe, Caylee Logelin, Megan Patten, Grant Patten, Brent Thygesen, David Lemke, Johnathan Sivret, Austin Dunphy, Shelby McKinney and Sheldon Thouret. The department also has two junior firefighters Thaedon Wolfe and Aiden Dunphy; and two new probationary members Alex Sivret and Darren Schan. The fire department has come a long way since 1938, when the first Fire Chief Norman Olgilvie saw the building of a fire shed and the purchase of a chemical push-type unit for $1,000, with funds from the Village and money raised from the community. In later years, a fire truck was purchased from the City of Camrose. The current three-bay fire hall, which services the Village of Hay Lakes and surrounding area, was completed in 1988, and houses two fire pumpers and one rapid response truck. Members meet and train the first and third Wednesdays of every month. Some members and

County of Camrose behind the City of Camrose, based on the number of calls they attend each year. On average, HLFD will attend up to 75 calls ranging from medical calls, motor vehicle accidents, fire alarms and fire events in the Village and surrounding district. As a level two department, HLFD performs all manner of services with the exception of hydraulic assisted vehicle extrication/ rescue, water rescue and high angle rescue. In order to become a level three service, similar to that of City of Camrose, the department would require investment in rescue equipment, additional specialized training and would need to ensure a compliment of at least six members able to provide 24/7 response. “When these situations arise, our station is still able to respond with mutual aid called in from Camrose Fire Department to provide the necessary equipment and trained manpower to carry out these specialized duties. Our members have demonstrated time and time again that they will always be there for their community in times of need,” said Wolfe. HLFD members also go beyond the call of duty as volunteer firefighters by volunteering at a slew of

community,” said Wolfe. During Fire Prevention Week held annually every October, HLFD joins other fire departments around the world in a campaign to educate communities and create awareness on the importance of fire safety and prevention. During Fire Prevention Week, HLFD members go through the entire village and try to attend every household to ensure residents have installed working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and alarms. Running towards danger while others run away, witnessing tragedy, dealing with highly emotional people while remaining professional and getting the job done, our local firefighters perform acts of heroism every time they strap on their boots. Our lives and property depend on their quick thinking, skilled training and willingness to sacrifice for the sake of others. “Thank you to all these dedicated individuals for their service and commitment to volunteer their time to the safety and wellbeing, both physically and mentally, of those under their watch,” said Chief Wolfe, suggesting that if you happen to know or see one of the local heroes, let them know they are appreciated.

The COUNTRY BOOSTER, February 22, 2022 – Page 3

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Fish and Wildlife experience another busy year By Lori Larsen

Camrose and District Fish and Wildlife Services (FWES) saw another busy year in 2021, with a number of administrative changes impacting the organization and an influx in hunters. In October 2020, Fish and Wildlife Enforcement Branch (FWEB) came under the umbrella of the Alberta Sheriffs Branch in an effort to better facilitate coordinated command and reduce administrative costs. “We kept our identity,” noted Camrose Fish and Wildlife Enforcement Services (FWES) District Officer Lorne Rinkel. “We kept our distinct green uniforms and (Fish and Wildlife marked) trucks.” Rinkel said that it is also coming up to a full year since the implementation of

RAPID (Rural Alberta Provincial Integrated Defence) Response, whereby members of the Sheriff Highway Patrol and FWES have been given additional authorities, enabling them to respond to a wider range of calls and therefore reduce the time for officers to get to an emergency. While there was concern from some citizens that the

FWES District Officer Lorne Rinkel

is published for Controlled Distribution By CAMROSE BOOSTER LTD. Blain Fowler, Publisher Circulation 11,639 copies Providing coverage to the communities of Camrose (RRs and Boxes only), Ohaton, Edberg, Meeting Creek, Donalda, Bawlf, Kelsey, Rosalind, Daysland, Heisler, Strome, Forestburg, Galahad, Castor (farms), Killam, Sedgewick, Lougheed, Coronation/Brownfield, Alliance, Hardisty, Amisk, Hughenden, Czar, Metiskow, Cadogan, Provost (farms), Armena, Hay Lakes, New Sarepta, Round Hill, Kingman, Tofield, Ryley, Holden, Bruce, Viking, Kinsella, Irma, Wainwright (farms and lock boxes), New Norway, Ferintosh, Bashaw, Bittern Lake, Gwynne, Stettler (farms).

