October 18, 2022 Country Booster

Assess your grain quality this fall

By Murray Green

Having a higher grain quality could add more funds to your farm.

“One of the services of the Canadian Grain Commission (CGC) is the Harvest Sample Program, which gives producers a free grade on samples from that year’s crop,” said Neil Blue, provincial crops mar ket analyst with Alberta Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Economic Develop ment. “Producers can then use those grades as part of their crop marketing.”

The grade information from the CGC provides the producer with a base grade to compare with grades on those same representative

samples provided to crop buyers. Grading is based on both visual opinion and instrument analysis, result ing in some differences in grades assigned. The CGC grade is unofficial, but is from an independent, noncommercial source. It is not used in negotiating a sale grade, but it gives producers confidence in shopping the market with their product.

On request, the Canadi an Grain Commission sends producers postage-paid en velopes in which they can place representative sam ples and return to the Com mission. The Harvest Sam ple Program can be used for cereal grains, pulses, cano la, flaxseed, mustard seed

and soybeans.

The grading report in cludes valuable information that a producer can use in crop marketing such as: un official grade; dockage as sessment on canola; protein content on barley, beans, chickpeas, lentils, oats, peas and wheat; oil, protein and chlorophyll content for canola; oil and protein con tent and iodine value for flaxseed; oil and protein for mustard seed and soybeans;

falling number for wheat and rye; vomitoxin (de oxynivalenol or DON) levels for wheat, corn and barley.

Grade results are avail able within 20 business days from when the CGC receives a sample. Produc ers can submit samples of their newly harvested crops each fall.

“Individual reports re main confidential, but in collecting the grade infor mation, the Commission

can assemble and publish aggregated data on crop quality, useful to sellers and both domestic and interna tional buyers,” added Blue. “Producers may sign up for the Harvest Sample Pro gram on the website of the Canadian Grain Commis sion.”

For more information, visit Canadian Grain Com mission Harvest Sample Program.

BRCF celebrates the Mosers

By Lori Larsen

On October 29, join others in honouring this year’s Battle River Com munity Foundation (BRCF) Community Builders Sha ron and Jack Moser at the Community Builders Din ner to be held at the Killam Community Hall in Killam, with cocktails at 6 p.m. and dinner served at 7 p.m. sharp.

Sharon and Jack Moser have stayed close to their roots, living within miles of their families’ homesteads. They have known each oth er since they were teens, marrying in 1977 and cel ebrating an incredible 45year milestone of marriage.

The couple have a suc cessful farm operation in the Strome/Killam area and are proud parents of four sons and delight ed grandparents of nine grandchildren. As posi tive role models, Sharon and Jack have taken their dedication to helping their community, and made it an important part of their chil dren’s upbringing.

Outside of busy farm life, Jack spent over 20 years managing his sons’ hockey teams. He is also a lifetime member of the Killam Lions Club and serves on the local Rec

Board, Ag Society, Hospital Board, Seed Cleaning Plant Board, is a UFA delegate and serves on the Alberta Canola Commission.

When not helping out with the smooth operations of the family farm, Sha ron has worked as a life guard and swim instructor, served as the secretary for the Killam Rodeo, the rec coordinator at the Killam Agriplex, and has a role in the Active, Creative, En gaged (ACE) Communities group.

She is also involved in the local Chamber of Commerce and chairs the Hospital Board and helped develop the adult-living fa cility, Killam Estates. She was the lead organizer of a Say Hay concert featuring Shane Yellowbird, raising $80,000 which was used to fund that cause and upgrades to the Killam Agriplex.

Currently, Sharon teaches yoga and is a mem ber of the local 100 Women Who Care group, which provides grants to local community groups.

Together, Sharon and Jack take great delight in offering train rides to local children during the Killam Rodeo Fair and hosted chil dren from the Czech Re

public affected by the Cher nobyl nuclear power plant disaster who visited the Flagstaff area. Sharon was also part of a mission trip to Guatemala and helped build a nutrition centre. The couple sponsored a boy from Bolivia, and a Guate malan girl who is now purs ing a dream of becoming a teacher.

Happy to be able to wel come others to their home, the Mosers have hosted

Round Hill student recognized

By Lori Larsen Young Round Hill resi dent, Liesel Waschyshyn, was honoured by the Pro vincial Government with a 2022 Great Kids Award.

Liesel was nominated by Herma Hogendorp be cause of her exceptional qualities.

On the certificate pre sented to Liesel by Cam rose MLA Jackie Lovely during a school assembly, Alberta Children’s Services minister Matt Jones con gratulated her.