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introduction of RAPID would take FWES officers’ time away from specific fish and wildlife duties, Rinkel said it has had minimal impact on their daily duties as Fish and Wildlife Officers. The Camrose district is once again back to operating with only one officer and the office itself remains closed to public. Anyone needing to contact the officer is advised to do so by telephoning the 24-hour Report A Poacher line at 1-800-642-3800. “I had a tremendous volume of complaints last fall,” reported Rinkel. The bulk of which he said were less involved investigations, while bigger investigations remained steady. “The volume of calls was up and what I appreciated about it is the work that The Booster has been doing for the past five to six years to help us educate landowners. Landowners are finally calling about trespassing hunters.” Rinkel said that it has always been a challenge to get landowners to make that

call for a variety of reasons. “Finally, in my fifth fall here in Camrose, I have received a lot of landowner calls, all involving trespassing and associated violations.” While Rinkel said he attended complaints in all areas of the district, he did spend the majority of the fall hunting season in the Viking and Lougheed area. “That was the more troublesome area last fall. It is an easy commute from Edmonton. There is not a lot of occupied land–it is all private, but there is a lot of road hunting in that corridor and it is private land, so the hunters still have to ask for permission to gain access. “Once again, there were a lot of complaints of trespassing/hunting occupied land, as well as violations of shooting off the roadways and shooting out of vehicles.” Along with the addition of an increase in the number of hunters, Rinkel said he also saw a lot of people with harvested game last fall. “A lot of the game that

was harvested was female (antlerless) and it was apparent that people were really hunting for meat.” Rinkel added that the higher number of antlerless (deer) hunting tags issued was in an effort to help contain the spread of Chronic Wasting Disease. He reported that last year’s hunting season also saw the return of guides/ outfitters being able to once again provide services to clients from out of province and the country. “The guides/outfitters were back to being busy.” Overall, Rinkel said this was his busiest hunting season since coming to the Camrose district, which he attributes in part to the increase in number of hunters, but also the willingness of landowners to call and report incidents. To report any suspicious hunting or fishing activity or land abuse, use the toll-free Report a Poacher telephone number at 1-800-642-3800.

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The COUNTRY BOOSTER, February 22, 2022 – Page 4

More rural veterinarians are needed in the future By Murray Green

Camrose MLA Jackie Lovely is seeking more spots in the classroom for students wanting to be rural large animal veterinarians in Alberta. “I presented some legislation in our last session. We have a shortage of large animal rural veterinarians, not only in this constituency, but rural wide,” explained MLA Jackie Lovely. “I went on a tour of the veterinarian college in Calgary during the summer. One of the big issues is that BC doesn’t have a faculty of veterinarian medicine. They buy spots in Saskatoon and Calgary, which takes away from the number of students whom we can educate. The other problem is that many of the students want to go into small animal medicine.” Lovely acknowledged that working on large animals can be harder on the body and the schedule can be unpredictable. “Cows don’t schedule between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., so work can be at all hours of the night. Not everyone can deal with that kind of life, but I want to get more students interested in working in rural communities.” One of the issues is the acceptance process. More Albertans need to be enrolled in veterinarian studies. “You have to have an 85-plus average to be considered. We have a limited number of spots and that is a problem. We have 50 spots in Alberta, and they have very much the same amount in Saskatchewan. We have a lot of veterinarians who are of retirement age right now and that is a huge issue. You may feel in your particular area that you are safe right now, five years from now that could be

Camrose MLA Jackie Lovely would like to expand the number of students that are enrolled in veterinarian studies in Alberta. She said the province could face a shortage of large animal veterinarians in less than five years.

a very different picture,” informed Lovely. “That is why it is important to be proactive to make these changes right now and start getting younger students interested in working in rural Alberta to take over these practices. If we don’t, we will be in huge trouble in five years. We also have conglomerates that make it very attractive for students to work there instead of in rural Alberta. They accept them for practicums in their fourth year and then hire them on. I would like the students to visit rural Alberta,” Lovely said. “The opportunity is there for all practices, not just conglomerates. They just are not coming to rural Alberta because they are never going to come to the rural areas. We may have

to help fund those positions, but the funding can’t go to urban candidates because you know they are not going to come,” shared Camrose County Reeve Cindy Trautman. “Conglomerates offer them something very enticing financially because they want them to come and work for them. We need to get past that and have discussions with students,” said Lovely. MLA Jackie Lovely hosted a virtual round table session on February 10 with students from the University of Calgary, local veterinarians and elected officials from the Camrose Constituency. “There is an alarming shortage of large animal veterinarians, which is putting a huge strain on those in the profession, the

producers and the animals they care about. There are approximately 864 vacant professional veterinary positions in Alberta, with the majority of the shortage in rural Alberta. The vacancy rate for veterinarians is around 17 per cent, which is shockingly high when compared to the provincial vacancy rate of 2.6 per cent. The determinantal effect this has on existing vets is leading to increased cases of burnout,” said Lovely. Local veterinarians from the constituency clarified some questions the students had about entering rural practice. Students expressed the challenge of finding summer employment and shared their stress about the high volume of student debt they incur while

studying, their need for mentorship, their concern about a lack of affordable housing in rural Alberta, and a lack of funding. Local officials offered encouragement about their desire to have the students move to the community and focused on the amenities, proximity to the airport and the positive quality of family life the Camrose Constituency has to offer. Lovely has been working with the Alberta Minister of Labour and Immigration, the new dean at the University of Calgary, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and the Alberta Veterinary Medical Association to move toward positive solutions for Alberta. “The number of students in the program is capped at 50 per year. There is simply not enough students graduating to meet the demand,” said Lovely. She wants more Alberta students enrolled in the classroom before resorting to following the lead of recruiting foreign doctors to fill the void in health care, which is not ideal. “The amount of unfunded positions has remained the same in Calgary since 2005,” Lovely said. A lot of those graduating turn to urban positions and don’t filter into rural areas. The former government offered a grant to a practice that received students in a practicum summer program, but it was cancelled in 2019. Housing in rural communities is also a barrier to attracting students. They also have concerns of paying down student loans, so they tend to take the higher paying positions. Students suggested that rural positions need to be presented to the university more.

Local RCMP report numbers to County council By Murray Green

Wetaskiwin /Camrose RCMP Inspector Keith Durance and Corporal Kevin Krebs discussed the RCMP quarterly report with Camrose County council. Cpl. Krebs pointed out that persons crimes were up 22 per cent, property crimes were up 10 per cent, but all other crimes were down 15 per cent, compared to numbers from the similar time period a year ago. Sexual assault crimes were up 350 per cent, but other sexual offences were down 40 per cent. “We had four reported cases in November, which is a huge increase. I’m not sure why, it’s an anomaly,” said Cpl. Krebs. Property crimes totaled

251 in 2021, compared to 228 in 2020. Thefts of motor vehicles, thefts under $5,000, and arsons also increased last year. “We had a number of copper wire and battery thefts that drove the number up in thefts under $5,000,” shared Krebs. “In some areas, it looks like a big percentage of an increase, but when you had one last year and three this year, it really looks like a huge increase.” Thefts over $5,000, frauds and mischief/damages to property declined last year. Krebs explained the detachment’s drug enforcement, prolific offender management, persons crime, property crime and community engagement units to council.

“We were eager and maybe overextended ourselves. Our idea was to focus on drug enforcement,” added Krebs. “To touch more on prolific offender management, eight to 10 per cent of the bad guys are doing 80 per cent of the crime. So if you want to drive down crime, you focus on the eight to 10 per cent of the bad guys,” said Durance. “If some are out on parol or probation, or have been in trouble, we concentrate on the court conditions, especially curfews. This will always be a priority for us because of the bang for the buck. That’s why we focus on the repeat offenders. It’s like death from a thousand cuts. If we get enough breaches, we hope the judge will say

enough and send them to the Remand Centre and you take them off the playing field.” Files of interest from October 1 to December 31, 2021 showed a total of 473 calls for service, three flights from police officers, nine mental health-related calls, four sexual assault investigations, six thefts of trucks, 12 non-fatal injury collisions, 13 separate collisions (most due to weather conditions), 10 break and enters to businesses, six residential break and enters, 16 abandoned vehicles were recovered (more than half were reported stolen, some out of Camrose County, the majority from outside the area), a $275,000 tractor stolen from Sherwood Park was recovered, four files

where copper wire and/or batteries were stolen, three arson-related files (two were hay bales deliberately set on fire); two serious domestic violence matters were reported (one was assault with a weapon, the other was an aggravated assault resulting in serious injuries); along with a child abduction by a parent. On January 11, a Bawlf incident brought several units together on scene. The investigation of domestic violence related to an attempted murder and suicide is ongoing. Multiple investigational sections are currently involved (Major Crimes Unit, Emergency Response Unit, GIS, CRU and Victim Services).