“I was so impressed when I read your story and how you stand out as a lead

er who is responsible, de pendable, and supportive of others. This shows through your relationship with your neighbour, whom you con tinue to help out with house and yard tasks. You are an inspiration to so many and have shown incredible lead ership and character. It is people just like you, choos ing to serve and bring joy to others, who make this province great. You have a bright future ahead of you and I cannot wait to see what you accomplish.”

Liesel was one of only 16 recipients to receive the award, and according to

MLA Lovely, the only recipi ent in the Camrose Constit uency.

“I presented Liesel with the award during one of my school visits,” noted Lovely.

“Liesel thought we were having a general assembly and I was there to present books. It was nice to see the surprise and excitement on her face after I read the let ter from the minister, then announced her name. I’m glad her mother was also able to be there to see her receive the well-deserved award.”

In existence since 1999, the Great Kids Award hon ours children and youth who inspire and change the lives of others, and help to build stronger communi ties. These great kids ex emplify the qualities of resiliency, leadership, de termination and strength, and have often overcome a wide variety of challenges to make a positive impact in our province.

The goal of the Great Kids Award, by recognizing these deserving young peo ple and sharing their sto ries, is to inspire all young people to go above and be yond and make a difference in their lives and the lives of others.

For more information on the Great Kids Award visit www.alberta.ca/greatkids-award.aspx.

exchange students and bil leted hockey players.

In speaking of their contributions and accom plishments, both Sharon and Jack agree that their success has been a team ef fort. “You never do anything by yourself,” said Jack.

“Everyone works to gether to make things hap pen,” added Sharon.

While remaining very humble about their out standing contributions to

making the world, includ ing the community around them, a better place, Sha ron and Jack agreed to be acknowledged as Commu nity Builders because they believe in the work of the Battle River Community Foundation. They are both happy to have a vehicle for providing grants through BRCF for the local hospital and recreation facilities.

“It’s important to us to help keep our community thriving,” explained Sha ron. “This is our home and we want to be part of keep ing it strong.”

“We see the impact of depopulation that’s hap pening in rural areas,” commented Jack. “We don’t want to have that, so we do what we can.”

Join others at the inperson event celebrating the contributions of Sha ron and Jack, who dedicate their time, skills and funds to build stronger healthier communities.

Proceeds from the eve ning event will support projects that are important to Sharon and Jack.

Tickets for this event are available through the BRCF office 780-679-0449, email info@brcf.ab.ca, or through any BRCF board member.

Photo courtesy of Mike Taylor

Calvin Vollrath, a local favourite, entertains with violin at the Bailey Theatre. Vollrath is a veteran recognized for his performing, teaching, judging and composing abilities.

Submitted

Camrose MLA Jackie Lovely, left, presented Liesel Waschyshyn with the Great Kids Award.

By Murray Green

The Western Milk Pool now consists of all five western provincial boards that unanimously agreed to support a new modern ized governance model for working together.

BC Milk, BC Dairy, Al berta Milk, SaskMilk and Dairy Farmers of Mani toba have all agreed to a partnership approach that aligns the resources and expertise of the five orga nizations under one WMP.

The historic decision to unanimously support WMP transformation, and establish a new gov ernance model, addresses the need to work together more efficiently, make de cisions faster and provide a more organized, unified voice for western dairy farmers in discussions at the national table and with all dairy stakehold ers.

The WMP transfor mation is supported by a clear vision, mission, guiding principles and decision-making author ity to ensure milk quality remains consistently high, drive excellence in dairy and support a stronger, vibrant dairy industry in Canada.

The WMP is a longterm, forward-looking partnership, which will continue to spearhead sev eral priority initiatives al ready underway.

Objectives are: con tinuing to advance the Dairy Innovation West (DIW) project–the new state-of-the-art dairy con centration facility that will be built in Alberta, with the capacity to accommo date up to 300 million li tres of milk from western dairy farmers per year.

Aligning policies across the four western

Western Milk Pool

provinces to ensure farm ers are treated equitably; and there is consistency for processors as they continue to collectively focus on the most innova tive practices for ensuring farm excellence.

Forming a WMP transportation team to focus on efficiency and accountability to provide the best value and service to the industry, includ ing a fully harmonized milk transportation sys tem that meets the needs of both dairy farmers and processors through com mon transporter policies.

Processor relations and business development to better engage western processors and create a more attractive business climate for farmers and processors in the context

of a national framework, leading to a stronger dairy industry in Canada.

Establishment of an integrated communica tion function with pooled resources to ensure clear, consistent, responsive messaging on WMP de cisions and the dairy in dustry and foster open dialogue and engagement with all stakeholders.