The COUNTRY BOOSTER, February 22, 2022 – Page 5

Research to tackle chronic wasting disease By Murray Green

Alberta Innovates is investing $1.25 million in research to understand and address the increasing spread of chronic wasting disease (CWD). This prion disease, seen in Canada, the United States and elsewhere, threatens the agriculture industry, the environment and potentially human health. “The aggressive rate of transmission of CWD poses the risk that this disease could soon grow to levels where deer populations will significantly decline and CWD is introduced into new geographical regions, including the ranges of Alberta’s at-risk woodland caribou herds. Research to better understand the disease and advance the development of an effective vaccine will support other science-based strategies used by Environment and Parks to limit the prevalence and spread of CWD in Alberta’s wildlife populations,” said minister Jason Nixon, Alberta Environment and Parks. CWD is a progressive fatal nervous system disease caused by prion proteins in the brain that infect animals such as deer, elk and moose in the wild, and can spread to farmed elk and deer. Prions shed by infected animals through their feces, urine and saliva remain infectious in soil for many years, posing a risk of environmental transmission to other cervids. There is also concern CWD might be transmissible to other wild animal species and livestock, and to humans who consume infected meat. “Alberta Innovates is committed to supporting chronic wasting disease research to mitigate the spread and understand the transmissibility of the disease. Research in vaccine development and spread of the disease is underway to protect wild and domestic animals as a food source, the environment and the agriculture industry,” said Laura Kilcrease, CEO of Alberta Innovates. Five projects–three at the University of Alberta and two at the University of Calgary–were chosen from seven proposals submitted to the Alberta Innovates Chronic Wasting Disease Research Program. Two projects focus on vaccine development to prevent CWD infections, including a vaccine to prevent the potential spread to caribou, an important food source for Indigenous and northern communities. Three other projects will study various

Constituency Office: 4870 - 51 St. Camrose, AB T4V 1S1 780.672.0000 Camrose@assembly.ab.ca

Camrose Constituency MLA Jackie Lovely invites parents, education partners and Albertans to participate in virtual engagement sessions to have their say on the draft K-6 Curriculum For the draft curriculum and to register for sessions:

alberta.ca/curriculum-have-your-say

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MASKWACIS-WETASKIWIN Constituency Office: 5019-50 Street, Wetaskiwin, AB T9A 1K1 Phone 780.360.8003 Maskwacis.Wetaskiwin@assembly.ab.ca aspects of the transmissibility and progression of CWD, for example, if it can spread from cervids to other species, the rate of spread, and whether CWD prions could bind with vegetation and contaminate animal forage and Alberta crops. “Our commitment to CWD research is good news for producers. This prion disease has debilitated the farmed cervid and hunting sectors for many years and now represents a major threat to Alberta agriculture. The threat of crop contamination with CWD prions shed by cervids is real. The work of researchers is essential to understanding the disease and developing countermeasures. And I am confi-

dent in Alberta’s capacity to develop effective disease solutions based on vaccines and genomics,” added Dr. David Chalack. Chronic wasting disease is spreading throughout four Canadian provinces, many U.S. states, parts of Europe and South Korea. This infectious disease is caused by prions (abnormally folded proteins in the brain). It affects the central nervous system of wild and farmed animals called cervids, for example, deer, elk, moose, reindeer. CWD has not yet reached the caribou habitat in Canada, but is expected to. There is no direct evidence that CWD has ever been transmitted to humans. Positivity rate in hunted

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mule deer tested in Alberta is nearly 15 per cent and is increasing. CWD prions shed from infected animals are known to remain in the environment for several years.

In addition to threatening health, CWD also threatens food sources (livestock and crop industries, hunting and trapping), and tourism (outfitters).