As part of the on going efforts to drive ex cellence in dairy, WMP will combine provincial resources and expertise to focus on research and in novation for increased sus tainability and new prod uct development.

The next step in WMP transformation is finalizing the new gov ernance model, which is expected to be completed

by Spring 2023. Follow ing this important mile stone, the work will begin to fully operationalize the WMP within the legisla tive framework of each province.

Donated land

By Murray Green

Land was donated by Alberta’s Heartland Gen eration for projects.

“We are incredibly grateful to Heartland Gen eration for their donation of 268 acres of land to the province of Alberta. These lands will continue to sup port conservation and out door recreation opportuni ties along the Battle River,” said Alberta Minister of Environment and Parks Whitney Issik.

“Partners have been essential to our provincial parks system since the first Alberta Parks were estab lished in 1932, and we con tinue to be committed to working with our partners to ensure provincial parks are open, accessible and ful ly protected,” added Issik.

“Located on the Battle River between Donalda and Forestburg in central Alberta, Big Knife Provin cial Park was established in 1962 and is comprised of a mix of public land and lands that are privately owned by Heartland Gener ation. Alberta’s government has been leasing these pri vately owned lands, which will now be donated to the province,” said Issik.

“The responsible stew ardship, conservation and maintenance of our provin cial parks, public lands and recreation areas are priori ties for Albertans, and they are priorities for this gov ernment,” she said.

“As more Albertans than ever before are explor ing all that our diverse and beautiful landscape has to offer, it is important to re member that all of us have a role in conservation. It is essential we all work to gether–government, indus try, communities and in dividuals–to ensure these spaces are able to thrive and be enjoyed by genera tions to come.”

Calf prices could remain strong this fall

By Murray Green

Ranchers are hoping for a wet fall after combin ing is completed to replen ish the pasture lands.

“Although there are some concerns of increasing costs and dry pasture, there is reason to be optimistic about fall calf prices,” said Ann Boyda, livestock econo mist with Alberta Agricul ture, Forestry and Rural Economic Development.

“Calf and feeder prices showed strong performance this summer, with calf pric es ending the second week of September at the highest pricing in recent history, but not reaching the record highs experienced in 2015,” she explained.

Typically, the fourth quarter sees feeder prices seasonally decline with the

increased supply of weaned calves.

She said it is safe to presume that this decline will be smaller this year.

Other factors that come into play in pricing include the prospect of better grain crops this year, strong beef export demand, smaller United States and Canadian cattle herds and strong cattle futures.

“New-crop barley is being delivered to Al berta feedlots and replacing some of the U.S. corn.

Decline in bar ley price through summer has re cently stabilized,

but demand for new-crop may see a slow rise,” Boyda added.

As of July 1, Statistics Canada reports western Canadian cattle inventories being down 3.2 per cent to 9.5 million head. Increases

were reported in Alberta (up 1.4 per cent); however, the increase in Alberta was expected to be greater given the drought in 2021. Breed ing heifers declined across the western provinces with Alberta reporting a decline of 9.4 per cent. Boyda notes there are no signs of herd expansion in the U.S. either.

“Futures sup port a strong fin ish to 2022. We look to future contract prices as an indica tor of what the mar ket thinks cattle will be worth at a spe cific future time. The Chicago Mercantile Exchange live and feeder cattle futures

ended higher on Septem ber 2, 2022 for upcoming contracts expiring in Oc tober and December,” she continued.

The supply side is sup portive of strong prices and the beef markets on the demand side have shown resilience to changes in eco nomic conditions. For the first half of 2022, Alberta live cattle and beef (fresh, frozen or chilled) exports increased by 40.2 per cent and 5.7 per cent in volume over the first half of 2021.

“Domestically, there has been some movement to purchase less expensive cuts, but beef prices are ex pected to hold steady. This reinforces an optimistic outlook for this fall,” said Boyda.

Lori Larsen, Camrose Booster

Local students have been learning about the value of agricultural producers at the school programs offered during Bull Congress events.

Province recognizes racetrack volunteers

By Lori Larsen

“Start your engines” were the words of the day on October 1 and 2 at the Area 53 Race way, located at the Forestburg Airport, as they wound up the season of racing.

On site was MLA Jackie Lovely taking part in the excitement of drag racing, includ ing a quick trip down the track with racer Lawrence Derrick from Stettler, and bringing greetings and thanks on behalf of the provin cial government to all the volunteers who keep the raceway operating.

“I was out to the Area 53 track to extend a thank you and to recognize the volunteers who give their time to run the track,” explained Lovely.

“This event draws people from all over Al berta and some from our neighbouring prov inces. The track is a good economic driver for the community. I’m proud of what they’ve ac complished repurposing the old runway into an attraction enjoyed by all ages.

What used to be the Forestburg Airport is now the site of burning rubber and revving en gines as the recommissioned Area 53 Raceway.

According to the Area 53 Raceway website, the municipality decommissioned the airport and a 25-year lease was signed giving control over the site to the Forestburg Power Sports Association.

Operated by dedicated volunteers, the track has become a popular place for residents and guests alike to enjoy the thrill of racing.

“Every volunteer received a scroll, includ ing board members, signed by Minister of Cul ture Ron Orr,” said Lovely.

“We wanted to acknowledge the volunteers for all the work they have done to make this a great summer.”

The following people were given scrolls provided by MLA Lovely: Myron Felzien, Al Bownes, Sheryl Fossen, Glen Johannesson, Corey Kozey, Lynelle Kozey, Reid Kozey, Mark

Hendersen, Fay Hagel, Bert Hagel, Aileen Len sink, Sandra Loades, Dan Smith, Terry Parson, Ryan Parson, Darrin Holben, Logan Holben, Cheryl Holben, Norm Olson, Dale Drever, Tara Fossen, Cathy Parson and Greg Lemay.

“It’s a lot of work and the majority of vol unteers sacrifice their entire weekend to be there at the racetrack, allowing other people from across the province and neighbouring provinces to race,” commended Lovely. “It’s a multigenerational event and the youth even participate in races. The community restored

the airport runway, creating a venue that could be used by multigenerations.”

For more information on the Area 53 Raceway, visit the website at www.area53raceway.ca.

OTIS Awards recognize local residents

By Lori Larsen

The 2021 OTIS Awards, for being outstanding in stewardship of all things watersheds and earth, in cluded a strong contingent from Camrose and area.

Winner of the Individual Award was Lorne Ferguson for Volunteer Stewardship.

Lorne was a long-stand ing member of the Friends of Little Beaver Lake Asso ciation while living at the lake, then once he moved to the Camrose area, be came a very active member of the Camrose and District Fish and Game Associa tion and was the treasurer and board director with the Battle River Watershed Al liance (BRWA). His work with both organizations was instrumental in the devel opment of the Camrose and District Fish and Game As sociation educational and recreational site at Pleasure Island, just east of Camrose. Lorne has also contributed to the overwhelming suc cess of the BRWA’s Magpie Nature Camp.

The 2021 OTIS Youth Award (Growing Rural Education) was awarded to the Round Hill Renais sance Agricultural Founda tion for the work they have done with local schools. The project was aimed at foster

ing culture of innovation, inquiry, problem solving and critical thinking in as sociation with STEAM (Sci ence, Technology, Engineer ing, Art and Mathematics) fields.

The 2021 OTIS Busi ness Award (Nature with Agriculture) was given to Dan and Harriet Liddle, who operate their farm with stewardship always in mind, understanding the importance of nature and agriculture working hand in hand. They are ALUS (originally Alternative Land Use Services) par ticipants and Dan is part of the ALUS WetaskiwinLeduc Partnership Advi sory Committee (PAC), ac tively encouraging farmers to become new ALUS par ticipants.

The 2021 OTIS Organi zation Award was given to Wainwright Wildlife Soci ety (Valuing Wild Spaces).

The Wainwright Wildlife Society consists of a group of volunteers from Wain wright and surrounding areas with the mandate to help everyone understand that wildlife and wild plac es are of great benefit and should be part of everyone’s value system. The Society builds bluebird house kits that are sold to the public

as well as given to local youth clubs and schools, to be placed out in the country.

The Society also hosts guest speakers and pre sentations throughout the communities on wildlife photography and identifica tion and on the geological history of the Battle River Valley. Another popular event hosted by the Society includes guided tours of the sharp-tailed grouse spring dancing. They also devel oped and maintain 14 kilo metres of recreation trails northeast of Wainwright along the Battle River, called the Mistahiya Trail System.

The OTIS Awards ini tiative is a way to recognize individuals, farms, busi nesses, organizations, and youth in the Battle River and Sounding Creek water sheds who are OuTstand ing In Stewardship.

Nominations for the OTIS awards are accepted in the categories of: Indi vidual, Youth, Business and Organization.