The COUNTRY BOOSTER, February 22, 2022 – Page 6

Bashaw RCMP reports to County council By Murray Green

Bashaw RCMP Corporal Grant Glasier discussed rural crime with Camrose County council. Cpl. Glasier reviewed third quarter numbers and shared that crimes are up about 43 per cent from the same period last year. “That is driven mostly by theft of motor vehicles. Persons crimes were up 36 per cent. I believe that because of COVID-19, when everyone was at home, the numbers went down and now they are going back up,” said Glasier. “In 2020, it was a downturn on all crimes, and

then in 2021, we saw crime return to a normal fiveyear average. We are still in a downward trend over five years, with a 17 per cent decrease,” he added. “In assaults, we went from two in 2020 to 12 in 2021, so it shows a huge 500 percentage increase. I don’t think that is anything to be alarmed about. With property crime, it went from 44 to 92, a 109 per cent increase. But if we look at the five-year average, we are still trending down,” said Glasier. “Some of the stolen vehicles numbers are skewed by one case out of

Alix, which was a transient out of Red Deer. He stole nine vehicles one night and drove each one a block until he found the nicest one and we recovered that one later in Red Deer. He is in jail, so hopefully our stolen vehicles will trend down again,” shared Glasier. “We had a major theft on an abandoned farmyard, where a $260,000 John Deere tractor was stolen and a 1983 grain truck. They are currently outstanding and everyone is blaming the convoy. We are told to look in Coutts and Ottawa. We do have

some evidence, so we are looking into that.” Bashaw RCMP implemented a crime reduction strategy to focus on certain areas. “We will have overtime shifts to have more presence in the communities.” Two Bashaw RCMP Constables helped save a life before Christmas. “I would like to take this opportunity to recognize two of the Constables in the Bashaw detachment for their efforts on December 22, 2021. While responding to a motor vehicle collision at the intersection of Highway 53 and

56, Const. Scott and Const. Peters performed CPR on a male after the collision. The constables loaded the male into the box of the police truck, continued CPR. When it was learned that EMS was responding from Stettler, the members decided to drive the police truck with one member in the box of the truck continuing to perform CPR until they met the EMS. The two members have been nominated for the St. John Life Saving Award and a District Officers Certificate of Appreciation for their efforts,” informed Glasier.

Five agronomy priorities for canola this year By Clint Jurke

The Canola Council of Canada’s five agronomy priorities, when implemented fully in every field, will improve canola yield and profitability and will help to ensure success with the crop. All farms will benefit from applying the right fertilizer products at the right rate, right time and right place to improve yield, reduce nutrient losses and increase profits. These are the 4Rs of nutrient management. One-pass seeding into standing stubble, a fairly common practice, is an excellent foundation for 4R. Canola Council of Canada (CCC) agronomy specialists also encourage farmers to use soil tests and set fertilizer rates based on soil-test recommendations. Canada’s canola industry has a goal to see 4R practices utilized on 90 per cent of canola acres by 2025. Go to canola council.org/4R for more

Submitted The 4R nutrient management, with principles based on the right fertilizer products applied at the right rate, right time and right place, can improve yield, reduce nutrient losses and increase profits.

details on the goal and on 4R practices. Try new cultivars all the time. Yield lost to

incorrect cultivar choice may be a greater risk than yield gained by choosing the highest yielding culti-

var. The best seed traits can include disease resistance specific to risks for each field, maturity to match crop establishment and harvest timing goals, and pod-shatter resistance to harvest more of the crop. Use the tool at canola performancetrials.ca to compare cultivars. Hybrid canola studies in Western Canada show that a stand with five to eight plants per square foot is best to maintain the yield potential of canola. Uniformity is also key. To simplify pest management and harvest timing, try to achieve the target population across the field and have all plants at the same growth stage. To set seeding rates that will achieve the target stand, use the calculators at canolacalcu lator.ca. For more agronomy tips, read the Plant Establishment chapter at canolaencyclopedia.ca. Canola growers can find all kinds of pests and problems in their fields. The key is to focus time

and inputs on the most important yield loss factors. Scout regularly to see what pests, environmental factors or mechanical issues (seed placement, sprayer settings, etc.) cause the greatest loss for each field. Find scouting and management tips for flea beetles, sclerotinia stem rot and all other major pests in the Diseases, Weeds and Insects chapters. Canola growers want to deliver every seed at No. 1 grade, and leave none behind. To do this, growers must accomplish three steps: One, give all seeds time to mature. Two, harvest with minimal losses. And three, store canola without spoilage. Grower survey results suggest that canola growers, in general, may achieve yield improvement through later swathing. The survey also showed that straight combining is associated with higher yields in the southwest Prairies.