For more information on the OTIS initiative, visit the Battle River Watershed Alliance website at www. battleriverwatershed.ca/ get-involved/otis-awards/

Submitted

Above: MLA Jackie Lovely, right, joins the group of volunteers at the Area 53 Raceway on the last day of season races to offer thanks for their dedication as volunteers.

Right: Camrose MLA Jackie Lovely rode shotgun with racer Lawrence Derrick from Stettler.

Lori Larsen, Camrose Booster

OTIS award winner Lorne Ferguson has been volunteering with the Camrose and District Fish and Game Association to keep Pleasure Island a beautiful spot for all visitors.

Reservists seek Camrose members

By Lori Larsen

September 24 was Alberta’s first annual Re servists’ Recognition Day.

“A private member’s bill, introduced by minis ter Rutherford, recognized the contributions reservists make in defence of our coun try and honour the service and sacrifice of current and former reservists and their families,” explained Cam rose MLA Jackie Lovely.

Reservists are mem bers of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) who train and serve with the CAF on a part-time basis. Reserv ists respond to fires, floods, and other natural disasters while helping their neigh bours, community and country. In addition to their military responsibilities, they also work full-time in the civilian workforce.

Reservists attend mili tary courses and training that last one or two weeks and they can volunteer to serve on domestic and in ternational operations fulltime. Due to the occasional leave for duty and training, Reservists may find it chal lenging to find a stable workplace that accepts and accommodates their vari able schedule. That is where the With Glowing Hearts program steps in to help create an understanding workplace while building relationships with employ ers and the Reservists.

It is an HR program that aims to attract and retain Reservists to an or ganization or business. The program provides guidance and tools to support both Employers and Reservists. Programs, such as the With Glowing Hearts, assist civil ians wishing to get involved and make a difference.

“Thank you to the Loyal Edmonton Regiment and the 41 Signals Regiment for the invitation to join them and sharing with us the work they do to serve our province and country,” said Lovely. “Their selfless work causes them to miss time with family, activities, and work in order to train and be ready to react to many types of emergency.

“The Reservists are hoping that people from the Camrose area will be inter ested in becoming a reserv ist and local employers will support them,” said Lovely. “I’m hoping to make some introductions and share in formation if anyone is inter ested.”

Anyone interested in becoming a reservist or an employer wishing to sup port an employee interested in the program, can visit the website cflcwithglowing hearts.ca.

Curtis & Anjuli’s share: $1,245 ✽

This is Curtis and Anjuli with their kids Vera, Oliver and Wyatt. In 2021, they invested their share in their operation, on land farmed by Curtis’ family for four generations. Curtis says there’s nothing he’d rather do with his profit shares because “farming is more than business, it’s community and family, and that’s what matters.” We couldn’t have said it better.

whatsyourshare.ca

Real people. Real results.

Submitted

Left to right are Lieutenant Colonel Flavel, Minister Nate Glubish, Lieutenant Colonel Longhurst, Carolyn Patton (CFLC AB chair), Chris LaBossiere (CFLC employee), Minister Brad Rutherford, MLA Shane Getson and MLA Jackie Lovely.

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.

Canola thieves

By Murray Green

Bashaw RCMP and Central Alberta Crime Re duction Unit joined forces to arrest canola thieves.

The RCMP Detach ment received a report that a significant amount of canola was stolen from a farm in Camrose County. Bashaw RCMP and mem bers of the Central Alber ta Crime Reduction Unit (CAD CRU) deployed to the area on September 28.

At approximately 1:30 p.m., RCMP received a report of suspicious in dividuals attempting to sell canola. Police located a vehicle and grain truck suspected in the thefts. Bashaw RCMP and CAD CRU officers successfully arrested the driver of the vehicle in Mirror. Upon searching the vehicle, of ficers located a loaded 12-gauge shotgun.

At the same time, offi cers from RCMP CAD CRU, supported by Bashaw and Stettler RCMP, attempted to do a traffic stop with the grain truck. The driver failed to stop for officers. Eventually, officers success fully deployed a tire defla tion device on the grain truck and with the assis tance of an RCMP helicop ter and Police Dog Services, the driver was arrested.

As a result of the inves tigation, a stolen grain au ger, a firearm and a signifi cant amount of canola was recovered.

Two residents of Stet tler were charged, one with a total of 14 charges, some of which include Flight from Peace Officer, Ob structing a Peace Officer, Possession of a Weapon for a dangerous purpose and Trafficking in property ob tained by crime.

The second resident of Stettler was charged with a total of 16 charges, some of which include nine counts of being unlawfully at large, Possession of a Weapon for a dangerous purpose and Trafficking in property obtained by crime.

The suspects appeared in Red Deer Provincial Court.