Railway shares holiday spirit Submitted

In November, the Battle River Railway passenger car was pulled out of storage, dusted off and decorated in lights and festive decor for guests to once again have an opportunity to climb aboard. Throughout the holiday season, Battle River Railway and Friends of Battle River Railway volunteers partnered to offer short train rides in each town, with cost of admission by donation and BRR pledging to match all donations for the Flagstaff Food Bank and the Rosalind Ag Society Self Help Shelf. The first train run was held on November 26 in conjunction with Forestburg’s Light Up the Night event. The second

was on December 11 for Santa Daze in Alliance. On December 22, the train headed west with stops in Heisler and Rosalind to bring festivities to two more communities on the rail line. Over 300 visitors joined staff on the train throughout these four events. Their generous donations and the donations of BRR staff giving their time for these runs, matched dollar for dollar by BRR, resulted in a total of $6,334 for the Flagstaff Food Bank and $1,020 for the Rosalind Ag Society Self Help Shelf. Friends of Battle River Railway volunteers hosted guests on the train, spreading Christmas cheer, giving them a taste of what they’d experience

on a Battle River Train Excursion. Santa was on the train too, along with his elves. These community train runs would not have been possible without the collaboration between Battle River Railway board and their staff, Friends of the Battle River Railway volunteers and the communities along the railway that allowed them to bring the train to their events. By bringing people together, creating memories and a magical night for our train travelers, the community runs helped to fill the shelves for these essential organizations in our communities and we are grateful to those who came along for the ride.

Submitted Battle River Railway manager Matt Enright presented funds to Doris Tobler of the Rosalind Ag Society (top) for the food shelf and to Lynne Jenkenson of the Flagstaff Food Bank (bottom) from money raised from the holiday train events in rural communities.

The COUNTRY BOOSTER, February 22, 2022 – Page 7

Gymnasts sparkle in first major competition

You could win a photograph of your farm!

By Murray Green

Precision and Academy of Gymnastics gymnasts performed well in their opening competition of the season. A total of 36 gymnasts welcomed Ponoka Gymnastics to participate in the first meet of the season, Winter Wonderland Warm Up, held at Precision Gymnastics at the Wetaskiwin Multiplex. About 28 girls on the team are from Camrose and surrounding area. Members competed in the compulsory Level 1 and 2 divisions as well as Xcel, the new-to-Alberta competitive program, in bronze, silver and gold. Highlights for the local girls included: in the Bronze Level (age eight and older), Taos Seutter (Camrose County) had a hat trick of bronze medals, and Kierra McCormack (Bittern Lake) was second on floor, and third on vault. Also competing in this category were Sophie Sonnenberg (Camrose), Charli Dietrich (New Norway) and Lucy Shostak (Edberg). In the Bronze Level (age seven and under), Haidee Gunderson (Camrose) was first all-around. The second all-around was Mindy Hawkins (Camrose). Adelyn Sereda took second place on floor. Also competing in this division was Paetyn Niehaus (Camrose). In the Silver Level: Raina Johnston was first all-around, Avery Walker second all-around and Neve Stamp third allaround. Madison Niehaus was second on vault, Quinn Urkow was second on bars, Mckenna Adloff was third on bars. Also competing in this division were Adelyn Walker, Danika Hillyer and Palmer Heck. All the silver team members are from Camrose. In the Gold Level: Brooklyn McNabb of Forestburg was first allaround. Lacey Adloff of Camrose was second allaround. Girls from Academy of Gymnastics in the Dreams Program participated in the compulsory divisions for their first-time competition experience. “The Camrose and area girls are looking forward to the opening of their own competitive gymnastics facility here in Camrose later this spring,” said Nancy Littrell, of the local club.

If this is your farm,

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” colour enlargement of the photo.

• The Mystery Farm winners for January 18 are Stan and Sharleen Chevraux of Killam. • This week’s prize must be claimed by March 1, 2022.

THIS WEEK’S MYSTERY FARM IS SPONSORED BY:

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INSURANCE

Camrose Insurance Services Ltd.

February 22, 2022 Country Booster

Articles inside

Bashaw RCMP reports to County council